Forest Hill Church seeks to be diverse, inclusive and welcoming.

Transcription

1 3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Hts OH Fax: Website: Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr., Pastor Rev. Lois Annich, Interim Assoc. Pastor Rachel McDonald, Interim Assoc. Pastor Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig, Parish Assoc. Anne Wilson, Director of Music Kate Burleigh, Dir. of Children s Ministries Shannon Headen, Dir. of Youth Ministries Forest Hill Church seeks to be diverse, inclusive and welcoming.

2 Service of Worship March 6, 2016 at 11:00 am The Fourth Sunday in the Season of Lent Celebration of Holy Communion Welcome! Thank you for joining us today for worship. This morning we celebrate the Eucharist (the sacrament of the Lord s Supper, or Holy Communion) by intinction (dipping the bread into the cup). We also provide a gluten-free alternative. After receiving the elements you may come to the railing to receive a blessing from the pastors. Prayer of Preparation Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen. from the United Methodist Hymnal Welcome Prelude Ralph Vaughan Williams Prelude on Rhosymedre Fern Jennings, guest organist Greeting Our God with Joy Call to Worship Adapted from Psalm 80 Elder Elspeth Peterjohn Leader: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel! People: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Leader: Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see. People: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Leader: Give us life, and we will call on your name. People: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. 2

3 * Opening Hymn Come As You Are *please stand if able Come out of sadness from wherever you ve been Come broken hearted, let rescue begin Come find your mercy, Oh sinner come kneel Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can t heal Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can t heal So lay down your burdens, lay down your shame All who are broken, lift up your face Oh wanderer come home, You re not too far So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart, Come as you are There s hope for the hopeless, and all those who ve strayed Come sit at the table, come taste the grace There s rest for the weary, rest that endures Earth has no sorrow, that Heaven can t cure So lay down your burdens, lay down your shame All who are broken, lift up your face Oh wanderer come home, you re not too far So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart Come as you are There s joy for the morning, Oh sinner be still Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can t heal Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can t heal Writers: Ben Glover, Matt Maher, David Crowder (C) 2014 sixstepsrecords/sparro w Record So lay down your burdens, lay down your shame All who are broken, lift up your face Oh wanderer come home, You re not too far So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart. Come as you are. 3

4 Renewing Our Relationship with God Prayer of Confession Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr. O Holy One, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times, O God, when we fail to recognize you in the dailyness of our lives. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes fear makes us small, and we miss the chance to speak from our strength. Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Help us to see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from our wisdom. Time of Silent Confession Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) Affirming the Good News in Our Lives Assurance of Pardon Matthew 11:28 * Response John Merbecke First, all sing in unison. Second, men start, women and children start one measure later. 4

5 Opening Our Hearts to God s Word Scripture Lesson Joshua 5: 9-12 The Lord said to Joshua, Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt. And so that place is called Gilgal to this day. While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year. After the reading Leader: Hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God s people. People: Thanks be to God. Hymn No. 797 Sermon Ritual of Friendship We Cannot Measure How You Heal Rachel McDonald Lay Down Your Burdens all are asked to sign Offering QR code for online giving is on p. 6 Offertory O Lux Beatissima Seth Ungemach, conductor Howard Helvey Translation: O light most blessed, fill the inmost heart of all thy faithful. Without your grace, there is nothing in us, nothing that is not harmful. Prayer of Dedication 5

6 * Response Hymn No. 697 Eucharist Invitation Great Thanksgiving Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up unto the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Sanctus South African trad. Prayers of the People Rev. Lois Annich Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Communion of the People 6

7 Music during Communion Ave Verum W. A. Mozart Prayer after Communion Thank you, God, for giving us this community. Send us forth as new people. Help us leave behind what has burdened us and let our strength instead come from you. We thank you for the gift of this meal and for your son Jesus, in whose name we pray, Amen. Going Forth to Live as God s People * Closing Hymn No. 188 Jesus Loves Me * Commission and Blessing * Choral Benediction * Passing of the Peace Postlude Allegro Maestoso (Sonata II) Felix Mendelssohn 7

