World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday, held annually on the first Sunday of October, is a celebration of the unity of the worldwide church through Christ. Christians in congregations around the world participate in the Lord's Supper.
The unity of the church is a theme that needs constant attention. In a day of embarrassing fractures, congregations must step back from their own local concerns and highlight the unity of the body for which Jesus himself prayed (John 17:20-21). Such observances also give the church an opportunity to recommit itself to a life of unity.
The unity of the church needs to be observed and valued on several levels. Local unity sees worshipers of a local community experiencing their oneness in Christ without regard to their diverse experiences, ethnicity, opinions, or gender. Generational unity sees worshipers of all age levels sharing their oneness in Christ and encouraging one another. Historical unity sees the worshipers of today affirming their oneness with those who have gone before, perhaps many centuries before. Global unity sees God’s people of a variety of cultures and traditions affirming one another’s value, praying for one another, and joining in service together. Each of these dimensions demonstrates that unity does not imply uniformity.
(From The Worship Sourcebook, p. 726)
PRELUDE Sean Cotty
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* GLORIA PATRI (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Barbara Andrade
The world belongs to God,
the earth and all its people.
How good and lovely it is
to live together in unity.
Love and justice come together,
justice and peace join hands.
If the Lord’s disciples keep silent
the very stones themselves would shout aloud that our world belongs to God and God is building a global hope.
Open our lips, O God,
and our mouths shall proclaim your praise.
* HYMN No. 758 Baptized in Water
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Across the barriers that divide race from race:
reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide rich from poor:
reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide people of different cultures:
reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide Christians:
reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Across the barriers that divide men and women, young and old:
reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.
Confront us, O Christ, with the hidden prejudices and fears that deny and betray our prayers.
Enable us to see the causes of strife;
remove from us all senses of superiority.
(Silent Prayers of Confession)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Herein is wisdom.
Glory be to God.
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: Grant Peace We Pray Felix Mendelssohn
Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord,
In our time peace, oh, send us!
For there is non on earth but Thee,
None other to defend us.
Thou only Lord, canst fight for us.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Exodus 17:1-7 p. 56
Matthew 21:23-32 p. 802
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON The Sweetness of New Life Rev. Blaine Crawford
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Apostles’ Creed (pew card)
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: Draw Us In the Spirit's Tether Harold W. Friedell
Draw us in the Spirit's tether;
For when humbly, in thy name,
Two or three are met together,
Thou art in the midst of them:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Touch we now thy garment's hem.
As brethren used to gather in the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluia! Alleluia! So knit thou our friendship up.
All our meals and all our living make as sacraments of thee,
That by caring, helping, giving, we may true disciples be.
Alleluia! Alleluia! We Will serve thee faithfully, we will serve thee.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
* Remembering with Love and Hope (pew card)
Invitation
Communion Prayer
Sanctus (pew card)
Mystery of the Faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Words of Institution
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response: Hear Our Prayer, O Lord
Hear our prayer, O Lord, Hear our prayer, O Lord;
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen
* HYMN No. 517 The Solid Rock
* BENEDICTION
Response: May the Grace of Christ Our Savior
May the grace of Christ our Savior and the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favor, rest upon us from above. Amen
POSTLUDE
Announcements
Men’s Communion Breakfast
October 15, 2017, 9:30 a.m. (see insert)
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Donations
Last month, we collected special donations for the hurricane relief efforts in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean. A total of $3,000.00 was raised and will be sent to St. Thomas Reformed Church, St. Croix Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America, who is working in south Texas.
Thank you for your generosity and your prayers.
Free Concert, Thursday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Trio Bauge will be joining pianist Abram Korsunsky in a concert at Church on the Hill. The program will include music by Beethoven, Brahms, and Dohnanyi. This concert is free and open to the public. There will be a small reception in the music room following the performance.
Fall Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Folensbee Lounge
Have you ever wondered how the things you’ve experienced in life fit into God’s great plan? You’re not alone. This fall, the Bible study will be learning from the life of Abraham. Guided by the book Abraham: One’s Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith, you’ll learn how the challenges, failures and triumphs of Abraham are a pattern for the life of every believer. Books are available for purchase for $10 or you can purchase your own.
Free Yoga
Yoga in the Yard is moving inside this fall! After a successful summer in the church yard, we will continue to offer free yoga classes this fall in Gessner Hall. Yoga will be on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mats are provided and the class is for all ability levels! Join us and bring a friend to this free class.
A Time of Prayer, Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., Folensbee Lounge
Take time out of your busy lives to slow down, dwell in God's presence and pray to God. If you're unable to join us in the Folensbee Lounge, you’re invited, wherever you are, to pray during this time every Thursday evening. You might start by praying for those listed on the prayer list.
Prayer List
Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:
Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Joan Dwyer, Rosemarie Graffeo, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Denise Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Dorothy Reid, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan the family of Michael & Margaret Gittens, the family of Rosa Weed.