1. family and parenting
2. children

S UNDAY W ORSHIP C ELEBRATION
MARCH 30, 2014 • 6:00 PM
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Improv on “Welcome”
(Tituss Burgess)
WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS++
Adriene Thorne
INVITATION TO ART & SOUL
Adriene Thorne
MUSIC
“Welcome”
(Tituss Burgess)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE / LORD’S PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE++ “Nothing”
(Tituss Burgess)
~ REFLECTING ~
MUSIC
“Pass Me Not”
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 23
SERMON
“It’s Okay—We Don’t Got This!”
Pilar Millhollen, Natalie Perkins, and Taryn Strauss
(Trad., arr. Douglas Miller)
Pilar Millhollen, Natalie Perkins, and Taryn Strauss
AT
M IDDLE C OLLEGIATE C HURCH
MONDAY, MARCH 31 – NO PROGRAMMING
TUESDAY, APRIL 1
• WRITING WORKSHOP — 6:00–8:00 PM • 122 Second Ave. — Join educator/author Chuck
Wachtel every Tuesday for a series of three writing workshops. Workshop 2: March 18–
April 15. Limited to 15 people. Please RSVP to Alisa at ajoyce@middlechurch.org. — Arts
You’re welcome if you’re gay
You’re welcome if you’re straight
Bi, transgender, or confused – this invitation’s for you too.
• PUB THEOLOGY — 7:00–8:30 PM • Swift Hibernian Lounge, 34 E. 4th St. – Share good drinks
and good conversation about God, life, and everything in between. For more information
or to RSVP, contact Jim Kast>Keat at jimkastkeat@middlechurch.org. — Adult Education
Oh, it’s safe here
Minds can renew here
Come in and you’ll find out.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
• CREATIVE WRITING WEDNESDAYS — 6:30 PM • 122 Second Ave. — A supportive, creative,
and fun place to work on an idea you’ve always wanted to write. — Arts
Tricia Sheffield
(Tituss Burgess)
T HIS W EEK
Check middlechurch.org for full details of all events.
You’re welcome in this house
Rest inside this house
We all are flawed, no judgments made.
That’s the beauty of this place
~ GATHERING ~
PRELUDE
“Welcome”
“Oh Give Him Glory”
(Lamar Campbell)
Oh, give Him glory!
Oh, give Him praise!
Oh, give the Lord glory!
Oh, give the Lord praise!
Glory, glory!
Hallelujah!
“How Could Anyone”
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
• MIDDLE CHURCH JERRIESE JOHNSON GOSPEL CHOIR REHEARSAL — 7:00–9:00 PM • 122
Second Ave. — Weekly rehearsal. All are welcome to join! — Arts
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
• CARE CORNER WITH RUCHI AMIN — 10:00 AM–4:00 PM • 122 Second Ave. — Support by
appointment. Contact Ruchi: 212>477>0666 ext 304 or ramin@middlechurch.org. — Get Help
• MOVIE DATE – 11:00–1:30 AM• Village East Cinema, 189 Second Avenue at 12th Street – This
afternoon outing to screen the movie Blumenthal. Screening time may vary so please
RSVP! For more information or to RSVP, contact Ruchi Amin at ramin@middlechurch.org.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5 – NO PROGRAMMING
How could anyone ever tell you
You were anything less than beautiful?
“Doxology”
How could anyone ever tell you
You were less than whole?
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God for all that love has done.
Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
How could anyone fail to notice
That your loving is a miracle?
How deeply you're connected to my soul.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
• SOUL FOOD TRUCK PREPARATION — 8:00–11:00 AM • Soul Food Truck at Sanctuary —
Prepare hot meals for distribution to the hungry in Tompkins Square Park. — Give Help
• WEE CARE (INFANT–AGE 4) — 10:00 AM–2:30 PM • 122 Second Ave. — Childcare.
• CARE CORNER WITH RUCHI AMIN — 10:00 AM–4:00 PM • 122 Second Ave. — Support by
appointment. Contact Ruchi: 212>477>0666 ext 304 or ramin@middlechurch.org. — Get Help
• JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 7–8) — 10:00 AM • 122 Second Ave. — A time for fun
Biblically grounded conversations, videos, and games. — Youth Education
~ RESPONDING ~
OFFERTORY “Great Is Your Mercy”
(Donnie McClurkin)
• MORNING WORSHIP — 11:15 AM • Sanctuary — “The Afterlife Is Now” Chad Tanaka Pack,
preacher • Middle Church Choir • MCJJ Gospel Choir • Communion • Family Worship. —
Worship
DOXOLOGY/DEDICATION PRAYER*
Adriene Thorne
• CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL (AGE 2–GRADE 6) — on hiatus – All of God’s children, the
big and the small, enjoy the worship celebration in the sanctuary. — Youth Education
MUSIC
“Oh Give Him Glory”
• CHAT & CHEW — 12:30 PM • Ukrainian Restaurant, 140 Second Ave. — Break bread and
share conversation with your Middle Church family. — Community
(Lamar Campbell)
Alex Bertrand>Price, soloist
BENEDICTION*
POSTLUDE
• SOUL FOOD TRUCK MEAL DISTRIBUTION — 12:30 PM • Tompkins Square Park — Help
distribute hot meals to the hungry in Tompkins Square Park. — Give Help
Pilar Millhollen, Natalie Perkins, and Taryn Strauss
“Oh Give Him Glory” reprise
ENCORE!! after
fter>>worship food
Join us for ENCORE
and conversation immediately following.
