Fourth Sunday in Lent
9:00 a.m. (Order of Worship) in Old South Church Chapel
&
11:00 a.m. Service in Santuary
(Order of Worship below)
A Congregation of the United Church of Christ
The Old South Church in Boston
Gathered 1669
THE GATHERING
PRELUDE Prière, op. 20 César Franck
*HYMN 43 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Beecher
*CALL TO WORSHIP Quinn G. Caldwell
(Prayer of Symeon the New Theologian, 949-1042)
One: Come, true light, life eternal, hidden mystery.
Many: Come, treasure without name, reality beyond all words.
One: Come, person beyond all understanding, rejoicing without end.
Many: Come, light that knows no evening,
unfailing expectation of the saved,
raising of the fallen, resurrection of the dead.
One: Come, all powerful, for unceasingly you create, refashion
and change all things by your will alone.
Many: Come, invisible whom none may touch and handle.
One: Come, you who draw near to us who lie in hell,
yet you remain higher than the heavens.
Many: Come, Alone to the alone.
One: Come, for you are the desire that is within me.
Many: Come, my breath and my life.
One: Come, the consolation of my humble soul.
Many: Come, my joy, my glory, my endless delight.
*A SIGN OF OUR UNITY AND RECONCILIATION
We invite you to greet those around you, wishing them
“peace” or “the peace of Christ.”
WORDS OF WELCOME
THE GIFT OF THE WORD
ANTHEM Psalm of Penitence Arthur Honegger
Pity me God, in my distress. Turn not away, but heal me again. Wash me of sin and cleanse me of shame. Pardon, O God, the evil done.
And in thy hot displeasure, O chasten me not!
–Psalm 6:1-2 (alt.)
SCRIPTURE Mark 8:22-26 George Delianides
*HYMN 547 Amazing Grace Amazing Grace
(Children and teachers may leave for their Church School classes.)
SERMON Jesus of Nazareth: Mime, Mirror, Muse Nancy S. Taylor
(The sermon is adapted from a lecture I presented at Harvard’s Memorial Church
as a part of their Lenten series, The Enigma of Jesus.)
*HYMN 44 Beautiful Jesus Schönster Herr Jesu
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
*CALL TO PRAYER Robert W. Brown
One: God be with you
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift our hearts to God.
One: Let us pray. (The congregation may be seated.)
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION
All are invited to sing the response as indicated. Greek for “Lord have mercy,” Kyrie eleison is an ancient prayer by which Christians have approached Jesus since the earliest days of the church.
One: O God, if we have not loved you with all our hearts and all our minds
and all our strength, and our neighbors as ourselves.
Many: Sung response
One: If we have not heard your call to serve as Christ served us;
If we have been full of pride, or hypocrisy, or impatience,
Many: Sung response
One: If we have been self-indulgent; if we have exploited another;
If we have loved worldly goods and comforts too much;
If we have been dishonest in thought or expression,
Many: Sung response
One: Holy God, if we have failed to notice human suffering,
or if we have caused it;
If we have failed to notice the waste and pollution of your creation,
or if we have caused it.
Many: Sung response
One: If we have trusted violence rather than peace,
and the rulers of the earth over your rule,
Many: Sung response
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SILENT PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE Sevenfold Amen John Stainer
CALL TO THE OFFERING Quinn G. Caldwell
OFFERTORY ANTHEM Blessed Are They from Les Béatitudes Franck
Harry Baechtel, baritone
Blessed are they who, from earth’s dreams awaking, turn their hearts from worldly pride; who every other joy forsaking, of wealth the golden fetters breaking, treasures of heaven spread around on every side. Then when the awful trumpet soundeth, let them rejoice! Blessed are they, in whom God’s grace and love aboundeth, angels for them heaven’s gates fling open wide.
–Madame Colomb
*SONG OF PRAISE Old Hundredth
Praise God whose many names abound,
Our Judge, our Rock, our Holy Ground.
