Franklin Federated Churchcast
June 7,2020 Worship Podcast

INTRODUCTION
Good morning, and welcome to the June 7th Podcast from Franklin Federated Church, which is located on the Common, in Franklin, Massachusetts. Our building is currently closed, and we hope see you there, when it is safe to reopen it for worship.

Although our building is closed, our church community continues to be active virtually. Please join us for a Facebook live prayer time on Sunday mornings at 10 am. You can access the livestream through our website or Facebook page.

If you are new to our community, we would love to get to know you. Just click on the “contact us” link on our website, and leave a brief message, and we would be happy to be in touch.

My name is Marlayna Schmidt, and I am the new interim pastor here. This is my first Sunday, and I look forward to getting to know you all! I hope that you can join us for a virtual coffee hour following our prayer time on Sunday.

Franklin Federated Church is an Open and Affirming Church, affiliated with The American Baptist Church in America and the United Church of Christ. No matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are in your life journey, you are always welcome here.

LITANY OF WELCOME AND COMMITMENT

Moderator

We at the Franklin Federated Church are in a special time in our history, a time when God has called us to do a new thing, and provided us with a pastor to help us respond wisely and faithfully to this new call.

Congregration
Rev. Marlayna Schmidt we welcome you here to the ministry at Franklin Federated Church; a special ministry during this our time of transition and discernment. We are glad to have you walk with us and guide us through these times of uncertainty and opportunity.

Interim Minister

Brothers and sisters at Franklin Federated Church, it is my joy and honor to take up the ministry here with you that together we might do the work God has laid out for us, making the way ready for the one who will come as your settled pastor. To the extent that I am able, I promise to help you through the interim tasks, while preaching, teaching, and offering counsel among you, listening to your stories and your dreams, acknowledging your disappointments, honoring our gifts and celebrating God's presence amount us through it all.

Congregation
Rev. Marlayna, with you we take up this ministry of transition, promising to be partners in faithfulness. With you we will ask some hard questions, discover new truths, and dream dreams for tomorrow, seeking to be the faithful people of God.

Interim Minister

My friends, then let us take up this work together, for the short time we have been given, that we might feel the mighty hand of God, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ working with us and through us.

ALL
Today we make this covenant, to be honest and faithful, to share this ministry of transition, to give of ourselves, to do justice, to love kindness, to walk humbly together with our God and to love one another.

The Scripture for today is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16-20.

THE MESSAGE

The prayer quoted in the Message is by Rev. Arianne Braithwaite Lehn, from her book Ash and Starlight: prayers for the chaos and grace of daily life

Please join with me in praying the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors`
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. AMEN

SONG “Together We Are Strong” An original song written for the 2020 UCC National Youth Event

SENDING BLESSING

Franklin Federated

May 31, 2020

Worships

May 31st Worship Podcast

Franklin Federated

May 31, 2020

Worships

Franklin Federated Churchcast
May 31,2020 Worship Podcast

Introduction Good morning, and welcome to the May 31st Podcast from Franklin Federated Church, which is located on the Common, in Franklin, Massachusetts. Our building is currently closed, and we hope see you there, when it is safe to reopen it for worship.

Franklin Federated Church is an Open and Affirming Church, affiliated with The American Baptist Church in America and the United Churches of Christ. No matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are in your life journey, you are always welcome here.

Today is Penetcost! The birthday of the Christian Church.

The following quotes are from the book: Having Our Say - The Delaney Sisters’ First 100 Years.

“What worries me is that I know Sadie’s going to get into Heaven, but I’m not sure about me.” Bessie Delaney.

Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet. Sadie Delaney

Please join with me in the Call to Worship. It is from Romans 12:9-16

Marks of the True Christian.

ONE: Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

ALL: love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

ONE: Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.

ALL: rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

ONE: Contribute to the needs of the needs of the saints; extend
hospitality to strangers.

ALL: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

ONE: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

ALL: Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

The Scripture for today is from the book of ACTS Chapter 2 verses 1-21.

