First Sunday After Pentecost

First Sunday After Pentecost

May 22, 2016 10:00 A.M.

A Thought for Reflection
“Grace Happens.”

--Bumper Sticker

GOD GATHERS US

Prelude

Greetings and Announcements

Passing of the Peace

Leader:The peace of Christ be with you.

PEOPLE:And also with you.

We invite you to turn to your neighbors and greet them.

*Hymn of Praise “Come, O Fount of Every Blessing” 459

*Call to Worship

Leader: Jesus taught his disciples: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved

you.”

People:We gather in gratitude for the love we have received.

Leader:Jesus called his disciples: “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

People:We gather seeking courage to keep his commandment.

Leader:Jesus promised his disciples: “I will pray to God, who will give you an Advocate, the Spirit of Truth.”

People:We gatherto receive this wondrous gift.

Leader:Come, Spirit of Truth;

People:Bless us, we pray.

*Prayer of Invocation

*Sentences of Praise

Leader: Sing praise!

People: We lift our voices to God!

+*GLORIA 756

Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!

Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia! [repeat]

Prayer of Confession (In unison)

O God, Fount of every blessing, we hear the promise of your grace. We sing of your streams of mercy, poured out upon us without ceasing. We confess, though, that we struggle to understand and believe. We think we need to earn your love, and so we fall into despair.

Teach us to trust the promise of your grace. Teach us to respond with gratitude and commitment. Amen.

Assurance of God’s Forgiveness

The Lord’s Prayer

Please pray using the words you find most meaningful.

RESPONSE 286

Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free,

Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.

GOD MEETS US IN THE WORD

* Congregation may stand as you are able+*Latecomer seating

Sacrament of Baptism

*Congregational Assent

Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support, and care to Calvin as he lives and grows in Christ?

Congregation: We promise our love, support and care.

*Baptismal Hymn “Creative Spirit” see insert

(Young people may leave for Church School during hymn.)

Hebrew Bible Lesson Jeremiah 31:1-3

(pew bible, p. 641)

Anthem “If Ye Love Me” by Thomas Tallis

Epistle Lesson Ephesians 2:4-10

(pew bible, p. 950)

The Sermon “Free but not Cheap”

Celebrations and Concerns

Call to Prayer

Moment of Silent Prayer

Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and Petition

GOD CALLS FOR OUR GIFTS

Our Offering to God

Offertory

*DOXOLOGY (Lasst Uns Erfreuen) NCH 17

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia, Alleluia.

Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

*Prayer of Dedication

GOD SENDS US INTO THE WORLD

*Hymn of Dedication “Amazing Grace” 547

*Benediction

*Postlude “He Looked Beyond my Fault” Londonderry Aire--Traditional Offered by Willie Sordillo

(Please feel free to remain and listen, or to greet one another in the narthex and at coffee hour.)

Our Worship Has Ended… Let Our Service Begin!

MinistersAll the People of Edwards Church

PastorThe Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark

Interim Director of Christian EducationHeather Gray

Choir DirectorRick Seaholm

Organist/Pianist Don Buell

Administrative AssistantMaureen Hansen

SextonLori Wilson

The Liturgist Shelly Cichowlas

The Deacon-in-Charge Shelly Cichowlas

The GreeterSandy Thompson

Coffee Hour is being hosted by those who are moved by the Spirit.

Mothers’ Helpers is in charge of the Nursery this morning.

Today, with joy, we offer the Sacrament of Baptism to Calvin Bedore Cashman,

son of Tanya Kaye Bedore and Colin Douglas Cashman.

Welcome Visitors! We are glad you are here. Please join us for coffee and fellowship, following the service. Sign our guestbook too! In the Susan P. Dickerman Education Building (out the side door follow hallway) are the restrooms and where coffee hour is held. The Nursery and Sunday School classes are on the lower level. If you have questions, or suggestions, feel free to talk with one of the Ushers, Greeters or Deacon in Charge.

Special Needs / / / Available in the Narthex (front entrance hallway).

• Sound-enhancing Assistive Listening Devices.
• Enlarged copy of the Church Bulletin.

/ PARKING:
ENTRANCE:
LIFT:
RESTROOM: /

• Accessible spots are marked and located near the EducationBuilding entrance.

• Lower level of the EducationBuilding (to the left of the Church main entrance).
• EducationBuilding: Next to the stairs.
• EducationBuilding: Upper Level – opposite the kitchen.

Edwards Church

A United Church of Christ

An Open and Affirming Congregation

In the name of God and Jesus Christ, Edwards Church,a congregation of the UnitedChurch of Christ,welcomes all who seek to know and worship God. We invite everyone to join in our faith journey and participate in our congregational life.

As a community of faithwe take seriously the Biblical call to love God and our neighbors as ourselves, and recognize that although we are many members we are one.

We celebrate the uniqueness of everyone. We rejoice in our diversity of views and understanding of our shared faith. We commit ourselves to work diligently to help end oppression and discrimination. We affirm all relationships founded on the principle of God’s love and justice.

We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation.

Seeking to be the Body of Christ, we welcome into full fellowship and membership all persons of every race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or cognitive ability, and economic status.

39 Edwards Street

Framingham, MA 01701

508-877-2050

THIS WEEK AT EDWARDS, May 22-28, 2016

SUNDAYRental (Edwards Hall)9:00 A.M.

Worship/Sunday School10:00 A.M.

Coffee Hour/Dessert Auction11:00 A.M.

Gathering of Friends Brunch11:45 A.M.

Rental (Sanctuary)1:00 P.M.

Edible Forest Garden Planting2:00 P.M.

One Earth Collaborative Tree Art Show and Reception 3:30 P.M.

Dinner Church at Grace UCC5:30 P.M.

MONDAYChairobics (Education Building)9:30 A.M.

Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall)6:00 P.M.

Veteran’s Yoga Class (Edwards Hall)6:00 P.M.

Meditation with the Masters (SPD Hall)7:30 P.M.

TUESDAYQi Gong (Edwards Hall)9:00 A.M.

Gentle Yoga (Edwards Hall)10:00 A.M.

Rental (Sue DickermanHall)10:15 A.M.

Rental (Sue DickermanHall)1:30 P.M.

Yoga (Sue Dickerman Hall)5:30 P.M.

WEDNESDAYChairobics (Sue Dickerman Hall)9:30 A.M.

Steeple Mailing (Jonathan House)10:30 A. M.

Gentle Yoga (Edwards Hall)5:30 P.M.

Bible Study and Soup (Jonathan House)6:45 P.M.

Framingham Folk Dancers (Edwards Hall)7:30 P.M.

THURSDAYQi Gong (Edwards Hall)9:00 A.M.

Yoga (Edwards Hall)9:30 A.M.

Bible Study (Jonathan House)11:00 A.M.

Yoga (Edwards Hall)6:00 P.M.

Cancer Support (Youth Room)6:00 P.M.

AA (Edwards Hall)7:30 P.M.

FRIDAYChairobics (Education Building)9:30 A.M.

Rental (Sanctuary)7:00 P.M.

SATURDAYRental (Sanctuary)9:00 A.M.

Community of St. Luke (Sanctuary) 4:30 P.M.

Rental (Edwards Hall Classroom) 7:00 P.M.

The Steeple Mailing will take place on Wednesday at 10:30 am in the office building.