November 19, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

* Congregation stands

BOLD – Congregation responds

PRELUDE                                                                               Sean Cotty                                               

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)                                                       

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                                           Dana Chan                                                           To you I lift up my eyes,

O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,

As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

So our eyes look to the LORD our God,

Until God has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us.

For you have been our dwelling place in all generations.                                                                                                     

* HYMN No. 376                                        We Gather Together

PRAYER OF CONFESSION            

When we have afflicted others,

whether by our own power

or by our silent support of systems

that oppress, enslave, and crush,

forgive us, Lord.

When we have perplexed others

and purposely confused them for our own gain

or driven them to despair,

forgive us, Lord.

When we have shunned others,

casting them out of our community,

leaving them forsaken and alone,

forgive us, Lord.

When we have struck down others,

casting stones on their dreams and hopes

until they are broken,

forgive us, Lord.

(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:              Precious Lord Take My hand            Tommy Dorsey

  Youth Choir (Adult on Vs. 3)

Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand;

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near,

When my life is almost gone;

Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall:

Take my hand, precious Lord lead me home.

When the darkness appears And the night draws near,

And the day is past and gone;

At the river I stand, Guide my feet, hold my hand;

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.                                                

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response:                                 For the Life That You Have Given                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

For the life that you have given, for the love in Christ made known,

With these fruits of time and labor, with these gifts that are your own,

Here we offer, Lord, our praises; heart and mind and strength we bring;

Give us grace to love and serve you, living what we pray and sing.

* HYMN No. 374                            Now Thank We All Our God

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Judges 4:1-7                                                                       p. 191               

Matthew 25:14-30                                                      p. 807

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON          If Women Ran the World Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:                                                            

From Belhar Confession, Article 2

We believe in one holy, universal Christian church, the communion of saints called from the entire human family.

We believe that the variety of spiritual gifts, opportunities, backgrounds, convictions, as well as the various languages and cultures are opportunities for mutual service and enrichment within the one visible people of God.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

During the offertory, you may bring forward your pledge card and your offering. In some Christian traditions, individuals bring forward their offerings every week to symbolize not only the offering of their gifts but the offering of their whole lives.  In Romans 12:1, Paul encourages the church with these words: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship." We thank you for your generosity and for all the ways you share your lives and your gifts with this church.

       Offertory:               Be Thou My Vision      John Ness Beck

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art.

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom and thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father and I Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Amen.

* The Doxology (pew card)                                                  

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 375                               Sing to the Lord of Harvest

* 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

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Monday, November 20, 7:30 pm

St. Kevin R.C. Church (45-21 194th St. Flushing, NY)

WCC December luncheon and program

Saturday, December 9th, 1:00 pm.

We invite all women of COTH to attend.  Sandwiches and salads by Marino Bros. and Christmas cookies by all of you. Program will be the Sweet Adeline’s singing songs of the season. Please bring a friend to this wonderful afternoon of fellowship.

Weekly Calendar

Tuesday: No Bible Study this week

Wednesday: No Yoga this week

Thursday: No Prayer Group this week

Prayer List

Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Joan Dwyer, Rosemarie Graffeo, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow

November 12, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

* Congregation stands

BOLD – Congregation responds

PRELUDE                                                                               Sean Cotty                                               

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)                                                       

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                                         Bob White                                                   

Let us worship the eternal God,

the source of love and life, who creates us.

Let us worship Jesus Christ,

the risen one, who lives among us.

Let us worship the Spirit,

the holy fire, who renews us.

To the one true God be praise

in all times and places,

through the grace of Jesus Christ.                                                                                                           

* HYMN No. 353                              For the Beauty of the Earth

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                 Carlos Rivera                                          

Merciful God,

you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you.

We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy.

We have not loved you with a pure heart,

nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.

We have not done justice, loved kindness,

or walked humbly with you, our God.

Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness.

(Silent Prayers of Confession)

Lord, have mercy.

