October 1,2023
WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE
PRELUDE “Let Us Break Bread Together” arr. Kurt Meyer The Sanctuary Bells
INTROIT “Praise God for This Holy Ground” John L. Bell
WELCOME Rev. Trip Porch
One: This is the day that the Lord has made
All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: We will sing to God and bless God’s name forever and ever.
All: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!
One: We will declare God’s mighty acts and celebrate God’s abundant goodness.
All: Let us worship, singing of God’s righteousness.
*HYMN NO. 509 “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly” HOLY MANNA
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rebekah Gayley Written by Jameel Maher Khadir, Theology student, Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land
One: Gracious Lord, creator of this universe, in your generosity you give us a world of abundance and diversity, yet we live guided by greed and selfishness.
All: We confess that we deface your creation and poison our environment through consumerist behavior and for personal gain.
One: In Christ, you make us brothers and sisters and intend for us to be united, and yet we build walls to separate us from those who seem “different”. You give us wisdom and creativity and we use these gifts to trick each other and to develop weapons of destruction and death. You give us laws to order our lives and we abuse them to take revenge and punish our enemies.
All: God, We love war rather than striving for peace. We ignore the poor and the weak and honor the rich and powerful. In all this we have not lived according to your will. Forgive us, Lord, for daring to boast in our human achievements and for failing to recognize that you alone are worthy of praise. In your mercy, forgive us our sins…
Individual confessions offered in the silence…
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON Written by Shant Agoushian, Theology student, Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
*RESPONSE OF PRAISE No. 585 “Glory to God” vs. 1 MACHU-PICHU
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,
All: And also with you.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
ANTHEM “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” James K. Manley, arr. Michael Hassell
The Chancel Choir with Sarah Baker, saxophone
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION written by Magdaléna Trgalová, Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16:2-—15
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Jeremy Carroll
SERMON Rev. Trip Porch
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
TIME OF OFFERING “Flight Song” Kim Andre Arnesen
Today, in addition to our pledged giving, we collect the Peace and Global Witness special offering of the PC(USA) which enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world.
COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE TABLE with an invitation from the Global Church
GREAT PRAYER with Lord’s Prayer from 2023 International Peacemakers
Sung Response, "Eleva tu alma al Señor / Lift up your hearts unto the Lord"
SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP
Music during communion "Room at the Table" by Carrie Newcomer
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Lord, this special communion reminds us of being members of a global community. We have feasted at your table. As you have nourished us, may we go into your world to bring a feast of peace and hope to others, listening with loving ears and acting with loving hearts, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
*HYMN NO. 65 “Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah” CWM RHONDDA
TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
CHORAL RESPONSE “Go Forth for God” Kenneth Dake
POSTLUDE “Whispering Hope” Septimus Winner, arr. Jenifer Cook
Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452