Welcome! The Choral Eucharist On The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost Together With The Commemoration Of Independence Day

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1 104 Union Street South Concord, North Carolina Office Phone: Web Site: Welcome! Saint James is a house of prayer where all people can come to know the compassionate heart of Jesus. We are a diverse community of progressive Christians where you can belong before you believe. At Saint James the beauty of ancient worship and traditional spiritual practices transform contemporary lives. Join us as together we discover the sacred in the heart of the city. Our worship includes ancient and contemporary symbols and practices along with preaching and music to inspire you to follow Jesus in your daily life. We welcome both the spiritual seeker and seasoned disciple to find their home in God with us. If you are looking for a spiritual home or just exploring the life of faith, we hope you will walk with us on that journey of discovery. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST July 1, :00 a.m. in the Nave The Choral Eucharist On The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost Together With The Commemoration Of Independence Day The Introduction To Today s Liturgy... A woman finds healing by touching Jesus cloak, and a girl is restored to life when he takes her by the hand. In both cases a boundary is crossed: in Jesus time the hemorrhaging woman was considered ritually unclean, polluting others by her touch, and anyone who touched a corpse also became unclean. In Mark s gospel Jesus breaks down barriers, from his first meal at a tax collector s house to his last breath on the cross as the temple curtain is torn in two. We dare to touch Jesus in our uncleanness and to live as a community that defines no one as an outsider. Page 1 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

2 Welcome! We welcome everyone on this Lord s Day to the liturgy of Holy Eucharist. To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this parish opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Newcomers and visitors, we hope that you will feel at home in this place and in this liturgy. Ushers are available in the narthex during the liturgy should you have any questions or concerns. If you are a visitor or guest, please be sure and sign the guestbook located in the Narthex and introduce yourself to the Pastor or to an usher so that we can extend to you a warm welcome. Although there are customary postures (such as standing and kneeling) in Lutheran worship, you are invited to be seated at any point, according to your needs and comfort. This Service Leaflet contains all of today s hymns and liturgy. Children are most welcome in worship at Saint James Church. Children s Ministry Bags are located in the narthex for use during worship. Please return them to the narthex area or leave them on the pews at the end of worship. Be sure to take home the Children s Worship Bulletin and color sheets for your child. For those who desire it, nursery care is provided on the first floor of the Education Building. Invitation to Communion: All baptized Christians who seek God and desire a deeper, stronger life in Christ are invited to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. The First Aid Kit and the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) are located outside the church office door, immediately behind the sanctuary. Fire Extinguishers are located in the Sacristy and in the Narthex. If you are interested in membership to this parish or desire a call from the Pastor, please indicate this to an usher or to the Pastor. Restrooms are available on the first and second floors of the Education Building. About the Liturgy During Pentecost he liturgy changes in an important way after the Day T of Pentecost. Rather than taking place within specific seasons, each with its own theme, this period does not have one overall theme. Each Sunday takes its theme from the Gospel reading for that day and from the biblical and liturgical meaning of Sunday as the Lord s Day. The most notable feature of this period is that we finish reading substantially all of one Gospel each year, having begun this in Advent and Epiphany. The three-year lectionary appoints one of the three synoptic Gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke for each year. John s Gospel is used throughout the three years for certain Holy Days, Lent, and Easter, and in filling out the Gospel of Mark, which is considerably shorter than the others, in Year B. We also read several of the epistles each year during this period. Finally, the Old Testament readings are chosen to complement the Gospel reading each Sunday. Most often they are events or prophecies which point to the work of Christ in the Gospel passage they accompany. This, then, is a period in which the liturgy Sunday after Sunday leads us into a serious consideration of the content of Holy Scripture in an orderly way. This time in the Church Year is a time to build on the growth and renewal of grace we experienced in the first half of the year, a time to prepare ourselves to celebrate more fully when we come around again to the seasons from Advent through Easter. T The Meaning of Sunday he Day of Creation, the Day of Resurrection, the Day of the Spirit the Lord s Day is all of these, and for that reason it is the day of celebration for the church. So it is also the baptismal day and the Eucharistic day. It used to be said that every Sunday is a little Easter. Another way of saying this is suggested by the Roman Catholic writer, Aidan Kavanagh: Easter is a big Sunday. It was the overwhelming significance of the first day of the week which led the first Christians to go beyond the Old Testament, which had set Saturday (the Sabbath) as the day holy to God, and to establish the first day of the week as the Lord s Day. The earliest Jewish Christians continued to keep the Sabbath, but they also gathered on the first day of the week to celebrate the Eucharist. Later Christians moved the celebration of Christ s resurrection from Passover to the Sunday following. As we celebrate each of these Sundays, we have the opportunity to reflect on God s Word in an orderly and comprehensive way. We also find ourselves being made the living and visible sign of God s kingdom in this world. All that we heard and said and did, from Advent through Pentecost, is summed up in our Sunday celebrations. We, the people of God, are made fruitful, and we are equipped to live in Christ and to reveal him to this world. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 2 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

