September 6, 2015 The Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And immediately his ears were opened. Mark 7:34-35 * If you are able, please stand. Celebration of Worship Prelude Allegro moderato from Sonata, Op. 129 Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924) Michael Witsberger, clarinet * Call to Worship (responsively) The Reverend Sarah Green Leader: Praise the Lord, O my soul! Let us sing praises to the Lord our God. Leader: Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord. For our God made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them. Our God keeps faith forever. Let us worship God! * Hymn 453 Open Your Ears, O Faithful People Yisrael V oraita Confession and Pardon John Eyre Prayer of Confession (unison) Merciful God, we confess that we have not followed your way. You call us to seek justice, yet we abuse and ignore the poor. You call us to show mercy, yet we turn away from those in need. You give us abundant grace, yet we place limits on your Kingdom. Forgive us and open us anew, O God. Give us the wisdom and courage to abandon our places of privilege and to show our faith in action; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Kyrie: Hymn 602 Holy Lamb of God Ya Hamalallah Silent Prayer Assurance of Pardon (responsively) Leader: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Leader: Leader: God does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God s steadfast love. As a mother has compassion for her children, so the Lord has compassion for us. Know that we are forgiven and be at peace. * Response: Hymn 581 Glory Be to the Father Gloria Patri (Greatorex) A Time for Young Christians Alexandra Mead Prayer for Illumination (unison) God our helper, by your Holy Spirit, open our ears, our minds, and our hearts, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may be led into your truth and taught your will, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. First Scripture Reading: James 2:1-10, 14-17 (New Testament, page 215) Leader: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Anthem Jesu, the very thought of thee Glenn L. Rudolph (b. 1951) The Chancel Choir Jesu, the very thought of thee with sweetness fills the breast; but sweeter far thy face to see, and in thy presence rest. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, nor can the memory find, a sweeter sound than thy blest name, O Savior of mankind. Jesu, our only joy be thou, as thou our prize wilt be; Jesu, be thou our glory now and through eternity. Amen. 2
Second Scripture Reading: Mark 7:24-27 (New Testament, page 40) Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Sermon Opening Up Rev. Green * Hymn 769 For Everyone Born For Everyone Born Verse 1: Choir only, Refrain is sung by all voices throughout Verse 2: Male voices Verse 3: Female voices Verses 4 and 5: All voices Greeting/Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts to God (Please sign and pass the friendship pad, found in the pew, to the person next to you. Offering envelopes and prayer request cards are located in the pew pockets for your convenience. Cards will be collected with the offering.) Offertory The Church s One Foundation arr. Emma Lou Diemer (b. 1927) The Chancel Choir The church s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is his new creation by water and the word. From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own love he bought her, and for her life he died. Elect from every nation, yet one o er all the earth, her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued. Mid-toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consummation of peace forevermore, till, with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest, and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest. Yet she on earth hath union with God, the three in One, And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won. O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee. Amen. * Doxology: Hymn 608 Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow Praise God * Prayer of Dedication Sacrament of Communion Invitation to the Table Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Continued 3
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. The leader continues Therefore with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven, we worship and adore your glorious name, praising you forevermore. Sung Response (Music for Response: Hymn 562) Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full, are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The leader continues Therefore, remembering his incarnation and holy life, his death and glorious resurrection, his ascension and continual intercession for us, and awaiting his coming again in power and great glory, we claim his eternal sacrifice and celebrate with these your holy gifts the memorial your Son commanded us to make. Great is the mystery of faith: Sung Response (Music for Response: Hymn 563) Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. The leader continues Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Sung Response (Music for Response: Hymn 564) Amen, amen, amen. Words of Institution Sharing of the Bread and Cup (To signify our oneness in Christ, worshipers are asked to hold the bread until everyone has been served. The cup may be drunk as soon as it is received, indicating your individual relationships with Christ.) 4
