Wednesday, March 9 is Ash Wednesday, opening the season of Lent, following Epiphany ending on March 6. Reverend Tom O’Brien completes the final meditation of the MCC nine-part Epiphany series of scriptures and meditations that began on January 9. The last segment, “New Kingdom – Promised Land”, which began on February 20, realizes the arrival of the promised peaceable kingdom and the coming of God.
Part One, “New Genesis – Creation” concentrated on the beginnings of faith and the new beginning with the teachings of Jesus. Part Two, New Exodus – Liberation”, from January 30 through February 13, told the stories of the evolution of the old and new faiths.
In the scriptures that inspire this week’s meditation, a peaceable kingdom is described. The reading from the Hebrew Bible, the book of Isaiah, Chapter 65, Verses 17-25, heralds a new Heaven and a New Earth. From Verses 17-19: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.”
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In the New Testament Gospel according to John, Chapter 14, Verses 1-14, Jesus comforts the disciples and speaks of how they will see God through him. In verses 1-3: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Director of Music Cathy Meyer opens the service with the prelude In Paradisium by composer Gerald Near, a precursor to the offertory anthem sung by the MCC Senior Choir: Gabriel Faure’s In Paradisium from the Requiem Op. 48. Meyer’s postlude is Rise, Shine, You People by David Cherwien.
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Throughout Epiphany the choir has been singing movements from Faure’s masterwork, offering MCC members and visitors a sneak preview of the music to be performed at the Faure Festival Concert on April 2. Don’t miss the great collaboration of choirs of three churches – MCC, Framingham Edwards Church and Malden St. Paul’s Episcopal Church -- and the MCC Spring Festival Orchestra, with soloists John Whittlesey and Rebekah Alexander. For more information on the program and ordering or reserving tickets, email publicity@mccsudbury.org visit http://mccsudbury.org/?subtab=821.
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. Church school will be held throughout the weekends of the public school winter break.
The sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Children in church school from pre-school to 8th grade re-join the congregation for the communion.
On Ash Wednesday, March 9, MCC will begin the season of Lent with a reflective worship experience and art exhibition. Rev. O’Brien welcomes all to this peaceful and quiet period: “All are invited to enter the church sanctuary at any time between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The space will be arranged to allow an opportunity to contemplate Jesus’ time in the wilderness through different media including art and music. Participants will examine different exhibits at their own pace; connecting with themes of solitude and seeking refuge from the many modern temptations and distractions we face daily. At the end of the journey, ashes will be available for anyone who wishes to receive them.”
Quotes from Bible passages in this article are from the New International Version and printed with permission granted by www.biblegateway.com, Copyright: “THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”
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. For weekly worship news at MCC, visit http://mccsudbury.org/?tab=400.
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”.