3 The Preparation for Worship All worshipers are invited to remain reverently silent before the service, and to join fervently in prayer, enthusiastically in praise, and heartily in song during the service. We gather together for worship on this first day of the week, the day Christ Jesus rose from the dead, for an intimate communion with our Lord. He comes to us, speaks to us, and blesses us through his Word and Sacrament. We come to him and speak to him in prayer and praise and thanksgiving. This liturgy is the recurring moment of high splendor in our earthly lives, a God-given foretaste of the heavenly life to come. Out of respect for the liturgy we are about to celebrate and those sitting around you, help us create sacred space by powering down your cell phones and electronic devices. As we prepare our hearts and minds for worship this morning, we make a transition from the hustle and bustle in our lives to that ardent and humble devotion. We quiet ourselves and center ourselves on God. We remind ourselves, Surely the Lord is in this place...this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. As we ready ourselves for worship this morning, you are invited to meditate and to pray silently the Prayer of Preparation. THE SILENT PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Breathe into me Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart Holy Spirit, That I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me Holy Spirit, That I may defend all that is holy. Protect me Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy. (Attributed to Saint Augustine) Personal prayer in preparation for worship: Prepare my heart, O God, to accept your Word. You have given me a mind to know you, a heart to love you, and a voice to sing your praises. Fill me with your Spirit, that I may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth. Speak to me, Lord, for you have the words of eternal life. Amen. THE RINGING OF THE TOWER BELLS THE PARISH NOTICES/COLLECT FOR BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK The Liturgy begins with the music of the organ. The organ voluntary is a veil drawn reverently between the cares of the week and the time of worship where all are welcome to experience the presence of God with the people of God. Through its power and brilliance may you feel the majesty and glory of God, and in its quietness, his peace. THE OPENING VOLUNTARY Prelude on National Airs Charles Callahan (b.1951) THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 3 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

4 The stand The kneel or sit as able We come to God in penitence and faith and confess our sins before our Father in heaven. We then hear spoken to us the Absolution words of comfort and forgiveness through our Savior, Jesus Christ. THE CONFESSION OF SIN AND ABSOLUTION All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism as the begins: In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silence is held for reflection and self-examination Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 4 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

5 The Entrance Rite The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ s resurrection The stand The service begins with the Entrance Rite. We sing and process toward the altar as a cross leads the way. The Hymn at the Procession is a hymn of praise and sets the tone of the liturgy. THE GATHERING HYMN THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 5 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

