Raise Your Head – Lauren Wright Pittman (2018)

First Congregational Church of

Evanston
United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Church
Founded 1869

Sunday, September 1st 2024 | 10 o’clock in the morning

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Rally Sunday
 ORDER OF WORSHIP
Responses in italics may be spoken out loud.
Please rise, in body or in spirit, places marked by an asterisk (*).
Prelude Festivity on “Christians, We Have Met to Worship” Douglas E. Wagner
Introit Christians, We Have Met to Worship Moore / Atkins
Words of Welcome Doug Irwin
*Call to Worship
When the Lord restored our fortune, we were like those who dream.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy!
It was said, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
035-praise ye the-841.mus, Page 1
The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Come home now and relax in the embrace of the Holy One.
CREATION AND PROVIDENCE
Let us return with gladness, worshipping God with shouts of joy. Amen.
Opening Hymn 35 Praise
Praise YeYe
thethe
Lord,Lord, the Almighty
the Almighty #35
3 œ j
& b 4 œœ œœ œ
œœ .. œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ
œ
1 Praise ye the Lord, the Al - might - y, the King of cre -
2 Praise ye the Lord, who o’er all things so won - drous - ly

? 3 œœ œ œœ œœ .. œ œ œ œ
3 Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me a -

œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ
b4 J œ œ œ œ œ

& b ˙œ . œ œ œœ .. œœj œ
œ ˙˙ .. œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ œœ
a - tion! O my soul, praise him, for he is thy
reign - eth, shel - ters thee un - der his wings, yea, so

˙. œœ œœ œœ œœ .. œ œ œ
dore him! All that hath life and breath, come now with

? b œœ ˙˙ œ œ œœ œ
˙. J œ œ

& b œ œ œ ˙œ . œ ˙ œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ . œœ œœ œœ
œ œ œ œ ˙ .. .
health and sal - va - tion! All ye who hear, now to his
gen - tly sus - tain - eth! Hast thou not seen how thy de -

? b œœ œ œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙. œœ œœ œœ ˙ . œœ œ œ
prais - es be - fore him! Let the a - men sound from his

˙. œ œ
œ ˙.

& b œœ œœ œ œœ ˙˙ .. œ œ ˙.
œ œœ œœ œœ œ # œ ˙ œ œ ˙˙ ..
 ? b œœ œ œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙. œ œœ œ ˙ . œ œ œœ
œ ˙.

& b œœ œœ œ œœ ˙˙ .. œ .
œ œœ œœ œœ œœ # œ ˙˙ œ œ ˙˙ ..
tem - ple draw near; join me in glad ad - o - ra - tion!
sires e’er have been grant - ed in what he or - dain - eth?

œ œ ˙ . œ œ œ œ
peo - ple a - gain; glad - ly for aye we a - dore him.

œ
?b œ œ œ œ ˙. œ œ œ œœ ˙.
œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ
˙ ˙.
*Prayer of Confession
This very strong 17th-century German hymn employs many phrases from the psalms, especially Psalms 150
and 103:1–6. It did not receive an effective English translation until the mid-19th century, but has remained
Holy One,_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
we confess our tendency to exclude rather than to include, to form
popular ever since, thanks in part to its stirring tune.

closed groups rather than open communities, and to prioritize

TEXT: Joachim Neander, 1680; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
MUSIC: Stralsund Ernewerten Gesangbuch, 1665; harm. The Chorale Book for England, 1863
comfort
LOBE DEN HERREN
14.14.4.7.8
rather
than embrace curiosity. Help us to truly love our neighbor as ourselves.
Whether family, friend, stranger, or foe, help us to love others with the love
you demonstrate toward us. We ask this in your name. Amen.
*Words of Grace and Mercy
From generation to generation, God’s love overcomes human sinfulness. God is
committed to fresh starts and new creations. This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
*Prayer Response
(Hymn 327, stanza 3)
Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; eternal truth attends thy word:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore,
till suns shall rise and set no more.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
First Scripture James 2: 1-10, 14-17 Doug Irwin
Children’s Moment Minister Eda Uca
*Greeting of Peace
Announcements
Anthem Make Our Church One Joyful ChoirJonathan Crutchfield
Make our church one joyful choir on this glad and festive day and by song
invoke the fire that invites our hearts to pray: Shape us, Christ, to live and
claim all it means to bear your name. Bend us low by song and prayer, low
enough to lift the cross and to take the weight and bear love's uncounted final
cost. Shape us, Christ, to live and claim all it means to bear your name. Lift us
up by song and prayer till the way we deal with loss and our acts and words of
care trace the pattern of your cross: Shape us, Christ, to bear your name. Bend
 us, lift us, make us strong, send us out with wind and fire, so the world may
hear the song that we offer as your choir: Shape us, Christ, to live and claim
all it means to bear your name. Amen!
494-jesus thou joy.mus, Page 1
(Thomas H. Troeger, 1994)
Sermon Scripture Psalm 121
LORD’S SUPPER
Sermon “Look Out, Look Up” Rev. Jason W. Coulter
Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts 494
b 3
*Hymn Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts #494
& b b 4 œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œ ˙˙ œœ ˙˙ .. œœ œœ œœ
1 Je - sus, thou joy of lov - ing hearts, thou fount of
2 Thy truth un - changed hath ev - er stood; thou sav - est
3 We taste thee, O thou liv - ing bread, and long to
4 Our rest - less spir - its yearn for thee, wher - e’er our

˙
? b b 43 œœ œœ œœ ˙ œ ˙˙ . œœ œœ œœ
O Je - sus, ev - er with us stay; make all our

œ
5

b œ ˙ œ .
˙

b b
& b ˙˙ œœ ˙˙ œœ ˙˙ .. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œœ
life, thou light of all, from the best bliss that
those that on thee call; to them that seek thee
feast up - on thee still; we drink of thee, the
change - ful lot is cast, glad when thy gra - cious

˙ œ ˙ œ ˙. œ œ œ ˙ œ
mo - ments calm and bright. O chase the night of

? bb ˙ œ ˙ ˙. œ œ œ
b œ n˙ œ

b
& b b n ˙˙ œœ ˙˙ .. œœ œœ b œœ œ˙ œ œœ ˙˙ œœ ˙˙ ..
earth im - parts we turn, un - filled, to heed thy call.
thou art good, to them that find thee, all in all.
foun - tain - head, and thirst our souls from thee to fill.
smile we see, blest when our faith can hold thee fast.

? bb ˙ œœ ˙ .
œ œœ œœ œ˙ œ œœ
sin a - way; shed o’er the world thy ho - ly light.

˙˙ œ ˙˙ ..
b ˙ ˙. œ
Invitation to Offering Oh, that I Had a Thousand Voices arr. M. Burkhardt
*Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Sovereign God, receive our offerings for the nurture and expansion of your
kindom. May these offerings be magnified. May the spirit of generosity among
your people be amplified. May all those touched by this congregation
experience the joy of your love. Amen.
Prayers of the People - Pastoral Prayer - Silent Prayer
Prayer of Our Savior
Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
306-blest be the.mus, Page 1
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 kingdom, and the power,
THE CHURCH
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

*Closing Hymn
Blest Be the Tie That#306
Binds
Blest Be the Tie that Binds
306
3
& b 4 œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ b œœ œœ œœ œœ
1 Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in
2 Be - fore our *Fa - ther’s throne we pour our
3 We share our mu - tual woes; our mu - tual
4 When we are called to part, it gives us

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
From sor - row, toil, and pain, and sin we

? b 43 œ ˙ œ œ ˙˙ œœ
5

˙ œ ˙ œ

& b œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ˙ œ œœ
œœ ˙˙ œœ
Chris - tian love. The fel - low - ship of
ar - dent prayers. Our fears, our hopes, our
bur - dens bear. And of - ten for each
in - ward pain; but we shall still be