THE MESSAGE

Please join with me in praying the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors`
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. AMEN

SENDING BLESSING

Franklin Federated

May 24, 2020

Worships

May 24th Worship Podcast

Franklin Federated

May 24, 2020

Worships

WELCOME

Welcome to the May 24, 2020, Worship Podcast for Franklin Federated Church, a growing church located at the town common in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Today’s message is brought to you by Peggy Maxwell, a longtime and much-loved member of our church.

A new podcast will be available each Sunday at 8:00am on the FranklinFederated.org website under “Online Worships” on the home page, PLUS, a LIVE Prayer Stream can be viewed on the Franklin Federated Church Facebook page starting at 10:00am each Sunday.

You will continue to hear different voices for our podcast as we fill what we are calling our gap time, which is the time between our prior Pastor, Charley Eastman’s departure and the starting date of our Interim Pastor. We are committed to continuing the worship podcast and prayer stream format over this time.

Thank you to all those who are generously volunteering their thoughts, voices and time to make this possible.

CALL TO WORSHIP

The earth is the Lord’s, and fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

SCRIPTURE READING

(read by Julie Gorman)

Matthew 13:1-13 – The Parable of the Sower (New International Version)

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables:

Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”

Luke 12:13-21 – The Parable of the Rich Fool (New International Version)

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

SERMON

While working on this sermon, I have had two insights which have helped me. One is how real a person Jesus seems to be, not the rigid statue on a cross portrayed so often in art, with a halo over his head, but rather as a human figure walking through the countryside and speaking in everyday language. He seemed very patient with his disciples who often did not understand His parables until He explained them. These parables were couched in everyday language filled with examples from everyday people and nature. Jesus was criticized for intermingling with all people, even tax collectors who were considered enemies by many.

He seemed to be well-acquainted with nature and often used it in his parables to express God’s love for us. For instance, He said in Matthew 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

How comforting that statement is during a pandemic!

In the early mornings, I often feel God’s spirit holding me close as I watch the sun come up through the trees in the woods where I live. There is a delight in knowing that every morning God renews His promise as the sun rises. Breathing in and out slowly, I calm my mind, which tends to get very anxious at times. In this way, I help myself become aware of God’s spirit and His connection to the earth. With so much leisure time, I often take walks in the woods and have learned to observe more of the growth that is springing up all around me.

Recently, I got so distracted by the variety of beauty, that I lost my way going down the wrong path. I had to hail down a man mowing his lawn. He looked at me as if to say, “Who let her out?” However, he did point me to the way back to my street.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus used nature to help us understand faith. Seeds and plants can wilt because of weeds or thorns. However, with the right care, faith remains strong and produces fruit. Yet He warned about pulling out the weeds because that might uproot the good growth too. This says to me that as Christians, we need to respect all people’s opinions even if we see them as weeds.

I have found pleasure in noticing God’s plan for growth where if everything works together, and if the plants have enough water and sun, they will sprout up like magic. On my sun porch, I planted both lettuce seeds and pea seeds given to me by friends from this church. The rapid growth of the lettuce and pea plants reminded me of Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed. The Asian lettuce seeds were so tiny, but they grew rapidly. Now I use the big leaves in salads and sandwiches. Jesus says our faith is like a mustard seed, but if we water it with prayer and spiritual connections, it can grow to be a big plant, comforting us during a time of suffering and sadness, such as our pandemic. My friend who gave me the pea seeds, reminded me that I need to take them off the sun porch and plant them in the ground so the bees can pollinate them.

Oh yes… the bees! See how God connects everything?! It reminded me of how dependent we are on the bees. Sadly, they are disappearing in many parts of the country because of pollution and chemicals killing them. We better take care of them or we will not have enough food. It is God’s earth, not ours to destroy!

I grew up in the South, as you can probably tell. During the Civil Rights struggle, I remember Martin Luther King Jr. saying, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” We can certainly see this principle playing out in this pandemic. It is another lesson we need to learn. The nurse or caretaker may be Caucasian, Asian, Black or an immigrant, however, if he or she does not have protective equipment, he or she can get the virus from patients and give it to others at home, or wherever they go. The virus does not respect our prejudices.

