First Sunday After Epiphany
January 11, 2015 10:00 A.M.
A Thought for Reflection
Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it,
live along some distant day into the answer. –Rainer Maria Rilke
GOD GATHERS US
Prelude
Greetings and Announcements
Passing of the Peace
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
We invite you to turn to your neighbors and greet them.
* Hymn of Praise “O Christ Jesus, Sent from Heaven” 42
* Call to Worship
Leader: Rejoice, for God has sent the Messiah
PEOPLE: To bind up the brokenhearted,
Leader: To proclaim liberty to the captives,
PEOPLE: To grant those who mourn a garland instead of ashes,
Leader: The mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
PEOPLE: Arise, shine, for our light has come.
* Prayer of Invocation
* Sentences of Praise
Leader: Awake, my soul!
PEOPLE: Awake, O harp and trumpet!
Leader: We will give thanks to you, O God, among the peoples.
PEOPLE: We will sing praises to you among the nations.
Leader: For your compassion is greater than the heavens.
PEOPLE: Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
ALL: Let your glory cover the earth, O God!
+* Gloria (From Angels We Have Heard on High) NCH 125
Glo- - -ria in excelsis Deo,
Glo- - -ria in excelsis Deo.
Prayer of Confession (In unison)
O Life that surges through all living things and is their Source, we confess that we have often closed ourselves off and prevented the river flow of life through us. We have lost touch with the unique worth of the life each of us has to live. Our eyes fail to perceive beauty in people and in the world. Open our eyes, that we may walk in newness of life through One who is the Resurrection and the Life. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
The Lord’s Prayer
Please Join us in Singing (see insert)
GOD MEETS US IN THE WORD
* Congregation may stand as you are able +*Latecomer seating
Words With the Young People
+* Hymn of Preparation “What Ruler Wades through Murky Streams” 168 (Children please leave for classes during the hymn.)
The Hebrew Bible Lesson Genesis 1:1-5
(Pew Bible, p. 1)
The Anthem “At the River” arr. Coplan/White
The Gospel Lesson Mark 1:4-11
(Pew Bible, p. 812)
The Sermon “A Question to Live”
Celebrations and Concerns
Call to Prayer
Moment of Silent Prayer
Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and Petition
GOD CALLS FOR OUR GIFTS
Our Offering to God
Offertory
*Doxology (Lasst Uns Erfreuen) NCH 17
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
*Prayer of Dedication
GOD SENDS US INTO THE WORLD
* Hymn of Dedication “My Life Flows on in Endless Song” 476
* Charge and Benediction
* Postlude (Please feel free to remain and listen, or to greet one another in the narthex and at coffee hour.)
Our Worship Has Ended… Let Our Service Begin!
Ministers All the People of Edwards Church
Pastor The Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark
Director of Christian Education Jessie Evers
Student Pastor Kate Byers
Choir Director Rick Seaholm
Organist/Pianist Don Buell
Administrative Assistant Maureen Hansen
Sexton Lori Wilson
The Liturgist Matt and Dylan Aufman
The Deacon-in-Charge Shelly Cichowlas
The Greeter Bettina Messana
The Ushers Sandy Thompson
Coffee Hour is being hosted by those who are moved by the Spirit.
Tammy Plaza, of Mothers’ Helpers, is in charge of the Nursery this morning.
Welcome Visitors! We are glad you are here. Please join us for coffee and fellowship, following the service. Sign our guestbook too! In the the Education Building (out the side door follow hallway) are the restrooms and where coffee hour is held. The Nursery and Sunday School classes are on the lower level. If you have questions, or suggestions, feel free to talk with one of the Ushers, Greeters or Deacon in Charge.
Special Needs / / / Available in the Narthex (front entrance hallway).· Sound-enhancing Assistive Listening Devices.
· Enlarged copy of the Church Bulletin.
/ PARKING:
ENTRANCE:
LIFT:
RESTROOM: / · Accessible spots are marked and located near the Education Building entrance.
· Lower level of the Education Building (to the left of the Church main entrance).
· Education Building: Next to the stairs.
· Education Building: Upper Level – opposite the kitchen.
Edwards Church
A United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation
In the name of God and Jesus Christ, Edwards Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ, welcomes all who seek to know and worship God. We invite everyone to join in our faith journey and participate in our congregational life.
As a community of faith we take seriously the Biblical call to love God and our neighbors as ourselves, and recognize that although we are many members we are one.
