in the National Register of Historic Places
Organ Prelude Begins at 9:50 A.M. Sunday Worship Begins at 10:00 A.M.
June 28
2026 Season Guests 2026 Season Guests
Rev. Joanne Hus
United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard
(Note, this is a combined service with United Methodist, held at 40 Trinity Park, OB)
July 5
Claire Seguin, DNP, RN
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital
President & COO
July 12
Rev. Shannon Kershner
Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA
July 19
Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart
Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN
July 26
Bishop William J. Barber, II
Repairers of the Breach
President & Senior Lecturer
August 2
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III
Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL
August 9
Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley
Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA
August 16
Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson
The Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York, NY
August 23
Rev. Maureen Gerald
First Baptist Church of Princeton, Princeton, NJ
August 30
Rev. Jennie Salas
Iglesia Presbiteriana en San Sebastián, Puerto Rico
September 6
Pastor Kevin Wayne Johnson
Celebration Church at Columbia, Columbia, MD
Union Chapel Board of Trustees Union Chapel Board of Trustees
Rev. Dr. Aliya F. Browne, President
Heidi Bryan, Vice President
Stephanie Parker, Secretary
Kamla Branche, Treasurer
Rachelle Browne, Brenda Bryan, Cindy Carter, MD, Lynette Glover, Alvin R. Johnson, Rev. Kevin Wayne Johnson, Louise Johnson, Robert Jennings, Sexton, Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, Roger Morris, Kevin Myatt, Haywood L. Perry III, Andrew
Skeen, Ann Stewart, Ed Trayes, Diane Welburn, Lois Jean White, Sabrina Williams
Trustees Emeriti: William Adams, Joann Kidd, Anne H. Parsons, Trustee President Emeritus Richard Taylor
William D. Peek Jr., Music Director and Organist
Rev. Dr. Rev. Dr.
Gina M. Stewart Gina M. Stewart
Rev. Dr. Gina Marcia Stewart is Senior Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church, where she has served since 1995 as the first African American woman elected to lead an established Black Baptist congregation in Memphis and Shelby County. Under her leadership, the church has experienced significant growth and expanded to more than 50 ministries focused on spiritual and community transformation.
The Sunday Bulletin is being printed one per family. You can share or scan the code for the digital version.
Union Chapel Ministers’ Fund
The Union Chapel Board of Trustees gratefully acknowledges the Walter Edison Lowe Estate, under the direction of Executor Stephen Ross Johnson, for generously sponsoring the 2026 Summer Ministers Program through the Minister's Sponsor Fund.
Dr. Stewart holds degrees from the University of Memphis, Memphis Theological Seminary, and Interdenominational Theological Center, and currently serves as President of the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention the first woman in the organization’s history to hold the role. A nationally respected preacher, educator, and author, Dr. Stewart is recognized for her leadership in ministry, justice, and faith-based community impact. Stay Connected with Union Chapel Visit Our Website... www.unionchapelmv.org
To learn about supporting the 2027 Minister's Sponsor Fund, please contact Al Johnson at retiredjohnson47@yahoo.com.
PRELUDES
Lord, I Want to Be a Christian arr. Jason W. Krug Hope Erwin Stroobach
God of Grace and God of Glory arr. Jason W. Krug
INTROIT
Ring the Bells of Heaven words: William O. Cushing music: George F. Root
TRUSTEE GREETING
Womanist at the Well Welcome | Rev. Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas
*INVOCATION
“God of hope, we have sensed your spirit walking with us as we open a new door in our lives, felt your urging when we were reluctant to say yes to a new adventure. Come among us today. Open our eyes to truth wherever it may be found. Allow us to hear the siren song of knowledge and understanding.”
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 trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
NETTLETON
ANTHEM
Benedictus qui venit
(Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord)
Camille Saint-Saëns
Becky Williams, soprano; David Behnke, baritone
PRAYER
PRAYER RESPONSE
O Thou That Hearest Prayer
J. Burton, Wm. Peek
OFFERTORY
Gospel Grace
Joel Raney
*DOXOLOGY
*Hymn #498
Lead Me, Guide Me
LEAD ME
SERMON
Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart
*Hymn #358
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Beecher
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE:
Let All Creation Resound
Jason W. Krug
Our Musicians Today Our Musicians
Today
West Tisbury Congregational Church Handbell Quartet: Hope O’Brien (director), Becca Morrow, Ken Romero, and Nina Domenico
For the past four years, these four talented ringers have worked together throughout the year to create harmonious melodies that uplift and inspire us all. Their dedication to their craft is evident in every note, and their unity as a quartet brings a special resonance to their performances. The art of bell ringing requires precision, timing, and a strong sense of rhythm; it is a delicate dance of coordination and concentration. The Quartet Bells and the larger Handbell Choir are a part of the music program of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury.
Becky Williams, soprano, is a singer, pianist, songwriter, and music teacher living on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. She performs in different styles, from jazz and pop with partner Rich Giaimo in their group “Beach Plum Jam,” to rock with local band “the Lunarchs.” She performs opera, classical and choral music with the Island Community Chorus and as a frequent soloist at West Tisbury Congregational Church. She’s thrilled to sing at the historic and beautiful Union Chapel, which she has attended since childhood.
David Behnke, baritone, is a graduate of the Master’s Degree Opera Program at Yale. He has performed in opera and chamber music across the Northeast. After a career on Wall Street, he moved full time to Martha’s Vineyard in 2013. Since then he has been an active recitalist performing opera, art song and Broadway, and has appeared as a frequent soloist with various Island organizations. Most recently he was a featured soloist in Ariel Ramirez’s Misa Criolla and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs with the Island Community Chorus. He has just completed a survey of the great nineteenth century song cycles of Schumann and Schubert with the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society.
Today’s floral arrangements on the altar are placed Today’s floral arrangements on the altar are placed
by the Bryan Family who dedicate these flowers in memory of Brantz M. & Marjorie H. Bryan, James H. Bryan, past President of Union Chapel, and Joan K. Bryan. With love from all their children and grandchildren.
And in loving memory of Emilie and Baldwin Farmer, Sr., from daughter Cynthia, granddaughter Sabrina, and great-grandson Caydan!
Welcome Reverend Dr. Gina Stewart from Sorors Cynthia and Sabrina Streeter, SPR 2026!
To sponsor a Sunday Service in the Chapel, please visit www.unionchapelmv.org/sundaysponsor-request
Please take home your flower arrangements or tell us where you would like them to go.
Join us after church!
After the service on July 26 , th Union Chapel Board of Trustees hosts Bishop William J. Barber, II President & Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach for a special conversation from 12:00-2:00 p.m.
All are welcome
FRIDAY,JULY17TH
SATURDAY,JULY18TH
MONDAY,JULY20TH
UnionChapel 2026DaysofService
Join the 4th Annual Womanists at the Inkwell Gathering, a transformative retreat centered on this year's theme, "Stirring Up the Womanist Wellspring: Discovering the Flow of Faith, Flourishing, and Freedom." Through inspiring worship, Bible study, keynote speakers, workshops, and fellowship, participants will explore womanist theology while growing spiritually, personally, and professionally. The gathering also includes opportunities for womanist allies and honors the ministries of Rev. Dr. Judy FentressWilliams, Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, and Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart. All are invited to learn more and register by scanning the code below.
REGISTER
Save the Date!
Vineyard Preservation Trust invites you to celebrate the opening of Union Chapel Park today after service! There will be coffee, sweets, and a ribbon-cutting as we unveil this beautiful new space together. All are warmly welcome!
