Janel Rice, Pastor
Anne Ettinger, Minister of Music
610-435-6881 + churchcalvarymoravian@gmail.com
http://www.calvarymoravian.net + facebook.com/CalvaryMoravianAllentown
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 20, 2020
Thank you for listening, participating or worshipping with us at Calvary Moravian Church. To support our ministries, you can mail the office a check (948 N. 21st St. Allentown 18104). An online giving portal is at: https://mmfa.info/calvary-moravian-church-pa-donation-form/.
Please note the changes this month: (if you are not on our weekly email list, please share your email with churchcalvarymoravian@gmail.com for regular updates).
9 a.m. Outside Worship Continues.
10:45 a.m. Inside, limited capacity seating (physically distancing, masks required)
Also at 10:45 a.m. Livestream service found at Calvary Moravian Church Allentown’s YouTube Channel. Email us for the address.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Check out our Prayer Walk – Look for the Blue Yards signs near the Little Library and follow along Thomas Merton’s prayer to meditate and pray.
–Wednesdays – Mid-Week Sanctuary Prayer Time
Each Wednesday from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. our sanctuary will be open for anyone. Pastor Janel will lead a prayer and mediation at 12:00 – 12:15 p.m., also on Facebook.
PRELUDE. “Every Time I feel the Spirit” “Give Me Jesus”
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP AND SERVICE
Today we reflect on our call to be servants, as we prepare to act in the name of Christ to do good.
We do not do good to those around us. We do not do good for those around us. We seek to do good with those around us
As we serve, who stands – or sits – in the place of Jesus? Who “gets to be Jesus” in this situation?
It is not we who stand in Jesus’ place. It is those we serve.
As we do it for – and with – the least of these who are members of Jesus’ family, we do it for and with Jesus. Yet we are the hands and feet of Christ. So we too sit and stand in the place of Jesus. Let the Jesus in me speak to the Jesus in you. Let the Jesus in me receive from the Jesus in you.
It is all about Jesus. And it is all about those whom we serve. And it is about us, too. God loves in a holy Trinity.
We are welcomed to serve in love with God, our neighbor and ourselves. Thanks be to God!
DARWALL (342 D)
God’s love is ours to share with all the world in need;
all equal in God’s eyes, yet seeking dignity.
In humble thanks,
we reach out to our brothers, sisters through God’s grace.
We serve so others grow and find their paths to live
a life where needs are met and all their dreams fulfilled;
And loose the chains,
that limit the abundance given in God’s reign.
We serve because we’re loved, forgiven and made new;
A love that flows through us to those that need love too.
God’s hope, we know
is healing in this world so all may be made whole.
We thank you, gracious God, for this the work you give,
May we be faithful servants in the lives we live.
You bless us still;
for those we serve help us to better know your will.
© 2019 Judith Ganz
PRAYERS FOR SERVICE AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PASTORAL PRAYER/LORD’s PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC: Anne Ettinger
REAFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM: Pages 170-171, 173-174
Welcoming Elissa Waldron into the membership of Calvary Moravian Church
(Standing)
In grace God called and chose the people of Israel and established with them a covenant: I will be your God and you will be my people. In that relationship they were to be freed from sin and become a blessing to all. Then God came to us in Jesus Christ and fulfilled that covenant for all people. Through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, God made for us a new covenant of grace.
We come before you with joy, O God, to claim the promises of your covenant.
Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted baptism as the visible means of entry into the new covenant. Baptism is a gift of God. In this sacrament, through grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ, are cleansed by his saving work, enter into the fellowship of the church, and are called to a life of faith and willing obedience.
Claimed by God in baptism, we pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit our lives may faithfully affirm the blessings of Christ’s new covenant.
(The minister addresses the candidate.)
As you present yourself before God and this congregation, we call upon you to profess your faith.
Do you believe in God as your Creator and loving heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and in the Holy Spirit as your Comforter and Sustainer, according to the Holy Scriptures?
I do.
(Candidate may profess her faith by means of the Apostles’ Creed,
The baptismal profession of the early church. The congregation may be
Invited to join in the Creed as an affirmation of their own baptism.)
Lord, make us one with all your children as we profess our faith, saying:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to Judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Ancient text reads “catholic,” which means “universal”
(The minister addresses the candidate.)
Do you in this faith turn away from sin, evil, and selfishness in your thoughts, words, and actions; and do you intend to participate actively in Christ’s church, serving God all the days of your life?
I do.
(The minister addresses the congregation)
Do you affirm this child of God as a member of this congregation, and accept your obligation to love and nurture her in Christ?
We do.
Reaffirmation of Faith
(The congregation sitting, the candidate presents herself, and
the minister gives her the following greeting and charge.)
Elissa Waldron, through baptism, profession of faith, and Christian service, you have already entered into the life of the Church Universal, and today we rejoice to welcome and receive you into the fellowship of this congregation. Continue faithfully in the good way you have chosen in Christ, and may the Holy Spirit bless you in your life among us. May we all, through grace, be enabled to support and encourage one another in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Standing. During the singing of the following hymn, the minister and others according to local practice, give the right hand (wave) of Fellowship to Elissa Waldron.
HUS (22 F)
Here in the name of Christ our Lord, the church’s Head by all adored,
with Christian love and purpose true, this church in faith embraces you.
We welcome you among us here, with joy that God has brought you near.
With heart and hand we pledge our love,
and pray Christ’s blessing from above.
The God of peace you sanctify and bless you richly from on high,
that spirit, soul, and body may reflect God’s presence every day.
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16:2-15, Matthew 20:1-16 Sam Spagnola
SERMON: “Asking the right question; Do we have enough?”
HYMN 260: “Rejoice, Rejoice, the Kingdom Comes”
Rejoice, rejoice, the kingdom comes; be glad, for it is near.
It comes with joy surprising us; it triumphs o’er our fears.
Give thanks, for as the kingdom comes
it brings God’s own shalom,
a state of peace and justice where all with God are one.
Rejoice, rejoice, God’s will stands firm through
out all time and space.
It is a quiet,steady force pervading ev‘ry place.
It snaps the brittle-ness of hate, unties the bonds of greed.
It holds out love abundant which never fails our need.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Calvary Moravian Church 