Category: Worship Services

Luke 2:1-20 | Each year, we hear the story of Christ’s birth. For some, it may be a passage we have half-way memorized by now! So why do we, along with the shepherds, come yet again to see this thing that has taken place? Ask various people and you’ll likely get a myriad of responses – many of which are completely valid! And yet, just as much as we come to worship, and just as much as we come to adore this child who has been born to us, the good news of Christmas is that God comes to us. It sounds simple, because in some ways, it is: God was born to us in ages past, and God continues to be born in our midst today. But beneath this simple message is the profound truth of God’s radical, borderline foolish, love that breaks into our weary hearts and our weary world. So, whatever your reason to come to the manger this season, join us in worship as we hear again the message of the angels and as we look for the arrival of God.

Sunday, December 24, 2023, Christmas Eve Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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: Lewis H. Redner, 1831-1908. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: The First Noel. Text and Music: English Traditional; arr. John Stainer, 1840-1901. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Coventry Carol. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2007 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Covered under CCLI subscription. Communion Songs: Away in a Manger. Text: North American, 19th cent. Music: James R. Murray, 1841-1905. Text and Music: Public Domain. & Infant Holy, Infant Lowly. Text: Polish carol; tr. Edith M. G. Reed, 1885-1933, alt. Music: Polish carol. Text and Music: Public Domain. Sending Song: Silent Night, Holy Night. Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885. Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863. Text and Music: Public Domain. Prayers written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

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Luke 1:46-55; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:67-80 | Leading up to Christmas, we sing…a lot. Often, we focus on Christmas carols. But this morning, as we await the coming of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, first we hear the songs of Mary, Hannah, and Zechariah as they sing songs of hope. As you prepare for the advent of Christ in your life and our world, join us as we unite our voices with these saints of old – looking in hope and anticipation for the coming of God’s Kingdom to earth.

Sunday, December 24, 2023, Fourth Sunday in Advent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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. Prelude: Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella. Text and Music: Joel Raney. Text and Music: © 2003 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. & Light Dawns on a Weary World. Text and Music: Mary Louise Bringle, William P. Rowan. Text and Music: © 2000, 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. & It Came Upon the Midnight Clear. Text: Edmund Sears. Music: Richard Storrs Willis. Text and Music: Public Domain. Gathering Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Text and Music: Martin A. Seltz, Augsburg Fortress. Text and Music: © 1997, 2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn after Reflection #1: Canticle of the Turning. Text and Music: Rory Cooney. Text and Music: © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn after Reflection #2: My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness. Text: With One Voice, 1995, based on the Magnificat. Music: English folk tune; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Text: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Music: © Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription. Special Music after Reflection #3: O Holy Night. Text: Placide Clappeau. Music: Adolphe-Charles Adam. Translation: John S. Dwight. Arrangement: Sally DeFord. Text and Music: © 2000 by Sally DeFord. Covered under CCLI subscription. Public Domain. Offering Song: Remember Mercy. Text and Music: Lenora Rand, Gary Rand, Elsa Harris. Text and Music: © 2015 Plural Guild LLC. Covered under One License subscription. Sending Song: Savior of the Nations Come. Text: attr. Ambrose of Milan, 340-397; Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. hymnal version. Music: J. Walter, Geistliche Gesangbüchlein, 1524. Text: © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Prayers written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

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Luke 1:57-66, Psalm 126 | When was the last time you were amazed, and what prompted that amazement? Was it something that happened to you? Or, was it something you witnessed happening to someone, or something, else? This weekend, we catch back up with Elizabeth and Zechariah at the miraculous birth of their son, John. For a variety of reasons, we can surmise that these new parents were filled with awe as they witnessed the fulfillment of God’s promise to them. But in our Scripture passage, we hear most about the amazement of the people that surrounded Elizabeth and Zechariah. So as you make your last minute preparations for Christmas next weekend, join us as we keep watch for moments of awe and amazement, leading us to ponder what God is doing in our midst, and prompting us to testify with joy to God’s ongoing activity in the world.

Sunday, December 17, 2023, Third Sunday in Advent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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.  Prelude: Good Christian Friends Rejoice. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2020 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. & Gloria In Excelsis Deo. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. & Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2019 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Blessed Be the God of Israel. Text and Music: Carl P. Daw, Jr. Text and Music: © 1989 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Light Dawns on a Weary World. Text and Music: Mary Louise Bringle & William P. Rowan. Text and Music: © 2000, 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Joy to the World. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2020 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Zechariah’s Song. Text and Music: Nic Bancroft & Jacob Blouse. Text and Music: © permission from Wilmington Church of Christ. Sending Song: Joy to the World. Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Music: English melody, 18th cent.; arr. Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. Text and Music: Public Domain. Prayers written by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org. Adapted Rev. A. Kenitzer

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Luke 1:24-45 | As we hear the beloved story of the angel appearing to Mary, it might be tempting to hold the mother of God on a different playing field than ourselves. But just as God was at work in Mary – moving and growing – God is also living and moving within us. And, recognizing that movement of God, we too are given the opportunity to give our response: offering the extent of our willingness to let God’s will have its way within us. Join us this weekend as we continue our preparation for Christ’s birth, and as we recognize and respond to God’s movement within ourselves.

