First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

Awaken to the Light and Love of God; Be a Joyful Beacon to Our World

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

office.fpchurch@gmail.com

www.firstparishchurch.org

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

Sunday, March 17, 2019, 10:00 AM

ORGAN PRELUDE: “Prelude” from the Celtic Suite

Charles Callahan (b. 1951)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP: (from Bread for the Journey)

Leader: Come, let us gather together like those who sat at Jesus’ feet

so many years ago.

People: We gather with joy, for we too want to be disciples of

Christ.

Leader: I tell you, Christ is here with us, calling us now to life and

love.

All: Let us praise God for bringing us together, and coming to

us in Jesus Christ.

*HYMN: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” PH #228 blue

OPENING PRAYER: (adapted from Bread for the Journey)

Compassionate God, your Christ wept for the people because of the

hardness of their hearts. Warm our hearts with your love, so that we

might care deeply for the people of our nation and world. Transform our

caring into bread for the hungry, healing for the sick, and hope for those

who hunger and thirst after justice, to the glory of your name. We pray

as Jesus taught us…

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 ANTHEM: “God so loved the world”

Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)

Rebecca Shrimpton, soprano

God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life. John 3:16

SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 145:8-14 The Lord is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The Lord is good to all,

and his compassion is over all that he has made. 10

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

and all your faithful shall bless you. 11

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,

and tell of your power, 12

to make known to all people your mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,

and gracious in all his deeds. 14

The Lord upholds all who are falling,

and raises up all who are bowed down.

Matthew 5:1-7 1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples

came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4“Blessed are those who

mourn, for they will be comforted. 5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed

are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

*HYMN: “O God, How We Have Wandered” NCH #202 black

SERMON: “Blessed Are The Merciful”

MOMENT OF MEDITATION

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Irish Blessing”

Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back,

may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you ever in the palm of his hand.

*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.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN: “God of Grace and God of Glory” NCH #436 black

*[The “Removal of the Flame”, which symbolizes the Spirit of God accompanying

us out into the world]

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE

ORGAN POSTLUDE: “Prelude in E minor”

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

* * * * *

After the service join us for hospitality.

The greeters and lay readers are Allison Moir Smith and Jason Smith.

The Deacons are Ann Heslop and Mark Heslop.

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.

Welcome to all who are new to our worship. To join our mailing list

please fill out a “Welcome Card” to place in the collection plate or

contact office.fpchurch@gmail.com , 978-526-7661 ext 1.

mailto:office.fpchurch@gmail.com

Readers and Greeters are always needed, to volunteer speak to the

Deacons, or you can also sign up online.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-diaconate

SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS Meeting the 1st & 3rd

Thursdays, March 21, 3-5 PM, at the Chapel

Conference Room. We all love to knit/crochet, but more

importantly we have been rewarded with helping others

by sharing our handwork. We would love to have you join us!

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:30 PM, at the home

of Vin Terrill, 37 Beach Street. Scripture for March 21 will be Matthew

5:8. We will be studying the scripture texts for the following Sunday’s

worship. Format of the study is as follows: we begin with sharing joys

and concerns, we have a time of prayer (where people are free to pray

silently or out loud), and then 2 volunteers read the text out loud, while

we all notice which words the Spirit draws our attention to. (This way

of reading Scripture is called “Lectio Divina.”) We each have the

opportunity to share with others the words “speak” to us, as well as ask

questions about the text. We also discuss how the text might apply to

our lives today. The study is led by Rev. Marlayna. All are welcome to

join us! No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary. Email or call

Rev. Marlayna for more information.

TODAY YOU ARE INVITED to join the PPRC for a CCCCC!

Or, to put it into words: you are invited to join the Pastor Parish

Relations Committee for a Congregational Conversation on Covenantal

Christian Communication.

Or, to put it in plain English: Join us as we explore ways strengthen our

community and deepen our practice of faith!

After church we will gather in the chapel for a potluck lunch and to

participate in an enlivening conversation about our recently adopted

Covenant for Christian Communication. Through small-group

discussions and other fun activities, we will develop together a greater

understanding of the meaning and value of the covenant for our church

and an appreciation for how it can enrich both our personal and

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-diaconate

congregational life. This time of food, fun, and fellowship will be done

by 1pm. For more information, talk with members of the PPRC (Jason

Smith, Eleanor Harris, Lynda Griffiths) or Rev. Marlayna. You are

welcome to attend this event and luncheon regardless of whether you

brought food for the potluck; we are happy to share whatever food we

have with everyone.

LENTEN VESPERS Looking for a way to deepen your

spiritual connections to God this Lenten Season? Join us for a

quiet service of prayer, poetry, and candle-lighting on the

seven Saturday evenings of Lent. Services focusing on

various spiritual themes--including forgiveness, blessing, healing, letting

go-- will be held at First Parish Church Congregational from 5:30 to

6:00 p.m. starting on Saturday, March 9th and running through Saturday,

April 20th. Members of the church and the general public are welcome

to attend.

SOUP & CONVERSATION Always wanted to have a

richer prayer life, but don't know where to start? Join us for

an “Intergenerational Lenten Prayer Workshop” led by Rev.

Maren Tirabassi, Sunday, March 24th, 11:30 to 1 PM in

the Chapel. For over 20 years, Rev. Maren Tirabassi (poet,

author, and UCC pastor) has led workshops at First Parish

Church for different groups, including confirmands and parents. She is

uniquely gifted in using creative and fun methods to get people of all

ages (even introverted teenagers!) talking, writing, thinking, and

praying. I (Marlayna) can guarantee that if you engage in the exercises

of this workshop, your mind, heart, and faith will expand! Open to

people of all ages—Sunday School children, youth group members,

parents, and all other church members—and friends!

Sign Up to bring soups, salad and more, We ask if you provide a soup

that it is warmed and ready to be served, (in a crock pot is OK). Also, if

you have any dietary restrictions please bring something you can eat and

share, such as: gluten free, dairy free, or vegetarian.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-soup5

BOOK GROUP Meeting, Monday, March 25 at 6:30

PM at Nina Gadmer’s home at 20 Hickory Hill,

Manchester, the book for discussion will be “Their Eyes

Were Watching God”, by Zora Neale Hurston. RSVP to

Nina at ngadmer@hotmail.com or 978-412-5017.

MUD-SEASON BLAHS BRUNCH Sunday, April 7th immediately

following worship, new members and newcomers are invited to a

Potluck Brunch hosted by the Vitality Committee at Allison and Jason

Smith's house at 42 Forest Street in Manchester. Let's warm up a cool

New England Spring with some cozy carbohydrates and eggs (and

probably a mimosa or two). (Note: In terms of defining "new member”

and “newcomer” we're thinking of folks who've joined or been involved

in the church roughly 3 years or less. However, we won’t be checking

membership certificates at the door…) For more information or to RSVP

call or text Vitality Committee Co-Chairs Allison Moir-Smith 617-935-

3362 or Mary Ellen Cook 978-500-0018.

Serve Dinner at The Open Door,

Wednesday, March 20

Prep & Servers needed! Please contact Jim Brennan

after worship or at 978-879-4595 or sign up online

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f

49-open4

Brown Bag Lunch on Friday, March 29, sign up to help online

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-brown6

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 (suepick1@me.com or 978-548-0145) if

you would like to share your ideas, time, & talents with the Care Team.

Is your family's Directory photo outdated? Check

our most recent directory here to see how your

family looks. If you need to send a new photo or

update your contact information you can email it

to office.fpchurch@gmail.com

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-open4https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-open4https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-open4https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CABA822A1F49-brown6https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4caba822a1f49-brown6mailto:suepick1@me.comhttps://firstparishchurch.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e115bd5f058aa6a06bf4b87fb&id=9f4bdb84c2&e=45c5fc2fbamailto:office.fpchurch@gmail.com?subject=Directory%20Photo%20Contact%20Info

Mark your calendar for Holy Week Worship:

Palm Sunday Worship Service, April 14, 10 AM

Maundy Thursday Worship Service, April 18, 7:30 PM

Good Friday Ecumenical Worship Service, April 19, 12

Noon, at First Parish Church

Easter Sunrise Ecumenical Worship Service, April 21, 5:50

AM, Singing Beach

Easter Worship Service, April 21, 10 AM

THIS WEEK:

Monday

7:30 PM Manchester Singers

Tuesday

10:00 AM COA Zumba

11:30 AM Woman’s Club Luncheon

6:30 PM Manchester Historic Museum

7:00 PM Search Committee

Wednesday

10:00 AM COA Yoga

10:00 AM Staff Meeting

5:00 PM Serve The Open Door

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

10:00 AM Health Clinic

3:00 PM Seaside Knitters

4:00 PM Bible Study

7:00 PM Search Committee

Friday

8:00 AM Yoga

5:00 PM Youth Activity Sky Zone

Saturday

5:30 PM Advent/Lenten Vespers

Sunday

10:00 AM Worship, Nursery, Sunday School, Youth Group

11:30 AM Soup & Conversation

Spring Healing Service

30-minute Service of Healing, Movement, and Prayer

The service will draw on both Christian and Eastern traditions,

incorporating easy movements from Qi Gong and Yoga

(No prior experience with prayer or movement is necessary)

Sunday, March 31st, 11:30 A.M.

First Parish Church, Congregational

10 Central Street

Manchester-By-The-Sea

Offered by Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt,

Interim Pastor of First Parish Church, Congregational; and

Carla Mattioli, M.A., Interfaith Minister of Awakening Arts,

Teacher of Yoga, Tail Chi, Qi Gong

People from all Religious Traditions are Welcome