Maple Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ
No matter who you are or where you are on your faith journey,
you are welcome here!
September 9, 2018 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 9:50 a.m.
“We share God’s love, hope, and healing and serve our neighbors.” Childcare is offered for 3 and under during Worship at “Kid’s Korner” in the hall behind the Sanctuary.
We share at 9:50 our prayers for joys and concerns. Lemonade in the shade following the service.
PRELUDE Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring J. S. Bach
(A time for meditation in preparation for worshipping God)
WORDS OF GATHERING AND WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: We come to this place to serve Jesus!
People: It is our vision to be followers of Jesus before anything else.
Leader: We share God’s love, hope, and healing and serve our neighbor.
People: Almighty Spirit of Life, we ask for your help and your
blessing.
Leader: In building up this community we are witness to the Living God and God’s
love for the world.
People: Bless us know, O God, upon this path we walk with Jesus. Give us faith,
hope, and courage for these days and the days ahead. Amen!
--RevKev
*OPENING HYMN My Faith, It Is an Oaken Staff Black No. 418
*INVOCATION OF GOD’S PRESENCE (IN UNISON) God, the maker of all, surround us like mountains, secure in love.
Bless the leaders of this world, of nations and cities, with wisdom
Help us to listen before speaking; may we assume good intentions.
(Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful to not only assume, but to act with good
intentions?) Help us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. God, maker of all, in the heart of Jerusalem reside your people
People of many faiths, all giving praise to you. Be with the
Leaders of Churches and other faiths, reminding us of our
common love in God. Help us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
God, maker of all, be with those who are suffering from
Illness, poverty, hunger, injustice, abuse, and all the ways we fail
To care for others. Help us to respond to the broken places
Help us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
*Please stand as you are able. (continued on next page)
(continued)
God, maker of all, be with those who have died.
Surround them with your peace and love. Sustain
Those who love and care for the dying, fill them with peace.
Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In all we do, O God, help us to deepen our faith.
Help us to work on your behalf, that our words may have action.
Help us be your hands and heart in the world.
Help us to love you and love our neighbors, too. --RevGalBlogs
In the name of the one whose path we seek to walk with the help of his prayer that he
taught us, saying…
*THE LORD’S PRAYER (IN UNISON)
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 forever. Amen.
*RESPONSE Tune: Blue No. 241
Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
And make this world thy home.
Descend with all thy gracious powers,
O come, great Spirit, come!
ANTHEM The Summons Traditional Scottish tune
Cathryn and Amy Brierley words by John Bell
Please join in singing: Gather ‘Round song Mark Morgan
Rev. Pam: Come on, children, to the gospel feast.
All: Gather 'round, gather 'round!
Rev. Pam: Jesus welcomes all the little and least.
All: Gather 'round, gather 'round!
All: This is where we sing and pray, read God's word on this glad day.
Come on children to the gospel feast, gather 'round, gather 'round!
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
*HYMN In Christ There Is No East or West Black No. 395
PASTORAL PRAYER
OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD
Today at
Maple Street
Church!
Today is Rally Sunday and Food Collection Sunday to benefit the
Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
Time to RALLY with PURPOSE!
ALL ARE WELCOME FOR RALLY SUNDAY
9:15am Continental Breakfast Begins & Program
Signup in the Social Hall
9:50am Sharing Joys & Concerns in the Sanctuary
10:00am Worship Begins, for all ages, after the Children’s message
kids will head to the “cuvatent” room for chapel time and
activities.
11:30 am Program signups continue along with Fellowship time
in the Social Hall—Please take the time to sign your
child/youth for Sunday School and the many special
programs and offerings for the coming year.
Earth Stewards Interfaith Ministry and the Christian Education
Ministry Teams host breakfast, come sign-up for fall programs,
learn about outreach and mission projects and other upcoming
events in the life of the church.
Our Program for Children and Youth
begins TODAY! Don’t forget to sign your child today after worship in the
Social Hall if you haven’t already done so.
Blessing of the backpacks next Sunday! Please be sure you and your children, students, preschool
through adult, bring your school backpacks, satchels or
lunch boxes to worship so that we can celebrate and bless
the beginning of another school year. During the 10AM ser-
vice we will lift up children and students of all ages, dedi-
cating them to God's grace and care as they begin a new
school year and church school year.
Faith Formation & Dedication —Sunday, September 23
Youth and Family Cookout —Sunday, September 23
First Sunday Family Worship —Sunday, September 30
Upcoming Events: Saturday, September 22: MSC Coffeehouse with Cold Chocolate
Sunday, October 7: World Communion Sunday & NIN Offering
Sunday, October 14: Vision Sunday
Saturday, October 20: MSC Silent Movie Phantom of the Opera
This Week
Monday 5:00 pm Girl Scouts in the Social Hall
Tuesday 9:15 am A New Day Yoga in the Reception Room
6:30 pm Deacons Meeting in the Reception Room
6:30 pm Boy Scouts in the Social Hall
Wednesday 12:00 pm Brooksby Lunch Bunch
4:15 pm Girl Scouts in the Social Hall
Friday 6:00 pm MSC Movie Night in the Social Hall
Sunday
10:00 am Worship and Blessing of the Backpacks in the Sanctuary
Light the Steeple this Holiday Season We have upcoming dates available the months of November
and December to light our steeple in honor of or to celebrate
a loved one. Fill out the form on the back of the bulletin and
include the fee ($15 per week) and mail it in or leave it in
the church office door lockbox. Your contributions in
memory of loved ones or to commemorate a special event
help keep the steeple lighted.
