07-02-23

Worship Service

July 2, 2023

Prelude: Arioso by Siegfried Ochs (1858-1929) – Charles Calhoun, keyboardist

Greetings

Announcements

Wise Words from John Gaul

Hymn: “The Spacious Firmament on High” – Vs. 1 & 3

Opening of the Word

Responsive Invocation: 

Lord, you have searched me and known me;
      you understand everything I do;  
      you are closer to me than my thoughts.
You see through  my selfishness and weakness, into my inmost self.
       There is not one corner of my mind
       that you do not know completely.
You are present before me, behind me
       and you hold me in the palm of your hand.  
       Such knowledge is too awesome to grasp:
       so deep that I cannot fathom it. 
Search me, Lord; test me to the depths of my inmost heart.
       Root out all selfishness from me 
       and lead me to eternal life. 

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: Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 12:28-31; New Jerusalem §42-44 (Swedenborg)

Children’s Message

Solo: “Suzanne” by Leonard Cohen, arr. by Stacy Fahrion – Heather Garland, soloist

Spiritual Message: Transformation of Consciousness – Pastor Tassy Farwell

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: Kyrie from Messe pour les Convent by François Couperin (1668-1733)

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: “Amazing Grace”

Benediction

Closing of the Word

Sung Response: Aaronic Benediction 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you; the Lord be gracious to you, and give you peace, and give you peace. Amen.

Postlude: Voluntary, Anonymous, late 18th c.