eleventh sunday after pentecost august 8, 2021
TRANSCRIPT
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
AUGUST 8, 2021
PRELUDE
Two Settings of We Shall Overcome African-American spiritual I. Maestoso arr. Adolphus Hailstork
II. Trio (b. 1941)
PRAYER OR READING OF THE DAY
“God, grant us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things that should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.”
The Serenity Prayer, written by Reinhold Niebuhr, 1943.
“The prayer my father wrote for the Heath church has become so associated with the “twelve-step
program” of Alcoholics Anonymous that most people construe it as expressing only what, in our
self-help culture, we think each one of us must aim for, day after day, in our personal self-
improvement projects…
But the Serenity Prayer was composed in wartime, and it also addresses the inconsolable pain, loss,
and guilt that war inflicts on the communities that wage it; it goes to the heart of the possibilities
and impossibilities of collective action for collective betterment—that is to say, to the heart of the
possibilities for peace. These take us across a terrain where one cannot walk alone…”
Elizabeth Sifton, The Serenity Prayer: Faith and Politics in Times of Peace and War. (New York: WW
Norton, 2003), p. 111.
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
[Throughout the bulletin, texts in bold type are to be said together by the congregation; plain text will be read by
the liturgist or minister, following the model of The Book of Common Worship. The numbered hymns included are
from The Presbyterian Hymnal (blue) found in the pew]
stand for CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Christian Iosso
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.
Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth, who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
God upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
Let us worship God!
HYMN OF PRAISE 485
To God Be the Glory TO GOD BE THE GLORY
be seated for
CALL TO CONFESSION Nusrat David, liturgist
Confession is part of our dialogue with God: we do what we can to adjust the scale and nature of
our attention. In humility, we ask God to meet us where we truly are. Please join in the prayer of
confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (from Reinhold Niebuhr) Nusrat David, liturgist We give you thanks, O Lord, for life and love and the joy of existence…
We confess that we are not worthy of the riches of life for which the generations have
labored...
We confess the sorry confusion of our common life, the greed which disfigures our
collective life and sets us against each other.
We confess the indifference and callousness with which we treat the sufferings and the
insecurity of the poor, and the pettiness which mars the relations between us.
May we with contrite hearts seek once more to purify our spirits and to clarify our reason,
so that a fairer temple for the human spirit may be built in human society.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
KYRIE both verses sung in Guarani ORÉ PORIAJÚ VEREKÓ
ASSURANCE OF OUR PARDON Nusrat David, liturgist
“Wisdom has built her house…(with) its seven pillars… She has also set her table…to eat her food
and drink… is to walk in the way of insight.” In Jesus Christ, we see the Wisdom of God. By God’s
grace, we are forgiven, renewed, and restored.
stand for
RESPONSE TO OUR FORGIVENESS sing twice with joy Taizé Community
In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
God of insight, illuminate us through reflection on these texts. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Jeremiah 23:16-20, 29, 32
Nusrat David, liturgist
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you; they are deluding you. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They keep saying to those who despise the word of the LORD, “It shall be well with
you”; and to all who stubbornly follow their own stubborn hearts, they say, “No calamity shall come upon you.” For who has stood in the council of the LORD so as to see and to hear his word? Who has given heed to his word so as to proclaim it? Look, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his mind. In the latter days you will understand it clearly. Is not my word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? See, therefore, I am against the prophets, says the LORD, who steal my words from one another... See, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says the LORD, and who tell them, and who lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or appoint them; so they do not profit this people at all, says the LORD.
SOLO
O Rest in the Lord (from Elijah) Felix Mendelssohn
(1809-1847)
Lauren Redditt, mezzo soprano
Jason Kissel, piano
O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him,
And He shall give thee thy heart’s desires.
Commit thy way unto Him, and trust in Him,
And fret not thyself because of evil-doers. based on Psalm 37
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not
many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to
shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low
and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no
one might boast in the presence of God.
