First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts Rev. John G. Hughes, II, Senior Pastor Donald R. Dunn, Director of Music-Organist Judy Haley, Pastoral Assistant Priscilla Duda, Christian Education Director Emelia Attridge, Youth Director Church office: 978-526-7661 ext. 1 Fax: 978-526-7882 Email: office.fpchurch@verizon.net Website: www.firstparishchurch.org
WORSHIP SERVICE March 5, 2014-7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday ORGAN PRELUDE: Variations on an Aria by Lully by Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) CALL TO WORSHIP: Let us look to the life, the passion, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy of what was coming, endured the cross. Let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ, as we prepare for the mystery of his Redeeming Sacrifice. *HYMN: Abide With Me PH #209 *GENERAL CONFESSION: Merciful God, we have been wrong; we have strayed from your paths like lost sheep. We have followed too often our own ways and have not followed yours. We have not done things we should have; we have done things we should not have done. So, Dear God, have mercy on us. Forgive us when we confess. Restore us, so that, the words of our mouths and the reflections of our hearts may be acceptable to you, O Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
*WORDS OF ABSOLUTION Leader: God hears the confession of our hearts and our lips. Through Jesus Christ we are forgiven and by the Holy Spirit we are empowered for new life. We believe the Good News of Jesus Christ. Amen. *THE LORD'S PRAYER (trespasses) 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. SCRIPTURE READING: Joel 2:12-17 RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 51 NCH #657-658 ANTHEM: Create in me a clean heart, O God Carl F. Mueller (1892-1982) Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, And uphold me uphold me with thy spirit, Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee. SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 REFLECTION: A Clean and Right Spirit Within *SERVICE OF HIPOLYTUS *HYMN: Let There Be Peace on Earth insert
APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *HYMN: Savior Again to Thy Dear Name PH #60 *BENEDICTION ORGAN POSTLUDE: Voluntary in D minor by William Herschel (1738-1822) * * * * Liturgist: Emelia Attridge Guest Organist: Bonnie Anderson Deacons: Mary Lumsden & Dan DeOreo
Vespers at First Parish Church, Spring 2014 The Sanctuary opens at 6:30 for meditation & prayer, service 7-7:30 pm, followed by ten minutes of music. Wednesday, March 12, "an unmovable foot" psalm 121 Wednesday, April 2, "still waters" psalm 23 Wednesday, April 17 Maundy Thursday Learning in Lent For many people, getting ready for Easter means little more than watching the airfares for spring travel, sprucing up the spring wardrobe or bunny collection, and picking out a ham or lamb a few days before Easter Sunday. Others find it important to take some time out of their routines to do some spring cleaning in their priorities and purposes so that they are renewed and ready for the Great Celebration of Easter. You may want to participate in actual cleaning of the chapel and sanctuary as a symbol of your inner cleansing. You re also invited to one or more of the gatherings of First Parish Church Manchester-by-the-Sea, that will take place throughout Lent. Chapel Clean Up We are holding a Chapel Clean Up Day on March 15 th from 9 am to 3 pm, join us to clean, paint and take pride in this gathering place of many activities! Ruth Moves to Manchester The short biblical story of Ruth will provide a lens for looking closely at such times of transition. We will reflect on the spiritual resources that we can access and offer to others in the midst of life s changes. Join us for five weeks, March 13-April 10, Thursdays at 7:30 PM. Soup & Conversation, How can Christians respond faithfully to the challenges of an economically divided society? Steve Carhart will offer a look at where we ve been and where we may go from here. Sunday, March 23 at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel. Friday Bible Study (3-5:30 PM) & Bibles & Bagels (Sundays 9-9:45 AM) The passages of Lent will take us through the gospels of Matthew & John, the Psalms, and other passages of preparation.