Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Genesis 22:1–14
Obeying God, Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Psalm 13
How long, O Lord? Still I trust in your steadfast love.
Complementary
Jeremiah 28:5–9
Jeremiah speaks to Hananiah about the promises of prophets.
Psalm 89:1–4, 15–18
I sing of God’s steadfast love, God’s covenant with David.
Romans 6:12–23
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is life in Christ.
Matthew 10:40–42
Jesus sends disciples: whoever welcomes you welcomes me.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
God has welcomed us without reservation,
so let us welcome all in God’s name!
Peace be with you.
God’s peace be among us,
around us,
and within us.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the grace that is at work in us
through the gift of our baptism—
the sign of your threefold name,
the communion of your faithful people,
the promise of your glorious realm.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
let your grace and peace grow in us,
until we gather at your heavenly throne
to give you thanks and praise forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
As we try to grow toward righteousness,
we present ourselves to God in a spirit of honesty,
naming where we still obey sin and death
instead of goodness and life.
God who provides our every need,
you have given us countless gifts.
You have welcomed us for all of who we are.
You have showered us with steadfast love.
You have freely given us eternal life in Christ Jesus.
We do not deserve these gifts.
We take them and squander them.
We continue to trust ourselves
more than we trust you.
We fail to embrace others as you have embraced us.
Accept our confession.
Be our glory and our strength for the days to come,
our strength, shield, and deliverer.
Lifting water from the font:
Part of God’s provision for all of us
is a well of forgiveness that never runs dry.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Holy, Holy, Holy One,
guide us by the Spirit of truth
to hear the Word of life you speak,
and to give all glory, honor, and praise
to your threefold name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Listen to the word of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4
After the readings:
Keep these words in your heart.
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
Thanks be to God.
Deuteronomy 6:6
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
To the Lord our God, Alpha and Omega,
be all glory and honor forever. Amen.
Revelation 21:6
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
The life, death, resurrection,
and promised coming of Jesus Christ
has set the pattern for the church’s mission.
His human life involves the church
in the common life of all people.
His service to men and women
commits the church
to work for every form of human well-being.
His suffering makes the church sensitive
to all human suffering
so that it sees the face of Christ
in the faces of persons in every kind of need.
His crucifixion discloses to the church
God’s judgment on the inhumanity
that marks human relations,
and the awful consequences
of the church’s own complicity in injustice.
In the power of the risen Christ
and the hope of his coming,
the church sees the promise
of God’s renewal of human life in society
and of God’s victory over all wrong.
The church follows this pattern
in the form of its life
and in the method of its action.
So to live and serve
is to confess Christ as Lord.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.32–33
Prayers of Intercession
Let us pray in the Spirit, who helps us in our weakness,
interceding with sighs too deep for words.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for the church . . .
Help us to share the gift you have entrusted to us:
the good news of your free gift of life in Christ,
like a cold cup of water to a thirsty soul.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for the earth . . .
Liberate the earth from the dominion of death
and restore it with the blessing of abundant life,
so that generations to come may sing your praise.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for all nations . . .
Amid the daily news of war, famine, and disease,
announce the good news of your peace.
Come quickly to establish your holy realm.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for this community . . .
Enable us to extend Christ’s welcome to all,
so that they may come to know and love you
and receive your gift of everlasting life.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for loved ones . . .
Remember those who are too often forgotten—
the abused and neglected, the vulnerable and weak.
Let them rejoice in your steadfast love.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray to you, O God,
confident that all things work together for good
for those who love you
and are called according to your purpose.
Above all, we give you thanks, O God,
that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Romans 8:26, 28, 39
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,
to present yourselves as a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable to God.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
Romans 12:1
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
God of unending gifts,
we praise you for your abundant goodness.
As you are generous, we want to be generous too.
May the gifts we bring
extend your generosity into the world,
so that all people may be made whole
by your goodness and grace. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
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.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You desire faithfulness and mercy, not sacrifice.
By your grace, you provide for us in life and death,
giving your only Son for the salvation of the world.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Jesus came to us with the voice of a prophet,
announcing your reign of justice and righteousness.
Through Christ, you welcome us into that holy realm.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Receive us as members of Christ’s body,
as those who have been brought from death to life.
Send us forth to share your free gift of life in Christ.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
Holy Spirit, you have filled us with your life.
Christ our Savior, you have embraced us in your love.
God our Mother, you have fed us with your grace.
Now send us out into your beloved world
to share your life, your love, your grace with all.
Blessing and honor and glory to you,
holy, holy, holy Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the blessing of the Trinity—
holy, holy, holy Lord—
be with you now and always. Alleluia!
