On this World Communion Sunday, we celebrate the diversity and community of God's people throughout the earth. Songs of unity, praise, and of the Living Bread will be shared. The Chancel Choir anthem "One World" by Linda Kachelmeier beautifully encapsulates our worship time together in these words:  

O for a world where there is peace.
O for a world where we are one.

A world: where I can be myself.
A world: where I can grow old.
A world: where I am free to love and add love to the world.
A world: where teachers are revered.
A world: where laughter is heard.
A world: where children all are safe and sleep in loving arms.
A world: where we can trust our leaders.
A world: where hunger is fed.
A world: where we break down the walls that threaten to divide.

Let peace fill our hearts, our nation and our world.
So we may dream together, pray together, work together
to build one world with room enough for all.

"One World" (2012) by Linda Kachelmeier   

Songs of gratitude, praise, and thanks.

Ukuleleist Stuart Yoshida brings a Hawaiian flair to the musical offerings at the 9:00 a.m. service. Bassist Peter Strening and cantor Blair Carpenter also join. 

A brief fanfare-like setting of the hymn "Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs" by Mark Sedio opens the 11:00 a.m. service in a joyful invitation. The classic hymn of gratitude "Now Thank We All Our God" will be heard at the Postlude in Sigfrid Karg-Elert's famous chorale prelude setting, a staple of the organ repertoire.  

The Chancel Choir offers "Behold Now, Bless the Lord" by John Corina, a fanciful dance-like work that exudes joy as it navigates a plethora of irregular time signatures. 

Songs from the Ionian Community and folk rock duo Indigo Girls will be offered at the 9:00 a.m. service this Sunday. Guitarist/vocalist Alan Skowron, bassist Peter Strening, staff singer Blair Carpenter, and I lead you in songs extolling the blessings of God's presence and Christian love.    

Scripture contains many examples of humankind's yearning to know God and often through a personal plea—even a soliloquy. At the 11:00 a.m. service, David Conte's "Soliloquy" for organ begins with a plaintive solo flute melody transforming into an open dialogue of sound before returning to one voice.

The Plymouth Ringers return to our sanctuary in a live setting for the first time in over eighteen months! Offering my setting of the Catholic hymn "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," this atmospheric work references the peace we find when resting in God.

A Baroque-styled gigue on the closing hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You" by Charles Callahan closes the service in a dance-like ode to joy and love.  

Praying for wisdom and guidance this Sunday morning—praise to God!

At 9:00 a.m., songs from the Iona community, Celtic tradition, and cinema are offered. Cantor Blair Carpenter and violinist Harmony Tucker join us.

At 11:00 a.m., the Chancel Choir returns with an invocation to the Holy Spirit in "Come, Gracious Spirit" by Alfred Fedak.

At the organ, two Germanic hymns of praise set by two German composers from two different eras: "My Faithful Heart Rejoices" by Johannes Brahms and a toccata on "Praise the Lord, My Soul" by Hans-Andre Stamm.

This Sunday, we offer a service of remembrance for those who perished in the September 11 attacks nearly twenty years ago. Songs of protection, solace, comfort, and hope for this Sunday morning by Alfred Fedak, Brenda Portman, and more.

Composer Abbie Betinis wrote a beautiful choral anthem entitled "Blessed be the Lord, My Rock" as a prayerful musical response to that terrible day. She used selected texts from Psalm 144 to express the truth that God will always be there no matter the circumstance. Let this text be a source of comfort, hope, even joy, today:

Blessed be the Lord, my rock and my fortress,
  my stronghold, my deliverer,
  My shield and he in whom I take refuge.

We are like breath,
  our days are like a passing shadow.

Bow thy heav'ns, O Lord,
  come down!
Stretch forth thy hand from on high,
  rescue me, deliver me.

I will sing a new song to thee, O God.