Communion Worship Service
September 1, 2024
Prelude: Clair de Lune from “Suite Bergamasque” by Claude Debussy – Kimie Karlton, pianist
Greetings
Announcements
Hymn: “To Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love”
Opening of the Word
Responsive Invocation: from Psalm 41
Happy are those who consider the poor;
the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.
The Lord protects them
and keeps them alive;
they are called happy in the land.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;
in their illness you heal all their infirmities.
As for me, I said,
“O Lord, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
You, O Lord, be gracious to me,
and raise me up.
You have upheld me
because of my integrity
and set me in your presence forever.
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: Matthew 15:29-31; Isaiah 35:1-10; Arcana Coelestia #9031 (Swedenborg)
Children’s Message
Choral Anthem: “What a Wonderful World”, Words and Music by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss
Spiritual Message: What Truly Heals – Rev. Junchol Lee
Sacrament of Communion
(The minister shall consecrate the elements of the Communion, to be followed by a distribution of the bread and wine. It is our custom to all partake together
of each element at the leading of the minister. The Lord’s table is open to all who desire to partake.)
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.
Silent Meditation
Prayer of the People/Pastoral Prayer
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory: Κοντά μου ήρθε και κάθισε (Along he came and sat beside me), Greek translation of the original Bengali text, Music by Yannis Costantinidis (1903-1984), Poem by Rabîndranâth Tagore (1861-1941)
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: “Your Mercy, O Eternal One”, Rabîndranâth Tagore (1861 – 1941)
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: “Songs My Mother Taught Me” by Antonin Dvorak, arr. Max Laistner