The Riverside Church in the City of New York AUGUST 27, 2017 TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST WELCOME TO THE RIVERSIDE CHURCH Interdenominational · Interracial · International · Open · Affirming · Welcoming WORSHIP is at the center of the life of The Riverside Church. As you prepare yourself for Worship, we invite you to reflect quietly on these words: “I write these words to bear witness to the primacy of resistance struggle in any situation of domination (even within family life); to the strength and power that emerges from sustained resistance and the profound conviction that these forces can be healing, can protect us from dehumanization and despair.” – bell hooks, Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black Our art installation, “Shades of Ordinary Time” highlights the liturgical season after Pentecost until the beginning of Advent. The THE LITURGICAL YEAR color green symbolizes growth and new life. Imagine the top of the The Riverside Church follows the liturgical calendar to mark the seasons of Nave opening to allow the leaves our life together. We are currently in the Season after Pentecost, also known to stream down into the church as as Ordinary Time. It is signified by the green paraments and clergy stoles that God’s creation comes inside. It is a represent new life and growth. Ordinary Time is observed from Pentecost until time of flourishing and delighting the beginning of Advent. in every shade of green found in nature as we celebrate the diversity of God’s people gathered to worship at The Riverside Church. IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST VISIT: Complete a Welcome Card and place it in the offering plate as it passes. Join us for Fellowship Hour in South Hall Lobby directly after Worship. As you leave the Nave, take a right and follow the hallway past Christ Chapel. Signs and greeters are available to provide direction. You’ll find fair trade coffee from Javesca Coffee, a children’s play area, a greeting area to learn about membership at Riverside, and indoor seating. A church tour is offered each Sunday after Worship free of charge. Meet in the 1st balcony. Tours also take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. leaving from the Gift Shop. No reservations are necessary. Assistive hearing devices and large print bulletins are available upon request from an usher. GATHERING We gather as a community and prepare our hearts to worship God CARILLON Meditation: Rejoice, O Zion J.S. Bach George Matthew, Guest Carillonneur This Toccata is the first movement of one of Bach’s most well-known ORGAN works - the Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue. It opens with a few Toccata in C Major (BWV 564) J. S. Bach fast flourishes, followed by the Christopher Creaghan, Associate Organist longest solo pedal introduction in all of organ literature. Listen as the organist’s feet fly across the pedalboard! LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY Rev. Ellen Robison The hymn tune Aurelia was composed by the grandson of famed PROCESSIONAL HYMN 442 Methodist hymn-writer Charles The Church’s One Foundation Aurelia Wesley. Interestingly, this tune was considered “too secular” by some church music authorities when it was introduced in the 1860’s. CALL TO WORSHIPi Rev. Bertram Johnson One: Come, you who thirst for grace. All: Come, you who hunger for justice. One: Come, you who are a stranger in a strange land. All: Come, you who are like a child at home. One: Come, for Christ welcomes you to this time and place. All: We have come to worship God. One: Then let us worship well. INVOCATION All who are able, please stand LISTENING We listen for the word of God through song, Scripture, and preaching In Mendelssohn’s setting of the SOLO story of Elijah, this recitative (a Recitative and Aria Felix Mendelssohn rhythmically free style that imitates speech) and aria (with texts taken You people rend your hearts, rend your hearts and not your garments. For from Joel, Deuteronomy, and Job) your transgressions the prophet Elijah has sealed the heavens, through are faithful believer Obadiah’s the word of God. I therefore say to you, forsake your idols; return to pleadings with the people of Israel God, for He is slow to anger and merciful and kind and gracious, and to repent, after Elijah’s prophecy repenteth Him of the evil. If with all your heart ye truly seek me, ye shall that God will curse the land with a ever surely find me, thus saith our God. Oh, that I knew where I might severe drought comes to pass. find Him, that I might even come before His presence. Matthew Krenz, tenor EXEGESIS Rev. Robison HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Exodus 1:8 – 2:10 (page 49 in the Old Testament) Leader: The Word of God for the People of God. People: Thanks be to God. EPISTLE LESSON Mr. Stephen Pierre-Paul Romans 12:1-8 (page 161 in the New Testament) Leader: The Word of God for the People of God. The hymn tune St. Anne was People: Thanks be to God. composed by William Croft, organist of Westminster Abbey and a successor to Henry Purcell, the composer of today’s closing hymn tune. Both Croft and Purcell were students of Abbey organist John HYMN 210 Blow, who also taught Jeremiah Clarke, composer of the famed Our God, Our Help in Ages Past St. Anne “Prince of Denmark’s March” often used for weddings. All who are able, please stand GOSPEL LESSON Ms. Charlene Wingate Matthew 16:13-20 (page 18 in the New Testament) Leader: This is the Gospel of Christ. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Rev. Dr. Theresa Thames Rebellious Resistance RESPONDING We respond to the hearing of God’s word through confession, offering, passing the peace, and monthly communion PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Kevin Wright Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up unto the Lord. THE LORD’S PRAYER Pray in the language or version of your heart. 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. 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. PASSING OF THE PEACE Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you. People: And also with you. All who are able, please stand INVITATION TO GIVE AND SERVE Rev. B. Johnson One of the most notable OFFERTORY SOLO contemporary arrangers of There is a Balm in Gilead Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan spirituals for choirs, Moses Hogan There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; There is a balm in (1957 - 2003) published over Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged and think seventy works during his lifetime. my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. If you The arrangement heard today was originally written for chorus and cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul, You can tell the soloist. love of Jesus, and say, “He died for all”. AT THE PRESENTATION: THE DOXOLOGY The congregation rises row by row as ushers pass to symbolize offering of our whole selves to God Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, you heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION Rev. B. Johnson SENDING We are sent out into the world to love God and our neighbors INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP Rev. Thames BENEDICTION All who are able, please stand RECESSIONAL HYMN 416 The hymn tune Westminster Abbey Christ is Made the Sure Foundation Westminster Abbey was composed by famed 17th- century composer Henry Purcell, who served as organist there and is buried adjacent to its pipe organ. He was so famous in his time, that the so-called “Trumpet Voluntary” (actually composed by POSTLUDE contemporary Jeremiah Clarke as Toccata on “Great Day” Adolphus Hailstork the “Prince of Denmark’s March”) was falsely attributed to him. Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941) - one of the most prominent and prolific African-American composers of his generation - is Professor of Music and Eminent Scholar at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. The Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames is the Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel at Princeton University. As an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, Theresa served as a local pastor in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for nine years. She is a graduate of Howard University and received her Master of Divinity with a concentration in Gender, Theology, and Ministry from Duke University Divinity School. She has a Doctorate of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Leadership Excellence which explored how best to equip young clergywomen of color to thrive in ministry. Theresa is passionate about the intersections of theology, gender, organizational development, and social justice. She is a challenging preacher, thoughtful theologian, and devoted friend. Theresa is a lover of life and music who prioritizes self-care and believes that radical joy is resistance. Special thanks to our congregational leaders: Mr. Stephen Pierre-Paul and Ms. Charlene Wingate Liturgical Resources for Today: i https://holdfasttowhatisgood.com/liturgy/call-to-worship/ Also a special thanks to the actors: Stacey Robinson, Dana Ferguson Moss, Susanna Booth, Athena Wilkinson and Hillary Puckett LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY For announcements of programs and events in the church, please pick up the Life of Our Community bulletin located in the back of the pew or outside the Welcome Center.