February 26, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                          

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)         

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Simon Walsh

Great is the Lord—

Exalted among the nations!

Mighty is the Lord—

King of heaven and earth!

Holy is the Lord—

Beyond our understanding!

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God, and worship God upon the holy mountain.

Let us worship our God and King!

* HYMN No. 593         The Gift of Love

PRAYER OF CONFESSION     

Almighty God, we enter your presence humbly, aware that we approach you from a world that chooses to walk in darkness, apart from you. Each one of us has ignored and even denied the enlightening power of Jesus Christ. 

We confess now our sins to you, God of power and might. Penetrate our darkness by the power of Christ’s light.

 (Silent Prayers of Confession)

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

SUMMARY OF THE LAW

Herein is wisdom.

Glory be to God.

* Gloria Patri (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:               His Eye Is on the Sparrow    Charles H. Gabriel    

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me,
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free;
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response

* HYMN No. 180        Christ upon the Mountain Peak

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Exodus 24:12-18        p. 62    

Matthew 17:1-9            p. 798

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                          Listen to Him!     Rev. Blaine Crawford  

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

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

           Offertory:            Dona Nobis Pacem    arr. Hal Hopson

Dona nobis pacem. Amen.  (Grant us peace. Amen.)

* The Doxology (pew card)      

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 309        Wonderful Words of Life     

* BENEDICTION 

      Response              

POSTLUDE         

If you are in need of prayer, you are invited to the front of the sanctuary at the conclusion of the service. One of the elders of the church will be available to pray for you.

All are invited to join us downstairs in Gessner Hall for coffee hour.

Announcements

Special Congregational Meeting following today’s service

The congregation will be voting on the recommendation from the consistory to sell the house on 169th Street.

Ash Wednesday Service, March 1, 2017, 8:00 P.M.

No Bible Study on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

Lenten Bible Study

Tuesdays, during Lent, at 7:30 PM in the Folensbee Lounge, the Tuesday night Bible study group will be reading The Sign and the Sacrifice by Rowan Williams.

Join us for this engaging study on the significance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Books are available for $5 or you can purchase the book on your own. Please let Pastor Blaine know if you need a copy of the book. 

New Members Class

New to Church on the Hill? Want to learn more about the church and its ministries? Interested in becoming a member?

Join us for the next new members' class. It will be held on Sunday, March 19, and Sunday, March 26, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in Gessner Hall. A light breakfast will be served. To sign up, please contact the church office or Pastor Blaine.

A Time of Prayer, Thursdays, 6-7 P.M., Folensbee Lounge

Take time out of your busy lives to slow down, dwell in God's presence and pray to God. If you're unable to join us in the Folensbee Lounge, you’re invited, wherever you are, to pray during this time every Thursday evening. You might start by praying for those listed on the prayer list.

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Helga Brenner-Khan, Linda Betjeman, Sally Ann Castle, Rosemarie Dappio, Allegra DeMelo, Dorothy Heckel, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Cathy Moran, Stacy Muller, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Edie Petry, Dorothy Reid, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan

February 5, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                          

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card) 

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Nancy Gessner

Praise the LORD! Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who greatly delight in his commandments.

They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.

It is well with those who deal generously and conduct their affairs with justice.

For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.

They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the LORD.

Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; God’s righteousness and steadfast love will endure forever.                                                     

* HYMN No. 776        Let Us Break Bread Together

PRAYER OF CONFESSION     

God, you placed us in the world to be its salt.

We are afraid of committing ourselves, afraid of being stained by the world. We do not want to hear what “they” might have to say, and our salt dissolves as if in water. Forgive us, Jesus.

God, you placed us in the world to be its light.

We are afraid of the shadows, afraid of poverty. We do not want to know other people’s struggles, and our light slowly fades away. Forgive us, Jesus.

God, you placed us in the world to live in community.

We are afraid to share in life with others and afraid to struggle for the dignity and justice of others. Forgive us, Jesus.

