Regathering SundayHybrid Morning WorshipSeptember 12, 2021
FIRST CHURCHIN CAMBRIDGE
Congregational 1633-1636United Church of Christ
Garden and Mason StreetsCambridge, Massachusetts
Today's Programs and Events 9:45 a.m. First Worship on the Lawn 10:15a.m. Outdoorfellowshiptimewithinformalactivities 10:15a.m. ChoirRehearsal,MargaretJewettHall(MJH) 11:00a.m. HybridMorningWorship,Sanctuaryandvialivestream 11:20a.m. All-Church-SchoolActivitywithSarah,MJH 12:15p.m. PopsicleHouronthechurchlawn 12:15 p.m. ZoomCoffeeHour 5:00 p.m. Young Adults Gathering: Castle Island Walk 7:30p.m. NightSong,SanctuaryandvialivestreamNew to First Church? Haveyoujustbegunjoiningusforworship?Considerfillingoutthis“virtualvisitorcard” so that wemightreachoutandconnectwithyouaboutourcommunity.Give to First Church Youcangiveonlineatwww.firstchurchcambridge.org/giveorbytexting“$___”to:1-844-996-0982.Contact a Pastor or Staff MemberFind contactinformationforourministerial,program,andbuildingstaffonourwebsite.Forgeneralinformationandinquiries:[email protected]
WELCOME TO FIRST CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE...GroundedinGod•GrowinginCommunity•ActinginLove
We’regladyouareworshipingwithustoday!FirstChurchisavibrant,multi-generational,engaged,urbanchurch.Wecarealotabouteachotherandwhat’shappeningintheworldaroundus.Whereveryouare
onthejourneyoffaith,youarewelcomehere.
Preaching Today Dan Smith, Senior MinisterAssisting in Worship Lexi Boudreaux, Transitional Minister JazBuchanan,Pastoral Associate Kate Layzer, Minister of Street Outreach KarenMcArthur, Minister of Stewardship & Finance Sarah Higginbotham, Director of Creative Worship & Arts Peter Sykes, Director of Music MoanaBentinandAmyMatias,Deacons Carlyle Stewart, Community Minister for Racial Justice KevinNewell, tech supportBulletin Cover Image Gaylen Morgan, First Church member
Sunday, September 12, 2021
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GATHERING
VOLUNTARY PreludeinE-FlatMajor J.S.Bach
*HYMN C-3 Come, All You Thirsty (see Hymn Insert 1)
*GREETING MoanaBentinandAmyMatias L: Siblings in the Spirit, wherever you are, hear God’s call to come together! C: Come, all who thirst for warmth and connection. L: Come, all who yearn for solace and hope! C: Come, all who are hungry for kindness and courage. L: Come, all who are feeling strong and ready. Come, all who are feeling anxious and afraid. C: Come, wherever you are on the journey. L: Enter into this river of life and compassion, and let God’s presence— calm, clear and deep—hold you. C: Let God’s presence carry us all in this river of Love!
WORDS OF WELCOME
CANDLELIGHTING Lexi Boudreaux
ANTHEM HowCanIKeepFromSinging? RobertLowry
CONFESSING
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
SILENCE PRAYER OF CONFESSION L: Let us pray for healing, pardon and peace: C: Loving God, forgive us when we lose our way and lead us back to yours. Lead us from separation to connection, from guilt to responsibility, from judgment to wonder, from anger to compassion, from sorrow to joy, from despair to hope, from fear to love, from death to new life! Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS
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*GREETING OF PEACE Staying in place and observing social distance, share this good news wherever you are! Send it back to us! Share it with a neighbor! Open your arms and send it to the world!
*HYMN 426 I’veGotPeaceLikeaRiver (see Hymn Insert 2)
A TASTE OF FIRST WORSHIP JazBuchananandSarahHigginbotham Children from preschool to 7th grade are now invited to join Sarah and a few volunteers in Margaret Jewett Hall for an All-Church-School activity. The children will return to the sanctuary for the Lamentation and Blessing ritual.
