Sunday Bulletin - May 18, 2025

May 18, 2025

10:00 a.m.

*Masks are optional*

Many ways to worship

The service will be live-streamed on Pete's facebook page

Livestreaming and to watch our worship service later, please visit our youtube channel.

Bulletins and Announcements are posted on the website here

Kids pre-k through 4th grade are welcome to join Lisa & Jen upstairs for stories, crafts, and fun!

Our nursery welcomes little ones age 0-3, and 5th grade through 8th meet up in the room next to them.

Please remember to pick your children up before heading to coffee hour.

Please join us right after worship downstairs in Hale Hall for refreshments and fellowship.

Hingham Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

Hingham, Massachusetts

An Open and Affirming Congregation

Fifth Sunday in Easter

May 18, 2025

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Welcoming Covenant

In the name of God and Jesus Christ, the Hingham Congregational Church welcomes all who seek to know and worship God, and invites everyone to join in our mission through participation and leadership of the congregation.

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 understandings of our shared faith.

❖ We affirm relationships based on love, commitment, and mutual respect.

❖ As is stated in our by-laws, we strive for righteousness, justice and peace.

It is with this spirit and the love of God that we openly welcome all persons, inclusive of every race, ethnicity, class, age, gender, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and inclusive of any others, to journey with us as we move forward with the work of this church in the world.

Order of Worship

Prelude Prière à Notre-Dame from Suite gothique, Op. 25

Léon Boëllmann

Dr. Eileen Hutchins

Ringing of the Sabbath Bell

Welcome and Announcements

Moment of Silence and Lighting of Candles

Call to Worshipby Sally Johnson

Leader: In the beginning was the Dream.

All: And the Dream was with God and spoke for peace.

Leader: In the beginning was the Dream.

All: And the Dream was with God and spoke for justice.

Leader: In the beginning was the Dream.

All: And the Dream was with God and longed for love. We come to worship the God of the Dream in a spirit of peace, justice, and love, longing to glimpse the promise of a holy dwelling place for all creation.

*Hymn All People That on Earth Do Dwell NCH (black) #7

*HCC Covenant (unison)

We promise to walk together in Christian love,

cherishing the presence of God the Creator,

Jesus the Word, and the Holy Spirit,

our Counselor and Comforter.

Seeking God’s will for our faith community,

the human family, and all of creation, we agree to

give witness to the life and teachings of Jesus,

our risen Savior, and through our actions and

ideals, invite the world to a deeper love.

With the Spirit as our guide, we promise to be faithful in worship and support of Hingham Congregational Church, United Church of Christ.

We aspire to offer all that we are and all that we have for the fulfillment of God’s Realm of justice and peace.

We warmly welcome all, without judgment, to accompany us on this journey, embracing diversity of belief, respecting freedom of conscience, and striving to become more deeply aware of the grace of God.

*Opening Prayer (unison)

God of new life, we gather together to connect with you and with each other. In this hour, please open our imaginations and ignite our passion for the new life and the new world Jesus represents. Help us to hear the music of your still-speaking, still-creating voice…

(silence)

*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.

*Please feel free to pray as you wish. We respect tradition — and we welcome images of the Divine that are diverse and inclusive.

Words of Hope

*Gloria NCH (Black) #759

Glory to the Creator, the Christ,

the Holy Spirit, Three in One;

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

*You may also choose to sing the more traditional lyrics.

*Passing of the Peace

Anthem O Love, How Deep Everett Titcomb

Message for Children

The children bring their offering forward as the congregation sings:

You are the seed that will grow a new sprout,

You’re the star that will shine through the day.

You are the yeast and a small grain of salt, a beacon to glow in the night.

Go, my friends, go to the world, proclaiming love to all:

Messengers of my forgiving peace, eternal love.

After the Children’s Message, children may go to their church school classes.

*Hymn Where Charity and Love Prevail NCH (black) #396

Sharing in the Mission and Ministry of the Church

Invitation to the Offering click here to make an online offering

Offertory How Lovely Are the Messengers Felix Mendelssohn

*Presentation

*Offering and the Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise God, all creatures here below,

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:

Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

Ministry of the Word

Scripture Reading: Psalm 148 and John 13:34-35 Meghan Sloan, liturgist

Psalm 148

¹Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

²Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his host!

³Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars!

⁴Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the heavens!

⁵Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for he commanded and they were created.

⁶He established them forever and ever;

he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.^[^a^]

⁷Praise the Lord from the earth,

you sea monsters and all deeps,

⁸fire and hail, snow and frost,

stormy wind fulfilling his command!

⁹Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

¹⁰Wild animals and all cattle,

creeping things and flying birds!

¹¹Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

¹²Young men and women alike,

old and young together!

¹³Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his glory is above earth and heaven.

¹⁴He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his faithful,

for the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

John 13:34-35

³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Sermon: Everyone Will Know Rev. Dr. Peter Allen

Piano Meditation

Prayers of the People

Joys & Concerns – Pastoral Prayer - Silent Prayer

(Prayer concerns may be written in the binder in the entranceway or voiced aloud at the indicated time.)

*Hymn Awake, My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve NCH (black) #491

Congregational Commissioning (unison)

As we leave this place of worship, let us work to create Christ’s realm of love, justice, and peace. May we live as the Holy One requires:

doing justice,

loving kindness,

and walking humbly with our God.

Amen.

Benediction

Postlude Chaconne in G minor Louis Couperin

Please be seated after the Christ light passes you.

Deacons of the Day: Laurie Cosman and Erin Swenson Gorrall

Please keep in your prayers…

• Scott Seibel, whose sister passed away recently

• Phyllis Wadleigh

• Gerald Jones

• Candy Heath

• Heather Collins

• Rachel Scott’s friends, Maureen and Zachary

• Lois Peterson’s cousin, Richard Johnson, undergoing cancer treatment

• Sam Holland, who is moving to Portland, Oregon, to be the new pastor of Cedar Hills UCC

• Our Roman Catholic neighbors in a time of loss and transition

• First Responders

• The people of Palestine, Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and the

Middle East; an end to suffering and for peace

• The people of Haiti

• Brendan, Oksana, Luka and all the People of Ukraine

• Prayers for the women of Afghanistan facing oppression

• Celebrating God’s beautiful, amazing Earth!

THIS WEEK AT OUR CHURCH –

TODAY

10:00 am Worship, Fellowship

11:30 am Annual Meeting, Hale Hall

4:30 pm Sr. High Youth Group Service Project

May 12 Women's Dinner, Linden Ponds

May 20 7:00 pm Tuesday Evening Bible Study

May 21 7:00 pm Wednesday Evening Prayer

May 22 9:00 am Growing In Faith Together (G.I.F.T.)

7:30 pm Sr. Choir Rehearsal

May 25 10:00 am Worship, Fellowship

SAVE THE DATE!

June 1: All Boards' Meeting

CALL TO ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

To the Members of the Hingham Congregational Church:

In accordance with Article VI, section 1 of the Bylaws, the members of the Hingham Congregational Church are hereby notified that the Annual Congregational Meeting of the Church will take place today, Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 11:30 am – in Hale Hall and on Zoom. Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89434721606?pwd=BqdPBhI94oPULwlpmeA3rwXTWlo6hp.1

Meeting ID: 894 3472 1606

Passcode: 187007

for the following purposes:

1. To hear and vote on the annual reports of the Boards and Committees;

2. To receive a report from the Moderator regarding the status of the church;

3. To hear and vote on the slate of officers, Boards and Committees presented by the Nominating Committee and endorsed by the Executive Council, these to take effect at the conclusion of the Meeting; and

4. To transact any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.

This is an important meeting and participation by all members of the Congregation is requested. Childcare will be provided.

Kris Shorey, Clerk

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR PINE ST INN

Today is the final day to leave donations in Hale Hall for the Pine Street Inn. Thank you to all who have already left supplies for their Welcome baskets!

Pine Street is most grateful for any help!

PINE ST INN MEALS

On the third Monday of each month, volunteers are needed to serve the evening meal at the Pine Street Inn in Boston. Servers arrive at the main entrance of the Pine Street Inn by 4:45 p.m., bring desserts for about 80- 100 women, and finish serving at 6:00 p.m.

June 16 - one volunteer and Tracey Kelley

July 21- two volunteers

August 18- two volunteers

To volunteer and for more information, please contact: Ruth Whitner by phone or text at 339-613-7247 or by email at rgilbertwhitner@verizon.net

BOOK COLLECTION INITIATIVE There is a giant box in Hale Hall collecting new or gently used children’s books (for kids up to age 13 please).

This is an ongoing effort in collaboration with Interfaith Social Services (ISS) in Quincy, who give a free book to clients with children who come in to pick up food or visit the food pantry. Many of the parents are non-English speaking or limited English and are uncomfortable going to the library or even the thrift store to pick out books for their children. Let’s help encourage kids to read and develop a love of books!

WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER Join Rev. Pete Allen Wednesdays at 7:00PM for prayer and support. Zoom link is sent out Wednesday mornings.

GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER (G.I.F.T.) Please contact Rev. Pete

Allen to connect (pastor@hccucc.com). G.I.F.T. meets Thursdays at 9 a.m.

CRAFTY CORNER Crafty Corner welcomes all ages and skill levels to knit, crochet, or partake in your craft of choice in Hale Hall. Meets 10:30 a.m. every 1^st & 3^rd Monday. Note: This month we will not be meeting on 5/19. Questions? Contact Pennie Baltera allenbalte@aol.com

GREEN THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MICROPLASTICS?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, found everywhere from oceans to the air we breathe. But what exactly are microplastics, and why should we care? These minuscule pollutants come from various sources like broken-down plastic waste, synthetic clothing fibers, and even personal care products. They pose a significant threat to marine life, human health, and the environment. Fish and other sea creatures often mistake them for food, leading to ingestion and potential harm. Humans, too, can ingest microplastics through seafood or even drinking water. Understanding the impact of microplastics is crucial for taking steps to reduce their presence in our world. Look for more info. about this important environmental hazard here in the coming weeks. (Or Search - “Facts about Microplastics.”)

“USE WISELY…” HELP US CARE FOR OUR FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT BY REDUCING WASTE.

REUSE - REDUCE - REFUSE - REPAIR - RECYCLE - ROT (COMPOST)