Sunday, December 10, 2023, Second Sunday in Advent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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.  Prelude: Listen for His Coming. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2001 Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.) Covered under CCLI subscription. & O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Text and Music: Lloyd Larson. Text and Music: © 2011 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Comfort, Comfort, Now My People. Text: Johann G. Olearius, 1635-1711; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt. Music: Trente quatre pseaumes de David, Geneva, 1551. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day:  Here I Am. Text: Anna Strickland (2022). Music: Traditional French carol (17th cent.) . Text: © Anna Strickland, 2021. Commissioned by A Sanctified Art, LLC.  Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: O Come All Ye Faithful. Text and Music: John Francis Wade. Text and Music: Public Domain. Sending Song: All Earth is Hopeful. Text and Music: Madeleine Forell Marshall. Text and Music: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.

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Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Luke 1:1-23 | While much of society has already pushed on to Christmas, as the church, we intentionally begin the season of Advent: a season in which we hold the tension of the weariness of our lives and our world with the hope that God will restore all things to wholeness. To hold both weariness and hope is challenging. And, to wait, and to watch – especially and perhaps most profoundly in silence – isn’t easy. And yet, as evidenced by Zechariah after he receives a message from an angel, this time of waiting and watching has the potential to transform us as we pay attention to what God is doing in our midst. So, as we begin this holy season, and as we ponder how a weary world can rejoice, join us as we acknowledge our weariness, as we acknowledge our need for God’s restoration and redemption, and as we prepare ourselves to receive with joy the promise that God has in store for us.

Sunday, December 3, 2023, First Sunday in Advent Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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.  Prelude: Ave Maria. Text and Music: Johann Sebastian Bach. Text and Music: Public Domain. Gathering Song: Now the Heavens Start to WhisperText and Music: Mary Louise Bringle. Text and Music: © 2006 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Weary World Rejoice (Silent Night). Text: Anna Strickland.  Music: Franz Xaver Gruber. Text: A Sanctified Art LLC.  Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Unexpected and Mysterious. Text and Music: Jeannette M Lindholm. Text and Music: © 2011 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Weary Traveler. Text and Music: Andrew Jacob Pruis, Jordan St. Cyr, Matthew West. Text and Music: © 2021 BEC Worship (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) This Little Fire (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Combustion Five (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC) Combustion Four Point Five (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC) Third Story House Music (Admin. by Me Gusta Music LLC) Remaining portion is unaffiliated. Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

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Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Matthew 25:31-46| Each year, the church closes the year not on New Years Eve (Dec 31), but before the beginning of Advent with the celebration of Christ the King Sunday. The image of Christ as King, ruler, Lord, and master runs throughout Scripture. But what does it mean for Christ to be our King? And how does that title resonate with us today, as people living in 21^st century America? Join us for worship this weekend as we look back in the Gospel of Matthew to consider just who Christ is to us, and how our perception of Christ makes a direct impact on our relationship with Jesus and our relationship with others.

Sunday, November 26, 2023, Christ the King Sunday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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.  Prelude: Majesty. Text and Music: Jack Hayford. Text and Music: © 1981 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.). Covered under CCLI subscription. Oh, Worship the King. Text: Robert Grant, 1779-1838, alt. Music: William Croft, 1678-1727. Text and Music: Public Domain. Gathering Song: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! Text: Edward Perronet, 1726-1792, sts. 1-4; J. Rippon, A Selection of Hymns, 1787, sts. 5-6. Music: Oliver Holden, 1765-1844. Text and Music: Public Domain. Hymn of the Day: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service. Text and Music: Albert Bayly, The Sacred Harp. Text and Music: © 1961 Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Jesus Is My Lord with All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. Text and Music: Carol Tornquist. Text and Music: © 1996 Pilot Point Music. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: King of Kings. Text and Music: Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood. Text and Music: © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Bring Forth the Kingdom. Text and Music: Marty Haugen. Text and Music: © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription.

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Matthew 25:14-30 | As we look to the coming Thanksgiving holiday, some families might bring out special family dishes for the occasion. These dishes – often quite valuable – are meant to be used, to be shared, and to bring joy to a gathering. They’re not meant to be kept locked up on a shelf to collect dust. In the same way, God generously and even recklessly offers us something valuable: first, God’s grace and mercy; and second, the mission of Christ in the world today. So as we prepare to give thanks, we invite you to join us for worship as we open our hands to receive what has been entrusted to us, without fear, and as we consider why or how we are tempted to keep God’s grace, God’s mercy, and the mission of Christ stuck in a cabinet rather than sharing it for the joy of all creation.