6 The Opening Versicles (exchanges between and ) are chosen according to the season. The words of Saint Paul, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (from 2 Corinthians 13-14) form the Apostolic Greeting because they come from the Apostle Paul himself, who gave a similar greeting in his correspondence with churches. In this way we recognize ourselves as fellow apostles and are reminded that God, the Holy Trinity, forms us and shapes us into disciples and unites us in baptism. THE OPENING VERSICLES AND APOSTOLIC GREETING Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. THE LITANY IN COMMEMORATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen for His own inheritance. The earth is the Lord's, And all who dwell in it.. God is king over the nations: God sits on his holy throne. He rules by his might forever. His eyes keep watch on the nations. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, For God judges the peoples with equity and guides the nations upon earth. O Lord, be gracious to us and bless us, And make your face to shine upon us. May your ways be known upon the earth, Your saving power among all peoples. Lord of all nations, guide us by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom. Give us faith in you, that our nation may bring glory to your name and blessings to all peoples; through your Son Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. THE HYMN OF PRAISE I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love: The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice. And there's another country, I've heard of long ago, Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know; We may not count her armies, we may not see her King; Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering; And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace. THAXED THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 6 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

7 The sit The Collect is a short prayer which gathers or collects the thoughts and prayers of the entire Church as they apply to the theme of the day. THE SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty and merciful God, we implore you to hear the prayers of your people. Be our strong defense against all harm and danger, that we may live and grow in faith and hope, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. THE MESSAGE FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 7 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

8 The Liturgy of the Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song The First Reading is generally from the Old Testament and is intentionally related to the Gospel reading of the day. THE OLD TESTAMENT READING Lamentations 3:22-33 The book of Lamentations is one of our most important sources of information about the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587 BCE. Though the people admit that God s judgment was just, today s reading declares a fervent trust that God will not leave them forever. Lector Lector A reading from Lamentations, the third chapter. T he steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. 25The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, 28 to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, 29 to put one s mouth to the dust (there may yet be hope), 30 to give one s cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults. 31 For the Lord will not reject forever. 32Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; 33 for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The Second Reading usually comes from one of the letters (epistles) in the New Testament. In the early church, letters from the apostles began to be read along with the custom of reading Scripture. THE EPISTLE READING 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Paul encourages the Corinthians to honor their commitment to participate in the collection his churches are organizing for the Christians in Jerusalem. He presents Jesus as an example of selfless stewardship and reminds them that Christians have received abundantly so that they can share abundantly. Lector Lector A reading from Second Corinthians, the eighth chapter. N ow as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. 8 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14 your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written, The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 8 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

9 The stand Every hymn in the liturgy is chosen carefully and thematically to reflect all the readings of the day by providing theology, prayer, and praise through poetry and music. In particular, the Sequence Hymn focuses our attention toward the Gospel text, the text that provides the theme for the day. THE SEQUENCE HYMN THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 9 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

10 The Gospel reading centers on the life and works of Jesus and is the theme for the day. We stand during the reading from the Gospel as a sign of respect for the words of Jesus and to manifest an eagerness and attentiveness to hear the good news. It is here that we see God in the flesh among us. THE HOLY GOSPEL Saint Mark 5:21-43 Jairus, a respected leader, begs Jesus to heal his daughter. A woman with a hemorrhage is ritually unclean, treated as an outcast in Jewish society. Both Jairus and the unnamed woman come to Jesus in faith, believing in his power to heal and bring life out of death. Gospeller Gospeller The Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark, the fifth chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. W hen Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live. 24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well. 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, Who touched my clothes? 31And his disciples said to him, You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, Who touched me? 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease. 35While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader s house to say, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further? 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, Do not fear, only believe. 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping. 40And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, Talitha cum, which means, Little girl, get up! 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The sit THE SERMON Rev. Tony Bradshaw, Senior Pastor THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 10 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

11 The stand We have heard God s Word to us. Now we respond by confessing what we believe. The Apostles Creed is the oldest of the creeds we use in worship and is based upon the teachings of the apostles. The word Creed comes from the Latin Credo which means, I believe! THE APOSTLES CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we profess our faith. 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 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 11 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

