Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Genesis 18:1–15 (21:1–7)
Three visitors promise Abraham and Sarah they will have a son.
Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19
What shall I return to the Lord? I will lift the cup of salvation.
Complementary
Exodus 19:2–8a
The Lord says: Keep my covenant and you will be my holy people.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord; we are the sheep of God’s pasture.
Romans 5:1–8
We are justified by faith; while we were sinners Christ died for us.
Matthew 9:35—10:8 (9–23)
The harvest is plentiful; Jesus instructs and sends the twelve apostles.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
We come together in the sure knowledge:
God does not pass us by.
We gather to worship knowing this truth:
God fulfills promises.
Even when we cannot muster belief:
God is faithful to 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:
God hears our voices and our supplications.
We can call on God in all our joys, doubts,
successes, and failures.
Knowing that God will listen,
let us confess.
God of our salvation,
incline your ear to us.
You have given us power:
power to heal, to bring hope,
to comfort, to restore.
But we ignore that power,
choosing to live our own lives.
At worst, we abuse that power,
storing up riches for ourselves
without an eye for the needs of others.
Forgive us. Remind us of our call
to proclaim your good news,
and to welcome each other
as we would welcome you.
Lifting water from the font:
The ancient words still bring truth today:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Praise be to God for this abounding love!
— 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 . . .
Through the power of your Holy Spirit,
fill us with the hope of the gospel—
the hope that will never disappoint us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for the earth . . .
Let all the earth make a joyful noise to you,
for your steadfast love endures forever
and your faithfulness is for all generations.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for all nations . . .
Teach the leaders of this and every nation
to keep their promises and follow your way,
so that all may have fullness of life in you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for this community . . .
Let us be laborers in the field of your harvest,
proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ
and helping those who are suffering.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for loved ones . . .
Incline your ear to those who cry for help.
Pour out your saving, life-giving power
for those who call upon your holy name.
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 shared a meal with Abraham and Sarah
and promised them that in due season
they would become the ancestors of a great people.
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 sends us out as laborers in the harvest
to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out what is evil,
and to proclaim that his kingdom has come near.
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.
Through the Spirit you have poured into our hearts,
fill us with your love, and give us the power to proclaim
the good news of Jesus Christ who died for all.
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
“Abraham Receiving the Three Angels”
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1667
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout (OE) STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN GTG 100
- Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (G) ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR GTG 367, PH 551
- As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought (G) FOREST GREEN GTG 712, PH 414
- God of Grace and God of Laughter (OE) NEW PROVIDENCE Rejoice in God, K. Lee Scott, MSM
WORD
- You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord (O) ON EAGLE’S WINGS GTG 43
- Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life (G) GERMANY GTG 343, PH 408
- Holy Spirit, Come to Us / Veni Sancte Spiritus (E) VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS GTG 281
- I Love You, Lord (O) I LOVE YOU, LORD GTG 627
EUCHARIST
- Light Dawns on a Weary World (OG) TEMPLE OF PEACE GTG 79
- You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (G) PICARDY GTG 274
- Hope of the World (G) DONNE SECOURS (G) GTG 734, PH 360
- All Sisters, All Brothers, All of the Earth / Thamilz: Buumiyin maandheriir kuudivaariir (OG) BUUMIYIN MAANDHERIIR STB 84
SENDING
- You Shall Go Out with Joy (O) THE TREES OF THE FIELD GTG 80
- How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord (E) REPTON GTG 432, PH 419
- Go, My Children, with My Blessing (G) AR HYD Y NOS GTG 547
- Broken World, Broken Dreams (OE) HEAVEN IS AT HAND Sing No Empty Alleluias, Chris Shelton, GIA
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19
Metrical
- I Love the Lord, Who (He) Heard My Cry [I LOVE THE LORD (Smallwood)]; GTG 799, PH 362, PAS 116C, LUYH 439, SSS 343
- What Shall I Render to the Lord [MARTYRDOM, ROCKINGHAM, MORNING SONG/CONSOLATION]; GTG 655, PH 228, PAS 116B, LUYH 871, PP 218 (with refrain)
- I Love You, Lord [GENEVAN 116]; PAS 116A, LUYH 735
- We Love You Lord [CMD]; SGP 170
- I Love the Lord Because He Heard [DETROIT, NEW FENWICK]; KU 70, TTSF 70
Responsorial
- I Love the Lord, Who (He) Heard My Cry [I LOVE THE LORD (Smallwood)]; PAS 116D; LUYH 152; SSS 343–344; 160–161
- I Will Walk in the Presence of God [SCOTLAND]; PAS 116E (through-composed vv.), 116D (alt. refrain with pointed vv.)
- I Will Walk in the Presence of the Lord [MIDDLEBURY]; HTP2 10
- I Love the Lord; He Is Filled with Compassion [I LOVE THE LORD (Aquino)]; LUYH 819
- I Will Call Upon the Name of the Lord [LET US BREAK BREAD]; HTP1 116
- I Will Take Up the Cup of Salvation; SP 50
Psalm 100
Metrical
- All People That on Earth Do Dwell [OLD HUNDREDTH, NEW DOXOLOGY]; GTG 385, PH 220, PAS 100A, 100B, LUYH 1, SSS 416
- Let Every Voice on Earth Resound [GENEVAN 100]; PAS 100C
- With Shouts of Joy Come Praise the Lord (Ae sab Zamiinde loko) [KHUSHI RAHO]; PAS 100D
- Let Every Nation on the Earth [TALLIS CANON]; KU 96
- Cantad alegres al Señor / Unto the Lord Sing Joyful Songs [DUKE STREET]; SSS 437
Responsorial
- Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord; PAS 100F, PSA 101
- All the Earth, Proclaim the Lord; PAS 100H
- Enter God’s Gates with Thanks and Praise; PSA 97
- Arise, Come to Your God (Gelineau); PSA 98
- We Are God’s People; PSA 99
- We Are His People; PFTS2 40
Organ Music
- “A Quiet Spirit,” Summer Solstice Settings for Organ, Roberta Rowland-Raybold, AF (E)
- “Light Dawns on a Weary World,” TEMPLE OF PEACE, Michael Burkhardt, AF (ME)
- “Canticle of the Turning,” STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN, Augsburg Organ Library: Advent Series II, Barbara Harbach, AF (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choir
- “Praise Ye, the Lord the Almighty,” arr. Hugo Distler, Arista, SATB (A)
- “The Greatest Gift Is Love,” Mark Hayes, BP, SATB, pno (M)
- “Not One Sparrow Is Forgotten,” arr. William Hawley, CV, SATB (MA)
- “What Shall I Offer to the Lord,” K. Lee Scott, CON, SATB, pno (M)
- “Jubilate Deo,” Peter Anglea, HIN, SATB, pno (MA)
- “Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree,” Elizabeth Poston, HAL, SATB (M)
- “Wondrous Love,” Eric Nelson, MSM, SATB div, pno (MA)
- “Once to Every Man and Nation,” David Stanley York, TPR, SATB, org (M)
Handbell Music
- “On Eagle’s Wings,” Michael Helman, 3–6 oct, opt 3–5 oct hc, opt fl, GIA, G-6840, Level 3
- “Make a Joyful Noise,” Kevin McChesney, 3–5 oct, JHS, 9514, Level 2-
- “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing,” John Behnke, 3–5 oct, CON, 977031, Level 2
Art
- Abraham Receiving the Three Angels, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1667 (VDL)
- Harvest in Provence, Vincent van Gogh, 1888 (VDL)
- Mount Horeb, Sinai, Francis Frith, photograph, 1858 (VDL)
