First Parish Church, Congregational On the Village Green

Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts

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@verizon.net

www.firstparishchurch.org

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

Sunday, November 19, 2017, 10:00 a.m.

Pledge Sunday, Golden Anniversary

“…God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.”

(Psalm 100:5, The Message)

ORGAN PRELUDE: “We pray now to the Holy Spirit”

Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Touch Holiness)

Let us gather together in thanksgiving to God.

For God has made us and this earth which gives us nurture.

Let us gather together in gratitude to one another.

For we are the bearers of God’s blessing and love for the earth

and its people.

Let us praise God; let us join hands; let us share our gifts with the

church and the world.

Let us reach out in care and courage so that the goodness of life

may be for all God’s children.

*HYMN: “We Gather Together” PH #21 blue

During the hymn, the congregation is invited to bring their pledge cards up and

place them in the basket in front of the altar.

If you have already pledged (via the mail or on-line), please bring up the orange

slip in the bulletin.

DEDICATION OF PLEDGE CARDS Rev. Marlayna

GATHERING PRAYER (adapted from Touch Holiness)

God of all life’s seasons, we give you thanks on this November Sunday

for the chilly, windy beauty of these autumn days—for falling leaves

and wet streets, for geese and birds vanishing south, for squirrels

finishing their acorn gathering, even for early dark and for the sober

brown and gray of earth and sky and pond, which remind us of pilgrim

garb. We thank you for the warmth we find in family, friends, and

church that sustains us now and in the winter months of our lives. We

thank you for your Spirit that continually enlivens and reforms the

church through the ages. We thank you for Jesus Christ who is our

model, strength, redeemer, and friend, and in whose name we gather to

worship and pray…

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

RECOGNITION OF GOLDEN HONOREES

Words of Appreciation Mary Ellen Cook

Presentations of Gifts The Vitality Committee

*SONG “Thanks for the Memories” insert

lyrics by Pam Price and Rebecca Shrimpton

Margot Arntsen

Dorothy Bachman

Fran Bachman

Dorothea Dame

Martha Elder

Richard Forsley

Dick Greenleaf

Ann Greenleaf

Mary Kirby

Larry Kirby

Robert Lear

Shan Lear

Laurie McCoy

Virginia McCoy

Doris Milne

Carl Nickerson

Truth Nickerson

George Nickless

June Nickless

Mary-Lou O'Brien

Georgia Pepper

Carole Schanley

Darvin Schanley

Alice Strangman

Lester Strangman

Vincent Terrill

Shirley Wilkinson

MORNING PRAYER

Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer During the prayer, the Congregation will be invited to speak out loud

their “Joys and Concerns” directly to God

ANTHEM: “The Old Hundred Psalm Tune”

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

All people that on earth do dwell,

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.

Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,

Come ye before him, and rejoice.

The Lord, ye know, is God indeed,

Without our aid he did us make;

We are his folk, he doth us feed,

And for his sheep he doth us take.

O enter then his gates with praise,

Approach with joy his courts unto;

Praise, laud, and bless his Name always,

For it is seemly so to do.

For why? The Lord our God is good:

His mercy is for ever sure;

His truth at all times firmly stood,

And shall from age to age endure.

To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

Our God whom heaven and earth adore,

From men and from the angel host,

Be praise and glory evermore. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 100 (from The Message, a

Contemporary Paraphrase)

A THANKSGIVING PSALM

On your feet now—applaud God!

Bring a gift of laughter,

sing yourselves into God’s presence.

Know this: God is God, and God, God.

God made us; we didn’t make God.

We’re God’s people, God’s well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password: “Thank you!”

Make yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank God. Worship God.

For God is sheer beauty,

all-generous in love,

loyal always and ever.

SERMON: “Why Give Thanks?”

MEDITATION

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY ANTHEM: “For the Fruit of All Creation”

Words by Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)

Welsh Hymn tune: Setting by Hal H. Hopson (b. 1933)

For the fruit of all creation,

thanks be to God.

For his gifts to every nation,

thanks be to God.

For the plowing, sowing, reaping,

silent growth while we are sleeping,

future needs in earth's safekeeping,

thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labor,

God's will is done.

