Good Friday Service

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

* Congregation stands

BOLD – Congregation responds

PRELUDE              Partita No. 2 - Sarabande                   J.S. Bach                    

                                 Emma Dong, Violin

CHORAL PRELUDE           O Vos Omnes                    Pablo Casals

(Translation)

O all you who walk on the road, pay attention and see:

if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.

Pay attention, all people, and look at my sorrow:

if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN No. 221    O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                               

O crucified Jesus, Son of the Father,

conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary, eternal Word of God,

we worship you.

O crucified Jesus, holy temple of God,

dwelling place of the Most High,

gate of heaven, burning flame of love,

we worship you.

O crucified Jesus, sanctuary of justice and love,

full of kindness, source of all faithfulness,

we worship you.

O crucified Jesus, ruler of every heart,

in you are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

in you dwells all the fullness of the Godhead,

we worship you.

Jesus, Lamb of God,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins,

have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

grant us peace.                               

*CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 212         What Wondrous Love

SCRIPTURE READING:                                                   Jim Nicholas

The Betrayal: Luke 22:47-53                                            p. 858

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:                                                                 Lloyd Larson

                      When You Prayed Beneath The Trees

When you prayed beneath the trees,

it was for me, O Lord;

when you cried upon your knees,

how could it be, O Lord?

When in blood and sweat and tears,

you dismissed your final fears,

when you faced the soldiers' spears,

you stood for me, O Lord.

When their triumph looked complete,

it was for me, O Lord;

when it seemed like your defeat,

they could not see, O Lord!

When you faced the mob along - 

you were silent as a stone,

and a tree became your throne;

you came for me, O Lord.

When you stumbled up the road,

you walked for me, O Lord;

when you took your deadly load,

that heavy tree, O Lord;

when they lifted you on high,

and they nailed you up to die,

and when darkness filled the sky,

it was for me, O Lord.

SCRIPTURE READING:                                                          Simon Walsh

The Denial: Luke 22:54-62                                               p. 858

CHOIR                          Ah, Holy Jesus                   Craig Courtney

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended

that we to judge Thee have in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,

O most afflicted!

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee!

'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee;

I crucified Thee.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation,

Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life's oblation;

Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,

for my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,

I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,

think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,

not my deserving.

SCRIPTURE READING:                                 Maureen Saepia-Chen

The Unjust Verdict: Luke 23:13-25                                  p. 859

INSTRUMENTAL TRIO:                                                         J.S. Bach                   

Concerto in D minor - Movement II- Largo ma non tanto

Simon Walsh, Flute

Emma Dong, Violin

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE CHURCH AND FOR THE WORLD

Congregational Prayer Response: Jesus, Remember Me

Jesus, remember me 

when you come into your Kingdom.

SCRIPTURE READING:                                                                         

The Death of Jesus: Luke 23:26-27, 32-49                     p. 859

CHAMBER CHOIR             Cross-Cry                   Gilbert M. Martin

Solo: Patrick Mahowald, Baritone

I think I heard him say, 

when he was strugglin' up the hill,

I think I heard him say,

"Take my mother home."

I think I heard him say

when they were rafflin' off his clothes,

I think I heard him say,

"Take my mother home.

Then I'll die easy, Take my mother home;

I'll die so easy, Take my mother home."

I think I heard him say

when they were liftin' up the cross,

I think I heard him say,

"Take my mother home."

I think I heard him cry

when they were nailin' in the nails,

I think I heard him cry,

"Take my mother home;

I'll die this death on Calvary,

Won't haf' to die no more.

I'll die on Calvary,

Won't haf' to die no more.

Then I'll die easy,

Take my mother home."

I think I heard him say

when he was givin' up the Ghost

I think I heard him say

"Take my mother home."

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE SUFFERING AND THE LOST

Congregational Prayer Response: Jesus, Remember Me

Jesus, remember me 

when you come into your Kingdom.

The Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

SCRIPTURE READING:                                                                         

The Burial of Jesus: Luke 23:50-56                                  p. 860

CHAMBER CHOIR:           Were You There?               H.T. Burleigh

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, 

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

SERMON            The Depths of Sorrow        Rev. Blaine Crawford

PRAYER OF BLESSING

CHOIR            Christ, We Do All Adore Thee     Theodore Dubois

                        (from The Seven Last Words)

Christ, we do all adore thee, 

and we do praise thee forever;

Christ, we do all adore thee,

and we do praise thee forever,

for on the holy cross hast thou 

the world from sin redeemed.

Christ, we do all adore thee, 

and we do praise thee forever;

Please remain in your seat for a moment of silent meditation

at the conclusion of this service    

Good Friday Offering

In your bulletin, you will find an envelope for your offering. While you are under no obligation to give, if you feel so moved, you may place your offering in the envelope and place it in the plates as they are passed. The offering received this evening will be used to support the music ministry of Church on the Hill. Your gifts will go toward hiring additional musicians for our special services. We thank you for your generous support of Church on the Hill!

Easter Worship Schedule

Easter Sunday                 7:00 AM   Sunrise Service

April 21, 2019                                     (At the pond at Bowne Park)

                                                             No Sunday School

                                         11:00 AM   Celebration of the Resurrection

                                         12:00 PM   Easter Egg Hunt

                                                             (church lawn)                  

Easter Sunrise Service

Join us at the dawn of a new day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! We gather at the east end of the pond at Bowne Park at 7:00 a.m. for a casual service of song, Scripture, and prayer. Coffee and donuts will be served!

Easter Worship

The resurrection of Jesus Christ will be celebrated during Easter worship at 11 a.m.! Communion will be served. Immediately following the worship service, an Easter egg hunt for children 9 and under will take place in the church yard.

April 7, 2019

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                            "Nimrod"                                          Elgar

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* GLORIA PATRI (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                Emerson Chen                                  

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy.

Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced!

* HYMN No. 213                     When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

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         

Almighty God, our Redeemer,

in our weakness we have failed

to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope.

Renew us by your Holy Spirit,

that we may follow your commands

and proclaim your reign of love.

(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

Whatever gains I had, I have come to regard these as loss because of Christ.

I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

We have been found, not having a righteousness of our own,

But one that comes through faith in Christ.

Therefore, let us forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead.

We will press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

ANTHEM:                   O Saviour of the World                John Goss

O Saviour of the world, O Saviour of the world,

Who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us,

Save us, and help us, O Saviour of the world,

We humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. Amen.

LENTEN MISSION     

Rita Zimmer, Executive Director, HousingPlus

Prayer of Illumination

All-knowing and all-caring God,

we gather this day drained by another week.

We are like a parched desert, empty and in need of replenishment.

Visit us with your presence, saturate us with your Spirit,

and bathe us in your streams of living water,

that our lives might acknowledge and worship you. Amen. 

SCRIPTURE READINGS:     

Isaiah 43:18-21                                                                p. 586

John 12:1-8                                                                      p. 874

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                   Senseless Acts             Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:                                                

The Apostles’ Creed

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:                   Prayer to Jesus               John Ness Beck

Lord Jesus, think on me 

and purge away my sin;

From selfish passions set me free 

and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me 

By anxious thoughts oppressed;

Let me your loving servant be

and taste your promised rest.

Lord Jesus, think on me 

Nor let me go astray;

Through darkness and perplexity

Point out the way.

Lord Jesus, think on me 

That when this life is past,

I may the eternal brightness see,

And share Thy joy at last.

Amen.

       * 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:                              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 heavens:

let none be made ashamed that wait upon thee.

* HYMN No. 689                             The Church's One Foundation

* 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                    Fantasy in G minor                             Bach      

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

Announcements

  Flowers today were donated by Betty Gessner and family in memory of Arnold Gessner on the anniversary of his birth. 

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

The next concert in our Music in a Sacred Space series will take place on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 pm. Clarinetist Pascal Archer, cellist Caleb van der Swaagh, and pianist Adam Kent team up in a program of chamber music classics, including Beethoven’s Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 5, Poulenc’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, and Brahms’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano. From the furious counterpoint of late Beethoven, to the playfully French insouciance of Poulenc and the autumnal ruminations of Brahms, the concert promises to reveal the widest range of human emotion in the most intimate of musical forms.  

Ushers Needed

Would you be willing to serve as an usher during worship services distributing bulletins, assisting congregants to their seats if needed, and collecting 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.

