09-28-25

Sunday Worship Service

September 28, 2025

Prelude: Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1004 by J.S. Bach (Busoni) – Kimie Karlton, pianist

Greetings

Announcements

Hymn: Wake Now, My Senses”

Opening of the Word

Responsive Invocation: from Psalm 65

Happy are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts.

We shall be satisfied

with the goodness of your house,

your holy temple.

You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples.

Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs;

you make the gateways of the morning

and the evening shout for joy.

You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.

You water its furrows abundantly,

settling its ridges,

softening it with showers,

and blessing its growth.

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: Matthew 12:38-42; Jonah 1:1-17; Divine Providence #131 (Swedenborg)

Children’s Message

Duet: “Lojong” music and lyrics by Colleen Keene – Colleen Keene & Heather Garland

Spiritual Message: The Sign of Jonah: What does it mean? – 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: “Circle Game” by Joni Mitchell

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: Lord, for the Years

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: Sicilienne by Gabriel Fauré