March 17, 2019

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                   Improvisation on "Nicaea"         Sean Cotty      

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

       * SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                Gerry Mendler                                                                                  

One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:

To live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;

To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

For God will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble.

God will conceal under the tent and set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up and I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy.

I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

* HYMN No. 2                       Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

JUNIOR SERMON

(After the Junior Sermon, children ages 3-8 are dismissed to Children & Worship. Children & Worship meets in Room 2D. Children can be picked up there after the service.)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION         

O Lord, you desire truth in our inward being;

teach us wisdom in our heart.

Send out your light, send out your truth,

and let them lead us to our home.

Take from us the weight of our sin,

that room might be made for your spirit of truth.

If we prepare a dwelling place, that spirit will abide within us,

and the truth will set our spirits free.

O Lord, you desire truth in our inward being;

teach us wisdom in our heart.

(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

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

If my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up.

Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

ANTHEM:                                                           Deborah Governor

            Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed

Alas! and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?

Was it for sins, that I have done He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide and shut its glories in.

When Christ, the great Redeemer, died for His own creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face while His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, and melt my eyes to tears.

But tears of grief cannot repay the debt of love I owe;

Here, Lord, I give myself away: 'Tis all that I can do. 

LENTEN MISSION     

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response                             Write These Words in Our Hearts

Write these words in our hearts,

we beseech you, O Lord.

* HYMN No. 634                     Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah                                                  

Prayer of Illumination

Holy and loving God,

as we worship you today,

we long for your Spirit to both comfort and challenge us,

to help us become more holy and more loving.

We often have a hard time understanding repentance,

So we pray for new understanding, humility, patience, and discipline

that will help us die to sin and live for Jesus. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Genesis 15:1-6                                                                  p.  10

Luke 13:31-35                                                                   p. 830

This is the Word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God.

SERMON:                 Desire For God            Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 89-90

Q. What is the dying-away of the old self?

A. To be genuinely sorry for sin and more and more to hate and run away from it.

Q. What is the rising-to-life of the new self?

A. Wholehearted joy in God through Christ and a love and delight to live according to the will of God by doing every kind of good work.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:           Variants on an Irish Hymn     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. 441                     Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling

* BENEDICTION                                    

Response                                                       Sevenfold Amen                                                                   

POSTLUDE      Improvisation on "Londonderry Air"     Sean Cotty

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

Announcements

Lenten Mission    

This year’s focus for the Lenten Mission is homelessness and affordable housing in NYC. Our church is already committed to serving individuals in need of housing through our Women’s Shelter. Our Lenten mission will invite us to deepen our commitment in several ways:

1)   Almsgiving: Church on the Hill will collect monetary donations and other items that can be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness.

2)   Education: Volunteers from the Women’s Shelter will share their experiences serving. Guests will share about homelessness and affordable housing in NYC.

3)   Prayer: We will pray for individuals experiencing homelessness here in NYC, especially the women we serve in our Women’s Shelter on Friday evenings.

4)   Hospitality: We invite you to serve in our Women’s Shelter in a variety of capacities, including preparing meals for them and staying overnight at the shelter.      

Music in a Sacred Space Concert

Our second "Music in a Sacred Space" spring concert will take place on Saturday, April 6th at 7:30 pm. The VYCK Quartet will be joining the Church on the Hill Choir with  performances of string quartets, choral works, and vocal solos. This concert is free and open to the public. There will be a reception to follow in Gessner Hall.

Ushers Needed

Would you be willing to serve as an usher during worship services?  Ushers distribute bulletins, assist congregants to their seats if needed, and collect the offering. Serving as an usher provides a great opportunity to meet new people in the church and to help create an atmosphere of hospitality. If interested, please contact the church office.

Adult Bible Study

For many, the book of Revelation is an intimidating book, full of prophecy and imagery that can confound our minds. For that reason, many of us steer clear of the book as a whole. The book of Revelation, however, starts with seven letters, letters filled with the love and wisdom of Christ. These letters, written by John on behalf of Jesus, are sent to seven churches in Asia who are facing persecution. This Bible study will examine these letters both for what they said to the churches in Asia and also what they might have to say to the church today! Join us on Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m. in the Library!

Youth & Children Ministries

Sunday School for youths aged 9-13 will meet at 9:45 a.m. in the sanctuary, before moving to room 2C. The class finishes around 10:40 a.m. Jeanne Sarran teaches this class.

Children & Worship children aged 3-8 will be dismissed from the worship service following the Junior Sermon and will meet in room 2D with Molly Mahowald. Children can be picked up after the worship service.