Our Home, our All, earth’s Majesty
Love, Spirit, Light and Mystery. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN 46 Hope of the World Ancient of Days
BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION Nancy S. Taylor
POSTLUDE Sortie in F from L’Organiste Franck
During the Postlude you are invited to stand and stretch (quietly, please)
while the crew sets up a screen.
JESUS’ PROGRAM: THE KINGDOM OF GOD
We invite you to remain for an intriguing 10-minute film presentation, “Jesus’ Program: The Kingdom of God,” from Session IV of our Lenten Study, Saving Jesus. Following the film clip, here are some options:
1) Go directly to the fourth floor to participate in a guided, small group discussion until 1:45 pm. On the fourth floor you will find refreshments to sustain you during the discussion.
2) Go into the Chapel to enjoy conversation and refreshments. You might even decide to discuss the film clip there.
2) Take the Saving Jesus insert home with you to read, meditate and chew on for the week.
Please refer to the insert for more information.
›››››››››
Today, immediately following the Lenten film clip, all who are interested in a tour of the Sanctuary are invited to meet Docent Mary Hunter
at the front of the Sanctuary.
The new Lenten pulpit hanging is given by Elizabeth and Betty Pitcher
in loving memory of Jean M. Jackson, M.D.
A LENTEN STUDY
Old South Church in Boston
March 2 Jesus’ Program: The Kingdom of God
March 9 Killing Jesus: The Atonement
Each Lenten Sunday immediately following worship we invite you to remain in the Sanctuary for a brief film presentation from one of the sessions in the Saving Jesus series. Following the film, we hope you will join us for one of the small group discussions on the fourth floor. Light refreshments will be available there to tide you over. If you cannot join a discussion group, we hope the insert will provide food for thought during the course of the next week.
TODAY AT OLD SOUTH
Welcome to Old South Church in Boston. Our faith is over 2000 years old, but our thinking is not! Old South opens its doors to the city, to tourists from near and far, to the needy, to an array of building users, and to a congregation (of members, friends, and family—both the curious and the committed) who call this their church home. Join us for fellowship and refreshments in Gordon Chapel immediately following worship.
Today’s scripture reader, George Delianides, serves on the Communications Committee and also acts as Old South’s resident photographer.
The flowers today are given by Steve Dutton in loving memory of Valerie Papillo (March 5, 1969 - October 30, 2005).
Today’s ASL Interpreter is Aaron Malgeri.
More than thirty volunteers are extending hospitality to visitors and parishioners. In addition, over twenty volunteers sing in the choir, while others teach in the Church School. If you’re interested in volunteering for hospitality tasks, please call Betty Smith at 781/721-7777; to sing with the choir, call Harry Huff at 617/425-5146; to learn about the church school, call Tricia Hazeltine at 617/536-1970.
Wearing name tags is a great way to facilitate community and make newcomers feel welcomed. If you don’t see a tag with your name on it, let us know—there will be one waiting for you next Sunday!
CD recordings of today’s service may be obtained by calling Jessica Goodknight at 617/536-1970 or emailing <reception@oldsouth.org>. Sunday sermons and worship services are also available on the Web and as podcasts at <www.oldsouth.org>.
Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices
are available at the Front Desk.
REMINDERS
Here in Copley Square we are just a short walk from many bus stops, subway and rail lines,
cab stands, and walking/cycling paths. For information on these or affordable parking
(3 hours during worship services) through Old South’s arrangements with nearby parking garages
at 100 Clarendon Street or the Prudential Center Garage, ask at the Front Desk for validation
details or visit our website <www.oldsouth.org>.
Find directions by transit from your address to 645 Boylston Street at <www.mbta.com>.
For information or to join the Old South E-mail Forum, send an e-mail message to
<oldsouth-approval@world.std.com>.
