Lectionary Readings
Genesis 1:1—2:4a
The Word and Spirit of God are present at the dawn of creation.
Psalm 8
O Lord our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
2 Corinthians 13:11–13
A letter concludes with a blessing in the name of the triune God.
Matthew 28:16–20
Jesus’ Great Commission: Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
We gather to worship the God of all creation
who crafted the seas and mountains,
and yet cares for each of us.
We gather to worship the God of all mystery
who rejoices in our being,
and invites us to join the cosmic dance!
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:
We are created in God’s image,
and we are called good,
but too often our actions distort that image
and fail to reflect goodness in this world.
Let us return to who we were made to be as we confess.
Majestic God,
You have called us to live in peace,
but we turn to conflict and hatred.
You yearn for us to work together,
but we keep finding reasons to dismiss each other.
Forgive us and show us a better way
to be your people, your body,
your church.
Lifting water from the font:
God knows who we were made to be
and has been waiting to help restore us
to ourselves, to each other, to community.
Thanks be to God! We are forgiven.
— 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
Jesus Christ is God with humankind.
He is the eternal Son of the Father,
who became human and lived among us
to fulfill the work of reconciliation.
He is present in the church
by the power of the Holy Spirit
to continue and complete his mission.
This work of God,
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
is the foundation of all confessional statements
about God, humanity, and the world.
Therefore, the church calls all people
to be reconciled to God and to one another.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.07
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 . . .
Let us be faithful witnesses to the risen Lord,
making disciples, baptizing and teaching,
and obeying everything Christ has commanded.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for the earth . . .
Teach us to be good stewards of your creation,
caring for the earth you have made,
so that all creatures may be fruitful and flourish.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for all nations . . .
Extend your reign of peace throughout the earth,
fill the strong with compassion and humility,
and crown the weak with honor and dignity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for this community . . .
Help us to remember that you are with us always;
let those who worship sense your presence
and those who doubt be strengthened in faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the Spirit, we pray for loved ones . . .
By the holy kiss of your grace and peace,
heal the sick, comfort those who suffer,
welcome strangers, and reconcile enemies.
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:
In the beginning, you created the heavens and the earth.
Who are we, O God, that you are mindful of us?
Yet you have crowned us with glory and honor.
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:
To Jesus you have given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Risen from the dead and ascended into heaven, still he leads us
to make disciples, baptizing and teaching them in your holy name.
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.
By your Spirit, help us to live as sisters and brothers
in the body of Christ and the communion of saints,
sharing your love and peace with all the world.
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
“God’s Authority: In the Beginning”
Seth Drum, 21st Century
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! (E) NICAEA GTG 1, PH 138
- The Play of the Godhead (O) PERICHORESIS GTG 9
- Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (G) HYFRYDOL GTG 260, PH 144
- God, the LORD in Love and Might / Siōng-tè chhòno-chō thin kap tōe (O) TAMSUI STB 175
WORD
- O Word of God Incarnate (G) MUNICH GTG 459, PH 327
- Crashing Waters at Creation (OG) CRASHING WATERS GTG 476
- We All Are One in Mission (E) ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN GTG 733, PH 435
- O Holy Spirit, Come Dwell in Our Souls (O) BREAD OF LIFE IHLC 107
EUCHARIST
- Many and Great, O God, Are Thy Works (Things) (E) LACQUIPARLE GTG 21, PH 271
- Out of Deep, Unordered Water (O) RUSTINGTON GTG 484, PH 494
- We Know That Christ Is Raised (EG) ENGELBERG GTG 485, PH 495
- Creator God, Your Home Is Heaven (O) WAYFARING STRANGER, Sing No Empty Alleluias, Chris Shelton, GIA
SENDING
- We Shall Overcome (E) WE SHALL OVERCOME GTG 379
- Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (OEG) CHILDREN PRAYING GTG 469
- We Will Go Out with Joy (OEG) WE WILL GO OUT WITH JOY GTG 539
- Built on a Rock (OG) KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS WAS 3147
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 8
Metrical
- O Lord, Our God, How Excellent [WINCHESTER OLD]; GTG 25, PH 162
- Lord, Our Lord, Your Glorious Name [GOTT SEI DANK, EVENING PRAISE]; PAS 8A, B, LUYH 500, 501, PH 163
- O Lord, Our Lord, throughout the Earth [TRAMPS AND HAWKERS, ELLACOMBE]; PAS 8D, KU 122
- O Lord, Our Lord, Your Majesty [8.6.8.8.6]; PCW 8
- Los cielos cuentan la gloria de Dios / The Heavens Tell of Your Creative Glory; SSS 11
- Salmo 8 [LACQUIPARLE]; SSS 5–6
Responsorial
- O Lord, Our Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name; PAS 8E
- O Lord, Our Lord, Your Name Is Glorious; PSA 5
Organ Music
- Allegro, from Trio Sonata no. 1 in E Flat Major, BWV 525, J. S. Bach, public domain (A)
- “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say,” KINGSFOLD, Augsburg Organ Library: Summer, Robert J. Powell, AF (ME)
- “Allegro Energico,” Christian Cappelen, arr. Mark Williams, from Pedals and Pipes for Postludes and Praise, LOR (E)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “O Lord, How Excellent Thy Name,” Benedetto Marcello, arr. Miriam Chase, SHAW, SATB (ME)
- “The Canticle of the Sun,” Marty Haugen, GIA, SATB, keybd, fl (ME)
- “The Lord Sends Us Forth,” arr. Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, pno (E)
- “Psalm 8,” Dan Forrest, HAL, SSA, pno, vln, perc (M)
- “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” arr. Mack Wilberg, OUP, SATB, org (MA)
- “Holy, Holy, Holy,” arr. Dan Forrest, SFP, SATB, org, opt brass quin, timp, cong (MA)
- “Our Song Shall Rise to Thee,” Becki Slagle Mayo, CGA, SATB, children’s choir, keybd, opt tpt (M)
- Concertato on “Thine Is the Glory,” Handel, arr. Hopson, JM, SAB, org, cong, opt brass qrt, hb, timp (M)
Handbell Music
- “Holy, Holy, Holy,” Kevin McChesney, 3–6 oct, CON, 977435, Level 2
- “Blessed Trinity,” Ron Mallory, 3–5 oct, JHS, 9544, Level 3
- “Abbot’s Leigh,” Lee J. Afdahl, 3–5 oct, HOPE, 2103, Level 2+
Art
- Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh, 1889 (VDL)
- The Mission to the World, JESUS MAFA, Cameroon, 1973 (VDL)
- God’s Authority—In the Beginning, Seth Drum, 21st century (VDL)
- Orbs Dancing, James Fissel (EYE)
