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 UnitedChurch 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 faithwe 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
edwardschurch.org
Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 21, 201710:00 AM
A thought for reflection
If God is not sending earthquakes, destroying economies and inflicting pain upon human beings,
what is God doing? God works through people, calling them to help their neighbors in need.
—Adam Hamilton
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“Rejoice, You Pure in Heart”NCH 55
*Call to Worship
Leader:We are here because we have heard the call of Jesus in our lives.
People: We are here to challenge and support one another to rise up and follow.
Leader:We are here because we want to be God’s people.
People:We want to learn more about what it means to be the people of God.
Leader:We come, seeking to be moved, changed, and made whole by the Spirit of the living God.
People:Let us open our hearts to the moving of the Spirit, and prepare to leave this place as true disciples of Christ.
*Prayer of Invocation
*Sentences of Praise
Leader:Rejoice in our God always!
People:Again I say rejoice!
+*Gloria (Sing twice.)NCH 756
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Prayer of Confession(in unison)
Author of life, we humbly confess that too often we fall short of your intentions for us and of our expectations of ourselves. We would touch the world with goodness, but often we withdraw in anxiety and self-concern. We would live with integrity and stand for truth, but we are torn with uncertainties. We would warm the lives of others with our love, but we hesitate, wondering if they will love us in return. We would go about our daily tasks with confidence and joy, but find ourselves struggling with self-doubt.
We need your presence, O God, if we are to be what we could be and want to be. Let our worship heal us, renew us, strengthen us, that we may go out in joy and be led forth in peace. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
The Lord’s Prayer (Please pray using the words you find most meaningful.)
ResponseNCH 775
And God will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of God’s hand.
GOD MEETS US IN THE WORD
Words with the Young People
*Hymn of Preparation“De Colores”NCH 402
The Hebrew Bible Lesson(Pew Bible, p. 147)Deuteronomy 10:17-19
The Anthem“Easter Anthem”by William Billings
The Gospel Lesson(Pew Bible, p.797)Matthew 15:21-28
The Sermon“No importa de donde eres…”
Celebrations and Concerns
Call to Prayer
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“In Christ There Is No East or West”NCH 395
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!
MinistersAll the People of Edwards Church
PastorThe Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark
Associate PastorThe Rev. Mr. Shane Montoya
Mentored Pastor Nena Radtke
Commissioned Minister of MusicRick Seaholm
OrganistCheryl Elkins
PianistSusan Minor
Administrative Assistant Nicola Seaholm
SextonLori Wilson
The LiturgistReid Young Nena Radtke
The Deacon-in-ChargeMatt Aufman
The GreeterJoanie White
UshersNorma Hart & Ellie Kell
Janis Steigmanof Mother’s Helpers is in charge of the nursery this morning.
MISSION HIGHLIGHT
For more than ten years, Edwards Church has sponsored Jurme Wangmo, a young girl from a refugee family in India, at the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamsala. Jurme is now eighteen and is completing her education there. The United Church of Christ Child Sponsorship program has given us a new child to sponsor and we are raising money ($30 per month) to help cover the cost of her education. If you want to help, you can sign up for a month on the way to coffee hour. Here’s the information we recently received from the Tibetan Children’s Village:
Tenzin Dayoe is a nine-year-old girl who was admitted to the Tibetan Children’s Village in March of 2015. She was born in Dharamsala on November 3, 2008 to a Tibetan family living in poverty.Dayoe’s father works as a Thanka painter and her mother works as a helper at a sweater-selling business during the winter season earning a very small income.When Tenzin Dayoe became old enough to attend school, her father approached the Tibetan Welfare Office to support his daughter’s education.