OPENING THE WORD
PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING Kate Layzer
READING Isaiah55:1-3,6-13
READING John 7:37-39
SERMON Dan Smith
SHARING OUR LIFE TOGETHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINISTRY MOMENT Carlyle Stewart
LAMENTATION AND BLESSING
A TIME OF LAYING DOWN AND LIFTING UP At this time, we ask you to take out your stone for a time of prayer and reflection. L: O God, River of Life, All: Wash us with your deep compassion now.
CLOSING PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER (Please pray this prayer in words most meaningful to your heart.)
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All: Our Creator, 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, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING KarenMcArthur
*DOXOLOGYPraise God, the source of life and birth,
Praise God, the Word who came to earth,Praise God, the Spirit, holy flame,
All glory, honor to God’s name! Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
GOING FORTH
*HYMN 80 Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (see Hymn Insert 3) *BENEDICTION
VOLUNTARY FugueinE-FlatMajor J.S.Bach
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-Hymn Insert 1-
OPENING HYMN
-Hymn Insert 2-
PEACE HYMN
CLOSING HYMN
-Hymn Insert 3-
COMMUNITY PRAYERS
●WeprayincelebrationwithDomAckermann,whowasapprovedunanimouslyforordinationintheUCCathisMetropolitanBostonAreaEcclesiasticalCouncilthispastWednesdaynight.●WegivethanksforthelifeofRev.LeonardClough,whoservedtwiceasAssociateMinisterofFirstChurchinCambridgeinthe1940’sand50’s,andwhodiedrecentlyattheageof101.WeprayforhissonRev.TomCloughandhisdaughter-in-lawRev.AnnPlumley,andforallofLeonard’slovedonesastheygrievehisloss.●WeprayforthelovedonesofFirstChurchfriend,pianoplayer,andlongtimeJazz5:30attendeeDavidAngney,whodiedonAugust18attheageof79.●WecelebratethebirthofLaurieBurt’snewgranddaughterOlivia(Liv)BurtEngelkowski,who was born on August 19. ●WeprayingratitudeandcelebrationforthebirthofSilvanaandGloriaCulpepper,twindaughtersofSophiaGugliettiandMellishaCulpepper,sisterstoFrankieandAngelo,and granddaughters to Gaylen Morgan.●Weprayforallwhoareintreatmentforcancer:PaulineFennel;CarolWilson-Braun;JoannePaul;DaveKidder'ssisterLucindaKidder;SarahRobinson,daughterofMaryRobinsonandMaryMarthaThiel;AbbyShuman'suncleBarry;PennyKilburn,NancyKilburn’smother;AmyGolodet,JonathanNew’ssister-in-law;KarenAnneZee’sdaughterBeckyCollet,andhersons-in-law,DenisColletandStewartBailey;andBethandPolly,AnnMcCann’ssisters.●Weprayforallwhoarereceivinghospicecare,includingRichGoode’smotherDonnaGoode.●Weprayforstudents,teachers,administrators,andschoolstaffwhoarereturningtoschoolamidstrisingCovidcasesandongoingdivisivepoliticsaroundmaskingandvaccinations.Wealsoprayforhealthcareworkerswhoarestretchedthinbyongoingdemandsofthepandemic.●WeprayforallwhohavebeenimpactedbyHurricaneIda;maytheyreceivesupportinassessingdamageandrebuildingfromthewreckage.Weprayforthosewhogrievethelossof life during this disaster. ●Onthisweekendofthe20thanniversaryof9/11,werememberandhonorallwhoseliveswerelostandforeverchangedbythetragiceventsofthatday.Weprayforwisdom,clarityofpurpose,andpeaceasourleadersaddresstheongoingrealityofterrorism,bothathome and abroad.●We pray for the people of Afghanistan in the wake of the U.S. military pull-out and the rapid andtragiccollapseoftheAfghanigovernmentatthehandsoftheTaliban,andforaswiftandhumaneevacuationandresettlingprocessforallwhoarefleeing.Weprayespeciallyforwomen,childrenandallwhoarefacingincreasedviolence,terror,discriminationandtheconstrictionofhumanrights.Wealsoprayforallwhohaveservedinthecounter-terrorismeffortsinAfghanistan,whoarewatchingeventsunfoldwithparticulargriefanddismay.●WeprayforthepeopleofTexasandforallAmericansinthewakeofstatelegislationpassedthatlimitschoiceinreproductiverights.WeprayforthehealthandwellnessofallpregnantpeopleinTexasandforthosewhoarecontinuingtofightforaperson’srighttochoosewhat is best for their wellbeing.
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COMMUNITY PRAYERS
●Weprayforthe14menwhoarefindingsustenanceandprotectioninourFirstChurchShelter,andweprayfortheguestsoftheFridayCafé,whoarefindingfoodandlisteningears.Weprayforallwhoareexperiencingdeprivationandhardshipintheseuncertaintimes.●WeprayforallwhoareaffectedbytherecentsurgeofCOVID-19diagnosesduetotheDeltavariantandthelowerlevelsofvaccinationinpartsoftheUSandaroundtheworld.Weprayforallwhoareawaitingvaccines,globallyandlocally,especiallyfamilieswithyoungchildren—maytherebeaswift,hassle-free,andequitabledistributionforall.WecontinuetoprayforallwhoaregrievingthelossoflovedonestoCOVID-19andforthe“long-haulers.”●Weprayforallwhoareacutelyexperiencingtheeffectsofclimatechange,forallwholiveinpathsofstormsandwildfires,andespeciallyforthepoor,whoaredisproportionatelyaffectedbyourinaction.WeprayforthosedemonstratingagainsttheLine3tarsandspipelineinMinnesota,whichthreatensindigenoustriballandsandpromotesclimatechange.Weprayforrenewedcommitmentonthepartofalllevelsofeverygovernment,corporations,andeachofustomakenecessarychangestosustainourplanetforthisandfuturegenerations.
Join the First Church List to see and offer up more community prayer requests.
THIS AFTERNOON AT FIRST CHURCH
Popsicle Hour Continues Into September!12:15 p.m. on September SundaysWearecontinuingouroutdoorfellowshiptimeafter11:00a.m.HybridMorningWorshipinSeptember.CometoPopsicleHourtoconnectwithFirstChurchfriends,oldandnew.
Regathering Zoom Coffee HourToday at 12:15 p.m., via ZoomWhetheryouareout-of-town,under-the-weather,orjustaren’tfeelingreadytobein-personyet,pleasejoinusforZoomCoffeeHour[LINKEVENT].Bringyourowncoffeeorbeverageofchoiceandjoinforatimeofconnection,on-linesharingofjoysandconcerns,andQ&AaboutallthingsFirstChurch.
Young Adults Gathering: Castle Island HikeToday at 5:00 p.m., meet at Broadway T stopHikefromthecitytothesea!PlanforalongwalkfromtheBroadwayMBTAstationouttotheocean.MeetatBroadwayat5:00p.m.ThoseseekingashorterwalkcanmeetatSullivan’s,CastleIslandat6:00p.m.