Earth Stewards Fall Book Study
Please join us in reading an inspiring work by UCC
Leader Jim Antal. The group will be meeting in the
Reception Room following Sunday worship for six
Sundays starting on October 7th through November 11th.
For more information or to sign up contact Linda Leo-
nard: [email protected]
Maple Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ
90 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923
OFFICE HOURS Monday 10 am-2 pm; Tuesday through Thursday 9 am-2 pm; Friday 9-12pm
Pastor Kevin Smith is available for home visitation, member weddings, funerals, memorial
services, baptisms, and pastoral counseling. Pastor Pam is also available. Feel free to contact
Pastor Kevin or Pastor Pam if you need a listening ear, if you want to discuss the work of the
congregation, or if you would like to join Maple Street Church! Office schedules can vary for
ministers as they attend meetings, attend to church business, write and prepare for Sunday
worship away from the office, visit members of the congregation, and more, so it’s always wise
to call or e-mail to make an appointment if at all possible. Pastor Kevin’s day off is Friday.
Pastor Pam’s day off is Monday. Pastor Kevin’s worship preparation times are Tuesday
morning and Thursday afternoon when he will be out of the office. You can contact them at the
Church Office phone listed above, the e-mails listed above, or you can contact Pastor Kevin at
978-068-5020.
Our Worship Services are aired on Danvers Comcast Channel 99 and
Verizon Channel 36, Sunday 10:00 am and 7:00 pm (one week delay)
Rev. Kevin Smith
Minister
978-774-4510, ext. 3
Cell 978-968-5020
Rev. Pamela Cochrane
Associate Minister for Youth and
Family Ministry
978-774-4510, ext. 4
Cell 781-956-2371
Ms. Kathy Gross
Director of Music Ministry
978-774-4510, ext. 5 [email protected]
Ms. Ji-Hye Jung
Asst. Director of Music Ministry
978-774-4510, ext. 1 [email protected]
Ms. Natalie Hildreth
Office Administrator
978-774-4510, ext. 1 [email protected]
Mrs. Lynne Hathaway
Nursery School Director
978-774-4510, ext. 6 [email protected]
*OFFERTORY Gather Us In Marty Haugen
*DOXOLOGY Lyrics: Thomas Ken, Tune: Blue No. 64 Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ whose pow’r uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON —Mark 7:24-37 pew Bible pgs. 874-875
“From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not
want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose
little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed
down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him
to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is
not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir,
even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying
that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child
lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went
by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought
to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his
hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into
his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said
to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his
tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the
more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond
measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the
mute to speak.”
SERMON Bold Purpose Pastor Kevin
HYMN OF RESPONSE All my hope on God is founded Black No. 408
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE Amen Siyakudumisa Traditional South African
(Amen! Praise the Name of the Lord)
POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God Karg-Elert
Our Worship together concludes with the Benediction Response.
The Postlude is transitional music which inspires us as we go
forth as disciples to serve God and one another.
Worship has ended. Our Service Begins . . . .
The Steeple is lit in loving memory of
Don Wheeler
Given by the Wheeler Family
The flowers in the Chancel are in celebration of
the 60th Wedding Anniversary of
Leo and Priscilla Curda
Donating flowers for the altar or narthex is a wonderful way to honor a loved one.
If you wish to donate flowers, please contact Priscilla Curda at 978-777-0793.
Welcome to Maple Street Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ. If you are here for the first time, please fill out the connection card
and place it in the offering plate. Nursery care, with a trained staff, is offered
throughout the worship service. Sunday School for children and youth takes
place following the beginning of the second Hymn except on “First Sun-
days”.
The church of disciples who welcome you!
Visit our web page at www.maplestreetchurch.org
Sunday’s Servants:
Deacon of the Month: Alden Duffill
Ushers: Alden Duffill, Lynne Duffill, John Foss, Bob Wilkinson
Special Assistant to the Deacons: Bob Wilkinson
Scripture Reader: Casey Brennan
Our lighted steeple is an important symbol of our presence in the community. Your contributions in memory of loved ones and friends or to commemorate a special event help keep the steeple lighted. If you would like to have the steeple lighted for one or more weeks, please fill out the form below and send it with $15 per week to the church office. I would like the steeple lighted in memory of: ___________________________________________________ I would like the steeple lighted in honor of: ___________________________________________________ Requested date (if available) to light: ___________________________
(signed) ________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________