February 2, 2014 — Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

PRELUDE:

Praise the Lord!, Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Brother James' Air (The Lord's My Shepherd), M. Searle Wright

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* Gloria Patri  (pew card)     

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION: Micah 6:6-8 (altered)    Dorien Day

Leader:  With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? 
People:  Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Leader:  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
ALL:  He has told us what is good; and what does the LORD require of us but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God?
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:  Amen. 

* HYMN No. 41:  Stand Up and Bless the Lord

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.  We confess that we have strayed from your truth and from your holy will.  We have failed in love, forgotten to be just, and have turned away from your wisdom.  Forgive us our sin and restore us to your ways, for the sake of Your Son, our only Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.  Amen

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW     

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23), Abraham Kaplan

The Chancel Choir; Elizabeth Mahowald, soprano

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Pew Bible, page 926

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Matthew 5:1-12, Pew Bible, page785

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  Foolishness or the Power of God?, Rev. Douglas Estella 

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
   Offertory:  Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above, Eugene Butler

Praise the Lord who reigns above, and keeps his courts below; O praise the holy God of love, and all his greatness show; Praise him for his noble deeds, Praise him for his matchless power; Him from whom all good proceeds let earth and heaven adore.

Celebrate the eternal God with harp and psaltery, timbrels soft and cymbals loud in his high praise agree; praise him every tuneful string; all the reach of heavenly art, all the powers of music bring, the music of the heart.

Him, in whom they move and live, let every creature sing, and glory to their Maker give, and homage to their King.  Hallowed be his name beneath, as in heaven on earth adored; Praise the Lord in every breath, let all things praise the Lord.

based on Psalm 150

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 
    * Apostles’ Creed (pew card)        

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
   Remembering with Love and Hope  (pew card)
   Invitation
   Communion Prayer
       Sanctus  (pew card)
       Mystery of the Faith (unison)
            Christ has Died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again. 
    Words of Institution

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & INTERCESSION
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer response, Felix Mendelssohn

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear; and safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here. The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid, But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

* HYMN No. 596:  We’re Marching to Zion         

* BENEDICTION 
    Response, Peter C. Lutkin

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen. 

POSTLUDE:  Fugue in g minor, Johann Sebastian Bach

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME back the Rev. Douglas Estella to the pulpit.  Rev. Estella served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church from 2000 to 2006. Currently he is a teacher at the Academy of Urban Planning in Brooklyn. Doug and his wife, Janet, live in Sunnyside with their daughter, Renee.

OUR FLOWERS are given in honor of Irma Karle by Ginny and Hong Chan.

TODAY IS SOUPER BOWL OF CARING. Cans of soup will be collected and given to the Queens Federation of Churches Food Pantry and monetary donations will be given to the Greenpoint Reformed Church Hunger Program. (Make checks payable to Church on the Hill.)  Thank you.

VALENTINE’S MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISER BAKE SALE: On February 16th after the church service the Youth Group will have a Valentine’s Day themed bake sale -- it’s never too late to celebrate Valentine’s Day! -- during coffee hour to benefit our 2014 mission trips.  Thank you for your generous support.

VALENTINES FOR VETS: Bring your valentines today or next Sunday, February 9th and deposit them in the box at the church entrance.  These cards will be delivered to the Veteran’s Hospital in St. Albans.  We want our vets to know that they are not forgotten.

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY: An Adult Bible Study will meet on Monday evenings during Lent to help us in our journey to grow closer to God.  If you are interested, speak with Sally Ann Castle or call the church office.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Roger Bow
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour 
Greeters: Vivian and Peter Sclafani
Ushers: Ginny and Hong Chan, Jeanne and Steve Sarran and Jerry Good 
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli and Susan Halley Lowe

PRAYER REQUESTS: Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, Irma Matzke, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

January 26, 2014

PRELUDE:  Suite for Organ, John Stanley

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION, Roslyn Andela

Leader:  The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
People:  One thing I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
Leader:  For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent: he will set me high on a rock.
People:  Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!  "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:  Amen. 

– from Ps. 27: 1, 4-5, 7-8  

* HYMN No. 20: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
    * Gloria Patri  (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:  Wash Me Throughly, Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and forgive me all my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me.

– Psalm 51:2,3

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Prayer response, Georg Friedrich Handel

Lord, I trust thee, I adore thee, Ah! thou friend of man, restore me! On thy loving grace relying, For the bread of life I'm sighing. Quench my thirst and let my hunger cease, Fill my heart with joy and endless peace. When the breath of life has left me, May my soul be blessed with thee.

