The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Presider
The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
Preacher
Amy Gardner
Reader
The Trinity Choir
Bryan T. Johnson
Director
The Chautauqua Choir
Joshua Stafford
Director & Organist
Rees Taylor Roberts
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.
Welcome & Announcements
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton
Choral Introit
“This little light of mine”
The Trinity Choir
Call to Worship*
Psalm 103:1–5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy Name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all the gifts of God.
O God, you forgive all our sins.
You heal all our diseases.
You redeem our life from the grave.
You crown us with mercy and loving-kindness.
You satisfy us with good things,
and our youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
And all that is within me, bless God’s holy Name!
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.
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
Howard Thurman
Howard Thurman (1899–1981) was an American author, philosopher, theologian, mystic, educator and civil rights leaders. He played a leading role in many social justice movements and organizations of the twentieth century. He was a mentor to many in the civil rights movement including Martin Luther King, Jr.
Open unto me, light for my darkness.
Open unto me, courage for my fear.
Open unto me, hope for my despair.
Open unto me, peace for my turmoil.
Open unto me, joy for my sorrow.
Open unto me, strength for my weakness.
Open unto me, wisdom for my confusion.
Open unto me, forgiveness for my sins.
Open unto me, love for my hates.
Open unto me, thy Self for my self.
Lord, Lord, open unto me. Amen.
Anthem
Every Praise
John David Bratton & Hezekiah Walker 2013
Every praise is to our God
Every word of worship, with one accord
Every praise, every praise
Is to our God
Sing hallelujah to our God
Glory hallelujah is due our God
Every praise, every praise
Is to our God
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 the Body of Christ 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 transitions if life, 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.
Anthem
Mighty Good God
The Trinity Choir
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory Anthem
Total Praise
Richard Smallwood, 1996
Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace, You give me in time of the storm
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you
Amen.
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
Ezra 3:10‒13
When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the LORD with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,
“For God is good,
whose steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”
And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of God had been laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Rev Dr. Otis Moss III
"The Blue Note Gospel"
Hymn*
“O for a thousand tongues”
Azmon, Carl Gotthelf Gläser, 1828
Charles Wesley, 1739
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my dear Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of God's grace!
The name of Jesus charms our fears,
and bids our sorrows cease,
sings music in the sinner's ears,
brings life, and health, and peace.
Christ speaks, and listening to his voice
new life the dead receive;
the mournful waken to rejoice;
the poor in heart believe.
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the church in earth and heaven.
Blessing & Dismissal
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage, hold fast to 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.
Amen.
Let us go forth, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!
Thanks be to God!
Postlude
Toccato from Suite for Organ
Florence Price, 1942
You are invited to remain seated for the postlude.
Support for this week’s chaplaincy and preaching is provided by The Gladys R. Brasted and Adair Brasted Gould Memorial Chaplaincy and The Daney-Holden Chaplaincy Fund.
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
5 p.m. Blessing of the Animals • Miller Park (weather permitting)
7 p.m. Palestine Park Tour • Near Miller Bell Tower (weather permitting)
Sponsored by The Reverend Noel A. Calhoun, Jr., D.D. Fund
8 p.m. Sacred Song Service featuring The Trinity Choir • Amphitheater
WEEKDAY MORNING WORSHIP AT 9:15 A.M.
Amphitheater, The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
Monday, Aug. 19 • Stay Rooted: Spiritual Lessons From a Tree
Tuesday, Aug. 20 • An Open Letter to an Unloving Church
Wednesday, Aug. 21 • Living Between Church Hurt and God’s Promise
Thursday, Aug. 22 • Learning to Walk in the Dark
Friday, Aug. 23 • From Miseducation to Liberation
INTERFAITH LECTURES AT 2 P.M.
Hall of Philosophy, All Rise: Save Us and Look Beyond
Monday, Aug. 19 • Miroslav Volf
Tuesday, Aug. 20 • Sherman A. Jackson
Wednesday, Aug. 21 • Rabbi Mira Rivera
Thursday, Aug. 22 • Ken Chitwood
Friday, Aug. 23 • Kerry Alys Robinson
JOIN THE CHAUTAUQUA CHOIR
Thursday 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Smith Wilkes Hall
Friday 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Lenna Hall
Saturday 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 our parents, Bradley D. and Shirley V. Steiger and our brother CMSgt. Leigh D. Steiger, USAF, Retired, by Lissa S. VanDewark and Lauren Steiger Hess.
WALKING THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
May 21–30, 2025, The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Join Bishop Eugene Sutton on an unforgettable week on The Camino de Santiago, a powerful way to reconnect to simple pleasures and reconnect to the joy of journeying. One of the most important Christian pilgrimage routes during the Middle Ages, the Camino de Santiago (or St. James’ Way) has endured for centuries as a “bucket-list” journey for those seeking a deeper spiritual connection, either religious or personal. Traveling paths traversed by pilgrims for one thousand years provides a shared connection and sense of purpose not often experienced in the modern world. Chautauqua’s senior pastor, Bishop Sutton will provide daily reflections to help enrich your experience. Spain’s mighty Basque region unfurls through picturesque mountains and ancient villages, where nature and history are revered, and local wine and cuisine are cherished.
- Enrich your journey with daily reflections and meditations with Bishop Eugene Sutton, Chautauqua’s senior pastor.
- Explore the storied cities along the Camino, including Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León, and Santiago.
- Walk the iconic pilgrimage route, traversing pastoral landscapes and ancient villages, concluding at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the culmination of the Camino, and considered the burial place for the remains of James the Apostle.
- Spend two nights in an eighteenth-century convent that has been reimagined as a four-star hotel, footsteps from the Cathedral de Santiago.
- Indulge in authentic Galician flavors like slow-roasted lamb, fresh-out-of-the-water octopus, and world-renowned locally produced varietals as you dine in family-owned restaurants, drink from the iconic wine fountain, and enjoy recipes and culinary traditions that have been passed from generation to generation
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
Rees Taylor Roberts
Organ Scholar
Owen Reyda
Organ Scholar
Carolyn Snider
Administrative Assistant
Annie Leech
Student Minister