EDWARDS CHURCHA United Church of Christ

An Open and Affirming Congregation

A Service of Commissioning forERIC TATE CRAWLEY SEAHOLM

As Minister of Music In the United Church of Christ

Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

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 • edwardschurch.org

“This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

– William Shakespeare, Hamlet (Act I, Scene 3)

GatheringGATHERING MUSIC On the FencePRELUDE How Can I Keep from Singing? Susan Minor, pianoWELCOME Rev. Dr. Deborah ClarkPASSING 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 When in Our Music God Is Glorified ENGELBERG

CALL TO WORSHIP Eric N. SeaholmLeader: Let every instrument be tuned for praise-People: We are tuned and ready to praise God!Leader: Let all rejoice to have a voice to raise-People: We will raise our voice and rejoice!Leader: May God give us faith to sing always-People: Through our music and our prayer, we claim our faith and proclaim our gratitude!All: Alleluia!

Proclaiming the Word in Song, Scripture and ReflectionSCRIPTURES OF LIGHT AND VISION Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark & Rev. Cindy Maybeck

ANTHEM Be Thou My Vision SLANEAncient Irish text Arrangement by Bill Cutter

Adapted by Mary E. Byrne & Eleanor H. HullBe Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;Thou my best thought, by day or by night,Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;I ever with thee and Thou with me, Lord;Thou my great father, and I thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;Thou mine inheritance, now and always;Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,High king of heaven, my treasure Thou art.High king of heaven, my victory won,May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!Heart of my heart, whatever befall,Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

SCRIPTURE The Good Shepherd Rev. Cindy MaybeckPsalm 23; John 10:11-16

ANTHEM My Shepherd Will Supply My Need Arrangement by Virgil Thomson

Text from Psalm 23, adapted by Isaac WattsMy Shepherd will supply my need: Jehovah is his name.In pastures fresh he makes me feedBeside the living stream. He brings my wandering spirit back When I forsake his ways.He leads me, for his mercy’s sake, In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death Thy presence is my stay; One word of thy supporting breath Drives all my fears away. Thy hand, in sight of all my foes, Doth still my table spread. My cup with blessings overflows, Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God Attend me all my days,O may thy house be my abode, And all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, While others go and come;No more a stranger or a guest, But like a child at home.

SCRIPTURE Matthew 17:20b Nena Radtke

ANTHEM Dedication Text and Setting by John RutterMay my hands be strong yet gentle;May my head be held up high.May my feet be firm upon the ground,With my face toward the sky.May my shoulders bear each burden,

And my back be never bowed.May my heart be kind, and wise enoughTo be humble more than proud.With so many roads to follow,

So many dreams, and schemes to plan,If I may not change the whole wide world,

May I do the best I can.

REFLECTION “The Best We Can” Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark

HYMN God, When I Came into This Life LAND OF REST

CommissioningGREETING Rev. Kelly Gallagher & Rev. Elaine Gaetani

Leader: The Central Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ greets you in the name of Jesus Christ, the head of the church, who calls us to the ministry of reconciliation.Hear these words from the apostle Paul:My sisters and brothers,I want you to know the truth about giftsFrom the Holy Spirit.There are different kinds of spiritual gifts,But the same Spirit gives them.

People: There are different ways of serving,But the same God is served

Leader: There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to each of us for our particular service.

People: The Spirit’s presence is shown in some wayIn each person for the good of all.

PRESENTATION Don AkinEXHORTATION & EXAMINATIONCOVENANT

Leader: Members of Edwards Church, will those who are able rise and affirm your covenant with Rick Seaholm as a commissioned minister in your midst?

People: We receive you as a commissioned minister among us.We promise to labor with you as your brothers and sisters in Christ.We gather with you and the United Church of ChristAs a sign of our mutual ministry in Christ’s name.

Leader: Members of the Central Association, will those of you who are able rise and affirm your covenant with Edwards Church and its newly commissioned member?

People: We, the members of the Central Association of the United Church of Christ, gather with you, the people and the one commissioned, as a sign of our covenant and in celebration of our mutual ministry in Christ’s name.

