Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

John 12:1-8 | Before entering Holy Week, we join with Mary as she anoints Jesus’ feet. Experiencing this story for ourselves, in our midweek worship we will be invited into a different form of meditation reading and prayer. Join us as we humbly come before Jesus in thanksgiving, love, and adoration.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Midweek Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
Holden Evening Prayer: Text and Music: Marty Haugen Procession of Light: Text and Music: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Evening Hymn: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Evening Thanksgiving: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Psalmody: © 1990, 2016 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn: Beneath the Cross of Jesus. Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869. Music: Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927. Text and Music: © Public Domain. Prayers written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

Luke 2:1-20 | Throughout the season of Advent, we were invited to come home, coming home to each other, and coming home to Christ. Hearing the Christmas story yet again this year, it’s clear that each character also received an invitation to be a part of God’s purposes in the world. That is, except one person: Jesus, the Son of God. God never received an invitation to come to us, and yet, out of love, God didn’t wait. God came to us because he knew we needed his presence, his mercy, his love, and his forgiveness. So now that Christ has come, now we are given an invitation to come home to our Lord. Join us for worship as the characters of our live nativity lead us through various invitations given long ago—and still given today—as we ponder our invitation to be a part of God’s purposes in the world.

Worship Bulletin: Christmas Eve

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A.Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem. Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893. Music: ST. LOUIS, Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908. Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Away in a Manger. Text: North American, 19th cent. Music: James R Murray, 1841-1905. Public Domain. Communion Song 1: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly. Text: Polish carol; tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885-1933, alt. Music: W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY, Polish carol. Public Domain. Communion Song 2: What Child Is This. Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898. Music: GREENSLEEVES, English ballad, 16th cent. Public Domain. Sending Song: Silent Night. Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885. Music: STILLE NACHT, Franz Gruber, 1787-1863. Public Domain. Prayers were written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

John 11:32-44, Revelation 21:1-6a | Once a year the church pauses to remember the saints—not just those who are “perfect”—but all God’s children who have been named claimed, and chosen as saints through the gift of baptism. But just as much as we remember the communion of all the saints that we join, we also remember a truth that is often shoved under the rug: the reality of death. Death lurks all around us and even with us. Yet, even though death may seem inevitable, in Christ, we are promised that something else is inevitable: resurrection. Join us for worship as we are promised that all things are made new, even now, sending us forth to live in the life of Christ.

All Saints Day Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.

Mark 7: 24-37 | “Be opened,” Jesus says to the deaf and mute man in our Gospel reading. In a moment, the man’s ears and tongue were released, and his world changed. But at that moment, he was also confronted with external stimuli that he likely was receiving for the first time. Healed and whole, he also found himself in an entirely different world. As people brought to the table of our Lord, we too are offered healing in the name of Christ and are given the invitation to be opened to God’s gift of life. But that openness may open us to different things around us, and may even open us to different things within us. So do we allow Jesus to “open” us, knowing that it may open us to new perspectives, new ways of being, and new understandings of ourselves? Join us for worship as we consider Christ’s invitation, and as we once again are fed the bread of life given to all God’s children.

Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Ye Servants of God.  Music: Craig Courtney. Music: © 2003 Beckenhorst Press, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing. Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.  Music: AZMON, Carl G. Glaser, 1784-1829; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. © 1917 Willow Publishing Pty. Ltd. Public Domain. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Light Dawns on a Weary World. Text and Music: Mary Louise Bringle, William P. Rowan. Words and Music ©2000, 2002 GIA Publications, Inc.  Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: God Extends an Invitation. Words and Music by Gerhard Cartford, Miria T. Kolling. Words and Music: © 1998 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love. Text and Music: Tom Colvin. Music: © 1969 Hope Publishing company.  Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Lord of Justice. Words and Music: Larry Olson. Words © 1989 Dakota Road Music.  Covered under One License subscription. Liturgy: Now the Feast and Celebration. by Marty Haugen.©1990 by GIA Publications, Inc.  Covered under One License subscription. 

John 6:51-58 | “You are what you eat,” goes the traditional nutritional advice. Many of us have heard this in reference to our physical bodies, and it is common for fad diets to incorporate this phraseology into their marketing. But what about what we feed our minds, our souls, and our spirits? Join us for worship as we hear the invitation from Jesus to consume that which gives life, sending us forth to be Christ’s bread of life in the world today.

Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Standin’ in the Need of Prayer. Text:. Music- ©. Covered under CCLI subscription. Gathering Song:As We Gather at Your Table. Text: Carl P. Daw Jr., b. 1944. Music: IN BABILONE,Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse Boerenlities en Contradansen, 1710. Text © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: By Your Hand You Feed Your People. Text: Susan R. Riehl, b. 1952. Music: CAMROSE, Marty Haugen, b. 1950.. Text and music © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Give Thanks. Text and Music: Henry Smith. Text and music © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. Covered Under One License subscription. Communion Songs: Come, Let Us Eat. Text: Billema Kwaillia, b. 1925, sts. 1-3; Gilbert E. Doan Jr., b. 1930, st. 4, alt.; tr. Margaret D. Miller, b. 1927, sts. 1-3, alt. Music: A VA DE, Billema Kwillia, adapt. Text sts. 1-3 and tune © Lutheran World Federation; text st. 4 and music adapt. © 1972 Contemporary Worship 4, admin. Augsburg Fortress.  Covered under One License subscription.  You Satisfy the Hungry Heart. Text: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997. Music: BICENTENNIAL, Robert E. Kreutz, 1922-1996. Text and music © 1977 Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  Covered under One License subscription.  Sending Song: Go Now. Text and Music: Hans Peterson and Larry Olson. © 2006 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.

1 Kings 19:4-8 | Ever reach for that “quick snack,” hoping that it will tie you over until the next meal? We all need a little “boost” every once and a while to give us a dose of energy. But what happens when it doesn’t tie us over? And what happens when we reach for something to fill us—outside of food—and we find ourselves coming up short? Tired? Empty? Where do we turn? And do we trust that God will provide what we need for the journey? Join us this week for worship as we follow the prophet Elijah in a moment of desperation, and as we receive the sustenance we need for the journeys before us in the sacraments of baptism and communion.

Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgements: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: Come, Now is the Time to Worship. Words and Music by Brian Doerkensen © 1998 Vineyard Songs.  Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song. Text and Music: Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus and L’Arche Community; tr. Stephen Somerville, b.1931. Text and Music © Les Petites Soeurs de Jésus.Tr. © 1970 Stephen Somerville.  Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: All Who Are Thirsty. Words and Music by Brenton Brown and Glenn Roberts. © 1998 Vineyard Songs. Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: Taste and See. Text and Music: James E. Moore Jr., b. 1951, based on Ps. 34. Text and Music: © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Your Grace Is Enough. Words and Music by Matt Maher.  ©2003 Thank you Music | spiritandsong.com. Covered under CCLI subscription.

John 6:1-21 | You don’t have to listen very hard to hear sentiments of how we have “just enough” to make do, or how we have “just enough” to get by.  From hours in the day, to amount of energy, to money, to resources to engage in ministry, it seems as though everything we have been given is limited to a finite amount. So then, as people of faith, what does it mean to trust in God as one who provides? Abundantly? And how are we called to live in that abundance? Join us this week for worship, as we enter into our five-part series focused on Jesus as our Bread of Life and consider how God faithfully provides for us, even in the midst of scarcity.

Ninth Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Gathering Song: Meet with Me. Covered Under Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Fill My Cup.  Covered Under Public Domain. Offering Song: Seek Ye First. Words and Music: Karen Lafferty, b. 1948. Text and Music © 1972 Maranatha! Music, admin The Copyright Co. Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Song: Lord You Are (More Precious than Silver).  By Lynn DeShazo © 1982 by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music.  Used by permission under CCLI subscription.  Sending Song: Every Move I Make.  by David Ruis © 1996 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services). Used by permission under CCLI subscription. 

Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 | At the end of the school year, it seems as though we always look forward with hope to more relaxed summer schedules. But each summer, other commitments fill our schedules, and it can be all too easy to be just as busy. if not more so, than during the school year. This week, we hear an invitation to “come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest for a while” (Mark 6:31). To take time apart from other responsibilities, with our focus solely on Jesus, seem to be a luxury. Yet, in relationship with the one who has fashioned and made us, this time is invaluable. So receive your Lord’s invitation to come and rest for a while, and join us as we worship together.

Eighth Sunday of Pentecost Worship Bulletin

Acknowledgments: Music covered under CCLI License #1141706, One License #738138-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Ezekiel Saw de Wheel. Words and Music: Marilynn Ham.  © 2016 The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Covered under CCLI subscription. Gathering Song: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Text: Robert Robinson, 1735-1790, alt. Music: J. Wyeth, Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813.  © OCP. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: I Heard the Voice of Jesus. KINGSFOLD, Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889. Music: English folk tune.  © OCP.  Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Children of the Heavenly Father. Text: Ernst W. Olson, 1870-1958. Music: Swedish folk tune-  © 1925, 1953 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Go, My Children, with My Blessing.  Music: Jaroslav J. Vajda, Welsh traditional; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams. Words – © 1983 Concordia Publishing House. Covered under One License subscription.