25th sunday after pentecost remembrance sunday
TRANSCRIPT
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25TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 14, 2021
Hybrid service to be conducted in person and online via Zoom 9:30 am
I will try.
I will step from the house to see what I see
and hear and I will praise it.
I did not come into this world
to be comforted.
I come, like red bird, to sing. Mary Oliver
From her book Red Bird
First Congregational Church of Camden, United Church of Christ
Growing in Faith, Centered in Christ, Committed to Community
We are an Open and Affirming Congregation embracing diversity
and affirming the worth and dignity of every person.
We welcome everyone to share in all aspects of our church life. 55 Elm Street, Camden, Maine 04843 207.236.4821 phone 207.236.4822 fax
Web site: www.camdenucc.org Email: mailto:[email protected]
Home of Boy Scout Troop & Pack 200, Girl Scout Troop 1341
During the service please use speaker view instead of gallery view and keep your mics muted
during the service. DON’T click the green Share Screen icon,
that’s only for the HOST! This avoids the service being interrupted whenever you move or speak at home
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THE SERVICE OF WELCOME
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE When Morning Gilds the Skies – Robert Hobby
*Matt Mainster, organ
RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP adapted from Wendell Berry Joey Dowd
Leader: The incarnate Word is with us,
All: is still speaking, is present always,
Leader: yet leaves no sign
All: but everything that is.
Leader: Let us worship God, who is present in all that is;
All: and let us love God, as we pray and praise, that we might love God in and through all that is,
through the Spirit who is love-for-us, love-in-us, love-through-us. Amen.
* HYMN #100 When Morning Gilds the Skies
* Balcony Choir
We are now showing words & music for all hymns on separate pages. See page 7.
In the sanctuary, we can now sing softly behind our masks.
* UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION Adapted from A Wee Worship Book, 4th ed. Joey Dowd
Leader: O God our Creator,
All: Your kindness has brought us the gift of this new morning. Help us to leave yesterday, and not
to be anxious about what might come tomorrow, but to open ourselves to the unique gift of
today. For you meet us today as Love, and invite us into an embrace that holds us with fierce
tenderness, and will not let us go. Be to us the wind that stirs in the autumn woods; be the
waves that rise and fall and rise again, without our effort; be the warmth of the morning sun
and the hush of eventide. Dwell with us in love, that we might be those who love with courage
and truth. Amen.
* SPOKEN GLORIA from the UCC Book of Worship
Glory to God the Creator, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.
* THE PASSING OF CHRIST’S PEACE Leader: The Peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
THE SERVICE OF THE WORD
TIME FOR CHILDREN Elizabeth Lally
HEBREW SCRIPTURES Leviticus 19. 1 – 2, 17 – 18 Joey Dowd
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You
shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.
You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt
yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your
neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”
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GOSPEL Mark 12. 28 – 34
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them
well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the
Sovereign our God, the Sovereign is one; you shall love the Sovereign your God with all your heart, and with
all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You
are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘God is one, and besides God there is no other’; and ‘to love God
with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as
oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he
answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the dominion of God.” After that no one dared to ask
him any question.
SERMON Remembering for the Future Rev. Dr. Mark S. Burrows
THE SERVICE OF GRATITUDE
* HYMN #639 Let Hope and Sorrow Now Unite (https://youtu.be/hwkjQOuLWu0)
* Balcony Choir
We are now showing words & music for all hymns on separate pages. See page 8.
In the sanctuary, we can now sing softly behind our masks.
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS Please send your joys and concerns to Ute at [email protected] or leave a message on Ute’s voice mail
(236-4821). During the worship time, you can write a prayer in via the chat function at the bottom of the screen. Please
only share if you have permission by the person you wish to pray for. Please only use first name and keep personal
information to a minimum as this will be available publicly.
REMEMBRANCE & THANKSGIVING FOR ALL THE SAINTS
George Rowan 4-18-19
Pat Rowan 12-8-20
Molly Glennie Gray 11-22-20
Charlotte Beebe 11-26-20
Annie Smart 12-22-20
Betty Killoran 1-27-21
Nan Lasbury 1-28-21
James Ostheimer 3-16-21
David Gordon 4-1-21
Dorothy Irene Conover 5-2-21
Robert Lannamann 7-14-21
Iris Beckstrom 8-8-21
Ruth Wells 8-26-21
Nancy Akers 9-14-21
Robert Alan Davis 9-25-21
Ashleigh Church 11-1-21
William Nuesse 11-8-21
William Bisbee 11-8-21
~ All Veterans ~
We now pause to remember in silence other loved ones who have died in the last year.