*Indicates please stand if you are able
++ You may find a seat or an Usher will assist you.
PARTICIPATING IN THE CELEBRATION
Singers • Alex Bertrand Price and the Middle Community Chorus
Middle Church Band • Jeremy Bertrand>Price, Hammond organ; Bernice Brooks, drums; David
Foster, bass guitar; Dionne McClain>Freeney–Director of Community Music, piano.
WORSHIP VIDEOS AND PODCASTS – Worship music and sermon videos are available on
the Middle Collegiate Church channel. Click the YouTube icon at middlechurch.org.
Subscribe to Middle Collegiate Church sermon podcasts on iTunes: http://ow.ly/i6fHu.
WELCOME TO MIDDLE CHURCH. We are glad you are here today. If you are visiting for the
first time, we invite you to return often and make Middle Church a home for you, your family,
and friends. Complete the pew card or sign the guest book in the narthex to receive our
newsletter or listserv. For more information, visit middlechurch.org. Please silence your cell
phone and leave food or drink outside. Thank you for your cooperation.
By entering the Sanctuary, you grant Middle Collegiate Church unrestricted right to use and
publish, transmit, or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day
for use in communications related to the church. You agree that all such material will be the
sole property of Middle Collegiate Church. If you are uncomfortable in the Sanctuary, you
are welcome to worship in the Sanctuary balcony.
PRAYER CORNER – May we pray for you? Complete the blue prayer card in the pew, and
our MiddlePrays team will hold you in God’s Light. Please pray with us this week for these
people and concerns: Jerry and his family; Jacqui and her Mom; everyone impacted by the
110th Street explosion; Ukraine; Crimea; Russia; Venezuela; Malaysia Airlines; Syria; Sudan;
Korea; All who seek guidance; Everyone seeking employment; everyone in the shelter
system; everyone with addictions.
• HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 9–12) — 1:00 PM • meet at 122 Second Ave. — Walk together to a
movie theater to see a movie and then discuss it over brunch. — Youth Education
• MIDDLE YOUNG ADULT BRUNCH — 1:00 PM • meet in the narthex — Gather with others
drawn to spirituality and social change. Please bring cash for the cost of your meal. Most
entrees cost under $15 without drinks. — Being Group
• ADULT EDUCATION — 1:00 PM • 140 Second Ave. — LENTEN SMALL GROUPS “From
Death to Life” THIS WEEK “Resurrection” Gather in small groups to rediscover our own
humanity and find God at the center of our lives. — Adult Education
• VILLAGE CHORUS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH — 1:00 PM • 122 Second Ave. — Musical
and performance workshop for ages 7–12. — Youth Education
• SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT — 4:30–5:30 PM • 122 Second Ave. — A space for seekers who
desire guidance, wisdom, and encouragement to make decisions gracefully, with spiritual
depth and clarity. A series of four sessions led by Taryn Strauss. For information, email
Taryn at tstrauss@middlechurch. April 6 – Session 3: Memory Practice. — Adult Education
• ART & SOUL EVENING WORSHIP — 6:00 PM • Sanctuary — “Can These Bones Live?” Jim
KastEKeat, preacher • Music with Allison Mickelson and the Middle Community Chorus •
Encore! After>worship food and conversation. — Worship
What is art & soul?
Pablo Picasso once said,
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Art & Soul at Middle Church is —
A cool drink of art for your soul,
and a chance to bathe in Love.
Worship at night,
outside and in between the lines.
Fantastic music that makes you
get off your feet or weep.
Sermons that are bold, meaningful,
and make you think.
A safe space to be unsure of Spirit,
but to lean into it anyway.
A powerful pause from the busy,
and a way to jumpstart your heart.
Art & Soul is The Word Made Art.
Come again next week, and bring a friend.
THIS WEEK: IT’S OKAY—WE DON’T GOT THIS!
What thoughts did this sermon provoke?
LAST WEEK: STRENGTH OF A WOMAN
• Take time to ask someone you admire because of their faith or their strength to tea. Make
your top priority to listen to their stories.
• Feel the support of the Middle Church community when you invest your time in a Middle
Church small group like Praying Dangerously, Mothers and Spirituality, or the Middle
Business Network, and build relationships with others who seek to live out their faith.
V OLUNTEER O PPORTUNITIES
Volunteer opportunities at Middle Church are being reconstructed along with our new
building elevator. Our new and different space means that we do ministry in new and
different ways—primarily on Sundays, but also during the week. If you are available to serve
in any of the ways listed below, we would love to hear from you.
Children and Youth Church School
Weekly Sundays – Background check
required
• Work with children and youth on Sundays
from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (classes for
different age groups, ages 4–high school).
• Participate in special children
productions, worship, or chorus.
