St. Peter s Union Church of Mantzville... where worship and service don t stop with the final hymn. The Reverend Kenneth L. Buckwalter, Interim Pastor Kristine K, Betz, Director of Music June 4, 2017 Day of Pentecost Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation 9:00am Welcome to Worship this Day! The Day of Pentecost birthday of the Church and the perfect festival for confirming in the Faith those who now assume responsibility for the life they inherited in their baptism! Today s festival derives its name from the Jewish festival of Pentecost, observed fifty days after Passover. On the fiftieth day of Easter we celebrate the Holy Spirit as the power of God among us that heals, forgives, inspires and unites. In the reading from Acts, images of wind and fire describe the Spirit poured out on disciples of all nations. IN John s gospel the risen Christ breathes the Spirit on his followers on Easter evening. In the one Spirit we are baptized into one body, and at the Lord s table the Spirit unites us for witness in the world. Some things to know as we begin... We begin with words of welcome because you are welcome here! Who is saying what and when? You are the congregation (C). C Congregation A Assisting Minister P Presiding Minister L Lector Please do not use cell phones during this service. M Minister from the Congregation Please note that standing is an invitation, not a requirement!
Gathering WORDS of WELCOME PRELUDE Simple Gifts --G. Sewell We listen for a word from God in song. After the prelude the assembly stands at the direction of the presiding minister. CALL to WORSHIP We hear the word of God and are called to worship. P The day breaks. C The Spirit descends. P The hour calls. C We follow the Son. P The evening falls. C The Father holds us fast. P Let us turn back from our feverish ways and look to God in worship. C To God, who never turns from us. SOLEMN DECLARATION and PRAYER We hear the promise: God is God, forever blessed. P God, you see us; your Spirit is ever with us. M (Larissa) You see our struggles. M (Makayla) You see our challenges.
M (Alyssa) M (Mallory) M (Emily) M (Ricky) You see our fears. You see our hopes. You see our possibilities. You see our promise. P Connect the dots for us, O God. C Soften the hard spots with your blessing. P Call us back from our wandering to hear you say our names. C Fill us with your Spirit, that our longing for you may be satisfied. P For you are a good God, always present with us wherever we go. C And, in the end, you always, always have a blessing. P For this and so much more, we rejoice and give you thanks this day, through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. C Amen. CONFESSION, PARDON and PEACE We acknowledge who we are; God cheerfully welcomes us as we are. M (Larissa) God is holy, but we don t always respect it. M (Makayla) God is present to us, but we don t always feel it. M (Alyssa) God is good to us, but we can t always accept it. M (Mallory) There are things that make us think life is about us more than God. M (Emily) There are things within and around us that try to step between us and God. M (Ricky) There are things that we think, things that we do, that draw our hearts away from God. P The church calls these things sin. Brief silence. Let us confess our sins to God, in the presence of each other. C God of all mercy: I confess that sin grips me and I cannot break free. The sins in my mind, on my lips, in things done or even ignored stand between me and you. My entire heart is not always yours. My love of neighbor falls short. In the name of Jesus, have mercy on me.
P Renew us with your forgiveness. Lead us on paths of righteousness; C and we shall delight in you; we shall follow you, giving glory to your holy name. Through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen. P The God who gives, gives all. The God who loves, loves all. The God who forgives, forgives all. Through Christ, our sins, every one of them: the sins of commission, the sins of omission, the sins we confessed with contrition all are forgiven. C By the grace of God, we are forgiven. Alleluia! P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. P Let us greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace. The assembly shares signs of peace, after which all remain standing for the hymn. GATHERING HYMN We marvel together at the caring love of the Lord. King of the Nations Celebration Hymnal # 801 APOSTOLIC GREETING and PRAYER of the DAY God greets us; we humble ourselves in prayer. P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C And also with you. P Let us pray. O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace; through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen
Word The assembly may be seated. FIRST READING: Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost was a Jewish harvest festival that marked the fiftieth day after Passover. Luke tells the story of the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the disciples before the gathered and astonished people assembled in Jerusalem for that festival. Filled with the Spirit the disciples were able to witness to the power of Christ s resurrection. L A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The text of this reading is printed on the back cover of this worship folder. L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. THE PSALM: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. (Ps. 104:30) SECOND READING: I Corinthians 12:3b-13 Paul is helping the Corinthians understand the relationship between our God-given unity and Spirit-created diversity. The Spirit creates the unity of faith and gives all Christians diverse gifts for the common benefit of all. We need one another s diverse spiritual gifts, because the same Spirit has given them to each person for the common good. L A reading from First Corinthians. The text of this reading is printed on the back cover of this worship folder. L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.
WELCOMING the GOSPEL We welcome the good news of God s powerful Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord Is Celebration Hymnal #385 GOSPEL READING: John 20:19-23 The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 20 th chapter. C Glory to you, O Lord. The text of this reading is printed on the back cover of this worship folder. P The Gospel of our Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ. Please be seated at the direction of the presiding minister. GOOD NEWS! Children s Time When I Grow Up Prayer P Let us pray. Dear Jesus: When you were a baby your mom and dad took care of you; when you grew up, you took care of the whole world. Thank you for the people who take care of me; thank you for me; and, thank you for you! C Amen. Sermon Person to Be Loved #5: We re All Together in This After the sermon the assembly stands for the Hymn of the Day.
HYMN of the DAY We proclaim our faith in a deeply caring God. They ll Know We Are Christians Celebration Hymnal #429 RITE of CONFIRMATION Affirmation of Baptism Service After the hymn the assembly is seated. The ministers gather before the assembly. The church body presidents announce their confirmands, who stand as their names are read. WELCOME and CELEBRATION M I present, who desire to make public affirmation of their baptismal covenant and assume greater responsibility in the church. The presiding minister(s) may share personal words of welcome. P The journey of faith is a journey through life. We are pilgrims, travelers, making our way along the pathway of the saints who have gone before and making clearer the pathway for those who will follow. C We walk the same highway and see many of the same landmarks which led them. P But for each generation, in each place and time and for each seeker who travels the road is still unique. C Today we celebrate tomorrow s leaders, the heroes of history yet to be made. P We hold out our hands to them and beckon them to join us on the journey. C As they walk beside us we may tell them our stories and show them the way; but, we may not journey for them.
P Theirs is a quest they must follow by themselves. We can tell them of our questions, remind them of our answers, but their answers must come from within their own hearts. C We celebrate a new generation of faith, a new branch on the vine, with its leaves about to blossom. All Let us make a place for them and let them know that the family of Christ is their family, too! Amen The confirmands step forward to the chancel rail for the profession of their faith. PROFESSION of FAITH P Dear friends, we rejoice that you now desire to make public profession of your faith and assume greater responsibility in the life of our Christian community and its mission in the world. A Brother and sisters in Christ: in Holy Baptism our Lord Jesus Christ received you and made you members of his Church. In the community of God s people you have learned from his Word God s loving purpose for you and all creation. You have been called to be witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; today you will be nourished at his holy table to strengthen you for the journey before you. P Now, therefore, I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize. Do you renounce all the forces of evil, the devil, and all his empty promises? R/ I do. The assembly stands to join in professing our faith and praying for the confirmands. P Do you believe in God the Father? C I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. P Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
C 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. P Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? C 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 PRAYERS of INTERCESSION P Let us pray for those who are affirming their baptism and for all the baptized everywhere. A brief silence. P That they may be redeemed from all evil and rescued from the way of sin and death: Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. P That the Holy Spirit may open their hearts to your grace and truth: Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. P That they may be kept in the faith and communion of your holy Church: Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer.
P That they may be sent into the world without fear as courageous and confident witnesses to your love: Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. P That they may witness your healing power in their lives and the lives of others (brief pause so that the names of people in need may be spoken silently or aloud): Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. P That they may be brought to the fullness of your peace and glory: Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. C Amen. AFFIRMATION of BAPTISMAL COVENANT The assembly may be seated. The presiding minister(s) address the confirmands, then the assembly. P You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism: to live among God s faithful people, to hear his Word and share in his Supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth? Each confirmand responds in turn: R/ I do and I ask God to help and guide me.
EPIKLESIS Calling of the Holy Spirit Each confirmand comes forward, one at a time, to kneel before the altar. S/he is joined by parents and the president of her/his denomination. The ministers and family place their hands on the confirmand. The presiding minister says the following prayer over each confirmand. P Let us pray We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in Richard James Houser Makayla Louise Kester Larissa Marie Markey Mallory Ann Kreimendahl Alyssa Marie Myers Emily Meredith Tonkin the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence both now and forever. C Amen. The presiding minister seeks a word of commitment from each confirmand, saying: P (Name), until God leads you to service in another place, do you promise to participate in the life and mission of St. Peter s Union Church, Mantzville, sharing regularly in worship and enlisting in the work of this congregation as we serve our community and our world? R/ I promise, with the help of God. CONGREGATIONAL PLEDGE After all confirmands have received the laying-on-of-hands, the assembly stands. The presiding minister(s) address the assembly. P Let us welcome these young people into the fellowship of St. Peter s Church, Mantzville, Pennsylvania:
C We pledge to you our friendship in the Lord and our support in prayer and service, that you may continue to grow in the knowledge and love of God and be witnesses to Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. P In the name of Jesus Christ and on behalf of St. Peter s Church, we extend to you the hand of Christian love. The assembly offers acclamation with applause. The ministers greet the confirmands with signs of peace and words of welcome. All return to their pews at the direction of the presiding minister. An anthem of welcome follows. ANTHEM We bless the Class of 2017 with words of promise and challenge. Find Your Wings Senior Choir OFFERING We offer our time, talents and treasures to God. OFFERTORY Canzona --W. A. Mozart OFFERING SONG We Give Thee but Thine Own (sts. 1, 2, 4) CCLI #160-1646
OFFERTORY PRAYER P Let us pray. O Guardian of our souls, we give thanks for your watchful care. We are grateful for the many ways you offer healing and renewal. We are delighted with the opportunity to return, with glad and generous hearts, the love you have given us. C We praise you with our offerings and by rededicating our time, talents and treasures to the ministry of shepherding the lost of your world. Amen. Please remain standing for the liturgy of the Meal. Meal THANKSGIVING at the TABLE Bread, cup, and the promise of presence Jesus is with us. P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give our thanks and praise. P 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. Fulfilling the promise of the resurrection, you pour out the fire of your Spirit, uniting in one body people of every nation and tongue. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C (Spoken) Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and earth are full of your glory; Glory be to you, O Lord Most High. Amen P Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. 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. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on all your faithful people. Bless this bread and this fruit of the vine, that they might refresh us at this table and renew us as Christ s body in the world. C Amen. LORD S PRAYER We pray as Christ taught us. P C Gathered by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin 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. Amen.
BREAKING the BREAD We begin the sharing as Jesus did. P The table of life is spread before you. Feast on the goodness and mercy of God. C Thanks be to God. The assembly may be seated. As the hymn is sung the confirmands and their families may come forward to the chancel rail for the receiving of first holy communion. COMMUNION HYMN We honor Jesus, our sacrificial lamb, with a special song. Lamb of God (sts. 1, 3) Celebration Hymnal #302 DISTRIBUTION Jesus shares the bread of life and cup of blessing with us. Sharing the Bread and Cup All baptized Christians are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We believe and teach that in the Holy Communion the crucified and risen Christ is present, giving his true body and blood as food and drink. This real presence is a mystery. After the confirmands and their families have been communed at the altar rail, the rest of the assembly will be communed at your pew. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER We give thanks for this gift of life. The assembly stands at the direction of the presiding minister. P Let us pray. C Almighty God, we thank you for your great mercy given to us in this sacrament, whereby we are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits. So enrich us by your Holy Spirit that the life of Jesus may be seen in our lives, and all our days may be spent in your love and service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Sending COMMISSIONING and BLESSING We hear the call to serve and are blessed with power to do so. P Go out into God s pastures; they are everywhere. There is food enough for all to share. C A table is prepared for us and all people; we will invite others to God s feast. P Let the still waters run deep within you. God has promised and abiding presence. C We will listen for the Savior s voice. We will trust God to guide us. P Go out to live courageously and give abundantly; Christ s life and love empower you. C Surely goodness and mercy will follow us; we will dwell with God even as we serve humanity. Amen. P The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord s face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C (Threefold Amen/sung) SENDING HYMN Our voices blend to rejoice in our Savior Jesus Shine, Jesus, Shine Celebration Hymnal #431
CANDLES EXTINGUISHED We take the Light of Christ from our worship to our world. CHORAL BENEDICTION We leave declaring our confidence in God s blessings. Seek Ye First TUNE: Seek Ye First Seek ye first the kingdom of God And his righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you: Allelu, Alleluia! POSTLUDE All Hail the Power --L. Smith New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. THIS WEEK AT ST. PETER S Today, Sunday, June 4 9:00 AM Worship Service ~ Celebration of Holy Communion Confirmation Sunday 10:15 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Junior Choir practice 6:00 PM Girl Scouts & Cub Scouts Tuesday, June 6: 5:00 PM Prayer Group Thursday, June 8: 7:00 PM Senior Choir practice 6:45 & 8:00 PM Zion Stone (Blue) vs. St. Peter s at West Penn Grove Saturday, June 10: 12:00 Noon Youth Group Camp-Out Next Sunday, June 11 9:00 AM Worship Service ~ Outdoor Service Youth Sunday Joyous Noise Offering 10:15 AM Sunday School 12:00 Noon Prospective member meeting *For complete details on these events, please consult your newsletter.
THE ALTAR FLOWERS are presented in honor of the Confirmation Class by Pastor Cheryl. THE ROSEBUDS ON THE ALTAR are presented in honor of each of the confirmands by Dan and Bonnie Myers. God bless each of you with a strengthened faith. THE BOWL ON THE PIANO is presented in honor of the confirmation of our Granddaughter, Alyssa Marie Myers and our Grandson, Richard James Houser ~ with love and pride, Grandma and Grandpa Myers. THE BOWL ON THE ORGAN is presented in honor of the wedding anniversary of Rick and Nancy Knadler by Nancy s WASP Secret Pal. GREETERS: Kyle and Barbara Kester. LECTORS: Christine Miller and Chelsea Eckhart. BELL RINGER: TJ Hartman. SOUND SYSTEM: Aaron Frantz. BIRTHDAY OFFERING FOR THIS WEEK: Received from Kenneth Breiner. JUNE SHUTIN BIRTHDAYS: Phyllis Wehr (June 21st). The individual communion chalices presented to the Confirmands are given by Chester and Jean Snyder. We welcome all friends and family members of the Confirmands and are especially blessed by your presence with us on this momentous day! Congratulations on your Confirmation Day! May God keep the gifts of the Holy Spirit active in your heart. The financial information from last week will be published in next week s bulletin.