œ œ œ œ
shall be free; and per - fect love and

? œ˙ œ œœ ˙
˙ œ ˙
œ
œ
œ˙ œœ
b

& b œ˙ œ œœ œ˙ œ œœ œ˙ œ œœ œ˙ œ œœ ˙
 ? œ˙ œ œœ ˙
˙ œ ˙
œ
œ
œ̇ œœ
b

& b œ˙ œ œœ œ˙ œ œœ œ˙ œ œœ œ˙ œ œœ ˙
kin - dred minds is like to that a - bove.
aims are one, our com - forts and our cares.
oth - er flows the sym - pa - thiz - ing tear.
joined in heart, and hope to meet a - gain.

? b œ˙ œ œœ œ˙ œ œ œ˙ œ œ œ œ œ
friend - ship reign through all e - ter - ni - ty.

˙˙
œ œ ˙ œ
*Benediction and Blessing
*Or “Maker’s”

Choral Response Amen Leon Roberts

Postlude Postlude on “Hymn to Joy” Albert L. Travis

Written to express a pastor’s unwillingness to leave a beloved congregation, this hymn is frequently used as
an expression of Christian fellowship, especially at the conclusion of the Lord’s Supper. The tune is attributed
to an influential Swiss musician and publisher.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEXT: John Fawcett, 1782 DENNIS
MUSIC: Johann Georg Nägeli, 1828; arr. Lowell Mason, 1845 SM

Worship Credits and Sources:

Call to Worship and Prayers by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay of the UCC Worship Ways
4/10/13
Cover art by Lauren Wright Pittman, used with permission from artist at
www.lewpstudio.com. From the artist, "Jesus says to respond to these apocalyptic
signs with staggering hope and confidence. When it feels like the very foundations of
the heavens are crumbling, we are to stand up. When the roaring sea and the waves
confuse us, when the sun, moon and stars come tumbling out of the sky, we are to
raise our heads. When the news cycle feels like an endless fire hose, people pour into
the streets in protest, families are separated, and fires blaze through neighborhoods,
we are to stand up and confidently usher in and claim the redemption that God
promises. Instead of getting lost in the worries of this life, stand up, raise your head,
and get lost in the fact that this expansive, infinite God is drawing near to you. Choose
to get lost in wonder."

Music Permissions Festivity on "Holy Manna". Music: William Moore. Setting: Douglas E. Wagner. ©
2016, Lorenz Publishing Co., a division of The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved. Podcast with
permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved. Christians, We Have Met to
Worship. Music: William Moore; Words: George Atkins. Public Domain. Praise Ye the Lord, the
Almighty. Music: Stralsund Ernewerten Gesangbuch, 1665; harm. The Chorale Book for England,
1863; Words: Joachim Neander, 1680; trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt. Public Domain. From
All That Dwell Below the Skies. Music: Geistliche Kirchengesang, 1623, alt.; harm. Ralph Vaughan
Williams, 1906; Words: Stanzas 1, 3, Issac Watts, 1719. Public Domain. Make Our Church One
Joyful Choir. Music: Jonathan Crutchfield; Words: Thomas H. Troeger. © 1994 and 2000, Oxford
University Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926.
All rights reserved. Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts. Music: Henry Baker, 1854; Words: Latin, 12th
cent.; trans. Ray Palmer, 1858, alt. Public Domain. Oh, that I Had a Thousand Voices. Music:
Johann B. Konig, Harmonischer Lieder-Schatz, 1738. Setting: Michael Burkhardt. © 1989,
MorningStar Music Publishers. All rights reserved. Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-
735926. All rights reserved. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow. Music: Genevan Psalter,
1551; Words: Thomas Ken, 1695, 1709. Public Domain. Blest Be the Tie That Binds. Music: Johann
Georg Nägeli, 1821; arr. Lowell Mason, 1845; Words: John Fawcett, 1782. Public Domain. Amen.
Music: Leon Roberts, 1981; arr. Hanan Yaqub, 1998; Words: Traditional liturgical text. © 1981, GIA
Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted and Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE
#A-735926. All rights reserved. Hymn to Joy. Music: Ludwig van Beethoven. Setting: Albert L. Travis.
© 2006, Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP) A division of MorningStar Music Publishers Inc. All rights
reserved. Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved.
Sunday Morning Service Roles:
Deacons: Lay Reader
- Doug Irwin - Doug Irwin
- Candy Heaphy
- Nick Tucker

Livestream/Tech Support: Sunday School

- Gary Hardesty - Minister Eda Uca
- Julie Captain - Linda Krei
Want to volunteer and get more involved in Sunday services? See the sign-up sheet in
the back of the sanctuary or contact Mahdia at [email protected]
Welcome to First Congregational Church of Evanston, UCC

We are glad you chose to be with us on this Sunday

morning! And we want you to know that no matter who you
are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome
here!

Childcare is provided in the downstairs nursery for infants

and children to age 5. The space at the back of the
Sanctuary available for our families. Children K-6 are invited to Sunday School in the
First Congregational Community Center after the Children’s Message.

Visitors: We are delighted that you are joining us for worship. Please sign the
Welcome Book at the back of the sanctuary. We invite our visitors to include your
name, address and email so that we might acknowledge your visit with a card. All are
welcome to join us after services in the fellowship space for refreshments and
conversation.

Babies and Toddlers: Little ones enrich our community and add vibrancy to our
congregation. Please don’t fret about coos or cries during the service. All ages are
welcome here. Visit our rocking chair area to find books & coloring pages for use
during the service, or you are welcome to drop off infants to 5 year-olds with our
Nursery
Supervisor.

Children: Young people are invited to come forward for the Children’s Message during
worship. Afterwards, children in grades K-6th are welcome to walk with our teacher
team to our Sunday School classroom at the Community Center, 1/2 block down
Hinman Ave. At the end of the service, leaders bring children back to the sanctuary to
join their families for fellowship time. Adult visitors are welcome to accompany their
children to Sunday School. Connect with Minister Eda Uca, if you have any questions.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to fully engage
in our community. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about
accessibility, call the Church Office at 847-864-8332 or send an email to
[email protected].

Use this QR Code to check out events and ongoing programming at

FCCE.
WELCOME to First Congregational Church of Evanston
Mission Statement
We express God’s love in action, compassion, and justice.

Open and Affirming Statement

As an inclusive congregation, we welcome all faith experiences and family types; we are
an open and affirming community of faith who welcome and celebrate differences of age,
ability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and national origin.

Immigrant Welcoming Statement

We commit to take actions consistent with the values and resources of our community to
oppose xenophobia and to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation and the
hardships such deportation will cause them and their families.

First Congregational Church of Evanston, UCC

Sanctuary: 1445 Hinman Avenue (at Grove Street)
Mailing address: 1417 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847-864-8332 | Email: [email protected]
Website: www.firstchurchevanston.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstcongregationalchurchofevanston/

Church Staff
Rev. Jason W. Coulter, Senior Minister [email protected] | ext.21
Eda Uca, Minister of Community Life [email protected]
Matthew Hogan, Music Director [email protected] | ext. 23
Mahdia Lynn, Church Administrator [email protected] | ext. 22
Jordan Griffin, Justice Fellow | [email protected]
Kelly Tran, Nursery Supervisor
Julie Captain, Moderator | Chris Krei, Vice-Moderator

Chancel Choir Quartet

Anna Donnelly, soprano | Christina Adams, alto
Michael Brauer, tenor | Joseph Roberts, bass

Please join us immediately following today’s service for fellowship & refreshments

To make a donation to First Congregational Church you may do so during the

offering, or you may make an electronic donation through the church website
by using this QR Code. Thank you for your generosity!