October 3, 2020

Dear Friends,
 
Peace to you this evening. Tomorrow is World Communion Sunday, the day when we celebrate our oneness with all our sisters and brothers in Christ throughout the world. We also wrap up our four-week sermon series, "Together While Apart," by focusing on our communion with the whole church. Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 is our Scripture reading, with its refrain of oneness and call to grow.
 
If you'd like to join us tomorrow for in-person worship in the fellowship garden at 10 am, we'd be delighted to see you. Please take a moment to preregister using this link with Sign Up Genius, but even if you haven't done so, you're invited to come anyway!
 
Below is a link to our virtual worship offerings, along with an order of service. Also, here's a link  to the Common Life posted on our church website. Despite the pandemic, we're leaning into a number of offerings this fall to help us "Experience God. Grow Disciples. Transform Lives." together.
 
We are called to be the church in these tumultuous days. We have much to pray and act on in spreading the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ. The election, the pandemic, the racism, the division, the Supreme Court vacancy, the recession, the challenges of education right now, etc. We are still called to love the "least of these" (Matthew 25). We are still called to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). We are still called to embrace the one hope, one spirit, one baptism, one God and Father of all - and embrace the oneness inherent in creation and ourselves (Ephesians 4).
 
Thank you for your partnership, friends. You are exactly who God had in mind when God made you. Hang in there.
 
With gratitude and hope in Christ,
Pastor Jeff


World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 4, 2020



FPCW SaS - Moses in the Bulrushes
 Family Worship - Songs & Stories 
"Moses in the Bulrushes"
Sunday, October 4, 2020



Jan Richardson, "The Best Supper"


Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church of  Wilmette
World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 4, 2020

Prelude  
Fanfare on TRURO                                                                       arr. Hal Hopson

Welcome and Call to Worship 
A love that never ceases,
A creativity that designed the universe,
A hope that cannot be quenched,
A pursuit of reconciliation no matter the cost:
These are the things that are of God,
Then, let us worship God, tender and just. 

Gathering Hymn No. 318, verses 1, 2 & 3
In Christ There Is No East or West 

Call to Confession 
God is gracious and merciful and knows our needs even before they reach our lips. Still, we engage in confession, admitting to God all that rests uneasily in our hearts. Confident of God's love, let us make our confession, first in silent prayers.

Prayer of Confession 
Almighty and vulnerable God, mother of mercy, father of grace: You have called us to one table, but we have pursued our own course. You have promised us the abundance of all creation, but in our greed, and in our envy, the world goes without. You have promised us the bread of life itself, but in our pride, and in our arrogance, the world goes hungry. You have promised us the waters of peace and justice, but in our violence, and in our discord, the world goes thirsty. And now we are famished, too, Lord. Have mercy on us. Forgive us, again. Transform us, at this table, and for this table, and send us from this table as servants of your new creation. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 
Even when our cups run dry, God's grace overflows. Even when our plates are empty, God's generosity overflows. And even when our hearts feel barren, God's love overflows. Friends, you have been called and claimed by the God of all things, and by the abundance of God's grace, and by the power of God's love, your sins have been forgiven.
Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sharing the Peace of Christ 

Our Common Life 

Scripture Reading
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16
              
Sermon                                                                                          Rev. Jeff Lehn                             

Hymn  of Invitation No.  770, verses 1, 2 & 4
I'm Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table

Prayer of Great Thanksgiving 
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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 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.

Blessing of the Bread and Cup

Communion of the People 

Prayer After Communion 
Gracious God, we offer our thanks, for the whole communion of saints that witness to this feast, and for the ministry of churches around the world who gather with us today. By this broken bread may we each be restored for the work yet to come. By this shared cup may we each be claimed for the proclamation of your kingdom. At this shared table may we be united as children of your promise, children of your word, dying and made new again, sent boldly together into the world as servants of your peace. Amen.

Call to Offering Liturgist
On this day, we are invited to participate in the kingdom emerging all around us. May we offer ourselves to God with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of this congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we invite you to give through our church website, our smartphone app, by texting the word "Wilmette" to the number 77977, or by sending a check to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.

Doxology 

Prayer of Dedication  
Gracious God, you create more than we could ever hope to return. You share more than we could ever hope to deserve. And yet, we pray, accept these humble gifts. May they honor and glorify you in all creation, and may they empower us for the work of witness and service, for the sake of justice, and for the sake of peace, now and forever. Amen.

Sending Song -  Katawa Congregation

Charge and Benediction Jeff

Postlude 
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands                         Spiritual, arr. Charles Callahan

                               
Worship Leaders
Rev. Jeff Lehn, preaching
Carol Moss, liturgist
Rev. John Gondwe, Lord's Prayer
Katawa CCAP Choir, Sending Hymn
Peggy Massello, Music Director/Soloist
Chancel Choir, doxology


First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette 
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779 
847-256-3010