T^a ■m. i \\crsc.'nn&r- :r^ txintm of JEorsbtp got ^testotrarg gaastv* Prepared by MABEL GARDNER KERSCHNER 1922 Woman’s Missionary Society of the Reformed Church in the U. S., Carrie M. Kerschner, Reformed Church Building, 15th and Race Sts., Philadelphia, Pa., and W. M. S., 14 Remmele Block, Tiffin, Ohio. Price 10c. caeh. FOREWORD The purpose of the missionary program of the Church is the building with God of a world civilization, based on the brotherhood of man. In order that our share of this co-operative building may be effectively done, it is necessary that we develop certain Christian attitudes. Recognizing that such attitudes as Loyalty, Faith, Rev¬ erence, Joy, Service, Gratitude and Good-will are among those most fundamental, we have used them as themes in the arranging of these Services of Worship. Care has been taken to make the Services well-bal¬ anced, but when necessary the Service may be shortened by the omission of one of the hymns, and either the Re¬ sponsive Reading or the Scripture Lesson. Throughout the hymns and Responsive Readings have been chosen from the new Reformed Church Hymnal. However, in every instance, the name of the hymn and the number of the Psalm has been noted, so that those not supplied with this particular hymnal might not be handicapped in the use of the Services. A sentence, summarizing the wor¬ ship experience of the day, follows immediately the Scrip¬ ture Lesson, and it is intended that the leader read it at that point in the service. Quiet music has been suggested as helpful in the de¬ velopment of a worshipful atmosphere. Selections such as Largo {Handel), Traumerei {Schumann), Inter-mezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana {Mascagni) or one of the de¬ votional hymns, are recommended as ideal for this pur¬ pose. As further aids, the names of pictures which are ap¬ propriate, and suitable for mounting, have been appended to each Service of Worship. These may be secured from 4 SERVICES OF WORSHIP the Perry Picture Company, Malden, Mass., for two cents each in quantities of fifteen or more. In the use of these Services it should be borne in mind that they are not suitable for all ages. Inasmuch as they are prepared for Young People and Adults, care should be taken to restrict their use to these groups. Mabel Gardner Kerschner. Philadelphia, Penna., May 15, 1922. FOR MISSIONARY SOCIETIES 5 JANUARY. Theme: LOYALTY TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Quiet music on the piano. Invocation—Our Father God, we beseech Thee that more and more we may consecrate our talents to the work of the Kingdom. In all our strivings and struggles may we be faithful even unto death. Hymn—‘‘Faith of our fathers.” No. 607 (V. 1, 3, 4). Responsive Reading—Selection 3 (Psalm 24). Hymn—“Lead on, O King Eternal.” No. 403. Scripture Lesson—Matt. 25:14-30. “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58. *Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“O Jesus, I have promised.” No. 389 (V. 1, 2, 3). Picture—“Diana or Christ.” Perry Picture No. 3290. *The leader may offer her own prayer, or she may use the one in the Prayer Calendar, reading it herself or calling upon the Society to repeat it in unison. G SERVICES OF WORSHIP FEBRUARY. Theme: LOYALTY TO COUNTRY. Quiet Music. Invocation—0 Thou great ruler of commonwealths, may our land be so permeated with Thy spirit of love and justice that all her people may come to dwell together in friendly fellowship and warm allegiance. Hymn—“0 God, our help in ages past.” No. 91 (V. 1, 2, 5). Responsive Reading—Selection 23 (Psalm 85). Hymn—“God bless our native land.” No. 586 (V. 1, 2). Scripture Lesson—Romans 13:1-10. “Render, therefore, unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”— Matt. 22:21. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“America the beautiful.” No. 592 (Tune 593). Pictures—“Washington.” Perry Picture No. 112. “Lincoln.” Perry Picture No. 125. FOR MISSIONARY SOCIETIES 7 MARCH. Theme: FAITH IN GOD. Quiet Music. Invocation—Thou Infinite Spirit, grant us a deeper faith in Thy power incarnate in the world. May we worship Thy wisdom, adore Thy justice, be gladdened by Thy love, and blessed by our communion with Thee. Hymn—“O worship the King.” No. 58 (V. I, 5, 6). Repeat in unison Psalm 23. Hymn—“God is love.” No. 83 (V. 1, 2, 3). Scripture Lesson—Matt. 6:25-34. “Not my will, but Thine be done.”—Luke 22:42. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“He leadeth me.” No. 632 (V. 1, 2, 3). Picture—“Christ in Gethsemane.” Perry Picture No. 798E. s SERVICES OF WORSHIP APRIL. Theme: FAITH IN MANKIND. Quiet Music. Invocation—0 Thou, Father of love, we beseech Thee to kindle our smouldering affections so that we may have a deepened regard for all Thy children. May none of us esteem herself more highly than she ought, but glory rather that all men are the sons of God and heirs of Thine unfolding goodness. Hymn—“When thy heart with joy o’er-flowing.” No. 470. Read in unison Selection 62 (1 Cor. 13). Hymn—“Lord, speak to me.” No. 476 (V. 1, 4, 5, 6). Scripture Lesson—Luke 19:1-10. “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” —1 John 4:11. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“O brother man.” No. 469 (Tune 235). Picture—“Christ and the Fishermen.” Perry Picture No. 110. (Depicting Christ’s faith in the humble fishermen). FOR MISSIONARY SOCIETIES 9 MAY Theme: REVERENCE FOR GOD’S WORLD OF NATURE Quiet Music. Invocation—O Thou, whose works do praise Thee, we thank Thee for the world in which we live. We thank Thee for every sacrament of beauty and every sym¬ bol of Thy love that enriches our lives. May we ever reverence the true, the beautiful and the good, and worthily handle the great treasures with which Thou hast so freely surrounded us. Hymn—“For the beauty of the earth.” No. 65 (Tune 119). Responsive Reading—Selection 2 (Psalm 19). Hymn—“God moves in a mysterious way.” No. 97 (Tune 241). Scripture Lesson—Gen. 1-2:3. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.”— Psalm 24:1. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“Fairest Lord Jesus.” No. 211. Pictures—“Spring.” Perry Pictures No. 484. “Avenue of Trees.” No. 752. “Song of the Lark.” No. 575. “End of Day.” No. 586. 10 SERVICES OF WORSHIP JUNE. Theme: REVERENCE FOR GOD’S WORLD OF MEN (particularly children) Quiet Music. Invocation—O Thou, common Father of mankind, help us to realize daily that it is Thy will that not one of Thy little ones should perish. And, as we recognize the infinite worth in all Thy children, may we trust rather than suspect, reverence rather than despise, and serve rather than bruise them. Hymn—‘‘Christ for the world we sing.” No. 517. Responsive Reading—Selection 1, Part 2 (Psalm 8). Hymn—‘‘Where cross the crowded ways of life.” No. 475 (V. 1, 3, 5, 6). Scripture Lesson—Matt. 18:7-14. “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and for¬ bid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” —Matt. 19:14. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“Savior like a shepherd lead us.” No. 621. Picture—“Christ Blessing Children.” Perry Picture No. 807. FOR MISSIONARY SOCIETIES 11 JULY. Theme: JOY IN HOME-LIFE Quiet Music. Invocation—0 Thou, who didst create the Christian home as the embodiment of heaven on earth, we thank Thee for the heart-ties that bind us to those we love. Grant that we may always uphold the family as the seat of mutual understanding, faith and service. Hymn—“0 Jesus, Thou art standing.” No. 257. Responsive Reading—Selection 7 (Psalm 34). Hymn—“Lord for tomorrow and its needs.” No. 315 (V. 1 , 2 ). Scripture Lesson—Luke 10:38-42. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” —Josh. 24:15. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“Take my life.” No. 492 (Tune 179). Pictures—“Mother” (Whistler). Perry Picture No. 1010. “Near the Hearth.” Perry Picture No. 1068B. 12 SERVICES OF WORSHIP AUGUST Theme: JOY IN FRIENDSHIP Quiet Music. Invocation—We thank Thee, our Heavenly Father, for those whom Thou hast given to be our friends. Since we ourselves are so undeserving, give us grace to be more appreciative of those we love, and more humble, forgiving and patient in our attitude toward them. And may we never forget the example of the Master, who laid down His life for His friends. Hymn—“The Lord my shepherd is.” No. 322 (V. 1, 2, 3). Responsive Reading—Selection 1, Part 1 (Psalm 1). Hymn—“What a friend we have in Jesus.” No. 318. Scripture Lesson—1 Sam. 18:1-4. Ruth 1:15-18. “He that maketh friends must show himself friendly.” —Prov. 18:24. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“I have a friend so precious.” No. 611 (V. 1, 2, 3). Picture—“The Gleaners.” Perry Picture No. 511. (Friends in work) FOR MISSIONARY SOCIETIES 13 SEPTEMBER, Theme: SERVICE TO THE LOCAL CHURCH Quiet Music. Invocation—Eternal God, our Father, we thank Thee for the glorious heritage of the Church. We remember with love the nurture she gave our spiritual lives in our childhood. We remember also the tasks she has set for us to-day; and we would that we might serve her with honor to ourselves and to her Founder. Hymn—“The Church’s one foundation.” No. 416. Responsive Reading—Selection 22 (Psalm 84). Hymn—“O Master, let me walk with Thee.” No. 490 (V. 1, 3, 4). Scripture Lesson—Mark 10:23-31. “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Matt. 20:26-28. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“O Jesus, I have promised.” No. 389. Pictures—“Christ in the Temple.” Perry Picture No. 800. “The Angelus.” Perry Picture No. 509. 14 SERVICES OF WORSHIP OCTOBER, Theme: SERVICE TO NON-CHRISTIAN PEOPLES Quiet Music. Invocation—0 Thou, who hast made all nations of men to seek Thee and find Thee, we thank Thee for those far-sighted souls who have borne aloft the torch of truth in distant lands. By the cheer of Thy presence, keep them courageous, undiscouraged and useful in their work. And may we at home support them by our interest and prayers that the spirit of Thy Son may be established throughout the world. Hymn—“0 Zion, haste.” No. 516. Scripture Lesson—John 21:15-18. Hymn—“The morning light is breaking.” No. 511. Scripture Lesson—Matt. 25:31-46. “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”—Mark 16:15. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“Hail to the brightness.” No. 519 (V. 1, 4). Pictures—“Light of the World.” Perry Picture No. 3235. “Christ with the Children,” by Harold Cop¬ ing (American and Woman’s Boards, Beacon St., Boston, Mass., 10 cents.) FOR MISSIONARY SOCIETIES 15 NOVEMBER. Theme: GRATITUDE Quiet Music. Invocation—0 Thou, giver of good gifts, Thy mercies are so rich and our gratitude is so feeble. Deepen the flow of our thanksgivings. Save us from the sin of ar¬ rogance; and, in all humility, teach us how to abound, and to share our blessings with those who are less favored than we. Hymn—“Rejoice ye pure in heart.” No. 62 (V. 1, 2, 4, 7). Responsive Reading—Selection 34 (Psalm 107). Hymn—“The King of love.” No. 324 (V. 1-5). Scripture Lesson—Matt. 18:21-35. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” —Matt. 6:12. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“Praise to God, immortal praise.” No. 581. Picture—“Puritans Going to Church.” Perry Picture No. 1339. “Infant Samuel.” Perry Picture No. 866. 16 SERVICES OF WORSHIP DECEMBER, Theme: GOOD-WILL Quiet Music. Invocation—We thank Thee, our God, for the joys of the Christmas season. We thank Thee that Christ came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. And as we seek to perpetuate His spirit, do Thou so develop our lives that they may be of service in bringing to pass that glad day when there shall be “Peace on earth, good-will among men.” Hymn—“O come, all ye faithful.” No. 127. Scripture Lesson—Matt. 2:1-11. Hymn—“Silent night.” No. 132. Scripture Lesson—Luke 2:1-7. Hymn—“While shepherds watched.” No. 120 (V. 1, 3, 4). (Tune 122). Scripture Lesson—Luke 2:8-20. “Peace on earth, good will toward men.”—Luke 2:14. Prayer by the leader. Hymn—“Joy to the world.” No. 129. Pictures—“Worship of the Wise Men.” Perry picture No. 797D. “Sistine Madonna.” Perry Picture No. 321. “Announcement to Shepherds.” Perry Pic¬ ture No. 811.