Looking Ahead – Mark your calendars!

·      Tues. Mar. 19      7:30 PM   Adult Bible Study

·      Wed. Mar. 20     7:30 PM   Indoor Yoga Class

·      Thurs. Mar. 21   10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

                                5:45 PM   Queens Children Comm. Choir

                            6:00 PM    Prayer Group

                                7:30 PM   Choir Rehearsal

·      Sat. Mar 23       10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

·      Sun. Mar. 24       9:45 AM  Sunday School classes

                              11:10 AM  Children and Worship

·      Sun. Mar. 31       9:30 AM  Women’s Communion Breakfast

·      Thurs. Apr. 18      6:45 PM   Maundy Thursday Potluck

                                7:15 PM  Communion Service

·      Fri. Apr. 19           8:00 PM   Good Friday Service

·      Sun. Apr. 21        7:00 AM  Easter Sunrise Service-Bowne Park

                              11:00 AM  Easter Service

PRAYER REQUESTS

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Diane Blagburn, Michael Breazzano, David Cerqueira, Jessica Costagliola, Allegra DeMelo, Lucas Ditta, Dorothy & Abel, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Bernice Herbert, Hotchkiss Family, Ken Hoey, Jason Knese, Marge LiBert, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Jean Mendler, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable and Mel Werbel

Children are always welcome in worship at Church on the Hill.  At the back of the sanctuary, the Family Room is open for young children and their parents.  Changing tables are also available in the restrooms downstairs in Gessner Hall.

March 10, 2019

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE         Prelude and Fugue in F major                J. S. Bach        

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

       * SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                    Steve Sarran                                                                                  

Let us worship God, who has done great things.

We rejoice in our God, who made a way

through the desert of this world.

Let us worship God, who has caused streams of mercy

to flow in the wasteland.

We are the people God has formed through Christ;

we worship him, and we rejoice!

Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

We praise God for the grace that has saved us.

* HYMN No. 200                                          Lord, Who Throughout

JUNIOR SERMON

(After the Junior Sermon, children ages 3-8 are dismissed to Children & Worship. Children & Worship meets in Room 2D. Children can be picked up there after the service.)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION         

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.

According to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly and cleanse me from my sin.

Against you have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

(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

If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and

If you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,

You will be saved.

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek:

The same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.

Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

We are forgiven! We will live in peace!

ANTHEM:                    Ave Verum Corpus                 W. A. Mozart

(translation)

Hail, true Body, born
of the Virgin Mary,
having truly suffered, sacrificed
on the cross for mankind,
from whose pierced side
water and blood flowed:
Be for us a foretaste [of the Heavenly banquet]
in the trial of death!

LENTEN MISSION     

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. 340                           Amid the Thronging Worshipers

Prayer of Illumination

Lord God,

in this season of Lent

we look forward to our remembrance of Jesus’ death

and our celebration of his resurrection.

We pray that your Spirit will renew in us today

our anticipation for these events

and our awareness that Jesus’ death and resurrection

are a sure source of hope and life.

In the power of Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Deuteronomy 26:1-11                                                     p. 158

Luke 4:1-13                                                                       p. 835

This is the Word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God.

SERMON:                  Learning to Say No    Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

Based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 43

By Christ’s power
our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead we may offer ourselves as a sacrifice of gratitude to him.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:                   Offertory                         John Ness Beck

With what shall I come before the Lord,

and bow myself before the 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 Him 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 kindness,

and to walk humbly,

walk humbly with your God?

* The Doxology (pew card) 

* Prayer of Dedication 

* HYMN No. 442                         O Come to Me, The Master Said

* BENEDICTION                                    

Response                                                Jesus Remember Me

Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.

POSTLUDE             Fugue in G minor "The Great"           J. S. Bach

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

Announcements

Lenten Mission    

Our focus for the Lenten Mission this year will be on homelessness and affordable housing in NYC. Church on the Hill is already committed to serving individuals in need of housing through our Friday Women’s Shelter. Our Lenten mission will invite us to deepen our commitment and be comprised of several parts:

1)   Almsgiving: Church on the Hill will collect monetary donations and other items that can be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness.

2)   Education: Volunteers from the Women’s Shelter will share of their experiences serving. In addition, a guest speaker will share more about homelessness and affordable housing in NYC.

3)   Prayer: Church on the Hill will pray for individuals experiencing homelessness here in NYC, especially the women we serve in our Women’s Shelter on Friday evenings.

