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June 4, 2023 | First Sunday After Pentecost

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Prelude

Veni Creator Spiritus from Livre d’Orgue, IV. Recit de Cromorne, Nicolas de Grigny

This setting by French composer Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703) is a richly ornamented, highly expressive solo played on the cromorne stop of the organ. His Récit de Cromorne is the fourth movement from his Veni Creator Spiritus, “Come Holy Spirit” from his Premier Livre d’Orgue (1699) or First Organ Book. According to Dame Gilliam Weir, de Grigny’s work stands today as “the highest point in the highly stylized but profoundly expressive organ music” of the French Baroque.

Call to Worship

(The congregation responds aloud with the bold text)

We are called into fellowship, worship, and service.
We are called to celebrate and share the good news of God’s love.

Come and be renewed. Find overflowing joy.
Let the abundant joy of our worship spill over into our communities.

Let our compassion and love increase among us.
Let our hearts and minds be open to hearing the call of discipleship, the call to serve God in heart, body, and mind.

Let us worship God!

Hymn #611, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

1. Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.

2. All thy works with joy surround thee;
earth and heaven reflect thy rays;
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.

3. Mortals, join the happy chorus
which the morning stars began.
Love divine is reigning o’er us,
joining all in heaven’s plan.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife.
Joyful music leads us sunward
in the triumph song of life.

Opening Prayer

Loving God, you call us to a life of service, generosity, and sharing resources.
In Jesus, you remind us that the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few.
You promise to make us fishers of people.
You call us to feed, clothe, and visit one another in prison.
When we stray from community, when we face tough obstacles,
when our independence turns to loneliness,
You remind us we need each other.
You remind us we were made to be Christ to each other.

As we gather today in worship and celebrate those who have given
their time, abilities, and presence to serve you,
inspire us to deepen our commitment and our love.
Call us into generosity of spirit,
so that we might see what happens when your people
serve alongside one another to bring love and justice to earth. Amen.

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Spirit of the Living God, you call us to spread the good news, to live the gospel, to teach Jesus’ way to future generations. But we skirt our responsibilities and fail to act on your Great Commission. Forgive our silence. Forgive our apathy. Forgive our lack of energy. Help us be bold in faith, loving the world as Christ loves and embodying our Savior’s Church. Amen.

Silent prayer of confession

Silent Prayer

Assurance of pardon

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are forgiven and freed.
Claim your forgiveness. Rejoice in God’s grace. Respond with love. Amen.

Thanks be to God!

Response of Praise: Hymn #288, “Spirit of the Living God”

Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.

Melt me; mold me;
fill me; use me.

Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.

Passing of the Peace

Life in Community

Thank you for joining us for worship! Explore the calendar of events and recent announcements to take another step into our life together this week. If you’re joining us for the first time or would like to learn more about Catonsville Presbyterian, you’re welcome to share your email with us. We’ll send some information that will help you get connected.

Children’s Message

Prayer for Illumination

Open our hearts and minds by the power of your Spirit, Holy God, that we might hear and receive the message you intend for us today. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Message: “Are We There Yet?”

Call to Offering

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Offertory: “The Prayer,” By D. Foster, C. Bayer Sager, A. Testa, and T. Renis

I pray you’ll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise, in times when we don’t know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe

La luce che tu dai (the light that you give)
I pray we’ll find your light
Nel cuore resterà (In my heart it will remain)
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che (To remind us that)
When stars go out each night
L’eterna stella sei (You are the eternal star)
Nella mia preghiera (In my prayers)
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c’è (How much faith there is)
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza (We dream of a world with no more violence)
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza (A world of justice and hope)
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino (Everyone lends a hand to their neighbour)
Simbolo di pace e di fraternità (A symbol of peace and fraternity)

La forza che ci dai (The strength you give us)
We ask that life be kind
È il desiderio che (And the desire that)
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amor (Everyone will find love)
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a sè (Around and inside themselves)
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child

Need to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we’ll be safe
E la fede che (And the faith that)
Hai acceso in noi (You have ignited within us)
Sento che ci salverá (I feel that it will save all of us)

Doxology #607, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Most generous God, you have blessed us with gifts to serve and share. May the offerings we present today be used to further your Kin-dom and build your beloved community. Amen.

Hymn #515

1. I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved, and free,
the life of Jesus to recall,
in love laid down for me,
in love laid down for me.

2. I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread,
in Christ’s communion bread.

3. As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.

4. The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here,
alive among us here.

5. Together met, together bound
by all that God has done,
we’ll go with joy, to give the world
the love that makes us one,
the love that makes us one.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Invitation to the Table

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer

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.

Why do we give thanks and praise before this table?

We give thanks for God’s work of creation and salvation.

It is our greatest joy, creator God,
to give you thanks in every time and place.
You made the heavens and the earth
and all that is in them —
sun, moon, and stars,
mountains, rivers, and trees,
animals and people.
You even made us in your own image
to love and serve you,
and you show us your mercy every day.
Therefore with all people and all creation
we sing your praise:

[Sung] 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,
Hosanna in the highest.

[Spoken] All glory and blessing are yours, Saving God,
for in your mercy you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ.
Born a child like us,
he grew up to be your servant.
Jesus taught your truth.
He welcomed, healed, forgave, and loved people.

In the end, he suffered and died
to save us from our sin.
And God raised him up,
to give us a new life.
We praise you that before he died,
our Savior gave us this holy meal
to eat together until he comes again.

What do we remember at this table?

We remember God’s gracious love for us,
Christ’s death and resurrection for us,
and the Spirit’s tender care for us.
And remembering, we offer ourselves and our gifts for the world.

According to our Lord’s commandment:

We remember his death,
we proclaim his resurrection,
we await his coming in glory.

What do we ask at this table?

Merciful God,
pour out your Holy Spirit on us
and on these gifts of bread and cup,
that in eating and drinking together
we may we made one with Christ
and with one another.

At this table we ask for unity in Christ our Lord,
and we ask for strength to servew the world in his name
until the day your make all things new.

Through Christ,
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,
with the Holy Spirit in the holy church,
now and forever.
Hear us, Lord, as we pray the prayer Christ taught his disciples, saying,

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;
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen.

Music During Communion: “Pie Jesu,” Gabriel Fauré

Translation: Merciful Jesus, grant them rest (everlasting)

Prayer after communion

Holy God, we thank you for this feast of grace and life.
As we have been served, help us to serve our neighbors.
As we have been fed, help us to feed all who are hungry.
As we have been loved, help us to love the world.
Send us out in joy, knowing that you are with us,
even to the end of the age.

Passing of the Peace

Hymn: “In the Midst of New Dimensions”

1. [All] In the midst of new dimensions,
in the face of changing ways,
who will lead the pilgrim peoples
wandering in their separate ways? [All on refrain]

(Refrain)
God of rainbow, fiery pillar,
leading where the eagles soar,
we your people, ours the journey
now and ever, now and ever,
now and evermore.

2. [Soprano/Alto] Through the flood of starving people,
warring factions, and despair,
who will lift the olive branches?
Who will light the flame of care? [All on refrain]

3. [Tenor/Bass] As we stand, a world divided
by our own self-seeking schemes,
grant that we, your global village,
might envision wider dreams. [All on refrain]

4. [Choir] We are man and we are woman,
all persuasions, old and young,
each a gift in your creation,
each a love song to be sung. [Choir only on refrain]

5. [All] Should the threats of dire predictions
cause us to withdraw in pain,
may your blazing phoenix spirit
resurrect the church again. [All on refrain]

Benediction

Postlude

Veni Creator Spiritus from Livre d’Orgue,
V. Dialogue sur les grands Jeux, Nicolas de Grigny

The Dialogue on the Grand Jeux is the final and most grand movement from de Grigny’s Veni Creator Spiritus. Titles of organ compositions during the French Baroque reflect the composer’s registration directions. A grand jeux indicates a chorus of reed stops; a pungent and distinctive French sound, which some say is an acquired taste. The dialogue is between the grand jeux, or big reed chorus, against a petit jeux, or small reed chorus.

Participants

• Andy Boggs, Vocalist
• Dorothy L. Boulton, Associate Pastor
• James Burriesci, Reader
• Michael Cuppett, Communications and Operations Manager
• Debbie & Mark Davis, Readers
• John Dittman, Ruling Elder, liturgist
• Alex & Amelia Field, Readers
• Wendy Johnston, Organist and Assistant Director of Music
• Greg Knauf, Director of Music
• Kenneth E. Kovacs, Pastor
• Vickie Lord, Social media support
• Dottie Marshall, Sanctuary set up
• Dave Peercy, Pianist
• Paige Peercy, Vocalist

Sources

• Book of Common Worship (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2018).
• Feasting On the Word: Year A (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014).
• Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013).
• “In the Midst of New Dimensions,” arrangement copyright © 2012 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc., St. Louis, MO. All rights reserved, used by permission. MorningStarMusic.com
• Presbyterian Outlook, Teri McDowell Ott (2023).
• “Volunteer Appreciation Liturgy,” Illustrated Ministry, LLC (2023).
• Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-734388; CCLI Copyright License B 20481088 + Streaming License B 481071
• Cover image: Jan Richardson, “The Best Supper.” JanRichardson.com