Like a Mighty Stream, Let Justice Roll. Absalom, Jehu and Beyond

Transcription

1 Like a Mighty Stream, Let Justice Roll. Absalom, Jehu and Beyond THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST 500 TH COMMEMORATION OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION 30 TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION IN THANKSGIVING FOR THOSE WHO DIED 7:00 P.M. SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2017 THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMMUNION ELCA 2110 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION & THE UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS

2 Welcome! On the behalf of all the members of the Union of Black Episcopalians and African Descent Lutheran Association through the world, we bid you welcome. We are gather in this space as a one people reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We gather to celebrate the many traditions and heritages of our Episcopal/Lutheran identity. We come from intimate rural parishes and sprawling urban ones, as longtime church members and newcomers to the faith. As we gather, we bring our diverse gifts: gifts of music, dance, prophecy, teaching, preaching, and friendship. We present these gifts in the form of our most precious offering to God, our very selves, that all that we do may be for God s glory in the unity of Christ s church. We gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God as we are united one to another in the stream of baptism. As we come together at the font and renew our baptismal vows, we affirm the promise of our faith: that we are made in God s image to do God s work, that we are members of Christ s one body, and that, empowered by the Spirit, we are participants in a divine mystery. The covenant that we remember today is a sign of God s unfailing love for all creation, as well as a call to take our part in God s transforming work. On this joyful occasion, we invite all present in this place, to pray for guidance for our two denominations, our Bishops, African Descent Lutherans and the Union of Black Episcopalians as we seek to envision the reign of God in our midst. May our celebration today unite us as a sacramental community, and may we leave this place filled with new energy for God s work in the world. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 2

3 WE GIVE THANKS for the work and ministries of the descendants of the African Diaspora in the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as we worship together in the beauty of holiness. Today we gather to commemorate and give thanks for the lives and ministries of pioneers in faith. The Reverend Absalom Jones and The Reverend Jehu Jones Jr. Their lives and witness have brought us to this day as we celebrate our common heritage. THE REVEREND ABSALOM JONES, PRIEST (November 7, 1746 February 13, 1818) was an African-American abolitionist and clergyman. After founding, St. Thomas African Episcopal Church, a black congregation in 1792, he was the first African American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church of the United States, in Absalom Jones and Richard Allen founded the Free African Society (FAS), first conceived as a nondenominational mutual aid society, to help newly freed slaves in Philadelphia. Jones and Allen later separated, as their religious lives took different directions after 1794, but they remained lifelong friends and collaborators. He is listed on the Episcopal calendar of saints and remembered liturgically on the date of his death, February 13, in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as "Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818". THE REVEREND JEHU JONES, JR., PASTOR (September 4, 1786 November 24, 1852) was a Lutheran minister who founded one of the first African-American Lutheran congregations in the United States, as well as actively involved in improving the social welfare of blacks. In 1832, Jones was ordained in New York as a missionary Pastor. The Lutheran Church in Philadelphia later appointed Jones as a missionary to the city's black population, which became St. Paul s Lutheran Church. Jones remained active in the Philadelphia African American congregation, as well as Pennsylvania politics and the national Colored Conventions Movement through at least 1851, the year before his death. In 1845, he helped organize a convention to unite freed blacks to petition for civil rights. Jones also founded Lutheran Churches (with congregations of all races) in Gettysburg and Chambersburg. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 3

4 July 22, 2017 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, My prayers have been with you in your planning and preparations for this historic joint meeting of the African Descent Lutheran Association and the Union of Black Episcopalians, Like a Rolling Stream, Let Justice Roll. It is with joy and thanksgiving that I join you here in Philadelphia for this special occasion and celebration of the 225 th anniverary of The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. I give thanks to God for your witness and transformative work within The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as part of the historic black church tradition, and together as ecumenical partners. In our full communion agreement, Called to Common Mission, we claimed that our search for a fuller expression of visible unity is for the sake of living and sharing the gospel. Unity and mission are at the heart of the church s life. Together you are living and sharing the gospel, giving fuller expression to our unity in Christ. We know that we cannot discern God s future for us without knowing and commemorating our past. On the occasion of the 500 th anniverary of the Reformation, it is fitting that we join together in honoring the history of those Episcopalians and Lutherans of African Desecent who are our foremothers and forefathers in the faith, including the Rev. Absalom Jones and the Rev. Jehu Jones, Jr., and countless others, named and unnamed. Their lives and ministries are an essential part of the history of the Protestant Reformation, and therefore, inform our lives together today. In reflecting on your theme, I went back to the words of the Prophet Amos. In chapter 5, verse 21 just two verses before the verse we know so well, we read, I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. We are reminded, therefore, of our charge to bear God s justice and Christ s righteouness. Without it, our celebrations ring empty. So, dear sisters and brothers, let us recommit ourselves to let justice roll in us, and through us, so that together we may bear witness to the One who is the most righteous, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Your sister in Christ, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8765 West Higgins Road Chicago, Illinois ELCA.org LivingLutheran.com THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 4

