Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Thanksgiving Sunday
November 22, 2015
10:00 A.M.
A Thought for Reflection
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
Johannes A. Gaertner
GOD GATHERS US
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For
thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
RESPONSE
Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.
Prelude
Greetings and Announcements
Passing of the Peace
GOD MEETS US IN THE WORD
Leader:
The peace of Christ be with you.
PEOPLE:
And also with you.
We invite you to turn to your neighbors and greet them.
Introit
“We Gather Together”
Words With the Young People
Dedication of our Gifts and Pledges
arr. James Denton
* Call to Worship
Leader:
PEOPLE:
Leader:
PEOPLE:
Leader:
PEOPLE:
ALL:
O come, let us sing to God; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise with songs of
praise!
For God is a great God, and a great sovereign above all gods.
In God’s hand are the depths of the earth, and the heights of the mountains also.
The sea belongs to God, its Maker, whose hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before God, our Maker!
For we are of God. We are the people of God’s pasture, and the sheep of God’s hand.
+*Hymn of Praise
“Come, O Thankful People, Come”
422
* Prayer of Invocation
* Sentences of Praise
Leader:
PEOPLE:
*Litany of Dedication
Leader 1: God, you have called us to be stewards of your house-Leader 2: This church, these people, our passions, our talents.
Leader 3: With gratitude for our calling, we offer you these gifts.
People: May these gifts express our gratitude and hope.
Leader 1:
Leader 2:
Leader 3:
People:
May our gifts help us learn about your love.
May our gifts offer hope to a neighbor in need.
May our gifts lead to music that inspires souls.
May these gifts express our gratitude and hope.
Leader 1:
Leader 2:
Leader 3:
People:
May our gifts deepen our trust in you.
May our gifts draw us into closer community.
May our gifts strengthen your church.
May these gifts express our gratitude and hope.
+*Hymn of Preparation
“Take My Gifts”
(Children please leave for classes during the hymn.)
O sing to God a new song; Sing praise, all the earth!
Sing, and bless God’s name; tell of God’s salvation from day to day!
+*Gloria
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia! (Repeat)
The Epistle Lesson
756
Prayer of Confession (In unison)
O God, Source of all that makes life possible, Giver of all that makes life good, we gather to give you
our thanks. Yet we confess that we have failed to live our thankfulness: What we have we take for granted,
and we grumble about what we lack. We have squandered your bounty with little thought for those who
will come after us. We are more troubled by the few who have more than by the many who have less.
Forgive us, O God. In this hour of worship, accept our thanksgiving, and teach us to make gratitude and
sharing our way of life, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.
+*Latecomer seating
562
Philippians 4:4-9
(Pew Bible, p. 955)
The Anthem
“I Thank You Lord”
The Sermon
“A Quiet Alleluia”
A Time of Prayer
GOD CALLS FOR OUR GIFTS
Our Offering to God
Offertory
* Congregation may stand as you are able
286
Joseph M. Martin
(Lasst Uns Erfreuen)
NCH 17
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
*Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication
GOD SENDS US INTO THE WORLD
* Hymn of Dedication
“Now Thank We All Our God”
419
* Charge and Benediction
* Postlude
* (Please feel free to remain and listen, or to greet one another in the narthex and at coffee hour.)
Our Worship Has Ended…
Let Our Service Begin!
Ministers
Pastor
Student Pastor
Director of Christian Education
Choir Director
Organist/Pianist
Administrative Assistant
Sexton
The Liturgist
The Deacon-in-Charge
The Greeter
All the People of Edwards Church
The Rev. Dr. Deborah Clark
Nena Radtke
Jessie Evers
Rick Seaholm
Don Buell
Maureen Hansen
Lori Wilson
Nena Radtke
Shelly Cichowlas
Sarah MacLennan
Coffee Hour is being hosted by those who are moved by the Spirit.
Janis Steigman, of Mothers’ Helpers, is in charge of the Nursery this morning.
Welcome Visitors! We are glad you are here. Please join us for coffee and fellowship, following the service.
Sign our guestbook too! In the Education Building (out the side door follow hallway) are the restrooms and
where coffee hour is held. The Nursery and Sunday School classes are on the lower level. If you have questions,
or suggestions, feel free to talk with one of the Ushers, Greeters or Deacon in Charge.
Available in the Narthex (front entrance hallway).
 Sound-enhancing Assistive Listening Devices.
 Enlarged copy of the Church Bulletin.
Special Needs
PARKING:
ENTRANCE:
LIFT:
RESTROOM:
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Accessible spots are marked and located near the Education Building entrance.
Lower level of the Education Building (to the left of the Church main entrance).
Education Building: Next to the stairs.
Education Building: Upper Level – opposite the kitchen.
THIS WEEK AT EDWARDS
November 22-28, 2015
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Rental (Edwards Hall)
Adult Bible Study (Susan P. Dickerman Building)
Worship/Sunday School
Coffee Hour
Leaf-Raking Party
Open Spirit Breadmaking Workshop (Edwards Hall)
Rental (Sanctuary and Sue Dickerman Classrooms)
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service (Temple Beth Am, Pleasant St.)
Chairobics (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Veteran’s Yoga (Edwards Hall)
Meditation with the Masters (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Qi Gong (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Meditation (Jonathan House)
Gentle Yoga (Edwards Hall)
Rental (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Yoga (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Bereavement Group (Youth Room)
Longevitology (Choir Room)
Office Closed
Chairobics (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Steeple Mailing (Jonathan House)
Framingham Folk Dancers (Edwards Hall)
Happy Thanksgiving - Office Closed
AA Meeting (Edwards Hall)
9:00 A.M.
