Emerson Chen

March 20, 2015

March 22, 2015

Emerson Chen

March 20, 2015

PRELUDE

Prelude and Fugue in e minor, J.S. Bach
Prelude on "Rhosymedre", R. Vaughan-Williams

SALUTATION AND WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Sarah White

Leader:   Come among us, living Lord.
People:   We come to hear your living Word.
Leader:   We meet together in the name of Christ
People:   To share your mission and your sacrifice; To receive the power that only you can give, that we might live!
Leader:   We gather to worship and proclaim your saving grace;
People:   To be drawn into your world of beauty and justice.
Leader:   Let us worship in spirit and in truth.

* HYMN No. 50: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Gracious Father, the God of life, teach us ever more to respect and love all the lives you create. Forgive us our lack of concern and love for those who are hungry and thirsty. Teach us to open our hearts to all your children. Forgive us when we are negligent and uncaring for those who suffer from a careless society, for those imprisoned, and for those who find themselves in a new and strange land. Teach us to open our homes and churches, to visit the lonely and forgotten, and to bring your love into their lives on this earth. Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)

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

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM: from The Crucifixion, John Stainer

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that who-so believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that tthe world through Him might be saved.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER, Maureen Saepia-Chen
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Prayer Response, George Whelpton

Hear our prayer, O Lord; incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace.

* HYMN No. 742: Tell All the World of Jesus

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 97, Pew Bible, page 480

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.

His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.

All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.

Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Matthew 25:31-46, Pew Bible, page 807

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

THE SERMON: A Faith that Loves, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS, Jeanne Sarran
Offering
Offertory: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, arr. Gilbert M.Martin

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

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Based on the Belhar Confession, Section 4

We believe that God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly.

We believe that for God, pure and undefiled religion is to visit the orphans and the widows in their suffering.

We believe that the church must stand by people in any form of suffering and need and must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

* HYMN No. 231: Ah, Holy Jesus

* BENEDICTION
Response: Théodore Dubois

Thee we adore, O Saviour, bless Thee and praise Thee for ever, for on Thy holy cross Thou has the world from sin redeemed.

POSTLUDE: Prelude on "Hyfrydol", R. Vaughan-Williams

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY: Every Wednesday during Lent, Pastor Blaine and Elder Sally Ann Castle will lead a book study on Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie Thompson. They will meet in the Folensbee Lounge at 7:30 P.M. If you are interested, speak to the Pastor or Sally Ann Castle.

LENTEN ENVELOPES: Your special offering during Lent will be placed in the Deacons Fund. Please use the envelope in the bulletin. Thank you.

COMMUNION TO SHUT-INS: Pastor Blaine and an elder will be making communion visits to our shut-ins during Lent. Please contact the Pastor or the church office if you know someone who would like to be visited.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Jorge Alamilla
Greeter: Irma Shubert
Ushers: Irma Karle, Judie Kellaway, Debra Rossi, Sally Ann Castle
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli, Wai Chu

VAN MINISTRY: Volunteers are desparately needed to assist with driving members to worship services. If you can help, speak with Gerry Mendler after church or call (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).

Also, if you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler.

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

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Helga Brenner-Khan, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jackie Fraser, Elaine Good, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Keith Pearson, Josephine Rivera, Matthew Schulman, Janice Serra, Emily Testu

Emerson Chen

February 20, 2015

February 22, 2015

Emerson Chen

February 20, 2015

PRELUDE: Two Settings of the Passion Chorale, Johannes Brahms

SALUTATION AND WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Gerry Mendler

Leader: Let us worship God, who has done great things.
People: We rejoice in our God, who made a way through the desert of this world.
Leader: Let us worship God, who has caused streams of mercy to flow in the wasteland.
People: We are the people God has formed through Christ; we worship him, and we rejoice!
Leader: Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

* HYMN No. 200 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected forgiveness, and ignored the truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM: Out of the Depths, Alan Hovhaness

The Chancel Choir; Elizabeth Mahowald, soprano

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Prayer response, Frederick C. Maker

Come to the Saviour, all, whatever your burdens be; Hear now His loving call, “Cast all your care on Me.” Come, and for every grief in Jesus you will find a sure and safe relief, a loving Friend and kind. Amen.

* HYMN No. 783: Here, O My Lord, I See You

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 32:1-5, Pew Bible, page 440

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

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 the guilt of my sin. Selah

Matthew 18:15-35, Pew Bible, page 799

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

THE SERMON: A Community of the Forgiven, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering
Offertory: Forty Days, Dave Brubeck

Forty days alone in the desert, days and nights of constant prayer, seeking in the wailing wind an answer to despair, forty days of questioning: Why was he there? In the desert, in the lonely desert. Forty days of fasting and prayer, searching for his destined role, thirsting after righteousness and nourishing his soul, seeking inward miracles to reach his goal. In the desert, in the lonely desert, after forty days in the desert, He and God became as One. Jesus found within Himself the Father's will is done. He must prove to doubting man: He is the Son. In the desert, in the lonely desert.

(Mark 1:12-13)

* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 43

Leader: What benefit do we receive from Christ’s sacrifice and death on the cross?
People: Through Christ’s death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to him.

* HYMN No. 777: The Lord Is Here!

* BENEDICTION
Response, William Horsley

O dearly, dearly has he loved, and we must love him too, and trust in his redeeming power, and try his works to do.

POSTLUDE: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee, J.S. Bach

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OUR FLOWERS are given by Joan Pearson in loving memory of her dear friend, Shirley Haven on the 15th anniversary of her death.

TODAY’S COFFEE HOUR is given by the Congregational Care Committee in honor of everyone with a February Birthday. All are invited.

LENTEN ENVELOPES: Your special offering during Lent will be placed in the Deacons Fund. Please use the envelope in the bulletin. Thank you.

A NEW MEMBERS CLASS will be held in March. If you are interested in joining the Church on the Hill, please speak to Pastor Blaine.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Jorge Alamilla
Greeters: Joan Werbel, Irma Schubert
Ushers: Joanne McCleary, Stacy Muller, Krystal Andaluz and Debra Rossi
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli and Michael Iovale

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).

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

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese (in Liberia), Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Nora McCarthy, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

Emerson Chen

February 16, 2015

February 18, 2015 — Ash Wednesday

Emerson Chen

February 16, 2015

PRELUDE: Two Settings of the Passion Chorale, Johannes Brahms

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Bruce Hoffacker

Leader:   O Lord, open my lips,
People:   And my mouth will declare your praise.
Leader:   You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
People:   You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
Leader:   The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
People:   A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Amen.

* HYMN No. 200: Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Leader:   Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
People:   According to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Leader:   Wash away all my iniquity
People:   And cleanse me from my sin.
Leader:   Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
People:   You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Leader:   Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
People:   Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Leader:   Restore to me the joy of your salvation
People:   And grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)

IMPOSITION OF ASHES

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

ANTHEM: A Lenten Meditation, arr. Brett Michaels

Jesus refuge of the weary, blest redeemer whom we love, fountain in life’s desert dreary, Savior from the work above.

Oh, how ’oft 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!

Graven in our hearts forever, dwell the cross, the Crucified!

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 146:7c-10, Pew Bible, page 507

who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free;

the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!

Matthew 18:1-9, Pew Bible, page 799

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them,and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.

MEDITATION, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering
Offertory: Ah, Holy Jesus, arr. Craig Courtney

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended that we to judge Thee have in hate pretended? By foes derided, by Thine own rejected, O most afflicted!

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee? Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee! 'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee; I crucified Thee.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation, Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life's oblation; Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion, for my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee, I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee, think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving, not my deserving. Ah, holy Jesus.

* 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, Frederick C. Maker

Come to the Saviour, all, Whate'er your burdens be; Hear now His loving call, “Cast all your care on Me.” Come, and for every grief in Jesus you will find a sure and safe relief, a loving Friend and kind. Amen.

