Kyle Keogh
Opening the153rd Assembly
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Presider
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
Preacher
Laurie Branch
Reader
The Chautauqua Choir
Sonya Subbayya Sutton
Director & Organist
Owen Reyda
Organist
Opening of the 153rd Assembly Followed by 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.
Prelude
Prelude and Fugue, BWV 541
J.S. Bach, c. 1712
Three Taps of the Gavel
“Summer of Gratitude”
Kyle Keogh
Interim Chief Executive of Chautauqua Institution
Welcome & Announcements
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton
Call to Worship*
One: Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters!
All: You, who have no money, come, buy food and eat!
One: Come, buy wine and milk, without money, without price.
All: Why do you spend your money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?
One: Listen, listen to me: eat what is good, and you will delight yourselves
All: Incline your ear and come to me; listen, so that you may live.
One: I will make an everlasting covenant with you, in fulfillment of the blessings promised to David.
All: Behold, I have made you to be a witness to the peoples, a leader among the nations.
One: Thus says the Holy One, “Seek me, the Lord, while I may still be found.
All: Call upon me while I am near!
One: Let us worship God
Isaiah 55:1-3,6
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
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and 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
John 4:14
Hear these words from Holy Scripture: "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Believe this good news and live in peace.
The Passing of The Peace
May the peace of God be always with you.
And also with you.
You are invited to greet your neighbor saying, “Peace be with you.”
Anthem
“Wait on the Lord”
Rosephanye Powell, 1997
Wait on the Lord, be Strong and of good Courage. They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Prayers of the People
Vinita Hampton Wright
God of all time, help us enter this new Chautauqua season quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the summer season reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls,
help us enter this season joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love,
and may you grace us with your peace in the weeks ahead.
Chautauqua Family Milestones
And now, most loving God and Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer; those known to us in our Chautauqua community who have died since we opened the 152nd Assembly one year ago. Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will:
The Prayers
Chautauqua Family Milestones
Taps
David Butterfield, 1862
In July of 1862 during the “Peninsula Campaign” in Virginia, one of the simplest, yet most poignantly recognizable melodies in the world, the military bugle tribute known as “Taps,” was first played by Union soldier Oliver Wilcox Norton, who grew up in Sherman, New York. It was written by Norton’s commanding officer, David Butterfield of the 83rd Pennsylvania Regiment out of Erie; during the Civil War this regiment suffered the second largest number of casualties of any regiment in the Union Army. Norton Memorial Hall on our grounds was dedicated on July 13, 1929, a gift from Oliver’s wife Lucy Coit Fanning Norton in memory of her husband and their daughter Ruth.
Let us now in the language of your heart pray the prayer that Jesus taught:
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.
Invitation to the Offering
Offeratory Anthem
“O Come, Let Us Sing unto The Lord"
Emma Lou Diemer, 1961
O come, let us sing unto the Lord; Let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; and show ourselves glad in Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God; And a great King above all gods. In His hand are all the corners of the earth; And the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His and He made it; His hands prepared the dry land. O come, let us worship and fall down and come, let us kneel before the lord our Maker. For He is the Lord our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; Let the whole earth stand in ave of Him. For He cometh to judge the earth; And with righteousness to judge the world, And the peoples with His truth. (Adapted from Psalms 95 and 96)
Presentation of the Offering & Doxology
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 by visiting https://giving.chq.org/religion.
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
Esther 4: 10-17
Laurie Branch, Reader
Esther sent this message for Mordecai: “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if anyone approaches the king inside the inner court without being summoned, there is but one law: to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone may that person live. I myself have not been summoned to speak to the the king for thirty days.”
When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, Mordecai told them to reply to her, “Don’t fool yourself into thinking that just because you are in the king’s palace, you will be the only Jewish person to escape. If you insist on remaining silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to our people through another source, but you and your father’s family will surely perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for such a time as this.”
Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, “Go, bring together all the Jewish people in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf. Do not eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my servants will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king in defiance of the law, and if I die, I die.”
Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon
"For a Time Such as This"
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Hymn*
“There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place”
Doris Akers, 1962
There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place
And I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord
There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord
Refrain:
Sweet holy spirit, sweet heavenly dove
Stay right here with us filling us with your love
And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place
Verse 2
There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know him in his fullness, and believe, You’re the one to profit when you say,
“I am going to walk with Jesus all the way.” Refrain
Verse 3
If you say he saved you from your sin,
Now you’re weak, you’re bound, and cannot enter in, You can make it right if you will yield;
You’ll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel. Refrain
Blessing and Dismissal
The blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus Christ born of Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God!
Postlude
Toccata, Symphony No. 5
Charles-Marie Widor, 1879
You are invited to remain seated for the postlude.
Flower Dedications
The flowers on the stage are given …
… in loving memory of Chautauqua’s Fifteenth President Daniel Lindsay Bratton by Thomas Martin Becker and Jane Cleaver Becker.
… in loving memory of Lewis and Janet Briggs, Hubert and Virginia Morrison and Matthew Briggs by their daughter, son and father, Nancy and David Briggs.
… in loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Albert Hayes Sharpe, Mr. and Mrs. George Martin Trefts III, and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sharpe Trefts by The Albert Sharpe Trefts Family.
… in loving memory of Ethel Paris and Theodore Albert Viehe.
... in loving memory of my husband Sherwood VanDewark, parents Bradley D. and Shirley V. Steiger and brother CMSgt. Leigh D. Steiger, USAF, Retired, by Lissa S. VanDewark
... by the Members of the Episcopal Cottage
Weekday Morning Worship at 9:15 A.M.
Amphitheater, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Support for this week’s chaplaincy and preaching is provided by Week One Presenting Sponsor Erie Insurance. This program is also made possible by the Gladys R. Brasted and Adair Brasted Gould Memorial Chaplaincy
Monday, June 29 – Where You Go I Will Go
Tuesday, June 30 – Even the Dogs eat the Crumbs from the Master's Table
Wednesday, July 1 – Lord, Tell My Sister to Help Me
Thursday, July 2 – Chaplain's Faith Journey *at the Hall of Philosophy
Friday, July 3 – Communion service *at the Hall of Philosophy
Happening Today
4:30 p.m. Children's Worship (Ages 3–Grade 6)
Hall of Philosphy Grove - in the case of rain, Hall of Christ
5:15 p.m. Blessing of the Animals
Hall of Philosphy Grove - Weather permitting
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: Listening
Amphitheater
Interfaith Lectures at 2 P.M.
Hall of Philosophy, Women of Spirit
Monday, June 29 – Diana Butler Bass
Tuesday, June 30 – Diana Butler Bass and Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde
Wednesday, July 1 – Susannah Heschel
Thursday, July 2 – Yolanda Pierce
Wednesday Organ Concert at 12:15 P.M.
Amphitheater, Molly Patrick, organist
Join the Chautauqua Choir
Thu 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Fletcher Hall
Fri 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Fletcher Hall
Sat 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Fletcher Hall
Do you love to sing? Do you have some choral singing experience? We invite you to join us and sing on Sundays with the Chautauqua Choir, whether for one service or the whole season. You must attend at least one out of three weekly rehearsals (though attending more rehearsals are preferred). We ask that you plan to sing both Sunday Morning and Sunday Evening services when possible.
Questions can be directed to choir@chq.org or by calling the choir library at 716-357-6321.
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 716-3576321 to schedule an audition for the 2026 Summer Season.
Chautauqua Family Milestones
The following are some of the Chautauquans who have died since we opened the 152rd Assembly on June 22, 2025.
Philip R. Aley
Mary F. Anzalone
Jack Bailey
Don Bernstein
Ann Margaret Boyle
Ann T. Childs
Joan Reed Clouse
Mary Reed Cochran
Sally Conrad
John Crowley
Charlotte Davidso
Denise D. Davis
Erroll Davis
Marion Dean Mercer
Harry H. Deischer
Frank DeVilling II
Case Foster
Maritri Garrett
Robert Anthony Gierszal
Toni L. Goldfarb
Jane Goodall
Ed Hann
JoElyn Shideler
David W. Hoffman
Rebecca Lou Holland
John W. Hoyt
John Hubbard Harris
William North Jackson
Gretchen Linder
Jahrling Alfred E. Jones
Darlene Kane Heron
Kathy Kennedy
David Klahr
Chuck Korte
Sid Lyons
John Anderson Ross MacKenzie
Diane Martin
Marlene J. Martin
Jack McCredie
John McLelland
Alyce C. Mills
Samuel Milton Hazlett III M.D.
Gina B. Moran
Paula J. Odemool
Irvin Hale Oliver
John W. Paeplow
Richard G. Pedersen
Steven S. Piper
Robin Radin
Betty Jean Ramsey
Deenie Rassas Schlosser
Stella Rimington
Edith Smolinski
Eleanor Jane Stirniman
Mary S. Tolerton
Victoria L. Trefts
Sherwood VanDewark
Rita H. Vanderveer
Christine White
Jane M. Wilcox
Chautauqua Institution
Department of Religion
Robert Wilson-Black
Director of Religion
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Senior Pastor
Sonya Subbaya Sutton
Interim Director of Sacred Music
Carolyn Snider
Administrative Assistant
Owen Reyda
Organ Scholar
Alicen Roberts
Religion Intern