* HYMN No. 348:  We Will Extol You

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Pew Bible, page 926

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Matthew 4:12-23, Pew Bible, page 785

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  One Church Out of Many, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
   Offertory:  Go Not Far From Me, O God, Zingarelli  

Go not far from me, O God; cast me not away in the time of age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.  O let my mouth be filled with Thy praise; that I may sing Thy glory and honour all the day long.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  
    The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)     

* HYMN No. 694:  Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

* BENEDICTION 
    Response, Martin Shaw 

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy   Ghost be among you and go with you forever and ever. Amen.    

POSTLUDE:  Trumpet Voluntary, John Stanley

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME back the Rev. Douglas Estella to the pulpit.  Rev. Estella served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church from 2000 to 2006. Currently he is a teacher at the Academy of Urban Planning in Brooklyn. Doug and his wife, Janet, live in Sunnyside with their daughter, Renee.

TODAY’S COFFEE HOUR is hosted by the Congregational Care Committee in honor of the January birthdays.  Please join us in this time of fellowship.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Debra Rossi (AM), Bill Proschel (PM)
Greeters: Virginia Andrews and Eva Munoz
Ushers: Cindy and Joe Macaluso, Jean and Gerry Mendler and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Judie Kellaway and Yessenia Iovale-Perez

VALENTINES FOR VETS: Bring your valentines on Sundays, February 2 or 9 and deposit them in the box at the church entrance.  These cards will be delivered to the Veteran’s Hospital in St. Albans.  We want our vets to know that they are not forgotten.

2014 OFFERING ENVELOPES are at the entrance of the church.  If you don’t see your envelopes and would like a box, please sign the list and a set will be available for you next Sunday. 

VAN SERVICE: If you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler or call (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).

Van Grocery Shopping will resume in the Spring.

CHILDCARE during the worship hour 

Children through age 3 in the Educational Building, 1st floor, in Room 1A.

Children ages 3 through 2nd grade will share in the service through the Junior Sermon, then go to Room 2E for the Children and Worship Program.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Please pick a date on the Sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Gessner Hall or see Rhoda Jabbour.

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  This food will be given to families in need in Jamaica, New York. 

Donations for pets brought to the church office will be given to Worthy Pause to be distributed to local animal shelters.   

Christmas cards (with Forever Stamps on the envelopes) are collected in a basket at the back of the sanctuary.  These cards will enable inmates at the Nassau County Correction Center to correspond with their loved ones.                        

PRAYER REQUESTS: Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, Irma Matzke, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

January 19, 2014

PRELUDE:

Choral Song, Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness, J.S. Bach

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION – from Ps. 40    Jim Nicholas

Leader:  I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
People:  He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Leader:  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
People:  Happy are those who make the LORD their trust.
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:  Amen. 

* HYMN No. 34:  Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

Holy God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.  Bring healing to all wounds, make whole all that is broken in us, speak truth to all our illusions, and shed light in every darkness, that all creation will see your glory and know Christ as Savior and Lord.  Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
    * Gloria Patri  (pew card)

ANTHEM:  Everybody Ought to Know, The Junior Choir

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  Lord, We Pray Thee, Franz Josef Haydn

Lord, we pray Thee that Thy grace may always prevent, and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer response, Felix 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. 93:  All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Pew Bible, page 926

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:29-42, Pew Bible, page 862

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  Come and See, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
   Offertory:  The God of Abraham Praise, arr. Gerhard Schroth

The God of Abraham praise; all praised be His Name who was and is and is to be and still the same! The one eternal God, ere aught that now appears; the first, the last: beyond all thought His timeless years!

The God of Abraham praise, at whose supreme command I rise and seek the joys at His right hand. I all on earth forsake, its wisdom, fame, and power, and Him my only portion make, my Shield and Tower.

The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high; hail, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, they ever cry. Hail, Abraham's God and mine, I join the heavenly lays. All majesty are Thine and endless praise. Amen.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
    The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

* HYMN No. 702:  I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord

* BENEDICTION 
    Response:  Sevenfold Amen, John Stainer

POSTLUDE:  Trumpet Voluntary, Henry Purcell

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME back the Rev. Douglas Estella to the pulpit.  Rev. Estella served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church from 2000 to 2006. Currently he is a teacher at the Academy of Urban Planning in Brooklyn. Doug and his wife, Janet, live in Sunnyside with their daughter, Renee.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY: The Sunday School will again participate in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign on Super Bowl Sunday, February 2nd.  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 Soup Kitchen.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Gary LiBert (AM), Gerry and Jean Mendler (PM)
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour
Greeters: Linda Diez and Angela Edward
Ushers: Gina and Sal Lombardo, Nina and Bill Proschel and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Judie Kellaway and Yessenia Iovale
Childcare: Nancy Gessner

2014 OFFERING ENVELOPES are at the entrance of the church.  If you don't see your envelopes and would like a box, please sign the list and a set will be available for you next Sunday.

