Hingham Congregational Church,

United Church of Christ

March 7, 2021

10 a.m.

Order of Worship

Prelude

Waltz In E Major, Op. 39, No. 5

Johannes Brahms

Welcome

Introit

  All We, Like Sheep Have Gone Astray (Messiah)

George F. Handel 

Prayer of Confession and Lord’s Prayer

God of Wounds, You are the mother that has created us. You are the friend that has sustained us through the toughest of times. Holy God, You are the Divine One who helps us get back up, wipe off the dirt, cleans our bruises and scrapes, and go on. Like a parent or like a trusted friend; to You we can confess that we have not done everything, and yet, You love us anyway. May we learn to love others so completely. In the name of our Savior, our Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

(silent 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

*Please feel free to pray as you wish. We respect tradition — and we welcome images

of the Divine that are diverse and inclusive.

Hymn

O God, How We Have Wandered

Dr. Eileen Hutchins, piano

Todd Swavey, tenor

NCH 202

O God, how we have wandered and hidden from your face:

In foolishness have squandered your legacy of grace.

But how, in exile dwelling, we turn with fear and shame,

As distant but compelling, you call us each by name.

And how at length discerning the evil that we do,

By faith we are returning with hope and trust in you.

In haste you come to meet us, and home rejoicing bring,

In gladness there to greet us with calf and robe and ring.

O God of all the living, both banished and restored,

Compassionate, for giving, our peace and hope assured.

Grant now that our transgressing, our faithless may cease.

Stretch out your hand in blessing, in pardon, and in peace.

Pastoral Prayer

Rev. Dr. Peter Allen

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

                   Deacon Kris Shorey

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved

it is the power of God.

For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

   and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe?

Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom,

God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.

For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom,

but we proclaim Christ crucified,

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom,

and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Sermon

The Empty Cross

Daryl H Denelle, Ministry Intern

Offertory:  

If Ye Love Me

Thomas Tallis

Invitation

Prayer

Words of Institution

Sharing the Bread and Cup 

Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)

Thank you, God, for life in the Spirit of Jesus; for love that cannot die; for peace the world cannot give; for joy in the company of friends; for the glory of creation; for the mission of justice you have made our own. Give us the gifts of this Holy meal: oneness of heart, love for neighbors, forgiveness of enemies, the will to serve every day, and life that never ends. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Benediction

Postlude

If You But Trust In God To Guide You

George Neumark

Many thanks to the HCC staff, our volunteer musicians, Deacon Kris Shorey, and cameraperson Tracy Allen for making this service possible.



Please keep in 

           your prayers...



• Laura Spaziani, whose mom died recently  
• Marcia Ross, whose mom passed away recently
• Family and friends of George Jenkins (Jay), who passed away recently
• Nick Nasson, with health concerns
• Kris Shorey, following surgery 
• Family and Friends of Mary Lou Fitzsimmons, who passed away recently
• Family and friends of Jane Thorell, who passed away recently
• Peter Edson’s sister, Dale, with health concerns
• Candy Heath with health concerns
• Mike Collins, Jeff's brother, struggling now hospitalized with serious complications from progressive MS
• Ann Holmes, Priscilla Anderson’s mother
• Al Carpenter 
• Ryan Lamonde, prayers for peace and courage 
• People in abusive households
• All brave essential employees
• Allan Bacon, Carolyn Antoine's brother
• Peter Edson
• Children and youth with atypical routines at this time, especially those with food insecurity 
• Daryl Denelle, seeking ordination 
• All those affected by the coronavirus in the world.

Rev. Dr. Peter Allen, Senior Pastor 

[email protected]

David Giessow, Director of Music

[email protected]

Brett Anderson, Director of Technology

[email protected]

Todd Swavey, Tenor

[email protected]

Susanne Mullin, Office Administrator

[email protected]

Daryl Denelle, Ministry Intern

[email protected]

Dr. Eileen Hutchins, Organist

[email protected]

Will Exantus, Facilities Manager

[email protected]

Priscilla Anderson, Teacher

[email protected]

Jen DIMarzio, Teacher

[email protected]