Singing and Praying at Midnight!

Season of Pentecost! Season of Promise, Struggle and Growing Compassion!
October 24, 2021

PRELUDE: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need— Charles Callahan
UNISON CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS: 

Here in the busy city   Now let the church be seen    Where lesser gods are worshipped  In money and machine;    Where news is but sensation,The Good News hardly noticed or even heard.   Now let the church take action  In living out the word! Here in this busy cityGod stands on every corner, God walks down every sidewalk, waits at every bus stop.    In the generous, the glad,    The grasping, the greedy, the unimaginably sad!   And daily we must offerThe good that goes unpriced  With vigor and with vision  The lifestyle of the Christ.–adapted from Shirley Erena Murray text

HYMN:  My Shepherd Will Supply My Need  GTG#803
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND COMMITMENT 

We all live in the same house,    we all must be part of the effort   to hold down our little house. When you see somethingthat is not right, not fair,    not just do something about it.Say something.    Have the courage.    Have the backbone.   You must be bold and brave,   courageous  and find a wayto get in the way. Walk with the wind.It’s all going to work out.   Amen
—John Lewis, Freedom Movement leader, 1960’s, Voter Education Project Director, 1970’s, Member of the U.S. House of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1987-2020. Director Before all that, “He preached even to the chickens”.

Brief Silent Meditation concluding with Ringing of the Gong
HYMN:    Peoples, Clap Your Hands!  GTG#261
SCRIPTURE:  Acts 16: 16-34
SUNG RESPONSE:      Just As I Am, Without One Plea  GTG#442
SERMON Singing and Praying at Midnight!
HYMN: I Love to Tell the Story  GTG#462
WELCOMING
CHORAL ANTHEM:  This Is the Day (attributed to W. A. Mozart)
PRAYER: Matthew 25 prayer—Lord’s Prayer—Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying  
OFFERTORY SOLO:  The Lord’s Prayer— Alfred Hay Malotte; Emma WitbolsFeugen, mezzo soprano
                 Offering link
A PRAYER OF DEDICATION— 

How necessary it is to cultivate a spirit of joy. It is a psychological truth! Physical acts of reverence and devotion   make one feel devout.   The courteous gesture increases one’s respect for others.    To act lovingly is to begin to feel loving,  and certainly to act joyfully brings joy to others,  which in turn makes one feel joyful.  I believe you, God .    I believe you have called us to the duty of delight.   Amen.
—adapted from Dorothy Day,  founder Catholic Worker Movement

HYMN:    Faith Begins By Letting Go   GTG#684
BENEDICTION
SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE:    Lead Me, Guide Me (sing twice)  GTG#740
POSTLUDE: The Solid Rock- Anna Laura Page