Isaiah 6:3
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here I am; send me!” Amen.
Isaiah 6:8
“Sacrifice of Isaac”
Armenian Gospel Book, 1455
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand (O) NATIONAL HYMN GTG 331, PH 262
- We Lift Our Voices (O) OFFERING GTG 710
- God Is Here! (G) ABBOT’S LEIGH GTG 409, PH 461
- Welcome into This Place (G) Orlando Juarez AAHH 114
WORD
- Many and Great, O God, Are Thy Works (Things) (E) LACQUIPARLE GTG 21, PH 271
- Our Help Is in the Name of God (G) OLD 124TH GTG 330
- How Long, O God, Will My Prayers Be in Vain? (O) LAND OF MERCY GTG 779
- O Sorrow Deep! (O) O TRAURIGKEIT EH 173
EUCHARIST
- Rain Down (OEG) RAIN DOWN GTG 48
- Our God Is an Awesome God (G) AWESOME GOD GTG 616
- Fill My Cup (E) FILL MY CUP GTG 699, PH 350
- I Surrender All (E) SURRENDER AAHH 396
SENDING
- May the Love of the Lord (G) SOON TI GTG 549
- Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (G) ST. ANNE GTG 687, PH 210
- O Jesus, I Have Promised (E) ANGEL’S STORY, NYLAND GTG 724, 725, PH 388, 389
- Take My Life (E) HENDON GTG 697, PH 391
- Que mi vida entera esté / Take My Life and Let It Be (E) TOMA MI VOLUNTAD SSS 628
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 13
Metrical
- How Long, O Lord [HOW LONG, O LORD]; GTG 777, PAS 13D
- How Long Will You Forget Me, Lord [MARTYRDOM]; PAS 13B, LUYH 410
- How Long, O God, Will You Forget [DETROIT]; PLP1 13
- How Long, O Lord [Doerksen]; PAS 13C
Responsorial
- Lord, I Put My Trust in Your Mercy; PSA 7
- O Lord, Hear My Prayer; PAS 13E
- Señor, ten piedad / O Lord, Hear My Prayer; SSS 517–518
- Bring Joy to My Heart, O My God; LOML 18
- Give Light to My Eyes [ABERYSTWYTH]; HTP2 14
Psalm 89:1–4, 15–18
Metrical
- My Song Forever Shall Record [PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, ST. PETERSBURG, WINCHESTER NEW, SUSSEX CAROL]; GTG 67, PH 209, PAS 89E, LUYH 280,
PP 162 - Your Steadfast Love, O Lord [11.10.11.10]; SGP 125
- Forever We Will Sing [GENEVAN 89]; PAS 89D
Responsorial
- Lord, I Will Sing Your Love Forever; PSA 81
- Your Love, O Lord, Forever I Will Sing; HTP2 15
- Forever I Will Sing the Goodness of the Lord; PAS 89B
Organ Music
- “In God My Faithful God,” BWV 646, J. S. Bach, public domain (ME)
- “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” Augsburg Organ Library: Summer, Robert A. Hobby, AF (E)
- “Fugue in D,” Twelve Pieces, Theodore Dubois, KAL (ME)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “The Gift of Love,” Hal Hopson, HOPE, uni, pno (E)
- “I Will Lift Mine Eyes,” Jake Runestad, BH, SATB (A)
- “The Prayer of St. Patrick,” William Schoenfield, CGA, uni, pno (E)
- “The Greatest Gift Is Love,” Mark Hayes, BP, SATB (M)
- “My Eternal King,” Jane Marshall, CF, SATB, org (MA)
- “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation,” arr. David Cherwien, MSM, SATB, org, tpt (M)
- “If Ye Love Me,” Philip Wilby, Banks Music Publications, SATB (ME)
- “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee,” Benjamin Harlan, HIN, SATB, pno (ME)
Handbell Music
- “The God of Abraham Praise,” Linda R. Lamb, 3–5 oct, opt 3 oct hc, AGEHR, AG35252, Level 3
- “O Jesus, I Have Promised,” Brenda E. Austin, 3–5 oct, RW, RW8268, Level 2+
- “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” Cynthia Dobrinski, 3–5 oct, HOPE, 2117, Level 3
Art
- Abraham and Isaac, John August Swanson (EYE)
- Sacrifice of Isaac, manuscript illumination, Armenian, 1455 (VDL)
- Jesus Welcomes All, unidentified Sudanese artist (VDL)
- The Welcome Table, Jan Richardson (JR)