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:
- Marcia Roy will play a prelude: “O God of Earth and Altar” (Kings Lynn), arr. Alan Bullard
- Katie Kilby will welcome everyone to Celebration.
- Helen Hutchison will lead us in the Call to Celebration (by Robert W. Abrams, adapted)
- The opening hymn will be “Why Do Nations Rage Together”.
- Next, Helen will lead us in a Prayer for Peace (adapted from a prayer by Alan Paton)
- Art Paull will introduce the 2023-24 International Scholar, La Hkawng
- then we will have a Time with Children.
- The Hymn Before Sermon is “Give to the Winds Thy Fears”,
- Invitations are next.
- The MPC Choir will sing, “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”, arr. Alan Bullard, directed by Kim Rankin.
- Then Helen will read aloud the scripture reading from Mark 9:14-29
- Next, Rev. Dr. Keith Geckeler will share a sermon, “Fear of Failure”.
- The hymn of response will be “There is a Balm in Gilead”,
- Then Pat Schwinn will present a God’s Work in the World,
- followed by a pastoral prayer
- The offering plates will be passed while Kim plays an offertory,
- The closing hymn will be “Dona Nobis Pacem”,
- We will recite the Charge together,
- Katie will offer a benediction
- followed by a postlude from Marcia, “Turn Back, Turn Back, Foreswear Thy Foolish Ways”, arr. Jean E. Middleswarth
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.