Sunday, November 19, 2023, Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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.  Prelude: Be Thou My Vision. Text: Irish, 8th cent.; vers. Eleanor H. Hull, 1860-1935, alt.; tr. Mary E. Byrne, 1880-1931. Music: Irish traditional. Text and Music: Public Domain. The Light of the World Is Jesus. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Christ, Be Our Light. Text and Music: Bernadette Farrell. Text and Music: © 1993, 2020 OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light. Text and Music: Kathleen Thomerson. Text and Music: © 1970 Jubilate Music. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Come to the Mountain. Text and Music: Scott Tunseth & Kathy Donlan Tunseth. Text and Music: © 1996 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Covered under One License subscription.
Communion Song: Faithful Servant. Text and Music: Cindy Berry. Text and Music: © 2001 Shawnee Press. Covered under One License subscription.
Sending Song: This Little Light of Mine. Text: African American spiritual. Music: African American spiritual; Horace Clarence Boyer, b. 1935. Text and Music: Public Domain.

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Matthew 25:1-13, Amos 5:18-24 | Throughout Scripture we’re encouraged to “be prepared” for the coming of Christ in our midst. But what does it really mean to “prepare”? Often in our lives and in our world, to be “prepared” implies having things under control, having loose ends tied up, and having a road map directing us forward. But, as we approach a parable of 10 bridesmaids this weekend, we’ll be challenged to consider that preparation goes beyond having our ducks in a row (which, perhaps is good news for some of us!). Instead, to “prepare” pushes us to be obedient to the call and the role that God has entrusted to us: to be the light of the world. So this weekend, join us for worship as once again we are invited to partake in a foretaste of God’s feast to come, and as we are sent forth by the power of the Spirit to participate in God’s mission.

Sunday, November 12, 2023, Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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.  Prelude: Wayfaring Stranger. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: Blessed Assurance. Text and Music: ASSURANCE, Phoebe Knapp, Fanny Crosby. Text and Music: © OCP Publications. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. Text and Music: African American spiritual. Text and Music: Public Domain. Offering Song: Grateful. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Full Attention. Text and Music: Jeremy Riddle. Text and Music: © 2007 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI subscription. Sending Song: Soon and Very Soon. Text and Music: Andraé Crouch, b. 1945. Text and Music: © 1976 Bud John Songs, Inc./Crouch Music, admin. EMI Christian Music Publishing. Covered under CCLI subscription.

Matthew 5:1-12; Psalm 34:1-10, 22 | It’s common to hear words like “blessed” and “blessing” in everyday conversation. Look online and you might find people attributing what they experience to being #blessed. But what, really, is blessing? Where does it come from, and how does it relate to our lives as saints in God’s Kingdom? Join us this weekend for worship as we give thanks for all the saints – past, present, and future – and as we claim our own blessedness in God’s sight, going forth to live into our holy vocation as saints in God’s Kingdom.

Sunday, November 5, 2023, All Saints Sunday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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. Prelude: This Little Light of Mine. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: For All the Saints. Text: William W. How, 1823-1897. Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958. Text and Music: © Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Give Thanks for Saints. Text: Martin E. Leckebusch, b. 1962. Music: C. Hubert H. Parry, 1848-1918. Text and Music: © 2003 Kevin Mayhew Ltd. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Wade in the Water. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 1993 Alfred Sacred. Covered under One License 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: Oh When the Saints Go Marching In. Text and Music: African American spiritual; arr. hymnal version. Arr.: © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.

Psalm 46 | Each year, the church honors Reformation Day – a day to remember reforms within the church throughout history, and a day to pay attention to how the Spirit is continually re-forming and re-shaping us to live in the kingdom of God. And yet, based on where each of us find ourselves, the very notion of “reformation” might sit quite differently. For some, life – and even faith – may feel chaotic, confusing, and stirred up. While for others, there may be hunger for a long overdue shift in thinking, shift in society, or shift in faith that more clearly resembles the whole of God’s Good News. Point being: we approach “reformation” based on where we find ourselves, and where we find ourselves as the church. So, as we gather in worship this weekend, join us as we recall the changing and shaking that is happening, and perhaps the changing and the shaking that needs to happen in our lives, the world, and the church as we join with Christ in mission.

Sunday, October 29, 2023, Reformation Sunday Bulletin

Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, 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. Prelude: Blessed Assurance. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2011 The Lorenz Publishing corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Gathering Song: A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship. Music: Martin Luther. Text and Music: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription.
Hymn of the Day: The Church of Christ in Ev’ry Age. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000. Music: William Knapp, 1698-1768. Text and Music: © 1971 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Reflection. Text and Music: Mark Hayes. Text and Music: © 2016 The Lorenz Publishing Corporation. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Reformation Song. Text and Music: Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester. Text and Music: © Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Integrity Music). Covered under CCLI License subscription. Sending Song: Send Us Out. Text & Music: James Hersch. Text & Music: © 1994 Dakota Road Music. Covered under One License subscription.