Welcome To All Who Worship Here!

Pentecost Sunday – May 31, 2020, 9:30 A.M.

GREETING

CALL TO WORSHIP                                          Ashley Dubois, Lay Leader                                                                             Williston Federated Church

One: No great flowing fabrics of red hanging from sanctuary ceilings, yet this is still the day we celebrate Grace’s breath shattering the shutters of our hearts.

All: On this day, wherever we are, in whatever way we come to this worship service, may we continue to let the Spirit of new life breathe upon us!

One: We will continue to speak of God’s love and the Spirit’s peace for all.

All: So that even apart, people will know they are not alone.

PRELUDE Carol Schein

LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE

SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

One: A spark is all we need on this day, Imaginative God, to glow within our quarantined aloneness

All: so that we can signal to all those around us you are bringing to life and grace to us, and to the whole world.

One: A word—just a word on this day—Poet of Pentecost, so that we can be the voice of all those forgotten by the world,

All: so that we can be the warmth to melt all the hearts frozen by greed and blinded by bigotry, so that we might speak and display your good news to everyone we meet. Amen.

ANTHEM “Amor Vincit Omnia” by Pepper Choplin

the Williston Federated Church choir

conducted by Martin Hain

Cindy Thurston, accompanist

a from the Steeple Benefit Concert on May 5, 2018

TIME WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

SCRIPTURES Acts 2:1-21 Joe Maloney

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION (Psalm 19:14)

All: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

SERMON “Together in One Place” Pastor Paul Eyer

HYMN “Spirit of the Living God” Songbook84

Sing three times

(led remotely by Martin and Donna Sue Hain)

(copyright license CCLI #176957 and #20480319)

CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Pastor: Lord of Life and Love,

Congregation: Hear our prayer.

SILENT MEDITATION

LORD’S PRAYER

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT Donna Sue Hain and company

OFFERING

OFFERTORY Carol Schein

(If you’re interested in setting up automatic online withdrawals, please contact Matt Bliss who can invite you to set up an account with our online church membership software, Realm.  When logged in, select the “Giving” menu on the left hand side and the “+ Give” button on the next screen.  Then, enter your giving details and payment information to set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account.  Select one of the pledge accounts (e.g., Pledge Jul 2020 to Jun 2021).  Frequency should be set to monthly on the 15th.  You can follow the same process to make one time contributions too.  If you have any questions, contact Matt Bliss at blisswm@comcast.net.  Or you can complete a hard-copy registration form (posted on the church Facebook page) and mail it to Matt Bliss at the church.  Credit card contributions can be made on the church website at steeple.org. )

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison)

Blow the dust off our fears, Generous Spirit, so we might be an even more giving people.  Blow the dust off our gifts we think are so paltry, so we might realize how they can bring hope and life to others.  Blow the dust off our mistaken views of others, so we might see them as our sisters and brothers, ready to grace us, even as we may bless them with these offerings.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH

–“virtual” coffee hour/fellowship time via Zoom following worship today

–Music and Worship Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom

–Centering Prayer on Thursday, June 4 at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom

–Caring Circle on Thursday, June 4 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom

–“Keeping Connected During COVID”check-ins on Thursday, June 4 at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. via Zoom

–online Sunday worship services via Facebook on Sunday, June 7, 9:30 a.m.

CLOSING HYMN “Spirit of the Living God” Hymnal #539

(led remotely by Martin and Donna Sue Hain)

(copyright license CCLI #176957 and #20480319)

BENEDICTION/BLESSING

Liturgical resources: The Call to Worship, Prayer for the Day, and Prayer of Dedication are adapted from “Lectionary Liturgies” by Thom Shuman found at lectionaryliturgies@blogspot.com.

This Week and Beyond at WFC

In addition to prayers offered during our worship services, prayer requests may still be sent to Pastor Paul via email at pastoreyer.gmail.com. These prayers will then be lifted in prayer by the pastor throughout the week. (If you would like to submit prayer requests to be shared during our online worship service, please send those requests to WillistonFederatedYouth@gmail.com or post them as chat comments during our video live-stream of our worship service on Facebook Live on Sunday.)

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Mark Your Calendars! Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place following worship on June 14, via Zoom

Access to church building – please note

In an effort to ensure health and safety, the Official Board has closed our church building to everyone except the Daycare, their clients, and church staff. It is understood that other people need to have limited access to the building for a variety of reasons. We are asking that those who want access contact Tony Lamb at 802-343-1544.

Access is limited to the North Williston Road entrance. Those entering are expected to take their temperature before entering and not enter if they have a fever or do not feel well. They are also expected to wear a mask, to use the hand sanitizer located inside the door, and to “social distance” at all times. They should use the hand wipes on the door knobs when leaving.

