October 1, 2017

World Communion Sunday

World Communion Sunday, held annually on the first Sunday of October, is a celebration of the unity of the worldwide church through Christ. Christians in congregations around the world participate in the Lord's Supper.

The unity of the church is a theme that needs constant attention. In a day of embarrassing fractures, congregations must step back from their own local concerns and highlight the unity of the body for which Jesus himself prayed (John 17:20-21). Such observances also give the church an opportunity to recommit itself to a life of unity.

The unity of the church needs to be observed and valued on several levels. Local unity sees worshipers of a local community experiencing their oneness in Christ without regard to their diverse experiences, ethnicity, opinions, or gender. Generational unity sees worshipers of all age levels sharing their oneness in Christ and encouraging one another. Historical unity sees the worshipers of today affirming their oneness with those who have gone before, perhaps many centuries before. Global unity sees God’s people of a variety of cultures and traditions affirming one another’s value, praying for one another, and joining in service together. Each of these dimensions demonstrates that unity does not imply uniformity.

(From The Worship Sourcebook, p. 726)

PRELUDE                                                                       Sean Cotty                 

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                            Barbara Andrade

The world belongs to God,
the earth and all its people.
How good and lovely it is
to live together in unity.
Love and justice come together,
justice and peace join hands.
If the Lord’s disciples keep silent
the very stones themselves would shout aloud that our world belongs to God and God is building a global hope.

Open our lips, O God,
and our mouths shall proclaim your praise.                                                                                                               

* HYMN No. 758                                                  Baptized in Water

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Across the barriers that divide race from race:

reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.

Across the barriers that divide rich from poor:

reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.

Across the barriers that divide people of different cultures:

reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.

Across the barriers that divide Christians:

reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.

Across the barriers that divide men and women, young and old:

reconcile us, O Christ, by your cross.

Confront us, O Christ, with the hidden prejudices and fears that deny and betray our prayers.

Enable us to see the causes of strife;

remove from us all senses of superiority.

(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:                    Grant Peace We Pray   Felix Mendelssohn

Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord,

In our time peace, oh, send us!

For there is non on earth but Thee,

None other to defend us.

Thou only Lord, canst fight for us.                                                   

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Exodus 17:1-7                                                                     p. 56      

Matthew 21:23-32                                                           p. 802

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON       The Sweetness of New Life   Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:                                                                

       Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:      Draw Us In the Spirit's Tether   Harold W. Friedell

Draw us in the Spirit's tether;

For when humbly, in thy name,

Two or three are met together, 

Thou art in the midst of them:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Touch we now thy garment's hem.

As brethren used to gather in the name of Christ to sup,

Then with thanks to God the Father break the bread and bless the cup,

Alleluia! Alleluia! So knit thou our friendship up.

All our meals and all our living make as sacraments of thee,

That by caring, helping, giving, we may true disciples be.

Alleluia! Alleluia! We Will serve thee faithfully, we will serve thee.

       * 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: Hear Our Prayer, O Lord

Hear our prayer, O Lord, Hear our prayer, O Lord;

Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen

* HYMN No. 517                                                        The Solid Rock

* BENEDICTION

Response: 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. Amen

POSTLUDE

Announcements

 Men’s Communion Breakfast

October 15, 2017, 9:30 a.m.  (see insert)

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Donations

Last month, we collected special donations for the hurricane relief efforts in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean. A total of $3,000.00 was raised and will be sent to St. Thomas Reformed Church, St. Croix Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America, who is working in south Texas. 

Thank you for your generosity and your prayers.

Free Concert, Thursday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Trio Bauge will be joining pianist Abram Korsunsky in a concert at Church on the Hill. The program will include music by Beethoven, Brahms, and Dohnanyi. This concert is free and open to the public. There will be a small reception in the music room following the performance.

Fall Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Folensbee Lounge

Have you ever wondered how the things you’ve experienced in life fit into God’s great plan?  You’re not alone. This fall, the Bible study will be learning from the life of Abraham. Guided by the book Abraham: One’s Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith, you’ll learn how the challenges, failures and triumphs of Abraham are a pattern for the life of every believer. Books are available for purchase for $10 or you can purchase your own.

Free Yoga

Yoga in the Yard is moving inside this fall! After a successful summer in the church yard, we will continue to offer free yoga classes this fall in Gessner Hall. Yoga will be on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mats are provided and the class is for all ability levels!  Join us and bring a friend to this free class.

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.

Prayer List

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Joan Dwyer, Rosemarie Graffeo, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Denise Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Dorothy Reid, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan the family of Michael & Margaret Gittens, the family of Rosa Weed.

April 16, 2017

EASTER SUNDAY

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE Deborah Im         

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card) 

* CALL TO WORSHIP Nancy Gessner

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has given us new life and hope by raising Jesus from the dead.

