Plymouth C ongregational C hurch
A Congregation of the United Church of Christ
S ervice of the Word
J anuary 22, 2017
Third S unday after E piphany
10:00 am
TH E G ATH E RIN G
RIN G IN G O F TH E BE L L
PRE L U D E
G od’s Son H as C ome
*O PE N IN G H Y M N
All Beautiful the M arch of D ays
*C AL L TO WO RS H IP
O ne:
M any
O ne:
M any:
O ne:
M any:
O ne:
M any:
O ne:
M any:
O ne:
M any:
O ne:
M any:
J . S . Bach
N o. 434
D avid Alicea
Some are here to learn the answers.
S ome have come to learn the questions.
Some are here to be humans doing.
S ome have come to be humans being.
Some are here from desire.
S ome have come under compulsion.
Some have been here since 9.
S ome have not yet arrived.
Some are sure, yet confused.
S ome are scared, yet brave.
Some have assigned seats.
S ome are looking for a place.
Y et all are children of G od.
Y et all are children of G od.
L et us worship!
WO RD S O F WE L C O M E
Q uinn G . C aldwell
C AL L TO AN N U AL M E E TIN G
WITN E SS
M ichael C hellis
TH E RE F RE S H M E N T O F F O RG IVE N E S S
PRAY E R O F C O N FE S S IO N
O ne:
As those who have been touched by your Son,
As those who have been awakened by your S pirit,
As those who have come together out of conviction,
And yet as those who — despite our spiritual pedigree —
*Please rise if you are able
M any:
O ne:
M any:
O ne:
M any:
O ne:
M any:
Are empty vessels waiting to be filled,
We ask for your grace and your mercy, O G od.
C ome, G od, C ome.
Where our familiarity with the G ospel
H as desensitized us to its demanding truth;
Where our relationship with C hrist
H as become more nostalgic than dynamic;
Where we have lost our first love
And become lukewarm,
We ask for your grace and your mercy, O G od.
C ome, G od, come.
Where we have regarded mission as what we do,
Rather than what C hrist does;
Where we have regarded mission
As the prerogative of the strong,
Rather than the gift of the weak;
Where our hands have been quick to give,
But our hearts reluctant to receive,
We ask for your grace and your mercy, O G od.
C ome, G od, come.
O n us,
In us,
For us,
Through us,
Around us,
Before us,
And — if need be — despite us,
We ask for your grace and your mercy, O G od.
C ome, G od, come.
*WO RD S O F AS S U RAN C E
O ne:
L isten, for these are the words of J esus C hrist
And they can be trusted:
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
Whoever does G od’s will is my mother and sister and brother.
N ever mind what the others do. Y ou follow me.”
M any: Thanks be to G od,
Who meets and mends us in J esus. Amen.
* PAS S IN G O F TH E PE AC E
Please share a sign of peace with those around you.
*S O N G O F PRAIS E (unison)
G o, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!
G o, tell it on the mountain, that J esus C hrist is born!
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TH E G IF T O F TH E WO RD
S TO RY FO R AL L AG E S
L iz Pruchnicki
After the Story, kids can head upstairs with Liz for Chapel Time.
AN TH E M
Follow M e!
S C RIPTU RE
J ohn C arter
M atthew 4:12-23
S E RM O N
*H Y M N
Y ou H ave C ome D own to the L akeshore
N o. 173
TH E M IN IS TRY O F PRAY E R
TH E PAS TO RAL PRAY E R
TH E PRAY E R O F O U R S AVIO R (unison)
O ur F ather, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. G ive us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as
we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us
from evil. F or thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
O F F E RIN G O U RS E L VE S AN D O U R G IF TS
C AL L TO TH E O FFE RIN G
O FFE RTO RY AN TH E M
Followers of the L amb
Arr. Philip D ietterich
*D O X O L O G Y (unison)
Lasst uns Erfreuen
Praise G od, from whom all blessings flow!
Praise G od, all creatures here below! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise G od above, ye heavenly host!
C reator, C hrist, and H oly G host.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRAY E R O F D E D IC ATIO N
*C L O S IN G H Y M N
O Beautiful, For S pacious S kies
O beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!
America! America! G od shed her grace on thee!
And crown thy good with siblinghood from sea to shining sea!
O beautiful, for pilgrim feet, whose stern, impassioned stress,
A thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness!
America! America! G od mend thine every flaw.
C onfirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life!
America! America! M ay G od thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness and every gain divine.
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Materna
*BE N E D IC TIO N
PO S TL U D E
G avotte
S amuel Wesley
 
The regular
Annual M eeting
of Plymouth C ongregational C hurch
is hereby called for
S unday, the 29th of J anuary, 2017
immediately following the service of worship. The purposes of the
meeting are to receive the annual reports, to fill elective offices, to set
up plans for the coming year, and to transact such other business as
may properly come before this meeting.
The 2016 Annual Report of the C ongregation has been emailed to those
for whom we have email addresses. For those without access to email,
hard copies are available on the table in the back of the S anctuary.
M ission G iving Task F orce Recommendation
The BO L D Vision…BO L D Witness C apital C ampaign M ission G iving Task Force is pleased to
announce to the congregation their recommendation for use of the 10% set aside from the receipts
of the C ampaign. C urrent estimates of funds to be received, with additional funds rolled over from
the mission portion of the previous capital campaign, is between $70,000 and $75,000.
The Task Force is recommending support of 2 projects, and the recommendation will be voted on
at the Annual M eeting on the 29th. First, the full request amount of $50,000 for renovations of
space to house the Rescue M ission/AC R H ealth collaboration of an L G BTQ short term youth
shelter and second, the balance of funds received ($20-25,000) for establishment of an InterFaith
Works (IFW) Refugee Transitional H ouse.
L G BTQ Y outh S helter In short, an emergency shelter for L G BTQ youth ages 13-17, fully
staffed around the clock by Rescue M ission staff, with program and case management by Q
C enter staff. 40% of youth experiencing homelessness are L G BTQ -identified. There are
youth beds available in S yracuse, but many L G BTQ youth have had negative experiences in
them. Instead, many couch surf, sleep under bridges, or engage in survival sex for a place to
sleep or money to pay for a place to stay. This shelter may possibly be located in Plymouth's
building. At the annual meeting, you are being asked only to support funding of the project,
N O T its ultimate location. If it is determined that the location in Plymouth is feasible,
approval of this use will have to be approved by the C ongregation.
Refugee Transitional H ouse A house owned by IFW where refugees could spend a short
amount of time between getting off the plane and settling into the units selected for them.
O ften, apartments for refugees aren’t quite ready when they arrive. This forces IFW to put
up refugees in hotels at a cost of $9,600 per year until the places are ready. A transitional
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house would provide a safe, welcoming “home” and place of dignity where families can rest
after long journeys. The 2 family home identified (located at the corner of M ary and L odi)
would be purchased from the S yracuse L and Bank for $1. It is anticipated that the first floor
would be for families with the second floor unit used for single refugees to live longer-term,
as they are harder to find places for.
 S ome Things Y ou O ught to K now 
C apital C ampaign U pdate
We have 108 commitments totaling $736,122.
$670,929 has been paid on those commitments so far.
We will vote on the recommendation of the M ission G iving Task Force at the Annual M eeting next
S unday (see recommendation on page 7).
TO D AY following worship:
Bible S tudy (Adult E ducation Room downstairs): A Reading of J onah
Today: We will take a look at the long prayer/psalm found in the second chapter. What's this
psalm doing in the middle of a short story?
F orum (M emorial H all) – Presentation and discussion of draft 2017 budget
Inquirers’ L uncheon: 11:30 – in the Parlor
C onfirmation: 11:30 – C onfirmation Room
S tewardship C ampaign U pdate: We have received 101 stewardship pledges for the 2017 church
budget for $244,509. We continue to receive pledge cards, which are available on the table in the
back of the S anctuary.
Plymouth’s C ovenant C ommunities is a small-group community-building ministry where groups
of seven to twelve people discuss “life’s big questions” in monthly meetings in one another’s homes.
TO D AY is the last day to sign up for groups forming in 2017. Information and enrollment forms
are available on the table at the back of the sanctuary.
“Be Bold” M ug Fundraiser Benefitting N icaragua M ission Trip: For ever $20 you donate, you
will receive your very own new Plymouth mug as a thank-you - stop by the table outside M emorial
H all today! If your cupboard is full at home, consider donating your mug to Plymouth’s C offee
H our/C ommunity Time. C ontact K elly Tooley or C hris H opkins regarding information about the
N icaragua Trip or the fundraiser.
The F ood Pantry is collecting S O AP during the month of J anuary. Please place your
contributions in the box in the back of the worship area.
Plymouth RO C K S : February’s service opportunity will be M onday, F ebruary 20, at M eals on
Wheels of S yracuse. Volunteers can work on meal preparation in the kitchen from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
or deliver meals on a route beginning at approximately 11 a.m. M ost routes take less than one hour
to complete. All generations are welcome and encouraged to attend. C ontact G eorge Bain
([email protected] or 469-5319) with any questions or to RS VP.
7th Annual World Interfaith H armony Assembly: Plymouth will be joining InterFaith Works of
C N Y , Women Transcending Boundaries and representatives of other faith traditions in spreading
the message of harmony and acceptance on M onday, F ebruary 6 from 6:30 – 8:00pm at
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U niversity U nited M ethodist C hurch, 1085 E . G enesee S treet. This event is free and open to the
public. A light reception will follow the ceremony at 8pm. World Interfaith H armony Week has
been celebrated since 2010, when it was first proposed at the U nited N ations G eneral Assembly by
K ing Abdullah II of J ordan. The movement is strengthened by building ties among world religions,
educating ourselves about each other, and helping our community appreciate the beauty and
diversity of our faith traditions and our diverse cultures. Be part of the Plymouth contingent in
sharing how we embody this year’s theme of “L O VE is the AN S WE R” by sharing our call to
communion.
First U nitarian U niversalist Society of S yracuse is proud to announce that they are hosting a
gender identity conference entitled “Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary” on Feb
11, 2017, 8:30 am to 4 pm at 109 Waring Road S yracuse N Y 13224. This conference, featuring
keynote speaker K ate Bornstein, trans author and activist, will be of interest to trans and queer
individuals, their friends and family and their allies. C ost of the event is sliding scale $10.00–
$25.00 and youth under 18 are free. For more information and to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-beloved-community-beyond-the-binary-conference-tickets30745571833?aff=eac2
TH IS WE E K AT PL Y M O U TH
 Thurs. J an. 26 Food Pantry – 10am – 12noon - Parlor
Bell C hoir Rehearsal – 5:30pm – G ym
C hoir Rehearsal – 7:00pm – M emorial H all
 S un. J an. 29
Worship - 10am
Annual M eeting following worship
C onfirmation – attending Annual M eeting
 Plymouth Runs O n Y O U 
G RE E TE R : Emily L aing
L ITU RG IS T: D avid Alicea
U S H E R : Frank L eonard and G ert D anzy AC O L Y TE : D aC oda Weller
C O M M U N ITY TIM E : D awn Franits and the Altos
O F F E RIN G C O U N TE RS : Sue Bogucz and Keith J akway
F lowers – M ake our worship space even more beautiful for the glory of G od 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. L ARG E PRIN T
BU L L E TIN S ARE IN TH E BAC K O F TH E SAN C TU AR Y .
Welcoming C hildren in Worship: C hildren of all ages have a place in worship and in the life of
the church. N ursery care is offered at 10:00 am for infants. Sound is piped into M emorial H all
next door to the S anctuary for those who would welcome a space apart.
Worship C lipboards: Worship clipboards with age-appropriate bulletins and coloring paper are
available in the back of the S anctuary 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.
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There is ample free street parking on the blocks around our church on Sundays, as well as in the
lots behind the C atholic diocese building and across E ast O nondaga S treet. 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.
 M usic N otes for J anuary 22, 2017 
O ur scripture reading for the day is about J esus calling the disciples to follow him. With that in
mind, our prelude is a short piece by J ohann S ebastian Bach (1685-1750) in which the top voice
leads, and the pedal follows three beats later (in a round). The original tune would have been
familiar to Bach’s congregations – less so to us today. This is one of forty-five short chorale
preludes that Bach wrote as sort of primer for organists to learn both the standard chorales
(hymns) of the L utheran tradition as well as how to play the organ. The collection was called the
Orgelbuchlein (the little organ book) and was originally planned to have over two hundred pieces but
Bach lost interest in completing the collection when relationships at the Thomaskirche in L eipzig
soured.
O ur anthem is a spiritual from South C arolina that relates the calling of the disciples. It too uses a
call and response form between the men and the women of the choir. J ohn C arter (b. 1930) has
served churches in South C arolina and O hio.
O ur offertory anthem comes from the S haker tradition of N ew L ebanon, N ew Y ork, which
flourished in the mid nineteenth century. The S hakers had their origins in eighteenth century
E ngland. They believed that C hrist would return as a woman, and women provided most of the
leadership for their churches. The music in their worship services was without accompaniment and
the participants moved about in simple dance patterns. The sect believed in total celibacy, so all
members were converts to the faith. O n J anuary 2nd of this year, the third last Shaker died at the
age of 89, leaving Brother Arnold H add, 58 and S ister J une C arpenter, 77 as the sole remaining
S hakers:
O brethren/sisters, ain’t you happy, ye followers of the Lamb.
Sing on, dance on, followers of Emmanuel,
Sing on, dance on, ye followers of the Lamb.
I’m glad I am a Christian*, ye followers of the Lamb.
*originally “Shaker”
S amuel Wesley (1766-1837) was sometimes called The English Mozart because he was recognized as
a child prodigy. H is father was C harles Wesley, the noted hymn writer, and his uncle was J ohn
Wesley, the founder of the M ethodist tradition. S amuel led a somewhat tumultuous life, and
converted to C atholicism, although he later denied that he had done so. M ost of his music remains
unpublished to this day! O ur postlude is a gavotte, which was originally a dance from the French
baroque, but, by the nineteenth century had lost its dance connotations, only retaining the meter of
four beats per measure, and beginning each section on the third of those beats.
 About Plymouth 
Plymouth was founded in 1853 by a group of S yracusans who wanted to create a C hristian
abolitionist bulwark in the city. S ince then, we have fought against slavery, poverty, and war; for
immigrants’, natives’, workers’, L G BT, 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
G od, and the Way of J esus C hrist.
O ur faith is over 2,000 years old; our thinking is not!
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We are O pen and Affirming We believe G od 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 J ust 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 S anctuary We provide a space of physical, emotional, and spiritual safety for immigrants without
documents, and specifically pledge to the principles of the national N ew Sanctuary M ovement.
We are Progressive C hristians We try to walk in the way of J esus C hrist, our brother and savior. We
believe G od speaks new meanings for new days, and that S he 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 G od has granted us a purpose, and that life is too short for
long-faced religion. J oin 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]
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