First Congregational Church of

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

Sunday, October 15th, 2023 | 10 o’clock in the morning

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Stewardship 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 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending arr. Dale Wood

Introit Joyfully Sing to God Forever F.J. Haydn

arr. Patrick M. Liebergen

Words of Welcome Hal Sprague

*Call to Worship
Sing praise to God, all of the nations.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
We have walked through fire and water with heavy burdens
712-as thoseon our backs.
of.mus, Page 1
But God has led us into a spacious place to plant gardens of faith.
Rejoice in the Lord and shout glory to our God.
Let us worship in gratitude and praise. DEDICATION AND STEWARDSHIP

As ThoseAsofThose
OldofTheir Firstfruits Brought 712
& b 44
*Opening Hymn Old Their First Fruits Brought #712

œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œœ œœ ˙ .
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
1 As those of old their first - fruits brought of vine - yard, flock, and field
2 A world in need now sum - mons us to la - bor, love, and give,

œ œ œ œ œ ˙.
? b 44 œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œ
3 In grat - i - tude and hum - ble trust we bring our best to - day,

œ œœ ˙.
œ œ œ œ

& b œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ ˙.
to God, the giv - er of all good, the source of boun - teous yield,
to make our life an of - fer - ing that all may tru - ly live.

œ œ œ ˙.
? b œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ
to serve your cause and share your love with all a - long life’s way.

œ ˙ .
œ œ œ
œj
& b œ œ œ . œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ
œ . œ
œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ ˙
œ
so we to - day our first - fruits bring, the wealth of this good land:
The church of Christ is call - ing us to make the dream come true:
 œ œ œ ˙.
? b œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ ˙ .
œ œ œ
œj
& b œ œ œ . œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ
œ . œ
œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ ˙
œ
so we to - day our first - fruits bring, the wealth of this good land:
The church of Christ is call - ing us to make the dream come true:

? b œœ œ. œ œ œ œ œœ œ
O God who gave your - self to us in Je - sus Christ your Son,

œœ œ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ ˙˙
œ . œJ œ œ œ œ œ

&b ˙ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ ˙.
of farm and mar - ket, shop and home, of mind and heart and hand.
a world re - deemed by Christ - like love, all life in Christ made new.

? b œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œ ˙˙ ..
help us to give our - selves each day un - til life’s work is done.

œ œ œ
*Prayer of Confession
This text by a Presbyterian pastor in California expresses the conviction that being a good steward is an
essential part of the Christian life, for self-giving is God’s own nature. The tune is named for the village in
Patient Surrey
Lord, you
where knowcollected
the arranger howthis
easytune init1903.
is for us to whine and complain bitterly
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
aboutTEXT:
allFrank
those things
von Christierson, in our lives that are difficult. We focus on
1960, alt. FORESTour
GREEN
frustrations and forget the many blessings
MUSIC: English folk melody; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
Text © 1961, ren.1989 The Hymn Society (admin. Hope Publishing Company) that you have given to us.
CMD
We feel
alienated--you call us beloved. We feel like we don’t have enough --you help
us see our abundance. We feel broken and battered--your love is a healing
balm. Forgive us when we forget those things. Help us to always look to you
for our healing and to return thanks to you by serving others in your name.
6/6/13
This we pray in the name of Jesus. 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 Philippians 4: 1-9 Hal Sprague

*Greeting of Peace

Announcements

Stewardship Message “Rooted in Love” Thekla Metz

Anthem Creation is Telling Craig Courtney

The grasses waving silently with every hidden breeze; the mountains rising upward, the
arms of towering trees; the moon that's slowly climbing a ladder in the sky proclaim that
You have taken Your place with God on high. Creation is telling You reign from heaven's
throne. Creation is revealing that You are God alone. More powerful than words or pen,
creation testifies that You alone are worthy to be praised and glorified. The lighting burns a
message across the evening sky; the heavens start to rumble in thunderous reply; the ocean
waves lift up their hands and clap in unity. Creation is proclaiming Your reign and majesty.
You are beyond all time and space, beyond infinity, powerful yet merciful, an unseen
mystery. You're greater than the universe, too vast for it to hold, yet small enough to live
within my soul. Amen. (Pamela Martin)

Sermon Scripture Exodus 32: 1-14 688-spirit of god.mus, Page 1

Sermon “Can I Change Your Mind?” Rev.DEDICATION

Jason W.AND
Coulter
STEWARDSHIP

*Hymn Spirit
Spirit of God,
of God, Descend
Descend upon My
Upon My Heart #688Heart 688
& 22 ˙˙ œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙˙ œ œ œ œ ww
œ œ œ œ
1 Spir - it of God, de - scend up - on my heart;
2 I ask no dream, no proph - et ec - sta - sies,
3 Hast thou not bid us love thee, God and King;
4 Teach me to feel that thou art al - ways nigh.