9:00 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
11:00 A.M.
11:15 A.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M.
9:30 A.M.
6:00 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
7:30 P.M.
7:45 and 9:00 A.M.
9:30 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
4:15 P.M.
5:30 P.M.
6:30 P.M.
7:00 P.M.
9:30 A.M.
10:30 A.M.
7:30 P.M.
7:30 P.M.
Office Closed
Chairobics (Sue Dickerman Hall)
Rental (Edwards Hall Classroom)
9:30 A.M.
7:00 P.M.
All-Levels Yoga (Edwards Hall)
Community of St. Luke (Sanctuary and Sue Dickerman Hall)
Rental (Edwards hall)
9:00 A.M.
4:30 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE: SUNDAY, November 22nd AT 5:00 PM at the Temple Beth Am,
Pleasant St. Please speak with Debbie if you can help receive the offering.
DEBBIE WILL BE AWAY AND THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED for Thanksgiving from Wednesday, November 25,
through Saturday, November 28th. If you have a pastoral concern during this time, please contact deacon
Shelly Cichowlas at 508-904-6123
Edwards Church
A United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation
In the name of God and Jesus Christ, Edwards Church, a congregation of the United Church
of Christ, welcomes all who seek to know and worship God. We invite everyone to join in our faith
journey and participate in our congregational life.
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 understanding of our
shared faith. We commit ourselves to work diligently to help end oppression and discrimination. We
affirm all relationships founded on the principle of God’s love and justice.
We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation.
Seeking to be the Body of Christ, we welcome into full fellowship and membership all persons of every
race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or cognitive
ability, and economic status.
39 Edwards Street
Framingham, MA 01701
508-877-2050
www.edwardschurch.org
Bread Making for the Holiday, Today in Edwards Hall, 2-4:30 PM
Do you love baking bread? Do you love the idea of making your own bread, but are intimidated by
working with yeast dough? In either case, this is the event for you! With the holidays on the
horizon, what could be more uplifting for the spirit and satisfying to the stomach than freshly
baked breads and rolls to share with family and friends? We’ll bring several recipes of dough ready
for us to roll, fill, shape and bake. We will provide you with the recipes so that you can make your
own dough at home. We’re planning to make festive rolls and a bubke from yeast dough using
organic ingredients.
You provide willing hands and hearts and if you’d like to share a favorite holiday recipe for bread,
please bring it along. While the bread is rising and baking, we can share recipes and memories of
our holiday traditions. Perhaps the best part of this event, other than the fellowship, is getting to
eat the delicious bread and rolls fresh from the oven! Donation of $10-15 to cover ingredients.
Rabbi Katy Allen and Sandy Hewitt will be leading the baking.
Christmas Wreath Sale
Alternative Gifts Fair
Saturday, December 5
1:00-4:00 pm in Edwards Hall
Featuring Gifts With a Heart:
Neighbors and friends
will love one or more!
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Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate
Handicrafts from Artists’ Coops around the world
Furry Friends Photo Cards and Blankets for NEADS (Assistance dogs)
Geese, Tress, Bees, or Cows through the Heifer Project
Blankets for Disaster Relief through Church World Service
12 inch wreaths that come with a classic red or cranberry bow.
The donation is $15 per wreath.
Proceeds benefit the Edwards Church Youth Fund
to support mission trips.
Orders will be taken during the Fellowship Hour on
Sundays, November 15th and 22th and 29th.
You can pick-up your wreath following worship on December 6th.
The Christmas Wreath Sale is sponsored by
the High School Youth of Edwards Church.
Celebrate Advent at Edwards…
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR PATHWAYS
Please select a tag from the Wider Missions bulletin board in Sue Dickerman Hall on
Sunday, November 22nd or 29th Purchase your gift and return it to the Narthex by Sunday,
December 6.
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS WREATH from the Edwards Church Youth now through
November 29th. An order form is included in today’s Bulletin. Wreaths will be available for
pick up after worship on December 6th.
Christmas Wreath Order Form
Name: ___________________________________________________
Email or Phone: ____________________________________________
Number of Wreaths: ________
_____Red Bow _____Cranberry Bow
Amount Enclosed: $________
Checks should be made payable to: Edwards Church with a memo for “Wreath Sale”
ORDER YOUR POINSETTIA from the Chancel Committee. Order forms will be included in
the Bulletin on November 22nd, November 29th, and December 6th. Poinsettias will be used
to decorate our Sanctuary for Christmas Sunday, December 20th.
ALTERNATIVE GIFTS FAIR Saturday, December 5th from 1-4:00 pm in Edwards Hall
CHORAL MUSIC SUNDAY Sunday, December 13.
“ON THE FENCE” DOWN-HOME CHRISTMAS SUNDAY Sunday, December 20.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA
Order Form
I would like to order # _____ poinsettias
Given by: ____________________________________
In Memory of:_______________________________
In Honor of:____________________________________
(In Memory of is to honor those who have gone before us
and In Honor of is to honor those still living.)
DATE PAID ______________________
AMOUNT PAID ______________________
Checks should be made out to Edwards Church
(Please note for poinsettias in the Memo line.)
The Chancel Committee is taking orders for poinsettias to decorate our
sanctuary on December 20th. If you would like to purchase one as a memorial or
tribute for a loved one, please fill in this form and return it to a chancel committee
member by Sunday, December 6th. The price of each plant will be $8.00.