4)   Hospitality: Church on the Hill is invited to serve in our Women’s Shelter in a variety of capacities, including preparing meals for the women and staying overnight at the shelter.      

Free Concert Series

Our free concert series "Music in a Sacred Space" returns on Saturday, March 16th with a recital by pianist Abram Korsunsky. He will be performing works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann. The recital begins at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary followed by a reception in Gessner Hall. There will be a free will offering for the concert series fund.

New Members Class

Interested in learning more about what it means to be a member of Church on the Hill and about our ministries and values? A New Members class will be held after church from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on March 17 and 24 followed by lunch. The class will answer the questions above and share more about Church on the Hill's history. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Crawford.

Ushers Needed

Would you be willing to serve as an usher during worship services?  Ushers distribute bulletins, assist congregants to their seats if needed, and collect the offering. Serving as an usher provides a great opportunity to meet new people in the church and to help create an atmosphere of hospitality. If interested, please contact the church office.

Looking Ahead – Mark your calendars!

·      Tues. Mar. 12      7:30 PM   Adult Bible Study

·      Wed. Mar. 13     7:30 PM   Indoor Yoga Class

·      Thurs. Mar. 14   10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

                                5:45 PM   Queens Children Comm. Choir

                            6:00 PM    Prayer Group

                                7:30 PM   Choir Rehearsal

·      Sat. Mar 16       10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

·      Sun. Mar. 17       9:45 AM  Sunday School classes

                              11:10 AM  Children and Worship

·      Sun. Mar. 31       9:30 AM  Women’s Communion Breakfast

·      Thurs. Apr. 18      6:45 PM   Maundy Thursday Potluck

                                7:15 PM  Communion Service

·      Fri. Apr. 19           8:00 PM   Good Friday Service

·      Sun. Apr. 21        7:00 AM  Easter Sunrise Service-Bowne Park

                              11:00 AM  Easter Service

PRAYER REQUESTS

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Diane Blagburn, Michael Breazzano, David Cerqueira, Jessica Costagliola, Allegra DeMelo, Lucas Ditta, Dorothy & Abel, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Hotchkiss Family, Ken Hoey, Jason Knese, Marge LiBert, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Jean Mendler, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable and Mel Werbel

March 3, 2019

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE       Improvisation on "Be Thou My Vision"   Sean Cotty

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                 Joe Macaluso                                                                                                                      

Today we are celebrating the holy light that illuminated Jesus and his transfiguration on the mountain.

Light of light: transfusing & transforming light. 

Divine light flooding out the shadows.

Light of love, light of delight.

Light that turns doubters into followers.

It is the same God who at the beginning said: 

“Let there be light,” 

who has shone in our hearts with an understanding 

of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The mightiest One of all, God the Eternal,

speaks and summons the whole earth 

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

From God’s holy mountain, God’s light, the perfection of beauty, shines out.

* HYMN No. 532                                                  Be Thou My Vision

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

The world teaches us many ways to love, but all are based on selfish desires and needs. God teaches us how to love: completely, uniquely, unconditionally. 

Let us confess our difficulty in loving as God teaches us, as we pray together;

We are hesitant to confess, Holy God, 

how hard it is to love as you wish. 

It is easy to love you with all that we are, 

except when you ask us to love our neighbor with all that we have. 

We find it hard to love our neighbor,

when it is linked to the way we love ourselves. 

And it is difficult to love anyone—even You—

more than we love ourselves. 
Forgive us, Love Eternal. 

As you took a risk in creating us, 

help us to take risks to love others compassionately, 

to love ourselves genuinely, 

and to love you as completely as you love us 

in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

(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

In God's Kingdom, all are loved for who they are, not what they do;
In God's Kingdom, all are forgiven for what they do, and don't;
in God's Kingdom, all are welcomed and fed by God's grace and hope.
Forgiven, loved, sent forth—we are not far from God's Kingdom! Thanks be to God. Amen.

ANTHEM:          Every Time I Feel The Spirit       William L. Dawson

                  Soloist - Patrick Mahowald

Every time I feel the spirit, 

moving in my heart, I will pray.

Upon the mountain my Lord spoke,

Out of His mouth came fire and smoke;

Looked all around me, it looked so fine,

Till I asked my Lord is all was mine.

Jordan river is chilly and cold,

It chills the body, but not the soul;

There ain't but one train upon this track,

It runs to heaven and right back.

