Second Sunday after Pentecost/Village Day
Prelude “Variations in D major” (D. Kabalevskiy)
Congregational Welcome
Choral Introit “Gathered here in the mystery of this hour” (Phil Porter)
Call to Worship
*Opening Hymn #138 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
*Prayer of Invocation and Community
One Voice: Psalm 77 includes these words: “I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God?” Let us pray together, how great thou art:
All: Gather us now, O God, for a time of praise and joy. Unite us for spiritual community here in the Highlands, to share our bounty and burdens, and to celebrate how your Word moves from generation to generation, and place to place. As we gather with one voice, open our hearts to awe, our eyes to wisdom, and our hands to service. Draw us to the wonders of eternity, and let us delight in Jesus’ way. We pray this as Christ’s diverse Body, Amen.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
*Response in Praise
From all that dwell below the skies
Let the creator’s praise arise:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let the redeemer’s name be sung
through every land, in every tongue.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*Sharing of Peace
The Scripture Reading The Gospel Reading
The Village Meditation Katie Scott
Call to Offering
Choral Offering “23rd Psalm” (Bobby McFerrin)
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Christ the word in flesh born low,
Praise Holy Spirit evermore,
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
*Hymn of Preparation #513 Let us Break Bread Together
Celebration of Holy Communion
All: For this table is spread for you and for me that we might know that God has come to us and shared our common lot and invited us to receive life anew. Indeed, God has triumphed even over death. So we come to this table for thanksgiving, for grace, for God’s presence, for peace.
Leader: Let us unite our voices in preparation. God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God!
Leader: Let us praise God, speaking together:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer of Institution and Lord’s Prayer
(“Our father and mother…trespasses”)
Hymn of Departure #488 The God of Abraham Praise
*Benediction
*Benediction Response “You Shall Go Out with Joy!” (Lloyd Larson)
Postlude
* Those who are able please stand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Village Day began decades ago, and unites our community for worship, celebration, exercise, and food! All are welcome in this sanctuary, and all are welcome at God’s table here. We rejoice to unite the Parish of St. Paul, NewCity Church, and NHCC in one voice and one prayer, and particularly appreciate POSP participants David Montgomery & Kim Kroger, our preacher Katie Scott, and the Rev. Devlin Scott celebrating communion. Our worship leaders include Kenneth Baily, Wendy Donnell, Yevgenia Semeina, Jan Zimmerman, Melissa Dietrich, Sally Brickell, Ted Palés, and Misha Hill.
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are, you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,”
so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.