12 The kneel or sit as able The Prayers of the are another response to the Word of God. They are intercessions (prayers) for the whole state of Christ s Church and the world. In obedience to Christ s commands, we offer intercessions for the universal Church, the nations and all in authority, the welfare of the world, the concerns of our local parish, those who suffer or are in any need, and for the faithful departed. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation. The sing the following refrain two times. Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor The stand Holy God, send out your church to cross boundaries for the sake of your holy compassion. Use our words and our actions to bring peace and wholeness to all people. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Bountiful God, all creation is a gift from you. Protect the earth from disaster and misuse. Free us from selfishness and help us to honor the bounty of nature, sharing our earthly home gently with one another and with future generations. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Liberating God, soften the hearts of rulers and governments. Strengthen the voices of those who cry out for freedom and opportunity for the overlooked, oppressed, and abused. Teach your people to speak peace to all people and nations. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Merciful God, give us faith and make us whole. Ease the anxiety of undiagnosed or chronic illness. Soothe the heartache of miscarriage or infertility. Look with compassion on all who cry to you for healing. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Mighty God, protect and bless all civil servants, local government officials, and members of the armed services who work for our safety and security. Help us to be thoughtful citizens and good neighbors in our community. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Immortal God, your mercies never end and your faithfulness is everlasting. Inspire us by the faith of the saints to wait patiently for your salvation. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. The peace that passes all understanding is Christ s gift to us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we share a gesture of God s peace with one another as a sign that we are united as one family with God at the table of the Lord. THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 12 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

13 The Liturgy of the Eucharist God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ The sit We have listened to God s Word both read and preached. God has spoken to us in mercy and blessing. Now we offer to God our hearts and lives that we might be eager and strong to do his will in thought, word, and deed. THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND COLLECTION OF ALMS An offering of money is collected. Your generous contribution, together with the gifts of many others, makes possible the community of welcome, Reconciliation, and service that is Saint James Church. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, the gifts are brought forward. THE ANTHEM AT THE OFFERTORY Great is Thy Faithfulness Setting by Dan Miller The stand THE OFFERTORY HYMN AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS God bless our native land; firm may it ever stand through storm and night. When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, do thou our country save by thy great might. So shall our prayers arise to God above the skies, on whom we wait. Thou who art ever nigh, guarding with watchful eye, to thee aloud we cry: God save the state! THE COLLECT AT THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR Let us pray. Lord of all, Receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 13 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

14 The words Sursum Corda come from the Latin and mean Lift up your hearts. This Preface (a reciprocal prayer between the and ) serves to remind us of God s action coming to us, our thoughts ascending to God, and that the Lord is truly present with us in this service of thanksgiving. THE SURSUM CORDA The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. The Proper Preface directs our attention to different occasions in the life of our Lord and the Church. THE PROPER PREFACE OF THE LORD S DAY Almighty God, Creator of the universe, Ruler of all nations, you have placed us, your people, in this land made rich with rivers, forests, mountains, and creatures great and small. You set before the founders and pioneers of this nation an opportunity beyond measure to build a realm of justice, peace, and freedom. You continue to call your people, baptized into Christ Jesus, to be a sign of your reign in all the world. For such a place, such a vision, and such a calling we give you thanks, praying we may ever join afresh the dreams you set before us as we join with your people in every land on earth and with all the company of heaven in your unceasing praise: The word Sanctus comes from the Latin and means Holy. In the Sanctus we are reminded of Holy Week and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the multitude who sang, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest! The Sanctus is especially appropriate at this point in the liturgy, as Jesus is about to make his entrance among us in his very Body and Blood. THE SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS Setting: William Mathias ( ) THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 14 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

15 The Eucharistic Prayer gives thanks and praise to God for God s many acts of mercy. This prayer originated in the ancient Jewish meal prayer which was customary at the time of Jesus. THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER 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. The Words of Institution, Jesus words from the Last Supper, are the words which he spoke when he instituted the Supper with his disciples in the Upper Room. With these words the bread and wine are consecrated, that is, set apart for God's use in this special meal. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION 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 for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. We affirm through the Memorial Acclamation that the risen Christ is with us now and that he will be coming again. We believe this because Jesus promised us. THE MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION 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. The Lord s Prayer is a distinctive prayer of Christians. We are reminded that we are together in the family of God, that at this Communion table we are not many individuals, but one body brothers and sisters in the faith. Placed in our liturgy at this point, the Lord s Prayer becomes the summation of our prayers to God in blessing the Bread and Wine. THE LORD S PRAYER And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold 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 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 SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 15 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

