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.
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.
First Church Boston
66 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Broadcast 11:00 am to noon on WERS, 88.9FM, Vivian Borek, announcer
Streamed on Facebook @firstchurchboston, Craig Hildreth, audio and video engineer
Masha Stepanova, video editor
Guest Preacher Rev. Aisha Ansano
Guest Musicians Robert Winkley, service musician; Ethan Bremner, tenor;
William Thorpe, bass
Prelude Sonata no. 51 in D major, Andante Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Opening Words “Be Still With Me and Enter” by Rev. Marta Valentin Rev. Aisha Ansano
Hymn # 18 What Wondrous Love Is This WONDROUS LOVE
Chalice Lighting and Tolling of the Bell Rev. Ansano
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 “A Quiet Place” by Douglas Wood Rev. Ansano
Reading “Expect Life” by Elizabeth Tarbox Rev. Ansano
Musical Meditation “Total Eclipse” from Samson George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Ethan Bremner, tenor
Robert Winkley, pianist
Reading Night Prayer, from the New Zealand Prayer Book Rev. Ansano
Announcements
Hymn # 101 Abide With Me EVENTIDE
Prayer and Meditation Rev. Ansano
Affirmation # 1031 Loving Kindness
Sermon “Rest is Resistance” Rev. Ansano
Offertory “Sure on This Shining Night” op. 13 no. 3
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Ethan Bremner, tenor
Robert Winkley, pianist
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 confirmation by email. Thank you!
Hymn # 1009 Meditation on Breathing
Willilam Thorpe, bass
Benediction Rev. Ansano
Postlude Sonata no. 51 in D major, Presto Franz Joseph Haydn
Please note, this order of service may vary from the actual broadcast service. _________________________________________________________________________
Hymn Texts, Lyrics (8/1/21)
Hymn # 18 What Wondrous Love Is This WONDROUS LOVE
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this that brings my heart such bliss,
and takes away the pain of my soul, of my soul,
and takes away the pain of my soul.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath my sorrows ground,
friends to me gather’d round, O my soul, O my soul,
friends to me gather’d round, O my soul.
To love and to all friends I will sing, I will sing,
to love and to all friends I will sing.
To love and to all friends who pain and sorrow mend,
with thanks unto the end I will sing, I will sing,
with thanks unto the end I will sing.
Musical Meditation “Total Eclipse” from Samson George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
O loss of sight, of thee I most complain!
Oh, worse than beggary, old age, or chains!
My very soul in real darkness dwells!
Total eclipse! No sun, no moon!
All dark amidst the blaze of noon!
Oh glorious light, no cheering ray
to glad my eyes with welcome day!
Why thus depriv'd thy prime decree?
Sun, moon, and stars are dark to me.
Hymn # 101 Abide With Me EVENTIDE
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; still with me abide.
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see:
O thou who changes not, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if thou abide with me.
Affirmation # 1031 Loving Kindness
May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well.
May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well.
May I be peaceful and at ease.
May I be whole.
May you be filled …
May we be filled …
Offertory “Sure on This Shining Night” op. 13 no. 3
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Words by James Agee
Sure on this shining night
Of starmade shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts all whole.
Sure on this shining night
I weep for wonder
Wandering far alone
Of shadows on the stars.
Hymn # 1009 Meditation on Breathing
When I breathe in,
I’ll breathe in peace.
When I breathe out,
I’ll breathe out love.
Breathe in, Breathe out,
Breathe in, Breathe out
