Third Sunday After Pentecost

Third Sunday After Pentecost

Communion--Confirmation

June 5, 2016 __10:00 A.M.

Thought for Reflection

• “One drop of water helps to swell an ocean; a spark of fire helps to give
• light to the world. None are too small, too feeble, and too poor to be of service.
• Think of this and act.”
• -Hannah More

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 “To You, O God, All Creatures Sing” 17

*  Call to Worship

Leader: God is like the sun, a source of energy for all life.

People: We come to bask in the warmth of God’s love.

Leader: Jesus is a light, guiding us on our journey.

People: We come to remember Jesus’ teachings, so we can follow in his ways.

Leader: The Holy Spirit is like a bridge, connecting people together.

People: We come seeking connection, so we may help one another.

Leader: The church is your family.

People: We come to rejoice with our sisters and brothers in faith. Let us worship God.

*  Prayer of Invocation

*  Sentences of Praise

Leader: Praise God for the sun that comes up every day!

People: Praise God for strong trees we can lean upon!

Leader: Praise God for the things that bring us joy!

People: Praise God, for God is God, beyond all our words!

+ * Gloria 756

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

Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia! (repeat)

Prayer of Confession

Leader: “God is love, and so we are created with love.”

People: Forgive us, God, when we forget who we are.

Leader: “By sharing God’s power, Jesus taught us not to be selfish and to share what we have with one another.”

People: Forgive us, Jesus, when we hold tight to what we have.

Leader: “The Holy Spirit wants to push you to your deeper level, pushing you beyond your limits.”

People: Forgive us, Spirit, when we focus only on what we think we cannot do.

Leader: “The members of the church can guide us with their experience, becoming lights on the path to give us direction to eventually reach Jesus.”

People: Forgive us, God of community, when we think we have to walk alone.

All: Open us, we pray, to your love, your compassion, your challenge, your gift of community.

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

Words with the Young People and Presentation of the Stoles

The Anthem “Take My Life, and Let It Be” by Ron Sprunger

+*Latecomer seating

* Congregation may stand as you are able

Service of Confirmation

A Scripture Lesson Psalm 23

Reflection “Confir-Rams”

Confirmation of Faith

*Congregational statement:

We welcome you with great joy, Derek, Olivia, Gabriel and Jacob, as confirmed members of Edwards Church. We give thanks for parents, mentors and friends who have guided and encouraged you in your faith. We praise God for the many gifts you bring to Edwards Church--your ideas, your questions, your dreams, your love. We promise to walk beside you on your journey of faith, and we ask you to walk beside us.

Prayer for the Journey (please join hands with the people near you)

Greeting of Christian Love

Celebrations and Concerns

Call to 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 CALLS US TO THE TABLE

The Lord’s Supper

Hymn of Communion “Let Us Break Bread Together” 330

The Invitation to the Table

Prayer of Consecration

The Giving of the Bread and the Cup at the Table

The Thanksgiving (in unison)

We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

*Hymn of Dedication “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” 454

*Charge and Benediction

*  Postlude

(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

Pastor The Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark

Interim Director of Christian Education Heather Gray

Choir Director Rick Seaholm

Organist/Pianist Don Buell

Administrative Assistant Maureen Hansen

Sexton Lori Wilson

The Deacon-in-Charge Brandon Jones

The Communion Servers Confirmands

The Greeter Bettina Messana

The Ushers Bruce Cichowlas and Bill Freudenthal

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

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

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 United Church 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 faith we 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

www.edwardschurch.org

THIS WEEK AT EDWARDS, June 5-11, 2016

SUNDAY Rental (Edwards Hall) 9:00 A.M.

Worship/Sunday School/Communion 10:00 A.M.

Coffee Hour 11:00 A.M.

Rental (Sanctuary) 1:00 P.M.

MONDAY Chairobics (Education Building) 9:30 A.M.

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

Veteran’s Yoga Class (Edwards Hall) 6:15 P.M.

Board of Trustees Meeting (Jonathan House) 7:30 P.M.

Meditation (Sue Dickerman Hall) 7:30 P.M.

Rental (Edwards Classroom) 7:30 P.M.

TUESDAY Qi gong (Sue Dickerman Hall) 9:00 A.M.

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

Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall) 10:15 A.M.

Nursing Home Worship 1-3:00 P.M.

Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall) 1:15 P.M.

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

Longevitology (Choir Room) 7:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY Chairobics (Education Building) 9:30 A.M.

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

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

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

THURSDAY Qi gong (Sue Dickerman Hall) 9:00 A.M.

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

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY Chairobics (Education Building) 9:30 A.M.

SATURDAY All -Levels Yoga (Edwards Hall) 9:00 A.M.

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

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

Today, with joy, we confirm four young people: Gabriel Franklin Marcincavage, Jacob Alexander Sorensen, Olivia Grace Sorensen, and Derek Callahan Carl.

A Note from Jim and Danielle: Dear Edwards Community, We will be baptizing Olive during service on June 12th. We are so excited to have Olive officially welcomed by our community. After service, we will be celebrating Olive’s baptism and first year with a brunch at her grandfather’s house. We would like to invite you to this celebration. You can find details and RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/PartywithOlive or call Danielle at 508-561-3370.

Welcome Visitors! We are glad you are here. Please join us for coffee and fellowship, following the service. Sign our guestbook too! In the 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.