PRELUDE
In Dulci Jubilo, Johann Sebastian Bach
Puer Natus Est (A Boy is Born), Everett Titcomb
WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* Gloria Patri (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP(Psalm 8: 1-5), Roslyn Andela
Leader: O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
People: Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
Leader: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
People: Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
ALL: Amen.
* SALUTATION
* HYMN No. 182: Brightest and Best of the Stars
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison)
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: We Have Seen His Star, Everett Titcomb
We have seen His star in the East, and are come with our offerings to worship the Lord.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13, Pew Bible, page 537
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
Matthew 25: 31-40, Pew Bible, page 807
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
THE SERMON: Now is the Time, Rev. Douglas Estella
WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering
Offertory: There Shall a Star, Felix Mendelssohn
RECITATIVE: When Jesus, our Lord, was born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea; behold, from the east to the city of Jerusalem there came wise men, and said:
TRIO: Say, where is He born, the King of Judaea? For we have seen His star, and are come to adore Him.
CHORUS: There shall a star from Jacob come forth, and a sceptre from Israel rise up, And dash in pieces princes and nations. As bright the star of morning gleams, So Jesus sheddeth glorious beams of light and consolation! Thy Word, O Lord, Radiance darting, Truth imparting, Gives salvation; Thine be praise and adoration!
* The Doxology(pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
* Apostles’ Creed (pew card)
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Remembering with Love and Hope (pew card)
Invitation
Communion Prayer
Sanctus (pew card)
Mystery of the Faith (unison)
Christ has Died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.
Words of Institution
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & INTERCESSION
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Prayer Response, Felix Mendelssohn
As bright the star of morning gleams, So Jesus sheddeth glorious beams Of light and consolation! Thy Word, O Lord, Radiance darting, Truth imparting, Gives salvation; Thine be praise and adoration.
* HYMN No. 181: As With Gladness Men of Old
* BENEDICTION
Response: Fanfare for Christmas, Martin Shaw
Gloria in excelsis deo. (Glory to God in the highest!)
POSTLUDE: In Thee is Gladness, Johann Sebastian Bach
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Blaine D. Crawford has been called to be our next Minister of Word and Sacrament. His first official day in the pulpit will be Sunday, January 18, 2015.
WE WELCOME BACK REV. DOUGLAS ESTELLA TO THE PULPIT.
Rev. Estella previously served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church and currently teaches ESL at the Academy of Urban Planning.
TODAY’S COFFEE HOUR is hosted by the Sunday School staff. “King Cakes” will be served to celebrate Epiphany Sunday.
2015 OFFERING ENVELOPES are at the back of the church. If you don't see your envelopes and would like a box, please sign the list and a set will be available for you next Sunday.
OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:
Van Drivers: Jean and Gerry Mendler
Greeters: Nina and Bill Proschel, Dorothea Zelnick
Ushers: Ginny and Hong Chan, Jeanne and Steve Sarran
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli, Michael Iovale
LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available. Please ask an usher if you want one.
VAN SERVICE: If you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler at (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Please pick a date on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Gessner Hall or speak with Rhoda Jabbour.
PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese (in Liberia), Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Nora McCarthy, John Molino, Marge Renstrom, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra