Lectionary Readings
Semicontinuous
Joshua 24:1–3a, 14–25
Choose this day whom you will serve; we will serve the Lord.
Psalm 78:1–7
Each generation will tell the next of the glorious deeds of the Lord.
Complementary
Amos 5:18–24
The day of the Lord is darkness; let justice roll down like waters.
Psalm 70
O Lord, make haste to help me, for I am poor and needy.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
The dead in Christ will rise first; then the living will meet the Lord.
Matthew 25:1–13
The parable of ten bridesmaids; keep awake, the Lord is coming.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
The Lord is coming. Whom you will serve?
As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.
What has God done for you?
Wondrous works. Unforgettable deeds.
Strength in the wilderness; paths of liberation!
Say more.
We’ll never stop telling our story.
The next generation will hear it.
Children not yet born will know it.
Hope in God, whose story will never end.
Forever we will praise
our faithful helper and deliverer!
Prayer of the Day
Faithful One,
you are near; assure us.
In our joy and in our need,
help us to seek you,
for we know that we will find peace and gladness with you.
Today and always, we say again and again,
“God is great!” Amen.
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:
Our God is a God of glorious deeds,
of wondrous works.
Our hope is in God.
But we do not always keep God’s commandments.
Let us confess our sins
before our merciful and mighty God.
Everlasting God,
we say we want to see you,
we say we want to know you,
we say we want to serve you,
but we also do not want to put in the work.
We do not want to prepare for your coming
by working for your kin-dom on this earth.
We do not keep alert for signs of you among us,
so we schedule you in for an hour or so on Sundays.
Forgive us. Inspire us to put our faith to action.
Surprise us with your presence so we might learn
to always be ready for you to arrive.
Lifting water from the font:
All who seek God will rejoice and be glad.
We proclaim that God is great because of this good news:
we are forgiven! Be at peace.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Sovereign God, let your Word rule in our hearts
and your Spirit govern our lives
until at last we see the fulfillment
of your realm of justice and peace;
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
Our shepherd satisfies our needs;
in faith, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for the church . . .
Open our lips to speak of your mighty acts
and make us messengers of good news,
teaching your truth to coming generations.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for the earth . . .
Make us better stewards of the gifts you give,
conserving these resources and using them wisely
while we await the glory of your new creation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for all nations . . .
Let all of us put away our false idols—
wealth and status, weapons of war—
let us choose instead the wisdom of your way.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for this community . . .
Send us quickly to help those who are in need,
to defend those who are dishonored or despised,
and to protect those whose lives are in danger.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Give hope to those who worry or grieve—
a hope that is firmly established in Christ,
and in the power of his resurrection.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Loving shepherd, lead and guide us—
in green pastures and by still waters,
in right paths and through dark valleys,
until we feast with you in glory
and dwell in your house forever;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Psalm 23
— 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 the harvest,
you are continually planting the seeds of your love
in our world and in our lives.
As we bring our gifts to you,
may they be seeds of your grace, peace, and hope,
planted deeply in our community. 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:
Through the voices of your prophets, you have called us
to love and serve you with justice and righteousness—
rolling down like water, flowing like a mighty river.
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 announce the nearness of your holy realm.
He calls us to be wise, keep awake, and stay ready,
for your kingdom will come at an unexpected hour.
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.
Let us not grieve as those whose hope is lost,
but listen attentively for the sound of the trumpet
and the cry of the Lord, who died and rose again.
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:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
creator and ruler of the universe,
for you have satisfied our souls
with this feast of your grace.
Keep us faithful in your service
until your realm of glory comes;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The blessing of the holy, triune God,
who was and is and is to come—
first and last,
beginning and end,
Alpha and Omega—
be with you now and always. Alleluia!
Revelation 1:8
Go in peace to love the Lord your God
with heart and soul and mind and strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself. Amen.
