NHCC Annual Meeting
Prelude Pastorale J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Congregational Welcome
Choral Introit Come, Join Our Cheerful Song! Dale Wood
Call to Worship
*Gathering Hymn No. 129 Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us
*Prayer of Invocation and Healing
One voice: Paul wrote to the Romans, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Let us pray:
All: Amazing God, once upon a time the gift of your Spirit came with fire, full moons and great glory! Bring Her to us now, amazing us anew. Liberating God, long ago the young and the old, those in bondage and those with the power to give, all knew you equally. As you give liberally, enable us never to hoard, since your cup overflows still. God of Parthians, Mesopotamians, Asians and Egyptians — and our God — fill us with ruach, Spirit, and open our minds, our hearts and our hands to love this amazing world, whoever we are, wherever we have been, so that we can be with you, always. Amen.
The Early Church Acts 2: 1-21
Choral Anthem Anthem for Pentecost Hal Hopson
The Gospel Reading John 14: 8-17a
The Communion Meditation Kenneth F. Baily
*Hymn (insert) Like the Murmur of a Dove’s Song
Celebration of Holy Communion
All: For this table is spread for you and for me that we might know that God has come to us and shared our common lot and invited us to receive life anew. Indeed, God has triumphed even over death. So we come to this table for thanksgiving, for grace, for God’s presence, for peace.
Leader: Let us unite our voices in preparation. God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to God!
Leader: Let us praise God, speaking together:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.
Sharing of Communion Elements
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Hymn of Hope No. 131 Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow
*Benediction
*Choral Response Amen John Rutter
Postlude Grand Chorus J.Jongen (1873-1953)
* Those who are able please stand
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We remain intentional about conducting ourselves to create safe congregational assembly. To care for one another we wear masks (except for worship leaders at times) and our leaders are vaccinated. Annual Meeting today will be
in-person and online, to make everyone welcome
We have a touch-free offering today. You may leave a gift in the basket, deliver an envelope after worship, go online, or any touch-free method you wish.
Thanks to worship leaders Kenneth Baily, Lynd Matt, Yevgenia Semeina,
Carol Jensen, Melissa Dietrich, Yumiko Matsuoka & Misha Hill
During worship you are invited forward for communion,
or can request elements in your pew
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC
54 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA
www.nhcc.net 617 527 3898
“What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.”
— 1 Cor. 15: 36
“Hope criticizes what is, hopelessness rationalizes it.
Hope resists. Hopelessness adapts.”
— Wm. Sloane Coffin