Tower Weekly, November 4, 2011

Homecoming Sunday
Morning Worship at 11 o’Clock

The Church Gathers

Organ Prelude: “Lord, Hear My Prayer”            RICHARD NICOLSON

Words of Welcome and Announcements (by the minister)

Choral Introit: “Be Joyful in the Lord”                      DONALD MOORE
Be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before His presence with a song. Amen.

Call to Worship
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us give thanks:
for our ancestors in the faith,
who have made this day
of gathering with God’s people a reality,
for our brothers and sisters in the faith,
who walk beside us
to help find the possibilities of faith today,
for our ancestors in the faith, who began telling the story
of God’s extravagant love for us through Jesus Christ,
for our sisters and brothers in the faith, who listen to us
tell of the hope and joy we know in Christ,
who lives among us.
Let us live as stewards of both past and promise,
blessing the ancient story and
celebrating the new day of our life together.

Hymn: No. 711, “For All the Saints”                      SINE NOMINE
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife the fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from oceans’ farthest coast,
through gates of pearl stream in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Morning Prayer

Most loving God,
you have given us a great multitude of witnesses
whose lives have testified to the amazing power
of your Son’s resurrection.
By your presence among us,
teach us the truth of life everlasting.
Through this day of remembrance
of those who have gone before us,
grant us inspiration to run with perseverance
the race that is set before us.
Keep us on the way of truth
until we, too, join in endless celebration
with all your saints in splendor.
In the name of Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

To Hear the Word

 

Reading from the Hebrew Scripture: 2 Chronicles 6:12-21

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord
in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel,
and spread out his hands.
Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long,
five cubits wide, and three cubits high,
and had set it in the court; and he stood on it.
Then he knelt on his knees in the presence
of the whole assembly of Israel,
and spread out his hands toward heaven.
He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you,
in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant in steadfast love
with your servants who walk before you with all their heart -
and you who have kept for your servant, my father David,
what you promised to him.
Indeed, you promised with your mouth
and this day have fulfilled with your hand.
Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel,
keep for your servant, my father David,
that which you promised him, saying,
‘There shall never fail you a successor before me
to sit on the throne of Israel,
if only your children keep to their way,
to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’
Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed,
which you promised to your servant David.
“But will God indeed reside with mortals on earth?
Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you,
how much less this house I have built!
Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God,
heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you.
May your eyes be open day and night toward this house,
the place where you promised to set your name,
and may you heed the prayer
that your servant prays toward this place.
And hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel,
when they pray toward this place;
may you hear from heaven your dwelling place;
hear and forgive.

Elizabeth Hines is the reader.

Act of Praise: p. 845, Psalm 122 (with sung response #1)

Response: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,
great David’s greater Son!

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet were standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built as a city
and is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel.
Thrones for judgment were set there,
the thrones of the house of David.    Response:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers!”
For the sake of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.   Response:

Eve Gillison is our acolyte and reader.

Anthem: “How Firm A Foundation”              ARR. RICHARD WALKER

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
you, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

A Reading from the Gospel: Matthew 5:1-16

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain;
and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste,
how can its saltiness be restored?
It is no longer good for anything,
but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world.
A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket,
but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Sermon: “Showing Up”           Rev. Dr. Emora Brannan, preaching

 

To Respond in Faith

 

Litany of Remembrance
Almighty Father, who sent your only Son into the world
that whosoever believes in Him
should have eternal and abundant life:
Thanks be to you for your unspeakable gift!
O Holy and eternal God,
through whose remarkable providence
leaders were raised up to rekindle the flames of faith
from generation to generation:
We praise your Holy Name.
For our goodly heritage stretching beyond nation or race
and for the force of your Spirit which led men and women
to cross oceans and brave dangers
to proclaim “Salvation to All!”:
We thank you, O God.
For preachers sent out to call your wandering people
and for the “few serious people” in Baltimore who,
two hundred and thirty nine years ago,
resolved to form the Society
of which we today are privileged to be part:
We thank you, O God.
For the noble determination of your servants, O Lord,
which amidst hardship and toil,
through revolution and invasion, 
in civil war and strife, in fire and storm,
adversity and prosperity, 
led to the building of houses of worship, 
the laying of bold plans for the evangelization
of a continent and the world, 
the promotion of education, the founding of Sunday Schools
and the organization of other churches throughout this city.
We praise you, O God.
For the foresight and vision which led
to the erection of this splendid House
in which we gather today –
for pastoral leadership, for an architect’s planning,
for the strong and substantial construction –
for the blending of wood and glass and stone
to remind us of your perfect beauty –
and for a rising spire to point us
to your purposes above time or place:
We praise you, O God.
For conquests of the spirit; for lives reborn;
for solemn vows and high resolves;
for strength and comfort drawn from you,
in life and at death;
for the work of this church and people.
We praise you, O God.
For all the lives that have quickened us,
whose influence is a healing grace;
for the dear friends we see no more,
but whose love we know forever;
for the teachers and companions
of our childhood and youth;
for those through whose sacrifice we live,
our brothers and sisters who have given their lives
for our freedom among the nations;
and for all the members of our household of faith
who worship you now upon another shore.
We lift up our hearts in gratitude and praise.
And we thank you that your purposes for us
are still fresh every day –
we praise you for new tasks to do,
new mission in our day,
and for your everlasting praise to sing -
but most of all we praise you
for an eternal Gospel and message to proclaim;
help us to proclaim your good news in word,
in deed and in all of life.
O Almighty God, who in time of great need
did raise up your servants John and Charles Wesley,
and by your Spirit did inspire them
to kindle a flame of sacred love which leaped and ran, 
an inextinguishable blaze:
Grant, we ask you, that all those
whose hearts have been warmed at these altar fires,
being continually refreshed by your grace,
may be so devoted to the increase
of scriptural holiness throughout the land, 
that in this our time of great need, 
your will may be fully and effectively done 
on earth as it is in heaven,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: No.  553, “And Are We Yet Alive”                             DENNIS

And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face?
Glory and thanks to Jesus give for his almighty grace!

Preserved by power divine to full salvation here,
again in Jesus’ praise we join, and in his sight appear.

What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past,
fighting without, and fears within,
since we assembled last!

Yet out of all the Lord hath brought us by his love;
and still he doth his help afford, and hides our life above.

Then let us make our boast of his redeeming power,
which saves us to the uttermost, till we can sin no more.

Let us take up the cross till we the crown obtain,
and gladly reckon all things loss so we may Jesus gain.

Offertory: “Let the Bright Seraphim”      (from Samson)       HANDEL
Abigail Seaman, soprano

Let the bright Seraphim in burning row,
their loud uplifted Angel-trumpets blow:
let the Cherubic host, in tuneful choirs,
touch their immortal harps with golden wires.

Presentation of Tithes / Offerings with Doxology: No. 95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

To Receive the Sacrament

The Great Thanksgiving: pp 17-18 (with Musical Setting A)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
You formed us in your image
and breathed into us the breath of life.
When we turned away, and our love failed,
your love remained steadfast.
You delivered us from captivity,
made covenant to be our sovereign God,
brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey,
and set before us the way of life.
And so, with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ.
By the baptism of his suffering, death and resurrection,
you gave birth to your Church,
delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
By your great mercy we have been born anew
to a living hope
through the resurrection of your Son from the dead
and to an inheritance that is imperishable,
undefiled, and unfading.
Once we were no people, but now we are your people,
declaring your wonderful deeds in Christ,
who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When the Lord Jesus ascended,
he promised to be with us always,
in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us,
he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, east; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”

When the supper was over he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Drink from this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as your drink it, in remembrance of me.”

On the day you raised him from the dead
he was recognized by his disciples
in the breaking of the bread,
and in the power of your Holy Spirit
your Church has continued in the breaking of the bread
and the sharing of the cup.

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts
in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.

Renew our communion with all your saints,
especially those we name before you -
George Bookhout
Steven Justis
Thurman Rhodes
Robert Weiblen
Nicholas Williamson
Walter Sy
Ethel Rainey
Yyonette Rhodes
Jonathan Schell LaCotti
Leven Leatherbury
John Anson Mote
Richard Rose

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, strengthen us to run with perseverance
the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other, and one is ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory,
and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours,
almighty God, now and for ever. Amen.

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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.

Receiving the Bread and Wine
The sacrament will be given in procession at the altar.

Prayer Following the Receiving of the Sacrament

Eternal God, in gratitude, in deep gratitude
for this moment, these people,
we give ourselves to you.
Send us out to live as changed people
because we have shared the Living Bread
and cannot remain the same. Amen.

 

And Scatters to Be the Church in the World

 

Hymn: No. 733, “Marching to Zion”                ISAAC WATTS

Come, we that love the Lord,
and let our joys be known;
join in a song with sweet accord,
join in a song with sweet accord
and thus surround the throne,
and thus surround the throne.

Refrain: We’re marching to Zion,
beautiful, beautiful Zion;
we’re marching upward to Zion,
the beautiful city of God.

Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God;
but children of the heavenly King,
but children of the heavenly King
may speak their joys abroad,
may speak their joys abroad.   Refrain:

The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets
before we reach the heavenly fields,
before we reach the heavenly fields,
or walk the golden streets,
or walk the golden streets.    Refrain:

Then let our songs abound, and every tear be cry;
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground,
we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground
to fairer worlds on high,
to fairer worlds on high.    Refrain:

Dismissal with Blessing

Choral Response: “Unto Him That Loved Us”  VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Unto Him that loved us
and washed us from our sins in His own blood
and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father,
unto Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Ringing of the Bicentennial Bell

Organ Postlude: “We Shall Adore Him”                             CRABBE