ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE "Spring Song" Mendelssohn
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Maureen Saepia-Chen
In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth.
Christ dwells among us and is one with us.
Highest of all creation, he lives among the least.
He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary.
Come now, all who thirst,
and drink the water of life.
Come now, all who hunger,
and be filled with good things.
Come now, all who seek,
and be warmed by the fire of love.
* HYMN No. 369 Lord of All Hopefulness
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
While I kept my sins secret, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night were heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” and you forgave my guilt.
(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
From now on we regard no one from a human point of view.
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:
Everything old has passed away; everything has become new!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.
ANTHEM: Lift Thine Eyes Felix Mendelssohn
Lift thine eyes to the mountains,
whence cometh help.
Thy help cometh from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He hath said, Thy foot shall not be moved:
Thy keeper will never slumber.
Lift thine eyes to the mountains,
whence cometh help.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response Amen (from Mass of Creation)
* HYMN No. 502 Amazing Grace! How Sweet The Sound
Prayer of Illumination
Shine within our hearts, loving Lord,
with the true light of your divine knowledge,
and open the eyes of our minds,
that we may comprehend the message of your Word,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Joshua 5:9-12 p. 171
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 p. 940
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON JJ TenClay
Being Ambassadors of Christ in the Midst of a Global Refugee Crisis
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
The Apostles’ Creed
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs John Carter
Surely He has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with His stripes we are healed.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 88 A Man There Lived in Galilee
* BENEDICTION
Response Dona Nobis Pacem Grant us peace.
POSTLUDE Organ Sonata No. 4 Movement IV Mendelssohn
There will be no coffee hour after the service today.
Announcements
Many thanks to Margret Dougherty, Sarah White, and JJ TenClay for helping lead us in worship today!
♫ Music Note
Thank you to the women of the Church on the Hill Choir for sharing their musical talents with us today in worship!
Church Office Hours – April 1
The Church Office will be open from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Monday, April 1 and will resume regular hours on Tuesday.
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. Apr. 2 7:30 PM Adult Bible Study
· Wed. Apr. 3 7:30 PM Indoor Yoga Class
· Thurs. Apr. 4 10:00 AM Bargain Boutique
5:45 PM Queens Children Comm. Choir
6:00 PM Prayer Group
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
· Sat. Apr. 6 10:00 AM Bargain Boutique
· Sun. April 7 9:45 AM Sunday School classes
11:10 AM Children and Worship
· Sun. April 14 11:00 AM Palm Sunday Service
· 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, Amy Freedman, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Bernice Herbert, Hotchkiss Family, Ken Hoey, Jason Knese, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Donna Smith, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable, Mel Werbel, Janet Willemain and Dennis Wink
Children are always welcome in worship at Church on the Hill. At the back of the sanctuary, the Family Room is open for young children and their parents. Changing tables are also available in the restrooms downstairs in Gessner Hall.