God has claimed us as his own.

God has brought us out of darkness shining light on all the world.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

* HYMN No. 234 Christ the Lord is Risen Today

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lord, bring new life where we are worn and tired; new love where we have turned hard-hearted; forgiveness where we feel hurt and where we have wounded; and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit where we are prisoners of ourselves.

(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:                      Christ Our Passover Will C. MacFarlane

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over Him.  For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin: but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ is risen from the dead: and become the first fruits of them that slept for since by man came death: by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die: even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end.

Amen.             

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Jeremiah 31:1-6 p. 641

John 20:1-18 p. 882

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                  The King’s Return Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

Apostles’ Creed (pew card) 

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:        King All-Glorious George M. Vail

The Chancel Choir, Maureen Saepia-Chen, soprano

Rejoice, the Lord is King!  Your Lord and King adore!  Mortals, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore.  The Lord is King!  Jesus the Savior reigns, the God of truth and love: when he had purged our stains, He took his seat above.  Lift up your heart!  Lift up your voice!  The Lord is King!

King all-glorious, Lord of Hosts almighty, Thou art revealed in victory, o'er all the world ascended.  King all-glorious!  Thou art revealed in victory.

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, your Lord and King adore.  Jesus, the Savior, reigns, come and your King adore.  Hail ye the Lord and King! Jesus, the Savior, reigns!  Your King adore.

Heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, and hail him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.  King all-glorious, reign!  Amen.

* 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)

Prayer Response         

* HYMN No. 250Jesus Christ Is Risen Today  

* BENEDICTION 

Response (standing)  from Messiah Georg Friedrich Handel

Hallelujah!  For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.  King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah! 

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

Easter Egg Hunt after the service on the Church lawn for children, ages 9 and under.

Bible Study

There is no Bible study this week. A new 8-week Bible study will begin on April 25.  The Bible is a rather large book written over centuries in different languages.  The 66 books are filled with different genres of writing all of which together witness to the story of God dwelling with God’s people.

The eight week course will be an overview of the Bible, seeking to answer the questions: “What’s the big, overarching story of Scripture?  “How are all the disparate books and stories connected to one another?”  How does the Old Testament relate to the New Testament?” and “Why is it important to read all of Scripture?”

Bring your Bible and join us on Tuesdays, at 7:30 PM, in the Folensbee Lounge.  

Congregational Meeting & Luncheon, May 21, 12:00 PM

Election of elders and deacon. The slate is as follows:

Elder nominees: Joe Macaluso, Jeanne Sarran

Deacon nominee: Yoon Ryo

Guest Preacher

On Sunday, May 7, the guest preacher at our worship service will be Rev. Douglas Estella.

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.

Prayer List:

Helga Brenner-Khan, Linda Betjeman, Sally Ann Castle, Hsiow-yeng Chen, Rosemarie Dappio, Allegra DeMelo, Dorothy Heckel, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Jane Lynch, Marie Mark, Ginny Marsico, 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

April 2, 2017

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

* Congregation stands

BOLD – Congregation responds

PRELUDE: Deborah Im     

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card) 

* CALL TO WORSHIP Dorien Day

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.

Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the LORD! 

For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with God is great power to redeem.

* HYMN No. 130 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

PRAYER OF CONFESSIONSarah White  

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 justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin.

 (Silent Prayers of Confession)

Lord, have mercy.

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

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Sarah White

Romans 8:10-11

But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. 

SUMMARY OF THE LAW Sally Ann Castle

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Herein is wisdom.

Glory be to God.

JUNIOR SERMON Jeanne Sarran

ANTHEM:  Lord, It Belongs Not to My Care Carl Schalk

Lord, it belongs not to my care
whether I die or live:
to love and serve thee is my share,
and this thy grace must give.

Christ leads me through no darker rooms
than he went through before;
he that into God's kingdom comes
must enter by this door.

Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet
thy blessed face to see;
for if thy work on earth be sweet,
what will thy glory be!

Then shall I end my sad complaints
and weary, sinful days,
and join with the triumphant saints
that sing my Saviour's praise.

My knowledge of that life is small,
the eye of faith is dim;
but 'tis enough that Christ knows all,
and I shall be with him.            

SCRIPTURE READINGS: Dorien Day

Ezekiel 37:1-14 p. 704

John 11:1-45 p. 873

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                     Rev. Amy Nyland

Optimism, Possibility, and Resurrection

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

Apostles’ Creed (pew card) 

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

Offertory:      Into the Woods My Master Went arr. Phil Hall

Into the woods my Master went,
Clean forspent, forspent,
Into the woods my Master came,
Forspent with love and shame.
But the olives they were not blind to Him.
The little grey leaves were kind to Him,
The thorn tree had a mind to Him,
When into the woods He came.

