08-07-22

Communion Worship Service

August 7, 2022

Prelude: Meditation by Flor Peeters (1903-86) – Charles Calhoun, keyboardist

*Greetings

Announcements

Wise Words from John Gaul

*Hymn: “For the Splendor of Creation”

 *Opening of the Word

*Responsive Invocation: 

You have spoken to us that your joy may remain in us,
And that our joy may be full. 
O Lord, you are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.
You are good to all and your tender mercies are over all your works. 
You uphold all who fall, and raise up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits.
What shall I return to the Lord for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. 

*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: I Kings 3: 5-12, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-51; Divine Providence §25 (Swedenborg)

Children’s Message

Choral Anthem: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness, Words and Music by James K. Manley, 1978

Spiritual Message: Everyday Mysticism – Rev. Jim Lawrence

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.

Invitation to the Offering

Offertory: St. Anthony Chorale, Attrib. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

*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: “How Great Thou Art” –  Vs. 1, 2, & 4

*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: Sortie by Léon Boëllmann  (1862-97)