The pandemic seems to bring out the best and the worst in people. Recently on NPR, an Italian doctor was talking about how kind and helpful people had been during the pandemic, but now that things are improving, some people seem to go back to their separate, uncaring ways. Hopefully, that will not prove to be true here in the United States. Right now, people from our church are helping in many different ways. One person who works in a school, is now delivering meals to children who would go hungry without school meals.

Perhaps this pandemic will make us more conscious of the hunger in our country where even before the pandemic, one family in five had food insecurity. Personally, I have been shocked to see on TV the long lines of people waiting for food at food banks.

On a lighter note, I recently went to my daughter’s house to join her in walking the dog through her neighborhood. A couple across the street, who are both music teachers, decided to give a concert on their front lawn. Neighbors sat on the other side of the street, social distancing and listening to the beautiful music. I felt such a warm, encouraging feeling when the lady sang “Here Comes the Sun.” The music lifted our spirits.

The question now is how can we follow Jesus’ commands and be the good growth not choked out by the weeds? In one of His parables, Jesus describes a rich man who had a huge barn filled with so much food that he built another barn also, but it did not do him any good, because he died that night. Maybe that is a timely message to all the hoarders and those who feel that wealth is the most important thing in life. How can we see the poor and old as expendable, as our society does so often?

As a church, we need to think how we can care for each other during this pandemic. We need to stay in touch, pray for each other, and find specific ways to help the hungry and those in need. The virus has been described as a very lonely disease. How can we help with that?

This pandemic should spur us to seek God’s help and to come up with new ways to spread God’s love for His earth and all the people in it.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever. Amen.

CLOSING PRAYER

Dear God,

Help us to be fertile soil for Your word.

Let us listen and truly hear You every day.

Let the rain and the sadness come and soften our heart.

Let us not be distracted by the TV, the clatter, and the stuff all around us.

Don’t let the sounds of the world drown out Your steady voice.

Let us be still and know that You are God.

Let the golden sunrise fill us with Your glory and joy.

Don’t let the hate and bitterness in this world choke out Your message of hope and love.

Let us stand tall with our roots deep in the ground, fed by Your nourishing soil.

Let us be refreshed by Your healing rain of undeserved grace, so that we might give strength and shade to others.

Let life grow, knowing that we are held by You; that some day we will join Your spirit connected to the Center, the Creator and Promoter of all energy, growth and love.

In Jesus name... Amen.

CLOSING

Thank you for joining us today for the Franklin Federated Church weekly Podcast. Prior week’s podcasts are available on the Franklin Federated website. Have a blessed week.

Franklin Federated

May 17, 2020

Worships

May 17th Worship Podcast

Franklin Federated

May 17, 2020

Worships

Introduction The Rev. Jean Southard

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed jusIt one.” Mother Teresa.

Call to Worship:

This is what the Lord says: I have heard your prayer

and seen your tears.

I will heal you. 2 Kings 20:5

Dear friends, as God has loved us in so many ways,

let us love one another.

All who love are born of God and know God.

Those who do not love do not know God,

For God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

Prayer

Scripture (John 21:1-19) and Sermon

Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
Amen.

(Music: Taizé- Bless the Lord)

Franklin Federated

May 10, 2020

Worships

May 10th Worship Podcast

Franklin Federated

May 10, 2020

Worships

Today is Mother’s Day, a day in which we recognize, honor, and remember the women who shaped our lives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and even mother-figures we have chosen or who have chosen us. They made plans for us and helped us make sense of our world. They taught us to hope. Many of us have tried to pass this hope on to our daughters and granddaughters and those to whom we might be mother-figures.

For Silent Reflection:

(From Gifts of Many Cultures, Kathy Wonson Eddy & Maren C. Tiribassi, Edd.)

Pieces, A world in pieces, A life in pieces . . .We want to live in new times, Lord God. We want to see flourishing signs of hope that we may put the pieces together And rebuild a united world.

- Ernesto Barros Cardoso, Brazil

If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. Anonymous, China

Quote for Today:

“For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “Plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11-12.

Today’s Scripture passages:

Isaiah 42: 8-9, 43:18-21 48: 6-7.

These verses have been combined into a responsive reading for our call to worship. The leader will read a line and then a tone will sound, signaling your response.

Call to Worship:

One: I am the Lord, that is my name;

All: My glory I give to no other, Nor my praise to idols.

One: See, the former things have come to pass, And new things I now declare;

All: Before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

One: Do not remember the former things, Or consider the things of old.

All: I am about to do a new thing;

One: Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

All: I will make a way in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert.

One: You have heard; now see all this; And will you not declare it?

All: From this time forward I make you hear new things,

One: Hidden things you have not known.

All: They are created now, not long ago;

One: Before today you have never heard of them,

All: So that you could not say, “I already knew them.”

For Mothers and Daughters Everywhere and Those Who Love Them:

MOTHERING DAUGHTERS

She took care of the child I was,
Nurturing, teaching, and scolding,
As I learned to cope with my world.
Thank you, God, for my mother,

She watched over the teen-ager I became
Guiding, listening, encouraging,
And eventually letting go.
Thank you, God, for my mother.

She supported the woman I became,
Respecting, critiquing, and cheering,
Until I was able to take care of her.
Thank you, God, for my mother.

I took care of the child she was,
Playing, planning, and watching,
And learning what I’d never learned before.
Thank you, God, for my daughter.

I sheltered the teen-ager she was,
Hoping, waiting, and worrying.
Sometimes I even understood her.
Thank you, God, for my daughter.

I marvel at the woman she’s become,
Cheerful, competent, and caring,
And how she takes care of me.
Thank you, God, for my daughter.

Lyn Pickhover

Franklin Federated

May 3, 2020

Worships

May 3rd Worship Podcast

Franklin Federated

May 3, 2020

Worships

Welcome Rev. Esther Rendon-Thompson

Call to Worship (Psalm 23) Kevin Thompson

Let us read together these familiar words, recognizing in the Risen Christ our Good Shepherd:

Jesus, you are our shepherd.
We shall never want. You make us lie down in green pastures;
you lead us beside the still waters.
You restore our souls.

You guide us in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake.
Even though we may walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
we fear no evil, for you, Christ, comfort us.

Jesus has prepared a table for us
in the presence of our foes;
Jesus has anointed us with the oil of salvation;
our cup runs over!

Surely, goodness and mercy will follow us
all the days of our lives,
And we will dwell in the house
of our Holy Savior forever and ever. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Loving God,
You are the one who comes to us in Jesus Christ.
Holy One,
You are the one who comes to us in the Holy Spirit…,
You are the one who calls us to recognize you today and every day…
Gather our hearts and minds…
Kindle our awareness of you.
Let us worship you in awe and wonder!

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)

42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts. 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Here ends today’s reading.

Responsive Prayer

One: You are called for a purpose:
for the sake of knowing and drawing close toward God
a person bears up under sorrows.

All: We are not here by chance.

One: You are chosen and precious in the sight of God…
your lives are being built up into a spiritual sanctuary where the justice and mercy and peace of the Risen Christ may dwell.

All: We are not here by chance.

One: Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;
and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

All:      Jesus, we are the sheep of your pasture.
            You have chosen us.
            We have chosen you.
            We are not here by chance. Amen.

(Service Prayers for Easter 4 was written and arranged by the Rev. Marilyn Kennedy Levine, a United Church of Christ pastor in the Northern Plains Conference. Used by permission. UCC/Worship Ways/ May 3, 2020).

Message Rev. Esther Rendon-Thompson

Benediction

For Silent Reflection:

“In darkness God’s truth shines most clear.” Corrie ten Boom

“With God life is an-endless hope. Without God, life is a hopeless end.” Bill Bright

“Our world today so desperately hungers for hope, yet uncounted people have almost given up. There is despair and hopelessness on every hand. Let us be faithful in proclaiming the hope that is in Jesus.” Billy Graham

“As you study your Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, and live out the truths that God reveals to you, you will discover new stability, strength, and confidence.” Kay Arthur

“We count on God’s mercy for our past mistakes, on God’s love for our present needs, on God’s sovereignty for our future.” St. Augustine

(“100 Days of Healing” Daily Devotional by Stephen Arterburn)

Franklin Federated

April 26, 2020

Worships

April 26th Podcast

Franklin Federated

April 26, 2020

Worships

Welcome to the April 26th, 2020 Podcast for Franklin Federated Church.
Franklin Federated is a growing church on the common in Franklin MA. Today’s message will be brought by Stephanie Potts, Church Moderator.

Quote 1:
“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” —Pauline R. Kezer
Call to Worship: (Listen for the bell to signal the responsive reading)
Leader: O Lord, you are inescapable.
Response: You have searched me and known me.Leader: You know when I sit down and when I stand up. When I come and when I go.
Response: Your presence goes with me everywhere. In grocery stores. And corn fields. And laundromats. And parking lots. Even church pews.
Together: O Lord, you are inescapable. Holy and here. Thanks, thanks, thanks.

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-35 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Walk to Emmaus

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Message

The Lord’s Prayer

Quote 2: “We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”– Oprah Winfrey

Franklin Federated

April 19, 2020

Worships

Sermon Podcast: Saying Goodbye

Franklin Federated

April 19, 2020

Worships

Thanks for listening! Please join us for our live streams of Prayer Concerns on Sunday mornings at 10 am, and you can listen to Charley and Jonathan on their Kitchen Table Spirituality podcast for a Wednesday night faith connection. We are grateful to have you along. Franklin Federated is located at 171 Main Street in Franklin, Massachusetts, though our building is currently closed as people shelter in place to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

If you'd like to continue to support our church, you can always mail a check to Annette Thompson at Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038, or contact her directly if you'd like to set up Electronic Pledging.

There will be a special Fellowship Hour online this Sunday, April 19th for FFC members who would like to say goodbye to Pastor Charley "face to face." Be safe and we hope you find this inspiring.

For Silent Reflection“The two hardest things to say in life are hello for the first time and goodbye for the last." --Moira Rogers

Call to Worship
(Written by Susan A. Blaine Minister for Worship and Gospel Arts, Faith INFO Ministry Team)
Leader: Sing a new song!
People: A springtime shout-out to life!Leader: Sing praise to our joyful Easter God
People: Whose power brings new life out of death!Leader: Immerse doubt and despair in the fountain of new birth
People: Find refreshment and strength for a future of hope!Leader: For God has taken ordinary things
And made them extraordinary:
All: Sing a New Song!

Poem
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
BY ROBERT FROST
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Scripture
Psalm 16 read by Mireille Eastman

John 20:19-31 read by Phoebe Eastman

For Silent Reflection“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello."
--Paulo Coelho

Message "Saying Goodbye"

For Silent Reflection"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
--A.A.Milne

Zoom Coffee Hour for Charley's Last Sunday

We will gather virtually after worship on Sunday, April 19, for coffee hour at 11:00 AM via Zoom. There are several ways you can join:

1. You can use a computer with a camera and microphone. To do that, simply click this link 5 or 10 minutes before the start time, and follow the instructions for downloading Zoom to your computer:

https://zoom.us/j/96440571932?pwd=WjhNNnc4Y0tHUEhZMWFwTnhXYTJNUT09

2. You can join using a smartphone by downloading the Zoom app. Once you've downloaded it, you will need to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 964 4057 1932
Password: charley

Or you can tap one of these numbers on your phone:
+13126266799,,96440571932# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,96440571932# US (New York)

3. You can phone in to one of these numbers, and you will be able to talk and listen.
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US

When prompted, use this Meeting ID: 964 4057 1932

Reminder for Zoom users - once you join the meeting everyone can hear what you're saying. For more information on using Zoom, including muting and unmuting, visit this page: https://www.sneucc.org/zoom-guide

Franklin Federated

April 12, 2020

Worships

Easter Worship

Franklin Federated

April 12, 2020

Worships

Hymns

#216 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

#234 Crown Him with Many Crowns

#226 He Lives!

#452 Here I Am, Lord

#638 In the Bulb There Is a Flower

#464 God of Grace and God of Glory

Easter Podcast

“Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.”
― Langston Hughes

Thanks for tuning in! Please visit our church sites at facebook and at our website at www.franklinfederated.org.

We are uploading sermon podcasts since our church building is closed until at least May 4th. Join us for a live stream prayer request service at 10 am on Sunday!

Call to Worship (you can read along, your part will be signaled by the bell):

Leader: We come to this place,
seeking Jesus in the familiar story of our faith.
People: Do not meet us only here, O Living Christ,
but surprise us with Resurrection power
in all the places of our lives!
Leader: We gather together to sing and pray the story we know by heart,
a story of loving triumph and powerful grace.
People: This story of “Alleluia!” means great joy
for the One who lives and the ones who witness to this new life
in all the places of our lives!
Leader: We rejoice and thank you for the life of your son,
resurrected by the power of your loving, vibrant Spirit.
People: Let this same Spirit fill all the places of our lives,
that we may know the truth
of resurrection for the rest of our lives!
Leader: We join our hearts in song and sing
“Alleluia! Gracious Jesus!”
for Christ is living and so are we!
People: Alleluia indeed!

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
― Emily Dickinson

POEM:
Morning Poem by Mary Oliver
Every morning
the world
is created.
Under the orange
sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again
and fasten themselves to the high branches—
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands
of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails
for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it
the thorn
that is heavier than lead—
if it's all you can do
to keep on trudging—
there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted—
each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly,
every morning,
whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray.

Scripture for this podcast was read by Emmett Eastman.
Luke 23:44-49 The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ 48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Franklin Federated

April 5, 2020

Worships

Worship for Sunday, April 5th - Palm Sunday

Franklin Federated

April 5, 2020

Worships

Worship for Sunday, April 5th - Palm Sunday

This sermon is a continuation of the Seven Last Words of Jesus Series that Pastor Charley is preaching at FFC for the first time. Claire Chiboub helped out by reading scripture.

Franklin Federated

March 29, 2020

Worships

Sermon for March 29th

Franklin Federated

March 29, 2020

Worships

Thanks for listening!

As promised, here are the materials for this cast:

For Silent Reflection:
“Someone feeling wronged is like someone feeling thirsty. Don’t tell them they aren’t. Sit with them and have a drink.”― Lemony Snicket

Poetry Selection

Well wouldn't it figure that last week I used the Mary Oliver poem Thirst! Talk about a missed opportunity for today, if you already where our scripture is going. Instead, I'll use Mary Oliver's "Climbing the Chagrin River," p. 75 in American Primitive, 1983:

We enter
the green river,
heron harbor,
mud-basin lined
with snagheaps, where turtles
sun themselves--we push
through the falling
silky weight
striped warm and cold
bounding down
through the black flanks
of wet rocks--we wade
under hemlock
and white pine--climb
stone steps into
the timeless castles
of emerald eddies,
swirls, channels
cold as ice tumbling
out of a white flow--
sheer sheets
flying off rocks,
frivolous and lustrous,
skirting the secret pools--
cradles
full of the yellow hair
of last year's leaves
where grizzled fish
hang halfway down,
like tarnished swords,
while around them
fingerlings sparkle
and descend,
nails of light
in the loose
racing waters.
Call to Worship

Leader: The prophet asks: Can our soul-weary bones live again?
People: O God, you know!Leader: We ask: Can we dance again after mourning, loss and grief?
People: O God, you know!Leader: The gift is sure and unmistakable:
People: God’s breath poured out as new life for weary souls!Leader: Let us celebrate the gift of God’s new life,
People: And come to worship God in laughter and dancing!

For Silent Reflection:

“Hoard food and it rots. Hoard money and you rot. Hoard power and the nation rots.”

― Chuck Palahniuk, Adjustment Day

Scripture Reading of John 19:27-28, from the NRSV, read by Mireille Eastman:

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

For Silent Reflection:

“Your home is living space, not storage space.” ― Francine Jay

Franklin Federated

March 21, 2020

Worships

Sermon for March 22nd

Franklin Federated

March 21, 2020

Worships

Click below to listen to this week’s sermon cast:

This week we used a Call to Worship by Rev. Kim Brown. Here's the text if you'd like to follow along. I modified it a bit at the end:

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God, sometimes, the days are long, the nights are even longer, and we’re so tired. And then You soothe us and bring us to gentle places.