NOTES ON TODAY’S MUSIC
Arthur Honegger (1892-1955) was a Swiss composer, who was born and lived most of his life in Paris. A member of Les Six, he studied with Vincent d’Indy. His 1923 “symphonic psalm” Le Roi David (King David) consists of three large sections which follow the major events in the biblical story of David—his youth as a shepherd, his battle with Goliath, the enmity of Saul, David’s being crowned king, his love for Bathsheba, the rebellion of his beloved Absalom, David’s death, and finally the crowning of his son Solomon as the new king. Honegger utilizes Psalms periodically throughout this work, much as Bach used Lutheran chorales in his Passion settings. The Psalm of Penitence, sung today as the first anthem, is a paraphrase of the opening verses of Psalm 6, which in The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is subtitled, “Prayer of recovery from a grave illness.”
César Franck (1822-1890) was the teacher of d’Indy, making him a musical grandfather of Honegger. He was born in Belgium, but lived most of his life in Paris, serving as organiste titulaire at Saint Clotilde Basilica from 1858 until his death. He was one of the great figures in romantic music in the second half of the 19th century. His masterful works for organ have come to be regarded as keystones of the literature. The prelude, Prière (prayer), is in the elegiac key of C# minor, and is a symphonic poem of great yearning and introspection. The postlude, Sortie in F, is a joyous parting flourish, which appears in a collection of smaller pieces entitled L’Organiste.
The Beatitudes, an epic oratorio for chorus, nine soloists and full symphony orchestra, is perhaps Franck’s greatest work. It is divided into eight movements, corresponding to the beatitudes, or moralities, set forth in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. The text of the work was arranged by Madame Colomb, who not only enumerated the beatitudes, but created a dramatic scene of each, the general theme being the eternal conflict between good and evil. In the First Beatitude, the worldly chorus extols unbounded riches and pleasures. Jesus then enters the scene proclaiming: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is followed by a celestial chorus amplifying Christ’s words and lauding the praises of the Redeemer. The English translation sung as the offertory anthem is a poetic interpretation of this sentiment.
Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music
OLD SOUTH CHURCH IN BOSTON
MINISTERS, OFFICERS AND STAFF
Nancy S. Taylor, Senior Minister - Quinn G. Caldwell, Associate Minister
Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music - James W. Crawford, Senior Minister Emeritus
Calvin Genzel, Wedding Outreach Minister v Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator
Ken Orth, Healing Prayer Service Minister
Robert W. Brown, Ministerial Intern - Abigail G. Henderson, Field Education Intern
Mark S. Burrows, Theologian in Residence
Patricia Hazeltine, Church School Director v Rolanda Ward, Youth Worker
Carolyn Davis, Director, Old South Preschool
George Sargeant, Assistant Organist & Choir Director
Willie Sordillo, Jazz Service Music Director
Peter Coulombe, Director, Old South Ringers
Amy Budka & Phil Stern, Children’s Music Directors
Wayne Davis, Moderator - Pamela Holland, Clerk - James Monsma, Treasurer
Phil Stern, Chair, Board of Trustees - Susan T. Campbell, Historian
Diane Gaucher, Senior Deacon - Vicki A. Newman, Pledge Secretary
Helen McCrady, Senior Church Administrator
Amy Perry, Administrative Assistant - Rosemary Clarke, Accountant
Elias Perez, Senior Sexton - Ozo Nwodo & Robert Blenman, Sextons
Jessica Goodknight, Rubia Reyes & Jim McDonnel, Receptionists
www.oldsouth.org - 617/536-1970
A NOTE ON THE INCLUSIVE DIMENSIONS OF GOD’S GRACE
Old South Church in Boston, in the name of its host, Jesus Christ, and in the spirit of Christ’s invitation carved into the stone of this church’s portico, “Behold I Set Before You an Open Door,” welcomes all who seek to know God.
Following the One who we believe is Sovereign and Savior, we affirm that each individual is a child of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one body with many members, seeking with others of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to journey together toward the promised realm of God.
We invite everyone to join in the common life and mission of our reconciling community through participation and leadership in this congregation, and by fully sharing in the worship, rites and sacraments of this church.
As we all move forward with the work of this church, we commit ourselves to making justice and inclusivity a reality in this congregation and in the world. On the threshold of Christ’s open door, we rely upon the healing, unconditional nature of God’s love and grace to be our help and guide.