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United Church of ChristUnited Church of ChristUnited Church of ChristUnited Church of Christ

January 12, 2014January 12, 2014January 12, 2014January 12, 2014

ORDER OF WORSHIP

January 12, 2014 10:00 AM PRELUDE WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP *HYMN NO. 66 “O Day of Radiant Gladness”

New Century Hymnal ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVOGELEIN

*PRAYER OF PRAISE Chris Braudaway-Bauman CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Loving God, radiant with grace, your light has come into the world and yet we still dwell in the night. Your hope has been born, but we cannot quite believe it. We forget that you dwell among us. Eternal One, send your star to shine more brightly. Guide us into your presence once more as you hear our silent prayers...

SILENT PRAYER *WORDS OF ASSURANCE *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST RESPONSE “Arise, Your Light Is Come”

ANTHEM “L’adieu des bergers” Hector Berlioz Thou must leave Thy lowly dwelling, the humble crib, the stable bare, Babe, all mortal babes excelling, content our earthly lot to share, loving father, loving mother, shelter Thee with tender care! Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee with humble love and holy fear, in the land that lies before Thee, forget not us who linger here! May the shepherd’s lowly calling Ever to Thy heart be dear! Blest are ye beyond all measure, Thou happy father, mother mild! Guard ye well your Heavenly treasure, The Prince of Peace, the Holy Child! God go with you, God protect you, guide you safely through the wild!

SCRIPTURE Matthew 3:13-17 (Page 784, pew Bible)

HYMN NO. 169 “What Ruler Wades Through Murky Streams”

New Century Hymnal WATER OF BAPTISM

Students may leave for classes.

SERMON “Murky Water” John Allen

MUSICAL MEDITATION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Bev Lenci, Deacon

OUR 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

SUNG RESPONSE “Your Ways Are Not Our Own”

THE OFFERING

During the offering, please sign and pass the fellowship book, which is located at the end of each pew. Invitation Offertory “Behold, A Star From Jacob Shining” Felix Mendelssohn

Behold a star from Jacob shining, and a scepter from Israel rising, to reign in glory over the nations. Like some bright morning star is he, the promise of the coming day, beyond the night of sorrow. Break forth, O Light! We, our joyful Hearts uplifting with thanksgiving, hail the brightness of Thy rising.

*Doxology and Presentation Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below Praise God for all that love has done, Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen.

*Dedication *HYMN NO. 167 “Mark How the Lamb of God’s Self-Offering”

New Century Hymnal RENDEZ A DIEU

*BENEDICTION POSTLUDE “How Brightly Shines the Morning Star” James Woodman *Those who are able, please stand.

TODAY’S NOTES Pastoral Care If you have any pastoral needs or know of any in the Village Church family, please call Diane Anderson at 781.235.1988 x14. Care Kits If during the worship service you find you need a tissue, cough drop, or a drink of water, please ask an Usher to help you. Hearing devices amplify sound anywhere in the Sanctuary. They are available at the back of the church. For assistance, please speak with an Usher. The Chancel flowers this morning are given in appreciation of the ministry of Kathy Musser. Budget Hearing 11:30 am, Upper Room The Board of Finance will be reviewing the preliminary 2014 Church Budget. All members are encouraged to attend. Music Program Following 10 am Worship, Sanctuary Allen Steere, Laura and Doug Wilkins will present a short program including works by J.S. Bach and Claude Bolling for flute and piano. Fellowship Hour 11:15 am, Village Common Please join us for coffee and fellowship. Information for visitors is available at the Welcome Table. Providing hospitality today are members from the Worship Ministry. Please take a moment to thank them. Blood Pressure Clinic 11:15 am, Parlor Trained nurses from our congregation will take your blood pressure and provide you with helpful handouts from the American Heart Association. Junior Choir Rehearsal 11:15 am, Youth Choir Room For information, email Kevin McDonald at mcdonaldkevin23@yahoo.com. Family Promise Training 11:20 am, Village Hall This is a one and one-half hour meeting, we will have sandwiches for noshing while training! There are many ways to contribute to FPM, but to interact with the families you must have this training. Do come even if you have not signed up! Middle School Youth Group 5 pm, Youth Room High School Youth Group 7 pm, Youth Room For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie at 781.235.1988 x15 or pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.

Conversations About a Capital Appeal The third focus group about a proposed capital appeal will be held today, at 5.30 pm in the Parlor. This will be an opportunity to learn about and comment upon plans to raise around $5 million. Planned uses for these funds are to endow the Pastoral Residency Program, remodel some worship spaces, make steps toward “greening” the church building, and to fund major needs of some partner organizations of the Service Ministry and church. There will be a report on the plans and on feedback from these conversations at Annual Meeting on January 26, before a Congregational Meeting to vote on the plans after 10 am worship on February 2.