Communion Prayer and the Lord s Prayer 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. * Hymn 766 The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound Mc Kee * Benediction Postlude Morceau de Salon Johann Kalliwoda (1801-1866) Michael Witsberger, oboe Participating in the service today are the Reverend Sarah Green; and John Eyre, liturgist; Alexandra Mead, Director of Christian Education; Matthew Webb, Director of Music; Ryan Kennedy, Organ Scholar; and the Chancel Choir. The acolytes are Sarah Godfrey and Sam Mead. GREETING YOU prior to the 10:00 a.m. service this morning are Pat and Bill Cunningham, and Jan and Bob Harris. FELLOWSHIP HOUR: The Cherian family is hosting our coffee hour this morning in the Narthex. 5
ANNOUNCEMENTS for SEPTEMBER Rally Sunday, Sunday, September 13 What a morning we have planned. Blessing of the Backpacks: Bring your school backpack to be blessed at church and you will get a cool prize to put in it. Commissioning of Sunday School Teachers, Choirs and Musicians Parade to the Parish House: Join the congregation as we parade over to the parish house for a free Farm to Table picnic with live music from a Blue Grass Band. There will be activities for children Register your children for Sunday School and Mid-Week Programs ALL YOUTH PARENT INFORMATIONAL MEETING at noon Youth Ministry Events: High School Fall Kick-off: Sussex County Miners Baseball Game, Sunday, September 6, 12:30-5:00 p.m. Meet at the Parish House, Cost $10 plus money for food. Middle School Fall Kick-off: Dynamite Falls Mini-golf, Saturday, September 19, 5:00 8:00 p.m., Meet at the Parish House, Cost $9 plus money for dinner. Youth group meetings: Wednesday, September 16 Ekklesia middle school youth group 4:15-6:00 p.m. Koinonia high school youth group: 7:00 8:30 p.m. Confirmation Informational Meeting, Sunday, September 20, 11:15 a.m. in the Youth Room Mid-Week Programs: Church on the Green, Wednesday, September 16, 4:15p.m. Bel Melodia, Church on the Green, 4:30 p.m. Bel Canto, Church on the Green, 5:05 p.m. Tower Choir, Church on the Green, 6:05 Nursery School: Orientation - September 10 and 11 First Day of School, September 14 Education Hour resumes on Sunday, September 20, 8:45 a.m. at the Parish House Sunday School for children at the Parish House Sunday Morning Seminar at the Chapel Parenting Series, starting October 11, at the Parish House 6
Also, Books, Bible & Beyond on September 15, at 7:00 p.m. Book to discuss Forgive and forget by Lewis Smedes And Faith on Film on September 20, 4:00 p.m. Tower Car Wash, Saturday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Parish House parking lot. A free will offering to fund the Tower Choir programs. Fall Festival on the Green, Sunday, September 27, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Blessing of the Animals Tours of the Church and Graveyard Other fun activities If you can volunteer an hour of your time to set up, serve at the booth or clean up, please contact Brenda Curry at bcurry7@gmail.com And More OPEN MEETINGS THIS WEEK: For a full schedule of meetings, go to our website. Sunday, September 6 Office closed 7:45 a.m. Worship with Communion (Chapel) 10:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 1:00 p.m. High School trip to Sussex County Miners baseball game Monday, September 7: Labor Day Office closed. No meetings today. Tuesday, September 8 6:30 p.m. Chancel Ringers rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, September 9 7:00 a.m. Small Group (M. Kaller) 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 12:00 p.m. Worship Thursday, September 10 10:00 a.m. Nursery School Orientation 7:00 p.m. Board of Deacons 7:00 p.m. Thursday Session Committee meetings 7 Friday, September 11 Office closes at noon 9:30 a.m. Volunteers (Bulletins) 10:00 a.m. Nursery School Orientation Saturday, September 12 Office closed 10:00 a.m. Christian Yoga 12:00 p.m. Ringers-on-the-Green Workshop Sunday, September 13 Office closed Rally Day 7:45 a.m. Worship with Communion (Chapel) 10:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 11:15 a.m. Church Rally Day 11:45 p.m. Ringers-on-the Green Rehearsal, following the picnic 12:00 p.m. Middle and High School Youth Group Parent Meeting
WELCOME We are a historic church, part of a historic denomination, and we celebrate this history while exploring ways to bring passion and freshness to our worship and congregational life. Join us as we seek to discover Fresh Traditional ways to proclaim, gather, and nurture, all toward continuing Jesus Christ s earthly ministry of building God s Kingdom. Visitor s Information brochures are in the stands at the entrances to assist you in finding your way around our campus. Visiting with Children? Activity materials for young worshipers are in the drawers of the literature chests in both vestibules. Infant and child care will resume during the service in Howard House, the building to the right of the sanctuary, later this month. Please watch for a notice. Restrooms: Please accompany children (under age 10) to the restrooms. (Located through the left door by the bell tables.) Special Needs? Feel free to ask ushers and greeters for assistance if you have any questions or special needs. Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available from the ushers in the narthex at the back of the church. Please come again Sunday Worship Schedule: September 13 Rally Day 7:45 a.m. Worship with Communion in the Chapel 10:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary Followed by a parade to the Parish House for activities, picnic and registration. Wednesday Morning Bible Study, 10:30 a.m., in the Choir Room Wednesday Worship Service at Noon in the Chapel The Presbyterian Church in Morristown Sanctuary and Chapel: 57 East Park Place, Parish House and Offices: 65 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 538-1776 www.pcmorristown.org 8