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SILENT PRAYER AND PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Philip Newell, Casa del Sol)
Ground of all being, Mother of life, Father of the Universe, Your name is sacred, beyond speaking. May
we know your presence, may your longings be our longings in heart and in action. May there be food for
the human family today and for the whole earth community. Forgive us the falseness of what we have
done, as we forgive those who have been untrue to us. Do not forsake us in our time of conflict, but lead
us into new beginnings. For the light of life, the vitality of life, and the glory of life are yours now and
forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY INVITATION Ute Molitor
Stewardship Moment ~ Caring for Each Other
Joseph Coté
PLEASE OPEN BULLETIN TO NEXT PAGE TO SEE THE GRAPHIC.
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* UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION Joey Dowd
Mothering God, you provide us with all that we need to live. You are our very breath, and each pulse of
our heart praises You as our Maker. Be for us the blessing that blesses. Be the gift that gives what we
need, and provides through us for others in need. Receive our life as the gift You intend it to be, for
building Love in this place and beyond. Amen.
THE SERVICE OF BLESSING
* HYMN #668 For the Healing of the Nations (verses 1 & 2 only)
We are now showing words & music for all hymns on separate pages. See page 9.
In the sanctuary, we can now sing softly behind our masks.
* BENEDICTION
* SUNG BENEDICTION Go my children, with my blessing, never alone;
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own;
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever,
Go my children, with my blessing, you are my own.
POSTLUDE For the Healing of the Nations –– Paul Manz
*Matt Mainster, organ
Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream certain music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-729715.
Excludes music in public domain. All rights reserved.
OUR THANKS TO TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS! Deacon on Site: Terri Mackenzie/Ed Weber
Deacon on Site/Zoom: Terri Mackenzie/Ed Weber
Liturgist: Joey Dowd
Children’s Message: Elizabeth Lally
Greeters: Ann McClellan, Marti Garrison
Ushers: Melvin Achorn, Scott Achorn
Stewardship Presenter: Joseph Coté
Altar Decorations through Thanksgiving: Debbie Brady
Please join us for Virtual Coffee Hour, an on-line zoom conversation for fellowship following the service.
Get your coffee ready! Welcome to all who worship with us today.
Rev. John Bell from the Iona Community will preach on December 5th (originally scheduled for Nov. 28) We are excited and grateful to have Rev. John Bell join us once again (by Zoom) from
Glasgow to offer the sermon on December 5th. John Bell is a dynamic preacher, musician,
lecturer and broadcaster. He is an active member of the ecumenical Iona Community in
Scotland (www.iona.org.uk) and co-founder of the Wild Goose Resource Group (www.wildgoose.scot). John
engages the Gospel in dynamic, transformative and often humorous ways like few others can. Don’t miss this
opportunity!
~ Our newsletter continues on page 10 after the hymns ~
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From Matt: Appeal for our Christmas By the Sea Noontime Concert Matt could use 2-3 more talented individuals to share a holiday tune or two (5
minutes or less) at our annual Christmas by the Sea noontime concert on Friday,
Dec 3rd. While vocalists and pianists are not discouraged, we could especially use a
few instrumentalists to vary our offerings (guitar, ukulele, accordion, clarinet,
violin, cello, etc.). Please reach out to Matt at 410-227-9359 or
[email protected] with interest or recommendations. Thank you!
~ Change in Dove Tree plans for 2021 ~
~ Cash Contributions requested from the congregation ~ Bette McFarland and Elaine Davis, from our Dove Tree Committee,
report that plans this year for the Dove Tree have changed. Due to the
ongoing Covid uncertainty we are not able to put up the Dove Tree with
paper doves listing toy and clothing requests from families in local
schools. Our relationship with teachers at Camden-Rockport Middle
School and other local families is still strong; instead of toys and
clothing, this year we are going to give generous Hannaford gift cards.
THIS YEAR, all are invited to donate for the Dove Tree in
several ways by Nov. 24: donate on our website specifying “Dove Tree Gift”; send checks
to First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St., Camden, ME 04843 (put “Dove Tree” in the
memo line); or bring donation to Becky in the office.
Journey through Advent with Christian Spiritual Teacher
Henri Nouwen
Save these dates and please let the office know of your interest!
What: New Course Offering for Advent Season
When: Following the Sunday Service
Dates: Nov 28, Dec. 5, 12, 19, and Jan. 2
Where: In-person at First Congregational Church (We do not yet know if we can offer a hybrid format)
How: Call (236-4821) or email Becky [email protected]
Join Ute Molitor and Mark Burrows as they facilitate a once a week, one-hour discussion of beloved author and
spiritual master Henri Nouwen’s teachings, as we move through the Advent season. Participants will be
provided with five short free booklets, one to be read each week prior to class. Our discussions will follow the
booklets as they focus Nouwen’s teachings on:
* Identity: Finding Myself in God
* God: Discovering the Divine
* Love: Experiencing Deep Connection
* Suffering: Transforming Our Pain
* Freedom: Finding Peace in Anxious Times
To learn more about Henri Nouwen, visit the Henry Nouwen Society https://henrinouwen.org.
* Depending on the number of participants, we may form small discussion groups that will stay together
throughout the course. We thank Tom and Susan Yoder as well as Deborah Cautela for their initial willingness
to help lead the course. They have had to step back for important personal reasons at this particular time.
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THANKSGIVING PLANS
For Our Little Food Pantry Cupboard at FCC
You can help with food donations! Even though the First Congregational Church is not able to
gather for a Thanksgiving meal like we have done in the past,
and contribute food ahead of time for the Camden Area Food
Pantry– there are still opportunities to share the bounty and give joy during this
Thanksgiving season. Many of you are aware that FCC has a small outdoor free food
pantry cupboard near the entrance to SOS, which was built by Troop 200 Boy Scout Zachary Dorr as part of his
Eagle Scout project. The employees and volunteers at Heavenly Threads and SOS have reported that this
pantry cupboard gets visited daily. One of the nice things about the pantry is that it is available every day at any
time during the day or night. It’s convenient and accessible for all. As winter approaches it would be great to
keep this pantry stocked for those in need. Heavenly Threads and SOS also report that smaller food items and
snacks that can be eaten immediately are helpful, and canned goods that already have pull tab tops are
essential. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store please consider including a few items from the list below
and dropping them off at the church in the next few weeks. You can place donations under the table in the
Pilgrim Room entrance – call the office 236-4821 if you need a door entry code. You may also make a
monetary donation to the church if that is more convenient for you (please include Little Food Pantry in the
memo line of your check) and the church will purchase the pantry supplies. If you have any questions, please
call the office at 236-4821.
Helpful foods for the Little Food Pantry at FCC: Cereal bars
Granola bars
Packs of cheese and crackers
Fruit cups
Apple sauce cups
Nuts
Raisins
Peanut butter
Boxed crackers
Instant oatmeal
Tuna pouches/canned tuna
Canned ham/chicken
Canned soup
Canned beans
Canned spaghetti and meatballs
Dry pasta
Canned pasta sauce
Canned fruit and veggies
Boxed mac and cheese
Just add water pancake mix
Powdered milk or boxed
NEWS FROM HEAVENLY THREADS Our shop is full of Thanksgiving ideas,
and soon we’ll have Christmas items on display. Come have a look!
We continue to be OPEN for shopping Tuesday-Saturday 11-3
Donations are accepted Tuesday-Saturday 9-3PM
Emporium Listings
Members and friends can submit listings through the office. Categories are:
Help Wanted, In Search Of, For Sale/Swap/Trade/Free, and Services Offered.
FOR SALE Winterberry wreaths
for sale. Sliding scale of $65-$75.
These are outdoor wreaths. 24+
inches across. These should not be
placed on any door that opens
frequently. Limited quantities.
Email [email protected]
SERVICES OFFERED
Need a Ride to Church from Quarry Hill? Marty
Martens, Camden UCC member and Quarry Hill
resident, will drive other Quarry Hill residents to
church services on Sundays. If you’d like to join the
in-person service, give Marty a call at 446-5900.
Masks are recommended in cars, required in Church!
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Outdoor Hymn/Carol Sing on Dec 10th at 4:30 p.m.! Do you have some favorite hymns or carols you’d like to sing? We know your favorites
don’t always show up in the service, so we’re giving you the opportunity to sing and hear the
ones you love the most. This is an outdoor event on church property. Please dress warmly
and come prepared to request your favorite hymns and carols. If you have a favorite hymn
that does not appear in our “Chalice” hymnal, please submit your request to Matt ahead of
time at [email protected]. We will try to cover as many requests as possible! Any
necessary Covid protocols will be announced at a later date, but it’s always a good idea to
come prepared with a mask just in case. *You may wish to bring a flashlight (many phones have them built in).
