Rev. Tom O’Brien completes “New Exodus – Liberation” at MCC

“No matter who you are or where you are going, you are welcome here.” 

February 13 is the Sixth Sunday of Epiphany.  Reverend Tom O’Brien completes the second section of the MCC Epiphany series -- “New Exodus – Liberation”.

The scriptures on the Sixth Sunday of Epiphany are well-known stories from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.  In the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 31, Verses 1-6, Moses commissions Joshua to take up his role, and then dies.  In the Gospel according to John, Chapter 14, Verses 14-21, Jesus speaks with the disciples about his ultimate departure and return to them.  He tells them that the Father is speaking through him, and that “…Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Rev. O’Brien introduces the transition from “New Exodus – Liberation” to the third section of the series “New Kingdom – Promised Land”:  “Moses passed the baton of leadership to Joshua to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to his disciples.  Today, our gifts, given to us by the still speaking God, allow us to continue following the path to a new Promised Land -- God's kingdom of peace on Earth, created and grown by our own hands.”

Jeannette McLellan, Sudbury resident and Hudson public schools music educator, leads the music of the service while Director of Music and organist Cathy Meyer is on a two-week family leave.  Joining Ms. McLellan is Hudson middle school band director and Marlborough resident clarinetist Michelle Gorgone.  Ms. Gorgone was among the guest musicians who were featured in the all-Poulenc concert at MCC in October.

Throughout the service, the duo will perform movements of the Sonata in Eb major, Op. 167 by Camille Saint-Saens.  Composed in 1921, nearly seventy years after Saint-Saens came to fame with works such as The Carnival, the Sonata has four movements, reaching back to the Classical tradition that Saint-Saëns loved so dearly.

The MCC Senior Choir will sing the anthem If I Take the Wings of the Morning by Marie Pooler, the Agnus Dei from the Requiem by Gabriel Faure, and other smaller works.  The MCC Spring Festival Chorus and Orchestra will present the entire Requiem on Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 at MCC.

Faith discovery for children from pre-school through eighth grade begins with the Children’s Moment, where Rev. O’Brien calls the children to the chancel for age-appropriate message of the New Exodus lesson.  The children then proceed to church school with their regular teachers.

Early registration for MCC’s summer program Pandamania! is now open.  Registration forms may be picked up at MCC at 26 Concord Road in Sudbury, or may be downloaded from the church website at http://mccsudbury.org/?subtab=823 (or visit www.mccsudbury.org, click tab “For the Kids” and the “Summer Program 2011” on the left pane).  Online registration will be available later in February, 2011.  The early registration fee, effective until May 27, is $50 per camper (up to grade 6), or $40 per counselor (grades 7 – 12) with a family maximum of $100.   After May 27, registration is $60 per camper, $50 per counselor, with a family maximum of $125.  The Extended Day program cost is $25 per day for children 6^th grade and under.  Counselors participate in Extended Day at no charge.

Rev. O’Brien’s nine meditations of the series began on the First Sunday in Epiphany on January 9 and continue until March 6.  Part One, “New Genesis – Creation” concentrated on the beginnings of faith and the new beginning with the teachings of Jesus.  Part Three -- “New Kingdom – Promised Land” from February 20 through March 6, realizes the arrival of the promises of peace and the coming of God.

Epiphany is an excellent season, like any other, to visit MCC, where all are welcome regardless of your color, whether you do your own house cleaning, or whether you clean houses for a living; regardless of your employment status, whether or not you are sight- or hearing-impaired.  During Epiphany, Christians study and reflect on the early life and the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

Memorial Congregational Church is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC).  MCC has an open and affirming ministry to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability or financial situation.  All areas of the building are handicapped accessible. Sunday worship service begins at 10 am, and childcare for infants and toddlers is provided from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM.

Information on MCC worship services, music programs, Christian education, Outreach, and teen programs may be found at the church web site on the Internet at http://MCCsudbury.org. Watch for ‘This Week at MCC’ columns in most Metrowest area community newspapers.  Find us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/mccsudbury.  Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MemCCEvents.  You can reach the church office and staff by phone at 978-443-3885, or by email at office@mccsudbury.org.   The church is located at 26 Concord Road in Sudbury. Directions to the church may also be obtained from the church website.  Click on the “About Us” tab and then click “Directions/Map”.