PRAYER OF COMMISSIONING Rev. Dr. Deborah ClarkDECLARATIONPRESENTATIONS

Celebrating Our MinistriesANTHEM Blessings Abound Text and setting by Pepper Choplin

The rising of the morning, the peace of setting sun,The changing of the seasons as nature cycles run,The joy of simple beauty will fill our open eyes,As gratitude spills over, we come to realize:Blessings abound, blessings will fill our days.

We raise the sound of thanks and joyful praise.We thank you, Lord, You are the source of every gift that we have found,Blessings abound.

The love of friends and family who we are blessed to know,The caring love and comfort that will between us flow.Through peacefulness and conflict, it’s strong enough to stand,Love is the greatest treasure provided by your hand. (Refrain)

This life is a garden of blessings you supply,So teach us now to cherish the wondrous gift of life.When gratitude is blinded by trouble and despair,Lead us to new thanksgiving and help us to declare:Blessings abound… Wonderful blessings abound

PRAYER FOR THE MINISTRY OF THE GATHERED Rev. Dr. Frances BoglePRAYER RESPONSE Hlohonolofatsa Setting by Andrew St. Hilaire

South African traditional; Sesotho textTranslation: Ah! Blessed, in the name of the father, we bless.

Offering Our Gifts to GodThis afternoon’s offering will benefit the Central Association Scholarship Fund.

OFFERTORY Piano Concerto No. 2o in Dm, K. 466, II. Romanze Susan Minor, piano

by W.A. MozartDOXOLOGY OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below.Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen

PRAYER OF DEDICATION Rev. Shane MontoyaHYMN OF DEDICATION From All That Dwells below the Skies LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Sending ForthCHARGE Nena RadtkeBENEDICTION The Lord Bless You and Keep You Arrangement by Peter Lutkin

Text from Numbers 6:24-26The Lord bless you and keep you,The Lord lift his countenance upon you,And give you peace, and give you peace,The Lord make his face to shine upon you,And be gracious unto you, be gracious,The Lord be gracious, gracious unto you.Amen.

POSTLUDE Chorale Improvisation on “Now Thank We All Our God” Cheryl Elkins, organ

Arrangement by Sigfrid Karg-Elert

GratitudeSpecial thanks are extended to all the members of this church for hosting today’s service, and including our Deacons and Chancel Committee for working behind the scenes in many ways I will never know about. It is because of this loving community that I have found “home” here at Edwards Church, and have sought to strengthen my role in the United Church of Christ through Commissioned Ministry.I especially thank today’s participants: Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark, pastor at Edwards Church, my trusted advisor, coach, and, mentor for the past eight years (and hopefully many more).Rev. Cindy Maybeck, biblical storyteller, and sabbatical pastor here a few years back; we made an instant connection, and I couldn’t have envisioned this service without her partnership. Rev. Dr. Frances Bogle, member of Edwards Church, who took on the role of polity and history teacher this past summer; I learned so much about the church and about myself through her guidance.Rev. Kelly Gallagher, our associate conference minister and a family friend since before my association with the United Church of Christ; she was a welcome face when I first met the Committee on Ministry.Eric Seaholm, the elder, one of the first influences on my faith; he brought me to his boyhood church week-after-week, without question. I’m so grateful he has agreed to participate today. Jane Seaholm, my mother and first Sunday School teacher, has provided flowers to the glory of God and in celebration of this occasion. I thank my niece Sutton Webb for greeting today and supporting me here every chance she can. Rev. Shane Montoya and Nena Radtke, our associate pastor and mentored pastor; each has brought their ideas on ministry and I’m grateful for their collaborative spirit.The musical talents of our Edwards Church staff: Cheryl Elkins, organist and Susan Minor, pianist; both have taken an active role this year and become my friends. We have made great music together, with more ahead!I also thank the many volunteer musicians who bring immense joy to me each and every week. Our choir is the reason I do everything I do here, and I’m honored that they have been augmented today by several former members. Our resident bluegrass band, On the Fence, includes Jane Ezbicki, Len Ezbicki, George Marcincavage, and Kelly Lopez. Ric Carl was unable to be here today.

Brandon Jones, Ellie Kell, and Don Akin, for their lay participation in this service. These are three of so many members of Edwards Church whom I would not know without this place, and whose friendship I hold dear to my heart.Nicola Seaholm, our administrative assistant, is included as one of those members behind the scenes doing all sorts of things I don’t know about, and also maintains an active schedule as the best friend, and biggest supporter that a Commissioned Minister of Music could ever dream of.

