Worship Services

Every Sunday morning at 11:00am, we worship together in-person in our modern Paul Rudolph-designed building in Boston’s Back Bay. People holding a wide spectrum of beliefs (and doubts!) join together to raise their spirits and voices in thanks for the life we have been given. We sing hymns, hear our professional choir, listen to our minister and other guest speakers—we share in a quiet time of prayer and meditation. It is our intent to create vivid, compelling messages and to comfort those in worship.
We also offer the option to view Sunday services on a YouTube Live-stream feed at 11:00am. Our YouTube page also includes a library of past worship services.
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON
Order of Service
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Rev. Edmund Robinson, Interim Minister
Dr. Ellery Schempp, Pulpit guest
Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, Director of Music
Prelude Iyo Kailan Pa Man (Yours Forever) Angel Peña
Welcome and Opening Words Rev. Robinson
Opening Hymn No. 190 “Light of Ages and of Nations” AustrIa
Chalice Lighting
First Church Boston Affirmation
Love is the spirit of this church, and Service its law.
This is our great covenant, to dwell together in peace,
to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.
Announcements
Responsive reading No. 592 “The Free Mind”
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Responsive Reading
Anthem Dahil Sa Iyo (Because of You)
Miguel Velarde arr. Fabian Obispo, Jr.
Sermon reading
Sermon Hymn No. 176 “Die Gedanken sind frei”
Sermon “Freedom Of Religion and Freedom From Religion”
Call to the Offering
Offertory Pamulinawen Ilocano Folk Song arr. Lucio San Pedro
Noel Velasco, tenor
Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, piano
Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Extinguishing the Chalice Rosemary Dodd
Closing Hymn No. 104 When Israel was in Egypt’s Land
Extinguishing the Chalice
We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth, the warmth of community or the fire of commitment.
These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.
Postlude Pandanguhan (Fandango) Traditional arr. John Benasa