Communion Worship Service
March 6, 2022
Prelude: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier by Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748) – Charles Calhoun, keyboardist
*Greetings
Announcements
Wise Words from John Gaul
*Hymn: #142 – “Eternal Lord of Love, Behold Your Church”
*Opening of the Word
*Responsive Invocation:
I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.
In distress you called, and I rescued you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
Hear, O my people, while I admonish you; O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you
*Invitation to Prayer:
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our maker.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Amen.
O Lord, our heavenly Creator, whose great love holds a forgiveness for all who desire and seek it: we thank thee for thy gracious assurance that thou art always near and ready to forgive. Pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen us in all goodness and truth, and bring us into everlasting life; for thy mercy’s sake. Amen.
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.
O Lord, open thou our lips:
And our mouths shall show forth thy praise.
*Praise ye the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
*The Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy; Lord God of hosts: Heav’n and earth are full of thy glory. Amen.
Scripture Readings: Exodus 18:13-24; John 7:24-31
Children’s Message
Solo: Into the Night Words and music by Clara Edwards – Celest Winant, soloist
Spiritual Message: The Art of Listening – Rev. Junchol Lee
Silent Meditation
Prayer of the People/Pastoral Prayer
Sacrament of Communion
Concluding Communion Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, by whose mercy we have been fed with heavenly gifts: Abide with us, O Lord, and fill us with your peace. Direct us in our way; uphold our going in our paths. Give us grace so to keep your commandments henceforth, that we may abide in your love forever. Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord:
Who hath made haven and earth.
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory: Elevation by Dom Paul Benoit (1893-1979)
*Doxology
Praise God the Source of life and birth
Praise God the Word who came to earth
Praise God the Spirit, holy flame
All glory, honor to God’s name. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn: #70, Vs. 1 & 2 – “Thou, Who at Thy First Eucharist Didst Pray”
*Benediction
*Closing of the Word
*Sung Response: Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, According to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. Amen.
Postlude: March by Flor Peeters (1903-86)