We celebrate the uniqueness of everyone. We rejoice in our diversity of views and understanding of our shared faith. We commit ourselves to work diligently to help end oppression and discrimination. We affirm all relationships founded on the principle of God’s love and justice.
We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation.
Seeking to be the Body of Christ, we welcome into full fellowship and membership all persons of every race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or cognitive ability, and economic status.
39 Edwards Street
Framingham, MA 01701
508-877-2050
www.edwardschurch.org
THIS WEEK AT EDWARDS
January 11-January 17, 2015
SUNDAY Rental (Edwards Hall) 9:00 A.M.
Adult Bible Study (Susan P. Dickerman Education Building) 9:00 A.M.
Worship/Sunday School 10:00 A.M.
Coffee Hour 11:00 A.M.
Board of Christian Education (Sue D bldg downstairs) 11:30 A.M.
Oneness Blessing (Edwards Hall) 4:00 P.M.
Community of Saint Luke (Jonathan House) 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY Chairobics (Education Building) 9:30 A.M.
Bridge Club (Edwards Hall) 12:00 P.M.
Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall) 6:00 P.M.
Veteran’s Yoga (Edwards Hall) 6:15 P.M.
Meditation with the Masters 7:30 P.M.
Board of Wider Missions Meeting (Jonathan House) 7:00 P.M.
TUESDAY Qi gong (Sue Dickerman Hall) 7:45 and 9:00 A.M.
Meditation (Jonathan House) 9:30 A.M.
Gentle Yoga (Edwards Hall) 10:00 A.M.
Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall) 10:15 A.M.
Interim Clergy Group (Edwards Hall Classroom) 11:00 A.M.
Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall) 4:15 P.M.
Yoga (Sue Dickerman Hall) 5:30 P.M.
Soup and Bible Study (Office) 6:30 P.M.
Buddhist Meditation 7:00 P.M.
Longevitiology (choir Room) 7:00 P.M.
WEDNESDAY Chairobics (Sue Dickerman Hall) 9:30 A.M.
Framingham Garden Club (Edwards Hall) 10:00 A.M.
Open Spirit Health and Wellness Workshop (Edwards Hall Classroom) 7:00 P.M.
Framingham Folk Dancers (Edwards Hall) 7:30 P.M.
THURSDAY Qi gong (Sue Dickerman Hall) 7:45 and 9:00 A.M.
Yoga (Edwards hall) 9:30 A.M.
Rental (Edwards Hall Classroom) 12:00 P.M.
Kripalu Yoga (Edwards Hall) 6:00 P.M.
Cancer Support (SPD Youth Room) 6:00 P.M.
Choir (Sue Dickerman Hall) 7:15 P.M.
AA Meetings (Edwards Hall) 7:30 P.M.
FRIDAY Chairobics (Education Building) 9:30 A.M.
Rental (Edwards Hall Classroom) 7:00 P.M.
SATURDAY Rental (Edwards Hall and Parking lot) 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
All Levels Yoga (Sue Dickerman Hall) 9:00 A.M.
Community of St. Luke (Sanctuary) 4:30 P.M.
ONENESS BLESSING will take place today at 4:00pm-5:00pm at Open Spirit at Edwards Hall.
Come into the circle of love and gratitude for a meditation followed by hands on blessings given by trained Oneness facilitators. The Oneness Blessing is a transfer of Divine Energy given to awaken the experience of Oneness. It allows us to deepen our relationships with ourselves, loved ones, humanity and the Divine. The Oneness Blessing is free; Donations gratefully accepted.
THE WOMEN’S GROUP will meet on Thursday, January 22, 2015, at 6:30 pm for a Potluck Supper. Please bring a dish to share and bring a friend!
THE ANNUAL MEETING will take place on February 8th. We will begin with a soup and bread lunch. Agenda items include:
*Consideration of and vote on the 2015 budget.
*Consideration of and vote on the report of the Nominating Committee.
*Conversation about the church’s long-term financial well-being.
Order your chili for the Superbowl Today!!
Once again, the Board of Christian Education
will be selling Chili.
Place your order by January 18th or see a member of the Board of Christian Education. Orders can be picked up at Coffee Hour on February 1.
Name:
I would like to order:
Pint for suggested donation of $10
Quart for a suggested donation of $15-20
I would like to help make chili after coffee hour on January 25th (in the Susan P. Dickerman Kitchen)
Please make check payable to Edwards Church and note Chili in the memo line
The funds raised benefit the Youth Fund, which provides support forour young people'sparticipation in widerchurch related activities like Mission trips.