VALENTINE FOR VETS:  Bring your valentines on Sundays, February 2 and 9  and deposit them in the box at the church entrance.  These cards will be personally delivered to the Veterans Hospital in St. Albans.  We want our vets to know that they are not forgetten.

VAN SERVICE: If you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler at (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).  

The van service for grocery shopping will resume in the Spring. 

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – To host a coffee hour after church, speak with Rhoda Jabbour or put your name on the list in Gessner Hall..

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  This food will be given to families in need in Jamaica, New York. 

Donations for pets brought to the church office will be given to Worthy Pause to be distributed to local animal shelters.   

Christmas cards (with Forever Stamps on the envelopes) are collected in a basket at the back of the sanctuary.  These cards will enable inmates at the Nassau County Correction Center to correspond with their loved ones.                        

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgado, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, Irma Matzke, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

January 12, 2014 - Baptism of the Lord

PRELUDE:

Liebster Jesu (Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word), Richard Purvis
Song of Peace, Jean Langlais

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION - from Ps. 29    Emerson Chen

Leader:  Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
People:  Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.
Leader:  The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.
People:  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Leader:  The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
People:  May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:  Amen. 

* HYMN No. 3: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
    * Gloria Patri  (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:  Grant Peace, We Pray, Felix 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.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer response, Johann Wolfgang Franck

O Jesus, grant me hope and comfort; O let me ne'er in sorrow pine. My heart and soul, yea, all my being, O Jesus, trust alone in Thee. Thou Prince of Peace, Thou Pearl from heaven, true God, true Man, my morning star! O come, Thou precious Sun most radiant, Thy beams illumine my heart and soul.

* HYMN No. 328: God's Holy Ways are Just and True

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Acts 10: 34 – 43, Pew Bible, page 895

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Matthew 3: 13 – 17, Pew Bible, page 784    

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  Divine Approval, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  Gloria in Excelsis, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

TRANSLATION:

Glorious is thy Name, Almighty Lord, all the angels stand, round about thy throne.  Let all nations bow before thee, and declare thy wondrous works.  We praise thee, we give thanks to thee, we adore thee, we glorify thee.  Lord, we adore thee, we bless thee; Lord, we thank thee for thy great glory.  Heaven is thy throne, and earth is thy footstool. Thou art King over all the world.  Glorious is thy Name, O Lord. Blessing and honor be to God, for ever and evermore.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 
    * Apostles’ Creed (pew card)        

* HYMN No. 689:  The Church’s One Foundation

* BENEDICTION 
      Response:  Sevenfold Amen, Peter C. Lutkin

POSTLUDE:  Hanover (O Worship the King), Gordon Young

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME back the Rev. Douglas Estella to the pulpit.  Rev. Estella served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church from 2000 to 2006. Currently he is a teacher at the Academy of Urban Planning in Brooklyn. Doug and his wife, Janet, live in Sunnyside with their daughter, Renee.

THE ROSES: The left vase is given by the Auction Committee in appreciation of Marion and Ray Durney.  The right vase is given by the Auction Committee in appreciation of Glenda and Jorge Alamilla.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Gerry Mendler
Coffee Hour Host: Marion and Ray Durney
Greeters: Nancy Gessner and Eva Munoz
Ushers: Elaine Ho, Loretta McCaffrey, Barbara and Richard Niebergall and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Kathleen Bracken and Michael Iovale

LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available.  Ask an usher if you need one.

2014 OFFERING ENVELOPES are at the back of the church.  If you don't see your envelopes and would like a box, please sign the list and a set will be available for you next Sunday.

VAN SERVICE: If you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler at (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).  

The van service for grocery shopping will resume in the Spring. 

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – To host a coffee hour after church, speak with Rhoda Jabbour.

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  This food will be given to families in need in Jamaica, New York. 

Donations for pets brought to the church office will be given to Worthy Pause to be distributed to local animal shelters.   

Christmas cards (with Forever Stamps on the envelopes) are collected in a basket at the back of the sanctuary.  These cards will enable inmates at the Nassau County Correction Center to correspond with their loved ones.                        

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgado, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, Irma Matzke, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra