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First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor
Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist
Jessica Skidmore, Christian Ministry Coordinator
Tori Potter, Sexton
Nancy Klebart, Office Manager
978-526-7661
www.firstparishchurch.org
MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, June 10, 2018, 10:00 a.m.
PRELUDE: Charlotte and Richard Chane, pipers
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP: (adapted from Touch Holiness)
Leader: The Holy Spirit has given us life and pours on us the power to
become new people!
People: The winds of the Spirit have given us breath and the fire of
the Spirit has enkindled in us a love for God and each other.
Leader: Come here in faithfulness and be ready for the surprises that
Gods’ Sprit brings.
People: We open our lives to the presence of God and trust God’s
promise to us that we can live new lives of freedom and grace.
All: May God help us to be true people of Spirit, letting holy
surprises fill our days!
*HYMN: “It’s the Old Ship of Zion” insert
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: (adapted from Touch Holiness):
God of all life and grace, we thank you for the seasons of this earth, for
the seasons of planting and sowing, for the seasons of harvest and
reaping. So also you give us seasons of heart. Grant that in a drought of
grace we may find your oasis of prayer. Grant that in a storm of grief
we may find your shelter of Easter faith. Grant that in the seasons of our
days we may find your rich soil for your seeds of hope. God of all life
and grace—stay with us! Be our strength and hope in all times! In
Christ’s name, we pray...
*THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
*GLORIA PATRI: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is
now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
MORNING PRAYER
Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Silent Prayer If/when you decide to share joys/concerns, please be mindful of people’s privacy when
mentioning personal details.
ANTHEM: “Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal”
Early 19th century American Folk Hymn
Arranged by Alice Parker (b. 1925)
Rebecca Shrimpton and Paul Knox, soloists
Hark I Hear the harps eternal ringing on the farther shore
As I near those swollen waters with their deep and solemn roar.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, praise the Lamb!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Glory to the great I AM!
And my soul tho’ stain’d with sorrow, fading as the light of day,
Passes swiftly o'er those waters, to the city far away
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, praise the Lamb!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Glory to the great I AM!
Souls have cross’d before me, saintly, to that land of perfect rest;
And I hear them singing faintly, in the mansions of the blest.
Hallelujah!
SCRIPTURE READING:
Psalm 138 (A Psalm of David)
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your
faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything. 3 On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth. 5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord. 6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS based on Psalm 138 (led by the Pastor):
1. How does God “increase the strength of your soul”?
2. How have you seen God “regard the lowly”?
3. How have you experienced—or witnessed—God’s “deliverance” in
ways big or small?
*HYMN: “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” insert
DRAMATIC READING: “The Starfish”, by John L. Bell, based on a
story by Lauren Eiseley
REFLECTION (led by the Pastor)
MOMENT OF MEDITATION
OFFERTORY INVITATION
OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Ride the Chariot”Spiritual
Arranged by William Henry Smith (1908-1944)
Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano
I’m gonna ride in the chariot in the morning, Lord, I’m gonna ride in the chariot in the
morning, Lord, I’m getting’ ready for the judgement day, My Lord, my Lord. Are you ready
my brother/sister? Are you ready for the journey? Do you want to see your Jesus? I’m waitin’
for the chariot ‘cause I’m ready to go. I never can forget that day, ride! When all my sins
were taken away, ride! My feet were snatched from the miry clay, ride! I’ll serve my Lord till
judgement day, ride!
*DOXOLOGY: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God
above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*HYMN: “Amazing Grace” insert
*[The “Removal of the Flame”, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying
us out into the world]
*BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE
POSTLUDE: Charlotte and Richard Chane, pipers * * * * *
The greeters and lay readers are Paul and Wendy Clark.
The Deacons are Ann and Mark Heslop.
Readers and greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak to the
Deacons, or you can also sign up online.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0444aca629a5f94-diaconate
Listening devices are available for those in need; they are at the back of
the Sanctuary. Feel free to address a Deacon should you need help using
them.
Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list fill
out a “Welcome Card” to place in the collection plate or contact
[email protected], 978-526-7661 ext 1.
Cut flowers from your garden would be most welcome
this summer for the church altar on Sunday
mornings. The arrangement does not need to be large -
just being fresh from the garden would be
wonderful. Please call Penny Lapham (978-526-7128) or
email ([email protected]) to sign up.
FPCC CARE TEAM Have you shared the experience?
We support FPC families with meals, rides, & visits through
times of illness and loss. Please contact Sue Pick
([email protected] or 978-548-0145) if you would like to
share your ideas, time, and talents with the FPC Care Team.
SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS We would love to have
you join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays (June 21) of the
month in the Conference Room of the Chapel, 3-5 PM.
