AUGUST 15, 2021 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER 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 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. Due to current safety protocols, you will receive an individual kit with this order of worship. If you haven't already, someone will make sure you have one during Communion.

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

LITURGICAL CALENDAR , or the season after Pentecost, stretches CHRISTMAS between the major feasts of Easter and Christmas, and is spent exploring and growing in the mysteries and ministry in EPIPHANY the rest of Jesus' life. EASTER Weekly Readings PENTECOST Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:9-14; Ephesians 5:15-20; ORDINARY TIME John 6:51-58 Cover artwork KINGDOMTIDE Still Life with Bottle, Glass, & Loaf, Jean Simeon Chardin GATHER

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

PRELUDE Brad Ritchie, cello, & Herbert Buffington, organ

+CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 111:1–4 Rev. Jim Bell Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the deeds of the Lord! they are studied by all who delight in them. His work is full of majesty and splendor, and his righteousness endures for ever. He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

+OPENING HYMN #15 "Rejoice, You Pure in Heart!" (stanzas 1–3) Rejoice, you pure in heart; lift praises to the sky; your festive banner wave with joy, the cross of Christ raise high! Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.

Bright youth and snow-crowned age, strong souls and spirits meek, raise high your free, exulting song, God's wondrous praises speak. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.

With voice as full and strong as ocean's surging praise, send forth the hymns the saints have loved, the psalms of ancient days. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing. +INVOCATION & LORD'S PRAYER Rev. Nick Chambers 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, forever. Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC "City Called Heaven" arr. Josephine Pielinitz LaVada McCosh, soprano, & the Sanctuary Choir

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Dr. Wortman 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 Dr. Wortman In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. PRAYER

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

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

OFFERTORY MUSIC Mr. Ritchie & Mr. Buffington

+DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. WORD

+SCRIPTURE READING Rev. Chambers John 6:51–58 Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON "To Consume Means to Be Consumed" Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Dr. Wortman Each prayer will conclude: Lord, in your mercy... hear our prayer. TABLE

HYMN OF PREPARATION #398 "Be Known to Us in Breaking BRead" Be known to us in breaking bread, but do not then depart; Savior, abide with us, and spread thy table in our heart.

There sup with us in love divine; thy body and thy blood, that living bread, that heavenly wine, be our immortal food.

HOLY COMMUNION Rev. Dee Stone 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.

You will be invited forward by row to receive by dipping the bread in cup.

COMMUNION MUSIC Mr. Ritchie & Mr. Buffington SEND

+HYMN OF RESPONSE #15 "Rejoice, You Pure in Heart" (stanzas 4–5) Yes, on through life's long path, still singing as you go, from youth to age, by night and day, in gladness and in woe. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.

Praise God who rules all worlds; the risen Christ adore. Praise God the Spirit, Holy Fire, one God for evermore. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.

BENEDICTION Rev. Chambers Please be seated to receive the benediction and enjoy the postlude.

POSTLUDE Mr. Buffington Following the postlude, please join us outside for a time of fellowship..

The flowers today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her son, Grant; her husband, Rodney; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene R. Wells; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James G. Hardy, Jr., by Ann Wells.

Our Common Life

DONATIONS FOR ATLANTA MISSION Sunday, August 22 | First Floor Lobby On August 22, we will collect badly needed items for the Atlanta Mission (formerly the Atlanta Union Mission), a Christian-based organization that provides: food/shelter, critical needs, addiction recovery, job attainment, counseling, spiritual recovery, and educational services for both men and women. Items: liquid hand soap, hand sanitizer, thermometers, new underwear for men and women in all sizes, men’s leather belts for professional wear, men’s deodorant, shampoo and curling cream (esp. Cantu brand), bulk volumes of paper napkins and plates, disinfectants (sprays or large jugs). Sponsored by Christian Women’s Fellowship. Contact: Annie Gillespie | [email protected] | 404-610-9230

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY "THANK YOU" Saturday, August 21, 2021 | 2–4 pm | Druid Hills Golf Club Please join the congregation as we say thank you to our beloved organist, Herbert Buffington, for 25 years of illustrious service to Peachtree Christian Church.

NEW CLASS: THIS STRANGE AND SACRED SCRIPTURE: WRESTLING WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT September 1–November 17 | 7–8:30 pm | Location TBD | $50 Peachtree is excited to be partnering with Candler School of Theology to offer a class on the Old Testament for both Peachtree and Candler seminary students. This class will address how the Old Testament can seem strange and even disturbing. Over ten weeks, participants will explore questions like: How do we make sense of texts that portray God as wrathful? Why does the Old Testament contain so much violence? What do we do with all of the strange laws and rituals? How can we respond to its portrayal of women, foreigners, and strangers? What do we make of topics like purity, holiness, justice, and lament in light of the challenges and realities of ministry today? How can we make sense of all the contradictions, and what does it mean to read the Old Testament as Christian Scripture? All are invited and welcome. Sign up at peachtree.org/classes. Contact: Jared Wortman | [email protected] | 404-876-5535

READING WITH THE REV. August 26 | 7:30 pm | Zoom Want to read more broadly? 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. Our next discussion will explore Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. Contact: Jared Wortman | [email protected] | 404-876-5535 WHO BELONGS? DISABILITY, IDENTITY, AND THE CHURCH Wednesdays through August 18 | 7 pm | Library and Zoom | $30 You’re invited to join Rev. Dr. Jared Wortman in this 6-week hybrid course (in-person at Peachtree or online via Zoom) to explore what it means for the church to be a place that incorporates those facing disabilities into the common life of the church. This class will ultimately trace what it practically means to name belonging as a core theological value. Contact: Jared Wortman | [email protected] | 404-876-5535

REJOICE IN THE LORD! PAUL’S LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS Sundays through August 29 | 10 am | Library and Zoom One friend sick almost unto death, enforced social distancing from others: How can Paul feel those sorrows as deeply as he does, along with real financial hardship, yet remain genuinely joyful? Join us as we read Paul’s testimony to Life in Christ and his invitation to “have no anxiety about anything.” Contact: Mary-Elizabeth Ellard | [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.

BY THE NUMBERS In-Person Worship: 145 | Livestream: 210 | Classes and Groups: 60 | Offering: $19,983 Worship attendance is from last Sunday and does not account 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