5 July 22, 2017 On the Occasion of the Gathering of the African Descent Lutheran Association and the Union of Black Episcopalians Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As you gather together for Like a Rolling Stream, Let Justice Roll, I give thanks for the transformative and live-giving work of the African Descent Lutheran Association and the Union of Black Episcopalians -work in the historic black church and wider Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran communities that has been and will continue to be a witness to the movement that Jesus of Nazareth inaugurated. It is fitting that you are meeting in Philadelphia this summer, as we celebrate the city s African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas 225 th anniversary. This parish, of which The Episcopal Church is justly proud, has a long legacy of raising up all of God s children with the calling of Absalom Jones to be the Episcopal Church s first black priest, historic connections to the Underground Railroad in the city, and the fight for Civil Rights. In fact, because of St. Thomas commitment to raising up leaders for communities of the African diaspora, the Rev. William Levington was sent from the parish to Baltimore, founding St. James Church, where I would (much later) serve as rector. St. Thomas legacy, built on the gospel of Jesus, is an excellent foundation for our future work. It is also my privilege and joy to see this gathering take place this year, when we commemorate the 500 th Anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. It is altogether appropriate for our two churches, united by our Call to Common Mission and firm reliance on the Lord, to celebrate Luther s opening of the Reformation -an event which would change and inspire the Church, and eventually bear out our own traditions and Communions. As we remember these momentous events, may we all recommit ourselves to speaking truth to power, immersing ourselves in Scripture, and telling out the gospel message that God s grace is, through Jesus, given freely to all people. This is Good News indeed! I remain, Your brother in Christ, The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 5

6 Union of Black Episcopalians July 25, 2017 Dear Brothers and Sisters, On behalf of the UBE National Board, I am pleased to extend greetings to you as we commemorate this important milestone, the 225 th anniversary of the Black presence within the Episcopal Church, with the founding of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia by the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first priest of African descent. As modeled by Reverend Absalom, the mission of UBE continues to be forwarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ within the Church and the world a gospel of justice, liberty and reconciliation. We further celebrate the historic collaboration of the UBE and the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) at this week s conference and tonight s service and most importantly the presence of our Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry and the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton. We also offer congratulations to our Lutheran brothers and sisters as they honor the 500th Observance of the Protestant Reformation. I pray that this commemoration will inspire and embolden us to vigilant work towards the eradication of contemporary overt and covert racism and challenge us to use the spiritual and physical resources we have for the advancement of social justice. Yours in Christ, Canon Annette L. Buchanan UBE National President THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 6

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8 Like a mighty stream THE GATHERING OF GOD S PEOPLE MINISTERS: PRESIDER: CON-CELEBRANTS: ALL OF US! THE REV. LAMONT ANTHONY WELLS NATIONAL PRESIDENT, AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION, ELCA THE REV. CLAIRE SCHENOT BURKAT BISHOP OF THE SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD OF ELCA THE RT. REV. DANIEL G. P. GUTIERREZ BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF PA PREACHER: THE REV. ABRAHAM ALLENDE, BISHOP OF NE OHIO SYNOD OF ELCA GATHERING At the invitation of the Presider kneel as you are able Presider Trusting in the word of life given in baptism, we are gathered in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Presider God has given to all nations the repentance that leads to life. Let us come with repentant hearts to the God who makes all things new. Amen. THE CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Silence is kept for reflection Presider Gracious God, All we confess to you all the ways in which we dismiss the resurrection news. We are slow of heart to believe. We turn from others and retreat in fear. Come into our locked rooms and breathe into us your forgiving Spirit. Reawaken our trust and strengthen our hope, that we may be witnesses to your saving power. Amen. Presider Peace be with you, sisters and brothers. In baptism you have received a spirit of adoption; you are God's beloved children. In the name of Christ your sins are forgiven. Rejoice, and welcome this freedom as a gift. Amen. All standing. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 8

9 OPENING HYMN: A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD Text: Tr. from Lutheran Book of Worship; Tr. 1978, Lutheran Book of Worship. All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E CALL TO WORSHIP Presider This is the day that the Lord has made. People We will rejoice and be glad in it! Presider The Lord is my strength and my song. People The Lord has become my salvation. Presider Open to me the gates of righteousness. People I will go through them and praise the Lord. Presider I shall not die, but live. People and declare the works of the Lord. Presider This is the day that the Lord has made. People we will rejoice and be glad in it! THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 9