* HYMN No. 211: Lead Me to Calvary

* BENEDICTION
Response, William Horsley

O dearly, dearly has he loved, and we must love him too, and trust in his redeeming power, and try his works to do.

POSTLUDE: If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee, J.S. Bach

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOOSE OFFERING - On Ash Wednesday, the loose offering in the plate will be placed in the Benevolence Fund. This fund assists missions of the greater Church. Your extra gift this evening will provide the means to answer these needs. Thank you for caring.

A NEW MEMBERS CLASS will be held in March. If you are interested in joining the Church on the Hill, please speak to Pastor Blaine.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese (in Liberia), Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Nora McCarthy, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

Emerson Chen

February 15, 2015

Emerson Chen

February 15, 2015

PRELUDE:

Choral, Josef Jongen
Pastorale, Cesar Franck

SALUTATION AND WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Steve Sarran

Leader:   Great is the Lord—
People:   Exalted among the nations.
Leader:   Mighty is the Lord—
People:   King of heaven and earth.
Leader:   Holy is the Lord—
People:   Beyond our understanding.
Leader:   Let us worship our God and King!

* HYMN No. 99: When Morning Gilds the Skies

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Eternal God, we confess that we have praised you with our lips but have not glorified you with our lives. Have mercy on us, we pray, for our weak faith that fades under pressure, for our quick enthusiasm that just as quickly dies, for the hopes we proclaim but do not pursue. Forgive us, Lord God, and give us new trust in your power, that we may live for justice and tell of your loving-kindness by our acts as by our words, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM: Locus Iste, Anton Bruckner

TRANSLATION:

This place was made by God a priceless mystery; it is without reproof.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Prayer response, George Whelpton

Hear our prayer, O Lord; incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace.

* HYMN No. 180: Christ Upon the Mountain Peak

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 99, Pew Bible, page 480

The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.

Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!

Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!

Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.

He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.

O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy.

Matthew 16:24-17:8, Pew Bible, page 798

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

THE SERMON: The Mountain and The Cross, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering
Offertory: from A German Requiem, Johannes Brahms

How lovely is Thy dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts. For my soul, it longeth, yea, fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My soul and body crieth out, yea, for the living God.

O blest are they that dwell within Thy house; they praise Thy name evermore.

* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication

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

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

* BENEDICTION
Response, John Newton

May the grace of Christ our Savior and the Father's boundless love, with the Holy Spirit's favor, rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union with each other and the Lord, and possess in sweet communion joys which earth cannot afford.

POSTLUDE: Recessional, Frank Asper

VALENTINE’S MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISER BAKE SALE: The Youth Group is having a Valentine’s Day bake sale in Gessner Hall to support their 2015 mission trip. It’s never too late to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Thank you so much for all of your generous support of our youth.

Today's roses are given by Sally Ann and Nora Castle in honor of Mary Moder and in memory of Harvey Moder in remembrance of their Valentine Anniversary.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOOKING AHEAD – Mark your calendars!

Wed. Feb. 18 7:30 PM Lenten Bible Study (see below)

8:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service (see below)

Sun. Mar. 22 9:30 AM Women’s Communion Breakfast

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY: Wednesdays beginning February 18 to April 1, 2015 at 7:30 PM in the Folensbee Lounge. Pastor Blaine and Elder Sally Ann Castle will lead a book study on Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie Thompson. If you are interested, contact Pastor Blaine.

ASH WEDNESDAY, SERVICE OF COMMUNION, February 18 at 8:00 pm.

A NEW MEMBERS CLASS will be held in March. If you are interested in joining the Church on the Hill, please speak to Pastor Blaine.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour
Greeters: Nina and Bill Proschel, Dorothea Zelnick
Ushers: Jean and Gerry Mendler, Jeanne and Steve Sarran
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli, Yessenia Iovale-Perez

CHILDREN AND WORSHIP PROGRAM: Children ages 3 through 7 will share in the service through the Junior Sermon, then go to Room 2E for the Children and Worship Program.

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.