Joyful Mountain Landscape | Paul Klee (1949)

First Congregational Church of

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

Sunday, February 25th 2024 | 10 o’clock in the morning

Second Sunday in Lent
 ORDER OF WORSHIP
Responses in italics may be spoken out loud.
Please rise, in body or in spirit, places marked by an asterisk (*).

Prelude Air for Organ on the Tune “Doryce” William B. Cooper

Introit Blessed Jesus, at Your Word Roger Summers

Words of Welcome Dave Canfield

*Call to Worship
Do not be afraid to answer the call to discipleship.
What does the call require?
Letting go of our life as we know it. Following the way of the cross. Aligning our soul
with God’s.
We step out in the way of Jesus by losing our life to save it.
Do not be afraid to walk in the way of Jesus.
We answer the call, unashamed and unafraid. Amen.
GOD’S COVENANT WITH ISRAEL

49
Opening Hymn The
The God
God of of Abraham
Abraham Praise Praise
#49
b œ
& b b b 44 œ œœ œœ œœ œœ n .. b œœ œœ œœ œœ œ .
.
œ
1 The God of A - braham praise, who reigns en - throned a - bove,
2 Your spir - it still free, high surg - ing where it will.
3 Your good - ly land we seek, with peace and plen - ty blest,

4 œ œœ n œœ œ œœ . œœ œœ œ n œœ œ œœ .
4 You have e - ter - nal life im - plant - ed in the soul;

? bb .
bb 4œ œ .
b œ
& b bb œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œ ..
the An - cient of E - ter - nal Days, the God of love!
In proph - et’s word you spoke of old and you speak still.
a land of sa - cred lib - er - ty and Sab - bath rest.

? b b b n œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ .
your love shall be our strength and stay, while a - ges roll.

b œ .
b bbb œ œ œ œ œ .. œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ Aœ œ œœ n ..
œ œ
The Lord, the great I AM, by earth and heaven con - fessed,
Es - tab - lished is your law, and change - less it shall stand,
There milk and hon - ey and oil and wine a - bound,
We praise you, liv - ing God! We praise your ho - ly name:
 ? b b b n œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œ .
b œ œ .
bb
& b b œœ œœ œœ œœ A œœ .. œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ
œ œœ n ..
œ œ
The Lord, the great I AM, by earth and heaven con - fessed,
Es - tab - lished is your law, and change - less it shall stand,
There milk and hon - ey and oil and wine a - bound,

? bb b œ œ n œœ œœ œ .. n œœ œœ œœ œ œ
We praise you, liv - ing God! We praise your ho - ly name:

œ œ ..
b œ œ œ
b bbb œ œœ œ œœ œœ œ
&
œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ n .
we bow be - fore your ho - ly name, for - ev - er blest.
deep writ up - on the hu - man heart by your strong hand.
and trees of life for - ev - er grow with mer - cy crowned.

œ œœ n œ œ œ œ œ ..
the the last, be - yond all thought, and still the same!

? b b b n œœ œ œ n œœ œ b œœ œ œ
b œ œ œ .
Shaped by its traditional Jewish tune, this selection of English stanzas conveys the essence of the Yigdal, a
*Prayer of Confession
canticle based on a medieval Hebrew statement of faith about the nature of God and often used in
synagogue worship, alternately chanted by cantor and congregation.
Savior God, the public spectacle of the cross calls us to account. We hesitate
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEXT: Moses Maimonides, 12th cent.; vers. Daniel ben Judah Dayan, 1404; stanzas 1, 3, trans. Thomas Olivers, c.1770, alt.; LEONI
and hedge when
stanzas opportunities
2, 4, trans. arise
Max Landsberg, Newton M. Mann, to speak
and William of you.
C. Gannett, 1884, 1910, alt. We are shy in faith and
6.6.8.4.D
MUSIC: Jewish melody, 17th cent.; adapt. Meyer Lyon and Thomas Olivers, 1770
not bold to proclaim. Your story saves, yet we keep it to ourselves. Forgive
our reticence of faith. Forgive the ways we fail to serve as public witnesses.
Help us be your candlelight, held high to set the world aglow. 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 - Gloria Patri

