Event details

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

Sunday, 11am, Princeton University Chapel

Join us each Sunday for worship in the University Chapel, led by the dean and the associate dean of religious life and of the chapel, that draws students, faculty, staff, and townspeople together to hear God’s word, to sing God’s praise, to lift up the University in prayer.

*All persons, including members of the broader community, are welcome to attend this event if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 if over age 12. Registration is required for contact tracing purposes. Starting March 14, 2022, face coverings will be optional in most University spaces, with some exceptions. Details may be found in the Safe Practices section.

Register in advance through this link

For those unable to attend in person, this service will be live streamed on the ORL YouTube page available through this link.

The bulletin for this service is below.

Princeton University Chapel – March 27, 2022 – Fourth Sunday of Lent

You are invited to rise, in body or spirit, for those parts of the service marked with an asterisk (*)

Invitatory - Andante Tranquillo (from Sonata III, Op. 65) by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847); Mèditation Religieuse by Henri Mulet (1878-1967) with Alfred Yoon ’22, organist

Welcome and Announcements - Dean Thames

*Hymn No. 613 - O Holy City, Seen of John (Morning Song)

*Call to Worship - Otis Byrd, Jr.  

Invocation           

*Prayer of Confession

One - Let us confess our sins to God.

All - Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we are to pray, always willing to give more than we either desire or deserve: pour upon us the abundance of 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 Savior.  Amen.

*Assurance of Forgiveness

Reading - Luke 4:18-21 - ‘The Spirit of God is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the God’s favor.’  And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

Anthem - Lo! What A Glorious Sight Appears by Jacob French (1754-1817) - Lo!  What a glorious sight appears to our believing eyes!  The earth and sea are passed away, and the old rolling skies.   From the third heaven, where God resides, that holy, happy place, the new Jerusalem comes down, adorned with shining grace.   How long, dear Savior! O how long shall this bright hour delay?   Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, and bring the welcome day.  - Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Reading - Revelation 21:1-5 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.   And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.   And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals.  God will dwell with them; they will be God’s peoples, and God Almighty will be with them; God will wipe every tear from their eyes.   Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’  And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’   Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’

Sermon - “New World Order” by Rev. Erica Williams

*Hymn - For Everyone Born (A Place at the Table) - For Everyone Born

Prayers of the People

One - God of love and mercy,

All - Hear our prayer.

Lord’s Prayer - 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, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Choral response - A Lenten Prayer by Gerald Near (b. 1942) - O Lord, we beseech Thee to mercifully hear us: and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty to be our defense against all things that may hurt us.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. - Collect for Lauds

*Exchange of the Peace

One - The peace of God be always with you.

All - And also with you.

Offertory Sentence

Music at the Offering - A Place Called Home (Finlandia) - A place called home, with comfort for the weary; a place called home of nourishment and rest; a place called home that welcomes in the stranger, where one unknown becomes a welcome guest, where love can find a human habitation; God grant us all this grace: a place called home.  A place called home, a promise for tomorrow; a place called home, a vision handed down; a place called home, for all of us, God’s children, where love prevails and peace is ever found, where hope can find a human habitation; God grant us all this grace: a place called home.  A place called home for ev’ry human being; a place called home, where arms are opened wide; a place called home, where all extend the welcome, where none are lost, alone, or cast aside, but members of a single human fam’ly; God grant us grace to build a place called home. - Michael Joncas (b. 1951)

*Doxology - Praise God the Source of life and birth, praise God the Word enfleshed on earth, praise God, the Spirit, Holy Flame, All glory, honor to God’s name!  (Old Hundredth)

*Prayer for Princeton - O Eternal God, the source of life and light for all peoples, we pray you would endow this University with your grace and wisdom: give inspiration and understanding to those who teach and to those who learn; grant vision to its trustees and administrators; to all who work here and to all who bear her name give your guiding Spirit of sacrificial courage and loving service.  Amen.

*Hymn - We Shall Not Be Moved (I Shall Not Be Moved)

*Benediction

Voluntary – Fanfare by John Cook (1918-1984) with Alfred Yoon ’22, organist

Guest Preacher - Rev. Erica N. Williams is a faith leader, organizer, international human rights activist and community leader, who is committed to serving with head and heart.  Rev. Erica is a 2016 graduate of The Howard University School of Divinity where she obtained a Master of Divinity degree. The context of her ministry lies in the intersectionality of faith and organizing. Currently, she is the National Social Justice Organizer for Repairers of the Breach, an interfaith organization founded by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II.  Rev. Erica is also serving as an organizer for the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. This Fall Rev. Erica will begin the Master of Religion and Public Life program at Harvard Divinity School.  Rev. Erica is the Founding Pastor of Set It Off Ministries, an international, interfaith, intergenerational ministry that seeks to empower, educate, and emancipate poor and working-class communities around the world. She has done ministry/organizing work in South Africa, Ghana, Brazil, and Palestine. She is involved in numerous professional organizations such as the World Student Christian Federation–USA, National Homeless Union, Freedom Church of the Poor, Popular Education Project, Black Christians for Palestine, The Bread for the World Pan African Young Adult Network, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Top Ladies of Distinction, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Order of the Eastern Star.  Rev. Erica is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her favorite quote is by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr “I choose to identify with the underprivileged,” King said. “I choose to identify with the poor. I choose to give my life for the hungry. I choose to give my life for those who have been left out of the sunlight of opportunity. I choose to live for those who find themselves seeing life as a long and desolate corridor with no exit sign. This is the way I’m going. If it means suffering a little bit, I’m going that way. If it means sacrificing, I’m going that way. If it means dying for them, I’m going that way, because I heard a voice saying, `Do something for others.'” Rev. Erica has dedicated her life to working to help liberate those who have been marginalized and oppressed by the unjust systems in society. Her life's mission is summed up in the Gospel passage of Luke 4:18-19.

Guest Organist - We welcome organist Alfred Yoon - Alfred Yoon is a member of the Class of 2022 from Berkeley, California. He is studying Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a certificate in Materials Science and Engineering. Alfred has performed at the Legion of Honor as part of the 2017 Organ Concert Series, the Complete Bach Trio Sonatas Recital at St. Mark’s Berkeley, and the Nine Lessons and Carols Service with St. Mark’s Choir. Currently, he studies organ with Eric Plutz and will perform in the Afternoon Organ Concert Series on February 3, 2022.

University Chapel Staff - The Rev. Alison L. Boden, Ph.D., Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel; The Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel; Nicole Aldrich, Director of Chapel Music and of the Chapel Choir; Eric Plutz, University Organist; Elizabeth Powers, Chapel Administrator; Otis Byrd, Jr. Seminary Intern; Edgar Gomez, Sexton; Lisa McGurr, Sexton

The University Chapel is a welcoming community of faith.  We gather to sing God's praises, to hear God's living Word, to seek justice, and to proclaim God's love for all people.  Every Sunday of every month the congregation is invited to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Arm in Arm.  If you are interested in making a contribution toward Sunday flowers in the chapel as a memorial, please contact Liz Powers for details at 609-258-3048.  The offering this morning will go to The United Way of Greater Mercer County. The United Way of Greater Mercer County works to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people in our towns and cities, mobilizing a broad spectrum of partners to insure the self-sufficiency of every neighbor.

Calendar of Events

All events are in the University Chapel unless otherwise stated.

• Hallelujah Church @ Princeton, today, Sunday, March 27, 1:30pm, Murray-Dodge 104 – A service of exciting worship, inspiring music, and a place of grace where love, hope and faith come alive. 
• Hour of Power, Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 12pm, Murray-Dodge 104 – An interdenominational weekly Christian service of praise, prayer, music and proclamation.
• After Noon Concert, Thursday, March 31, 2022, 12:30pm - The performer will be John Butt, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
• Milbank Concert, Saturday, April 2, 2022, 8:00pm - Works of Johannes Brahms, J.S. Bach, and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.  Princeton University Chapel Choir and Orchestra, Nicole Aldrich, conductor.  Admission free.
• Worship Service, Sunday, April 3, 2022, 11am - The preacher will be Dean Boden.  This is a service of Holy Communion.

Holy Week Events sponsored by the Office of Religious Life

• Palm Sunday Worship Service, Sunday, April 10, 2022, 11am - The preacher will be DeanThames. 
• Stations of the Cross, Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 8pm - Stations of the Cross by Marcel Dupré with poetry of Paul Claudel with Ken Cowan, organist, and Alison Boden, reader.
• The Seven Last Words of Christ, Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 7pm lecture, 8pm performance - The Seven Last Words of Christ by Franz Joseph Haydn with the Vermeer Quartet and Dean Boden and Dean Thames with guest preachers
• Maundy Thursday Service, April 14, 2022, 8pm - The service will be held in the Chancellor Green Rotunda.
• Good Friday Contemplative Service, April 15, 2022, 12pm - Contemplative service of meditation including the reproaches from the cross.
• Good Friday Tenebrae Service, April 15, 2022, 8pm – Candlelight service of readings and devotional music.
• Easter Sunday Service, April 17, 2022, 8am - Easter Sunday Service with Holy Communion - Dean Boden will be the preacher.
• Easter Sunday Service, April 17, 2022, 11am - Easter Festival Service with Holy Communion - Dean Boden will be the preacher.
• Hallelujah Church @ Princeton, Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, 1:30pm, Murray-Dodge Hall – Open to all Princeton University students.

For more information, please visit chapel.princeton.edu