Father’s Day Worship Service
June 18, 2023
Prelude: “Bolivar Blues” by Thelonius Monk – James Washington, pianist; John “Top Cat” Chatman, alto saxophone; Joe Lewis, bass; Adam Fumarola, drums
Greetings
Announcements
Wise Words from John Gaul
Hymn: “What a Wonderful World” by Bob Thiele & George David Weiss
Opening of the Word
Responsive Invocation:
Sing to God; sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds[a]—
his name is the Lord—
be exultant before him.
Father of orphans and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
God gives the desolate a home to live in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation.
Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death.
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
God of all, Your Name is Holy. Earth and Heaven are full of Your Glory. Alleluia, Amen.
Scripture Readings: Psalms 103:6-14; John 5:19-24; True Christianity #431 (Swedenborg)
Children’s Message
Solo: “Come Sunday” by Duke Ellington – Heather Garland, soloist
Spiritual Message: The Love of Fathers – Rev. Junchol Lee
Silent Meditation
Affirmation of Faith
Great Spirit, Christ, the Compassionate One, Light of the World, You are that which sustains and nurtures our spirit. You draw us closer to Heaven and to each other. Your Divine Love and Wisdom flows into every living soul. You dwell among us and warm every human heart. We acknowledge our need to be fed by your Sacred Spirit, to share in the beauty of life, and to build a Holy City on Earth by giving of ourselves, yet knowing that all that is good and true flows into us from You. Amen.
Prayer of the People/Pastoral Prayer
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory: “Song for my Father” by Horace Silver
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: “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, & Mike Stoller
Benediction
Closing of the Word
Sung Response: “After the Rain” by Saint John Will I Am Coltrane
May we never forget
that in the sunshine of our lives,
through the storm and after the rain-
it is all with God –
In all ways,
and forever,
ALL PRAISE TO GOD –
With love to all.
Postlude: “Straight No Chaser” by Thelonius Monk