Glory to the Creator, the Christ, the Holy Spirit, Three-in-One; as it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

First Scripture Mark 8: 31-38 Dave Canfield

Children’s Message Rev. Liz Jones

*Greeting of Peace

Announcements
Anthem Take Up Your Cross Ronald Corp

Take up your cross, the Savior said, if you want to follow me. I acknowledge my faults,
and my sin is ever before me. Take up your cross, the Savior said, if you want to follow
me. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my wicked transgressions. Take up your
cross, the Savior said, if you want to follow me. (Ronald Corp)
718-take up your.mus, Page 1
Sermon Scripture Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16

Sermon “What’s in a Name?”Rev. JasonAND

DISCIPLESHIP W.MISSION
Coulter
Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said 718
bb3 j
*Hymn Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said #718
b
& b 2 œ .
œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙ œ œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙˙
˙
1 Take up your cross, the Sav - ior said, if
2 Take up your cross; let not its weight fill
3 Take up your cross; heed not the shame, and

˙œ œ œœ œœ ˙ ˙ œ
4 Take up your cross, then, in Christ’s strength, and

? b b b 32 ˙ œœ ˙˙ ˙˙
b œ. œJ œ

bb œ œ œ ˙ œ . œj
& b b œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙˙ œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙
˙ œ œ ˙ ˙
you would my dis - ci - ple be; take up your cross with
your weak spir - it with a - larm; Christ’s strength shall bear your
let your fool - ish pride be still; the Lord for you ac -

? b b b œœ œœ ˙˙ ˙ œœ œœ ˙ ˙˙ œœ œœ
calm - ly ev - ery dan - ger brave: it guides you to a -

˙ ˙˙ ˙˙
b ˙

bb
& b b œœ œœ ˙ ˙˙ œœ œœ ˙˙ œ . œj œ œœ ˙˙
˙ ˙ œ
will - ing heart, and hum - bly fol - low af - ter me.
spir - it up and brace your heart and nerve your arm.
cept - ed death up - on a cross, on Cal - vary’s hill.

œ
? b b b œœ œœ ˙ ˙˙ œœ œœ ˙˙
bun - dant life and leads to vic - tory o’er the grave.

˙˙ ˙˙ œ œœ
b ˙
Invitation to Offering Hope of the World Edward H. Wetherill

Hope of the world, Thou Christ of great compassion, speak to our fearful hearts by
conflict rent. Save us, Thy people, from consuming passion, who by our own false hopes
and aims are spent. Hope of the world, God's gift from highest heaven, bringing to hungry
souls the bread of life. Still let Thy spirit unto us be given to heal earth's wounds and end
her bitter strife. Hope of the world, afoot on dusty highways, showing to wandering souls
the paths of light, walk Thou beside us lest the tempting by ways lure us away from Thee
to endless night. Hope of the world, O Christ o'er death victorious, who by this sign didst
conquer grief and pain, we would be faithful to Thy gospel glorious: thou art the Lord!
Thou dost forever reign! Amen.
(Georgia Harkness)

*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
God of grace, you provide for us in amazing ways. May our offerings provide
for others and be used to further Christ’s ministry and mission. 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.
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,
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
 838-standing on the-556.mus, Page 1

TRUSTING IN THE PROMISES OF GOD

838 Standing
Standing onon thethe Promises
b4
*Closing Hymn Promises #838
& b 4 œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œ . œœ œœ œœ ˙
˙
œ.
1 Stand - ing on the prom - is - es of Christ my king,
2 Stand - ing on the prom - is - es that can - not fail,
3 Stand - ing on the prom - is - es of Christ the Lord,

? b 4 œ .. œ œ. œ œ. œ .. œ œ œ ˙
4 Stand - ing on the prom - is - es I can - not fall,

œ
b 4œ œ œ. œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ ˙
b
& b œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙
through e - ter - nal a - ges let his prais - es ring;
when the howl - ing storms of doubt and fear as - sail,
bound to him e - ter - nal - ly by love’s strong cord,

? b b œœ .. œœ œœ . œœ œœ . œ œ. œœ œ œ ˙
lis - tening ev - ery mo - ment to the Spir - it’s call,

. . œ œ. œ œ ˙
b
& b œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ œ
œ
˙
˙
glo - ry in the high - est, I will shout and sing,
by the liv - ing Word of God I shall pre - vail,
o - ver - com - ing dai - ly with the Spir - it’s sword,

? b b œœ .. œ œ. œ œ. œœ œœ .. œ
rest - ing in my Sav - ior as my all in all,

œ œ. œ œ. œœ œ œœ ˙˙

b œ. œ œ. œ œœ .. œ œ.
& b œ. œ œ. œ œ. œœ ˙ . Œ
œ ˙.
stand - ing on the prom - is - es of God.
stand - ing on the prom - is - es of God.
stand - ing on the prom - is - es of God.

? b b œœ .. œ œ. œœ œœ .. œœ œ . œ ˙˙ ..
stand - ing on the prom - is - es of God.

œ œ. Œ
Perhaps because this hymn is so well known, its language sounds vaguely scriptural; but while there are
various biblical uses of “stand” and “promise(s),” the two words are never combined. The confidence here
is similar to that of “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” (see no. 353).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEXT and MUSIC: R. Kelso Carter, 1886 PROMISES
11.11.11.9 with refrain
 838-standing on the-556.mus, Page 2

TRUSTING IN THE PROMISES OF GOD

b
& b ˙œ . œ œ . œ ˙œ . œ œ
Refrain

˙œ . œ œ . œ ˙œ . œ œ
Stand - ing, stand - ing,

? b b œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ œ . œ œ . œ œœ .. œœ œœ
stand - ing on the prom - is - es, stand - ing on the prom - is - es,

œ. œ œ. œ

b œœ œœ . œœ œœ
& b œœ .. œœ œœ . œœ œœ .
. . . œ
œ œœ œ
œ

? b œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œ œ
stand - ing on the prom - is - es of God my Sav - ior;

œ œ
b œ œ œ
U
b ˙ œ.
& œ . œ œ . œ ˙œ . œ œ
b ˙œ . œ œ . œ œ . œ œ
J
u
stand - ing, stand - ing,

? b œ .. œ œ .. œ œ .. œ œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ
stand - ing on the prom - is - es, stand - ing on the prom - is - es,

b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ œ
J
u

b b œj œ. œ œ . œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œ w
& œ œ. œ œ. œ w
œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .. œœ œœ .
I’m stand - ing on the prom - is - es of God.

? b b œœ . œ ww
J

*Benediction and Blessing

Choral Response Amen arr. Nelsie T. Johnson

Postlude The God of Abraham Praise arr. Gordon Young

Worship Credits and Sources:
Call to Worship by the Rev. Dr. Chad Abbott, Conference Minister in the Indiana-Kentucky
Conference of the UCC. Confession and Prayers by Rev. Teri McDowell Ott of the
Presbyterian Outlook

Music Permissions Air for Organ on the Tune "Doryce". Music: William B. Cooper. © 2018,
Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP) A division of MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. All rights
reserved. Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved. Blessed
Jesus, at Your Word. Music: Roger Summers; Words: Tobias Clausnitzer, 1663, translated by
Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt. © 2005, The Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of The
Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved. Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-
735926. All rights reserved. The God of Abraham Praise. Music: Jewish melody, 17th cent.;
adapt. Meyer Lyon and Thomas Olivers, 1770; Words: Moses Maimonides, 12th cent.; vers.
Daniel be Judah Dayan, 1404; stanzas 1, 3, trans. Thomas Olivers, c. 1770, alt.; stanzas 2, 4, trans.
Max Landsberg, Newton M. Mann, and William C. Gannett, 1884, 1910, alt. Public
Domain. Glory Be to the Father. Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851; Words: Trad. Liturgical text.
Public Domain. Take Up Your Cross. Words and Music: Ronald Corp. © 2010, St. James Music
Press. Used with permission. License #23508. Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said. Music: Attr.
Freeman Lewis, 1814, harm. John Leon Hooker, 1984; Words: Charles William Everest, 1833, alt.
© 1984, John Leon Hooker. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. All rights
reserved. Hope of the World. Music: Edward H. Wetherill; Words: Georgia Harkness. © 1972,
Harold Flammer, Inc. A division of Shawnee Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted and 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. Standing on the Promises. Words and Music: R. Kelso Carter, 1886.
Public Domain. Amen. Music: Nelsie T. Johnson. © 1988, Nelsie T. Johnson. All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All rights reserved. The God of
Abraham Praise. Music: Hebrew Melody. Setting: Gordon Young. © 1980, Hope Publishing
Company. All rights reserved. Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-735926. All
rights reserved.
Sunday Morning Service Roles:
Deacons: Lay Reader
- Eda Uca Dave Canfield
- Dona Nunn
- Chris Krei
- Jansen Krei

Livestream/Tech Support: Sunday School

- Gary Hardesty - Thekla Metz
- Julie Captain - Rhonda Storm
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

Support Hilda’s Place in 2024

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to provide a warm meal for our neighbors
residing at Connections for the Homeless at Margarita Inn. We are looking for
volunteers for these remaining Saturdays in 2024:

June 1 | July 6 | August 3 | November 2 | December 7

Sign up online via the weekly email or contact Julie Captain with any questions.
Thank you for helping to care for our community and neighbors.
Volunteers Needed for Emergency Overnight
Shelter
FCCE will be hosting Interfaith Action of Evanston’s Emergency
Overnight Shelter for the next month beginning tonight and we
need your help!
After Service Today:
Please plan to stay briefly after worship on Sunday to help prepare the basement
Fellowship Hall for our visitors.
Every evening and morning 2/25--3/26:
Set-up Volunteers – 8:30 pm to 10pm – to set up the cots, prepare the rooms, and
greet guests as they arrive at 9:00. Set up volunteers also distribute blankets and
bottles of water.
Clean-up Volunteers – 6 to 7 am – to help wake the guests and ensure they leave
the facility on time. Also assists the supervisor in taking down/storing cots, cleaning
up the facility, and preparing the laundry for pickup.
To sign up to volunteer see the weekly email newsletter for a link, talk to Julie or
contact Mahdia in the office at mahdia@firstchurchevanston.org
 Lenten Book Club 3/6 6:30pm: Refugee High
Our Mid-Lenten supper and book discussion will take place at
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 in the Community Center, 1417
Hinman. We are taking the opportunity this Lenten season to
focus on our commitments as an Immigrant Welcoming
Congregation. Join us in reading and discussing "Refugee High:
Coming of Age in America" by Elly Fishman. This book chronicles
one year in the life of refugee students at Rogers Park's Sullivan
High School. The stories of these teens and their families from around the world
serve as a good introduction to the experiences of immigrants, refugees, and
asylum seekers in Chicago. You may find the book at the library or your favorite
book shop.

Kitchen Starter Packs for Migrants

Our neighbor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 616 Lake Street, is currently accepting
donations of Kitchen Starter Packs for migrants moving from shelters in their own
living quarters. Visit the Immanuel Church website for further instructions and
needed items for these starter packs. Donations of these "Starter Packs" are
accepted at the church door just off the parking lot, on Thursday mornings, from 9
a.m. to noon. Immanuel Lutheran is connected to a larger distribution network
which will pass these donations on to those who need them.

2024 Toiletries and Cleaning Supplies Drive

Welcome to your opportunity to participate in the FCCE 2024
Toiletries and Cleaning Supplies Drive! The drive benefits
clients of Connections for the Homeless and the Evanston
YWCA Domestic Violence Prevention shelter and transitional
apartment programs.

Their clients' needs include:

o Regular-sized toiletries for adults and children o Regular size spray bottles of all-purpose cleaner
o Travel-sized toiletries for adults o Dish towels
o Regular-sized dish washing soap o Plastic buckets for cleaning use
o Sponges with scrub and soft sides

Our Drive begins this week! It will continue to run through Sunday, March 24.
Please bring your donations to the boxes in the Narthex of the church, near the
front entrance. Donations may also be left at the church office, if prior
arrangements are made with the Church Administrator. Thank you, in advance, for
your generosity!
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 | 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!