An asterisk (*) invites the Assembly to stand. Words in bold indicate the responses of the Assembly
Prelude Concerto in G major, 1st movement A. Vivaldi – J.S. Bach
Congregational Welcome
Introit This is the Day Mark Hayes
Call to Worship (unison)
Leader: On this third Sunday of Eastertide we gather rejoicing, for Christ is risen, and all is new!
People: Alleluia, Christ is risen! We give thanks and praise to God.
Leader: And on this third Sunday of Eastertide we gather rejoicing in the twenty years of ministry that we have shared with Pastor Ken Baily.
People: Together we have laughed and wept, have prayed and pondered, have consoled and been consoled, have served and dreamed of the Kin-dom of God! We give thanks and praise to God!
Leader: On this third Sunday of Eastertide, we will sing and pray and dare to dream, relying on God’s never-failing grace.
People: This is the day which the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
Gathering Hymn No. 461 God is Here!
Litany of Celebrating and Re-covenanting
Tony Rudié: Today we share a responsive litany of celebration and re-covenanting on the 20th anniversary of the Reverend Kenneth Baily’s ministry at Newton Highlands Congregational Church.
Wendy Donnell: For our commitment to justice in word and action, for our commitment to an ever-expanding and changing understanding of God’s word, for our commitment to nourishing minds as well as souls
People: In this community of faith, we give God thanks and praise.
Carol Jensen: For Ken’s continued ministry to this congregation
Bill Cordts: For Ken’s continued ministry to mentor, teach and guide; for his continued ministry to the United Church of Christ and the Community of all believers;
June Cooper: For Ken’s continued ministry to the greater world; for his commitment to addressing the roots of injustice and oppression, hunger and homelessness, intolerance and violence
People: We give God thanks and praise.
Jeff Small: As you have blessed Ken during 20 years of ministry at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, grant that he may continue to serve your people, preach your Word, build up your Church, work towards your peace on Earth, and glorify your name.
People: For your presence with Ken, we give God thanks and praise.
Amanda Ketchpaw Palés: Come Holy Spirit, continue to fill Ken with your love. Go before him as he continues to lead us to go further, think more deeply, and act more courageously.
People: Come Holy Spirit, bless our covenant together. Continue to work within each of us and our community of faith as we support and nurture Ken and each other. Guide us on our journey as we gather for worship, renewal and service, and as we go forth for bold and faithful ministry in our daily lives.
Bill Cordts: Ken, may the Lord God always be with you, in your going out and your coming in. May the Lord fill your heart and your mind with love in Jesus Christ. And may the Lord continue to inspire you to share that love with all those whose lives you touch.
All: Amen
*Prayer of Preparation and Confession (in unison) Wondrous God, we come to you with open hearts and minds. Trusting that your Spirit draws near when two or more are gathered, we seek only awareness that you are with us. As we worship, we acknowledge the truth: that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. Forgive us, we pray, for the wrong that we have done, and for the right that we have left undone. Through your abundant mercy, make us evermore faithful disciples of Jesus: standing up for justice, bending low to extend mercy, and walking humbly with you and with all the weary world. Hear us now as we offer our individual prayers. Amen.
*Silent Reflection
*Assurance of Reconciliation Leader: Friends, hear the Good News: there is more forgiveness in God than there is sin in us. Lift up your hearts and be glad!
People: We lift them up to God!
*Response in Praise Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days! Christ is risen! Hush in wonder; All creation is amazed. In the desert all-surrounding, see, a spreading tree has grown. Healing leaves of grace abounding, Bring a taste of love unknown.
Scripture Reading Psalm 30
Choral Anthem Let All the World Every Corner Sing (from Five Mystical Songs) Ralph Vaughan Williams
Scripture Reading John 21:1-19
The Communion Meditation Fishing in New Waters Rev. Paul Shupe
*Hymn No. 514 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ
Celebration of Holy Communion
People: 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. Instead, 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.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to God.
Leader: Let us praise God, speaking together:
People: 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 our God. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessing of Bread and Cup
You are invited to the front or back, or you may request Communion elements in your pew.
Music for Communion Vocalise S. Rachmaninoff Katie Chuang, cello and Christy Liao, piano
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Choral Reflection The Gift of Love arr. Hal Hopson
*Hymn No. 343 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
*Benediction
*Choral Response Go, My Children, With My Blessing
Postlude Concerto in G major, 3rd movement A. Vivaldi – J.S. Bach
We have a touch-free offering today. You may leave your gift in the basket, deliver an envelope after worship, go online, or any touch-free method you wish.
During this time of covid caution we welcome all to safe, cautious congregational assembly. It is good to worship together. To care for one another we wear masks (except for worship leaders at times) and our leaders are vaccinated.
Newton Highlands Congregational Church seeks to reflect the inclusive love of God in Jesus Christ. As an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking Congregation of the United Church of Christ, we joyfully welcome all to our worship and into our membership regardless of race, ethnic background, religious background, gender identity, economic status, age, handicap or sexual orientation. For in Christ we are a new creation, so we are glad to worship anew together this morning.
The Newton Highlands Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming, Still Speaking Congregation
54 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands, MA 02472
(617) 527-3898
Visit our website at www.nhcc.net
The Rev. Dr. Kenneth F. Baily, Senior Pastor
Wendy Donnell, Director of Christian Education
Lynd Matt, Music Director
Yevgenia Semeina, Organist
Sarah Eberly, Office Administrator
Sally Brickell, Moderator
Misha Hill, Worship Technician
Oscar Vasquez, Sexton