Virtual Worship – November 1 2020

The Service For The Lord’s Day ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

NOVEMBER 1, 2020 WHENEVER “Memory is a powerful thing. No wonder Jesus said, ‘when you eat and drink, remember me.’

If hallowed halls could talk, these would have a tale to tell.” … Amy Grant

Gathering Together for “Virtual” Worship

PRELUDE VIDEO “Kyrie, from Duruflé’s Requiem” (Trinity College Choir) PRELUDE (Brandon Cook)

CALL TO WORSHIP (From Psalm 34) O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt God’s name together.

We sought the Lord, and God answered us, and delivered us from all our fears. Let us look to the Lord, and be radiant; so our faces shall never be ashamed.

We will bless the Lord at all times; God’s praise shall continually be in our mouths. Let us worship the Lord in both spirit and truth.

God accept our praise and be pleased with our offering. Amen.

CHIMES OF THE HOLY TRINITY * HYMN # 526 “For All the Saints” LIGHTING CANDLES FOR THE SAINTS WE’VE LOST IN THE PAST YEAR (During the hymn)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison prayer) Lord of every tribe and nation, on this day when we remember and give thanks for all the saints, we are mindful of the countless ways we fail to follow their example of loyalty and faithfulness. We capitulate to idolatry. We worship the false gods of our time instead of bowing down before the Lamb on the throne. We imagine all people gathered in praise of you and lament how we make our witness through our divisions and strife. Forgive us for acting as if earthly powers are ultimate. Hear our plea to find our hope, our life, our salvation in you alone. Accept our repentance and reshape us in ways that glorify you. Amen.

CHORAL RESPONSE # 572 “Kyrie” Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* RESPONSE “Gloria Patri”

* SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST May the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

(If you are worshiping with family this morning, share the peace of Christ with them; If this reminds you of someone you might need to reach out to, make a note to send them an email or text and share Christ’s peace that way.)

Proclaiming the Word PRAYER OF THE DAY FIRST READING: Psalm 34: 5 – 10 SECOND READING: Hebrews 12: 1 - 13

VIDEO ANTHEM “If These Walls Could Speak” (Amy Grant)

SERMON “When These Walls Speak, What Will They Say About Us?” (Rev. Sellers)

Responding to the Word

* HYMN # 522 “Lord, When I Came Into This Life”

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (The Apostles’ Creed) I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

CONCERNS AND CELEBRATIONS; ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PLANS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES TO GOD

As you listen to the video offertory this morning, please take a moment or two to be intentional in your support of our churches. However you do it, remember that this is more than supporting staff or paying bills; this is accepting the opportunity of being a part of what God is doing in our world.

OFFERTORY (Brandon Cook)

* RESPONSE # 592 “Doxology” Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise

him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Carrying the Word Into the World

* HYMN # 364 “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” * CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * POSTLUDE * VIDEO POSTLUDE “Angels Among Us” (Kristen Chenoweth & The Tabernacle Choir)

(Italic words are spoken by the leader; Bold words are spoken by everyone.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: O ME! O LIFE!

O Me! O life! of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the

foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?) Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d, Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds see around me, Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined, The question, O me! so sad, recurring – What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.

That you are here – that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

… Walt Whitman Think about this: The powerful play goes on… And YOU – each and every single one of us… May actually contribute a verse! What will your verse say?

SERVICE NOTES: Today’s Video Prelude is the Introit and “Kyrie” or opening two movements of The Requiem, Op. 9, composed by the French composer Maurice Duruflé. Composed in 1941 and based in part on Gabriel Fauré’s version of the Latin Requiem Mass. This particular version was performed by the Trinity College Choir in Cambridge, England as part of a Chapel worship service on Wednesday, September 30th of this year. Watch carefully at the beginning and you will see all the singers remove their facemasks AFTER processing in and taking their places that are socially distanced.

Today’s Video Anthem, “If These Walls Could Speak,” was originally written by American songwriter and singer Jimmy Webb. Better known for writing most of Glen Campbell’s hit songs like “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “Galveston,” Webb originally wrote the song with different lyrics than the version Amy Grant recorded. Ironically, the 1988 version recorded on Amy Grant’s “Lead Me On” album is quite well known, while the original lyrics Webb wrote were not very well known until he recorded the song himself in 1996. Today’s anthem includes Grant’s lyrics asking the question “If these walls could speak” coupled with images reminding us of all the stories our walls at both Christ and Mulberry have to tell to all willing to listen.

