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

Jared Hamilton, Youth Director

Church office: 978-526-7661 ext. 1 Fax: 978-526-7882

Email: office.fpchurch@verizon.net

Website: www.firstparishchurch.org

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

Sunday, March 17, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

ORGAN PRELUDE: “Ah, Holy Jesus”

Tune by Johann Crüger (1598-1662)

Setting by Dale Wood (1934-2003)

*[Please stand for the lighting of the candles]

CALL TO WORSHIP

We rise today in the power of Christ’s birth and baptism,

We rise in the power of Christ’s crucifixion and burial,

We rise in the power of Christ’s rising and ascending,

We rise in the power of Christ’s descending and judging.

*HYMN: “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” NCH #400

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

I rise today in strength and power,

invoking the Trinity,

believing in threeness, confessing the oneness,

of creation’s Creator.

I rise today with the power of God to pilot me,

may Christ protect me against poisoning and burning,

against drowning and wounding, so that

I may have abundant reward;

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me;

Christ with me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me;

Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me;

Christ in my lying, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising;

Christ in the heart of all who think of me,

Christ on the tongue of all who speak to me,

Christ in the eye of all who see me,

Christ in the ear of all who hear me.

May your salvation, Lord, be with us always. Amen.

Breastplate, St. Patrick

*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.

*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

SCRIPTURE READING: Philippians 3:4b-14

ANTHEM: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

Words by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Based on the tune “Hamburg” by Lowell Mason (1792-1872)

Arranged by Gilbert M. Martin (b. 1941)

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine.

Demands my soul, my life, my all! Amen!

MORNING PRAYER

CONGREGATION’S JOYS AND CONCERNS O God, give us souls to see

the things our eyes overlook.

Give us hearts to feel the things

our hands can never touch.

Give us sensitive souls to hear the still, small voice

that would otherwise seem only like silence.

And forgive and cleanse us

from our sins…

that we may clearly know

your call for us. Amen.

SILENT PRAYER-PASTORAL PRAYER-CHORAL ESPONSE

SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 43:16-21

*HYMN: “Christ Before Me" [insert last page]

SERMON: “Perceiving a New Thing”

MOMENT OF MEDITATION

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “Blessed Jesu, Fount of mercy”

Antonio Dvorak (1841-1904) Ruth Milliken Memorial Music

Blessed Jesu, Fount of mercy, We, Thy faithful, in Thy Passion,

All Thy sorrows share with Thee.

*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: “Be Now My Vision” NCH #451

*[The “Removal of the Flame”]

BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE: “Irish Blessing”

Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)

ORGAN POSTLUDE: “Prelude in D minor”

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

* * * * *

The greeters and lay readers are Richard and Barbara Smith.

The Deacons are Jane Pearson and Jeff Bodmer-Turner.

The Sexton is Rachael Gallagher.

Please join us in the front of the church following the service for coffee,

tea and hospitality.

Welcome to all who worship here this morning. If you are new to our

church, a guest or visitor please fill out the “Welcome Card” in the pew,

place it in the collection plate and sign the guest book located in the

narthex. Please contact the Church office if you would like to be on our

mailing list office.fpchurch@verizon.net or 978-526-7661 ext 1.

FPC SS would like to thank everyone that has helped us

reach our goal for Heifer International. If you are

interested in making a donation please feel free to add it

to the collection with Heifer in the memo line or on the

envelope.

Thank you in advance for your support of our SS and

for making a difference for a family in need!

The First Parish Cookbook makes the perfect Easter or

Mother’s Day gift.

Full of First Parish history, favorite graces, and old and new

recipes from church members and friends, it is great value at

only $10.00. Drop by the office at any time to buy your

copy or see the spring display in the church narthex.

Help Wanted for the Open Door Community Meal, March 20 The next Open Door dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20.

Volunteers are needed to prepare food and to cook, serve, and clean.

Time slots are available in the Chapel kitchen in Manchester if you are

unable to go to the Open Door in Gloucester. Non-perishable food

donations such as 1-pound cans of ground decaf coffee, salad dressings,

and canned and bottled items to supplement the fresh produce in the

salad bar are always welcome.

Please send email to Alice Eastland alice@shoreview.com or leave a

message at (978) 282-1858 if you want to sign on or contribute to the

Open Door Community Meal in any way.

ATTENDANCE Church 70, Sunday School 38, Youth 4, Faith Formation 5

FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR Please call Penny Lapham at 978-526-

7128, by Monday to be included in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

CARE TEAM, Have you shared the experience?

Our Care Team provides meals, rides, & visits to sustain families in our

Church Community through times of illness and loss. If you would like

to become involved with this wonderful support system

please contact; Sheila Kafer 978-525-3253, smkafer@comcast.net

or: Janet Groth at 978-526-8408, janbythesea244@gmail.com

LET’S HAVE DINNER!

Welcome the first official days of spring with your

friends at First Parish! On Saturday, March 23rd we

will gather in small groups of 8-12 at the homes of

fellow parishioners for a relaxing evening of good

food and lively conversation. First Parish supplies

the main course and wine to each host/hostess and each guest brings one

dish -- either an appetizer, salad/side dish or dessert. Otherwise the event

is free to participants.

When: Saturday, March 23 @ 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Where: You’ll receive a call on Wed. March 20th with the name and

address of your host/hostess. RSVP: by March 19th

To sign up: Contact Anne D’Angelo at 978 526-7223 or email

av_dangelo@yahoo.com. Please be sure to let Anne know what you’d

like to bring or whether you’d be interested in hosting.

Great food for a great cause!

The Missions Committee will host

the Chili & Chowder Fest Benefit in the Chapel

Saturday, April 6, from 11:00 to 1:30

Save the date for this very popular family event and

longstanding FPC tradition.

All proceeds will be donated to Wellspring House in Gloucester to

support their educational and job-training programs.

Tickets: $10.00 adults $5.00 for children (12 & under)

Want to help out? Check out the FPC website during March as plans

develop. There will be plenty of opportunities to pitch in and make the

2013 Chili & Chowder Fest a great success.

THIS WEEK:

Monday

8:00 AM Exercise

7:30 PM Manchester Singers

Tuesday

9:30 AM Playgroup

11:30 AM Woman’s Club Luncheon

7:00 PM CC

Wednesday

8:00 AM Exercise

10:00 AM COA Yoga

5:00 PM Serve the Open Door

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

10:00 AM Health Clinic

7:30 PM Addicted to Hurry

Friday

8:00 AM Yoga

Saturday

10:00 AM High School Youth Service Project

You are invited to purchase for $12, a traditional Easter

lily to decorate our sanctuary for the Easter Sunday

Service on March 31, 2013.

The Diaconate is also offering the option of making a donation to: The

Diaconate Fund to assist people in our community who are in need.

Following the service, the plant may be taken home or left to be given to

our members and friends who are ill or unable to leave their home. A

complete list of donors and those remembered will be included in the

Easter bulletin.

I (we) wish to donate a plant(s) please circle one:

In Memory of In Celebration of In Honor of

Name of Loved One(s)

Name of Donor(s)

Phone Number

Please check: _____ I will take plant(s) home

_____ Please give my plant(s)

_____ A donation to the Diaconate Fund

Number of Easter lily (s) desired: ________ Enclosed: $ _________

Please return order form and payment to the church office

by Monday, March 25

First Parish Church, Congregational, Manchester, Massachusetts

www.firstparishchurch.org

First Parish Church is seeking a part-time Youth Director to lead our

middle school and high school programs with energy and enthusiasm.

The program currently has three parts:

- religious education on Sunday morning

- community service/mission

- evening/weekend social events

Our Christian Education Committee and church Staff, including the

Pastor, will offer ready support. Parents give helpful input and

participation. We have a Safe Church Policy. The United Church of

Christ (U.C.C.) can provide resources and training as well as organized

Youth Events.

Candidates should be comfortable with the congregational tradition of

the U.C.C., but our families have an ecumenical background.

We want our youth to be welcomed, valued, and supported in a safe and

fun environment where they can develop and build faith through the

inspiration and encouragement of the Youth Director.

A candidate should have strong communication skills as well as

experience with Christian Education. An inspiring Youth Director who

is a good role model, is approachable, and is respectful of our youth will

play a key role in the ministry of our church.

The position would start August/September, 2013.

First Parish Church follows compensation guidelines set by the U.C.C.

Send resume to the Church Office, Box 187, Manchester, MA, 01944 or

email to officeassist.fpchurch@verizon.net