the gathering - Old South Church

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May 15, 2016 - Veni Creator Spiritus. Plainsong ... Praise to the Creator, Christ and Paraclete – the Trinity ..... wi
May 15, 2016 Pentecost 11:00 am

Warning! To enter into the life of this people of God is to encounter God’s soul-challenging, life-changing, radicalizing love. Will you join us? Do you dare?

THE GATHERING PRELUDE

Jovano, Jovanke The Old South Ringers

INTROIT

Macedonia folksong arr. Michael Joy

Chorale Variations on V eni, Creator, op. 4 Veni Creator Spiritus

Maurice Duruflé Plainsong, Mode 8

Come, Creator Spirit, rest within our souls. Come with thy grace and heavenly aid and fill our hearts. Thou who art called the Paraclete, best gift of God above, The living spring, the living fire, sweet unction and true love. O finger of the Divine Hand, impart the sevenfold gifts of grace. True Promise of the Eternal, endow our tongues with speech. Praise to the Creator, Christ and Paraclete – the Trinity Who reign for evermore. Amen. –Rabanus Maurus (c. 780-856)

*HYMN 289

Come Forth, O Love Divine

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Down Ampney Anthony Livolsi

adapted from William Blake’s “Pentecost”

One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: One: Many:

Unless the eye catch fire, God will not be seen. Unless the ear catch fire, God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catch fire, God will not be named. Unless the heart catch fire, God will not be loved. Unless the mind catch fire, God will not be known.

*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 ANTHEM

Deb Washington, Moderator Cantata for Pentecost I

Calvin Hampton

Amy Budka and Ben & Phil Stern, percussion

Hail! Hail! Lord God, Holy Ghost! Hail thee, Spirit, Lord eternal, love omnipotent supernal; Honor meet to thee we render, veneration deep and tender, Hail, free Spirit, all transcending, yet to mortals condescending! At this festal tide we laud thee, praise and honor we accord thee! Hail! Hail! Lord God, Holy Ghost!

II Adriana Repetto, soprano

Gracious Spirit, light diffusing, breath of life in Man infusint, Hail, Lord God, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost! Blessed art the souls that know thee; joy and peace thy children owe thee: Hail, Lord God, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost!

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Truth, eternal, wise creator, fallen man’s illuminator! Light of reason, hope, ambition, fire of love and true contrition: Hail, Lord God, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost! Hail, Lord God, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost!

III Rob Woodin, baritone

Spirit, man for sin reproving, wayward hearts most gently moving; When by sin we sorely grieve thee, naught but pleading love perceive we: Hail! Lord God, the Holy Ghost!

THE GIFT OF THE WORD SCRIPTURE *HYMN

Acts 2

Anthony Livolsi

Loving Spirit (Children and teachers may leave for choir and childcare.)

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Austin

SERMON

Anthony Livolsi

*HYMN 293

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS *CALL TO PRAYER

Elinor Yeo

One: God be with you. Many: And also with you. One: May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts. Many: Christ is our peace, our light and our hope. One: Let us pray. (The congregation may be seated.) PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison) 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

Proclamation

Michael Joy

The Old South Ringers

CALL TO THE OFFERING

Deb Washington

In thanksgiving to God and giving witness to generous hearts, our financial gifts support ministries of mercy, justice, and beauty. OFFERTORY ANTHEM

Cantata for Pentecost

Calvin Hampton

IV Purest Spirit, sanctifying, quickened souls on Grace relying; Cleanse, renew thy creatures lowly, guide, inspire, and make us holy; Hail! Lord God, the Holy Ghost! Spirit, comforter indwelling, mightiest earthly aid excelling: Hail! Lord God, the Holy Ghost! Lord, who in thy Church abidest, there to us thyself confidest: 4

V Hail! Hail! Lord God, Holy Ghost! Hail thee, Spirit, Lord eternal, love omnipotent supernal; Honor meet to thee we render, veneration deep and tender, Hail, free Spirit, all transcending, yet to mortals condescending! At this festal tide we laud thee, praise and honor we accord thee! Hail! Hail! Lord God, Holy Ghost!

PRAYER OF DEDICATION *HYMN 263

Anthony Livolsi

O Spirit of the Living God

St. Matthew

*BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION POSTLUDE

Komm, Gott, Schőpfer, heiliger Geist, BWV 667 

Close-Up, a 20-minute tour of the Sanctuary, begins following worship at the front of the Sanctuary. Led by docent Dick Yeo.

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J.S. Bach

WELCOME TO OLD SOUTH CHURCH Welcome to Old South Church in Boston. We are a progressive Christian church first gathered in 1669. The Church played a significant role in early American history. Today, Old South Church continues to outfit itself for mission and ministry in the 21st century as a thriving urban church in the heart of Boston. Join us immediately following worship for fellowship and refreshments in the Gordon Chapel. The flowers are given by Elinor Yeo “in loving memory of my mother on her birthday and with gratitude for Karen, our much loved daughter-in-law who shares her birth date.” Name tags facilitate community and help newcomers feel welcomed. If you don’t see a tag with your name on it, let us know. Parents are free to wander when restless. Audio of the service is available across the Narthex in the Gordon Chapel. For LARGE print bulletins or hearing assistance devices ask an Usher. GARAGE PARKING VALIDATIONS

We have arrangements for discounted parking with two nearby garages for Old South Church worship or church business (excluding weddings and concerts): 1. Park at the Garage@100 Clarendon (behind Back Bay Station), have your ticket validated at our Front Desk, and you pay the discounted rate of $7 for up to 3 hours. Old South bears no cost. 2. Park at the Prudential Garage for up to 5 hours on Saturday or Sunday, have your ticket validated at our Front Desk, and the Prudential Garage will bill Old South (costing us $15k $20k per year).

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NOTES ON TODAY’S MUSIC Today we celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church – the Day of Pentecost, on which Peter preached in Jerusalem and made 3,000 converts to the faith. Harvard Divinity School Professor Diana Eck has written: Pentecost was one of the most creatively celebrated days on the church’s calendar. In 10th century Rome, for example, the church knew how to throw a party, especially its own birthday party, the feast of Pentecost. In order to make the coming of the Spirit a dramatic, dynamic event for their congregations, leaders of Pentecost services involved architecture, not just anthems. The custom of painting heavenly scenes on the great domed and vaulted ceilings of cathedrals served not only to inspire the devout with blessed visions. It also disguised discreet trap doors. These small openings were drilled through the cathedral ceiling to the rooftop. During the Pentecost worship service, some hapless servants would be drafted to clamber up on the roof. At the appropriate moment during the liturgy, they would release live doves through these holes. From out of the painted skies and clouds on the ceiling, swooping, diving symbols of a vitally present Holy Spirit would descend upon the people below. At the same moment, the choirboys would break into the whooshing and drumming sound of a holy windstorm. Finally, as the doves were flying and the winds were rushing, the ceiling holes would once again be utilized – as bushels upon bushels of rose petals were showered down upon the congregation. These red, flickering bits of flowers symbolized tongues of flame falling upon all who waited below in faith. They called these openings to the sky in medieval churches, “Holy Spirit holes.” We will again offer a dramatic presentation of the Pentecost narrative, with Old South’s singular take on this ancient tradition. Our own “hapless” volunteer is the intrepid Elias Perez, Old South’s Senior Sexton. The magnificent Sanctuary Lantern, with its painting of the heavens is the lofty source from which the “tongues of flame” ensue; the deep bass pipes of the E.M. Skinner organ (the “earthquake” stop!) provide the appropriate sound environment for the “mighty, rushing wind.” The Old South Choir will present Cantata for Pentecost, written in 1977 by late New York composer Calvin Hampton, with text by Sydney James Wallis. This unusual work is peppered with a myriad of percussion instruments (including 3 tuned drums, cymbals, glockenspiel, triangle, chime, tambourine and wood block), bringing to life the excitement of this evocative story. The Old South Ringers, heard today during the prelude and prayer response, will offer two pieces that they will be playing for the Boston Handbell Festival, which will be held in our Sanctuary on Tuesday, May 17th at 7 pm. Both selections are compositions by 7

Michael Joy, who will be the guest conductor of the massed bell ensembles at the upcoming Festival. Mr. Joy lives in Philadelphia, and is currently the handbell director at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA. For the last 38 years he has also been the Music Director at First Presbyterian Church in Ambler, PA. Veni Creator Spiritus provides the overture to today’s service, as it is heard in a set of variations by the Parisian composer Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986). The Choir will intersperse the chant versets. The postlude, “Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott” (Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God) is a grand fantasia by Bach based on a Lutheran chorale, which in turn is based on V eni Creator. Its broad sweep and relentless 16th-notes call to mind the “rushing mighty wind” of that first Pentecost.

—Harry L. Huff , Minister of Music

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CALENDAR Pentecost Sunday Sunday, May 15

8:30 am 9:00 am 9:45 am 10:00 am

11:00 am 12:30 pm 12:30 pm 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

First Worship Choir FIRST Worship, Antony T. Livolsi preaching Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel Community Hour: Godly Play Thinking and Living Pentecost Today Choir Rehearsal FESTIVAL Worship, Antony T. Livolsi preaching (G)RACE Talks Meeting Mission Team Information Session All Choirs Luncheon Mount Vernon Annual Meeting

Monday, May 16

6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Mission Team Book Group Theological Book Group

Tuesday, May 17

5:30 pm 8:00 pm

Trustees Boston Handbell Festival

Thursday, May 19

5:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm

Gospel Choir Rehearsal JAZZ Worship, Nancy S. Taylor preaching Old South Choir Rehearsal Young Adult Book Group “Through the Whole Bible” Reading Group

Friday, May 20

5:30 pm

Blessing of the Bicycles, front steps of Trinity Church

Confirmation Sunday Sunday, May 22

8:30 am 9:00 am 9:45 am 10:00 am

11:00 am 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

First Worship Choir FIRST Worship, John M. Edgerton preaching Old South Café in the Gordon Chapel Community Hour: Godly Play Thinking and Living Pentecost Today Choir Rehearsal FESTIVAL Worship, John M. Edgerton preaching LGBTQ Brunch Group Casa Myrna Information Session 9

OLD SOUTH CHURCH IN BOSTON MINISTERS, OFFICERS AND STAFF Nancy S. Taylor, Senior Minister  Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music John M. Edgerton, Associate Minister  Anthony T. Livolsi, Associate Minister James W. Crawford, Senior Minister Emeritus Kate Nintcheu, Director, Children and Family Ministries Donald A. Wells, Theologian in Residence  June Cooper, Theologian in the City Calvin Genzel, Wedding Outreach Minister  Ken Orth, Healing Worship Minister Jackie Geilfuss, Youth Leader  Amelia Nugent, Field Education Intern Carolyn Davis, Director, Old South Preschool George Sargeant, Associate Organist and Choirmaster Laurel Leslie, Choir Director, First Worship  Willie Sordillo, Music Coordinator, Jazz Worship Peter Coulombe, Director, Old South Ringers  Amy Budka, Children’s Music Leader Linda O’Donnell, Director, Children’s Choirs  Timothy Harbold, Director, Gospel Choir Deb Washington, Moderator  Rob Gabler, Clerk  Lauren Berk, Treasurer Phil Stern, Chair, Board of Trustees  Emily Click, Historian Debbie Leonard, Senior Deacon  Vicki A. Newman, Pledge Secretary Helen McCrady, Senior Church Administrator  Amy Perry, Communications Rebecca Bowler, Administrative Assistant  Linda Van Praet, Accounting and Human Resources Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator Elias Perez, Senior Sexton  Ozo Nwodo and Oppong Serebour, Sextons Corey Spence, Rubia Reyes, and Lena Rojas Receptionists www.oldsouth.org  CCLI License #2802138

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.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY AT OLD SOUTH: May 15, 2016 First Worship Choir rehearses at 8:30 am to learn a simple song. Come-asyou-can. [email protected] Community Hour at 10 am offers a variety of educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults between the morning services, including today: Thinking and Living Pentecost Today Feel the Wind. Know the Fire. Share the Spirit. Today, we meet the Spirit theologically. Mount Vernon Church gathers at 12:30 pm on the fourth floor for the church’s annual meeting. At 12:30 pm in the fourth floor Tower Room, join the Old South Church Mission Team for an information session on an upcoming service opportunity with City Mission’s City Immersion program: The weekend of June 17-19th, OSC missionaries will live and work as a team in Dorchester – serving a variety of agencies that address hunger and homelessness issues within our city. The team will stay in a local church, from which we will serve and reflect together. Participants (ages 15+) must be able to commit to the entire weekend. (Those under age 18 should plan to serve with a parent or guardian.) Ten spots available! For more information, or if you can’t attend today’s meeting, contact Caitlin Minnich at [email protected]. From 12 - 2:30 pm, members of Old South Church are providing lunch for and attending worship at Boston’s outdoor church, common cathedral. Worship begins at 1 pm by the Brewer Fountain on Boston Common, located near the Park Street T. If you are interested in volunteering today, meet by the fountain at 12:15 pm. Worship will follow lunch.

CASA MYRNA Next Sunday, May 22nd, at 12:30 pm, join Christian Service and Outreach for an information session with Casa Myrna, one of Old South Church’s four grant recipients last year – describing their programs and how Old South Church has been involved. Casa Myrna delivers solutions to end domestic and dating violence through intervention, awareness, and prevention. Learn about this all too common problem and what you can do!

CITY-WIDE RALLY On Tuesday, May 24th, 6:30 - 9 pm, Old South Church is hosting the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization in a city-wide rally to help make Boston a place where lowerincome and middle-income people can afford to live. We need 135 Old Southers to help us pack the house, to demonstrate to the Mayor and City Council that the cost of housing has to be addressed. This gathering is what democracy is supposed to be like. Ordinary people having their voices heard by powerful people. GBIO is relying on Old South Church to not only be the largest single delegation present, but also to host the event and welcome the city graciously and with our typical flair. If you plan to attend, email Rev. John Edgerton at [email protected].

LGBTQ BRUNCH On Sunday, May 22nd, the LGBTQ Brunch Group will meet at the front of the Sanctuary immediately following Festival Worship and then head out to City Table located in the Lenox Hotel for food and fellowship. To reserve childcare, email [email protected].

AIDS WALK BOSTON On Sunday, June 5th, Old South Church will participate in AIDS Walk Boston & 5k Run continuing our long tradition as the Walk’s oldest standing church team. To sponsor the team, visit www.aac.org/goto/OldSouthChurch2016. To join the team, contact co-captain Vashti Selix at [email protected].

COMMUNITY HOUR, Sundays 10-11 am FOR CHILDREN Infants through grade 2 are welcome in our childcare ministries beginning at 8:40 am. Care is available uninterrupted through First Worship, Community Hour, and Festival Worship. Our Montessori-style Godly Play program invites children to see themselves as active participants in the story of faith. Today’s story for the Preschool and Early and Older Elementary Classes: Pentecost.

FOR YOUTH The Youth Group for students in grades 7-12 explores issues of life and faith Sundays with Youth Leader Jackie Geilfuss, [email protected].

FOR ADULTS Study and reflect on today’s preaching text (Acts 2) at Sunday Morning Bible Study in the fourth floor Sam Johnson Room. Beginning today on the second floor: Thinking and Living Pentecost Today Feel the Wind. Know the Fire. Share the Spirit. In this three-session series, starting today, Pentecost Sunday, we will probe the mysteries of the third face of the Trinity — the Holy Spirit. Today, we meet the Spirit theologically; on May 22nd, we witness Its power; and on May 29th, we share stories of Its presence in our midst.

BOSTON HANDBELL FESTIVAL On Tuesday, May 17th at 8 pm, local handbell ensembles including our own Old South Ringers will gather for an evening of free music. Co-sponsored by the Back Bay Ringers and Old South Church. Celebrating its tenth year!

SERVICE The Rolling Food Drive is collecting peanut butter for the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Collection in the stone entryway.

WORSHIP On May 22nd, at 11 am Festival Worship, we will celebrate and bid Godspeed to Field Education Intern Amelia Nugent on her last Sunday with Old South Church. Week of May 16th – Rev. Nancy Taylor preaching Jazz; Rev. John Edgerton preaching Sunday Jazz Worship: Thursdays, 6 pm. With soul and sax. First Worship: Sundays, 9 am. Informal and vibrant. Festival Worship: Sundays, 11 am. Our “signature” service - grand and expressive. Healing Worship: 2nd Sundays, 10 am. Gentle and tender.

BLESSING OF THE BICYCLES On Friday, May 20th, 5:30 - 6 pm, Rev. Nancy Taylor will join ministers from Hope Central Church and Trinity Church, Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and the Boston Cyclists Union on the front steps of Trinity Church to bless the faithful bicycles of expert riders and novice cyclists alike. NOTICES 1) Worship services and events at Old South Church are sometimes photographed and videotaped to document the vibrant life of our church. If you do not wish to be included in these recordings, please notify an usher. 2) Please do not leave bags unattended in the building, including in the Sanctuary, for any length of time.

Old South Church in Boston Boylston & Dartmouth Sts. at the Copley T (617) 536-1970 OldSouth.org