ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE: Chopin

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP Gerry Mendler

From Bethlehem to Nazareth, from Bethany to Jerusalem,

Come, Lord Jesus.

To heal the sick, to mend the brokenhearted,

to comfort the disturbed, to disturb the comfortable,

Come, Lord Jesus.

To carry the cross, to lead the way,

to shoulder the sin of the world and take it away,

Come, Lord Jesus.

Today, to this place, to us,

Come, Lord Jesus.

* HYMN No. 198 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Carlos Rivera

O God, in creation you fashion us in your image,

in Christ you reveal to us your love, through the Holy Spirit you welcome us into the fellowship of believers:

And yet, we constantly distort your image, but still you restore it.

We daily betray your love, but still you extend it.

We often disrupt fellowship, but still you bless it.

Forgive us, we pray.

(Prayers of Silent Confession)

Kyrie (sung): Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE

In our baptisms, we have been adopted by God.

We are God’s beloved children, and brothers and sisters to one another.

In our baptisms, we have been washed by Jesus Christ.

We are forgiven; our shame and guilt are wiped clean.

In our baptisms, we have been anointed with God’s Spirit.

We are temples of the Holy Spirit and signs of God’s restorative work.

In our baptisms, we have been called to God’s mission.

We are disciples, followers of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.

MISSION MOMENT: Wendy Jager from Interfaith-RISE

ANTHEM: Soon and Very Soon Andrae Crouch

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King;

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

We're going to see the King.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Congregational Response:

The Lord is my light and my salvation,

of whom should I be afraid,

of whom should I be afraid.

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

* HYMN No. 484 The Old Rugged Cross

Prayer of Illumination

O God, prepare our minds to hear your Word.

Move our hearts to accept what we hear.

Purify our will to obey in joy and faith.

Open us to change and growth

That we may walk with Christ. Amen.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES:

Psalm 22:23-31 p. 435

Mark 8:31-38 p. 820

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON: Growing through Sacrifice Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 88-90

Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?

A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new.

Q. What is the dying-away of the old self?

A. To be genuinely sorry for sin and more and more to hate and run away from it.

Q. What is the rising-to-life of the new self?

A. Wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a love and delight to live according to the will of God by doing every kind of good work.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

Offertory: Isaac Watts/Gilbert M. Martin

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

See from his head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small,

Love, so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all!

Amen!

* The Doxology (pew card)

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 229 Lift High the Cross

* BENEDICTION

Response: Sevenfold Amen

POSTLUDE: Prelude from prelude and fugue in D major J.S. Bach

Prayer List

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Bermudez family, Diane Blagburn, Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Dombrowski family, William Duchemin, Joan Dwyer, Angela Edward, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow

Announcements

February 25, 2018

Lenten Mission 2018

As part of our Lenten Mission, today we welcome Wendy Jager, from Interfaith Rise. Interfaith Refugee and Immigrant Services and Empowerment (Interfaith-RISE) is an official affiliate site of the US Committee for Refugees & Immigrants. They are committed to resettling refugees in central NJ, by assisting with housing, ESL, social services, education, medical assistance, mental health services, transportation, and supportive community integration as families and individuals journey towards self-sufficiency and independence.

During worship, Wendy will share how she began serving refugees. During coffee hour, Wendy will present on the global refugee crisis. Join us after the service for the time of learning and fellowship.

Queens Discipleship Retreat

March 17, 9:30am-2:00pm, Gessner Hall

Being with God and each other strengthens our faith and helps us live it out. But we get so focused on finishing our to-do lists that sometimes we don’t leave enough space in our lives for those relationships. If you can relate, you're invited to set aside space for God and one another by participating in a discipleship retreat next month. Join with other RCA churches in Queens to:

Explore current models of discipleship
Grow your capacity to participate in God's work both personally and as a community
Share a meal and time of fellowship

This is a free event but registration is required. Call the church office or register at: http://www.churchonthehill.org/discipleshipretreat/

Music Note

"Soon and Very Soon" is the last in the choir series of gospel songs and spirituals in recognition of Black History Month.
It is a contemporary gospel song written by the late Andrae Crouch, a prolific composer and performer, often referred to as the "father of modern gospel music."
It was inspired by the Scripture passage "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

Adult Sunday School Opportunity

Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library

Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines - Integrating your Faith with Current Events!" Led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera, the class will extend through the end of April with a new headline discussed every few weeks.