Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

If you have a joy or sorrow to be shared with the congregation during the service, you may email Rev. Ellen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 9:30 Sunday morning or if you are in the sanctuary, you may write it in the book at the back table on the common side.

April’s Soul Matter’s Theme is the Path of Resistance. I am delighted to share that we will have a guest speaker this Sunday: Alex Kapitan from the Transforming Hearts Collective who will lead our service in honor of Transgender Visibility Day. I would like to thank the Welcoming Congregation Committee for bringing Alex to First Parish. Given the strong backlash against transgender persons around the country, this is an especially important Sunday for us to join in learning how we can help resist transphobia. - Rev. Ellen

Centering Thought
What you risk telling your story:
You will bore them…
No one will understand, their eyes
become fences.
You will park yourself forever
on the outside.

Someone, somewhere
will hear your story and decide to fight,
to live and refuse compromise.
Someone else will tell
her own story,
risking everything.
Laura Hershey

Ingathering Chimes

Prelude - Rain - Brian Snow

Welcome and Announcements: Deirdre Heck, Welcoming Congregation Committee

Chalice Lighting: Kathleen Guerra

Call To Worship: Alex Kapitan

Hymn #1051 in Singing the Journey: “We Are…”

First Parish Covenant: Warren Flewellen

Offertory: Ken Langer, Intern Minister

Reading: “Prayer for Trans* Day of Visibility” by Mr. Barb Greve
                  Reader: Frances Killam

Anthem: “Brave” w/m Sarah Bareilles

Sermon: “Transgender Day of Visibility”
                  Alex Kapitan (ze/per)

Hymn #396 in Singing the Living Tradition: “I Know This Rose Will Open”

Joys and Sorrows:  Rev. Ellen Rowse Spero

Meditation and Prayer

Congregational Response #391 in Singing the Living Tradition: “Voice Still and Small”
Voice still and small, deep inside all,
I hear you call, singing.
In dark and rain, sorrow and pain,
Still you’ll remain, singing
Calming my fears, quenching my tears
Through all the years, singing.

Benediction: “To the People Who Have Mistaken Freedom for Liberation” by Rev. Theresa Soto, from Spilling the Light

Postlude - Le Tendre Fleur - Burgmüller

Flowers: Kathleen Guerra
Greeters: Rose Lerer
Ushers: Dave Kaffine and Cheryl Wilson
Worship Tech: Bill Newhard
Online Chat Host: John Fisher
Online Social Hour: Eliot Mayer
Vestry Social Hour:

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

Tenebrae means “into darkness” and at the service, we take time to do just that—journeying with the ancient story of Jesus and his disciples paired with modern reflections on loss, grief and walking in darkness, in the unknown. It is a reminder that the joy of Easter was preceded by a time of spiritual struggle and doubt, which makes Easter's message of hope, new life and resurrection all the more meaningful.

Readers for Tenebrae:  Our tradition is to pair modern reflections with the traditional readings of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. If you are interested in being a reader for this service, please email me: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you – Rev. Ellen

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

If you have a joy or sorrow to be shared with the congregation during the service, you may email Rev. Ellen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 9:30 Sunday morning or if you are in the sanctuary, you may write it in the book at the back table on the common side.

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

If you have a joy or sorrow to be shared with the congregation during the service, you may email Rev. Ellen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 9:30 Sunday morning or if you are in the sanctuary, you may write it in the book at the back table on the common side.

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

If you have a joy or sorrow to be shared with the congregation during the service, you may email Rev. Ellen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 9:30 Sunday morning or if you are in the sanctuary, you may write it in the book at the back table on the common side.

Multi-platform service.  If you plan to attend in person, please read all the current safety rules on the Sanctuary Status page.  For online attendence information, see the Current Worship Info section of this page.

If you have a joy or sorrow to be shared with the congregation during the service, you may email Rev. Ellen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 9:30 Sunday morning or if you are in the sanctuary, you may write it in the book at the back table on the common side.