10 THE KYRIE THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 10

11 THIS IS THE FEAST THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 11

12 THE GREETING Presider The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. People And also with you. SALUTATION AND PRAYER OF THE DAY Presider The Lord be with you... People And also with you. Presider Let us pray. Faithful God, most merciful judge, you care for your children with firmness and compassion. By your Spirit nurture us who live in your kingdom, that we may be rooted in the way of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen CHOIR SELECTION : REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH MASS CHOIR THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 12

13 WELCOME THE WORD THE FIRST READING: ISAIAH 44:6-8 INTRODUCTION: God claims the right to sole rule, because God announces things that actually do happen, while supposed divine opponents remain silent. God is Israel s redeemer, that is, the best brother or sister they ever had. Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses. Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one. Reader Here ends the reading. The Psalm: Psalm 86:11-17 V. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. R. I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and glorify your name forevermore. V. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the pit of death. R. The arrogant rise up against me, O God, and a band of violent people seeks my life; they have not set you before their eyes. V. But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth. R. Turn to me and have mercy on me; give your strength to your servant, and save the child of your handmaid. V. Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame; R. because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me. SECOND READING: ROMANS 8:12-25 INTRODUCTION: For Paul, true spirituality means that we experience the reality of the Spirit, which enables us to pray as God s children, keeps us in solidarity with creation, and gives us unseen hope that God will liberate us and creation from bondage to death and decay. So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, Abba! Father! it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Reader Here ends the reading. All stand. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 13

14 ALLELUIA VERSE THE HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:24-30, Deacon The Holy Gospel according to Matthew the 13th chapter. People Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus put before the crowds another parable: The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from? He answered, An enemy has done this. The slaves said to him, Then do you want us to go and gather them? But he replied, No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field. He answered, The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen! After the Gospel Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, O Christ. INTRODUCTION OF PREACHER CHOIR SELECTION: REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH GOSPEL CHOIR THE SERMON THE REV. ABRAHAM ALLENDE BISHOP OF NE OHIO SYNOD OF ELCA THE RESPONSE & OFFERING All stand THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 14

15 SERMON HYMN: LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS Tune: arr. Nolan Williams, Jr., 2000, GIA Publications, Inc. Text: Elisha Hoffman. All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E THE APOSTLES CREED People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 15

16 THE LITURGY OF LIBATION IN HONOR OF OUR ANCESTORS & ELDERS At the invitation of the Presider all who are able stand. Presider Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Risen Christ, we have been formed of the earth and made one in Holy Baptism. We come this day to give thanks for our faithful ancestors and to celebrate our elders. There is an African proverb that tells us people who lack the knowledge of their past are like a tree without roots. So in the spirit of remembrance and thanksgiving, we pour this libation of water. We pour to honor the past, so that we may learn from it. We raise our cup to God to show our reverence for the original source of our lives. We use cool water as a symbol of the continuity of life, to purify and to nourish our souls. It is said that through others, we are somebody and so we remember our heritage and recall those who gave us life. Leader We call upon our ancestors our mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers, our fathers, grandfathers and our great-grandfathers, uncles, aunts and cousins the foundations of our families, immortalized in our thoughts. Deacon We call upon our elders, whose wisdom we seek in all endeavors. Our friends, whom we are blessed to have in our lives, our parents who guided us along the road to adulthood. We call upon family who have passed over and could not be here today. We ask that they be with us in our thoughts. As the names are read the persons appointed pour libation into the libation bowl. Lector On this Day of the remembering and celebration let us give honor to those who hallowed this earth by their prayers and by the way they walked in the light of God. Let us remember the giants of faith on whose shoulders we stand. People Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Deborah, Solomon, Ruth, David, Esther other names may be added. Lector On this Day of the Ancestors, let us give honor to those who empowered by the Holy Spirit established God's church, giving life, blood, soul, and strength that we might have a right to the tree of life. People Mary of Magdala, Paul, Lydia, Athanasius, Augustine, Philip, Phoebe other names may be added. Lector On this Day of the Freedom Fighters, let us give honor to those whose belief in the God of Freedom was so strong that Freedom rings stronger and longer today. Let us remember these warriors of liberation and service on whose shoulders we stand. People Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells Barnett other names may be added. Lector On this Day of the Justice Seekers, let us give honor to those who hallowed the struggle for justice by the love that they have shown to create a beloved community. Let us remember these blessed ones whose example we should follow. People Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Ella Baker, Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Edward Demby, Fannie Lou Hamer, Nelson Mandela, Marian Wright Edelman other names may be added. Lector On this Day of the Pioneers, let us give honor to those who led the way, who were the first to stand up and be counted and blazed the trail that others may follow. Let us remember these forerunners in whose shadow we stand. People James Theodore Holly, Maya Angelou, Quintin Primo, Pauli Murray, Absalom Jones, Artemisia Bowden, Jehu Jones, Verna Dozier, Albert Pete Pero, Daniel W. Joy, Alexander Crummell other names may be added. Lector On this Day of the Saints, let us give honor to those who built our families, who sacrificed for our well-being, who built up our church, who founded institutions of learning, who braved the storm, who fought the good fight and who may still be fighting on. We stand on their shoulders! The community is invited to call out the names of the Ancestors and Elders they wish to honor from their families and communities. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 16

17 SONG: WADE IN THE WATER Tune: arr. Dr. James Abbington, 2000, GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E Silence is kept for a time Presider Therefore we cast our libation to the North, to the South, to the East and to the West. Merciful God, we thank you for the Ancestors and Elders who have led us on the way. May we to come to the joys of your eternal dwelling and take our place among the Ancestors and Saints in light. Amen! THE PEACE Presider The peace of the Lord be with you always. People And also with you. 500 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION ARTISTRY AND SPECIAL REMARKS: THE OFFERING: CHOIR SELECTION: REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH GOSPEL CHOIR OFFERTORY HYMN: THANK YOU, LORD OFFERTORY PRAYER Presider Let us pray. Silence. Presider Risen Christ, People Receive these gifts, with our hopes, dreams, and prayers. Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bred, that our eyes may be opened to see your presence among us, and our lives filled with the new life of your resurrection. Amen. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 17

18 THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Celebrant The Lord be with you People And also with you. Celebrant Lift up your hearts People We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God People It is right to give God thanks and praise. Celebrant It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ...And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Celebrant Celebrant People Celebrant People Celebrant People God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into the path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire. In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we await the day when Jesus shall return to free all the earth from the bonds of slavery and death. Come, Lord Jesus! And let the church say, Amen Amen. Send your Holy Spirit, our advocate, to fill the hearts of all who share this bread and cup with courage and wisdom to pursue love and justice in all the world. Come, Spirit of Freedom! And let the church say Amen! Amen. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 18

19 Celebrant People Join in our prayers and praise with your prophets and martyrs of every age, that, rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection, we might live in the freedom and hope of your Son. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN. THE LORD S PRAYER Celebrant Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught People 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, forever and ever. Amen. THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread. THE INVITATION Celebrant The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Come to this table where you are known and loved. THE COMMUNION Those who have been baptized and are ready to receive this gift of Jesus Christ are welcome to come to receive the bread and wine. Please come forward as directed by an usher. At the first pew, please take a glass from one of the trays held by the usher. Receive the bread and wine or grape juice from the Pastor and communion assistants. There is an option of kneeling to receive communion. If this is your preference, after taking your glass, simply step to the center, and there will be a place to kneel at a third station. Small children and those who have not been baptized are welcome to come forward for a blessing. All sit THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 19

20 COMMUNION HYMNS: TASTE & SEE Tune: James E. Moore, Jr., 1983, GIA Publications, Inc. Text: Psalm 34; James E. Moore Jr., 1983, GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 20

21 NOW BEHOLD THE LAMB CHOIR SELECTION REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH MASS CHOIR CANTICLE POST COMMUNION PRAYER Celebrant God of our ancestors People God of all people, before whose face the human generations pass away, we thank you that as the broken bread was gathered into one loaf, the broken fragments of our history are gathered up and healed by the redeeming act of Christ. Send us forth in peace, form us into what we celebrate, the body of Christ in the world. Nourished by this sacrament, give us strength and courage to serve you in daily life with joy and singleness of heart. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 21

22 BENEDICTION Presider The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. Amen. CLOSING HYMN: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 22

23 DISMISSAL Presider Go in peace and serve the Lord. People Thanks be to God. A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO: Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, TEC The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Episcopal Church African Descent Lutheran Association- Philadelphia Chapter The Union of Black Episcopalians The Pastor, Clergy and People of the Church of the Holy Communion, Bishop Daniel G. P. Gutierrez and the Episcopal Diocese of PA, Bishop Claire Burkat and the Southeastern Synod- ELCA for their gracious hospitality and warm welcome. The African Descent Lutheran Association and the Union of Black Episcopalians are eternally grateful for the public witness and leadership at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion. THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 23

24 Like a Mighty Stream, Let Justice Roll. Absalom, Jehu and Beyond AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS JULY 2017 THE HOLY EUCHARIST PAGE 24