MY STORY We each have unique journeys of faith. One
way to deepen our understanding of them is to share our
stories with each other.
Once per month, the Vitality Committee welcomes one of
you to share your faith journey during Sunday service in brief 2 to 3
minute remarks. We hope you will consider sharing yours. A simple
way to organize your thoughts is to answer these 3 questions:
1. What is your early faith history? (1 minute)
2. How did you come to First Parish Church? What is meaningful to
you about your participation? (1 minute)
3. Can you share a specific moment of faith, an experience of divine
intervention or God's or Jesus' presence in your life? (1 minute)
We are eager to hear your faith stories! Please talk with Mary Ellen
Cook 978-526-7178 or Allison Moir-Smith 978-526-1904 to learn more.
SETTLED PASTOR SEARCH PROCESS TO BEGIN BY THE
END OF THE SUMMER Do you feel called to serve? First Parish
will soon begin the process of searching for a new pastor. According to
our church bylaws, the Church Council is responsible for
appointing church members to serve on the search committee – two
from the Diaconate, one each from the Trustees, CE, Stewardship,
Music, Missions and Youth Group, and 5 members-at-large. Council
agreed that ideal criteria for serving on the committee include: regular
church attendance, positive outlook, good listening and synthesizing of
information skills, not being shy about speaking up in meetings, and
looking to God for guidance. Further, the chair of the
committee should have strong organization, motivation, and computer
skills.
Our hope is to create a cohesive committee that is representative of our
faith community with a balanced mix of ages, gender, family contexts,
and theological perspectives, and with a shared commitment to the
future of our church. Once the search starts, it will likely take six to nine
months. The main components of the work include developing
interview questions that help us assess whether a candidate would be a
good match for our values, purpose, and vision; reading through
candidates’ profiles; deciding who to interview; conducting interviews;
and then recommending a candidate to the congregation. The committee
will meet once or twice a month to prayerfully work through their tasks,
and individuals will be expected to read candidates’ profiles in between
meetings. There may also be a few visits to other churches to hear
candidates preach. Our UCC Area Minister, Rev. Wendy Vander Hart,
will help guide the committee through the search process, and Rev.
Marlayna can be a guide as well—but only on the process itself, not in
the choosing of candidates.
If you feel that serving God in this capacity might be a natural fit for
your talents and interests, or if there is someone you would like to
nominate who would also be a good fit, then please feel welcome to
speak with, or to email church moderator, Nancy Peterson
[email protected]. (Note: As a balanced mix of various
components is required, not all people who volunteer for the committee
may be appointed to serve.)
VISION PROCESS
Building on our four congregational meetings in the Vision Process, we
(the Transition Team) have drafted a Vision Statement, which is
available in the narthex and on the church’s website. The congregation
will have the opportunity to discuss the Vision Statement at our church’s
Annual Meeting on June 24th, and, with the congregation’s blessing, the
Vision Statement will then be used to form the basis of a strategic plan,
which the Executive Committee and Council will put together in the fall
of 2018. Once a strategic plan (with goals and objectives) has taken
shape, it will be presented to a “special meeting” of the congregation for
approval.
We (the Transition Team) are also using the information we have
gathered from the Vision Process to help form our “Church Profile,”
which is the document used in the search for a new settled
pastor. We plan to have the Church Profile done by mid June.
Please continue to keep our church’s Vision Process in your prayers!
Your Transition Team (Paul Driscoll, Lauren Gudonis, Mary Lumsden,
Jeff Parker, Jason Smith, Lelly Smith)
Church Council minutes, Congregational Meeting minutes and
documents can be found online.
BIBLE STUDY Bible Study Thursdays 4-5:30 PM (for adults) at 37
Beach St (home of Vin Terrill). Join us for a weekly study of our
scriptures led by Rev. Marlayna, continues through June 14th.
First Parish Church Congregational uses candid photos of church
activities on its website and in its publicity from time to time. Any photos
of children used will not contain personally identifiable information.
Members of the community not wanting their photos depicted (or those
of their children) should inform the church office. MISSIONS
Weekly Food Donations When you go to church Sunday mornings
remember to take one item that can be donated to Open Door through
the food basket placed in the Narthex. It is easy to forget, but you can
think ahead and bring one food item that will be much appreciated by
folks who really need our help.
First Parish serves dinner at The Open Door on
Wednesday, June 20th. Prep & Servers needed: please
contact Jim Brennan after worship or at 978-879-4595 or
sign up online
Brown Bag Lunch on Friday, June 29, sign up to donate online or see
Lelly Smith or Muriel Parker.
As we swing into summer we appreciate our Creator's gifts to feed and
nourish us. Notice how you choose and care for food. Tell others why
you do these things for the sake of our phenomenal planet Earth.
Our Green Church on the Green Food Notes
Grow your own Buy local food Buy organic Eat less meat.
Thanks! Enjoy supporting our future!
from Your Mission Committee, Lelly Smith [email protected]
BOOK GROUP We continue with a well-known
classic. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott for the month
of June. "Little Women" is a novel by American author
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888), which was originally
published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. Alcott wrote the books
rapidly over several months at the request of her publisher. The novel
follows the lives of four sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March—
detailing their passage from childhood to womanhood, and is loosely
based on the author and her three sisters. Little Women was an
immediate commercial and critical success, and readers demanded to
know more about the characters. Alcott quickly completed a second
volume, entitled Good Wives. It was also successful. The two volumes
were issued in 1880 in a single work entitled Little Women. Amazon
Marianne Round will be hosting the next book group, Monday, June
25, 6:30 pm at 3 Greenbrier Rd. Manchester. Please RSVP to Marianne
at [email protected] 978-526-9460 so she can plan
accordingly.
Check out the most recent FPCC Photo Directory
**This directory will be updated this summer**
Do we have your correct contact information?
An updated photo? Take a photo this summer and
send it for inclusion. You can email us at
Women’s Fellowship invites all ladies of our church to a
potluck on Monday, June 11 at 6 PM. This will be held
at Lauren Gudonis’ home, 56 Masconomo St. Please
bring your favorite dish! Meet to carpool from the
Chapel parking lot at 5:45 PM. Come for talk, laughs,
fellowship and a fantastic view of the ocean!
Festival by the Sea will be Saturday, August 4th. This
is a great opportunity for our church to open its doors and
welcome all to FPC both inside and out. We need
volunteers for 2 hour blocks of time; 9-11 AM, 11 AM -
1 PM, 1-3 PM, 3-5 PM. We will have people inside to
greet visitors and chat and oversee sidewalk chalk art. Please see Allison
or Mary Ellen to sign up. This is a lot of fun and an easy mission to our
community of Manchester.
POP-UP PRAYER ROCK PAINTING
PARTIES
We have a good problem: our first basket of
prayer rocks and shells were nearly cleaned out
in just 10 days.
With this simple ministry, we are sending God's love out into the world.
It's heart warming to walk or drive by our church and see someone
searching for the inspiration they need.
To remedy this wonderful problem, throughout the summer Vitality will
be hosting pop-up prayer rock painting parties at Mary Ellen Cook's
picnic table. If you'd like to be included, send Allison an email
at [email protected] to get on the list.
Beachcombers, we need you! In your summer forays, please keep this in
mind. Small smooth stones and smooth clam shells (not scallops, which
have ridges) of all sizes are needed. We're also looking for 3-foot-long
piece of driftwood on which to glue our Take What You Need large
clam shells.
If a spontaneous afternoon of painting sounds like fun, please join us!
All are welcome and wanted.
SAVE THE DATE “Thank You” Beach Party, Sunday, July 22 at 5
PM (rain date July 29) at Singing Beach
The Stewardship Committee invites all who pledged for 2018 to a beach
party at Singing Beach. Come for a simple supper, First Parish Fizzes,
fellowship, body surfing, sand-castle contest, bonfire and fun.
A pledge, for those that don't know, is a financial commitment that you
make to First Parish. These commitments help with our budgeting,
planning, paying salaries, supporting the Sunday School and the upkeep
of our beautiful buildings.
We want everyone to come to this party, so if you haven't pledged yet
for 2018, call the church office to make your pledge.
Come and let the Stewardship Committee say a fun, summery
Manchester-by-the-Sea “thank you” to you on July 22!
Upcoming events can be found on our website
(www.firstparishchurch.org ) under “News” and “Calendar” and on our
Facebook page (First Parish Manchester-by-the-Sea) under “Events”
THIS WEEK:
Monday
7:00 PM BOT
Wednesday
10:00 AM COA Yoga
6:30 PM Missions Committee
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
Thursday
4:00 PM Bible Study
Friday
8:00 AM Yoga
Sunday
10:00 AM Worship
First Parish Church
Vacation Bible School
June 25-29, 1 - 3 PM
Children K-6th
grade are invited to join us for a fun filled week of
stories, games, crafts, and learning about Jesus’ love.
First Parish Chapel
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED This is our biggest outreach to the greater
Manchester community, providing a free fun event to local families, and
we need volunteers to help run the program and donate snacks.
Please sign up to help today! High School students can earn community
service hours. To sign up speak to Jessica 978-526-7661 x 3 or email
You can also look at volunteer slots and sign up online.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-canyou1
CHILDREN K-6 GRADE WELCOME Sign up your children and invite
friends! Contact Jessica with questions 978-526-7661 x 3 or
You can also register online
https://goo.gl/forms/grlpEsnQRYZGlFKb2