? 22 ˙˙ œœ œœ ˙ ˙˙ œ œœ œœ œ ww
5 Teach me to love thee as thine an - gels love,

˙ œ
& ˙˙ œ
# œ # œœ ˙œ œ ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ # œœ ww
wean it from earth; through all its puls - es move;
no sud - den rend - ing of the veil of clay,
all, all thine own, soul, heart, and strength, and mind?
Teach me the strug - gles of the soul to bear,

#˙ œ œ œ
? œ œ # œœ # œœ ˙˙ œ ww
one ho - ly pas - sion fill - ing all my frame;

˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ

& ˙˙ œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ œœ w
w
stoop to my weak - ness, might - y as thou art,
 #˙ œ œ œ
? œ œ # œ # œœ ˙ œ ww
one ho - ly pas - sion fill - ing all my frame;

œ ˙ ˙ œ œ œ œ
˙
˙˙ ˙˙ œœ œ w
& ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ w
stoop to my weak - ness, might - y as thou art,
no an - gel vis - i - tant, no o - pening skies;
I see thy cross; there teach my heart to cling.
to check the ris - ing doubt, the reb - el sigh.

˙˙ ˙˙ œœ œœ
? ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ œœ ww
the bap - tism of the heaven - de - scend - ed Dove,

˙ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
&˙ œ ˙˙ ˙˙ ww
and make me love thee as I ought to love.
but take the dim - ness of my soul a - way.
O let me seek thee, and O let me find!
Teach me the pa - tience of un - an - swered prayer.

? œ˙ œ œœ œœ
œœ œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙˙ w
my heart an al - tar, and thy love the flame.

w
This reflection on Galatians 5:25 was written by a literary Anglican clergyman whose preaching drew people
of many social classes to one of the formerly poorer London churches. The tune was created for “Abide with
Me” (no. 836) but more often appears with the present text.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Invitation to Offering
TEXT: George Croly, 1867
God Be in My Head
MUSIC: Frederick Cook Atkinson, 1870
Walford Davies
MORECAMBE
10.10.10.10

God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in mine eyes, and in my

looking; God be in my mouth, and in my speaking; God be in my heart, and in
my6/6/13
thinking; God be at mine end, and at my departing. (Sarum Primer, 1558)

*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
For the healing love you have offered to us; for the patience you have with us;
for your presence that will never fail us, we give you thanks, O Lord. Bless
these gifts. May they may be used to strengthen the church and renew all of
your creation. 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.697-take
Give myuslife.mus,
this day our
Page 1 daily bread.
697-take
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our697-take
debtors.my life.mus,
And lead Page
us1 not into
my life.mus, Page 1
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
DEDICATION and the power,
AND STEWARDSHIP
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. DEDICATION AND STEWARDSHIP
Take
Take My Life
DEDICATION AND STEWARDSHIP

My Life 697
697
*Closing Hymn 4
b œ œ
Take
œ
My
˙
Life
œ œ œ œ
697
& b 444 œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œ ˙˙
Take My Life #697

&&b 44 œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœ œœœœ œ œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœœ œœœœ œœ ˙˙˙˙
1 Take my life and let it be con - se - crat - ed, Lord, to thee;
Take my
21 Take my hands
life and
and let
let them
it move
be con
at the- se - im
crat- -pulse
ed, Lord,
of thyto love;
thee;
132 Take
Takemy
Take my life
my hands and
voice let
and let
and it sing
let them
me be con
move -the
se - on
alat-ways, crat
im- --ly,
ed, for
pulse Lord, to King;
of my
thy thee;
love;

œ ˙˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
243 Take my
Take my hands
my sil
voice and let
and and them
let my move
me gold; at
sing not the
al -ways, im - pulse
on - would
ly, of
for thy love;
my - hold;
King;