Thestrollwillhopefullygetusdeepintoconversation,andthesunsetsonCastleIslandareun-matched.Allwhoareoutofhighschoolarewelcome!PleasetellPhil([email protected])toexpectyou! -5-
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SEPTEMBER REGATHERING
Come, All You Thirsty: Regathering Sunday, September 12Today we host a Regathering Sunday like no other! It isfullyhybrid.Itisdeeplyworshipful.Itisachancetocometogether—in-personifyouchoose,oronlineifthat’sbetterforyou,forwhateverreason.ItisaregatheringofourCovid-weary,connection-parchedsouls,nearandfar—atimetocelebratetheSpiritandthiscommunitywhichsustainsus.Itisachance
tocometothat"strong,renewingriver”ofourlifetogetherinGod,tocome“herewheretheWordrunscoolanddeep,calmandclear,sweetandwild.” Read more
Regathering, Hybrid StyleSeptember Sundays, beginning at 9:45 a.m.WeareeagertowelcomeeveryonebacktoworshipatFirstChurch.GivenongoingconcernsabouttheDeltavariant,we’verevisedearlierplansandarenowofferingarangeofoptions,indoor and outdoor, in-person and online… Read more
First Worship on the LawnSeptember 12, 19, and 26 at 9:45 a.m.SarahandJazleadthis30-minutecasual,family-friendly,movement-oriented,joy-filledserviceforall,andespeciallyforthosewhoaren'tyetreadytoworshipinside.Joinusforsongsofpraise,wonderingquestions,sharingtime,andprayertime.Lookforusunder the blue tent by the Yellowwood tree!
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FALL AT FIRST CHURCH
Youth Group Kick Off Sunday, September 19, 1:15 p.m.Areyouin8th-12thgradethisyear?Areyoulookingtoconnectwithagroupoffriendsatchurch?JoinusforourfirstYouthGroupgath-eringoftheFallseason!Weatherpermitting,wewillgatherontheFirstChurchlawntogetreacquainted,playsomegames,andhavelunchtogether. Looking ahead, we plan to go kayaking ontheCharlesRiveronOctober3(1:15p.m.),
sobesuretomarkyourcalendars.Ifyouarelookingformoreinformation,wouldliketosignupforourcommunications,orhaveanyquestions,pleasecontactLexi BoudreauxandBeckyMoyer,[email protected].
First Church Choir Returns to Hybrid WorshipAftermany,manymonthsofZoomchatsintheplaceofrehearsal,theFirstChurchChoirreturns to singing together this fall. They meet at 10:15 on Sunday mornings in Margaret JewettHalltobrieflyrehearseafamiliaranthem,andthenofferthepiecein11:00a.m.Hybrid Worship. Choir members will remain masked when singing, and they will sing from “underthedome”onthechanceltoallowformoredistancing.QuestionsabouttheChoir?ContactMusicDirectorPeter Sykes.
NightSong Returns as a Hybrid ExperienceSunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary and via livestreamNightSongisaweekly,hour-longmeditationfeaturingsublimechoralmusicandtransformationalinstrumentalaccompanimentinourquiet,candle-litsanctuary,anditisreturninginahybridcapacitythisevening,September12!ThedoorstotheSanctuarywillopenat7:15p.m.,andthelivestreamwillbeavailableonourwebsite… Read more
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FALL AT FIRST CHURCH
Call for Fall Faith & Life Group Leaders by September 22AreyouinterestedinleadingasmallgroupoverZoomorin-personthisFall?ContactPastoralAssociateLexiBoudreaux todiscussyourideaforaFallFaith&LifeGroup.LedbyFirstChurchmembers,Faith&LifeGroupsaredesignedtoencouragemeaningfulconnectionsthroughsharedinterests,andtheyinvolvemakingashort-termcommitment(asinglesessiontoseveralweeks,dependingonthegroup).PitchyourideaforaFaith&LifeGrouptoLexi! Deadline for proposals extended to Wednesday, September 22.
