Sunday Worship Service
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, 11am, Princeton University Chapel
Join us for Sunday Worship Service in the University Chapel with Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel at Princeton University. Music by the Princeton University Chapel Choir with Nicole Aldrich, Director of Chapel Music and of the University Chapel Choir and Eric Plutz, University Organist.
*All persons, including members of the broader community, are welcome to attend this event if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 if over age 12. Face coverings must be worn at all times by everyone over age 2. Registration is required for contact tracing purposes.
Register in advance through this link
The bulletin for this service is below.
Princeton University Chapel, January 23, 2022, Third Sunday After the Epiphany
You are invited to rise, in body or spirit, for those parts of the service marked with an asterisk (*)
Invitatory: O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 656 and An Wasserflüssen Babylon by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Welcome and Announcements: Dean Boden
*Hymn No. 72: Here, O God, Your Servants Gather (Tokyo)
*Call to Worship: Otis Byrd, Jr.
*Invocation
Reading: Psalm 19
One: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
All: Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
One: There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
All: yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
One: In the heavens God has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong person runs its course with joy.
All: Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
One: The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple;
All: the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of God is clear, enlightening the eyes;
One: the fear of God is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of God are true and righteous altogether.
All: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
One: Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
All: But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
One: Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
All: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O God, my rock and my redeemer.
Anthem: Cantate Dominum by Giuseppe Pitoni (1657-1743) - Sing to the Lord a new song; sing God’s praise in the assembly of the faithful! Let Israel celebrate its maker; let Zion’s children rejoice in their king! Psalm 149:1-2
Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 - All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which God had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed God, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped God with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our God; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Sermon: “The Word of God for the People of God” by Dean Thames
*Hymn No. 315: O Word of God, Incarnate (Munich)
Prayers of the People: (If there are prayer requests that you would like to share, please raise your hand.)
After each petition:
One: God of love and mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Choral Response: Peace Invocation by Ruth Cunningham - Peace in each breath. Peace in my heartbeat. Peace in my kind hands. Peace in my rooted feet. Peace at the bounds of my body’s light. Peace where my soul meets the starry night. Peace of the rolling ocean. Peace of the guiding moon. Peace of the sun’s touch. Peace of the soft rain.
*Exchange of the Peace
One: The peace of God be always with you.
All:And also with you.
(The people may exchange the peace with one another.)
Offertory Sentence
Music at the Offering: O Lord, My God, to Thee by Jacques Arcadelt (c. 1505-1568) - O Lord, my God, to thee do I lift up my soul. O Lord, in thee have I trusted. Let me not be ashamed. Let not my foes triumph over me. O lead me in a plain path; cast me not off; neither forsake me. Teach me thy way, Lord, Lead me in a plain path. O hide not thy face far from me. Amen. Psalm 25:1-2, 4; 27:9, 11
*Doxology: (Sung to the tune of hymn no. 27) Lasst uns erfreuen Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise God all creatures here below, alleluia, alleluia. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
*Prayer for Princeton: O Eternal God, the source of life and light for all peoples, we pray you would endow this University with your grace and wisdom: give inspiration and understanding to those who teach and to those who learn; grant vision to its trustees and administrators; to all who work here and to all who bear her name give your guiding Spirit of sacrificial courage and loving service. Amen.
*Hymn No. 77: Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing (Sicilian Mariners)
*Benediction
Voluntary: Final from Symphony No. 2 by Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)
University Chapel Staff: The Rev. Alison L. Boden, Ph.D., Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel; The Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel; Nicole Aldrich, Director of Chapel Music and of the Chapel Choir; Eric Plutz, University Organist; Elizabeth Powers, Chapel Administrator; Otis Byrd, Jr. Seminary Intern; Edgar Gomez, Sexton; Lisa McGurr, Sexton
The University Chapel is a welcoming community of faith. We gather to sing God's praises, to hear God's living Word, to seek justice, and to proclaim God's love for all people. Every Sunday of every month the congregation is invited to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Arm in Arm. If you are interested in making a contribution toward Sunday flowers in the chapel as a memorial, please contact Liz Powers for details at 609-258-3048. The offering this morning will go to Womanspace, Inc., a nonprofit agency providing an array of services to women in crisis in the Mercer County, New Jersey area.
Calendar:
Thursday, January 27, 2022, 12:30 p.m., After Noon Concert Series - The performer will be Eric Plutz, University Organist. This performance is a virtual event only and will be available through this link https://youtu.be/Cd78CDXRJl4
Sunday, January 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m., University Chapel Service - The preacher will be Dean Boden. The guest choir will be the Central Bucks High School-West Choir.
For additional information please visit chapel.princeton.edu or call 609-258 3047.
January Preaching Schedule
January 9 - Rev. Alison L. Boden, Ph.D., Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel at Princeton University.
January 16 - Michael A. Walrond Jr., Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) in Harlem, New York - MLK, Jr. Service of Recommitment
Janaury 23 - Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel at Princeton University.
January 30 - Rev. Alison L. Boden, Ph.D., Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel at Princeton University.