In the help we give our neighbor,

God's will is done.

In our world-wide task of caring

for the hungry and despairing,

in the harvests we are sharing,

God's will is done.

For the harvests of the Spirit,

thanks be to God.

For the good we all inherit,

thanks be to God.

For the wonders that astound us,

for the truths that still confound us,

most of all that love has found us,

thanks be to God.

*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: “Now Thank We All Our God” NCH #419 black

(vs 1-3 in English)

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

us out into the world]

BENEDICTION

CHORAL RESPONSE

ORGAN POSTLUDE: Toccata on ‘Old Hundredth’

Robert Lau (b.1943)

* * * * *

The Stewardship Committee joyfully provided the altar flowers today in

celebration of all of our blessings at First Parish Church. The flowers,

donated by Vitality, will be given to Alice Strangman, who has been a

member of our church for 74 years. Thank you, everyone, for your service

to our church.

After the service join us in the front of the church for hospitality.

The greeters and lay readers are Fran Bachman and Martha Gubbins.

The Deacons are John Feuerbach and Mark Heslop.

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

Deacons, or you can also sign up online.

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 using

them.

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

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

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

THE CARE TEAM MINISTRY, Have you shared the experience?

We support FPC families with meals, rides, & visits through times of

illness and loss. If you would like to become involved with this

wonderful team contact;

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

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

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

First Parish Church Congregational uses candid photos of church

activities on its website and in its publicity from time to time. Any photos

of children used will not contain personally identifiable information.

Members of the community not wanting their photos depicted (or those

of their children) should inform the church office.

SEASIDE PARISH KNITTERS has begun again! We

would love to have you join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of

the month in the Conference Room of the Chapel, 3-5 PM.

Read more about us here.

BIBLE STUDY No Bible Study November 23. We resume on

November 30. Thursdays 4-5:30 PM (for adults) at 37 Beach St (home

of Vin Terrill). Join us for a weekly study of our scriptures led by Rev.

Marlayna. Scripture for November 30, Luke 1:1-4.

SUNDAY SCHOOL Would you like to be more involved

with our Sunday school program? Check out all the

opportunities to help online. Contact Jessica 978-526-7661

ext. 3

BOOK GROUP “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa

Wingate. Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life

scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-

based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor

children to wealthy families all over the country—Wingate’s riveting,

wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the

paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we

belong. Goodreads

Next gathering, November 27th at 6:30 PM, at the home of Jill Auld,

53 1/2 Trask St. North Beverly, MA. We are asking that everyone

RSVP's to the hostess so she knows how much food and drink are

needed.

PRAYER TEAM

“For where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, there

am I in the midst of them”. Matthew 18:20

Would you like to request prayers?

Email prayer.fpchurch@gmail.com. All are welcome to gather in the parlor of First Parish, on the 1st & 3rd

Thursdays of each month. We will start promptly at 6:00 PM and end at

7:00 PM. We will be praying in one accord, a form of conversational

prayer. Bring your concerns to the Lord whether they are for Yourself,

Family, Friends, our Country, and the World! You may pray along

silently or pray aloud.

MISSIONS Be aware of all that we do to make a

difference and - when you can - help make a difference

yourself!

Weekly Food Donations When you go to church Sunday

mornings remember to take one item that can be donated to Open Door

through the food basket placed in the Narthex. It is easy to forget, but

you can think ahead and bring one food item that will be much

appreciated by folks who really need our help.

Brown Bag Lunches for Action, Friday, November 24. Can you help?

Needed: Donations of food, volunteers to make the sandwiches and a

volunteer to deliver the meals to Gloucester. Please bring donations to

the Chapel kitchen before 10 AM on Friday. Action, Inc. is an

Emergency Homeless Shelter in Gloucester, their Mission is to improve

the lives of disadvantaged individuals and families by minimizing the

effects of poverty, promoting economic security, and advocating for

social change. Sign up after worship or online.