 (Silent Prayers of Confession)

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

SUMMARY OF THE LAW

Herein is wisdom.

Glory be to God.

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:               The Lord Is My Shepherd    Abraham Kaplan    

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over surely goodness, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.            

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Isaiah 58:1-12        p. 600    

Matthew 5:13-20            p. 786

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                  Tasting and Seeing the Kingdom                    Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:        

       Apostles’ Creed (pew card) 

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

Offertory:            There’s a Light-a-comin’    David Lantz III

There’s a Light acomin’ to our darkness, there’s a Light acomin’ our way.
There’s a Light acomin’ to our darkness, come, O Light and shine today.
There’s a King acomin’ for His kingdom, there’s a King acomin’ to stay.
There’s a King acomin’ for His kingdom, come, O King, and show us the way,
There’s a King comin’ for His kingdom. Come and show the way.

Brighter than the rising sun, The son of God is near.
Free us from our human sin, we wait for midnight clear.
There’s Joy comin’ from the heavens.
There’s Joy comin’ down to earth.
There’s a Joy acomin’ from the heavens, come, O Joy, we long for Your birth.
There’s a Joy comin’ from the heavens, comin’ from the heav’ns.

Brighter than the rising sun, The Son of God is near.
Free us from our human sin, we wait for midnight clear.
There’s a Light acomin’ to our darkness, there’s a Light acomin’ our way.
There’s a Light acomin’ to our darkness, come, O Light and shine today.
There’s a Light acomin’, King acomin’, joy acomin’,
the Son of god is near! God is near!

* The Doxology (pew card)      

* Prayer of Dedication

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

* Remembering with Love and Hope (pew card)

Invitation

Communion Prayer

Sanctus(pew card)

Mystery of the Faith: 

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 

Words of Institution

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response     Let the Words of My Mouth    A. Baumbach                    

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

* HYMN No. 778        As He Gathered at His Table     

* BENEDICTION 

Response        Corner’s Gesangbuch     

May the Grace of Christ Our Savior  

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 

Announcements

The Flowers are given by Sue and Jim Nicholas; the left vase in appreciation of Emerson Chen and the right vase in appreciation of Doris Krsnak.

Souper Bowl Sunday: Today, the Sunday School is participating in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign.  The cans of soup collected will be given to the Queens Federation of Churches food pantry.  Monetary donations will go to the Greenpoint Reformed Church Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.

YPF Valentine’s Day Bake Sale – Next Sunday, February 12, during the coffee hour, the YPF is sponsoring a bake sale to benefit their mission trip this summer.  Please support our young people and their ministry.

Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 P.M., Folensbee Lounge 

The group is looking at the early chapters of each of the four gospels, examining how each of the gospel writers introduce us to Jesus. Join us for this time of fellowship and learning!

A Time of Prayer, Thursdays, 6-7 P.M., Folensbee Lounge

Take time out of your busy lives to slow down, dwell in God's presence and pray to God. If you're unable to join us in the Folensbee Lounge, you’re invited, wherever you are, to pray during this time every Thursday evening. You might start by praying for those listed on the prayer list.

90 Years of COTH:  Celebrating our Legacy, Envisioning our Future

In 2017, Church on the Hill will be celebrating 90 years of ministry. To that end, a number of events will be held throughout the year to remember our church's history and to look forward to our continued ministry in the future. The first such event will be held on March 12 during the coffee hour. For this first event, Sally Ann Castle will lead us through a process that allows us to look back at our history celebrating the many ways God has called us together to this place and is calling us together to future ministry.

Valentines for Vets may be placed in the box at the church entrance. These cards will be delivered to the Veteran’s Hospital in St. Albans.  

Prayer List:

Helga Brenner-Khan, Linda Betjeman, Sally Ann Castle, Rosemarie Dappio, Allegra DeMelo, Dorothy Heckel, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Cathy Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Edie Petry, Dorothy Reid, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan

January 29, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE         Deborah Im                         

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)         

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Debra Rossi

Let us worship God, our light and our salvation.

