Rev. Cheifetz Shares the Word

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Friday, March 9, 2007

Montgomery Chapel

Prelude

Welcome

*Call To Worship

Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust and will not be afraid,

for the Lord God is my strength and my song: and has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation:

and in that day all of 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.

Let us worship God!

*Song God of Grace and God of Glory

Call To Confession

Prayer Of Confession

Holy and merciful God, we have sinned against you, in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with all of our heart. We have not loved others as our Saviour Christ loves us. We are truly sorry. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Assurance Of Pardon

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand. Sisters and brothers, in Christ we are forgiven!

*Passing Of The Peace

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Prayer Of Illumination

Scripture Reading Romans 5: 1-5

Communion Meditation Rev. Diana Nishita Cheifetz

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation To The Lord's Table

The Great Prayer Of Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

You are the source of all life and goodness; through your eternal Word you have created all things from the beginning and formed us in your own image. When we sinned and turned away you called us back to yourself and gave your Son to share our human nature. By his death on the cross, he made the one perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world and freed us from the bondage of sin. You raised him to life triumphant over death. Though tempted in every way as we are, yet he did not sin; so through him we may triumph over sin and grow in grace. In him you have made us a holy people. Therefore we proclaim your great and glorious name, praising you and saying:

Glory to you, Lord Christ; your death we show forth; your resurrection we proclaim.

Therefore loving God, recalling your great goodness to us in Christ, his suffering and death, his resurrection and ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we affirm this mystery of faith:

Loving God, blessing your name, we celebrate our redemption with this bread of life and this cup of salvation. Accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving which we offer through Christ our great high priest. Send your Holy Spirit that these gifts which we receive may be the body and blood of Christ, and that we, filled with the Spirit’s grace and power, may be renewed for the service of your kingdom and share all of our gifts in Christ with others. Amen.

Let us continue in prayer together.

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

Words Of Institution

*Communion Of The People

*Prayer After Communion

*Charge And Benediction

*Postlude

Participants In Worship:

Rev. Diana Nishita Cheifetz, Spiritual Director at the Lloyd Center, Preacher

Mr. Doug Hagler, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Mr. Joseph Nguyen, Musician

Ms. Kitty Lum, Chaplain's Assistant

Communion Servers:

Ms. Mi Ok Kang

Mr. Nicholas Kolivas

Mr. Jason Ku

Dr. Polly Coote

Resources: The Prayer of Confession, The Lord’s Prayer, The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving, and Communion Liturgy were adapted from The New Zealand Prayer Book, pp. 420-423.

An Extended Silence

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Montgomery Chapel

Welcome

Call To Worship

Let us worship God, our light and our salvation.

The Lord is the stronghold of our lives.

We desire to live in God’s house

and to seek God in God’s holy temple.

We have come with shouts of joy,

to sing and to make music to the Lord.

Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

Teach us your ways and make straight our paths

during this time of worship and always.

Let us worship God!

Songs

Surely God is in this place

Surely God is in this place, holy ground;

Surely God is in this place, holy ground.

Bless the Lord, My Soul

Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name.

Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.

Scripture Reading Psalm 34: 1-10

I will bless the Lord at all times; the Lord’s praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt the Lord’s name together.

I sought the Lord, and the Lord answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to the Lord, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear the Lord, and delivers them.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in the Lord.

O fear the Lord, you the Lord’s holy ones, for those who fear the Lord have no want.

The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Silence (10 minutes)

Song Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy On Me

Prayers of the People

Let us offer our petitions and praises to God. Please end your prayer with, “God, in your mercy,” or “God, in your grace,” and the community will respond,

“Hear our prayer.”

The Lord’s Prayer

Please pray in the language and style in which you are most comfortable.

*Hymn VU# 147 What Wondrous Love Is This

*Benediction

*Worshipers, please stand as you are able.

Participants In Worship

Ms. Deborah Arca Mooney, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Sam Hamilton-Poore, Musician

Mr. Joseph Dai Nguyen, Musician

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Ms. Kitty Lum, Chaplain’s Assistant

Resources:

The Call to Worship was adapted from The Worship Sourcebook, Faith Alive Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 2004; “Surely God” and “Bless the Lord,” from the Taizé Community; “Jesus Christ” by Steven Iverson from “Music for the Contemplative Journey” (DASD).

Rev. Conover Preaches

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Monday, March 5, 2007

Stewart Chapel

Prelude Wondrous Love arr. Paul Manz

Welcome

*Call To Worship

In this Lenten season the Jesus who calls us to worship

is the same Jesus who triumphed over the tragedy of the cross;

the same Jesus who gained victory for us over sin and death;

let us open our hearts to worship Jesus;

and seek to become more like Him.

Let us worship God!

*Hymn PH# 85 What Wondrous Love Is This

Call To Confession

Prayer Of Confession

Loving God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming burden of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change, and open to us a future in which we can change. And grant us grace to grow more and more into your likeness and image through Jesus, the light of the world. Amen.

Assurance Of Pardon

Hear the Good News! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us and Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace!

*Passing Of The Peace

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Prayer Of Illumination

Scripture Reading Luke 4: 1-13

Sermon “Leading Toward Resurrection” Rev. Dr. Robert Conover

*Hymn Of Affirmation PH# 87 The Glory of these Forty Days

*Benediction

*Postlude A Mighty Fortress Marcel Drupré

Participants In Worship:

Rev. Dr. Robert Conover, Preacher

Ms. Dorothy Crockett, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Dr. Daniel Hoggatt, Musician

Ms. Kitty Lum, Chaplain’s Assistant

Resources: The Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon are adapted from The Worship Sourcebook, Faith Alive Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 2004. The Call to Worship and Call to Confession are adapted from the Book of Common Worship.

Communing With Our Trustees

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Friday, Friday 9, 2007

Stewart Chapel

Prelude Prelude on "Holy, Holy, Holy" Healey Willan

Welcome

*Call To Worship

God is our light and our salvation.

The Lord is the stronghold of our lives.

Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

May the name of the Lord be praised forever.

Let us worship God.

*Song PH#138 Holy, Holy, Holy

Call To Confession

Let us confess our sins before God and one another.

Prayer Of Confession

Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you. Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your light, and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Assurance Of Pardon

Hear the good news! I declare to you that through Jesus Christ our sins have been forgiven!

*Passing Of The Peace

And since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

Song In This Very Room Ron and Cynthia Harris

Seminary Singers

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading Jeremiah 17: 7-10 and 14-18

Communion Meditation Dr. Audrey Yamagata-Noji

Commissioning Of VP Of Finance/Admin Ms. Barbara Brenner Buder

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

May God be with you.

And also with you.

Beloved of God, lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the One who knows us and loves us.

Beloved of God, give thanks to the Lord our God.

Our praise is continually offered to our Hope, our Trust, our God.

In that time when there was only You, you walked in the midst of chaos, shaping all that is good and beautiful. In that place where there was only your Love, You stretched out your hands scooping up the dirt off earth’s floors, shaping us in your image, breathing Spirit into our lungs. In that silence where there was only your Hope, you called us to be your people, God of Glory.

But the world sang of its seduction, sin called us to follow its despair, death blinded us to the life you offered. And so, we turned away, pouting and stamping our feet wanting our own way.

But you would not pay attention to our foolish tantrums, nor would you leave us in the grasp of death and sin, trusting that if we encountered the grace wrapped in your holiness, we would turn to you in joy.

And so, believing that you have reached out and called us to service with you, and touched our lips with songs of hope, we join our voices with those who, in every time and place, sing of your ways forever:

Holy are you, Sanctuary of our Hearts, and blessed is Jesus Christ, Word of joyous grace. In that time when we had lost our way, he called to us, so we could follow him into your joy; in that time when all hope had died, he touched our souls with the fire of your love; in that time when death’s cold grip wrapped tightly around our hearts, he came to surround us with your life. While we cannot understand the mysteries of your holiness and grace, when we are called to Christ’s side we can only cry, “Here we are; we will follow” even as we hope for that faith which was his. Great is the mystery of faith:

In this time of silence, Spirit of God, may this bread which is broken, become our wholeness. In this time of grace, may this cup which is poured touch our lips with healing. In this time when we feel the brush of your fingertips caressing us, may we believe that your justice and peace are to be shared with all people; that our hearts can bear the burdens of others; that we may bring joy to the lonely and hurting. Make us compassionate people, who have a passion for your justice. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory are yours, Great God, our Hope, our peace, now and forever. Amen.

Sung Lord’s Prayer (attached)

Words of Institution

*Distribution of the Elements

*Concluding Prayer

*Benediction

Commissioning Vows

Do you, as the new Vice President for Administration and Finance of San Francisco Theological Seminary, place your trust in God the Holy Spirit as you commit yourself to manage and direct the financial, human, and tangible resources of the seminary towards our common mission of preparing whole leaders for the whole church?

Do we, the Trustees, Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Students of San Francisco Theological Seminary pledge to pray for Barbara, to respect and honor her leadership, and to work alongside her as colleagues in furthering the seminary’s stated mission?

Prayer

Participants In Worship:

Dr. Audrey Yamagata-Noji, Preacher

Mr. Don Hammond, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Dr. Daniel Hoggatt, Musician

Ms. Kitty Lum, Chaplain's Assistant

Communion Servers:

Rev. Dr. Dave Tomlinson, VP, Southern California

Rev. Dr. Don Oliver, Trustee

Ms. Dottie Moss, Trustee

Mr. Nick Kolivas, Junior

Ms. Karen Wells, Junior

Resources:

The Call To Worship, Prayer Of Confession And Assurance of Pardon were adapted from The Worship Sourcebook, Faith Alive Christian Resources, Grand Rapids, MI, 2004. The Communion Liturgy is from Lectionary Liturgies, blogspot.com.

Deep in Prayer

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Montgomery Chapel

Welcome

*Call To Worship

Eternal God, you who loved us and set us free from our sins,

who loves us still with that love that will not let us go,

and who will love us forever,

you call us to worship you as the only true lover of our souls.

God stoops to receive the love of our poor hearts.

God calls us to remember the depth of God’s love for us in Christ.

God seeks our love!

Let us worship God!

*Hymn Renew #9 As the Deer

Scripture Reading Psalm 42: 1-8

As a deer seeks flowing waters,

weary from the chase,

so my soul, O God, is thirsting

to behold your face.

(Silence)

You command my steadfast love,

in you my soul may quiet be;

you, my rock, my help, my refuge,

set my spirit free.

(Silence)

Day and night I cry, my heart is breaking,

tears my only food;

while my enemies jeer and taunt me saying:

“Where is now your God?”

(Silence)

Why am I so sad, so troubled; why must

suffering be so long?

I will hope in you, my God and saviour,

praise you with a song.

Sung Response Renew #9(vs. 1) As the Deer

Scripture Reading Psalm 42: 1-8 (In Korean)

Sung Response Renew# 90 Spirit of the Living God

Prayers Of The People

Let us offer our petitions and praises to God. Please end your prayer with, “God, in your mercy,” or “God, in your grace,” and the community will respond, “Hear our prayer.”

The Lord’s Prayer

Please pray in the language and style in which you are most comfortable.

*Hymn (attached) Why So Downcast, O My Soul?

*Benediction

Participants In Worship:

Mr. Nick Valedez, Liturgist

Ms. Mi Ok Kang, Liturgist

Dr. Daniel Hoggatt, Musician

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Ms. Kitty Lum, Chaplain’s Assistant

Resources:

The Call to Worship was adapted from The Worship Sourcebook, Faith Alive Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 2004.

Dr. Liebert Converts our Hearts

Morning Worship

San Francisco Theological Seminary

Monday, February 5, 2007

Stewart Chapel

* Please stand, as you are able

Prelude This Endrys Night George Oldroyd

Welcome

Call To Worship

In Christ, the God of heaven has made a home on earth.

Christ dwells among us and is one with us.

Highest of all creation, he lives among the least.

He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary.

Come now, all who thirst,

And drink the water of life.

Come now, all who hunger,

and be filled with good things.

Come now, all who seek,

and be warmed by the fire of love.

Hymn PH 479 Praise my Soul, the God of Heaven

Call to Confession

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In humility and faith, let us confess our sin to God.

Prayer of Confession

We confess, O Creator God, that we have abused your gifts through arrogance, ignorance, and greed. We risk permanent damage to your handiwork. We impoverish creation’s ability to praise you as we simultaneously take needed resources from our brothers and sisters. We silence the voices of our fellow creatures, as they too give you praise and adoration. We confess, Redeeming God, that we are often unaware of how deeply we have hurt you, each other, and your creation, which you declared good. In sorrow for what we have done, we offer our repentance. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the Good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that we are forgiven and be at peace.

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture Reading Isaiah 57: 14-21

Sermon “Conversion of Heart” Dr. Elizabeth Liebert

Hymn of Affirmation PH 261 God of Compassion

*Benediction

*Passing of the Peace

Postlude Hyrfydol Mr. Robert Coleman

Participants in Worship:

Dr. Elizabeth Liebert, Preacher

Mr. Peter Barnes-Davies, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Dr. Daniel Hoggatt, Musician

Ms. Kitty Lum, Chaplain’s Assistant

Resources:

The liturgy is from The Worship Sourcebook, Faith Alive Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 2004.

Children Centre Worships With Us

Morning Worship

San Francisco theological Seminary

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Stewart Chapel

Welcome

Lighting Of The Advent Candles

Light first candle

Reader 1: We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Jesus Christ.

Advent means coming. We are preparing ourselves for the days when the nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light second candle

Reader 2: The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light third candle

Leader 3: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light fourth candle

Reader 4: The Lord will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel, God with us.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light Christ candle

Reader 5: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.

People: Let us walk in the light of the Lord.

*Songs

Children’s Christmas Story God Gave Us Christmas

*Song

Scripture Reading Luke 2: 1-14

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Song #25 Away In a Manger

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

*Song #23 Angels We Have Heard on High

Peoples Prayers Of Praise And Petition

We will now offer our prayers of praise and petition to God. Please end your prayers with the words, "O Loving God" and the community will respond, "Hear our prayers."

*Closing Song

*Benediction

Participants In Worship:

Ms. Debora Arca Mooney, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Dr. Daniel Hoggatt, Musician

Ms. Kitty Lum, Senior, Chaplain's Assistant

Readers

Ms. Dorothy Crockett

Ms. Heidi Skidmore

Ms. Erin Musolf

Mr. Andrew Hoeksema,

Ms. Talitha Phillips