The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Presider

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
Preacher

Shannon Rozner
Reader

The Chautauqua Choir

Joshua Stafford
Director & Organist

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

We invite you to quietly prepare your hearts for worship during the Prelude.* Denotes that the congregation is invited to rise in body or spirit.It is our custom to sing the first and last verses of hymns in unison;the interior verses may be sung in parts.

HAPPENING TODAY

10:15 a.m. Sunday School (Ages 3–Grade 6) Children’s School

12:15 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass Hall of Philosophy

4 p.m. Blessing of the Animals Miller Park

7 p.m. Palestine Park Tour Near Miller Bell Tower Sponsored by The Reverend Noel A. Calhoun, Jr., D.D. Fund

8 p.m. Sacred Song Service: Sacred Synthesis Amphitheater

Prelude

Psalm 75 

Emma Lou Diemer, 1993 

Welcome & Announcements

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton

Call to Worship*

Isaiah 12:2–6

Surely, it is God who saves me;
I will trust and will not be afraid.

For the Lord God is my stronghold and my song,
and has become my Savior.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation,
and in that day you will say:

Give thanks and call upon the name of the Lord.
Make known among the nations what the Lord has done;
proclaim that the name of the Lord is exalted.

Sing praises, for the Lord has done great things;
let this be known in all the earth!

Shout, and sing for joy, O people of God,
for great in our midst is the Holy One!

Hymn*

“Holy, holy holy!” 

Nicæa, John Bacchus Dykes, 1861
Reginald Heber, 1827, alt.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty;
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea!
Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea!
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty;
God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Amen.

Canticle of Blessings

Blessed be God our Creator, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens!

Before the world began, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless and to be full of love.

God destined us through Christ Jesus to be adopted children — such was God’s pleasure and will — that everyone might praise the glory of God’s grace which was freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

We keep this in mind: if we plant sparingly, we will reap sparingly, but if we plant bountifully, we will reap bountifully.

Each of us must give according to what we have inwardly discerned — not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

God is able to provide us with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, we may share abundantly in every good work.

I implore all of you: have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble mind.

“Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing.” It is for this that we were called – that we might become a blessing to all! 

Prayer of Confession

My friends, we are not always the community God wants us to be, nor whom we aspire to be. We miss the mark; we fall short of the glory of God. Let us confess our wrongdoings before the Holy One and each other:

Gracious God, we have not loved You with our whole heart, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

We’ve been too easily seduced by easy answers, half-truths and false judgments. We have failed to seek Your truth, and to love one another as you have commanded.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

We’ve ignored the cries of the poor, the groans of a hurting world, and been indifferent to the exploitation of peoples.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done; for the evil that enslaves us, and for the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ,

That we may abide in your love, and serve only your will. Amen.

Words of Forgiveness

Anthem

“Do not be afraid” 

Philip Stopford, 2010
Gerard Markland, 1978

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; you are mine.When you walk through the waters, I’ll be with you; you will never sink beneath the waves.When the fire is burning all around you, you will never be consumed by the flames. When the fear of loneliness is looming, then remember I am at your side. When you dwell in the exile of a stranger, remember you are precious in my eyes. You are mine, O my child. I am your Father, and I love you with a perfect love.

Prayers of the People

In peace, let us now offer our prayers to God for ourselves, this community, and the world, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”

For your church around the world, that in unity it may be filled with truth and love in spreading the good news of God to everyone, we pray to you, O Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this nation and the world, and those who govern in them, that they may know and have the strength to do what is right, we pray to you, O Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who struggle with their faith, that they be given the assurance of your love and mercy, we pray to you, O Lord. 

Lord, have mercy.

For those in the midst of life transitions, that they may be guided by your Holy Spirit and supported by their circles of family and friends, we pray to you, O Lord. 

Lord, have mercy.

For those who are sick, grieving, lonely, and anxious, that they may be comforted and healed, we pray to you, O Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For all others in need of our prayers, whom we remember now, either silently or aloud...

You may offer your own prayers at this time.

We pray to you, O Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Merciful God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, now and forever. Amen.

The Prayer That Jesus Taught

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, forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn

“Great is thy faithfulness” 

Faithfulness, William Marion Runyan, 1923
Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923

1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not. 
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
(Refrain)

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
(Refrain)

Invitation to the Offering

Offertory Anthem

“The God who gave us life”

The Testament of Freedom, Randall Thompson, 1943
Thomas Jefferson, 1774

The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy but cannot disjoin them. 

Presentation of the Offering

Our Sunday offering supports not only the ministry of Chautauqua Institution’s Department of Religion, but also a tithe of your contribution is directed to organizations that meet the urgent needs of our neighbors in Chautauqua County. We thank you for your generosity! Gifts and offerings may be made by check payable to the Department of Religion, or you may donate online at giving.chq.org/religion.

Doxology

Old 100th

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; 
Praise Christ, all creatures here below; 
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; 
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

Reading From Scripture

Galatians 1:13–24 
Shannon Rozner, Reader

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when the one who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with any human, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterward I returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days, but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

Sermon

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

The Declaration of Independence: We are Free from Grandma’s Context

Support for this week’s chaplaincy and preaching is provided by The Geraldine M. and Frank E. McElree, Jr. Chaplaincy Fund. 

Hymn

“Praise, my soul, the God of heaven” 

Lauda Anima, John Goss, 1869
Henry Francis Lyte, 1834; 
adapt. Ecumenical Women’s Center, 1974

1 Praise, my soul, the God of heaven;
glad of heart your carols raise;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who, like me, should sing God's praise?
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the Maker all your days!

2 Praise God for the grace and favor
shown our forebears in distress;
God is still the same forever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing our Maker's faithfulness!

3 Like a loving parent caring,
God knows well our feeble frame,
gladly all our burdens bearing,
still to countless years the same.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
All within me, praise God's name!

4 Angels, teach us adoration;
you behold God face to face.
Sun and moon and all creation,
dwellers all in time and space:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!

Blessing & Dismissal

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage, hold fast that which is good, render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of the almighty Creator, Redeemer and Breath of Life be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

Let us go forth in the power of the Spirit. Thanks be to God! 

Postlude

Toccata from Suite No. 1 for Organ 

Florence Price, 1942

You are invited to remain seated for the postlude.

WEEKDAY MORNING WORSHIP AT 9:15 A.M.
Amphitheater, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

Mon 7/1 Declaration of Independence (DI): We Are Free from Peer Reviews
Tues 7/2 DI: We Are Free from Other People’s Stuff
Wed 7/3 DI: We Are Free from the Errors of Our Religion
Thu 7/4 DI: We Are Free to Love
Fri 7/5 DI: We Are Free to Be A New Creation

INTERFAITH LECTURES AT 2 P.M.
Hall of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Imagination with Science, Technology, and AI

Mon 7/1 Nicholas Carr
Tues 7/2 Margarita Guillory
Wed 7/3 Sigal Samue
Thu 7/4 Sylvester A. Johnson
Fri 7/5 Matthew B. Crawford

WEDNESDAY ORGAN CONCERT AT 12:15 P.M.
Amphitheater, Joshua Stafford, organist

JOIN THE CHAUTAUQUA CHOIR
Thu 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Smith Wilkes Hall
Fri 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Fletcher Hall
Sat 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Lenna Hall

We invite you to join us and sing with the Chautauqua Choir this season. This group is open to anyone who has experience singing in choirs and the ability to read music, and requires members to attend at least one out of three weekly rehearsals, though two or more rehearsals are preferred. Our preference is for members to sing both Sunday Morning and Sunday Evening services, though it is possible to sing only one. Questions can be directed to choir@chq.org or by calling the choir library at 716-357-6321. Click here to register ahead of rehearsals.

JOIN THE MOTET CHOIR

The Motet Choir, which leads our weekday worship services, comprises experienced auditioned singers who rehearse and perform a variety of works from the rich heritage of sacred choral music of the past and a diversity of styles from the present. Singers must have a background of choral singing experience with excellent vocal quality and sight-reading ability. Members of the Motet Choir are compensated in the form of a gate pass for the weeks that they sing in the choir. Interested singers should email choir@chq.org or call the choir library at 716-357-6321 to schedule an audition for the 2025 summer season

FLOWER DEDICATIONS

The flowers on the stage are given …

… in loving memory of Clyde, Margaret and Jeffrey Simpson by Sylvia Faust. 

… in loving memory of Katherine King Karslake, Frank Gookin Karslake, Phillip Arthur Karslake, Donald King Karslake, Joan Karslake Beuchamp and Gerald Bulley White by their family. 

… in loving memory of Helen and Paul Sample, their daughter Tilda Klaus and Bob Munroe, Bill Hill, Dick Miller, George Reading, Auntie Beck Lytle and Chuck Lytle by their families. 

… in loving memory of Mary L. Woodworth, Betty Woodworth Pickens, Richard W. Pickens, Mayre Pickens Springer, grandmother, mother, father and sister of Patricia Canup and Francie Pickens Oliver.

CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
Department of Religion

Melissa Spas
Vice President of Religion

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Senior Pastor

Rafia Khader
Director of Religion Programs

Joshua Stafford
Director of Sacred Music & The Jared Jacobsen Chair Organist

Carolyn Snider
Administrative Assistant

Annie Leech
Student Minister