ORDER FOR WORSHIP
* Congregation stands
BOLD – Congregation responds
PRELUDE Nathalie Wang, organist
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Steve Sarran
I waited patiently for the LORD; God inclined to me and heard my cry.
The LORD put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Blessed are those who make the LORD their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
For you have multiplied, O LORD our God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us.
So we gather to tell the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation!
You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
You are the Messiah, the anointed one, who comes to restore all things.
Do not, O LORD, withhold your mercy from us; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep us forever.
* HYMN No. 464 I Lay My Sins on Jesus
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves by clinging to destructive habits, holding grudges, and showing reluctance to welcome one another. We allow the past and our old self to hold us hostage. In your loving-kindness have mercy on us and free us from sin.
(Silent Prayers of Confession)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Herein is wisdom.
Glory be to God.
* Gloria Patri (pew card)
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: Grant Peace, We Pray Mendelssohn
Grant peace, we pray, in mercy Lord,
In our time peace, oh, send us!
For there is none on earth but Thee,
None other to defend us.
Thou only, Lord, canst fight for us.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response: Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord Mendelssohn
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee;
He never will suffer the righteous to fall: He is at thy right hand.
Thy mercy, Lord, is great and far above the heavens:
Let none be made ashamed that wait upon Thee.
* HYMN No. 552 My Faith Looks Up to Thee
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Isaiah 49:1-7 p. 592
John 1:29-42 p. 862
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON The Call to Discipleship Rev. Blaine Crawford
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ. Faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ, our righteousness. And faith is the instrument that keeps us in communion with him and with all his benefits.
~Based on Articles 22 & 23 of the Belgic Confession
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: I Shall Not Be Moved arr. Parker
Glory Hallelujah, I shall not be moved,
Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.
(Refrain)
I shall not be, I shall not be moved,
I shall not be, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
(Glory, Hallelujah,) I shall not be moved.
In His love abiding, I shall not be moved,
And in Him confiding, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.
Though all Hell assail me, I shall not be moved.
Jesus will not fail me, I shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.
Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved,
On the Rock of Ages, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 689 The Church’s One Foundation
* BENEDICTION
Response: Seven-fold Amen Lutkin
POSTLUDE
If you are in need of prayer, you are invited to the front of the sanctuary at the conclusion of the service. One of the elders of the church will be available to pray for you.
Announcements
Our Flowers are given by Vivian, Peter and Adriana Sclafani. They wish their friends at COTH a happy new year.
Coffee Hour: All are invited to join us downstairs in Gessner Hall for coffee hour and a time of fellowship..
Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 P.M., Folensbee Lounge.
Over the next two months, the group will be looking at the early chapters of each of the four gospels, examining how each of the gospel writers introduce us to Jesus. Join us for this time of fellowship and learning!
A Time of Prayer, Thursdays, 6-7 P.M., Folensbee Lounge
Take time out of your busy lives to slow down, dwell in God's presence and pray to God. If you're unable to join us in the Folensbee Lounge, you’re invited, wherever you are, to pray during this time every Thursday evening. You might start by praying for those listed on the prayer list.
Congregational Meeting, January 22, 2017
Following the worship service next Sunday, a congregational meeting will be held to disseminate information pertaining to the consistory's recommendation to sell the house on 169th St. Please plan to join us for this important meeting to learn more about the recommendation and the process. There will also be opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.
90 Years of COTH: Celebrating our Legacy, Envisioning our Future
In 2017, Church on the Hill will be celebrating 90 years of ministry. To that end, a number of events will be held throughout the year to remember our church's history and to look forward to our continued ministry in the future. The first such event will be held on February 12 during the coffee hour. For this first event, Sally Ann Castle will lead us through a process that allows us to look back at our history celebrating the many ways God has called us together to this place and is calling us together to future ministry.
Offering Envelopes
If you haven't picked up your offering envelopes for 2017, you may pick them up at the back of the sanctuary.