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. Apr. 9         7:30 PM    Adult Bible Study

·      Wed. Apr. 10      7:30 PM   Indoor Yoga Class

·      Thurs. Apr. 11    10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

                                5:45 PM   Queens Children Comm. Choir

                            6:00 PM    Prayer Group

                                7:30 PM   Choir Rehearsal

·      Sat. Apr. 13      10:00 AM    Bargain Boutique

·      Sun. April 14       9:45 AM   Sunday School classes

                              11:00 AM   Palm Sunday Service 

                              11:10 AM   Children and Worship

·      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, Jolie Dunham, Lucas Ditta, Dorothy & Abel, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Amy Freedman, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Bernice Herbert, Hotchkiss Family, Ken Hoey, Jason Knese, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Donna Smith, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable, Mel Werbel, Janet Willemain and Dennis Wink

March 31, 2019

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                     "Spring Song"                          Mendelssohn                                                                     

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

       * SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                          Maureen Saepia-Chen                                                           

In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth.

Christ dwells among us and is one with us.

Highest of all creation, he lives among the least.

He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary.

Come now, all who thirst,

and drink the water of life.

Come now, all who hunger,

and be filled with good things.

Come now, all who seek,

and be warmed by the fire of love.

* HYMN No. 369                                         Lord of All Hopefulness

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         

While I kept my sins secret, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.

For day and night were heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” and you forgave my guilt.

(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

From now on we regard no one from a human point of view.

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:

Everything old has passed away; everything has become new!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.

ANTHEM:                    Lift Thine Eyes                  Felix Mendelssohn

Lift thine eyes to the mountains,

whence cometh help.

Thy help cometh from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He hath said, Thy foot shall not be moved:

Thy keeper will never slumber.

Lift thine eyes to the mountains,

whence cometh help.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Response                               Amen (from Mass of Creation)      

* HYMN No. 502            Amazing Grace! How Sweet The Sound

Prayer of Illumination

Shine within our hearts, loving Lord,

with the true light of your divine knowledge,

and open the eyes of our minds,

that we may comprehend the message of your Word,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Joshua 5:9-12                                                                   p. 171

2 Corinthians 5:16-21                                                      p. 940

This is the Word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God.

SERMON                                                                          JJ TenClay

    Being Ambassadors of Christ in the Midst of a Global Refugee Crisis

* CONFESSION OF FAITH:

The Apostles’ Creed

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

     Offertory:        Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs     John Carter

Surely He has borne our griefs 

and carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed him stricken, 

smitten by God, and afflicted.

He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole,

and with His stripes we are healed.                                                     

* The Doxology (pew card) 

* Prayer of Dedication 

* HYMN No. 88                                 A Man There Lived in Galilee

* BENEDICTION                                    

Response           Dona Nobis Pacem          Grant us peace.

POSTLUDE      Organ Sonata No. 4 Movement IV     Mendelssohn

There will be no coffee hour after the service today.

Announcements

Many thanks to Margret Dougherty, Sarah White, and JJ TenClay for helping lead us in worship today!

♫ Music Note

Thank you to the women of the Church on the Hill Choir for sharing their musical talents with us today in worship!

Church Office Hours – April 1

The Church Office will be open from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Monday, April 1 and will resume regular hours on Tuesday.

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.

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!

Ushers Needed

Would you be willing to serve as an usher during worship services distributing bulletins, assisting congregants to their seats if needed, and collecting 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. Apr. 2         7:30 PM   Adult Bible Study

·      Wed. Apr. 3        7:30 PM   Indoor Yoga Class

·      Thurs. Apr. 4      10:00 AM Bargain Boutique

                                5:45 PM   Queens Children Comm. Choir

                            6:00 PM    Prayer Group

                                7:30 PM   Choir Rehearsal

·      Sat. Apr. 6        10:00 AM    Bargain Boutique

·      Sun. April 7         9:45 AM   Sunday School classes

                              11:10 AM  Children and Worship

·      Sun. April 14     11:00 AM   Palm Sunday Service

·      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, Jolie Dunham, Lucas Ditta, Dorothy & Abel, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Amy Freedman, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Bernice Herbert, Hotchkiss Family, Ken Hoey, Jason Knese, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Donna Smith, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable, Mel Werbel, Janet Willemain and Dennis Wink

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 24, 2019

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE                                                                         Sean Cotty

                  Improvisation on Melodies from Radiohead

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

       * SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP                                   Johanne Zoh                                                                                  

O God, you are my God. I seek you; my soul thirsts for you.