16 The sit THE INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God! THE EUCHARISTIC CANTICLE Reverently we come and kneel before the altar of God, humbly to receive Christ into our lives. As he once gave himself for us on the altar of the cross, so he now gives himself to us on the altar of the Sacrament. In this way he assures us all that the blessings he won for all sinners on the cross (forgiveness, life, and salvation) belong to everyone. THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION All baptized Christians are welcome to Holy Communion at Saint James Church. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the High Altar, please proceed through the Choir to approach the High Altar and kneel at the communion rail for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the Communion Station located below the pulpit in the Nave, please proceed toward the Chancel steps for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament from the Communion Assistant on the Nave level. The Sacrament is administered by the method of Intinction. Take the wafer from the Assistant then dip it in the wine. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 16 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

17 THE HYMN AT THE COMMUNION After the choir has communed and returned to their places, verse 1 will be repeated. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 17 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

18 The Sending God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world The stand After all have communed, we offer our joyous and prayerful thanks to God. THE EUCHARISTIC BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. This concluding collect (prayer) thanks God for the gift of communion and recognizes that it inspires and empowers us to live out our Christian mission in the world. THE POSTCOMMUNION COLLECT Let us pray. Life-giving God, we give you thanks for nourishing us with the bread of heaven and the wine of love, Jesus our risen Savior. As you send us into the world, guard us from the power of evil, keep us in unity with all your people, and open our lips by your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your grace and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen. With the assurance of the Lord s blessing resting upon us and his strengthening presence accompanying us, we are ready to depart in peace. We move out of the church into the larger liturgy of our daily life, sent on our way with God s blessing to be a blessing to others and to do God s will. THE BLESSING The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the (+) Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen. The Liturgy concludes overleaf. Please feel free to take your Service Leaflet with you. However, if you would prefer to discard your leaflet, please recycle it by placing it in one of the recycling bins which are located by the doors outside the Chapel, by the front doors in the Narthex, outside the Parish Office, or by the back door at the portico entrance. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 18 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

19 THE SENDING HYMN THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 19 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

20 THE DISMISSAL Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! THE CLOSING VOLUNTARY Military March: The Stars and Stripes Forever John Philip Sousa ( ) THE RINGING OF THE TOWER BELLS THE LITURGY HAS ENDED; THE SERVICE BEGINS! Finally, brethren, farewell. Be complete. Be of good comfort. Be of one mind. Live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Corinthians 13:11-14 The Commemoration of Independence Day July 4th, Independence Day, is an American national holiday. This holiday gives us time to thank God for the birth of our nation, and give thanks for the gift of life and petition God to preserve our country and rid it of its evils. This month holds for Americans the celebration of our glorious Fourth, Independence Day, a great national holiday not connected with the feast of a saint (as is Saint Andrew's Day in Scotland and Saint George's in England), or with a festival of the Church. And yet can it be said that the anniversary of the birth of a nation is ever an entirely secular affair? In our aspirations for freedom, there is always a spiritual element, and this was especially true in the thinking of the American signers of the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia on July 4, On Thanksgiving Day we give thanks to God that He has provided our citizens with food for the body; at this other particularly American celebration we give thanks that He has allowed our spirit to live. What America celebrates as a nation on Independence Day is not unlike what we as Christians celebrate each and every Sunday: We celebrate the Gift of Community, that is, Common Unity. In both instances, whether as a nation or as a Church, we dare to proclaim with gratitude E PLURIBUS UNUM, out of many, one. THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Page 20 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA