ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE Sean Cotty
Improvisation on Melodies from Radiohead
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Johanne Zoh
O God, you are my God. I seek you; my soul thirsts for you.
I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips praise you.
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
My mouth praises you with joyful lips
For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy!
* HYMN No. 60 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
JUNIOR SERMON
(After the Junior Sermon, children ages 3-8 are dismissed to Children & Worship. Children & Worship meets in Room 2D. Children can be picked up there after the service.)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O Christ,
out of your fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
You are our eternal hope;
you are patient and full of mercy;
you are generous to all who call upon you.
Save us, Lord.
O Christ, fountain of life and holiness,
you have taken away our sins.
On the cross you were wounded for our transgressions
and were bruised for our iniquities.
Forgive us, Lord.
O Christ, obedient unto death,
source of all comfort,
our life and our resurrection,
our peace and reconciliation:
Make us your new creation, Lord.
(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
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
In Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!
ANTHEM: Were We There? Craig Courtney
Were we there, you and I, in the olive grove that night?
Was there silver in my hand to betray the Son of Man?
Did you run away and hide? In your fear, did you deny?
Were we there, were we there, you and I?
Were we there, you and I, boldly crying, "crucify?"
Did you mock Him with your scorn?
Did I weave the crown of thorns?
Did you strike Him in the face, spit on Him in His disgrace?
Were we there, were we there, you and I?
Were we there, you and I, on that hill the day He died?
Did you watch without a sound
when they brought the hammer down?
Did I turn to look away from his suffering and pain?
Were we there? Were we there?
Were you there? Was I, too,
on that morning at the tomb?
When we looked into His face,
did we know He took our place?
Yes, He died for us as though
we were there so long ago.
We were there.
LENTEN MISSION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response Hear Our Prayer, O Lord
Hear our prayer, O Lord, incline thine ear to us,
and grant us thy peace. Amen.
* HYMN No. 198 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Prayer of Illumination
Lord God,
may your Word be a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Isaiah 55:1-9 p. 598
Luke 13:1-9 p. 848
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON The Stories We Tell Ourselves
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 89-90
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: A Lenten Meditation Brett Michaels
Jesus refuge of the weary, Blest Redeemer whom we love,
Fountain in life's desert dreary, Savior from the work above.
Ohm how your eyes offended, Gaze upon a sinner's fall!
Yet, upon the cross extended, You endured the pain of all.
Dare we pass that Cross unheeding, breathing no repentant vow,
As we see you wounded, bleeding, see your thorn encircled brow?
Since your sinless death has brought us life eternal, peace and rest,
Only what your grace has taught us calms the sinner's deep distress.
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.
Jesus, may our hearts be burning with more fervent love for you!
May our eyes be ever yearning, to behold Your cross anew.
'Till in glory, parted never from the blessed Savior's side,
Graven in our hearts forever, dwell the cross, the crucified!
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 227 Rock Of Ages, Cleft For Me
* BENEDICTION
Response Jesus Remember Me
Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.
POSTLUDE Now Thank We All Our God Sigfrid Karg-Elert
All are invited to join us in Gessner Hall for coffee hour.
Announcements
Lenten Mission
This year’s focus for the Lenten Mission is homelessness and affordable housing in NYC. Our church is already committed to serving individuals in need of housing through our Women’s Shelter. Our Lenten Mission will invite us to deepen our commitment in several ways:
1) Almsgiving: Church on the Hill will collect monetary donations and other items that can be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness.
2) Education: Volunteers from the Women’s Shelter will share their experiences serving. Guests will share about homelessness and affordable housing in NYC.
3) Prayer: We will pray for individuals experiencing homelessness here in NYC, especially the women we serve in our Women’s Shelter on Friday evenings.
4) Hospitality: We invite you to serve in our Women’s Shelter in a variety of capacities, including preparing meals for them and staying overnight at the shelter.
Music in a Sacred Space Concert
Our second "Music in a Sacred Space" spring concert will take place on Saturday, April 6th at 7:30 pm. The VYCK Quartet will be joining the Church on the Hill Choir with performances of string quartets, choral works, and vocal solos. This concert is free and open to the public. There will be a reception to follow in Gessner Hall.
Adult Bible Study
For many, the book of Revelation is an intimidating book, full of prophecy and imagery that can confound our minds. For that reason, many of us steer clear of the book as a whole. The book of Revelation, however, starts with seven letters, letters filled with the love and wisdom of Christ. These letters, written by John on behalf of Jesus, are sent to seven churches in Asia who are facing persecution. This Bible study will examine these letters both for what they said to the churches in Asia and also what they might have to say to the church today! Join us on Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m. in the Library!
Ushers Needed
Would you be willing to serve as an usher during worship services distributing bulletins, assisting congregants to their seats if needed, and collecting the offering? Serving as an usher provides a great opportunity to meet new people in the church and to help create an atmosphere of hospitality. If interested, please contact the church office.
Looking Ahead – Mark your calendars!
· Tues. Mar. 26 7:30 PM Adult Bible Study
· Wed. Mar. 27 7:30 PM Indoor Yoga Class
· Thurs. Mar. 28 10:00 AM Bargain Boutique
5:45 PM Queens Children Comm. Choir
6:00 PM Prayer Group
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
· Sat. Mar. 30 10:00 AM Bargain Boutique
· Sun. Mar. 31 9:30 AM Women’s Communion Breakfast
9:45 AM Sunday School classes
11:10 AM Children and Worship
· Thurs. Apr. 18 6:45 PM Maundy Thursday Potluck
7:15 PM Communion Service
· Fri. Apr. 19 8:00 PM Good Friday Service
· Sun. Apr. 21 7:00 AM Easter Sunrise Service-Bowne Park
11:00 AM Easter Service
PRAYER REQUESTS
Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:
Diane Blagburn, Michael Breazzano, David Cerqueira, Jessica Costagliola, Allegra DeMelo, Jolie Dunham, Lucas Ditta, Dorothy & Abel, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Bernice Herbert, Hotchkiss Family, Ken Hoey, Jason Knese, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Jean Mendler, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Donna Smith, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable, Mel Werbel and Janet Willemain