Mark 12:29–31
“Sunday School”
Centreville, Virginia, 2010
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
-
Praise, I Will Praise You, Lord (Os) JE LOUERAI L’ÉTERNEL GTG 628
-
You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (Os) HANOVER GTG 299
-
I Rejoiced When I Heard Them Say (Oc) ENGLAND GTG 400
-
My Lord! What a Morning (E) MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING GTG 352
-
Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers (G) LLANGLOFFAN GTG 362
WORD
-
Love the Lord Your God (Os) GREAT COMMANDMENT GTG 62
-
Bless All Who Trust in God (Os) FRANCONIA GTG 47
-
Holy God, You Raise Up Prophets (Oc) MARTIN’S SONG TFF 299
-
Hear, O Lord, My Plea for Justice (Oc) CHARLESTOWN GTG 211
-
Soon and Very Soon (E) SOON AND VERY SOON GTG 384
-
“Sleepers, Wake!” A Voice Astounds Us (G) WACHET AUF GTG 349
-
What Is the World Like (G) NEW WORLD GTG 771
-
The Sky Shall Unfold (E) WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM OLOF 602
-
Let Justice Flow (Oc) LET JUSTICE FLOW LUYH 295
-
El Señor ya viene / Oh, the Lord Is Coming (G) SSS 348
EUCHARIST
-
Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen (OsE) SURGE ECCLESIA GTG 536
-
Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation (Oc) O QUANTA QUALIA GTG 503
-
Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine! (E) ASSURANCE GTG 839
-
Now the Silence (G) NOW GTG 534
SENDING
-
Take Us as We Are, O God (Os) ENDLESS FEAST GTG 312
-
Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples (Oc) KINGSFOLD GTG 757
-
Judge Eternal, Throned in Splendor (Oc) RHUDDLAN GTG 342
-
Be Still, My Soul (E) FINLANDIA GTG 819
-
Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning (G) KEEP YOUR LAMPS GTG 350
-
When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder (E) ROLL CALL AAHH 191
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 78:1–7
Metrical
- We Will Tell Each Generation; PAS 78E
- People of the Lord [JENNY VAN TSCHEGG]; GTG 632, PAS 78A
- Open Your Ears, O Faithful People [YISRAEL V’ORAITA]; GTG 453, PAS 78C
Responsorial
- O Lord, Still Guide Us; PP 140
Psalm 70
Metrical
- Come Quickly, Lord, to Rescue Me [DISTRESS]; GTG 780, LUYH 419
Responsorial
- O Lord, Make Haste to Help Me; PSA 62
- Be Pleased, O God, to Deliver Me; PAS 70B
Organ Music
-
“Grand Choeur in G,” An Organ Miscellany: 85 Attractive Pieces, Théodore Salomé, KM (M)
-
“Listen, God Is Calling,” Augsburg Organ Library: Autumn, Anne Krentz Organ, AF (ME)
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“Lord, You I Love with All My Heart,” HERZLICH LIEB, Augsburg Organ Library: Healing and Funeral, Paul Manz, AF (M)
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“The Feast Is Ready (The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing),” Augsburg Organ Library: Autumn, Aaron David Miller, AF (M)
Piano Music
-
“Troubled Water,” Spiritual Suite for Piano, Margaret Bonds, Videmus (MA)
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“The Village Church,” 5 Characteristic Impressions, Op. 103, Jean Sibelius, IMSLP.org (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
-
“Wake, Awake,” Lynn Zettlemoyer, CGA, 3 pt, pno (E)
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“Let Thy Steadfast Love,” Emma Lou Diemer, HIN, SATB, pno (ME)
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“This Is My Song,” Tom Fettke, SHAW, SATB, pno (M)
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“Keep Your Lamps,” Andre Thomas, HIN, SATB, acap, perc (M)
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“Witness,” Jack Halloran, Gentry Publications, SATB div, acap (MA)
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“Psalm 70,” Oscar Osicki, Gentry Publications, SSAATTBB, acap (A)
Vocal Solos
-
“I Have Chosen the Way of Truth,” Psalm Settings of Craig Courtney, Craig Courtney, BP, medium (M)
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“O Divine Redeemer,” The Church Soloist, Charles Gounod, HOPE, high/medium/low (A)
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“At the River,” Old American Art Songs Complete, Aaron Copland, BH, high/medium/low (ME)
Art
-
King’s Wish (Martin Luther’s Dream), Jack Whitten, 1968 (VCS)
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Midnight Oil, Jan Richardson (JR)
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The Ten Young Women, JESUS MAFA, 1973 (VDL)
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1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Timothy R. Botts, 2016 (EYE)
Lectionary Readings
ISAIAH 7:10–16
The young woman will bear a child and name him Immanuel.
PSALM 80:1–7, 17–19
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, and save us.
ROMANS 1:1–7
Paul greets the saints in Rome; Jesus is the promised Son of God.
MATTHEW 1:18–25
Mary is with child; an angel visits Joseph; Jesus is “God with us.”
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
We stand on the cusp:
the promise is almost fulfilled.
We wait with bated breath:
the child is almost here.
We trust the well-loved story:
God is truly with 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 hope and longing you instill in us
through the promise of our baptism—
a voice crying out in the wilderness,
a messenger to prepare the way,
the day of redemption drawing near.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
keep us awake and make us ready
for the coming of your glorious realm
of righteousness, justice, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
God comes to us just as we are,
with all our triumphs, our worries,
our gratitude, and our failures.
We deepen our relationship with God now
by drawing close and confessing our sins.
Shepherd of our souls,
we anticipate your coming but do not feel ready.
We have done too much, and not done enough.
We have focused too much on ourselves,
and not enough on others.
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we might be saved.
Lifting water from the font:
Emmanuel did not come into this world
to condemn, but to save.
God does not come to imprison us,
but to set us free.
Through this abundant love, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Holy God, our hope and strength,
by the power of your Spirit
prepare the way in our hearts’
for the coming of your Word,
so that we may see the glorious signs
of your promise fulfilled;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
A voice is crying in the wilderness:
Listen to the word of the Lord. ‘
Mark 1:3; John 1:23
After the readings:
Heaven and earth will pass away
but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Thanks be to God.
Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Now to the God of all wisdom,
who strengthens us according to the gospel,
through Jesus Christ be all glory forever. Amen.
Romans 16:25–27
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus.
His faith and obedience were the response
of the perfect child of God.
He was the fulfillment
of God’s promise to Israel,
the beginning of the new creation,
and the pioneer of the new humanity.
He gave history its meaning and direction
and called the church to be his servant
for the reconciliation of the world.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19
Prayers of Intercession
Gathered here, in the house of the Lord,
let us pray for the coming of Christ’s realm.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of the church . . .
Bring peace, O God, to sinners and saints;
keep us faithful in your mission
and generous in sharing your grace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of the earth . . .
Bring peace, O God, to all people;
let new neighbors love one another
and old enemies be reconciled.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of all nations . . .
Bring peace, O God, to every land;
give wisdom to our leaders
and freedom to all people.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of this community . . .
Bring peace, O God, to our city [town];
hold us in your hand and lead us;
shepherd the lost and feed the hungry.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of loved ones . . .
Bring peace, O God, to family and friends;
protect those who are in trouble
and save us from all harm.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of Jerusalem . . .
Bring peace, O God, to the world you have made:
the peace that passes understanding
and the promise of your new creation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is coming in glory to reign. Amen.
Psalm 122:6
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
All things in heaven and earth belong to God,
who is coming in glory to reveal a new creation.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
2 Peter 3:8–15
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Eternal God,
as we wait for the fulfillment of your reign,
use these gifts and the gifts of our lives
to bring justice to those who are oppressed,
to set free those who are in prison,
to lift up those who are bowed down,
and to uphold those who are vulnerable. 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 have been our shepherd and savior in every generation.
Though we turned away from you, you were always faithful.
In the fullness of time, you sent your only Son to be our Immanuel.
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:
In Jesus Christ, born of Mary, you fulfilled your promise,
long awaited by prophets and spoken in the Scriptures.
By his resurrection from the dead we receive life everlasting.
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.
Give hope and strength to those who call upon your name.
Feed us with the bread of life and fill us with the spirit of joy
so that we may share your grace 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:
God our hope, we give you thanks
that you have given us this foretaste
of the justice, righteousness, and peace
of your promised new creation.
Strengthen us with this heavenly food
as we seek to serve your holy realm.
Lead us to live in joyful expectation
of the coming again in glory
of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the God of peace make you holy
and the power of the Spirit sustain you
until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
Prepare the way of the Lord! Amen.
Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3
