Order of Worship
May 4, 2025
ORDER OF WORSHIP
May 4, 2025
Speaking of Jesus
Worship Participants
Deacons: Diane Ranney, Grace & Peter Tilden
Welcomers: Rebecca Rosensweig & Mary Ann Labue
Reader: Tracy Morin
Announcer: Merry Sue Ahlgren
Prelude
Welcome & Announcement
Choir Creation Shall Be at Peace
Opening Prayer (by Rumi) Diane Ranney
One: When I run after what I think I want,
my days are a furnace of distress and anxiety,
People: if I sit in my own place of patience,
what I need flows to me, and without any pain,
One: from this, I understand that what I want also wants me,
and is looking for me and attracting me,
there’s a great secret in this for all who can grasp it.
People: May we open our hearts and minds to hear it. Amen.
Song I Speak Jesus
Scripture Acts 11:19-24 (Inclusive Bible version) Tracy Morin
Those scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, but they usually proclaimed the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch where they started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to them as well. Christ honored their efforts, and a large number of Greeks became believers.
The church in Jerusalem heard about this, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Upon arriving, he rejoiced to see the evidence of God’s favor. And he urged them to remain faithful to Christ with heartfelt devotion, for he was good and faithful and filled with the Holy Spirit. And a large number of people was brought to Christ.
May God bless this reading and our understanding. Amen
Sermon Rev. Saramaria Allenby
Song Give a Little Bit
Holy Communion
Invitation Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Communion Song I’m Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God,
We try so hard and yet we fall short of living like Christ. Our egos, our own interests, our peer pressures, prevent us from fully embodying your ways. Forgive us when we lack to see you in others, forgive us when we look the other way, forgive us when we stumble and don’t even recognize we have pulled away from you. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Words of Institution Rev. Jennie Valentine
Prayer of Consecration & Lord’s Prayer Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Our Father/Mother/Creator,
who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen
Sharing of the Elements
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)
We thank you, God, for inviting us to your table. Strengthen our faith, aide our love
for one another, and embolden us to follow the Jesus Way. Amen.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done;
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen
INSTALLATION OF REV. JENNIE VALENTINE
GREETING Rev. Patty Kogut
PRESENTATION Mary Ann La Bue
First Church Sandwich, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has called The Reverend Jennifer Valentine as one of its pastors and teachers and respectfully requests that the Barnstable Association install her in this ministry among us, according to the faith and order of the United Church of Christ.
Amiee Giles: On behalf of the members of the Barnstable Association of the United Church of Christ, we gather with you, the people and the pastors and teachers of First Church, as a sign of our covenant and in celebration of our mutual ministry in Christ’s name. The Barnstable Association has reviewed the request of First Church Sandwich. We have prayerfully examined Rev. Jennie Valentine, and she has met all the necessary conditions for installation to this office. We are pleased to install her as your pastor and teacher.
Rev. Jennie Valentine, servant of God, we invite you to come forward as a sign of your acceptance of the call to this office.
Installation is the action of an association of the United Church of Christ in cooperation with a local church. Installation confirms and celebrates the covenantal relationship among a local church, its pastors and teachers, and the United Church of Christ. Installation is a sign that these covenantal partners are committed to share mutually in the mission of the United Church of Christ and of the ecumenical church.
EXHORTATION Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut
Hear these words from the apostle Paul:
to the congregation: We beg you, our brothers and sisters, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
to Rev. Jennie: We urge you, our sister, warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all.
to everyone: See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants of you, in your life in Christ Jesus. Amen
COVENANT
Aimee Giles: Dear friends, First Church Sandwich, UCC has declared that having gathered under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it has called Rev. Jennie Valentine to minister in this place as one of its pastors and teachers and that it now receives her as called by God to this ministry.
Rev. Jennie Valentine, seeing that you are called to ordained ministry by the grace of God and that First Church Sandwich has been led to call you as one of its pastors and teachers, are you willing to enter this covenant with its members who are one in Christ with us in the Barnstable Association?
Rev. Jennie Valentine: I am willing, and I promise to serve this church faithfully, preaching and teaching the word of God, administering the sacraments, and fulfilling the pastoral office, according to the faith and order of the United Church of Christ. I promise to maintain confidentiality. I will continue to love this congregation, speaking the truth in love. I pledge to inspire with holy vision, challenging this church to grow spiritually. I will be the church’s representative in the wider community, building bridges between our community, people of all faiths, and civic and justice leaders. I will minister impartially to the needs of all, and love all. I will nourish and sustain my own spiritual life and take sabbath regularly as God’s commandment intends. I will maintain good pastoral boundaries and vow to leave when God calls me elsewhere.
Aimee Giles: Rev. Tina Walker-Morin, do you affirm Rev. Jennie’s call to this church at this time and place?
Rev. Tina Walker-Morin: I affirm and welcome the joint ministry with Rev. Jennie Valentine. Acknowledging her ordained call, I welcome this partnership here at First Church Sandwich.
Aimee Giles: Members and friends of First Church Sandwich, please rise in body or in spirit, and affirm your covenant with this pastor and teacher.
First Church Sandwich Members and Friends:
We, the members and friends of First Church Sandwich, receive The Rev. Jennie Valentine as one of our pastors and teachers, promising to partner with her in the ministry of the gospel. We gather with her and with the United Church of Christ as a sign of our mutual ministry in Christ’s name. We promise to love our pastors, speaking the truth in love. We pledge to be co-visionaries, joyfully journeying towards spiritual growth. We will take responsibility for our own spiritual well-being. We will communicate respectfully, lovingly, directly with each other. And when it is time for us to part ways, we will do so gracefully.
PRAYER OF INSTALLATION Rev. Steve Youd
Let us pray. O Holy One, we have gathered here today to make promises before you. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in keeping our vows so that we remain steadfast in faith and bear the fruits of the Spirit. Bless Rev. Jennie’s ministry as she cares for the people of this congregation. Pour your Spirit on her and on the people of First Church, and on all the churches of the Barnstable Association. Together, may our mutual ministry strengthen the faithful, comfort the afflicted, and be your prophetic voice, building up your church. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
DECLARATION Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut
In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the Barnstable Association of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, I declare you duly installed as a pastor and teacher of First Church Sandwich, UCC.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Send Forth Song Trees of the Field
Benediction Rev. Jennie Valentine