As the statewide restrictions are eased we will be engaged in ongoing conversations about how and when (gradually) to open our spaces.

Remember that the building is closed but the Church is open, carrying out ministry in support of God’s work in the world.

For more information contact Tony Lamb at 802-343-1544.

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Student Needs:

I’m writing with specific requests for two UVM students who are currently being supported by colleagues at the Mosaic Center for Students of Color (MCSC). We are reaching out to see whether you might know of any folks within your congregations or networks that might be able to provide assistance.

A Nigerian female identified student faces homelessness when she has to leave the residence hall. She has no money and is also food insecure.

A USA male senior of color, whose mother lived abroad, can’t get home after graduation due to closed borders. He lives off campus and will need housing at the end of his lease. He is seeking possible housing.

Please let me know if you know, and/or learn, of any possibilities for either of these students.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Laura

Rev. Laura C. Engelken

Director of Interfaith Education & Engagement

UVM Interfaith Center

Phone 802.656.4703 | laura.engelken@uvm.edu | www.uvm.edu/interfaithcenter

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The University of Vermont, Interfaith Center, 400 South Prospect, Burlington, VT

Apart but Still A Part

How have you engaged with WFC during these last two months? It seems so long ago that we were in the sanctuary together. Since then, we’ve celebrated Holy Week remotely, connected by Zoom for “check-ins,” small groups, and committee meetings, and worshiped each Sunday via Facebook Live. We’ve kept in touch with one another, offering support, comfort, and a human touch, however remotely. We’ve continued our community ministries, notably the Williston Food Shelf and Dismas House. In short, we remain the church we have been, even in challenging circumstances.

The Lord is our rock and our refuge, and we have faith and confidence that we will carry on God’s work during and beyond this pandemic. Now more than ever, the church is a beacon of light in what can seem deep darkness. Through our Stewardship Campaign, we all have a role in making sure we can continue the many ministries of Williston Federated Church in the coming year.

This Sunday we will have a “special guest” during the offertory— make sure you tune in!

And next week you will receive a letter asking for your advance commitment to support our Ministry Funding Plan, or 2020-21 church budget. We ask that you give your prayerful consideration to this.

Thank you!

Your Finance Committee

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LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!
Williston Federated Church is creating a Production Team dedicated to the continued production of our services and live broadcasting. If you’re interested in volunteering or have any questions, please contact Melissa Delisle (mdelisle0304@gmail.com) to find out more!  

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Thursday morning prayer (note change in time!):

This Thursday morning at 8am there will be a zoom gathering for silent prayer and Bible discussion.  Please check the meeting time every week the time may be temporary.  The session begins with a brief reading and then 20 minutes of silence.  A picture and participants will appear on the screen.  After 20 minutes a bell will ring 3 times.  Then the Bible passage of  the day will be read three times.  Participants will talk of the part of the passage that touched them or had questions or special meaning.  The gathering will end at about 10am with the Lord’s Prayer also known as the Our Father.   The code is 395 928 9957.

Questions call Donna Fellinger 802 355 1700.  

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Here is information about the “Wednesday Wellness” program offered by the Vermont Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Thanks!

An important and meaningful series of FREE online programs offered by the Vermont Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness takes place each Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.  See the details below: 

Join NAMI Vermont for Wellness Wednesdays! 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Vermont (NAMI Vermont) invites you to participate in their new Wellness Wednesday series! This weekly virtual event will highlight inspirational messages of hope, bring awareness to mental illness, and provide information and resources to our community.  These events are free of charge and open to the public.

For more information about this and other upcoming webinars, including the link to Wednesday’s video presentation, visit https://namivt.org/education/in-our-own-voice/. Or contact us at program@namivt.org. #NAMIWellnessWednesdays 

Audience: Any community member.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS EVENT!!!!

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Your Church Needs You

The Nominating Committee has begun the process of inviting folks to serve on one of the various church committees for the 2020-2021 fiscal year which begins July 1st. Now, more than ever, I think we are reminded that our church community plays a vital role in our lives and our response to the needs of our community and the wider world. We are asking that you prayerfully consider where God is calling you to serve. Most committees meet monthly and many take a break in the summer. Terms can be from 1-3 years. Committees include: Official Board, Trustees, Pastor Staff Relations, Finance, Education, Membership, Music & Worship, Missions & Social Concerns, Youth Ministry, Nominating and Parsonage. Two other opportunities are Auditor & Recording Secretary. If you have questions, please speak to a member of the Nominating Committee: Rebecca Dubois, Donna Goodheart, Carol Bouchard or Pastor Paul. Stay safe!