NotesIn all that we do, we can only hope that what is committed to the page, canvas, or podium will be for us, in hindsight, a satisfactory representation of that period. For this reason, it is of importance to a musician planning a concert, senior recital, or audition that he choose exactly the “right” pieces. In planning for worship, a church musician adds to that complexity the desire that the pieces reflect the “right” message. In planning for his commissioning (or ordination, or wedding, or child’s baptism), a worship planner is given the unique opportunity to determine the course of an entire experience for those gathered, and for historical record.And so the creation of the worship service becomes its own journey, one intended to reflect (respectfully) all that has transpired during its formative period. Sometimes that message is inherently clear, due to season or occasion. Other services are more open-ended. A commissioning service such as this could be rather direct; songs and prayers about music ministry, and you’ll find it does have its share. For me, though, I have sought works which reflect what I have learned in this process, and which express who I am today. I’ve been attending church for nearly forty years now, thirty of those heavily focused on music, and twenty of those in a professional capacity. Why now? Why at all? Clearly I’ve found a settled home for myself here, and likely can stay as long as I wish. “What could commissioning possibly offer you?” I was asked by some along the way. I didn’t really know. Initially, I suppose there was some desire for validation; a proof, if you will, that I treat the profession of church musician with its due respect (sharing professional lineage with J.S. Bach, after all). Yet I soon found that every checkbox in the Manual on Ministry taught me something new about God, the UCC, and myself. Through the process’s requisite writing, learning, and self-reflection, I have come to a far greater understanding of who I am, of what drives me, and of what I need. It’s a work in progress, as those around me can see, but I’m getting there, working for deeper connections, greater appreciations, and a spirit of being “present” more often. I’m much more open to discuss all of it than I ever would’ve dreamed before this began.The instrumental pieces you’ll hear today are all played by people very dear to me. From my very first outdoor worship service at Edwards Church in the fall of 2009, I have been aware of the instrumental talents in our family. It took me at least four years, I’d say, before I got up the nerve to suggest a collaboration between On the Fence and our choir. We’ve now worked together each Christmas Sunday since then, and I don’t tire of the thrill of it. This past summer, Cheryl Elkins and Susan Minor joined our music staff as organist and pianist, respectively. Each has been a delight to work with, and agreed whole-heartedly to be a part of this special service, even taking requests: many of you know that I attribute a chance viewing of the film Amadeus in fifth grade to the necessity of music in my life. Since then, Mozart’s work has been my guiding star, and has opened amazing doors to me. The D minor piano concerto’s slow movement (our offering music) serves as the closing credits to that movie, which begin to roll on screen over Mozart’s sighing, contented laughter – laughter which has continually reminded me that music-making should be fun (if it’s stressful, you’re doing it wrong).The choral pieces in today’s service come from various parts of my life, and each tell a meaningful story. From Virgil Thomson’s My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, the first piece I ever got to sing with my future wife in college, based on the final text I read with my dying grandmother, to The Lord Bless You and Keep You, the alma mater of Westminster Choir College, each song has its place in my story. Some, including Blessings Abound and Hlohonolofatsa were discoveries I made here at Edwards, and have only known as sung by the voices you hear today. Be Thou My Vision offers a second nod to the love of my life, it being of ancient Irish source material. But, for me, the central point of this service is by John Rutter, taken from his Dedication and Amen. When I first learned this anthem last spring, a particular line spoke clearly to me: “If I may not change the whole wide world, may I do the best I can.” It instantly became a mantra I repeat when I am struggling with issues of self-worth. I love that it is not a cynical declaration (“I cannot change the world”), but is rather the subtle statement that degree of personal involvement

is what drives the success of a project. Even if it doesn’t end up changing the world, that’s okay, I’ve probably touched someone nevertheless. It leaves open the possibility that our small efforts may have greater impact than we expect.I could go on indefinitely writing about each of these pieces, each of the people I’ve chosen for this service, each of you gathered here, even. To learn more about this process, please visit rickseaholm.com where I have reflected at length on all of it. And of course, I welcome in-person conversation. I hope to see you around Edwards!Rick SeaholmCommissioned Minister of Music