? b 44 œœœ œœ œœ œœ œ
Take - ver a mite I with

œœœ ˙
˙ œ œœœ œœœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ ˙˙˙
3 4 Take
Takemy
my voice
sil - and let me my sing al -ways,
a on mite- would
ly, for my - hold;
King;

œ œ œ œœ
ver and gold; not I with

? 4œ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ

? b b 444 œœ
4 Take my sil - ver and my gold; not a mite would I with - hold;

œ œ ˙ œ œœ œ œ œ œ ˙
œ ˙
& bb œœœ œœ œœ œœ œœœ œœœ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ
& œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœœ œœœ œœœ œœ œœœ
& b take œmy œmo - œ œ œ days;
œœ œœ letœ themœ flowœ inœœ
œ œ œ œ œ and
ments œ
my
take
take my
my feet
mo - and
ments let
them
and my bedays; swift
let and
them beau
flow - tiin -
take
take
take my lips
my mo
my and
feet - ments
and let
let them
and them
my be
be
days; filled
let with
swift and mes
them flow- -sati
beau in - -

? b œœœ œœœ œœœ œœœ

œ œ ˙˙ œœ œœ œ œœ
take
take
take my in - and
my feet
my lips tel
and - lect and
them use
let them
let be ev - ery
filled
swift andpower
with mes - -assa
beau ti --

œœ œœ ˙ œœ œœ œœ œœ
take
take my lips
my in - and
tel - let
lect them
and use
be ev - with
filled ery power
mes - as sa -

? œ œ œœ œœ ˙˙
? b b œœ œœ œœœ œœœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
take my in - tel - lect and use ev - ery power as

œ œ œ
& bb œœœ œœ œœœ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œ œ
œœ
œœ œ œœ œœ ˙˙˙
&b œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ
œ œ œ œœ ˙
& œcease - œlessœ œœpraise;œœ œ
let œœ
them
œœ
œ
flow
in œœ - lessœœ praise.
cease ˙˙
ful for thee,
cease - less praise; swift
let and beau - ti
them flow in - ful for thee.
cease - less praise.
ges
ful from
for thee,
thee, filled
swift with
and mesbeau - - sa
ti -- ges
ful from
for thee.
thee.
cease - less praise; let them flow in cease - less praise.

? b œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙ œ œœ œ œ œ œ ˙

thou
ges shalt
from choose,
thee, ev
filled- ery
with power
mes - as
sa - thou
ges shalt
from choose.
for thee.
œ
ful for thee, swift and beau - ti - ful thee.

œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ ˙˙
thou
ges shalt choose,
from thee, filled with mes - sa - ges from choose.
ev - ery power as thou shalt thee.

? b œœ œœ ˙˙ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ ˙
œœœ
thou shalt choose, ev - ery power as thou shalt choose.

?b œ œ ˙ œ 6 Take my
œ love; my œ Lord,œ I pour˙˙
5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
5 Take my will and make it thine;
at thy feet its treasure store;
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
Take mybe
it shall heart, it is thine
no longer own;
mine. take myself
at thy and
feet its I will be
treasure store;
itTake
5 Take shall
my be thy
will royal
and throne,
make it thine;
my heart, it is thine own; 6 ever,
take only,
Take alland
my love;
myself formy
thee,
Lord,
I will beI pour
itititshall
shall be
be thy
no royal
longer throne.
mine.
shall be thy royal throne, ever,
at only,
thy
ever, feetall
only, allfor
its forthee.
treasure
thee, store;
Take mybe
it shall heart, it is thine
thy royal own;
throne. take myself and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.
it shall be thy royal throne, ever, only, all for thee,
it shall be thy royal throne. ever, only, all for thee.
This hymn of consecration radiates from the repeated word “take,” resulting in a remarkably full survey of a
person’s attributes and possessions and giving weight to the “all” at the end. The composer of the tune was
This hymninofthe
influential consecration
renewal of radiates
Reformed from the repeated
hymnody word “take,” resulting in a remarkably full survey of a
in French.
person’s attributes and possessions and giving weight to the “all” at the end. The composer of the tune was
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Benediction and Blessing

Choral Response Fourfold Amen John Stainer

Postlude Rejoice, Ye Pure, in Heart! arr. Douglas E. Wagner

Worship Credits and Sources:

Cover image courtesy of the United Church of Christ National Office. Call to Worship and Prayers from the
Abingdon Worship Annual

Music Permissions Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer. Music: B.F. White from The Sacred Harp, 1844. Setting:
Dale Wood. © 1989, The Sacred Music Press. All rights reserved. Podcast with permission under ONE
LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved. Joyfully Sing to God Forever (Gloria). Music: Franz Joseph Haydn.
Words: Patrick M. Liebergen (ASCAP). Setting: Patrick M. Liebergen (ASCAP). © 2014, Candelaworks Music
(ASCAP), a division of Jubilate Music Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Reprinted and Podcast with permission
under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved. As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought. Music:
English folk melody; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906; Words: Frank von Christierson, 1960, alt. © 1961,
ren. 1989, The Hymn Society (admin. Hope Publishing Company). All rights reserved. Reprinted and Podcast
with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved. Forest Green. Music: Trad. English
melody; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906; Descant: Charles H. Webb, Jr. © 2013, Indiana University Jacobs
School of Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. 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. Creation Is Telling. Music: Craig Courtney. Words: Pamela Martin. © 2005, The Lorenz
Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved. Reprinted and Podcast with
permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved. Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart.
Music: Frederick Cook Atkinson, 1870; Words: George Croly, 1867. Public Domain. God Be in My Head.
Music: Walford Davies. Words: Sarum Primer (1558). Public Domain. Praise God From Whom All Blessings
Flow. Music: Genevan Psalter, 1551; Words: Thomas Ken, 1695, 1709. Public Domain. Take My Life. Music:
H.A. César Malan, 1927; Words: Frances Ridley Habergal, 1874. Public Domain. Fourfold Amen. Music: John
Stainer, c. 1870. Public Domain. Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart! Music: Arthur H. Messiter. Setting: Douglas E.
Wagner. © 2012, Lorenz Publishing Co., a division of The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved. Podcast
with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved.

Sunday Morning Service Roles:

Deacons: Lay Reader
- Bob Krause - Hal Sprague

Livestream/Tech Support: Sunday School

- Gary Hardesty - Thekla Metz
- Julie Captain - Ashley Benirschke
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 mahdia@firstchurchevanston.org
 It’s Time for FCCE’s Annual Diaper Drive!
The 2023 FCCE Diaper Drive is now underway! Please bring
your donations of diapers, pull-ups and wipes to the boxes in the
Narthex on Sunday mornings, from now through November 5th.
Sizes requested by Learning Bridge are diapers in sizes 4, 5,
and 6 and pull-ups in sizes 5 and 6. They would also really like packages of wipes for
parents to use! Childcare Network also requests diapers in sizes 4,5 and 6, pull-ups in
any size ranges and packages of wipes. Thank you in advance for your contributions to
the children and families of our recipient groups!

Free Film Screening for

Halloween
Join us for a free screening and
discussion of The Wolfman (1941)
This Universal horror classic tells
the story of Larry Talbot, cursed to
walk the earth as a savage half-
man-half-wolf when the moon rises.

FCCE's Student Pastor—and

professional Film Critic—Dave
Canfield, aka the Creature Feature
Preacher, will lead a discussion
following the film about the
questions raised by The Wolfman:
• What does The Wolfman have
to say about privilege, social
othering and the environment?
• How can movies shift symbols to
remind of us of larger ideas?
• Does The Wolfman suggest a
theology?
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 4. 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 4 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 Rev. Liz Jones if you have any questions.

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: info@firstchurchevanston.org
Website: www.firstchurchevanston.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstcongregationalchurchofevanston/
Church Staff
Rev. Jason W. Coulter, Senior Minister jason@firstchurchevanston.org | ext.21
Matthew Hogan, Music Director matthew@firstchurchevanston.org | ext. 23
Mahdia Lynn, Church Administrator mahdia@firstchurchevanston.org | ext. 22
Rev. Liz Jones, Minister of Communications & Community Life |
liz@firstchurchevanston.org
Dave Canfield, Student Pastor | dave@firstchurchevanston.org
Jordan Griffin, Justice Fellow | jordan@firstchurchevanston.org
Kelly Tran, Nursery Supervisor
Julie Captain and Sarah Pressly, Co-Moderators

Chancel Choir Quartet

Cara Collins, soprano | Christina Adams, alto
Michael Brauer, tenor | Robert Heitzinger, bass

Please join us immediately following today’s service for fellowship and

refreshments, along with the Artifacts and Memorabilia Sale in the Narthex

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!