INTERIM VISION PROCESS You are invited to the SECOND (of four) “Whole Church”

Congregational meetings taking place over the next several months (2 in

the fall; 2 in the spring.) On December 10th

, after worship in the

sanctuary (from 11:20 am to 1 pm), we will be meeting on the topic

of “VALUES,” and we need your input! The input given in these

meetings—combined with prayerful reflection on Scripture and

demographic material—will lead to: a Vision for Ministry, Goals for

carrying out that Vision, and a Profile to help the church search for a

Settled Pastor, whose gifts and skills match that Vision. The purpose for

the VALUES meeting is to identify the core values (or, in other words,

the principles or standards of behavior that are most important to us) that

drive the ministry and mission of this church—as the church is now, and

as we hope/pray it will become in the future.

A light lunch will be served in lieu of our usual Sunday Refreshment

time. Your Transition Team (Paul Driscoll, Lauren Gudonis, Mary

Lumsden, Jeff Parker, Jason Smith, Lelly Smith)

Dear Members of First Parish Church,

send this message on behalf of the fair

leadership with gratitude for the efforts of

the volunteers and parishioners for the First

Parish Church Manchester-by-the-Sea

Christmas Fair.

It looks like we hit close to the mark financially. My best memories of

the fair were getting to know everyone while setting up. The crafts were

unbelievable and the food was truly delicious. I loved seeing the young

ladies run the new table and telling me how much math they knew in the

process.

A special thanks to Allison who ran White Elephant, supported me in

the process, and contrived a way to have us get paid for the fair

leftovers. Bravo, Allison!

We look to take this experience for next year’s efforts.

All the best, Sarah Campbell

CHRISTMAS CAROLING - Sunday, December

3rd, 11:20 AM. We will carpool together to the homes

of several elderly church members and sing to

them! No need to RSVP - just meet us in the narthex

(front hall) of the church at 11:20. Dress warmly, as we

will be standing outside to sing. (FYI: Some of us are

planning to go to lunch afterwards at a local restaurant; and, after lunch,

some will then go back to church for the town’s annual Christmas

Concert/Tree-lighting sponsored by the Women’s Club. You are

welcome to join in for any part or all of these events! And feel free to

bring your friends/family! And may God make us channels of blessing

as we share the Good News of Christmas with our neighbors!!)

“Thanks for the Memories”

(First Parish Church version)

Words by Pam Price and Rebecca Shrimpton

Thanks for the memories of practice with the choir

Bean suppers near the spire

You scrubbed those pots and pans until they shone;

You never tire. Oh, thank you so much.

Thanks for the memories of friendships old and dear,

Church friends far and near.

You’ve shared your hearts and minds with folks and

sometimes shed a tear, Oh, thank you so much.

Singing God’s praise with the choir,

Your voices and prayers rising higher,

Through sermons that teach and inspire

Your faith above, you served with love.

Oh thanks for the memories

You showed us what to do

Wisdom deep and true

You pillars of First Parish paved the way we honor you!

Yes, thank you so much.

SATURDAY EVENING ADVENT VESPERS

Looking for a spiritual respite from the frantic pace of

the holiday season? Join us for a quiet service of

prayer, poetry, and candle-lighting on

three Saturday evenings in December as we await and

celebrate the Presence of Christ among us. Services of Hope, Peace and

Joy will be held at First Parish Church Congregational from 5:30 to 6:00

p.m. December 9th, 16th, and 23rd. All are welcome.

UPCOMING THIS WEEK

Upcoming events can be found on our website

(www.firstparishchurch.org ) under “News” and “Calendar” and on our

Facebook page (First Parish Manchester-by-the-Sea) under “Events”

Monday

7:30 PM Manchester Singers

Tuesday

10:00 AM COA Zumba

4:30 PM Friends of COA

Wednesday

10:00 AM COA Yoga

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday

Office Closed

10:00 PM Brown Bag Lunches

Sunday

10:00 AM Worship

If you did not receive a pledge card or forgot it at home please use this

one for the offering today

First Parish Church Annual Fund Drive 2018

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not

reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver

2 Corinthians 9:7

In support of the First Parish Church, Congregational

I/we plan to make the following contribution for 2018

Total Pledge for 2018 ___________

Name: _________________________________________

Thank you for your pledge