July 5, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 AM
Worship for Independence Day
The fifth Sunday after Pentecost
THE PRELUDE Variations on America Linker
CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS
THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.
Liturgist: You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood;
People: a holy nation, God’s own people,
Liturgist: in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of the One who called you out of darkness into God’s marvelous light;
People: We come as the Lord’s free and gathered people to give honor, glory and praise to God’s Holy Name!
*HYMN 298 God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
*THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION (unison)
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant, we pray, that we and all the peoples of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever and taught us to pray:
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.
CELEBRATING OUR NATION IN MUSIC Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
[Dr. Peay will offer a word about each of the hymns and will call upon us to sing selected verses of:]
America the Beautiful Hymn 301
O God, beneath Thy Guiding Hand Hymn 300
Battle Hymn of the Republic Hymn 303
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
[Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love to greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.]
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Bible, page 1057
Children’s Bible, page 1649
THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL
THE PSALMODY (unison) Psalm 48 sung to Hanover, Hymn 75
[Children ages 3 through entering 5th grade are invited to LL5 during the singing of the Psalm.]
How great is the Lord and worthy of praise,
Whose glory above Mount Zion displays!
In light of Thy splendor our cities are dust;
Eternal our refuge, unquestioned our trust.
The rulers of earth are shaken with fright,
When Thou in Thy wrath appear in their sight;
But we as Thy chosen have witnessed Thy heart,
And at its remembrance, all fears soon depart.
The far-fashioned bounds of earth lift their voice,
And for Thy goodwill, the mountains rejoice;
Thy righteousness follows the course of our days;
Whatever our pathway, our Guide for always.
THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 6:1-13 Bible, page 915 Children’s Bible, page 1432
THE SERMON “Familiarity breeds…” Dr. Peay
WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC The King of Love My Shepherd Is Gounod
Nicolas Sluss-Rodionov, Bass
THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER
The Call to Confession and the Prayer of Humility
Minister: With one voice let us confess our sins against God and neighbor.
ALL: O God, forgive us for our national sins. Pardon us for lawlessness, materialism, racial hatreds, and all class selfishness. Make us brothers and sisters to humankind, and grant that no nation need fear us, whose feet are placed in the ways of righteousness. Save us from too much dependence upon temporal things, and set our hearts upon the riches of eternity. May the worth of our nationalism be more than the value of our possessions, and America be as great in soul as you have allowed her to become as a nation. Teach us that a nation is not saved by armed might, but by simple living, high thinking, and a dependence upon you, O God. Give us, we pray you, the grace of humility; pardon our transgressions; and create a right spirit within us. In Jesus’ Name we ask it. Amen.
The Call to Prayer and Silent Meditation
The Prayers of Petition and Intercession
[The Ministers offer short prayers to which we all respond AMEN.]
The Response to Prayer Hymn 299, verse 4
-adapted from the Congregational Church Worship Book, C.W. Merriam, 1931
THE OFFERTORY
Liturgist: Jesus tells us in Luke 12, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required. . .” We have been given much and should give as we have been given.
Special Music Lord God of Abraham Mendelssohn
*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.
*HYMN 299 My Country, ‘Tis of Thee (verses 1-3)
*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION
*THE POSTLUDE Finale Linker
*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.
Flowers today are given by Julie and Steve Peay, to the glory of God and in gratitude for a wonderful adventure together, which began in this place, on this day thirteen years ago.
CARE FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Summer Sunday School for children 3 years through entering 5th grade.
Nicolas Sluss-Rodionov graduated from Carthage College in Kenosha where he double majored in piano performance and pedagogy as well as French.
He has been the bass soloist at First Congregational Church since October 2007 and is the bass section manager and a paid core member of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus.
He is an accompanist for a voice studio and also has a full-time position at Cascio Interstate Music in New Berlin.
Worship Preview for Sunday, July 12 10:00 AM
PULPIT SWAP!!! Rev. Chris Bryan of our sister church, Pilgrim Congregational, will preach here and Dr. Peay will preach there. FCC-Tosa partners with Pilgrim in the “Hosea Project,”
which extends a helping hand into the central city. Come hear Rev. Bryan!
Nicolas Sluss-Rodionov is the organist.
Scott DeKok provides the special music.