I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips praise you.

I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

My mouth praises you with joyful lips

For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy!

* HYMN No. 60                                          Great Is Thy Faithfulness

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 Christ,

out of your fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

You are our eternal hope;

you are patient and full of mercy;

you are generous to all who call upon you.

Save us, Lord.

O Christ, fountain of life and holiness,

you have taken away our sins.

On the cross you were wounded for our transgressions

and were bruised for our iniquities.

Forgive us, Lord.

O Christ, obedient unto death,

source of all comfort,

our life and our resurrection,

our peace and reconciliation:

Make us your new creation, Lord.

(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

Return to the Lord your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

In Christ, we are forgiven!

Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!

ANTHEM:                Were We There?                  Craig Courtney 

Were we there, you and I, in the olive grove that night?

Was there silver in my hand to betray the Son of Man?

Did you run away and hide? In your fear, did you deny?

Were we there, were we there, you and I?

Were we there, you and I, boldly crying, "crucify?"

Did you mock Him with your scorn?

Did I weave the crown of thorns?

Did you strike Him in the face, spit on Him in His disgrace?

Were we there, were we there, you and I?

Were we there, you and I, on that hill the day He died?

Did you watch without a sound 

when they brought the hammer down?

Did I turn to look away from his suffering and pain?

Were we there? Were we there?

Were you there? Was I, too, 

on that morning at the tomb?

When we looked into His face, 

did we know He took our place?

Yes, He died for us as though 

we were there so long ago.

We were there.

LENTEN MISSION     

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. 198                                Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Prayer of Illumination

Lord God,

may your Word be a lamp to our feet

and a light to our path

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Isaiah 55:1-9                                                                     p. 598

Luke 13:1-9                                                                       p. 848

This is the Word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God.

SERMON           The Stories We Tell Ourselves     

* 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:             A Lenten Meditation             Brett Michaels

Jesus refuge of the weary, Blest Redeemer whom we love,

Fountain in life's desert dreary, Savior from the work above.

Ohm how your eyes offended, Gaze upon a sinner's fall!

Yet, upon the cross extended, You endured the pain of all.

Dare we pass that Cross unheeding, breathing no repentant vow,

As we see you wounded, bleeding, see your thorn encircled brow?

Since your sinless death has brought us life eternal, peace and rest,

Only what your grace has taught us calms the sinner's deep distress.

When I survey the wondrous Cross, on which the prince of glory died.

My richest gain, I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.

Jesus, may our hearts be burning with more fervent love for you!

May our eyes be ever yearning, to behold Your cross anew.

'Till in glory, parted never from the blessed Savior's side,

Graven in our hearts forever, dwell the cross, the crucified!

* The Doxology (pew card) 

* Prayer of Dedication 

* HYMN No. 227                                  Rock Of Ages, Cleft For Me

* BENEDICTION                                    

Response                                                Jesus Remember Me

Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.

POSTLUDE       Now Thank We All Our God        Sigfrid Karg-Elert

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.

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!

Ushers Needed

Would you be willing to serve as an usher during worship services distributing bulletins, assisting congregants to their seats if needed, and collecting 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. 26      7:30 PM   Adult Bible Study

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

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

                                5:45 PM   Queens Children Comm. Choir

                            6:00 PM    Prayer Group

                                7:30 PM   Choir Rehearsal

·      Sat. Mar. 30       10:00 AM   Bargain Boutique

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

                                9:45 AM  Sunday School classes

                              11:10 AM  Children and Worship

·      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, Jolie Dunham, Lucas Ditta, Dorothy & Abel, Joan Dwyer, Matt Field, Frocione family, Jose Gracinda, Bernice Herbert, Hotchkiss Family, Ken Hoey, Jason Knese, Jane Lynch, Jorge and Tiffany Martinez, Jean Mendler, Larry Murray, Joan Pearson, Kook Ryo, Ivanette and Harold Shinsato, Kane Shinsato, Kathy Shinsato, Donna Smith, Janet Stillwagon, Alison Venable, Mel Werbel and Janet Willemain