Prayer of Illumination

Almighty God, give us ears to hear your story in these words of Scripture; give us eyes to see your story in the faces of those that surround us; and give us faith enough, that by your grace, we might serve you until the end of our days. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:     

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2                                                     p. 939

Luke 9:28-36                                                                     p. 843

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON          Options For Great Boldness      Rev. Donna Field

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

From the Belhar Confession

We believe in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects and cares for the Church by Word and spirit, as God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end.

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

We believe that God has entrusted to the Church 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.

We believe that the Church must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Jesus is Lord. 

To the one and only God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be the honor and glory for ever and ever.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:           Brother James's Air                 Gordon Jacob

The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want,

He makes me down to lie in pastures green,

He leaders me the quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again and me to walk 

doth make within the paths of blessedness.

Even for His own name's sake.

Yea, though I pass through shadowed vale,

Yet will I fear no ill;

For Thou art with me, 

and Thy rod and staff me comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnished 

in the presence of my foes;

My head with oil Thou dost anoint, 

And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my days

will surely follow me;

And my Father's heart always

my dwelling place shall be.

        * The Doxology (pew card)     

        * Prayer of Dedication

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

        *Communion Hymn (pew card)                                          

Remembering with Love and Hope

Invitation

Communion Prayer

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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 Heavenly Father

Hear our prayer, O Heavenly Father,

for the dear Redeemer's sake. Amen.

* HYMN No. 93                         All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name

* BENEDICTION

Response:                         Savior, Again to Your Dear Name

Grant us your peace throughout our earthly life:

comfort in sorrow, courage in the strife;

then, when your voice shall make our conflict cease,

call us, O Lord, to your eternal peace.

POSTLUDE                     Toccata in b-minor                        Gigout

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

Announcements

Guest Preacher

We welcome to the pulpit, Rev. Donna Field, currently the president of Nassau Suffolk Classis. Recently she served the Community Reformed Church at Manhasset as transitional minister and she began a doctoral program in September. Rev. Field is also a Registered Nurse. She works as a Medical Ethicist for Northwell Health and resides in Long Island, NY with her husband Tom and daughter Victoria.

Free Concert Series

Our concert series "Music in a Sacred Space" will be returning on Saturday, March 16th with a recital by pianist Abram Korsunsky. He will be performing works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann. The recital will begin at 7:30 pm in the Church on the Hill Sanctuary followed by a reception in Gessner Hall. Admission is free, and there will be a free will offering for the concert series fund.

New Members Class

Interested in learning more about what it means to be a member of Church on the Hill and about our ministries and values? A New Members class will be held after church from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on March 17 and 24 followed by lunch. The class will answer the questions above and share more about Church on the Hill's history. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Crawford.

Youth & Children Ministries

Sunday School for youths aged 9-13 will meet at 9:45 a.m. in the sanctuary, before moving to room 2C. The class finishes around 10:40 a.m. Jeanne Sarran teaches this class.

Children & Worship children aged 3-8 will be dismissed from the worship service following the Junior Sermon and will meet in room 2D with Molly Mahowald. Children can be picked up after the worship service.

Looking Ahead – Mark your calendars!

·      Tues. Mar. 5        7:30 PM   Adult Bible Study

·      Wed. Mar. 6       7:30 PM   No Indoor Yoga Class

                                8:00 PM   Ash Wednesday Service

·      Thurs. Mar. 7     10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

                                5:45 PM   Queens Children Comm. Choir

                            6:00 PM    Prayer Group

                                 7:30 PM   Choir Rehearsal

·      Sat. Mar 9         10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

·      Sun. Mar. 10       9:45 AM   Sunday School classes

                              11:10 AM   Children and Worship

PRAYER REQUESTS

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Diane Blagburn, Michael Breazzano, David Cerqueira, Jessica Costagliola, Allegra DeMelo, Lucas Ditta, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Hotchkiss Family, Jason Knese, Marge LiBert, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Carol Meadows, Jean Mendler, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable and Mel Werbel

February 24, 2019

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                 Fantasy in F#-minor                   Mendelssohn

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

       * SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                   Jayne Halley                                                                                  

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD.

God is our refuge in the time of trouble.

The LORD helps them and rescues them.

God rescues us from the wicked and saves us, for we take refuge in him.

Our help is in the name of the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

* HYMN No. 43                                  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

JUNIOR SERMON

(After the Junior Sermon, children ages 3-8 are dismissed to Children & Worship. Children & Worship meets in Room 2D. Children can be picked up there after the service.)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION         

Gracious Father, the God of life,

teach us ever more to respect and love all the lives you create.

Forgive us our lack of concern and love for those

Who suffer from a careless society.

Forgive us when we are negligent and uncaring

Toward those who experience immense need.

Teach us to open our hearts,

to bring your love into their lives on this earth.

(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

Hear the good news:

While we were still weak, Christ died for us.

While we were still sinners, God proved his love for us.

While we were still enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son.

Through Jesus Christ, our sins have been forgiven.

Through Jesus Christ, we can live in peace.

ANTHEM:           Ain'-a That Good News!         William L. Dawson

I got a crown up in-a the Kingdom,

Ain'-a that good news!

I'm a-goin' to lay down this worl',

Goin'-a shoulder up-uh my cross,

Goin'-a take it home-a to my Jesus,

Ain'-a that good news!

I got a harp up in-a the Kingdom,

Ain'-a that good news!

I'm a-goin' to lay down this worl',

Goin'-a shoulder up-uh my cross,

Goin'-a take it home-a to my Jesus,

Ain'-a that good news!

I got a robe up in-a the Kingdom,

Ain'-a that good news!

I'm a-goin' to lay down this worl',

Goin'-a shoulder up-uh my cross,

Goin'-a take it home-a to my Jesus,

Ain'-a that good news!

I got a Savior in-a the Kingdom,

Ain'-a that good news!

I'm a-goin' to lay down this worl',

Goin'-a shoulder up-uh my cross,

Goin'-a take it home-a to my Jesus,

Ain'-a that good news!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response                            Write These Words in Our Hearts

Write these words in our hearts,

we beseech you, O Lord.

* HYMN No. 365               Abide With Me, Fast Falls the Eventide

Prayer of Illumination

God, our helper,

by your Holy Spirit open our hearts and minds

and lead us into your ways, your truth, and your life

for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Psalm 37:1-11                                                                   p. 443

Luke 6:27-38                                                                     p. 838

This is the Word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God.

SERMON:         The True Test of our Love    Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:                                                            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 fear 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.

Amen.

* The Doxology (pew card) 

* Prayer of Dedication 

* HYMN No. 689                             The Church's One Foundation

* BENEDICTION                                    

Response                                                       Sevenfold Amen                                                                               

POSTLUDE        Organ Sonata No. 4 - Mvmnt. I       Mendelssohn                                                                   

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

Announcements

Super Bowl Of Caring

Led by the Sunday School we collected 254 soup cans for the Queens Federation of Churches food pantry in Jamaica and a $300 monetary gift to Greenpoint’s Reformed Church Hunger Program. On behalf of these organizations, we want to thank everyone who was able to support Church on the Hill’s endeavor to give to those less fortunate. Congratulations to Joanne McCreary for guessing 250, the closest number of cans to the actual number collected and winning the Warmth On A Cold Winter’s Day basket donated by Sheryl Klarmann.

Free Concert Series

Our concert series "Music in a Sacred Space" will be returning on Saturday, March 16th with a recital by pianist Abram Korsunsky. He will be performing works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann. The recital will begin at 7:30 pm in the Church on the Hill Sanctuary followed by a reception in Gessner Hall. Admission is free, and there will be a free will offering for the concert series fund.

New Members Class

Interested in learning more about what it means to be a member of Church on the Hill and about our ministries and values? A New Members class will be held after church from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on March 17 and 24 followed by lunch. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Crawford.

Youth & Children Ministries

Children & Worship children aged 3-8 will be dismissed from the worship service following the Junior Sermon and will meet in room 2D with Molly Mahowald. Children can be picked up after the worship service.

There will be no Sunday School this Sunday.

Looking Ahead – Mark your calendars!

·      Tues. Feb. 26       7:30 PM   No Adult Bible Study

·      Wed. Feb. 27      7:30 PM   Indoor Yoga Class

·      Thurs. Feb. 28    10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

                              6:00 PM   Prayer Group

                                7:30 PM   Choir Rehearsal

·      Sat. Mar. 2        10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

·      Sun. Mar. 3           9:45 AM Sunday School classes

                              11:10 AM   Children and Worship

·      Wed. Mar. 6        8:00 PM   Ash Wednesday Service

PRAYER REQUESTS

Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:

Diane Blagburn, Michael Breazzano, David Cerqueira, Jessica Costagliola, Allegra DeMelo, Lucas Ditta, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Hotchkiss Family, Jason Knese, Marge LiBert, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Carol Meadows, Jean Mendler, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Janet Stillwagon,Alison Venable and Mel Werbel