MAY 23, 2021 SUNDAY 11 AM WORSHIP Welcome to Peachtree Christian Church, a cathedral for the city of Atlanta, a community of reconciliation, cultivation, and care.

It is good to be here with you. Your presence is makes us more whole. Here is some info we hope will help you fully, consciously, and actively participate in the liturgy.

What is "liturgy?" Liturgy comes from a Greek word meaning “work of the people.” When we gather to worship, we are collaborating together with God in blessing, restoring, and reconciling all things through the Son and Spirit. Today’s liturgy is approximately 65 minutes.

Do I have to identify as a Christian to participate? No. Many who are here do, but these liturgies are for anyone who wants to join. More than anything this is a community, so make an effort to meet those worshipping with you.

How do I participate? Speak aloud the words in bold. Stand if you are able with each +. Additional explanations are in italics. Throughout, the margins mark which "movement" we are making with headings for each "moment." Otherwise, simply be attentive. Engage all your senses, and be open to whatever God wants to give.

What about Communion? We invite you to the Lord's table, which is open to all. Currently, for health and safety, we are distributing communion kits when you arrive and reamining seated. When the time comes, peel back the top layer to reveal the bread, then peel the second layer to open the cup.

What about children? As the main window above the altar depicts, we welcome children as full participants in the liturgy. We encourage generations to worship together and grown-ups to guide children in what is happening. There is also childcare on the second floor, to your right off the elevator.

LITURGICAL CALENDAR CHRISTMAS EPIPHANY Weekly Readings Acts 2:1-21; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:22-27; EASTER John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15; Psalm 104:25-35, 37 PENTECOST Cover artwork In the Valley of the Dry Bones (study for "Ezekiel") Abraham Rattner KINGDOMTIDE GATHER

WELCOME Rev. Dee Stone Thank you for joining in worship. Throughout the liturgy, please speak aloud the bold text and stand if you are able whenever indicated (+).

PRELUDE Magnificat III (from Fifteen Pieces Founded on Antiphons) Marcel Dupre Mr. Herb Buffington, organ +CALL TO WORSHIP Prayer of Hildegard of Bingen Rev. Jim Bell Holy Spirit, making life alive, moving in all things, root of all created being, cleansing the cosmos of every impurity, effacing guilt, anointing wounds. You are lustrous and praiseworthy life, you waken, and re-awaken everything that is.

+OPENING HYMN #237 "On Pentecost They Gathered" (stanzas 1–3) On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day, a band of Christ's disciples, to worship, sing, and pray. A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the swirling air, and tongues of fire a glowing inspired each person there.

The people all around them were startled and amazed to understand their language, as Christ the Lord they praised. What universal message, what great good news was here? The Christ, once dead, is risen to banish all our fear.

God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would believe, on women, men, and children who would God's grace receive. That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and power. The church, formed and reforming, responds in every hour. +INVOCATION & LORD'S PRAYER Ms. Sarah Brasington Our Father, who art in heaven, PRAYER 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC "This Little Light of Mine" Sandra Lutte Indra Thomas, soprano

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. Bell Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE Rev. Bell In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. PRAYER

+PASSING OF THE PEACE Rev. Bell Please take a moment to greet your neighbor, saying "Peace be with you."

TITHES & GIFTS Rev. Stone You can give online at peachtree.org/give or text 678-509-6476.

OFFERTORY "I Feel the Spirit Moving" arr. Mark Hayes Indra Thomas, soprano +DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creature here below Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. +SCRIPTURE READING Rev. Dr. Jared Wortman Ezekiel 37:1–14 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of WORD the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act,” says the Lord.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON " The Report of Our Death Was an Exaggeration" Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Ms. Brasington Each prayer will conclude: Lord, in your mercy... hear our prayer. TABLE

HYMN OF PREPARATION #426 "The Voice of Jesus Calls his People" The voice of Jesus calls his people, "Come to my table and be fed!" For those who come to him believing, he is the Wine, he is the Bread. All who are lost, or bear great burdens, all who need comfort or release, come where the presence of Christ Jesus will nourish us with rest and peace.

Children and elders, men and women, whatever color, race or tongue, in Jesus find themselves united, in him a home where they belong. We hear your loving voice, O Jesus, we long, we hunger to be fed; in joy we gather at the table where you are Wine, and you are Bread.

HOLY COMMUNION Dr. Wortman The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new cov- enant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The minister blesses and breaks the bread.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

COMMUNION MUSIC "Spiritual Medley" arr. Buffington Ms. Thomas & Mr.Buffington SEND

+HYMN OF RESPONSE #237 "On Pentecost They Gathered" (stanza 4) O Spirit, sent from heaven on that day long ago, rekindle faith among us in all life's ebb and flow. O give us ears to listen and tongues aflame with praise, so people of all nations glad songs of joy shall raise.

BENEDICTION Rev. Chambers

POSTLUDE Litanies Jehan Alain Mr. Buffington

The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Molly Gardner, Reza Hendessi, Babak Hendessi, and Ruth and Glenn Gardner by Gita and Joe Gardner. Outreach Spotlight: Peachtree Christian Health

Peachtree Christian Church has sponsored Peachtree Christian Health Life Enrichment Center in Duluth since its early beginnings as Peachtree Christian Hospice (2000 to 2017). Although Peachtree Christian Hospice closed in December 2017 due to financial and regulatory constraints of the clinical operator, PruittHealth, the Hospice served over 12,000 patients and their families.

