PLEASE NOTE: Celebration is back in the sanctuary! Masks are optional, but encouraged. You also may watch the service on a live stream at home. Please use this option if you aren’t feeling well. To learn more about these choices, please visit mpcfamily.org/celebrate. In order to keep everyone healthy & safe, we will:
- encourage masking when indoors
- run the furnace filtration system for ventilation, doors and windows open only when necessary
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 Prelude will be”Rise Up, My Love” from Song of Solomon, music by Eleanor Daley and performed by guest chorus, Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble
- Ben will welcome everyone to Celebration.
- Lin Gentry will lead us in the Call to Celebration, (by Dr. Christine Longhurst, on Genesis 32, adapted)
- The opening hymn will be “Morning Has Broken”.
- Next, Lin will lead us in a Prayer for Peace (by Rev. Kay Sylvester, adapted)
- the Celebration of August birthdays follows,
- then we will have a Time With Children.
- Invitations are next.
- Special music will be “In Stiller Nacht” (“In Peaceful Night”), words by Friedrich Ruperti, music by Johannes Brahms
- followed by a scripture lesson from the Old Testament, Genesis 32:22-31
- Katie’s sermon is titled, “God Who Strives with Us”
- The Hymn of Response is “God of Our Life”,
- then the offering plates will be passed while Voci performs “Lift Thine Eyes” from Elijah, Psalm 121:1-3; music by Felix Mendelssohn
- Next, we will celebrate communion
- The closing hymn will be “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly”.
- We will recite the Charge,
- Ben will offer a benediction
- followed by a postlude from Marcia
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.