PLEASE NOTE: Celebration is back in the sanctuary! Everyone will need to wear masks and provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 3 days of each Sunday. You also may watch the service on a live stream in the courtyard or at home. To learn more about these choices, please visit mpcfamily.org/celebrate. In order to keep everyone healthy & safe, we will:
- require mask-wearing when indoors
- require either proof of Covid vaccination OR a negative Covid test from within the last three days. Please see the ushers for details
- run the furnace filtration system for ventilation, doors and windows open only when necessary
If you can get tested using an at-home test or a clinical test before coming to Church, that’s one way you can help keep the congregation safe.
You can submit comments and prayer requests via our Comments Form at mpcfamily.org/comments . We’d love to hear from you!
If you are visiting today, we hope you’ll fill out our online Visitor Card at mpcfamily.org/hello .
If you’d like to support our work in the world (which is much appreciated!) please visit mpcfamily.org/donate .
In celebration this week:
- The MPC Handchime ensemble will play a prelude, “Little Prelude in E Minor” by John S. Dixon, directed by Kim Rankin
- Katie Kilby will welcome everyone to Celebration.
- Linnea Gullikson will lead us in the Call to Celebration (World Council of Churches, adapted)
- The opening hymn will be “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.
- Next, Linnea will lead us in a Prayer for Peace* (adapted from a prayer by Walter Rauschenbusch).
- It’s time to celebrate July birthdays, Claire Kelly will lead us,
- then we will have a Time With Children.
- Invitations are next.
- Special Music will be offered by the Handchime Ensemble, “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, a 17th c. English tune, arr. M.L. Thompson
- followed by Linnea sharing a scripture lesson from the Old Testament, Genesis 22:1-14.
- Ben will offer a sermon, “God Wants Me to do What?”.
- The Hymn of Response is “The Right Hand of God”,
- Then the offering plates will be passed while Kim plays an offertory.
- Next, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion.
- The closing hymn will be “Arise, Your Light is Come!”.
- We will recite the Charge,
- Ben will offer a benediction
- Followed by a postlude from Kim
The Charge (say together) Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Care for Creation. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Celebration live stream recordings
Every week, we post a live stream recording to YouTube. You can view information about those live stream recordings and access a link to the playlist on our Celebration Recordings page.