Today’s Video Postlude, “Angels Among Us,” features American actress and singer Kristen Chenoweth, accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra. The live version she recorded with the choir and orchestra at Christmas in 2018 also includes images that certainly speaks to the ministry and witness of so many “angels” among us today serving others, bringing hope and living the gospel message in full view. Those angels among us certainly are counted along with all the saints we remember and give thanks for today.

Prayer of the Day: Gracious God, we come to worship now carrying with us the concerns of the world, the worries on our hearts and burdens that have become too heavy for us to carry. We need to feel your presence; our community and nation need your guidance, and the entire world needs your healing. In the light of your Word reveal to us that which truly matters, those things we need to expose in order that healing might happen, and the next step that will bring us closer to you. Amen. First Reading: Psalm 34: 5 – 10: 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 2nd Reading: Hebrews 12: 1 – 13: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children— “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; 6 for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.”

7 Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9 Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Announcements and Notes

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Outdoor worship will continue through November until we determine a plan for moving forward. Everyone who wishes are invited to attend the Thursday evening video worship taping in person.

Current Worship Schedule at Christ (CPC) & Mulberry (MPC): Thurs, Nov. 5th: Worship taping at MPC Sun, Nov. 8th,: 11 AM: Outdoor worship at CPC (communion) (Video from MPC) Thurs, Nov. 12th: Worship taping at CPC Sun, Nov. 15th, 11 AM: Outdoor worship at MPC (Video from CPC) Thurs, Nov. 19th: Worship taping at MPC Sunday, Nov. 22nd, 11 AM: Outdoor Worship at CPC

NO WORSHIP TAPING on Thurs, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving break for all staff.

LISTEN TO WORSHIP ON THE RADIO: Beginning Sunday, our outdoor worship services will be transmitted over FM 107.3 radio. If it’s chilly or the weather isn’t sunny and perfect, you can still come and listen while staying in your car. If you want, you can bring your chair and a small FM radio and sit as socially distant as you wish and still hear everything.

MULBERRY STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Christ and Mulberry Prayer Concerns – November 1, 2020 (Updated as of Friday, Oct. 30, 2020)

Pray for: Keith Bigham (Deborah Ray’s husband): At Atrium health Main. Amy Ray (Deborah’s granddaughter): Diagnosed with dyggvem-melchior clausen

syndrone. Melva Robinson, pacemaker replacement tomorrow, Nov. 2nd at Presbyterian Main. Everyone affected by Hurricane Zeta, from the gulf coast to the mid-Atlantic states. Christina Buchanan (Jim Brown’s daughter): Continued recovery from Covid and

Pneumonia. Justin Buchanan (Jim Brown’s grandson): Possible eye surgery. Hazel Sanders (friend of Linda Sadlers): Covid-19 Steve Racz (Phil Egel’s cousin): Reoccurence of his esophageal cancer. Dorothy Childress (friend of Arlene Stone): Shingles. Barbara Brillhart (friend of the Sellers): Alzheimer’s’, hospice care in Chapin, SC. The entire staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wadesboro in Covid quarantine. Shane Layel (Jane Gregg’s son-in-law): Recovering at home. Bobby Adams (Linda Carpenter’s brother): Recovering at home. Mary Rueger (Sharon Whitley’s mother): Gout and laser surgery this coming Tuesday. Carl Rueger (Sharon Whitley’s father): upcoming apt for retina issues. Cookie Glines (Joyce Glines’ daughter-in law): Ongoing cancer treatment. Jane Guy: Continued nutrient protocol, recent and upcoming infusion treatments. Lupe Vidal: possible upcoming surgery. Continue praying for students, teachers, and staff in all our schools. Pray for everyone affected by the new rise in covid cases all over the world. Pray for MPC’s friends in the SDA congregation as they are away from Mulberry. Everyone who is experiencing anxiety and depression. Those out of work and struggling to make ends meet financially. Our friends and family who are homebound or in assisted living or nursing homes who

can’t have visitors, like Maggie Thrower, Lillian Williamson, Louise Carter, Lorenzo Conyers, Ruth Long, Melva Robinson, Sylvester Barbee, Fern Kisner.

The Lorien Academy of the Arts and the Creative Player Foundation, as the continued crisis affects their plans and programs.

Pray for the election process and all people who will vote on Tuesday.