INFO: Alisa at ajoyce@middlechurch.org
Facilities
Weekly Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
• Sundays – Assist in tidying the Sanctuary
after Sunday worship from 12:30–1:00 PM.
• Tuesdays & Wednesdays – Assist around
the buildings anytime between 9:00 AM–
4:00 PM.
INFO: Angel at aaviles@middlechurch.org
Middle Church Jerriese Johnson
Gospel Choir
Weekly Thursdays
• All are welcome to join this volunteer, no>
audition required choir, from 7:00–9:00 PM.
INFO: John at jdelcueto@middlechurch.org
Office Administration
Weekly Thursdays and as scheduled
• Help fold the bulletin for Sunday’s
Worship Celebration at 1:00 PM.
• Help fold and seal the monthly newsletter
for mailing.
INFO: Rachel at rhippert@middlechurch.org
Lay Leaders in Worship
Sundays and Holidays as scheduled
• Read scripture or lead the congregation
in prayer during worship celebrations.
INFO: Ellen at ematlach@middlechurch.org
Rockaways Mission Trip
Monthly third Saturdays as scheduled
• Help with Hurricane Sandy relief work,
traveling to the communties in the
Rockaways.
INFO: Trish at tsheffield@middlechurch.org
Sanctuary Preparation
Weekly Sundays and weekdays
• Help organize the sanctuary for worship
on Sunday mornings at 10:15 AM and/or
anytime Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
INFO: Rachel at rhippert@middlechurch.org
Soul Food Truck
Weekly Sundays
• Help distribute food to the congregation
during Chat & Chew.
• Help distribute food to the hungry in
Tompkins Square Park.
INFO: Rachel at rhippert@middlechurch.org
Ushers & Greeters
Weekly Sundays
• Help welcome and seat Middle Church
guests from 10:45 AM–12:30 PM and 5:30–
7:00 PM.
INFO: Rachel at rhippert@middlechurch.org
Welcome
a gospel album celebrating
all love is God’s love
THE LEADING EDGE 2014: HEAL THE SOUL, HEAL THE WORLD
Save the Dates: Saturday, April 26–Tuesday, April 29, 2014
If you want to go back to graduate school for a weekend without the debt or homework,
our annual conference is the place to renew your mind and inspire your actions. Please
register now to secure your place to learn from New York Times bestselling author
Marcus Borg, Omega founder Elizabeth Lesser, fundraiser Lynne Twist, and Moral
Courage founder Irshad Manji and other social architects. Middle Church members
receive a 50% discount with MCC2014 promotional code. Register now to secure your
place at middleproject.org.
ADULT ED BEFORE ART & SOUL — SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT
Sundays • 4:30–5:30 PM • 122 Second Ave.
The Spiritual Discernment Group is a space for seekers who desire guidance, wisdom,
and encouragement to make decisions gracefully, with spiritual depth and clarity. Led by
Taryn Strauss, this group will meet on four Sunday evenings before Art & Soul. Email
Taryn at tstrauss@middlechurch for more information and to register.
• March 30 – Session 2: Writing Practice
• April 6 – Session 3: Memory Practice
• April 13 – Session 4: Body Awareness
M I D D L E CO L L E G I A T E C H U R CH VI S I O N S T AT E M E N T
Middle Collegiate Church is a celebrating, culturally diverse, inclusive and growing
community of faith where all persons are welcomed just as they are as they come through
the door. Rooted in Christian tradition as the oldest continuous Protestant Church in North
America, Middle Church is called by God to boldly do a new thing on the earth.
As a teaching congregation that celebrates the arts, our ministries include rich and
meaningful worship, care, and education that nurture the mind, body, and spirit, social
action which embraces the global community, and participation in interfaith dialogue for
the purpose of justice and reconciliation. :: middlechurch.org
middlechurch.org
Available at iTunes from Middle Church
Prefer CDs? $20 each — 5 for $80
M I D D L E CO L L E G I A T E C H U R CH
Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D. – SENIOR MINISTER
Rev. Adriene Thorne – MINISTER
ASSOCIATE MINISTERS –
Jim Kast>Keat, M.Div. • Rev. Tricia Sheffield, Ph.D. • Chad Tanaka Pack, M.Div.
SANCTUARY
OFFICE
TELEPHONE
PASTORAL CARE
E>MAIL
WEBSITE
112 Second Avenue (at 7th St.)
122 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10003
212>477>0666
212>477>0666 EXT 318
middleinfo@middlechurch.org
middlechurch.org
CONSISTORY
ELDERS
Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D.
Jocelyn Lieu
Jeff Mummert Chair
Gloria Tate
Shanta Thake
Darren Troup>Major
James Wu
FOLLOW US!
facebook.com/MiddleCollegiateChurch
facebook.com/Rev.Jacqui.Lewis
youtube.com/MiddleNYC
vimeo.com/middlechurch
twitter.com/middlechurch
twitter.com/RevJacquiLewis
DEACONS
Dennis Barton
Graham Bridgeman
Veronica Carrera
Johanna Goepel
Erica Hunt
Jonathan Lucas
Representatives to
INTERSECTIONS
Elder – Danita Branam
Deacon – Marvin Rodriguez