Don't worry about all those cargo ships out in San Francisco
Bay. Your very own church Christmas By The Sea Craft Fair
returns December 4th!! On December 4 from 9-2 you will find the Pilgrim Room filled with local
artisans and crafts people eager to sell all that they have been working on over the last two years. We can even
expand into the Mayflower Room if we fill some empty spaces, so if you know of any talented people out there
who would like a space have them contact Jan Kelsey at [email protected]. Some Covid restrictions will
apply but we hope you will come and have share a joyous and successful holiday shopping experience!
Help wanted with Facebook! The Communications Committee is looking for an
enthusiastic someone with Facebook administration knowledge. We need help
keeping our Facebook page current with the posting of all that’s happening here at
church (classes, programs, concerts, news etc.) as well as keeping track of our usage
trends etc. We’d welcome you as a member of the committee, or you can simply
serve as our “off board specialist”. Contact Debbi Hitchings at
[email protected] if interested.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING CONTRIBUTIONS AND PLEDGES! Despite the continuing pandemic, we are bustling with activity and continuing to give to
the local community through Heavenly Threads, Outreach and Shields Mission Project. In
this ever-changing pandemic, please remember to send your donations to the First
Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843. We also have a provision for
“e-giving,” on the Church website homepage (www.camdenucc.org). Look for the
“DONATE” button on the top right. By clicking that button, you can exercise a myriad of options to give to
the Church. You can choose to direct your gift to General Fund, Shields Mission, Steeple Fund, Outreach
Fund, or Friends of Music. If you have any difficulty or questions, call the Church Office.
A quick update from the Search Committee for the Associate Pastor From Greg Worden
The Search Committee has been hard at work behind the scenes conducting numerous interviews and reviewing many profiles. We're excited to say that we've made wonderful progress. We are currently in the late stages of meeting with a candidate. While this is great news, there are many things that could still go wrong. I like to say that we are at the point where we are crossing our fingers but not yet holding our breath. If you have any questions about our process please don't hesitate to ask Greg Worden, [email protected] and (207) 542-7691
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Our Steeple Preservation Project Our Steeple Preservation Fund as of November 11, 2021 is at $128, 307. We’re inching our
way to the top! We want to meet our goal of $150,000 as the project is being finished in
November, and with your help we can do that!
If you have not yet joined the many who have made their commitment or, if you have, and want
to help us reach our goal, we hope you will send a gift soon. We wish to preserve our historic steeple
for a very long time into the future as a beacon for the missions of hope and caring that goes on in
the church buildings below.
Gifts can be made over a three year period by contacting the Church Office for a pledge card, or
by sending a check made out to First Congregational, 55 Elm St., Camden, ME 04843 with “Steeple
Preservation Fund“ in the memo line, or by going to camdenucc.org, where we have a button for
gifting to the Steeple Preservation Fund.
OUR CHURCH STAFF Rev. Dr. Ute S. Molitor, Minister among Ministers
Jeanne Denny, Shields Mission Project Administrator
Elizabeth Lally, Director of Christian Ed
Emily Bennett & Lara Webb, Sunday School Caregivers
Matthew Mainster, Director of Music
Tabitha Woodbury, Full Charge Bookkeeper
Becky Brace, Office Manager ~ Office hours Monday through Friday 8:30-3:30
Melissa Chapman, Manager, Heavenly Threads
Kristy McKenney, Assistant Manager, Heavenly Threads Welcome, Kristy!
Ryan Berry, Director of Facilities
Ian Mackenzie, IT & Zoom Support
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Date/Day Time Event Comments
Tuesdays 8:30 am Lectio Divina Meditation Call the office or email [email protected] for Zoom invite.
Wednesdays 9:30 am Staff Meeting Zoom
Thursdays 12:00 pm Prayer Shawl Knitters/Crocheters Note: by Zoom only at this time. Contact [email protected] for Zoom invite.
11/16 Tues. 3 pm Care Team
11/16 Tues. 4 pm Stewardship
11/17 Wed. 1 pm Burnout book discussion #3 Mayflower Room (to register contact Ute)
11/17 Wed. 4:30 pm Racial Justice monthly discussion “Native Enslavement”
(Zoom) To register, contact Mimi Benedict [email protected]
11/18 Thurs. 1-3 pm Shields Planning Pilgrim Room (in person)
11/24 Wed. All day Deadline December BEACON
11/28 Sunday After worship Henri Nouwen Course #1 Mayflower Room (in person)
12/2 Tues All day Cabinet Reports due to office
12/5 Sunday 9:30 am Rev. John Bell preaches From the Iona Community in Scotland
12/7 Tues. 4:15 pm Cabinet (meeting moved from 11/23)