The Lord is the stronghold of our lives.

We desire to live in God’s house and to seek God in his holy temple.

We have come with shouts of joy, to sing and to make music to the Lord.

Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

Teach us your ways and make straight our paths in this hour of worship and always.                                     

* HYMN No. 514         Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine

PRAYER OF CONFESSION     

God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the kingdom of heaven is given to them.

But we have been proud in spirit, inflated with pride in our own self-sufficiency. We have forgotten how needy we are.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  But we have often presided as harsh judges over the lives of others.

We have been quick to place blame on anything or anyone but ourselves. We have avoided obligations to care for or to help people in need.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

But we are often at war with one another. In a thousand little ways we demand to be catered to. We seldom esteem others as more important than ourselves. We often create strife by demanding our way rather than by walking in God’s Spirit.

 (Silent Prayers of Confession)

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

SUMMARY OF THE LAW

Herein is wisdom.

Glory be to God.

* Gloria Patri (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON

SOLO:                   The Beatitudes    Albert Hay Malotte    

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.                

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response:    In Heavenly Love      Felix Mendelssohn                         

In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.

The storm my roar without me,
My heart my low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

* HYMN No. 297        Spirit of the Living God

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Micah 6:1-8        p. 757    

Matthew 5:1-12            p. 785

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                     Rev. Blaine Crawford

        The Upside-Down Kingdom of Jesus

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:        Belhar Confession, Article 4        

We believe that God has revealed himself as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people; that God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor, and the wronged; that God calls the church to follow him in this, for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

        Offertory:       O for a Closer Walk    Charles Villiers Stanford

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame;
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Return, O holy Dove, return!
Sweet messenger of rest
I hate the sins that made thee mourn,
And drove thee from my breast.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

* The Doxology (pew card)      

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 336        God Is My Great Desire     

* BENEDICTION 

        Response:      Sevenfold Amen    John Stainer           

POSTLUDE         

If you are in need of prayer, you are invited to the front of the sanctuary at the conclusion of the service. One of the elders of the church will be available to pray for you.

All are invited to join us downstairs in Gessner Hall for coffee hour.

 

Announcements

The Beacon of Pluralism Candle Lighting Ceremony

Tomorrow, January 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., you are invited to a celebration of faith and religious freedom in Flushing. The Beacon of Pluralism Project is hosting a ceremonial candle lighting ceremony and photo exhibition at the historic Flushing Meeting House. All are invited to gather to commemorate the birth of religious freedom in North America that began with the Flushing Remonstrance in 1657. Included in the evening will be a viewing of photographs highlighting the unique qualities of each house of worship, including Church on the Hill.

Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 P.M., Folensbee Lounge 

The group will be looking at the early chapters of each of the four gospels, examining how each of the gospel writers introduce us to Jesus. Join us for this time of fellowship and learning!

A Time of Prayer, Thursdays, 6-7 P.M., Folensbee Lounge

Take time out of your busy lives to slow down, dwell in God's presence and pray to God. If you're unable to join us in the Folensbee Lounge, you’re invited, wherever you are, to pray during this time every Thursday evening. You might start by praying for those listed on the prayer list.

90 Years of COTH:  Celebrating our Legacy, Envisioning our Future

In 2017, Church on the Hill will be celebrating 90 years of ministry. To that end, a number of events will be held throughout the year to remember our church's history and to look forward to our continued ministry in the future. The first such event will be held on March 12 during the coffee hour. For this first event, Sally Ann Castle will lead us through a process that allows us to look back at our history celebrating the many ways God has called us together to this place and is calling us together to future ministry.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY – Next Sunday, the Sunday School will again participate in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign.  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 Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.

VALENTINES FOR VETS: Bring your valentines on Sundays, February 5 and 12.  Deposit them in the box at the church entrance. These cards will be delivered to the Veteran’s Hospital in St. Albans.  

Prayer List

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Helga Brenner-Khan, Linda Betjeman, Sally Ann Castle, Rosemarie Dappio, Allegra DeMelo, Betty Gessner, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Cathy Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Edie Petry, Dorothy Reid, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan

January 15, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

* Congregation stands

BOLD – Congregation responds

PRELUDE         Nathalie Wang, organist                

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Steve Sarran                                        

I waited patiently for the LORD; God inclined to me and heard my cry.

The LORD put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

Blessed are those who make the LORD their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.

For you have multiplied, O LORD our God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us. 

So we gather to tell the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation!

You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

You are the Messiah, the anointed one, who comes to restore all things.

Do not, O LORD, withhold your mercy from us; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep us forever.                

* HYMN No. 464         I Lay My Sins on Jesus

PRAYER OF CONFESSION     

Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life.  We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves by clinging to destructive habits, holding grudges, and showing reluctance to welcome one another. We allow the past and our old self to hold us hostage. In your loving-kindness have mercy on us and free us from sin.

(Silent Prayers of Confession)

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

SUMMARY OF THE LAW

Herein is wisdom.

Glory be to God.

* Gloria Patri (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:               Grant Peace, We Pray      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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response:    Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord      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. 552        My Faith Looks Up to Thee

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Isaiah 49:1-7        p. 592    

John 1:29-42            p. 862

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON          The Call to Discipleship    Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:        

We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ. Faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ, our righteousness. And faith is the instrument that keeps us in communion with him and with all his benefits.

~Based on Articles 22 & 23 of the Belgic Confession

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

        Offertory:            I Shall Not Be Moved    arr. Parker

Glory Hallelujah, I shall not be moved,
Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.

(Refrain)
I shall not be, I shall not be moved,
I shall not be, I shall not be moved,

Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
(Glory, Hallelujah,) I shall not be moved.

In His love abiding, I shall not be moved,
And in Him confiding, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.

Though all Hell assail me, I shall not be moved.
Jesus will not fail me, I shall not be moved.
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.

Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved,
On the Rock of Ages, I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree that’s planted by the waters,
I shall not be moved.

    * The Doxology (pew card)      

    * Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 689        The Church’s One Foundation     

* BENEDICTION 

    Response:      Seven-fold Amen    Lutkin           

POSTLUDE         

If you are in need of prayer, you are invited to the front of the sanctuary at the conclusion of the service. One of the elders of the church will be available to pray for you.

Announcements

Our Flowers are given by Vivian, Peter and Adriana Sclafani.  They wish their friends at COTH a happy new year.

Coffee Hour: All are invited to join us downstairs in Gessner Hall for coffee hour and a time of fellowship..

Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 P.M., Folensbee Lounge.

Over the next two months, the group will be looking at the early chapters of each of the four gospels, examining how each of the gospel writers introduce us to Jesus. Join us for this time of fellowship and learning!

A Time of Prayer, Thursdays, 6-7 P.M., Folensbee Lounge

Take time out of your busy lives to slow down, dwell in God's presence and pray to God. If you're unable to join us in the Folensbee Lounge, you’re invited, wherever you are, to pray during this time every Thursday evening. You might start by praying for those listed on the prayer list.

Congregational Meeting, January 22, 2017

Following the worship service next Sunday, a congregational meeting will be held to disseminate information pertaining to the consistory's recommendation to sell the house on 169th St. Please plan to join us for this important meeting to learn more about the recommendation and the process. There will also be opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have. 

90 Years of COTH: Celebrating our Legacy, Envisioning our Future

In 2017, Church on the Hill will be celebrating 90 years of ministry. To that end, a number of events will be held throughout the year to remember our church's history and to look forward to our continued ministry in the future. The first such event will be held on February 12 during the coffee hour. For this first event, Sally Ann Castle will lead us through a process that allows us to look back at our history celebrating the many ways God has called us together to this place and is calling us together to future ministry.

Offering Envelopes

If you haven't picked up your offering envelopes for 2017, you may pick them up at the back of the sanctuary.