Order of Worship for July 18, 2021 (first airs at 7:00 p.m.)

 PRELUDE:  Great God, Your Love Has Called Us arr. by Nancy M. Raabe

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP

HYMN:  There Is Now a New Creation [Stuttgart]

PRAYER

INTROIT:  They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love arr. by John F. Wilson

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, and we pray that all unity may one day be restored, and they’ll know we are Christians by our love.  We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, and together we’ll spread the news that God is on our land.  We will work with each other, we will work side by side, and we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride.  All praise to the Father, from whom all things come, and all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son, and all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.  Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love!  [Peter Scholtes]

PRAYER

SCRIPTURE LESSON:  Ephesians 2:11-22

HYMN: Blest Be the Tie That Binds [Dennis]

SERMON:  “A New Humanity in God’s Peace”

ANTHEM:  Covenant Prayer by Karen Marrolli

Creator, we belong to you, and you dwell within our hearts.  Though the road be rough, we will follow you with the strength your grace imparts.  Though we be brought high, though we be brought low, though we journey far from home, let us always seek to grow in love, no matter where we roam.  Now let us reach out with loving hands to accept, affirm, embrace every child of God throughout the world and shower them with grace.  And let us reach out with grateful hearts and praise our God above through our acts of light and justice as we warm the world with love.  Creator, let us understand that our covenant with you is a covenant with humankind to honor and pursue the road of Christ, through the rocky fields, to the broken and unshod.  Let us heal with love, for each soul we meet is a precious Child of God.

PRAYER

HYMN:  O Christ, the Great Foundation [Aurelia]

BENEDICTION

RESPONSE:  Give Thanks for Those by C.  Hubert H. Parry

Give thanks for those whose love is pure, a sparkling precious stone: they show by what they say and do an inward beauty, warm and true, for God’s concerns they own:  God’s love through them is known. [Martin E. Leckebusch, from Hymn 731 in Glory to God]

POSTLUDE:  Rondeau (from “Sinfonies De Fanfares”) by Jean Joseph Mouret

Flowers today are provided by Lea & Ruben Lindley in celebration of their 45th wedding anniversary.