A Call to Return: Part 2Six Wednesday evenings, beginning September 227:00 - 8:00 p.m., via ZoomBuildingonlastyear's“CalltoReturn:SpiritualReflectionsonRacialJustice,”CommunityMinisterCarlyleStewartwillleadasecondseriesthisfall,inwhichFirstChurchwillhavetheopportunitytorecreateaholyspacetolearnaboutrelationshipbuilding,mutualcommitments,andrelationships.Email Carlyle to participate...Read more
Newcomers GatheringSunday, September 26, 12:30 p.m.IfyouarenewtoFirstChurch,arefeelingalittlebitnew,orareinterestedinex-ploringmembership,pleasejoinusforourfirstNewcomersGatheringoftheyear.We’llmeetafterHybridWorshiponSeptember26duringPopsicleHouronthelawn.Comewithyourquestionsandwithanexpectationtomeetsome new people. Come to learn a bit more aboutFirstChurchandhowyoumightfindasenseofbelonginghere.We’dlovetoseeyou!IfyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthisgatheringortheFirstChurchcommunity,pleasebeincontactwithLexi Boudreauxviaemail.
FALL AT FIRST CHURCH
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A Sneak Peek at Bounty and Conversation with gkisedtanamoogk (Mashpee Wampanoag) and Mishy Lesser, Ed.D.Sunday, October 3, 202112:30 p.m., via Zoom
Joinusforaspecialpreviewofthe9-minutedocumentaryBounty, soon tobereleasedbytheawardwinningUpstanderProject.ThefilmfeaturesPenobscotparentsandtheirchildrencelebratingtheirsurvivalbyreadingandreactingtoagovernment-issuedbountyproclamationthatpromisedlargesumsofmoneyforcolonialsettlerstohunt,scalp,andmurderPenobscotpeople.Theproclamationwasissuedin1755byLieutenantGovernorSpencerPhips,Commander-in-ChiefoftheProvinceoftheMassachu-setts-Bay,andmemberofFirstChurchinCambridgewholivedformanyyearsonnearbyBrattleStreet.Afterthefilm,wewillbejoinedbytwooutstandingeducatorsfromtheUpstanderAcademy,gkisedtanamoogk(MashpeeWampanoag)andMishyLesser,Ed.D.,foratimeofconversationandlearningtogether...Read more
The Friday Café returns indoors (sort of)!After18monthsoutside,servingbaglunchesandpackagedrestaurantmealstogo,theFridayCaféshiftedtoahybridmodelonSeptember10.Wehad hoped to be fully indoors from that date, but theDeltavariantmakesindoordiningtoorisky.Sowehaveresumedin-personvolunteering,withhome-cookedfoodservedhotinMargaretJewettHall…butwe’reusingtake-outcontainersinsteadofplates,andseatingcontinuestobeonthechurchlawn in dry weather… Read more
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STAYING CONNECTED TO FIRST CHURCH
Do you want to follow the hyperlinks, but you’re holding a paper bulletin in your hand?ScanherewithyourphonetoaccesstheMembers & Friends page of ourwebsite,whereyou’llfindthebulletinonline,aswellaslinkstonews,events,andmore!
Scanthecodesbelowtoconnectviasocialmedia.
Monday, September 13 4:00p.m. ContemplativePracticesGroup,viaZoomTuesday, September 144:00p.m. Buildings&GroundsCommittee,viaZoomWednesday, September 159:30a.m. StaffMeeting,HarterRoom4:30p.m. MealDistribution,TowerRoom7:30p.m. Missions&SocialJusticeCommittee,viaZoomThursday, September 166:00p.m. WeeklyBibleStudy,viaZoom6:00p.m. FridayCaféfooddropoff,TowerRoom
Friday, September 179:00a.m. FridayCaféfooddropoff,TowerRoom12:00p.m. FridayCafé,MargaretJewettHallandthechurchlawnSunday, September 19 9:45 a.m. First Worship on the Lawn10:15a.m. InformalOutdoorActivities10:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, MJH10:45a.m. Sanctuarydoorsopen11:00a.m. HybridMorningWorshipintheSanctuaryandvialivestream12:15p.m. PopsicleHourontheLawn1:15p.m. YouthGroupKickoffontheLawn7:30p.m. NIghtSongintheSanctuaryandvialivestream
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FirstChurchinCambridge,Congregational,UCC11GardenSt.•Cambridge,MA02138
617-547-2724•[email protected]•www.firstchurchcambridge.org
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