April 22, 2018

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE:    Pavane    Ravel                                 

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)         

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Margaret Vera                                        

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Eternal and ever-blessed God, Lord of heaven and earth:

We praise your glorious majesty.

We see your wisdom in all your works;

Your grace and truth are revealed in Jesus Christ, your Son;

Your power and presence are given to us through your Holy Spirit;

We adore your holy name, O blessed Trinity. 

* HYMN No. 697     In Christ There Is No East or West

PRAYER OF CONFESSION       

Righteous Father, We come asking your forgiveness.

We seek your salvation, then act like we save ourselves.

We beg your forgiveness, then repeat our errors.

We experience your grace, then act defeated.

We rely on your power, but only in hardest of times.

In your mercy, forgive us.

(Prayers of Silent Confession)

Kyrie (sung):     Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

    Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. 

    Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE

God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive together with Christ.

By grace we have been saved!

For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:                        John Ness Beck

        The King of Love My Shepherd Is    

The King of love my shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am His,

And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow,

My ransomed soul He leadeth,

And where the verdant pastures grow,

With food celestial feedeth.

In death's dark vale I far no ill,

With Thee, dear Lord, beside me,

Thy rod and staff my comfort still;

Thy cross before to guide me.

And so through all the length of days,

Thy goodness faileth never.

Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise

Within Thy house forever. 

Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise

Within Thy house forever. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response:       All Things Come of Thee, O Lord                         

All things come of thee, O Lord,

and of thine own have we given thee.

* HYMN No. 689     The Church's One Foundation

Prayer of Illumination

God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Psalm 23        p. 435    

1 John 3:16-24            p. 990

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON         A Community of Faith and Love    Carlos Rivera

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:        

Belgic Confession, Article 22

We believe that for us to acquire the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Spirit kindles in our hearts a true faith that embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits and no longer looks for anything apart from him.

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.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

        Offertory:     Hallelujah (from "Mount of Olives")    Beethoven

Hallelujah unto God's Almighty Son.

Praise the Lord, 

ye bright angelic choirs,

in holy songs of joy,

Man, proclaim his grace

and glory, Hallelujah

* The Doxology (pew card)      

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 263     Alleluia, Sing to Jesus

* BENEDICTION 

Response:           O The Blessedness Is Great          

O the blessedness is great,

and its beauty none can tell, 

on Christ's bosom, safe from harm,

In Him love secure to dwell.

Peace of mind there we find,

and forgetting sadness,

Follow Him with gladness

POSTLUDE:    Fugue in Eb "St. Anne"    Bach        

Announcements

 

Music Note For April:
 

Each week in April the choir will present a different musical setting of Psalm 23. This beloved psalm is one of the best known passages of scripture. Many are drawn to its poetic imagery and the spiritual renewal it provides.

Confirmation Class

The confirmation class, Julia Aiello, Isabel Vera, and Margaret Vera, will take turns serving as readers during the worship service. This coincides with the final section of the confirmation class which is studying worship and the spiritual disciplines. The confirmands will be confirmed on June 3.

Adult Sunday School Opportunity

Next Sunday, April 29th, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library

Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines - Integrating your Faith with Current Events!"  Led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera.

Annual Congregational Meeting & Luncheon

Sunday, May 6, 2018, after the worship service

Election of elder and deacons

Approve the annual budget

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

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Bermudez family, Diane Blagburn, Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Matthew Dagiau, Dombrowski family, William Duchemin, Joan Dwyer, Angela Edward, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Ruth Murray, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow

April 15, 2018

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE:    Nocturne in f-minor    Chopin                          

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)         

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Isabel Vera                                        

We give thanks to you, God our Father, for mercy that reaches out, for patience that waits our returning, for your love that is ever ready to welcome sinners.

We praise you that in Jesus Christ you came to us with forgiveness, and that, by your Holy Spirit, you move us to repent and receive your love.

Though we are sinners, you have adopted us as children.