After renovating and expanding the Hospice facility to 25,000 square feet, Peachtree Christian Health opened in 2019 as an adult day healthcare center to support caregivers and their loved ones. Peachtree Chrisitan Health provides a compassionate care center offering safe, engaging, and reliable services. Most participants have been diagnosed with cognitive and physical decline, including Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Programs and services entail person-centered care plans, art/music/exercise/pet therapy, personal care, physical/occupational/speech therapy, and spiritual devotions. Both caregivers and their loved ones experience an enriched qual- ity of life that is affordable, enabling families to remain together and live life to its fullest. Peachtree Christian Health is open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm.

Peachtree is collecting items for Peachtree Christian Health today and on May 23. You can also drop off items at Peachtree Christian Church on May 18 at 11 am.

Peachtree Christian Health is requesting the following items:

• Personal care items (toilet paper, Kleen- ex, wipes, adult diapers, hand soap) • Personal Protective Equipment (3-ply paper masks and Clorox wipes) • Horticultural items (seeds and potted plants) and art supplies • Amazon Wish List available at peachtree.org/pchwishlist Our Common Life

TUESDAY LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, June 8 | 11:30 am | Petite Violette, 2948 Clairmont Road Join the Tuesday Lunch Bunch for good food and great company on Tuesday, June 8 at 11:30 am. Petite Violette is the place and the address is 2948 Clairmont Road. Phone in your reservation to Julia Hill at 404- 876-5535. Everyone is invited. Contact: Julia Hill | [email protected] | 404-876-5535

DISCOVERY ON ADVENTURE ISLAND VBS July 19–23 | 9:30–12:30 am | At Peachtree or at home | $25 / child on-site, $20 at home At Discovery on Adventure Island VBS, children preschool through completed 5th grade will enjoy an interactive, energizing, Bible based good time on their quest for God’s great light. They will become Explorers and discover how God’s light shines on us and how we can reflect that light as we live each day. Limited number of spots available for on-site VBS and option for "at home" VBS (supply pick up July 11). For more details and to register by July 7th, please visit peachtree.org/vbs2021. Contact: Sarah Brasington | [email protected] ONLINE CLASS: INTERESTING!: THE HISTORY AND MEANING BEHIND CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS AND PRACTICES Wednesdays through June 9 | 7:30–9 pm | Zoom Ever wonder why Catholics eat fish on Friday? Are you curious as to why some crosses have an IHS on top while others have IRNI? Confused about why we celebrate Easter with images of bunny rabbits? This course will take a look at the history and meaning of various Christian symbols and practices. We will delve into their origins as well as their intentions for growth in Christian discipleship. Sign up at peachtree.org/classes. Contact: Jarrod Longbons | [email protected]

MIDTOWN ASSISTANCE CENTER (MAC) CARDS Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) could use your help with note cards. Volunteer to write note cards to the clients who will receive gift cards. MAC will mail you the note cards that need a thoughtful and warm message to families. If you are interested in getting 20-25 cards, please email Ciara, [email protected], and provide your mailing address. This project will encourage many families who are in financial need. Contact: Ramona Simien | [email protected] READING WITH THE REV. Thursday, June 24 | 7:30 pm | Zoom You’re invited to read a variety of books (theology, fiction, leadership, social justice, history, the arts, etc.) with Dr. Wortman throughout the year. All that’s required is a willingness to read and engage in a gracious conversation. The next discussion will explore The Congregation in a Secular Age: Keeping Sacred Time Against the Speed of Modern Life by Andrew Root. Contact: Jared Wortman | [email protected]

SMALL GROUPS: PEACHTREE HANGS OUT Mondays | 3:30 pm | Rev. Jim & Martha Bell Thursdays | 10:30 am | Rev. Dee Stone Social distancing doesn’t have to interrupt our connection to one another. Join us for Peachtree Hangs Out, special small groups that keep us close and connected. More info at peachtree.org.

TUESDAY MORNING BREAKFAST Every other Tuesday | 7:30 am All are invited to join in an online breakfast and conversation led by Rev. Dr. Jared Wortman. This group meets via Zoom every other Tuesday at 7:30 am. Contact: Jared Wortman | [email protected]

MIDWEEK PRAYER Wednesdays | 12 pm | Zoom We believe in the good of praying together. Every Wednesday at noon we share a beautiful opportunity to join our hearts and voices in praying for everyone on our weekly prayer list, share new prayer concerns, and hear Scripture from the week’s lectionary. Join us on Zoom at peachtree.org/joinmidweekprayer.

BY THE NUMBERS Worship: 258 | Classes and Groups: 83 | Offering: $16,106 Worship attendance is from last Sunday and includes the number of online streams, not accounting for multiple people at one device. Classes and groups attendance reflects the week previous to last Sunday.

Peachtree Christian Church is a Disciples of Christ congregation PEACHTREE.ORG 1580 Peachtree St. NW Atlanta, Georgia 30309 404.876.5535