Sunday Worship Service
August 17, 2025
Prelude: Musette G.F. Handel (1685-1759) – Charles Calhoun, keyboardist
Greetings
Announcements
Hymn: “As We Gather”
Opening of the Word
Responsive Invocation:
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it—
Every people, every nation, every land.
God formed humanity from the dust and breathed into us life—
And we are bound together as one family in God’s image.
Let justice roll down like waters—
And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
God hears the cry of the poor, the widow, and the stranger—
And calls us to open our hands and our hearts in welcome.
The Lord defends the orphan and the oppressed—
So that none on earth may cause terror.
You have been told, O mortal, what is good—
To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
In the wilderness, God provided manna for the hungry—
And in our cities, God still calls us to feed the poor.
God’s covenant is for the brokenhearted and the captive—
To proclaim liberty and release, to bring good news to the afflicted.
Come, let us worship the God of justice and mercy—
Who calls us to build the Beloved Community, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
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!
Sung Response: Sanctuary
Lord, prepare me to be sanctuary, pure and holy tried and true.
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.
Scripture Readings: I Kings 19:1-14; Acts 12:1-19; Arcana Caelestia, no. 1683 (Swedenborg)
Children’s Message
Solo: “Angels Among Us” Words and Music by Becky Hobbs & Don Goodman; alt. text H. Garland – Heather Garland
Spiritual Message: Learning to be Angels – Rev. Dr. Devin Zuber
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: Caprice Léon Boëllmann (1862-97)
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: “Creative Love, Our Thanks We Give“
Benediction
Closing of the Word
Sung Response: A Holy Hush
A holy hush is in the air as though the Spirit’s essence here has been distilled, and entered all who stand within these sacred walls. The song is sung, the word is read, the lesson heard, the prayer is said; go now on wings of peace unfurled, and share these blessings with the world.
Postlude: Voluntary in G John Stanley (1713-86)