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