You are faithful and worthy of all praise. We praise you, great God, in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

* HYMN No. 233     The Strife is O'er

PRAYER OF CONFESSION          Carlos Rivera     

Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave,

you shattered the power of sin and death.

We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear,

bound by the ways that lead to death.

We overlook the poor and the hungry

and pass by those who mourn;

we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed

and indifferent to calls for peace;

we despise the weak and abuse the earth you made.

Forgive us, God of mercy.

(Prayers of Silent Confession)

Kyrie (sung):     Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

    Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. 

    Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE

God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive together with Christ.

By grace we have been saved!

For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:                   Lord, We Pray Thee    Haydn    

Lord, we pray Thee that

Thy grace may always

prevent and follow us,

and make us continually

to be given to all good works,

through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response:          William Billings                         

Kittery (Lord's Prayer Paraphrase)

Our Father who in heaven art,

All hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

throughout this earthly frame.

* HYMN No. 255     Good Christians All, Rejoice

Prayer of Illumination

God of glory, fill your church with the power

that flows from Christ’s resurrection

so that, in the midst of the sinful world,

it may signal the beginning of a renewed humanity,

risen to new life with Christ, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Psalm 4            p. 425    

1 John 3:1-7      p. 990

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON:                    Rev. Blaine Crawford

        A Community of God’s Children

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:        

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 120

Q.    Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”?

A.    To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer what should be basic to our prayer—a childlike reverence and trust that through Christ God has become our Father, and that just as our parents do not refuse us the things of this life, even less will God our Father refuse to give us what we ask in faith.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

        Offertory:            The New 23rd (Psalm)    Ralph Carmichael

Because the Lord is my shepherd,

I have everything that I need.

He lets me rest in meadows green

And leads me beside the quiet stream:

He keeps on giving life to me

And helps me to do what honors Him the most.

Even when walking through the dark valley of death,

I will never be afraid,

for he is close beside me,

Guarding, guiding all the way,

He spreads a feast before me

In the presence of my enemies

He welcomes me as His special guest

with blessing overflowing.

His goodness and unfailing kindness

shall be with me all of my life,

and afterwards I will live with Him,

Forever and ever, in His home.

* The Doxology (pew card)      

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 254     Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven

* 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:    "Black Key" Etude     Chopin        

Announcements

Music Note For April:
 

Each week in April the choir will present a different musical setting of Psalm 23. This beloved psalm is one of the best known passages of scripture. Many are drawn to its poetic imagery and the spiritual renewal it provides.

Confirmation Class

The confirmation class, Julia Aiello, Isabel Vera, and Margaret Vera, will take turns serving as readers during the worship service. This coincides with the final section of the confirmation class which is studying worship and the spiritual disciplines. The confirmands will be confirmed on June 3.

Women’s Christian Circle Luncheon  

Saturday, April 21, 1:00 p.m., Gessner Hall

Delicious lunch will be catered by Marino Brothers and the Sweet Adeline Chorus will perform. All women are invited.

Adult Sunday School Opportunity   

Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library, No class April 22

Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines - Integrating your Faith with Current Events!"  Led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera, the class will extend through the end of April with a new headline discussed every few weeks. 

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

Save the Date: 

Annual Congregational Meeting & Luncheon

Sunday, May 6, 2018, after the worship service

Election of elder and deacons

Approve the annual budget

Prayer List

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Bermudez family, Diane Blagburn, Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Matthew Dagiau, Dombrowski family, William Duchemin, Joan Dwyer, Angela Edward, Bob Gessner, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow

April 8, 2018

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE:    Improvisation on Ode to Joy    Sean Cotty                               

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)         

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Margaret Vera                                        

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom

and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

God has raised Jesus from the dead.

God has given us new life and hope.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia! 

* HYMN No. 239     I Know that My Redeemer Lives

PRAYER OF CONFESSION        Carlos Rivera       

Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from the grave

and crowned him Lord of all.

We confess that we have not bowed before him

or acknowledged his rule in our lives.

