WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
Sunday, October 5, 2008
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
The 21st Sunday after Pentecost
(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday,
we would love to greet you following the service.)
THE CHURCH GATHERS
THE PRELUDE Toccata per I’Elevanzione Frescobaldi
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Samuel R. Schaal
Liturgist: Gather us in, the lost and the lonely, the broken and breaking,
People: The tired and the aching who long for the nourishment found at your feast.
ALL: GATHER US IN!
Liturgist: The done and the doubting, the wishing and wondering, the puzzled and pondering
People: Who long for the company found at your feast.
ALL: GATHER US IN!
Liturgist: The proud and pretentious, the sure and superior, the never inferior,
People: Who long for the leveling found at your feast.
ALL: GATHER US IN!
People: The bright and the bustling, the stirrers and shakers, the kind laughter makers
Liturgist: Who long for the deeper joys found at your feast.
ALL: GATHER US IN! From corner of limelight, from mansion or campsite, from fears and obsession, from tears and depression, from untold excesses, from treasured successes, to meet, to eat, to be given a seat, be joined to the vine, be offered new wine, become like the least, be found at the feast. GATHER US IN!
*HYMN 481 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)
Jesus prayed that we might be one: One in spirit, one in mission in union and communion with each other and with You. Today, God, we confess fumblings and failures in accomplishing unity, as we set aside yet another day to remind ourselves of the task. On this World Communion Sunday, give us eyes to recognize your reflection in the eyes of Christians everywhere. Give us a mind to accept and celebrate our differences. Give us a heart big enough to love your children everywhere. We thank you for setting a table with space enough for us all! We pray in the Name of Him who taught us to call to you saying:
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.
*THE GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 558)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, Amen.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Philippians 3:4b-14 Bible, page 1070 Children’s Bible, page 1674
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL
[Children go to classes during the singing of the hymn.]
*HYMN 258 Canticle of the Sun
[The Choir will sing through the first time – ALL join in on the chorus and verse 2.]
THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 21:33-46 Bible, page 899 Children’s Bible, page 1406
A TIME TO REFLECT ON CHURCH MEMBERSHIP James Santelle
COMMUNION MEDITATION “All or Nothing – Really?” Dr. Peay
THE ANTHEM Psalm 130 Manz
THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE OFFERTORY
THE ANTHEM Light A Candle Althouse
*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING FROM THE ECUMENICAL IONA COMMUNITY OF SCOTLAND.
THE STORY
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Minister: Let us pray. The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise
[After the minister concludes saying: “…the Church on earth and in heaven.” We all say:]
Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
[The Ministers continue the prayer.]
THE COMMUNION
[We hold the bread and receive it together to signify our oneness in the Lord. We receive the cup as it comes to us to signify our individual relationship with the Lord.]
THE CONCLUDING PRAYER
Minister: Let us pray,
ALL: In gratitude, deep gratitude for this moment, this meal, these people, we give ourselves to you. Take us out to live as changed people because we have shared the Living Bread and cannot remain the same. Ask much of us, expect much from us, enable much by us, encourage many through us. So, Lord, may we live to your glory, both as inhabitants of earth and citizens of the commonwealth of heaven. Amen.
THE CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND TO SERVE
*HYMN 483 We Are God’s People
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Grand Jeu De Mage
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
Today’s Chancel flowers are given by the Lemke-Hokenson family
in loving memory of Cheryl’s brother, Carl Hokenson.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.
Worship Preview for Sunday, October 12 10:00 A.M.
Rev. Samuel Schaal will offer the sermon.
Dr. Peay is preaching at the Congregational Church of Sun City and leading a retreat for
the Southwest Inter-Mountain Association of Congregational Christian Churches.
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Roxanne Trump-Miles directs the Junior Choir.
Annual Program Meeting
October 19 9:00 a.m.
Social Hall
No Adult Discovery groups will meet on October 19 as we gather in the Social Hall for our annual meeting
focused on programming. We will look back at the first six weeks of our new Sunday schedule.