The Sunday after Ascension Day, Jesus reminds us that while he is away from us in the flesh, he will send a “comforter”, and that he
G OV E R N M E N T S T RE E T P RE SBY T E RI A N C H URC H T H E S E V E N T H S U N DAY O F E AS T E R J U N E 2, 2019 | 11 A M
prays for us, interceding before the Father, that we might be one in the unity he shares with the Father. Worship begins with the prelude. Please observe silence, and meditate on the Prayer of the Day during this time.
Te Deum [Laudamus] or “Thee, O God, we praise” is
GATHERING CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WESTMINSTER
PRAYER OF THE DAY silent O God, who opens our prison doors and releases us from our faults, keep us near to you in the hours of each day that by the power of the prayer Jesus prays for us and the light of your Word we might drink of your living water, know true joy, and serve you to the end of time. Amen. PRELUDE Prelude to the Te Deum
Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)
an ancient Latin Christian hymn composed in the
WELCOME
fourth century. It may
CALL TO WORSHIP responsive
reference a short service of praise, or stand alone as a hymn of praise. The use as a
prelude calls the listener with a theme sounded on the trumpets of the organ, followed by a choralevoiced response to the theme.
SALLY PEARSALL, LITURGIST
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let everyone who is thirsty come. Let everyone who hears say, “Come.” Let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Let everyone who is thirsty come. Come to the tree of life, the Alpha and the Omega.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. indicates an invitation to stand as you are able. Please silence all cellular devices for the duration of the service.
Let us worship God. HYMN 81 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
AUSTRIAN HYMN
PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison Gracious Power, you call us to your everlasting springs to be drenched and reformed, but we fail to heed you. We do not turn with love to our neighbors to ourselves, or to you. Forgive us for our failings, shield us from our due, and guide us into unity with all for the sake of the whole world. Amen. DECLARATION OF PARDON RESPONSE Alleluia!
Proclaiming the Word—we
CELTIC ALLELUIA
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
hear the good news of the
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Gospel.
FIRST READING Acts 16:16-34
New Testament p. 128
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. CHILDREN’S SERMON Children ages four through eight years are invited to Wee Worship following the Children’s Sermon.
MUSICAL REFLECTION SECOND READING John 17:20-26
New Testament p. 105
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON
ANNA GRACE CLAUNCH, GUEST PREACHER
Baptized into Solidarity
THANKSGIVING HYMN 418 Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling Reformed churches have insisted that the renewal of the church must become visible in the transformation of human lives and societies. “A Brief Statement of Faith” lifts up concerns that call most urgently for the church’s attention in our time. The church is not a refuge from the world; an elect people is chosen for the blessing of the nations.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
TRADITIONAL Book of Confessions 11.1-.3
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.
RESPONSE | HYMN 581 During the Prayer of Intercession, we pray silently for the petitions
Glory Be to the Father
GLORIA PATRI
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
made known, and for those THE PEACE of our own knowing.
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
The peace may be
OFFERTORY
exchanged with those
VOLUNTARY
around you.
Improvisation
arr. Watts
RESPONSE TO THE OFFERTORY Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise
here
Praise
God, from whom all bless—ings flow;
be—
low;
Praise
Fa—ther, Son, and
Him a—bove ye
Ho— ly
Ghost.
OLD HUNDREDTH
praise Him all crea-tures
Heav’n– ly
A—
host;
men
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
REV. DR. CARY SPEAKER
GREAT THANKSGIVING responsive The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
. . .who forever sing to the glory of your name: RESPONSE | HYMN 565
Sending—we are sent out to live the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We further commit, as a congregation, to our mission: “Called to Serve”.
MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION | HYMN 566 Great is the mystery of faith:
THE LORD’S PRAYER 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; and 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.
Communion will be served by intinction. We invite all to receive the supper of the Lord.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE COMMUNION MEDITATION Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
PICARDY/arr. Manz
“Let all mortal flesh keep PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION unison silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder Nourished at this table, O God, may we know Christ's redemptive love and live a new life in him. Help us who nothing earthly minded, for recognize our Lord in the breaking of bread to see and serve with blessing in his hand. him in all whose lives are broken. Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full Give us who are fed at his hand, grace to share our bread with homage to demand.” the hungry and with the hungry of heart.
In the Prayer after Communion, we offer thanks to God for the gift of the elements that represent the body of Christ, the bread of Heaven, and the blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Sending—we are sent out to live the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We further commit, as a congregation, to our mission: “Called to Serve”.
Keep us faithful in your service until Christ comes in final victory, and we shall feast with all your saints in the joy of your eternal realm. Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever. Amen.
SENDING HYMN 630
Fairest Lord Jesus BENEDICTION
CRUSADER’S HYMN
ANNA GRACE CLAUNCH
POSTLUDE Toccata on “Diademata”
Cobb/Elvey
A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH
As we make our way through the celebration of the Easter season, we are also anticipating Pentecost Sunday. A Brief Statement of Faith of the PCUSA is intentionally divided into three sections. The final section, which will be used on Pentecost, captures our belief about the Holy Spirit. On three successive Sundays, we will read portions of this affirmation of our faith: first, concerning Jesus our savior; second, God the creator; and finally, our sustainer, the Holy Spirit. A Brief Statement of Faith begins and ends with trinitarian statements, reminding us that God loves relationships.
Welcome to Government Street! Visitors are asked to complete the card found in the pew rack and return it with the offering. Childcare is available in the nursery for infants to three-year-olds. New members are welcomed by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or transfer of membership. Please speak with the minister for further information. The Baytreat wharf construction is now complete. You’re invited to a Blessing of the Wharf on Sunday, June 9 at 2pm.
WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Usher Captain: Sunday Assistants: Nursery: Wee Worship:
Brent Ericson Preston Reeder Charlotte Crockett Mary Herndon Nordmann
Beth McKee
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR JUNE 9 Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34 Romans 8:14-17 John 14:8-17
300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org
Staff REV. DR. CARY G. SPEAKER Interim Pastor cary@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist tommy@gspcmobile.org LOIS MCNORTON Office & Property Manager lois@gspcmobile.org DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org
ANNA GRACE CLAUNCH Director, Urban Mission Camps anna@gspcmobile.org SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30AM SUNDAY WORSHIP 11AM
For the latest calendar and announcements, please visit us online at www.gspcmobile.org @gspcmobile
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11a SUNDAY, JUNE 2 9:30a Sunday School (Adult) 11:00a Worship Wee Worship MONDAY, JUNE 3 TUESDAY, JUNE 4 7:45a Bible Study | Home of Ann Adams WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 THURSDAY, JUNE 6 FRIDAY, JUNE 7 SUNDAY, JUNE 9 | DAY OF PENTECOST 9:30a Sunday School (adult) 11:00a Worship Wee Worship 2:00p Blessing of the Wharf | Baytreat