SERMON Serenity & The Bomb Rev. Christian Iosso
stand for
HYMN OF RESPONSE 386
O for a World AZMON
be seated for MOMENT FOR MISSION Reflection by Sarah Rutherford, Summer Intern, The Center
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Please use the chat forum to enter your prayers and we will share those as a part of our communal worship.
PURPLE RIBBON LIST
08/04/2021 Raynard Booker 44 Male Unknown
08/02/2021 Jaquan Purvis 37 Male Unknown
07/30/2021 Corey Drake 33 Male Unknown
Each ribbon represents a life lost to homicide in Baltimore City. We name them each week and hang a purple ribbon on the
Park Avenue side of our building to remind us to pray for the victims, survivors, and perpetrators of these acts of violence,
and to remind us of our calling to challenge the systemic injustices of our time .
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.
THE OFFERTORY
See invitation to give in the Chat Box on Zoom and Facebook Live.
If you wish to give via Paypal, you will need to open a new tab on your browser.
If you need assistance please request help from our E-Usher:
Allie Pyan, [email protected].
If you would like to give your offering by mail, please send to the church office at First & Franklin Presbyterian
Church, 210 West Madison Street, Baltimore MD 21201. Offerings will be processed weekly.
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Our giving is a sign of our love of God. Let us now give our tithes and offerings.
AT THE OFFERTORY
How Fair and How Pleasant Art Thou Marcel Dupré
from 15 Pieces Founded on Antiphons (1886-1971)
stand for
DOXOLOGY 591 OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all creatures here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
remain standing for
HYMN OF SENDING 421
The Church of Christ in Every Age WAREHAM
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Fugue in C Major, BWV 545 Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)
Online Fellowship for those on Zoom and In-person coffee hour. Please join in.
Grace and joy to all who have joined us in worship. Please join us for refreshments following the service in
Reid Chapel/Fellowship Hall or outside if weather permits.
~~~ Regarding our church bulletins, we are moving to produce them in two forms. The in-person bulletins
return to their pre-covid style of simply citing the Hymn numbers and Biblical texts and page numbers.
When hymns are printed in full, they are from the Glory to God hymnal not in the pews, or from another
source that will be noted. This will mean some difference in layout but save both paper and production
time. Please excuse any bumps in the road!
LEADING WORSHIP TODAY
Rev. Christian Iosso, Interim Pastor
Nusrat David, liturgist
Dr. Jason Kissel, organist
~~~ Lauren Redditt, soloist
~~~ Mike Johnson, fellowship
~~~ Judy & David Dadds, Ushers
~~~ STAFF
Rev. Christian Iosso, Interim Pastor
Jason Kissel, DMA, Minister of Music & Organist
Neve Jahn, Audio Engineer
George Meagher, Sexton
Wanda Morgan, Office Administrator/Wedding Coordinator
The church office is open 8am-4pm Monday-Friday
First & Franklin Presbyterian Church
210 W. Madison Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Office: 410-728-5545 Fax: 410-728-0722
firstfranklin.org
FACE MASK MANDATE BEGINS
Masks are again required inside the church no matter what your vaccine status, starting THIS Sunday and
Baltimore City’s mandate begins on Monday, August 9, 2021.
SARAH RUTHERFORD
Our Moment for Mission comes from Sarah Rutherford, a student at Texas A&M University and a native
of Dallas, Texas. Sarah is serving as one of the 2021 summer interns at The Center, the mission and
community engagement office that supports the congregations of the Presbytery of Baltimore. The
program has housed its mission experience dormitory at Hodge House since 2013.
We thank the Rev. Jack Hodges for leading worship last week when Rev. Iosso was on vacation.
We welcome Neve Jahn as new Audio Engineer. She has actually been with us the past two weeks. She is a
graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, where she knew Taylor Brooks, her predecessor in the position.
INQUIRERS LUNCHES
For those considering membership in the First & Franklin Presbyterian Church, we will be holding several
lunches after church: August 22, 29, and September 20. Please let the minister or church office
([email protected] ) know if you would like to join this group.
