22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 1, 2024 | 10:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Welcome
Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Associate Pastor
*Call to Worship
Leader: In a world that teaches us divisiveness,
All: You teach us to love one another.
Leader: In a season where war and violence surround us,
All: You tell us love is to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Leader: So we come with open hearts and open arms,
All: To worship the Source of All Love.
*Opening Hymn
316 Where Charity and Love Prevail (Twenty-Fourth)
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Holy One,
Grant us grace to desire you
with our whole heart,
that so desiring,
may we discover your presence,
and in discovering, grow in love for you;
let our love for you be a force
against the sins
from which you’ve set us free
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response To Thee, Great One in Three (Italian Hymn)
*Passing of the Peace
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note this service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
Sonata in C: Allegro
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Bless our hearing
so that the Scripture
may be for us a living Word.
May your Spirit move us
to fresh understandings.
Amen.
Scripture Lesson
John 15:12-17 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 96)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Love Takes Risks
Rev. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava
Parish Associate
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works, a continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. Bread at every station is gluten-free. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate. If you’d like to receive communion in your pew, please signal to a server when they come down the aisle at the conclusion of communion.
Communion Music
Sonata in C: Menuetto
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
300 We Are One in the Spirit (They’ll Know We Are Christians)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: METRO CARING VOLUNTEERS
Montview Mission partner Metro Caring offers hunger-relief programs to individuals and families from throughout the greater Denver metro area. Metro Caring, in partnership with Montview and Greater Park Hill Food Pantry, is holding a Loaves & Fishes food drive from September 15-September 29 to keep their pantries stocked with nutritious items. Donated items can be brought to the Commons. Learn more at www.montview.org.
GUEST PREACHER: REV. CLAUDIA AGUILAR RUBALCAVA
Rev. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava began serving as Montview’s Parish Associate in February 2024. Rev. Claudia is an ordained PC(USA) pastor. She is currently the Director of Engagement at More Light Presbyterians, a non-profit organization dedicated to allowing the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in life, ministry and society.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Guest Preacher: Rev. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava
Liturgists: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays and Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Organ/Piano: Yinying Luo
Piano: Barbara Hulac
Organ: Adam Waite
Reader: Kate Williams
Sound: RJ Mills
Video: John Goerner
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
9:30am – 11:30am
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
10:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
11:00am
Fellowship Time
Location: South Plaza
UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebration Sunday – Back to Fall!
Next Sunday, September 8
8:30am
Worship
9:30am
Sunday School for All Ages
Pastors’ Forum
11:00am
Worship
12:00pm
Celebration on the Outdoor Plaza
Join us next Sunday, September 8, as we begin the new programming year. We’ll have music, food, festivities and fun. Come celebrate this return to fall with us!
Pastors’ Forum
Next Sunday, September 8
Join us on Sunday, September 8, for a Pastors’ Forum in the sanctuary at 9:30am. We’ll share the latest church news and present our plans for the fall. This Forum will bring you up to date on everything that’s taking place at Montview.
Supper Clubs 2024-2025 – Sign-Ups are Now Live!
Montview Supper Club registrations are now open! Clubs of 8 to 10 people meet monthly from November to April and each club’s captain helps coordinate meetings around members’ schedules. Click here to sign up today!
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Prayer Tree
Janelle Case; Everett Cordy, brother of Sylvia Cordy; Vicki Dunham, mother of Bryn Dunham; Eric Durland; Amy Farrell, friend of Aimee Sanders; Donna Fredrickson; Steve Hatlem, brother of Jenni Hatlem; Hellshire United Church of Portmore, Jamaica; Steve House; Lydia Law, aunt of Aimee Sanders; Nik Levinsky; Eden Murphy; Mac Murphy; Scot Sandoval, son of Juanita Martinez; Julie Spear, sister-in-law of Linda Goerner; Jewel Wegs; Karen Louise White, daughter of Veda White; The Wolfer Family, mourning the death of Janet Wolfer; The Zelenkov family, mourning the death of Lorraine Zelenkov
Memorial Services
Les Samelson | September 12 at 2:00pm in the Miller Chapel
Dr. Paul Moe | September 16 at 11:00am in the sanctuary
Janet Wolfer | September 28 at 11:00am in the sanctuary
Lorraine Zelenkov | October 5 at 3:00pm in the sanctuary
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org