July 26, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 AM
The eighth 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 or at coffee fellowship
in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)

THE PRELUDE I’m But a Stranger Here Sullivan

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CHURCH GATHERS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Robert J. Brink, M.Div.

Minister: We come to be rooted and grounded in love so that we can put forth the fruit of justice.
People: We come to be rooted and grounded in love so that we can put forth the fruit of compassion.
ALL: We come to be rooted and grounded in love so that we can put forth the fruit of peace.

*HYMN 553 Gather Us In

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

In your compassionate love, O God, you nourish us with the words of life and bread of blessing. Grant that Jesus may calm our fears and move our hearts to praise your goodness by sharing our bread with others. We ask this in His Name, 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. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Sophia Madelyn Peperkorn
daughter of Mark & Wendy Peperkorn

[The Minister introduces the Sacrament and then calls us to:]

THE COVENANT OF BAPTISM

Minister: What can we affirm about our children?
People: That they are made in the image of God and are children of God by creation.
Minister: As Sophia grows in our congregation, how will we show her that she is a child of God?
People: We will tell her about Abraham, the father of our faith; about Sarah, the mother of Isaac; about Moses, who led our ancestors out of bondage; about Ruth’s example of faithfulness; about the Jewish hope for a Messiah; about Jesus Christ the Savior; and about the history of the Church as the people of God.
Minister: What will we expect of Sophia?
People: We look to the day when she will sit with us at the Lord’s Table, declare faith in Jesus Christ, confirm the heritage which we will pass along to her, and come as an adult to full commitment to God’s will and work.
Minister: In presenting your child for baptism, you announce your love for Jesus Christ, your eagerness to participate in the life of Christ’s body, the church, and your commitment to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. Is this your desire?
Parents: It is.
Minister: Do you parents assume your primary responsibility for modeling the Christian faith and teaching Sophia these expectations?
Parents: Yes, we happily accept this serious duty.
Minister: Do you who stand as sponsors assume your responsibility to assist these parents in the fulfillment of their covenant that this child be instructed in the Word of God, brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, kept in communion with the church and strengthened to live in a godly manner?
Sponsors: Yes, we assume our role as “god parents” with joy and hope.
Minister: Members of this Church, as of the whole Church of Christ, do you pledge to work toward creating a nurturing environment for Sophia and all our children?
People: Yes, we do, for they belong to us as well.
Minister: With joy, we celebrate together the gift of God’s grace in Christ. May God be with us.
People: God help us. Amen.

THE BAPTISM AND RECEIVING OF THE CHILD

THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 3:14-21 Bible, page 1065 Children’s Bible, page 1664

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL Rev. Brink

THE PSALMODY Psalm 14 sung to Dundee Hymn 53

The foolish heart denies the LORD, the wicked glory in themselves,
And mocks divine decree; while we exalt God’s name.
The harvest of its work is vain, its deeds bring misery.
They live their evil days as kings, their scorn brings them to dust;
From heav’n God looks upon our hearts and from our shackles God will forge
To measure good and shame; a scepter for the just.

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Bible, page 281 Children’s Bible, page 424

THE GOSPEL LESSON John 6:1-21 Bible, page 971 Children’s Bible, page 1520

THE COMMUNION REFLECTION “Starving in Abundance” Dr. Peay

WORSHIP IN MUSIC When the Saints Go Marching In arr. Nightingale
The Steeple Belles

THE CHURCH OFFERS PRAYER AND THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE OFFERTORY

WORSHIP IN MUSIC Beautiful Savior arr. Gentry

*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 Iona Community, Scotland)

THE INVITATION

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 him thanks and praise.

[The Minister continues the Prefatory Prayer and after he says: Therefore we gladly join our voices to the song of 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 Minister continues the prayer and then invites us to the table. Please hold the bread as it comes to you so that we may receive it all together as a sign of our oneness in the Body of Christ. Receive the cup as it comes to you as a reminder of your relationship to our Lord.]

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 SERVE

*HYMN 432 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

*THE CLOSING RESPONSES and BENEDICTION

Minister: Christ’s food in our souls,
People: Our food shared like his.
Minister: Christ lives in our hands,
People: Our lives shaped by him.
Minister: Christ’s love in our hearts,
People: Our love warmed through his.
Minister: Christ’s peace on our path,
People: Our path following his.

[the minister gives the benediction]

*RESPONSE TO THE BENEDICTION The Lord Bless You and Keep You Lutkin

*THE POSTLUDE Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Behnke

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given in honor of the marriage of
Kaitlin Lemke and Nathan Sheskey on Saturday, July 25, 2009.

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.

THE STEEPLE BELLES

The Steeple Belles have been delighting our congregation since 1995, specializing in sacred music arranged in barbershop style. Current members are Nan Cleveland, tenor; Charmaine LaBelle, lead;
Diane Houriet, baritone; and Marj Fowler, bass. They are all members of the Choir of First Church.

Worship Preview for Sunday, August 2 10:00 AM

Dr. Peay’s sermon is entitled: “The REAL ‘Wonder Bread.’”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Eleanor Quint, Soprano, provides the special music.