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, November 29 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 and video engineer
Dr. Robert August, Director of Music; Christine and Rebecca Teeters, soloists;
Robert Winkley, piano
Prelude Gregorian Prelude Leslie Betteridge (1903-1988)
Opening Words Daniel Lawlor
Hymn Come, Thou Almighty Will ITALIAN HYMN
# 47 in Hymns of the Spirit, 1937
Chalice Lighting and Tolling of the Bell Rev. Stephen 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 Community Voices ritual Rev. Kendrick, Daniel Lawlor and Vivian Borek
Reading “Things Commonly Believed Among Us,” by Rev. William Channing Gannett
Rev. Kendrick
Honoring the Teeters Sisters Rev. Kendrick
Musical Meditation Flower Duet, from Lakmé Léo Delibes (1836-1891)
Reading “Songs for the People” (1895), by Frances Ellen Watkings Harper
Announcements Rev. Kendrick
Prayer and Meditation Rev. Kendrick
Affirmation # 133 One World (Verse 1)
Second Meditation “What Is Our Yes?” Daniel Lawlor
Offertory “For Good,” from Wicked Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948)
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 # 329 Life Has Loveliness to Sell BLISS
Benediction Daniel Lawlor
Postlude Postlude on Italian Hymn Albert L. Travis (b. 1940)
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Hymn Texts, Lyrics (11/29/20)
Hymn # 47 Come, Thou Almighty Will ITALIAN HYMN
in Hymns of the Spirit, 1937
1. Come, thou Almighty Will!
Our fainting bosoms fill
With thy great power:
Strength of our intents,
Our tempted hour’s defence,
Calm of faith’s confidence,
Come, in this hour!
2. Come, thou most tender Love!
Within our spirits move,
Their sweetest guest:
Exalt each low desire,
Transforming passion’s fire,
To deeds of love inspire,
Quickener and Rest!
3. Come, Light serene and still!
Our darkened spirits fill
With thy clear day:
Guide of the feeble sight,
Star of grief’s darkest night,
Reveal the path of right,
Show us thy way!
Musical Meditation Flower Duet, from Lakmé Léo Delibes (1836-1891)
Under the thick dome where the white jasmine with the roses entwined together on the riverbank covered with flowers, laughing in the morning, let us descend together! Gently floating on its charming risings, on the river’s current on the shining waves, one hand reaches, reaches for the bank, where the spring sleeps, and the bird sings.
Affirmation # 133 One World (Verse 1)
One world this, for all its sorrow;
one world shaping one tomorrow;
one humanity, though riven, we,
to whom a world is given.
From one world there is no turning;
for one world the prophet’s yearning.
One, the world of poets, sages;
one world, goal of all the ages.
Offertory “For Good,” from Wicked Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948)
I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn; and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you. Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun, like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better but because I knew you I have been changed for good.
It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime. So, let me say before we part so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend. Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea. Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better but because I knew you I have been changed for good.
And just to clear the air I ask forgiveness for the things I've done, you blame me for. But then I guess we know there's blame to share and none of it seems to matter anymore. Because I knew you I have been changed for good.
Hymn # 329 Life Has Loveliness to Sell BLISS
Life has loveliness to sell, all beautiful and splendid things,
blue waves whitened on a cliff, soaring fire that sways and sings,
and children’s faces looking up, holding wonder like a cup.
Life has loveliness to sell, as music, like a curve of gold,
scent of pine trees in the rain, eyes that love you, arms that hold,
and for your spirit’s still delight, holy thoughts that star the night.
Spend all you have for loveliness, to buy and never count the cost:
for one singing hour of peace count a year of strife well lost,
and for a breath of ecstasy give all you have been, or could be.
ORDER OF SERVICE
First Church Boston
66 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA
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.