BULLETIN NOTES

Balancing the Church Budget – A message from the Stewardship Committee The response to this year's Stewardship appeal has been strong and generous, but Village Church has still not received enough pledges to continue working at last year’s levels. If you have yet to make a pledge, please prayerfully consider doing so now. We are deeply grateful to all who have pledged but ask that you consider whether you might increase your gift to sustain the ministries and programs that reflect our commitment to God and one another. January 19 Worship Please note that we will hold 1 worship service on Sunday, January 19. We will be worshiping with our brothers and sisters from Charles St. AME at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. There will be no First Worship service that day. Winter Outing Would you like to ski, or snowshoe, hike, play games, hang out, with a groups of members and friends staying at the Campton Hollow Ski House near Waterville Valley? Men and women are invited. Possible times are January 20-22 and February 3-5. Arrive on Monday in time for dinner and leave on Wednesday when your legs give out. Cost for the 2 nights and 6 meals will be about $60. Bring your beverage of choice for cocktail hour. Bring your sleeping bag and a pillow slip. Pillows and comfortable beds are provided. Call or email David Oliver (617-964-2529; dgoliver@aol.com) regarding your interest, questions, and date preference. Discernment Circles Ministry Have you ever faced a perplexing decision or problem and wished you had an alternative resource to turn to for help? Did you long to talk with people who would listen, not give advice, and help you discover your way through the problem? Did you hold back sharing your problem because you were not certain that what you discussed would be held in confidence? Did you wonder what God had in mind for you in that situation and want others to pray with you? The Discernment Circles Ministry offers individuals in the Village Church an opportunity to discern a pathway through a decision or problem. It is not a therapy but a structured meeting

designed to assist an individual to hear his or her inner voice as well as the voice of the Holy Spirit. Based on the Quakers’ Clearness Committees and Parker Palmer’s circles of trust, this ministry utilizes the practice of asking open-ended questions. The ministry was developed over the past year in response to a request that emerged from the Village Church community. A committee of youth, adults and pastors has been discerning the shape of this ministry. Please refer to the complete announcement of this ministry in the Village Church Enews. Nia is back! Come Dance into the new year as Leslie Appleby has resumed Nia on Thursday nights in the Upper Room, from 7 - 8 pm. Nia is a fitness class that incorporates the Healing Arts, Dance Arts and Martial Arts. Nia is for all ages and all body types. Join her for some spiritual fitness and fun! For more information, Leslie can be contacted at mrsappleb@me.com. Youth Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, January 15, 6:15 pm, Youth Choir Room For information, email Kevin McDonald at mcdonaldkevin23@yahoo.com. Sharing the Dream Sunday, January 19, 10 am, Village Church Join us for our annual Sharing the Dream Service with our partner congregation, Charles Street AME Church. As always, there will be shared leadership of worship, including joint choirs. You are invited to a special time of fellowship and refreshment following the Sharing the Dream worship service. The Community Ministry will be hosting a luncheon in Village Hall for all and we encourage everyone to attend, to enjoy good food and the company of friends. Plan to join us for worship and a fellowship on this special day as we combine both the 9 and 10 am worship services into one joyous celebration at 10 am! Chancel Flowers Sponsors for 2014 Upcoming available dates: February 2, 9 and 16 If you would like to sponsor flowers in celebration of an event or in memory of a person/s in your life, contact Felicia Nadel at 781.235.1988 x21 or Linda Smith at 781.237.6813. The cost of the flowers is $75. Thank you! Annual Meeting and Lunch Sunday, January 26, Village Common Lunch reservations by Tuesday, January 21 The Annual Meeting will begin at 11:45 am, preceded by lunch ($12/person) which will be served in Village Common following 10 am worship. Please make your lunch reservations by noon, Tuesday, January 21, by contacting Erin Donato at 781.235.1988 x11 or by email at erin@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. For children of all ages, there will be a supervised movie and lunch (pizza and popcorn) in Village Hall.

What’s happening in Church School today?

• Kindergarten students and younger will be welcomed in their classrooms before 10 am worship begins. The Infant/Toddler Room is located on the main floor just outside the Sanctu-ary to the left of the Chancel. 2 year olds through Kindergarten classrooms are located on the upper floor. Children should be picked up promptly at the conclusion of worship.

• Grades 1-8 will worship with their parents until it is time for class, as indicated in the bulletin. At that time,

Grades 1-5 will meet at the signs downstairs in Village Hall and proceed to the following class-rooms for a special activity. This week… Grade 1: Storyteller’s Tent Grade 2: Fishes and Loaves Cafe Grade 3: Games in Village Hall Grade 4: Bible Class in the Science Room Grade 5: Artisan’s Market Grades 6, 7 & 8 will meet in the art studio for art mural workshop. Classes for Grades 1–8 conclude at 11:15 or the end of worship whichever is later. Students in Grades 3 and below should be met by their parents at their classrooms. The Family Room is available for parents who aren’t quite ready to leave their infants and toddlers in childcare. In this room, parents will be able to listen to the worship service while their child naps or plays. This room is located upstairs beyond the library.

The Annual Meeting of Wellesley Congregational Church is hereby called for

Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 11:45 am in Village Common for the following purposes:

A. To receive annual reports; B. To take action on the Wellesley Congregational Church budget for 2014:

1. Review of 2013 actual income and expenses; 2. Presentation of and action on, the proposed 2014 budget; 3. Authorization to the Treasurer for emergency borrowing, if necessary;

C. To approve an Indemnification and Banking Resolution; D. To elect Officers, Board and Congregational Ministry Deacons, as

recommended by the Nominating Committee; E. To approve an amendment to the bylaws; Article XI Section 1 - Officers: to include Chair of the Investment Committee in the list of Chairpersons. F. To approve the members and charge for a search committee for calling a Senior Pastor. G. To act on any other business that may properly come before the meeting. On behalf of Church Council Don Smith, Clerk

The Annual Meeting will be preceded by lunch in Village Common following 10 am worship. Please make reservations by noon, Tuesday, January 21, by contacting Erin Donato at 781.235.1988 x11 or by email at erin@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. Cost of lunch is $12 per person. For children of all ages, there will be a supervised movie and lunch (pizza and popcorn) in Village Hall.