05-24-26

Sunday Worship Service

May 24, 2026

Prelude: Gabriel’s Oboe from The Mission – Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) – Charles Calhoun, keyboardist

Greetings

Announcements

Hymn: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

Opening of the Word

Responsive Invocation: 

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me

in pleasant places;

I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord, who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand,

I shall not be moved.

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

My heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

my body also rests secure.

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:Genesis 21:1-7; Matthew 14:13-21; Secrets of Heaven #2621 (Swedenborg)

Children’s Message

Solo: “Be thou my vision”, Bob Chilcott’s Tune, Early Irish Text, trans. Mary Byrne (1880-1931), versified Eleanor Hull (1860-1935) – Heather Garland, soloist

Spiritual Message: The Birth of Isaac – 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: March of the Priests from The Magic Flute , W.A. Mozart (1756-91)

 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: We Limit Not the Truth of God

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: La Réjouissance from Music for the Royal Fireworks, G.F. Handel (1685-1759)