WANTED: VOLUNTEERS ON SATURDAYS TO HELP WITH THE FOOD PANTRY
For over a year, our dedicated group of volunteers have loyally showed up Saturday afternoons to help run
the food pantry, but situations are changing for many -- moving to new locations, new job opportunities
that conflict with Saturday hours, and chances to occasionally travel. Are you available to volunteer with
the pantry? The hours are from 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.. You can come once a month or more or be on call for
substituting when needed. Please contact Corena Bridges, if you are interested at 443-418-7883
THE SANCTUARY CHOIR
The Sanctuary Choir at First & Franklin will resume rehearsals on Thursday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m.,
and return to worship on Sunday, September 12. We are excited to welcome several new singers into the
choir, including Lauren Redditt, a graduate of Baltimore School for the Arts and Peabody Conservatory.
Ms. Redditt will serve as worship soloist on Sunday, August 8 - please join us that day to help welcome her
to this community!
NEW FIRST & FRANKLIN DIRECTORY!
We are encouraging those who have not yet completed their forms to do so. Including photos will be a
great way to get to know each other by sight as we re-enter in-person worship, while the directory overall
will help strengthen our community.
After a year plus of COVID shut-down, we want to strengthen our community. This will also help with
pastoral care and the work of Deacons and Membership Committee.
Please click: Directory Form to fill out the Directory Form so that you can submit your information to be
included in First & Franklin's Directory. The completed form should be submitted
to [email protected]. Thank you.
PLEDGE CARDS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED
We have recorded 35 pledges so far. If you haven't yet pledged, please prayerfully consider doing so.
Pledge cards will be available in the Narthex. To access the web form, please click: Pledge Card.
MORNING PRAYER | 7:00am – 7:30am
Please join us online: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Zoom Event Click: MORNING PRAYER
DID YOU MISS A SUNDAY?
Or did you want to re-visit a particular sermon from our congregational life?
Please visit: Sermons (Most recent updates are on Facebook)
Prayers from 8/1/2021
Thanks be to Ruth, Jack, Jason and all those unseen who keep helping to hit the Refresh button in life’s
journey. [Maggie]
Prayers of peace for Steven Lapsley and Jim Sinclair as they mourn the death of Steven’s Mom, Bess.
Prayers for our friend, Nini, who is facing very serious surgery. [Laura & Beth]
Prayers for friends, Chris and Lisa who lost their only son, Nick, to a drug overdose. [John]
Thanksgiving for this community who continues to support the Food Pantry and refilling the shelves. We
distributed 24 bags of groceries.
Prayers for Nathan who has been sleeping most of the days now and is losing muscle tone and having
difficulty walking.
Prayers of healing for Mike’s niece, Stephanie, who had a difficult delivery.
For the efforts of Cuba partners network and other agencies who are attempting to ship rice, beans and
medical supplies to those in need in Cuba and our friends in Taguasco who are experiencing a new wave
of Covid.
Thanksgiving for the joy of welcoming new visitors to our church.
Prayers from 7/25/2021
Blessing to the new Elders and Deacons.
Prayers for healing for Laura’s brother John who is undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer.
For the efforts of Cuba partners network and other agencies who are attempting to ship rice, beans and
medical supplies to those in need in Cuba and our friends in Taguasco who are experiencing a new wave
of Covid.
Prayers for Anne’s friend, Robin Wheeler, who has just received news that her cancer has spread. She is
struggling to work while she heals.
Prayers for Haswell Franklin and his wife, Madge, who are increasingly restricted from leaving home.
For a local homeless person Chris has recently gotten to know, Marie Victoria Gay, as she struggles to
find shelter in this city as a relatively new semi-resident.
Prayers for healing for Laura’s Mom Janet who continues to struggle with her symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Thanksgiving for the joy of welcoming new visitors to our church.
Prayers for Jeremy Earnest, whose mother passed away July 21st after fighting end stage Liver disease.