THE WORSHIP OF GOD THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; JOINING SUNDAY; JOHN RUTTER’S “FEEL THE SPIRIT” 22 May 2016 at Eleven o’clock in the morning THE COMMUNITY GATHERS BEFORE GOD The Music in Preparation for Worship is intended to draw the people from the outside world into the presence of God. You are invited to remain silent during this time. Ple ase sile nc e y o ur c e ll p h o ne . THE SILENT MEDITATION Singing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” is a political act that challenges all human categories and divisions. The gospel word is that singing and music can be a means of grace that unifies us and brings us into the life of God as we learn to submit to one another in Christ. Singing is more than making a joyful noise. God has given us singing and worshiping to break down categories of gender and age and race and class. In singing and worshiping, we enter the life of God through the Spirit. If God’s Triune life is indeed one of mutual submission and love between persons, then as we become one body in Christ we share in God’s eternal “singing.” Randy Cooper, Being Subject as We Sing (adapted) THE RINGING OF THE ANGELUS BELL The ringing of the Angelus Bell, a three-fold ringing of three, signifies the presence of the triune God: Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit. In ancient practice it was rung as a noonday prayer calling the whole community to prayers for peace. THE PRELUDE “Swing Low” from A Spiritual Pair Dan Locklair (b. 1949) THE CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. At this time, everyone is invited to sign the friendship register found at the end of each pew. We especially welcome our guests today and ask that you include your contact information. Everyone is invited to a New Member Reception in Heaton Hall Foyer immediately following worship. We offer childcare during worship for children ages birth - age four. Please see an usher who can assist your family. *THE OPENING SENTENCES Leader: Sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things. People: The right hand and holy arm of God has won the victory, and the Lord has been vindicated in the sight of the nations. Leader: O God, you have offered steadfast love to your people, and faithfulness to the house of Israel. People: All the ends of the earth have seen your victory. Let all the people praise the Lord! _______________________________________________________ + Ushers will seat anyone waiting. * Please stand if you are able. Leader: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Break forth into joyous song and sing praises. People: Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre and with melody. Make a joyful noise before the king with trumpets and horns. Leader: Let the sea roar and all that fills it; the world and who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy. People: Rejoice at the presence of the Lord who is coming to judge the world with justice and the people with equity. (Psalm 98) *THE PROCESSION AND OPENING OF THE BIBLE Number 65 “When the morning stars together” We isse Flag g e n *THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION + During the interlude, 3 and 4 year olds will leave with their teachers. They may be picked up in Room 107 after worship. TK-5th graders will go to the gym. THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED AND HEARD THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 5:15-20 Leader: For the Word of God in scripture, See page 5. for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us. People: Thanks be to God. Feel the Spirit A CYCLE OF SPIRITUALS ~ ARRANGED BY JOHN RUTTER (B. 1945) “Joshua fit the battle of Jericho” Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, ‘Go blow those ram horns’ Joshua cried, And the walls come tumblin’ down. ‘Cos the battle is in my hand.’ You may talk about your king of Gideon, Joshua fought that battle, so the Bible say; You may talk about your man of Saul, And the walls come tumblin’ down: Great day! But there is none like good old Joshua Then the lam’ ram sheep horns ‘gin to blow, At the battle of Jericho. Trumpets begin to soun’. Well, up to the walls of Jericho Joshua commanded the children to shout, He marched with spear in hand: And the walls come tumblin’ down. Hallelujah! “Steal away” Steal away to Jesus; steal away home, I ain’t got long to stay here. I ain’t got long to stay here. Green trees are bending, My Lord he calls me, he calls me by the thunder; Poor sinner stands a-trembling; The trumpet sounds within-a my soul; Hallelujah, Lord. Cathy Morelli, solo “I got a robe” I got a robe, you got a robe, Gonna walk all over God’s heaven. All of God’s children got a robe; I got a harp, you got a harp… When I get to heaven gonna put on my robe, When I get to heaven gonna play on my harp, Gonna shout all over God’s heaven, Gonna play all over God’s heaven. Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heaven ain’t going there. Oh, I got a crown, you got a crown… I gotta shoes, you gotta shoes… When I get to heaven gonna put on my crown, When I get to heaven gonna put on my shoes, Gonna shine all over God’s heaven. Michael Rukstelis, Joan Hope, Karen Riley, Jane Huddle, Jill Freeland, Ted Phillips and Laura Kratt, soloists 2 “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child” Sometimes I feel like a motherless child, True believer… A long ways from home. Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone… Erica McGee, solo “Ev’ry time I feel the spirit” Ev’ry time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, Way beyond the blue. Lord, I pray; The river Jordan is chilly and cold, O Lord, I kneel and pray. Chills the body but not the soul. Oh, up on the mountain my Lord spoke; And all around me looks so fine, Out of his mouth came fire and smoke. I ask my Lord if it all was mine. Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me I’m on the road to heaven now, Way beyond the blue in glory. you must take it too; I got a home in glory land that Take it way beyond the blue in glory, outshines the sun yes my Lord. Janice Bradner, Dan Compton, Deb Steiner, Mark Andersen and Todd Geer, soloists “Deep river” Deep river, my home is over Jordan; Oh, don’t you want to go to that Gospel feast Deep river, Lord: I want to cross over That promised land where all is peace. into camp ground. Amy Morris, solo “When the saints go marching in” Glory, glory hallelujah! While the saints go marching up into glory, The saints go marching in. Oh, hear those angel trumpets sound! Oh, when the saints go marching in: And when they crown him King of Kings… Oh, Lord, I want to be in that number, And when the sun no more will shine… When the saints go marching in. When the moon has turned to blood… And when the revelation comes… And on that hallelujah day… When the new world is revealed… Oh, when the saints, oh when they go, Oh, when they gather round the throne… Oh when they march, they’re singin’ a Hallelujah, brothers! Hallelujah, sisters! ‘Glory hallelujah!’ Hear the music going round and around, The congregation will be invited to join the soloists in the final verse of “The saints go marching in.” Nash Long and Janice Bradner, soloists THE TIME FOR SILENT REFLECTION THE CONGREGATION RESPONDS TO GOD’S WORD THE CHURCH AT PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father/Mother, 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 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. THE OFFERING The Loose Plate offering for May benefits Women in Transition (WIT) at the YWCA. WIT provides affordable transitional housing and intensive support services for single unaccompanied women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 3 THE MUSIC AT THE OFFERING “Give Me Jesus” setting by Richard Billingham (b. 1939) THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS *THE READING OF THE CHURCH COVENANT See back page. *THE PRESENTATION OF GIFTS As the deacons move down the center aisle, the congregation is asked to stand at the moment the deacons pass their pew. This presentation to God enacts our self-offering and gratitude to God. *THE DOXOLOGY Old Hu n d re d th Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly hosts; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen. *THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS FOR MINISTRY *THE PROCESSION INTO THE WORLD AND CLOSING OF THE BIBLE See page 11. “Give praise to the Lord” Laud ate Do m in u m THE BENEDICTION THE CLOSING VOLUNTARY “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” Richard Elliott (b. 1957) The congregation is invited to remain seated during the Closing Voluntary.