We have gone along with the way of the world

and failed to give God glory.

Forgive us and raise us from sin,

that we may be your faithful people

(Prayers of Silent Confession)

Kyrie (sung):     Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

    Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. 

    Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE

God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive together with Christ.

By grace we have been saved!

For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:        Virgil Thomson              

        My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

My shepherd will supply my need,

Jehovah is his Name.

In pastures fresh he makes me feed

Beside the living stream.

He brings my wandering spirit back

When I forsake his ways.

He leads me for his mercy's sake

In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death,

Thy presence is my stay.

One word of thy supporting breath

Drives all my fears away.

Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,

Doth still my table spread.

My cup with blessings overflows,

Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God

Attend me all my days.

O may thy house be my abode

And all my work be praise.

There would I find a settled rest,

While others go and come. 

No more a stranger or a guest,

But like a child at home.

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. 243     Christ is Alive

Prayer of Illumination 

God of life, your Spirit raised Jesus from dead. Your Spirit inspired the prophets and writers of Scripture. Your Spirit draws us to Christ. We ask that you will send your Spirit now to give us deeper insight, encouragement, faith, and hope through the proclamation of the gospel. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Psalm 133        p. 501    

1 John 1:1-2:2            p. 989

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON:                A Community of Forgiveness                   Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:        

Belgic Confession, Article 23

We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ.

And therefore, we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting on the sole obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him. That is enough to cover all our sins.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

        Offertory:    Crown Him with Many Crowns!    Courtney               

Crown Him the Lord of love!

Behold His hands and side,

Rich wounds, yet visible above, 

In beauty glorified:

No angel in the sky

Can fully bear that sight,

But downward bends his burning eye

at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him with many crowns,

The lamb upon his thrown;

Hark! how the 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

Thro' all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life,

Who triumphed over the grave,

and rose victorious in the strife

for those He came to save;

His glories now we sing

Who died and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring,

And lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of years:

The potentate of time,

Creator of the rolling spheres,

ineffably sublime.

All hail, Redeemer, hail!

For Thou hast died for me;

Thy praise and glory shall not fail

Throughout eternity.

* The Doxology (pew card)      

* Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 244     Easter Song

* BENEDICTION 

Response:     Alleluia             

POSTLUDE:    Chaconne    Bach/Busoni         

Announcements

Music Note For April:

Each week in April the choir will present a different musical setting of Psalm 23. This beloved psalm is one of the best known passages of scripture. Many are drawn to its poetic imagery and the spiritual renewal it provides.

Confirmation Class

During the next six weeks, the three members of the confirmation class, Julia Aiello, Isabel Vera, and Margaret Vera, will take turns serving as readers during the worship service. This coincides with the final section of the confirmation class which is studying worship and the spiritual disciplines. The confirmands will be confirmed on June 3.

New Bible Study Begins This Week

A new Bible study exploring 1 John begins on Tuesday this week. Join us at 7:30 p.m. in the Folensbee Lounge!

Women’s Christian Circle Luncheon  

Saturday, April 21, 1:00 p.m., Gessner Hall

Delicious lunch will be catered by Marino Brothers and the Sweet Adeline Chorus will perform. All women are invited.

Adult Sunday School Opportunity   

Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:30 a.m., Library

Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines - Integrating your Faith with Current Events!"  Led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera, the class will extend through the end of April with a new headline discussed every few weeks. 

Prayer List

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Bermudez family, Diane Blagburn, Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Matthew Dagiau, Dombrowski family, William Duchemin, Joan Dwyer, Angela Edward, Lynne Johnson, Kathy Kissane, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Alda Muyskens, Denise Moran, Stacey Muller, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Isabelita Rueda, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow 

April 1, 2018

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE     Concerto in Bb - 1st movement    Handel     

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card) 

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Dorien Day                                        

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed!

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;

your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.

Let your glory be over all the earth!

* 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.

(Prayers of Silent Confession)

Kyrie (sung): Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

    Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. 

    Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE

God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive together with Christ.