Out of the woods my Master came
And he was well content;
Out of the woods my Master came,
Content with death and shame.
When death and shame would woo Him last,
From under the trees they drew Him last,
’Twas on a tree they slew Him—last
When out of the woods He came.

* The Doxology (pew card)  

* Prayer of Dedication

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Sally Ann Castle

* 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)

Prayer Response                    Felix Mendelssohn  

Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord

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 heav’ns.
Let none be made ashamed
That wait upon thee.

* HYMN No. 462Lord Jesus, Think on Me  

* BENEDICTION 

Response God Be in My Head John Rutter      

God be in my head and in my understanding.
God be in mine eyes and in my looking.
God be in my mouth and in my speaking.
God be in mine heart and in my thinking.
God be at my end and in my departing.

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

Guest Preacher    

Today, we welcome to the pulpit the Reverend Amy Nyland, Executive Minister for the Regional Synod of New York. 

Lenten Offering Envelopes

Today, the special Lenten offerings will be given to the Remember Nhu Ministries, a mission in Thailand which provides practical assistance and educational opportunities to women and girls who have been victims of trafficking.  RCA missionaries Bob and Amy Abel have recently moved to Thailand to work full time with Remember Nhu and connect them with RCA global missions.

Holy Week Events

Sunday, Apr. 9

9:30 AM Sunday School

11:00 AM Palm Sunday Service of Worship

12:00 PM YPF Casserole Sale

Thursday, Apr. 13

6:30 PM Pot Luck Supper

7:15 PM Communion

Friday, Apr. 14

8:00 PM Service of Darkness/Cantata

“The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Théodore Dubois

Sunday, Apr. 16

7:00 AM Sunrise Service (Bowne Park)

No Sunday School

11:00 AM Celebration of the Resurrection

12:00 PM Easter Egg Hunt (church lawn)

March 19, 2016

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE Deborah Im              

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)  

* CALL TO WORSHIP Steve Sarran

Let us worship God,

for whom our souls thirst and our bodies long.

Listen, listen to me,

and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

We have come to hear the Word God has sent.

God’s Word will not return empty

but will accomplish through us his holy purpose.

Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

Then we will go out with joy and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and the hills will sing;

the trees of the field will clap their hands.

* HYMN No. 651 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

God of compassion,

in Jesus Christ you did not disdain the company of sinners

but welcomed them with love.

Look upon us in mercy, we pray.

Our sins are more than we can bear;

our pasts enslave us; our misdeeds are beyond correcting.

Forgive the wrongs we cannot undo;

free us from a past we cannot change;

heal what we can no longer fix.

 (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:               Cause us, O Lord  Ron Nelson

Junior Choir

Cause us, O Lord we pray, to lie down each night in peace.

Cause us, O Lord we pray, to lie down each night in peace.

Waken us each morning, we pray Thee, be with us through-out the day.

Waken us each morning, we pray Thee be our guide as we go our way.

Cause us, O Lord we pray, to lie down each night in peace.

Cause us, O Lord we pray, to lie down each night in peace.

We shall love the Lord, our God, with all our strength and all our might.

We shall serve the Lord with gladness serve His name in truth and light.

Cause us, O Lord we pray, to lie down each night in peace.

Cause us, O Lord we pray, to lie down each night in peace.

Amen. Amen.    

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response: Lead Me, Lord   Samuel Wesley

Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Exodus 17:1-7 p. 56

John 4:5-42 p. 864

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON          Waters of Life Rev. Blaine Crawford

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Presentation of Joseph Ximo Parker

Congregational Question:

Do you promise to love, encourage, and support this child. by teaching the gospel of God’s love, by being an example of Christian faith and character, and by giving the strong support of God’s family in fellowship, prayer, and service? We do.

* Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:        Offertory John Ness Beck

With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on High? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, Shall I come before Him with yearling calves?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

He has shown you, O man; He has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

* The Doxology (pew card)  

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 758Baptized in Water

* BENEDICTION 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

Today’s Flowers 

The flowers are given by Jeanne and Steve Sarran in honor of their grandson, Joseph Ximo Parker on his baptism. 

Lenten Offering Envelopes

During Lent, the special offerings will be given to the Deacons Fund at Church on the Hill. The Deacons Fund is used to meet immediate needs of individuals and families in our community. 

Guest Preacher Next Sunday

Next Sunday, the Rev. Megan Hodgin will be preaching. Rev. Hodgin serves RCA congregations as the Coordinator for Global Church Engagement. She is a graduate of Western Theological Seminary and comes to this position with six years of pastoral experience in West Michigan. During coffee hour, Rev. Hodgin will be sharing more about RCA global mission. Don't miss this great opportunity!

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. 

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.

Prayer List

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