Plymouth Congregational Church
A Congregation of the United Church of Christ
Service of the Sung Word and Sacrament
November 6, 2016
Hymn-Sing Sunday
10:00 am
THE GATHERING
PRELUDE
Prelude on Dix
WORDS OF WELCOME
Andrew Fletcher
Quinn G. Caldwell
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
This is my song, O God of all the nations; a song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
All else is naught to me, save that thou art.
Thou, my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be now my wisdom, and be my true word;
Ever within me, my soul is assured;
Mother and Father, you are both to me,
Now and forever your child I will be.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand.
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light.
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. (Repeat first two lines.)
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?
When God is ever my portion? My constant friend will be.
God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me. (Repeat)
I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free.
God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know God watches me.
When peace, like a river, upholds me each day, when sorrows like sea billows roll,
whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in God’s shadow for life,
say to the Lord, "My Refuge, my Rock in whom I trust."
And God will raise you up on eagle's wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of God’s hand.
*CALL TO THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its babel sounds the blessed angels sing:
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Please sing as you share a sign of peace with those around you.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our parent, siblings all are we.
Let us walk, sisters, brothers, in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
*PRAISE SONG
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee.
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee.
How great thou art! How great thou art!
THE GIFT OF THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
2 Samuel 23:1-4
Kailyn VanNorstrand
REFLECTION
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
SUNG PRAYER
My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation,
I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn, that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing:
it finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
What, though my joys and comforts die? My Savior still is living.
What, though the shadows gather ‘round? A new song Christ is singing.
No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that Rock I’m clinging;
since Love commands both heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
SUNG PRAYER
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death knells ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging;
when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing?
THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
Our Father, 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 sins
as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
There are several beloved versions of this prayer. In an effort to pray in unison while respecting the different
versions that many of us have prayed since childhood, we will cycle through the different versions over the
course of a year. We will pray the prayer with “sins” through the end of 2016.
MUSICAL RESPONSE
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it,
and day by day this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing;
all things are mine since I am Christ’s. How can I keep from singing?
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OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
STEWARDSHIP WITNESS AND CALL TO THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
The Last Words of David
Alyssa Galea
Randall Thompson
He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
*DOXOLOGY
Cranham
What can I bring him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise one, I would do my part.
Yet what I can, I give him. Give him my heart.
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
REMEMBERING AND GIVING THANKS
*SHARING THE MEAL
We have an open communion table at Plymouth. All are welcome without regard for religious identity,
strength of belief, or state of soul. All you need to be to eat at this table is hungry.
You are invited to come forward by the center aisles, take a piece of bread and dip it in the cup, then eat
before returning to your seat by the side aisles
The cup is non-fermented grape juice; a gluten-free substitute is available on each plate.
MUSIC DURING COMMUNION
Lord of the Dance
Shaker Tune
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
*HYMN
Bring many names, beautiful and good,
Celebrate, in parable and story,
Holiness in glory, living, loving God.
Hail and Hosanna! Bring many names!
Strong mother God, working night and day,
Planning all the wonders of creation,
Setting each equation, genius at play:
Hail and Hosanna! Strong mother God!
Warm father God, hugging every child,
Feeling all the strains of human living,
Caring and forgiving till we’re reconciled:
Hail and Hosanna! Warm father God!
Great, living God, never fully known,
Joyful darkness far beyond our seeing,
Closer yet than breathing, everlasting home:
Hail and Hosanna! Great, living God!
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Prelude on “Duke Street”
Richard Knight
 
 Some Things You Ought to Know 
Capital Campaign Update
We have 108 commitments totaling $713,047.
$617,308 has been paid on those commitments so far.
Work on the final phase of the Sanctuary project, the installation of our new hot water baseboard
heating system, is scheduled to begin in about two weeks.
TODAY following worship:
Forum (Memorial Hall): Housing and Hospitality Concerns of LGBTQ
Youth, with representatives from Plymouth, the Q-Center and the
Rescue Mission
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Bible Study (Adult Education Room downstairs)
Today we begin a new topic: "Jesus and the Hebrew Prophets." How did Jesus
understand and make use of Hebrew scripture? How did Jesus view himself and his
mission in light of the Jewish prophetic tradition? How does this impact our
understanding of Jesus?
This is the beginning of a short 3-week unit, designed to turn and prepare our hearts and
minds once more for the coming of the Messiah. If you haven't yet been part of
Plymouth's new Bible study, this is the perfect time to give it a try. We'll save a seat for
you!
Learning Community Parent Class (Parlor)
Confirmation (12:00 in the confirmation room)
Plymouth Young Adults will meet at Recess Coffee in the Westcott neighborhood (110 Harvard
Place) on November 9 at 5:30pm. All YAs are welcome!
The next Family Faith Night is on November 19th from 5:00-7:00pm in Kirtland Hall. We will
explore The Holiday Season together and discuss where to find Christ among all the Holiday
craziness. The adults will be led in discussion by Craig French, and the kids will go on a tour of
the world, by reading a series of children’s books and doing a few crafts that chronicle how kids
everywhere celebrate the birth of Christ. As always dinner will be served so you don’t need to
bring anything, just RSVP to Liz Pruchnicki at [email protected].
The Food Pantry is collecting LOTION during the month of November. Please place your
contributions in the box in the back of the worship area.
Nicaragua Mission Trip: Peg Barnet, a friend of Geri Hall, has donated pot holders, aprons,
kid’s bibs, neck heating rolls, and other items she has made to help support our mission trip to
Nicaragua in February. Milanne’s mother, Patricia, has been making jewelry to help support this
mission trip. We will be selling these items after church on Sunday. Thank you again for all
your support.
Plymouth ROCKS, our community service group: CORRECTION regarding our monthly
service at the Rescue Mission: Plymouth volunteers serve lunch the FOURTH SUNDAY
(previously noted as the last Sunday) of every month, leaving Plymouth around 10:15am and
returning shortly after 12pm. Join us on November 27! Contact Abby Hind (315-415-5019 or
[email protected]) with any questions and to RSVP.
Advent Workshop? One of the great intergenerational traditions at Plymouth has been our
Advent Workshop on one of the first Sundays of Advent with frosting delicious Christmas
cookies, making Advent wreaths and ornaments, and gifts for other people. We have a planning
team in place, but are seeking an on-site coordinator for the event itself on December 4. Are you
that person who can assist each activity leader with setup and can coordinate the clean-up? If we
wish to continue this, we need help! If you can't coordinate, how about assisting in some way?
Please call Dave Pasinski, at 663-1330 with any questions... and let's keep this tradition alive!
THIS WEEK AT PLYMOUTH
 Mon., Nov. 7:
Plymouth Women, 12:00noon, Bellevue Manor
 Tues. Nov. 8:
ELECTION DAY – Go out and vote!
Board of Deacons, 5:15pm, Adult Education Room
Board of Trustees, 6:00pm, Parlor
 Thurs. Nov. 10:
Food Pantry, 10am – noon, Parlor
Bell Choir Rehearsal, 5:30pm, Gym
Choir Rehearsal, 7:00pm, Memorial Hall
 Sun. Nov. 13
Worship – 10am
Bible Study – 11:15am
Forum – “What now, my love, now that it’s over?” –
post-election panel discussion
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Over the past 3 weeks, the congregation had the opportunity to nominate their favorite hymns, in
hopes they would be included in today’s Hymn Sing Service. Close to 25 folks put forth their
favorites with the following results:
Angels We Have Heard On High
Away in a Manger
There Are Angels Hovering Round
Blest Be the Tie
City of God
Come Thou Fount
Fairest Lord Jesus
For the Beauty
From All That Dwell Below the Skies
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
Go My Children
God of the Sparrow
Guide My Feet
He Lives!
I’ve Got A Feeling
Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Lead Kindly Light
Let Us Break Bread Together
Let’s Go Down to the River
Lord, I Want to be a Christian
Morning Has Broken
O Come All Ye Faithful
O God of Loveliness
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O Worship the King
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Old Rugged Cross
Open the Eyes to my Heart
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
(Godspell)
Rejoice, Give Thanks and Sing
Saint Patrick’s Breastplate
Silent Night
Sweet Hour of Prayer
There Are Angels Hovering ‘Round
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
We Are Marching in the Light of God
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What Child is This?
When Jesus Wept
7 Votes
On Eagle’s Wings
6 Votes
Be Thou My Vision
This Is My Song
4 Votes
Amazing Grace
How Great Thou Art
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
3 Votes
Bring Many Names
His Eye Is On the Sparrow
In the Bleak Midwinter
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
It Is Well
Let There Be Peace On Earth
My Life Flows On
O Holy Night
Simple Gifts
2 Votes
Blessed Assurance
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Enter, Rejoice and Come In
I Come to the Garden Alone
Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree
Joy to the World
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Keep Awake; Be Always Ready
Lord of the Dance
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Rock of Ages
Shall We Gather at the River
There Is A Balm in Gilead
We Gather Together
We Shall Overcome
1 Vote
A Mighty Fortress
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Thanks for nominating your favorite hymns and singing many of them today!
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 Plymouth Runs On YOU 
GREETER: Emily Laing
LITURGIST: Kailyn VanNorstrand
USHERS: Barb Genton and George Bain
ACOLYTE: DaCoda Weller
COMMUNION SERVERS: George Bain, Keith Jakway,
Frank Leonard, Kelly Tooley
FLOWERS: Given by Peggy and Larry Kinner, Missy, Demi, Chloe, Ray, Hunter, & Raychel
Carr, & Mary Meyer in loving memory of Marion Phillips and Thomas Oliver Meyer, married
Nov. 6, 1943. You are always with us and in our hearts.
And by Plymouth Church, in honor of the wedding of Sexton Mark Johnson to Heather Alpeter
yesterday
COMMUNITY TIME: Cara Steiner
OFFERING COUNTERS: George Bain and Keith Jakway
Flowers – Make our worship space even more beautiful for the glory of God and in honor of
whatever you choose. A sign-up sheet is found in the bell tower entry. The cost is $25, but plans for
larger or multiple arrangements can always be made.
Accessibility: Individual listening headsets are available on the table at the back of the sanctuary.
Please contact one of the ushers for help. An elevator and ramp are available. LARGE PRINT
BULLETINS ARE IN THE BACK OF THE SANCTUARY.
Welcoming Children in Worship: Children of all ages have a place in worship and in the life of the
church. Nursery care is offered at 10:00 am for infants. At 10:00 am, a class is available for children
ages 3 through Kindergarten, who are also welcome to stay in the nursery during the second hour.
Sound is piped into Memorial Hall next door to the Sanctuary for those who would welcome a space
apart.
Worship Clipboards: Worship clipboards with age-appropriate bulletins and coloring paper are
available in the back of the Sanctuary for our elementary aged children as a support to their
attendance in worship. We hope you will find these clipboards a welcoming and supportive means of
engaging your children during the worship service.
There is ample free street parking on the blocks around our church on Sundays, as well as in the lots
behind the Catholic diocese building and across East Onondaga Street. For those able to walk a
short distance, parking here will allow those with mobility impairments or small children to use the
spots directly in front of the church.
 About Plymouth 
Plymouth was founded in 1853 by a group of Syracusans who wanted to create a Christian
abolitionist bulwark in the city. Since then, we have fought against slavery, poverty, and war; for
immigrants’, natives’, workers’, LGBT, and women’s rights; and sought to be agents of mercy in
a hurting world. We believe in beauty, laughter, the struggle for peace with justice, taking risks
for God, and the Way of Jesus Christ.
Our faith is over 2,000 years old; our thinking is not!
We are Open and Affirming We believe God calls us to welcome all people and their gifts regardless of
gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, physical ability, socioeconomic status,
or religious background.
We are Just Peace We covenant to live actively within the holy longing that weds justice with the quest
for peace – within us, between us, in community, and across the globe. We covenant to affirm the
sacredness of all life and to honor and preserve creation.
We are Sanctuary We provide a space of physical, emotional, and spiritual safety for immigrants without
documents, and specifically pledge to the principles of the national New Sanctuary Movement.
We are Progressive Christians We try to walk in the way of Jesus Christ, our brother and savior. We
believe God speaks new meanings for new days, and that She does so not only in the church and the
ancient words of the Bible, but through the insights of science, the arts, the revelations of other religions,
and the best strivings of the human spirit. We believe God has granted us a purpose, and that life is too
short for long-faced religion. Join us!
Rev. Q uinn G . C aldwell, Pastor
D r. J oseph D owning, D irector of M usic
L iz Pruchnicki, D irector of C hildren, Y outh and Family M inistries
K athy Ferro, C hurch Administrator
M ark J ohnson, S exton
232 E ast O nondaga Street  S yracuse, N ew Y ork 13202
(315) 474-4836
plymouthsyr.org  [email protected]