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

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

To all who turn from sin in sorrow,

to all who turn to God in hope,

this is God’s Word of grace:

We are accepted, we are forgiven, we are loved.

This gift we have from God.

Thanks be to God.

SUMMARY OF THE LAW                                —Micah 6:8, NRSV

He has told you, O mortal, 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?

Herein is wisdom.

Glory be to God.

* Gloria Patri (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:                    I Shall Not Be Moved                      Alice 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.

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.                                                 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response:                                             Hear Our Prayer O Lord                                                                                                     

Hear our prayer, O Lord;

incline thine ear to us, 

and grant us thy peace.

Amen.

* HYMN No. 419                                           God of Our Fathers

Prayer of Illumination

Lord God, help us turn our hearts to you

and hear what you will speak,

for you speak peace to your people

through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Psalm 43                                                                              p. 448               

Matthew 23:1-12                                                        p. 804

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                             Mixing It Up       Rev. Ann Kansfield

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:                  Belhar Confession, Article 3                                                      We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ, that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

       Offertory:                                               David Stanley York

Once to Every Man and Nation

Once to every Man and Nation comes the moment to decide,

In the strife of Truth with Falsehood For the good or evil side.

By the light of burning martyrs, Jesus' bleeding feet I track,

Toiling up new Calvaries ever with the cross that turns not back.

Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet 'tis truth alone is strong.

Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne.

Yet the scaffold sways and future, and behind the dim unknown,

Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.

Amen.

* The Doxology (pew card)                                                  

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 418                                     America, the Beautiful

* BENEDICTION

Response:                                                             Sevenfold Amen                                   

POSTLUDE

Announcements

Guest Preacher: Rev. Ann Kansfield, Minister of Greenpoint Reformed Church and FDNY Chaplain.

Fall Concert, Saturday, November 18th at 7:00 pm 

There will be a concert in the sanctuary at Church on the Hill. Pianist, Dora Galit, Saxophonist, Chris Miley, and Cellist, Kelsey Sheldon will be joining our music director, Sean Cotty in performing music by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Brahms, and John Williams.

This concert is free and open to the public.  

Reception following in the Music Room. Bring a friend!

YPF 2017 Christmas Wreath Mission Trip Fundraiser Sale

The Youth Group will be raising money for their mission trips by selling 25 inch diameter Victorian-themed decorated Christmas wreaths for $27.  The wreaths will be delivered the week of December 4th - 8th.  Please let Jen Hopper or the church office know if you would like to order a wreath by Tuesday, November 14th. Thank you so much for your support!

Operation Christmas Child

The shoeboxes are due next Sunday, November 19. These gifts will bless children in need around the world.

Appreciation

We wish to thank all the volunteers who helped to make our 2017 Harvest Festival a success this year.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, November 19, Stewardship Sunday

Monday, November 20, 7:30 p.m., Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, St. Kevin R.C. Church (45-21 194th St. Flushing, NY).

Prayer List

Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Joan Dwyer, Rosemarie Graffeo, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow

November 5, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                                                                       Sean Cotty                 

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                                    Arden Beron                                               

Praise the Lord!

How good it is to sing praises to our God!

For God is gracious and a song of praise is fitting.

The Lord gathers the outcasts, heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.

God lifts up the downtrodden and casts the wicked to the ground.

Great is the LORD and abundant in power!

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving!                                                                                                            

* HYMN No. 43                                  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

PRAYER OF CONFESSION            

Almighty God - Savior, Liberator and Lover of all people,

We confess that we have not loved you with our whole hearts

Or modeled your self-sacrificing love that has won our freedom.

We have heard rumors of modern-day slavery

But preferred not to look too closely

At what is difficult to face and painful to think about.

We have chosen to keep our eyes shut and not ask difficult questions.

And yet we remember how you came into our darkness

And always walk beside us, and never look away from us – no matter what.

We are truly sorry – please forgive us and make us more like you.

(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:                        In Remembrance                      Buryl Red      

In remembrance of me, eat this bread,

In remembrance of me, drink this wine.

In remembrance of me, pray for the time, 

when God's own will is done.

In remembrance of me, heal the sick.

in remembrance of me, feed the poor.

In remembrance of me, open the door,

and let your brother in.

Take, eat, and be comforted,

Drink and remember, too

that this is my body and precious blood,

Shed for you.

In remembrance of me, search for truth.

In remembrance of me, always love.

In remembrance of me, don't look above, 

but in your heart.

Look in your heart for God.

Do this in remembrance of me.                                              

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Exodus 3:1-10                                                                     p. 44      

Luke 4:14-21                                                                     p. 835

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                            Hear the Cry                  Rev. Bob Abel

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:                                                                

       Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:                   Sine Nomine      Ralph Vaughn Williams

For all the saints who from their labors rest,

Who thee by faith before the world confessed,

Thy name, O Jesus be forever blest.

Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their fortress and their might,

Thou Lord, their captain in the well fought fight,

Thou in the darkness drear their one true light.

Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

And win with them the victor's crown of gold.

Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia!

       * 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          Hear Our Prayer, O Heavenly Father                                                                                                                                          

Hear our prayer, O Heavenly Father,

for the dear Redeemer's sake. Amen.

* HYMN No. 3                             Holy God, We Praise Your Name

* BENEDICTION

Response                          The Lord Bless You and Keep You        

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord lift his countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

The Lord make his face shine upon you,

and be gracious unto you.

Amen.

POSTLUDE

All are invited to join us downstairs in Gessner Hall for a coffee hour. Rev. Abel will share about the Remember Nhu ministries and his work with them. Join us for this time of learning about God's work in other places around the world and supporting Bob in his ministry. 

Announcements

Fall Concert - "Sean and Friends"

Saturday, November 18th at 7:00 pm 

There will be a concert in the sanctuary at Church on the Hill. Pianist, Dora Galit, Saxophonist, Chris Miley, and Cellist, Kelsey Sheldon will be joining our music director, Sean Cotty in performing music by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Brahms, and John Williams.

This concert is free and open to the public.  

Reception following in the Music Room. Bring a friend!

YPF 2017 Christmas Wreath Mission Trip Fundraiser Sale

The Youth Group will be raising money for their mission trips by selling 25 inch diameter Victorian-themed decorated Christmas wreaths for $27.  The wreaths will be delivered the week of December 4th - 8th.  Please let Jen Hopper or the church office know if you would like to order a wreath by Tuesday, November 14th. Thank you so much for your support!

Guest Preacher: The Reverend Robert (Bob) Abel

Serving as Director of Global Staff Care with an organization called Remember Nhu, Rev. Robert (Bob) Abel works to end child sex slavery through prevention.

Bob began in ministry in 2004 serving as Pastor of Congrega-tional Life and Youth with Bethany Reformed Church in Sheboygan, WI. He began seminary that same year and graduated with a Masters in Divinity from Western Theological

Seminary in 2009.  Upon ordination in the Reformed Church in

America (RCA) that same year, Bob led a church-plant in the

Sheboygan area where he served as lead pastor until the end of 2016. It was at that time that Bob, along with his wife Amy and two children, Josiah and Judah, began to serve full-time with Remember Nhu through RCA Global Missions.

Bob also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Marquette University. Prior to ministry, he spent 14 years as a business executive at a global organization working in the various areas of finance, marketing, sales and logistics. After moving to Thailand in early 2017, Bob and his family are now based in the United States and living in Kohler, WI.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, November 12, Our guest preacher will be Rev. Ann Kansfield, Minister of Greenpoint Reformed Church and FDNY Chaplain.

Sunday, November 19, Stewardship Sunday

Monday, November 20, 7:30 p.m., Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, St. Kevin R.C. Church (45-21 194th St. Flushing, NY).

Commissioning Service

The commissioning service for Rev. Stacey Duensing will take place on Sunday, November 12, at 3 p.m. at Lynnwood Reformed Church (3714 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303). All are invited to attend this festive occasion!

Prayer List

Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Joan Dwyer, Rosemarie Graffeo, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow

October 29, 2017

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                                                                               Sean Cotty                                               

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)                                                       

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                                  Pam Lopez

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

So that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!

Let your work be manifest to your servants;

May your favor be upon us in this hour of worship and always.                                                                                                           

* HYMN No. 362                                          Morning Has Broken

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of the past, the present, and the future:

Forgive us our swift forgetfulness of your past acts of salvation.

Forgive us our blindness to your work among us.

Forgive us our lack of hope in your future and our lack of trust in you.

Forgive us the times we sacrifice your desires for short-term pleasure and satisfaction for 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.

* Gloria Patri (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:                                                                 Thomas Tallis

                  If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments

If ye love Me, keep my commandments, 

and I will pray the Father,

and He shall give you another comforter.

That He may abide with you forever,

Ev'n the Spirit of truth.                                                

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response:  Let the Words of My Mouth                                                                                       

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Amen.

* HYMN No. 369                                     Lord of All Hopefulness

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Deuteronomy 34:1-12                                                       p. 168               

Matthew 22:34-46                                                      p. 804

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON            A Future Not Our Own Rev. Blaine Crawford

NEW MEMBERS PRESENTATION:

Angela Brunjes

Donald Brunjes

Irma Matzke

Patrick Syms

Do you promise to love, encourage, and support these brothers and sisters 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.

* The Apostles’ Creed (pew card) 

Welcome our brothers and sisters in Christ!

We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share. 

Join us in giving thanks and praise to God,  

And in bearing witness to God’s creative and redeeming Word to all the world.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

       Offertory:                  Seek the Lord                 John Carter

Seek the Lord while he may be found,

Call upon him while he is near;

Let the wicked forsake his way, 

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord,

that he may have mercy on him,

and to our God for he will abundantly pardon.

* The Doxology (pew card)                                                  

* Prayer of Dedication 

* HYMN No. 661                                        Be Strong in the Lord

* BENEDICTION

Response:                     Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing

Lord dismiss us with your blessing;

Fill our hearts with joy and peace;

Let us each, your love possessing,

Triumph in redeeming grace;

O direct us and protect us

traveling through this wilderness.

POSTLUDE                                                                                     

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

Announcements

YPF 2017 Christmas Wreath Mission Trip Fundraiser Sale

The Youth Group will be raising money for their mission trips by selling 25 inch diameter Victorian-themed decorated Christmas wreaths for $27.  The wreaths will be delivered the week of December 4th - 8th.  Please let Jen Hopper or the church office know if you would like to order a wreath by Tuesday, November 14th. Thank you for your support!

Coffee Hour Presentation

Following next week's worship service, all our invited to a special coffee hour. Our guest preacher, the Rev. Bob Abel, serves as an RCA missionary with Remember Nhu ministries. During coffee hour, he will share more about this ministry and his work with them. Join us for this time of learning about God's work in other places around the world and supporting Bob in his ministry. The presentation will be 30-45 minutes.

Looking Ahead

Saturday, November 18, 7:00 p.m., Fall Concert

featuring Sean Cotty, piano, Kelsey Sheldon, cello, and Chris Miley, saxophone.

Sunday, November 19, Stewardship Sunday

Monday, November 20, 7:30 p.m., Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Guest preachers in November:

Nov. 5     Rev. Bob Abel, RCA Missionary

Nov. 12   Rev. Ann Kansfield, Minister of Greenpoint Reformed Church and FDNY Chaplain

Commissioning Service

The commissioning service for Rev. Stacey Duensing will take place on Sunday, November 12, at 3 p.m. at Lynnwood Reformed Church (3714 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303). All are invited to attend this festive occasion!

Weekly Calendar

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

Wednesdays, Yoga, 7:30 p.m., Gessner Hall

Thursdays, Prayer Group, 6:00 p.m., Folensbee Lounge

Prayer List

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, Megan Peters, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow