ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE Deborah Im
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Debra Rossi
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 his 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 in this hour of worship and always.
* HYMN No. 514 Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the kingdom of heaven is given to them.
But we have been proud in spirit, inflated with pride in our own self-sufficiency. We have forgotten how needy we are.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. But we have often presided as harsh judges over the lives of others.
We have been quick to place blame on anything or anyone but ourselves. We have avoided obligations to care for or to help people in need.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
But we are often at war with one another. In a thousand little ways we demand to be catered to. We seldom esteem others as more important than ourselves. We often create strife by demanding our way rather than by walking in God’s Spirit.
(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
SOLO: The Beatitudes Albert Hay Malotte
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response: In Heavenly Love Felix Mendelssohn
In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm my roar without me,
My heart my low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?
* HYMN No. 297 Spirit of the Living God
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Micah 6:1-8 p. 757
Matthew 5:1-12 p. 785
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Blaine Crawford
The Upside-Down Kingdom of Jesus
* CONFESSION OF FAITH: Belhar Confession, Article 4
We believe that God has revealed himself as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people; that God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor, and the wronged; that God calls the church to follow him in this, for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: O for a Closer Walk Charles Villiers Stanford
O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
Return, O holy Dove, return!
Sweet messenger of rest
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from my breast.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 336 God Is My Great Desire
* BENEDICTION
Response: Sevenfold Amen John Stainer
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.
All are invited to join us downstairs in Gessner Hall for coffee hour.
Announcements
The Beacon of Pluralism Candle Lighting Ceremony
Tomorrow, January 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., you are invited to a celebration of faith and religious freedom in Flushing. The Beacon of Pluralism Project is hosting a ceremonial candle lighting ceremony and photo exhibition at the historic Flushing Meeting House. All are invited to gather to commemorate the birth of religious freedom in North America that began with the Flushing Remonstrance in 1657. Included in the evening will be a viewing of photographs highlighting the unique qualities of each house of worship, including Church on the Hill.
Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 P.M., Folensbee Lounge
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.
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 March 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.
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY – Next Sunday, the Sunday School will again participate in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign. Please bring in cans of soup and they will be given to a local food pantry. Monetary donations will go to the Greenpoint Reformed Church Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.
VALENTINES FOR VETS: Bring your valentines on Sundays, February 5 and 12. Deposit them in the box at the church entrance. These cards will be delivered to the Veteran’s Hospital in St. Albans.
Prayer List
Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:
Helga Brenner-Khan, Linda Betjeman, Sally Ann Castle, Rosemarie Dappio, Allegra DeMelo, Betty Gessner, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Cathy Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Edie Petry, Dorothy Reid, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan