Live Worship Broadcast
We have aired our services on Emerson Radio WERS 88.9 FM for over 30 years. You can tune in every Sunday at 11 AM by turning your dial or visiting the WERS website and stream the broadcast live from your desktop.
In response to the COVID pandemic, we have begun streaming live video in addition to our usual WERS audio broadcast. The details (and hopefuly, production quality) will be subject to change. The streamed broadcasts will be available for viewing through links on this page on Sunday mornings at 11am.
ORDER OF SERVICE
First Church Boston
66 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA
Sunday, September 13, 2020, from the Sanctuary
Broadcast live, 11:00 am to noon, on WERS, 88.9FM, Vivian Borek, announcer
Streamed live on Facebook @firstchurchboston, Craig Hildreth, audio engineer
Dr. Robert August, Director of Music; William Thorpe, soloist
Prelude Prelude and Fugue in F Major Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713-1780)
Opening Words Rev. Stephen Kendrick
Hymn # 144 Now Is the Time Approaching (v.1,3) WEBB
Chalice Lighting and Tolling of the Bell Rev. Kendrick
Love is the spirit of this church, and Service its law. This is our great covenant, to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.
Time for All Ages "The Astronomer in the Well” Daniel Lawlor
Water Ceremony Rev. Kendrick and Daniel Lawlor
Responsive Reading # 446 “To the Four Directions”
Musical Meditation “What a Wonderful World”
George David Weiss (1921-2010) and Bob Thiele (1922-1996)
Announcements
Prayer and Meditation Daniel Lawlor
Affirmation # 123 Spirit of Life
Sermon “This Is Who We Are (But We Don’t Have to Stay That Way!)” Rev. Kendrick
Offertory “This Nearly Was Mine,” from South Pacific
Oscar Hammerstein (1895-1960) and Richard Rodgers (1902-1979)
Text Messaging Donation
You can use text messaging on your smartphone to send a contribution to the First Church offertory. Text a number representing your dollar amount (5, 10, 20, etc.) to
(617) 917-5610. You will receive an emailed receipt. Thank you!
Charge Rev. Kendrick
Hymn # 92 Mysterious Presence, Source of All (v.1,3,4) WAREHAM
Benediction Rev. Kendrick
Postlude Grand Chœur Dialogué Carson Cooman (b. 1982)
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Hymn Texts, Translations and Readings (9/13/20)
Hymn # 144 Now Is the Time Approaching (v.1,3) WEBB
Now is the time approaching, by prophets long foretold,
when all shall dwell together, secure and manifold.
Let war be learned no longer, let strife and tumult cease,
all earth a blessed garden and God the god of peace.
O long-expected dawning, come with your cheering ray!
Yet shall the promise beckon and lead us not astray.
O sweet anticipation! It cheers the watchers on
to pray, and hope, and labor, till all our work is done.
Responsive Reading # 446 “To the Four Directions,” by Joan Goodwin
Spirit of the East, spirit of air, of morning and springtime:
Be with us as the sun rises, in times of beginning, times of planting.
Inspire us with the fresh breath of courage as we go forth into new adventures.
Spirit of the South, spirit of fire, of noontime and summer:
Be with us through the heat of the day and help us to be ever growing.
Warm us with strength and energy for the work that awaits us.
Spirit of the West, of evening and autumn:
Be with us as the sun sets and help us to enjoy a rich harvest.
Flow through us with a cooling, healing quietness and bring us peace.
Spirit of the North, spirit of earth, of nighttime and winter:
Be with us in the darkness, in the time of gestation.
Ground us in the wisdom of the changing seasons as we celebrate the spiraling journey
of our lives.
Affirmation # 123 Spirit of Life
Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.
Hymn # 92 Mysterious Presence, Source of All (v.1,3,4) WAREHAM
Mysterious Presence, source of all —
the world without, the soul within —
thou fount of life, O hear our call,
and pour thy living waters in.
Thy hand unseen to accents clear
awoke the psalmist’s trembling lyre,
and touched the lips of holy seer
with flame from thine own altar fire.
That touch divine again impart,
still give the prophet’s burning word;
and vocal in each waiting heart
let living psalms of praise be heard.
Our Sunday Offertory
There are two easy ways two ways to donate to First Church during online services (or at any other time). Both are processed through the same secure service company (Vanco):
(1) The DONATE button here or on our home page on website leads to a secure online Vanco payment form where you can designate the amount and purpose of the contribution.
(2) You can use text messaging on your smartphone to send a contribution that is like dropping a bill in the virtual plate. This is a germ-free way to get that familiar good feeling during the Offertory part of the online service. Text a number representing your dollar amount (5 for Lincolns, 10 for Hamiltons, 20 for Tubmans) to (617) 917-5610. The first time you do that, it will ask you to fill in credit card information that can be reused for subsequent contributions. You will receive an emailed receipt.