By grace we have been saved!

For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:      Christ the Lord is Risen Today    Nancy Hill Cobb    

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Christ the Lord is risen today,

All creation join to say: alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high;

Sing, O heavens, and earth reply: alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done,

Fought the fight, the battle won,

Death in vain forbids him rise,

Christ has opened paradise, alleluia!

Where, O death is now your sting?

Jesus died our souls to save.

Where, O death, is now your sting?

Where your victory o grave?

Where, O death, is now your sting?

Lives again our glorious King, alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven!

Praise to you by both be given: alleluia!

Every knee to you shall bow,

Risen Christ, triumphant now, alleluia!

Death in vain, forbids Him rise.

Christ is risen. Alleluia!

Prayer of Illumination

Holy God, creator of all, the risen Christ taught from Scripture of his death, resurrection, and ascension into your glorious presence. May the living Lord breathe on us his peace, that our eyes may be opened to recognize him in the reading of Scripture and in the breaking of bread, that we might be filled with the faith and courage to follow wherever he leads. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:    

Mark 16:1-8        p. 829    

Acts 10:34-43            p. 895

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                  One You Can Trust    Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:        

    Apostles’ Creed (pew card) 

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:            Festive Praise    Allen Pote    

Sing to the Lord a song of praise,

a wonderful, marvelous song.

Sing to the Lord with joy in your heart,

a wonderful, marvelous song.

Alleluia, amen.

Come, come rejoice,

as you sing you will lift up your voices

in praise and thanksgiving to God.

Sing all of the heavens,

sing of the glory of God.

Sing all of the earth rejoice!

Sing of the glory,

the marvelous glory of God.

Sing a new song

with the lute and the harp.

Make melody

with the sound of the lyre.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to sing praises.

Rejoice and be glad

for the Lord is our God.

    * The Doxology (pew card)      

    * Prayer of Dedication

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION 

    *Communion Hymn:          Take and Eat    Michael Joncas

Refrain: (all)

Take and eat; take and eat: 

this is my body given up for you.

Take and drink; take and drink: 

this is my blood given up for you.

Verses: (choir)

I am the Word that spoke and light was made;

I am the seed that died to be reborn;

I am the bread that comes from heav'n above;

I am the vine that fills your cup with joy.

I am the way that leads the exile home;

I am the truth that sets the captive free;

I am the life that raises up the dead;

I am your peace, true peace my gift to you.

I am the Lamb that takes away your sin;

I am the gate that guards you night and day;

You are my flock: you know the shepherd's voice;

You are my own: your ransom is my blood.

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:    Sevenfold Amen                                

* HYMN No. 250     Jesus Christ is Risen Today

* BENEDICTION 

* Response:      Hallelujah Chorus    G.F. Handel

Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!

Hallelujah! 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!

King of kings and Lord of lords!

And He shall reign forever and ever!

Forever and ever!  Hallelujah!

POSTLUDE:      Fugue in G Minor "The Great" BWV 542    J.S.Bach

After the service, children nine and younger are invited to the church yard for an Easter egg hunt!

Announcements

 

We offer our thanks to our musical guests today:

Barry Bryson (Trumpet)    Caitlin Burke (Alto)    

Laurence Etkin (Trumpet)    Jen Hinkle (Bass Trombone)    

Emily John (Harp)            Marco Magliolio (French Horn)

Emily Naydeck (Soprano)    Chris-Ian Sanchez (Tenor)

Adult Sunday School Opportunity   

Meets April 8, 15, and 29, 9:45 a.m., Library

Adults are invited to join a Sunday morning class, led by seminary intern Carlos Rivera, entitled, "Ripped from the Headlines: Integrating your Faith with Current Events!" This last section will explore a variety of ways the church can respond to mass shootings beyond political reform. 

New Bible Study Begins April 10

The topic will be the letter of 1 John. The Bible study meets every Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m., in the Folensbee Lounge.

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

Open to all ability levels. Mats are available for use.