PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Transcription

1 THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD An Open and Affirming Congregation of The United Church of Christ THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION October 6, 2013 Welcome ~ Bienvenidos 10:30 AM WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT CENTER CHURCH. We are glad you have joined us for this service of worship and the fellowship of this congregation. We hope that you will be both comforted and challenged by the Word of God for us today. If you are new to our community, we hope you will consider making this your church home. Any of our worship leaders or ushers will be able to help with your questions. If you are already a member, be sure to extend a friendly greeting to those around you, starting with someone you don t know yet. Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices before the service of Worship begins. A comfortable nursery is available in the basement of the Meeting House where concerned parents may take young children who are restless and might seem to be disruptive to neighbors sitting in the pews. The service can be heard through a speaker system in the nursery. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Since the beginning of time, people who trust one another, care for one another, and are deeply connected to one another have shared food as a sign of and reaffirmation of their relationship. When attention is paid to the sharing, it takes on ritual character. The nurturing of the body becomes a metaphor of the mutual nourishing of lives. Every time we hold hands and say a blessing before a meal, every time we lift a glass and say fine words to one another, every time we eat in peace and grace together, we have celebrated the covenants that bind us together. ~ Robert Fulghum in From Beginning to End CHIMING OF THE HOUR and GREETING

2 COMING BEFORE GOD PRELUDE for Two Flutes Moderato from 40 Progressive Duets for Two Flutes [op. 55, vol. 2] Ernesto Köhler ( ) INTROIT for Choir Haleluya! Pelo tsa rona [South Africa] Shona song; arr. Haleluya! Pelo tsa rona, di thabile kaofela Hallelujah! We sing your praises, all our hearts are filled with gladness. *CALL TO WORSHIP Christ the Lord to us said: I am wine, I am bread. Give to all who thirst and hunger. We gather today as the people of God, as a community of Christ's followers. We gather to share Word and sacrament, to discern the ways of faithful service. Where in the world shall we serve our God? At home and school and business place in this community and throughout every land. How in the world shall we serve our God? By working toward justice where there is oppression, by offering comfort where there is pain, by sharing love where there is hatred. Why in the world shall we serve our God? Because the Spirit beckons us, because Jesus calls us to enact our faith. Let us now worship the one who calls us! *HYMN of Praise No. 341 Great Spirit God (stanzas 1, 2, and 4) LAQUIPARLE * Those who are able are invited to stand.

3 UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION (from East Timor) & THE LORD S PRAYER O, God, You promise a world where those who now weep shall laugh; those who are hungry shall feast; those who are poor and excluded shall live in your kingdom. We want this promised world, too. We renounce despair. We will act for change. We choose to be included in your great feast of life, as together we 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. (* = traditional wording but you may use alternative wording, such as God, Creator, or Mother, as seems fitting.) CONFESSION AND RESPONSE CALL TO CONFESSION AND RECONCILIATION PRAYER OF CONFESSION (from South Africa) All: All: All: All: For our failure to feel the sufferings of others, and our tendency to live comfortably with injustice, God forgive us. For the self-righteousness which denies guilt, and the self-interest which strangles compassion, God forgive us. For our failings in community, and our lack of understanding of one another, God forgive us. For the times when we are too eager to be better than others, when we are too rushed to care, when we are too tired to bother, when we do not really listen, when we are too quick to act from motives other than love, God forgive us and shower your mercy upon us.

4 SILENCE FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION Response (sung by the choir) Señor, ten piedad [Argentina] music: Misa Criolla; Ariel Ramírez, 1963 text: Greek, 6 th century; transl. Señor, ten piedad de nosotros. Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros. Señor, ten piedad de nosotros. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. This is a setting, in Spanish, of the Kyrie eleison. Composer Ariel Ramírez included folk tunes and rhythms in his music. The Misa Criolla was the first vernacular-language setting of the Mass in the Roman rite to flow from the reforms brought about by the Second Vatican Council. WORDS OF ASSURANCE When we ask forgiveness, God restores us to our rightful identity as the children of God. God lights a fire within us so that we can change our world for the better. In the name Jesus Christ, we dare to come out of hiding to speak up for justice and peace. *Congregational Response Glory to God the Creator music: Ronald A. Nelson, 1986 text: Gloria patri, 3 rd century, transl. *THE PASSING OF THE PEACE The love of God, the Peace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always. And also with you. Since in Christ we have been reconciled, let us share his peace with one another. PROCLAIMING GOD S LIVING WORD *HYMN of Christian Living No. 416 I Will Trust in the Lord TRUST IN THE LORD

5 RESPONSIVE READING: Lamentations 1:1-6; 3:21-26 How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the provinces has become a vassal. She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies. Judah has gone into exile with suffering and hard servitude; she lives now among the nations, and finds no resting place; her pursuers have all overtaken her in the midst of her distress. The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to the festivals; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan; her young girls grieve, and her lot is bitter. Her foes have become the masters, her enemies prosper, because the Lord has made her suffer for the multitude of her transgressions; her children have gone away, captives before the foe. From daughter Zion has departed all her majesty. Her princes have become like stags that find no pasture; they fled without strength before the pursuer. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. NEW TESTAMENT READING 2 Timothy 1:1-14 NRSV: New Testament, p. 1086

6 Response (sung by the choir) E toru nga mea [New Zealand] music: traditional Maori text: traditional Maori; transl. S. T. Kimbrough, Jr., 2000 E toru nga mea nga mea nu nui e kii ana te Paipera whakapono tumanako ko te mea nui ko te aroha. SERMON But I Have Hope Believe in God s Word: these things abide, these three abide-- faith, hope, and love, but greatest of all, of all the three, the greatest is love. Rebecca Richards, Warburton Director of Outreach Ministries RESPONDING IN FAITH *HYMN for World Communion Sunday No. 338 Una Espiga/Sheaves of Summer UNA ESPIGA Please sing this hymn in the language printed that allows you to offer your best to the worship of God. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Response (sung by the choir) O Kou Aloha No [Hawai i] music: Queen Liliuokalani, 1893; arr. Emerson C. Smith, 1954 text: Queen Liliuokalani, 1893 O kou aloha no a ia i ka Lani, a o kou oiai o, He hemolele ho i. Your love is in heaven and your truth so perfect. Nolaila e ka Haku Malalo okou eheu ko makou maluhia, a mau loa aku no. And so, O Lord, beneath your wings be our peace forevermore. THE OFFERING OF GIFTS AND TITHES

7 Anthem for Choir and Organ Draw Us in the Spirit s Tether music: Harold Friedell, 1957 text: Percy Dearmer, 1925 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! Touch we now thy garment s hem. As the 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! 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! We will serve thee faithfully. Presentation Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH text: Thomas Ken, 1674; alt. music: Louis Bourgeois, 1551 *UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION We are grateful to you, O God, for the faith that binds us together. We give thanks for the courage and faithfulness of those who have worked steadily that we might know your love. We join them in putting our trust in you. To that end, we dedicate our offerings that they may further your work in the world. Amen. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION *INVITATION TO THE TABLE Friends, this is the joyful feast that brings together all God s children. As we gather this morning, we give thanks that, at Christ s own bidding, we have come from east and west, and from north and south to celebrate this Holy Feast. As today s sunlight inches across land and sea, Christians from every tongue and nation are gathering to give thanks for the bread of life and the cup of salvation given for us.

8 As we gather at your table from all over the world, O God, we pray that all those who come to you in the name of Christ might be one in spirit. Knead us together in one loaf. Unite us in mission and service. And, in Christ, grant us your peace. Amen. THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (The minister will speak this prayer in both English and Spanish.) Minister: Glory to God, Source of bounty and beauty, whose fullness and fragrance transform us. Creator God, we lift our hearts to you in thanksgiving. Minister: Glory to God, who has made covenant with all creatures, and has promised never to forsake the creation God loves. Glory to God, our Sustainer, who loves and cares for all living creatures. Minister: Glory to God, who made us all in God s image, and entrusted the earth and her life to our care. Glory to God, our Redeemer, who saves us by grace alone. Minister: Holy God, Giver of our daily bread, it is truly right and good to glorify you. Through your living word you created all things and pronounced them good. You made human beings in your own image, persons capable of entering into relationships both with you and with one another. In your mercy, you have called us as sisters and brothers to be a great family. In Christ, you offer us a way to be united in friendship and solidarity. So, today we join with all your people on earth, praising your name in unending song, singing: Hymn for Choir [Austria] music: Deutsche Messe; Franz Schubert, 1827 text: Isaiah 6: 3b and Matthew 21: 9b 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. Minister: God of hope, in the fullness of time you sent the Chosen One, Jesus of Nazareth, Christ, the Messiah, to call your splintered creation together again. He came preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins, and, to those who responded, he announced that they are joint heirs of God s eternal love with him. Now on this day, his followers

9 all around the world are gathering at the table to remember and to share, and we are among those who are coming to this feast of love. In remembrance of these, your mighty acts in Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of our faith: ALL: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Minister: Holy God, Creator of all peoples and worlds, send now upon this bread and this cup your life-giving Spirit. May this outpouring of the promised Spirit transfigure this meal, that this bread and cup may become for us the bread of heaven and the cup of the New Covenant. As we partake of this holy meal, fill us with the Holy Spirit, that we may be one body and one spirit in Christ. All glory be to you, God, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen! WORDS OF INSTITUTION Response (sung by the choir) O Bread of Life [China] music: Yin-Lan Su, 1936; arr. Darryl Nixon, 1986 text: Timothy Tingfang Lew, 1934; transl. Greer Anne Wenh-In Ng, 1986 O Bread of Life, for all things breaking, the bitter cup on Calvary draining Redeemed by grace, we join in feasting, at your command the past remembering. We come this day in humble worshipping; our land is scarred, earth s people suffering; O sacred face, blood and tears mingling, all human pain you are still bearing. Stand in our midst, eyes and hearts opening; your mystic self to us revealing; Unite us in life everlasting, Immanuel, blessing unending. These words are akin to those found in the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, which is the last portion of the Ordinary of the Mass. THE SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP

10 Music for Organ Adoro te devote Charles Callahan, 1991 The chant upon which this setting is based may be found in the hymnal at no Charles Callahan served for many years as the organist and choirmaster of the Church of the Holy Family in New York City. This church is known as The United Nations Parish due to its location, which is just across the street from the UN s headquarters. UNISON PRAYER OF GRATITUDE AFTER COMMUNION We thank you, O God, for refreshing us at your holy table. We thank you for our brothers and sisters in this community and around the world. May we always be reminded to see the world through Christ's eyes, and to work for a time when all may share together at Your table. Amen. GOING FORTH *HYMN for Ministry by All to All We All Are One in Mission AURELIA stanza 4 harmonization: Noel Rawsthorne, 1991 *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE for Organ Let All the Peoples Praise You Victor Pilgrim; arr. Patrick Prescod Victor Pilgrim, the composer of the melody of this melody that employs Caribbean rhythms, is a native of Barbados. Patrick Prescod, who arranged it for choir (it works well on the organ), hails from St. Vincent. Both men have been active in the Caribbean Council of Churches. BEING THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD HIGHLIGHTING OUR MINISTRIES DISMISSAL Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!