Pastor Bourret, Carol Virshbo, and Russell Pollard served as voting members of this past week's New England Synod Assembly; Joyce Simon also attended as a member of the synod's Worship Team.

Highlights of the assembly included the re-election of Bishop James Hazelwood on the fourth ballot; opening and closing worship with two powerful preachers, Pastor Carrie Ballenger Smith (recipient of the 2013 "Brave Preacher Award" from the Beatitudes Society), and The Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches; and workshops on a variety of topics, from "Stirring Up Joy" to a new, gaming approach to Confirmation classes, to our church's work with refugees and asylees.

We topped off the weekend, and our program year, with lively worship--thanks to the bluegrass band and bell choir!--and a festive church picnic. Thanks to all of the cooks and grillers, and all who helped with set-up and clean-up. Even the weather was cooperative!

Ross Petot, John Clark and Peter Tillotson return this coming Sunday, June 17 to lead the music for a Jazz Liturgy at 9:30 am. The Prelude Music is " When the Sun Comes Out " by Harold Arlen. See the video below for Ella Fitzgerald ' s interpretation:

Ella Fitzgerald When The Sun Comes Out

The Offertory Music is Everything I Have Is Yours by Burton Lane. Listen to Billie Holiday below:

Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra - Everything I Have Is Yours (Clef Records 1952)

The Communion Music is " Beware, My Heart " by Sam Coslow. For Vaughn Monroe ' s classic 1947 recording see the video below:

1947 single version: Vaughn Monroe - Beware My Heart

 

The Postlude Music is George Gershwin ' s " I ' ll Build a Stairway to Paradise. " Here ' s a original roll player piano version:

Ampico Lexington - I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise - Original Piano Trio

 

Ross and colleagues will be introducing and leading the hymns and liturgy with a distinctive jazz stamp. Don ' t miss this Sunday ' s worship. Tell others!

 

Tom Berryman, Music Director

Adult Forum 

CLC Book Group

Bible Study

 

Bible Study

 

Be sure to invite friends, families, neighbors to Sunday's jazz liturgy, when we welcome back Ross Petot and Co. to lead our music.

Please note that we move to our summer schedule this week: Sunday school, adult forum, confirmation classes, and "Sunday morning conversations" take a hiatus, and worship moves to 9:30.

As we hear news of children being separated from their parents at the border, and remember that Jesus and his family were refugees, fleeing from terror, many are wondering what we can do. The following response comes from Alaide Vllchis Ibarra, Program Director, Migration Policy, ELCA . If you wish to be an advocate, here are a few action steps:

Natick folk: Do you have a spare bedroom? Might you enjoy the cultural enrichment of hosting a foreign exchange student for the upcoming school year? A high school student from Sweden is ready to come to Natick, but the host family that originally agreed to take this student has recently rescinded their availability based on a family health issue. The student has already completed the necessary paperwork (visa, school choice tuition, etc) for him to come for the school year. However, we are now looking for a host family to take this student. 

If interested, please contact Scott or Anders Carlson.

On Sunday, June 24, we will give thanks for Harold Lohr and his faithful ministry as a pastor of the Lutheran Church on the 60th anniversary of his ordination. We expect that some other pastors who have a relationship with our congregation, also marking significant ordination anniversaries, will join us, too. Later, from 1:00-3:00, we'll continue to recognition and celebration with a brunch at the parsonage. Please RSVP to Pastor Bourret & Jeff so that they can plan accordingly!

On Sunday, June 17th, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost/Jazz Liturgy , 9:30 a.m.  worship, Pastor Rebecca Bourret preaching and presiding. 

READINGS FOR THIS WEEK

June 17 , 2018, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost/Jazz Liturgy

 

This coming Sunday we hear a reference to the cosmic tree of life in which all the birds of the air are nesting. Yet what we gather around is the cross of Christ. Come be a bird on this tree.

First Reading          Psalm                           Second Reading                                  Gospel

Sing For Joy

Enhance your understanding of the weekly scripture readings by listening to Sing For Joy http://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/ from St. Olaf College.  The Sing For Joy radio program, produced by St. Olaf College , has a simple mission: to explore the weekly themes of Christian worship by providing the best in sacred choral music and thoughtful commentary. The musical performances eloquently "do the talking," while the concise remarks from host Pastor Bruce Benson illuminate the meaning of the texts.