Welcome and Announcements
Introit, Jesus Remains My Joy, J.S. Bach
Jesus bleibet meine Freude,
Meines Herzens Trost und Saft,
Jesus wehret allem Leide,
Er ist meines Lebens Kraft,
Meiner Augen Lust und Sonne,
Meiner Seele Schatz und Wonne;
Darum laß ich Jesum nicht
Aus dem Herzen und Gesicht.
Jesus remains my joy,
My heart’s comfort and sap.
Jesus obviates all misfortune,
He is my life’s strength,
My eye’s delight and sun,
My soul’s treasure and bliss;
Therefore I will not let Jesus go
From my heart and sight.
Words: Martin Jahn (c.1620–82)
Call to Worship, Psalm 68
Let the righteous be joyful! Let them rejoice before God!
Let us all be jubilant with joy!
Sing to God, all peoples of the world. Sing praises to God most high.
From the sanctuary of heaven, God gives life and renews the face of the earth.
LET US WORSHIP GOD.
Hymn, O God, Our Help in Ages Past, 687, vs. 1, 3, 4-6
Prayer of the Day
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, we confess our pandemic weariness. Our illusions of control have been shattered by the never-ending threat of the coronavirus. We miss so much that made our lives meaningful, and the future seems filled with only more losses. Though you call us to practice the fruits of the Spirit, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, and self-control, we find ourselves too often wallowing in despair, resentment, and self-pity. We lament that the virus has meant only more suffering for the weak and the vulnerable and the poor, but we feel powerless to do anything about it. We fear that the easing of restrictions will only mean more pain for others. In our boredom, quarantine fatigue, and legitimate apprehension about the future, forgive, restore, and strengthen us by the grace and mercy of Christ, that we may rise up again, reassured and ready to serve in Your world. AMEN.
Assurance of Pardon
Moment for More Light, Amy Whipple
Prayer for Illumination
Spirit of Glory, Spirit of God, bless us with a word of life this day to restore, support, and strengthen us in foreboding times. AMEN.
Time for Children, Jenny Newman
Hebrew Reading, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Sermon, “Knowing the Time,” Rev. Vincent Kolb
Hymn, How Firm a Foundation, 463
Affirmation of Faith, Confession of 1967, 9:54-55
Biblical visions and images of the rule of Christ, such as a heavenly city, the household of God, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast, and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom. The kingdom represents God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption. With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
Pastoral Prayer, Rev. Betty Voigt
The Lord’s Prayer, 2019 Vatican Update
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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
do not let us fall into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
Closing Anthem, Call of Wisdom, Will Todd
Lord of wisdom, Lord of truth, Lord of justice, Lord of mercy;
Walk beside us down the years till we see you in your glory.
Striving to attain the heights, turning in a new direction,
Entering a lonely place, welcoming a friend or stranger.
I am here, I am with you.
I have called; do you hear me?
Silver is of passing worth, gold is not of constant value,
Jewels sparkle for a while: what you long for is not lasting.
Rulers govern under me with my insight and my wisdom.
Those who love me know my love; those who seek me find their answer.
God the Father and the Son, Holy Spirit, co-eternal;
Glory be ascribed to you, now and to the end of ages.
Words: Michael Hampel (b.1967), based on Proverbs 8. 1-17
Benediction
Announcements
We are an open and affirming community of faith in Jesus Christ. At home in an urban neighborhood of many faiths, we acknowledge that we are not alone on the path to understanding God. In worship, study, and fellowship, we celebrate our Presbyterian roots and find joy in our diversity. We strive for the grace to love one another as we seek deeper understanding of life in the Spirit, working for justice and serving as stewards of God’s wondrous creation.
We are a More Light congregation: “Following the risen Christ, and seeking to make the Church a true community of hospitality, the mission of More Light Presbyterians is the full participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry, and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).”
Inclusive Language: Words matter. Jesus Christ, the living Word, reached out to all people to bring all people into God’s fold. The kingdom of God includes all types of people; therefore our language should reflect the inclusivity and equality among the people of God. To the end, when possible, we seek to eliminate the inherent bias of the English language towards the masculine gender without altering passages that reflect the historical situation of ancient patriarchal culture, out of which the Bible originated.
* The Session has closed the building until further notice to observe the governmental restrictions of social distancing.
* Many thanks to Peter Watt-Morse, Amy Whipple, and Rev. Betty Voigt for being part of the service this week!
* We will be hosting a virtual potluck for those who would like to connect with others. Grab whatever you are having for dinner and join us online Saturday, May 30, 2020, from 6 to 7:30 pm. If you have already responded to the Survey Monkey poll, you will receive an email containing the information for how to participate online. If you would like to be added to the potluck email list or need technical assistance please email Heather Vallone at heatherlynnvallone@gmail.com.
Please note we will be sharing the link/info via email only; we will not be putting anything on social media.
* Graduates: Sixth Church would like to honor your accomplishments. Please send a photo and info for us to share (Jennyrunew@gmail.com). Congratulations!
* Want to join Pastor Vincent’s Wednesday morning Bible study on the lectionary texts? Contact the office to get on the email list for connection to the Zoom meeting.
* Zoom confused? Set up a call with Amy, and we’ll work through it together.
* It’s not the same as the thrill of putting the envelope in the plate, but you can still pay on your pledges either through eGive (click here!) or by mailing your check to the church. We continue to need your support in this challenging time!
* Weekly Sunday school lessons and other resources are on Jenny’s Children and Youth blog (click here!)
* The Sixth Church Mouse Returns! For congregants who would like to participate in an email form of prayers of the people, please contact sixthchurchmouse@gmail.com to be added to the list. You can submit prayer requests to the same email address by Thursdays at 5 pm to be included in an email sent each Friday. Please remember that confidentiality still applies; we want this to be a safe place for both participants and those we love.
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