THIS WEEK AT EDWARDS CHURCH
May 21-27, 2017
SUNDAY9:00amAdult Bible Study...... Youth Room
9:00amRental...... Edwards Hall
10:00amWorship...... Sanctuary
10:00amSunday School...... Education Building
11:00amDessert Auction...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
11:30amGathering of Friends...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
11:30amGreen Team Meeting...... Youth Room
1:00pmRental...... Sanctuary
6:00pmRental...... Sanctuary
7:00pmRental...... Edwards Hall Classroom
MONDAY9:30amChairobics...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
1:00pmMosaic Making...... Education Building
6:00pmVeterans Yoga...... Edwards Hall
6:15pmRental...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
7:30pmGuided Meditation...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
TUESDAY9:00amQi gong...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
10:00amGentle Yoga...... Edwards Hall
10:30amRental...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
1:30pmRental...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
5:30pmHatha Yoga...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
7:00pmPlant-Based Smoothie Class...... Edwards Hall
WEDNESDAY9:30amChairobics...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
10:30amSteeple Mailing...... Jonathan House
4:30pmSoup and Bible Study...... Jonathan House
5:45pmThreefold Yoga...... Edwards Hall
7:30pmRental...... Edwards Hall
THURSDAY9:00amQi gong...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
9:30amNot-Your-Ordinary Yoga Class...... Edwards Hall
11:00amBible Study...... Jonathan House
6:00pmCancer Support Group...... Youth Room
6:00pmKripalu Yoga...... Edwards Hall
7:30pmAA Meeting...... Edwards Hall
FRIDAY9:30amChairobics...... Susan P. Dickerman Hall
1:00pmMosaic Making...... Education Building
6:00pmRental...... Edwards Hall Classrooms
SATURDAY9:00amSenior Yoga...... Edwards Hall
10:30amGardening...... Outside Edwards Hall
4:30pmRental...... Sanctuary
6:00pmRental...... Edwards Hall
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gathering of Friends
TODAY, May 21st after Coffee Hour
If you are new to Edwards Church, if you've been coming for awhile and wondering what it means to be a member, or if you are a long-time member who'd like to meet our newer friends, then YOU ARE INVITED to a Gathering of Friends Brunch. Join us for informal conversation and delicious food! Speak to Rev. Debbie Clark after worship if you would like to attend.
Dessert Auction!
TODAY, May 21 after worship
Save your appetite and stick around after church to bid on delicious baked goods. Proceeds will help support important mission projects and outings and for our youth.
Green Team Kick-Off Meeting
TODAY, May 21 after worship
Edwards Church has done many things over the years to lower its impact on the environment and raise awareness in the community. Is there more we could be doing? We will meet after church (and after the dessert auction) for about an hour. The Green Team would then meet quarterly with informal follow-up on issues and actions as needed. There will be a simple soup lunch. Youth and adults are welcome.
Special Lunch Bunch
Wednesday, May 31 at noon in Susan P. Dickerman Hall
At our successful Chinese Take-Out Lunch, we decided that every fifth Wednesday would be Take-Out Day! This time we will try Thai food from Chili Basil in Sudbury. Call or email the church office to reserve a spot or sign up on the way to coffee hour. We suggest a donation of $6 – more if you can, less if you can’t.
COMING UP AT OPEN SPIRIT
Plant-Based Cooking Class – Smoothies That Taste Like Dessert
Tuesday, May 23, 7:00-8:30pm in Edwards Hall
Join us to learn how to eat healthier and incorporate more plant-based foods in our diets. Smoothies are a great way to start your day – giving you energy when need it most, with food that your body (and mind) will thank you for! In this class you will learn how to easily make your own fresh almond milk, plus four smoothie recipes that taste like dessert but are loaded with nutrients and energy to keep you going through morning! Taught by Colin McCollough. Please register at openspiritcenter.org. $20 per person
Ramadan Fast-Breaking Meal – A Celebration of Multi-faith Friendship
Tuesday, June 6 at 7:30 pm in Edwards Hall
Open Spirit is hosting our third annual fast-breaking meal.During this month of Ramadan (this year from May 27 through June 25th), Muslims fast each day from dawn to dusk. When the sun sets, they break their fast, often together, sharing the joy of community. The evening breaking of the fast is often called an Iftar.As an expression of interfaith friendship, and as part of our on-going efforts to build understanding about each other’s sacred traditions, Open Spirit is hosting an iftar for people of all faiths. If you are fasting for Ramadan, please come as our guest. If you are not, please bring a vegetarian dish to share. Please register at openspiritcenter.org or call the church office to RSVP.