February 6, 2022
ORDER OF WORSHIP
February 6, 2022
ANNOUNCEMENT
The 348th Annual Meeting of the First Church of Deerfield will take place on Sunday, February 13th, following the worship service.
Reading of the Warrant
by Carole Pennock, clerk
PRELUDE
Choral (1955) Flor Peeters
Dr. Thomas Pousont, organ
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come —
you who are
house-bound
hunkered-down
snowed-in
stocked-up
Come —
you who have braved
the slick-iced sidewalks
and have returned home
with wet feet
and an even wetter dog
Come —
you who cannot
trust your legs
nor risk a fall
in seasons such as these
Come —
winter-bound and wonder-filled
to this, our brickless church
for neither rain nor snow nor sleet
can separate us
from the love of God.
HYMN
READING
Because We Hunkered Down, by Malcolm Guite (2016)
These bleak and freezing seasons may mean grace
When they are memory. In time to come
When we speak truth, then they will have their place,
Telling the story of our journey home,
Through dark December and stark January
With all its disappointments, through the murk
And dreariness of frozen February,
When even breathing seemed unwelcome work.
Because through all of these we held together,
Because we shunned the impulse to let go,
Because we hunkered down through our dark weather,
And trusted to the soil beneath the snow,
Slowly, slowly, turning a cold key,
Spring will unlock our hearts and set us free.
INTERLUDE
In the Bleak Midwinter (1906) Gustav Holst
**Choral Scholar Stephen makes his organ debut**
READINGS
We invite you to pause after each of these readings, and notice what thoughts or feelings arise.
1st Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 15: 12-21
Being the Resurrection by Peter Rollins
SERMON
What if?
Rev. Liza B. Knapp
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
We ask for prayers today
for those in the path of winter storms
God of the Cosmos,
you who set the planets in motion
around your countless stars
we praise you for the turning of the earth
and for the beauty of the seasons
but we are tender creatures
and winter can be cruel as well as beautiful
and so we pray for all in need of warmth this day:
those without shelter
those without power
those without heat
those without hope
that your loving care reach them
through the help of a stranger
through the hospitality of a neighbor
through the concern of a friend
and may our hearts, too, be warmed
amen
These are the prayers of the people;
Let the people say, Amen.
OFFERING
The Mission Committee is asking for donations towards church sponsored Community Meals. The church is currently paying for the hire of a restaurant to provide the meal. Any donations will help with that cost. You may pay by checks (made out to the First Church of Deerfield with “Community Meals” in the memo line) or by Online donation through Breeze (click HERE and choose “Community Meals”)
OFFERTORY
DEDICATION
beloved:
we do not seek to purchase your love
nor pay the debt we owe to you
but to follow your example
of grace
and so we pray:
may this gift bring hope
to one in need
Amen.
HYMN
BENEDICTION
May the strength of God uphold you,
May the love of God enfold you,
May the spirit of God embolden you,
as you go forth to serve God’s world.
AMEN.
POSTLUDE