8 Welcome Visitors! We look forward to greeting you and answering any questions you may have. Visitor welcome bags are available in the foyers and the narthex. Take one home with you! Be sure to visit our website, to find a complete list of upcoming events, education programs for all ages, and texts and audio of past sermons. Please join us in wearing a name tag so that we might greet you. Our ushers have hearing devices, large print editions of the bulletin, activity bags for children staying in worship, and directions to our nursery for babies and young children. Congregational Notes Chancel Flowers Today s flowers are given by Sue and Scott Lafferty in loving memory of their children Sarah, Douglas and Daniel, and in honor of Christine and Abel, Juliann and TJ, Peter, and AJ; and by the Cameron family in loving memory of Donald B. Cameron. Prayer Concerns this Week Prayers are requested this week for the following: Elaine Dannefer, Grace Glaros, Max Harmon, Mary Hosier, Shelly Jesberger, Mary Lewis, Robert Ruggeri, Robin Richards, Jim Seeders, George Sentell, Dorothy Turick, and Debbie Ungemach. Please remember these homebound members in your prayers: Bill Currie, Marge Drollinger, Betty Farnfield, Emma Jane Gibbs, Iris Gilbert, Ron Klein, Emelia McGuire, Joyce Peters, Jack Quinn, Margie & Dwight Stauffer, Elaine Tapié, Lorian Thomas. 8

9 The Deacons encourage you to stop by the Greeting Card Table in Fellowship Hall before or after worship to sign a card for one or more of our homebound members. We will address and mail the card for you. This Month s Ushers Thank you to head usher Roger Heineman and today s ushers. Please contact the church office if you are interested in joining an usher team. Announcements TODAY Today Is Hunger Sunday Any cash or checks in envelopes marked Hunger will be used 100% for support of hunger programs. Each month we send the money to the Hts Emergency Food Cupboard (Disciples Church, Cleveland Hts.), the New Covenant Lutheran Church Hunger Center (East Cleveland), and the Presbyterian Hunger Program in Haiti. Young Adults are invited to a retreat in the Chapel from 6 9 pm this evening. For more information, see Rachel McDonald. THIS WEEK Bible and Bagels Bible and Bagels meets Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 am in the Jin Room. All are welcome! The lesson this week is from Isaiah 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14; John 12:

10 2016 Hunger Action Day Join friends from around the Presbytery for our Second Annual Hunger Action Day, on Saturday March 12, at John Knox Presbyterian Church in North Olmsted. This year s event will feature Bryan McFarland, Hunger Action Advocate from Salem Presbytery in North Carolina. A singersongwriter with a passion for hunger justice, Bryan will lead us in music and worshipful engagement. The day will also offer two workshop opportunities, good conversation and fellowship, and lunch. Visit for more details and to register. Questions? Contact Laura at lvandale@preswesres.org or , x118. Hope to see you on the 12 th! NEXT SUNDAY Adult Education, 9:30 in South Hall The series of presentations on the images of Jesus in the arts and in the Abrahamic religious traditions concludes next week: March 13 Barbara Essex: An African American Perspective on Jesus Adult education will resume on April 3 with Faith Matters: Keeping It Real, a series led by Rev. Lois Annich. Three-Choir Concert Songs from American Poets will be the theme of a collaborative concert to be presented in our sanctuary next Sunday afternoon, March 13, at 3:00 pm. The Singers Club of Cleveland, Forest Hill s Chancel Choir, and the Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word will each perform settings of poems written by Americans, including Walt Whitman, E. E. Cummings, and Emily Dickinson. The Singers Club is a male chorus whose history goes back to (Forest Hill s Don Grube has been a member since 1977.) The Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word is a group of Cleveland African-American young men who study the art of performance poetry, adding mime, movement and song. They made a 10

11 widely-publicized visit to France last summer. An offering will be received, to be divided between Forest Hill Church and the Distinguished Gentlemen. A reception will follow the concert. ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Care Group The Eden Care Group is responsible for meeting members needs during March. Please call the church office to report an illness, hospitalization, family emergency, birth or death. Information will then be passed on to the Care Group leaders. Members of this month s Care Group are: Kathy Carr, Deacon leader Doris Allen Nathan & Lane Baldwin Mary Ball Dave & Chris Bell Kathy & Bruce Carr Jane & Derek Duncan & family Jeff Dyck & Lara Troyer & family Julie Lafferty Ely Kris & Bill Fay Carrie Fister Tim & Leigh Henderson Bob & Pat Jeffreys Sue & Scott Lafferty Carol Leslie Steve Marunowski & Peg Weissbrod Clayton & Julie Minder Ron Polderman & Carol Smith Lorraine Ranchod Elizabeth Shaw Jeff & Anne Smith Quentin Smith & Sylvia Herd Tammy Steele Elaine Tapié Elaine Turley Paul & Katie Weissbrod Social Groups and Circles Pacesetters (50s-60s) The Pacesetters will be preparing the Labre meal on March 13. Please contact Robert Brock (brockr@zin-tech.com) if you are able to help. The Group (60s 70s) The Group will attend the Singers Club concert at Forest Hill Church on Sunday, March 13; after the reception we will go to dinner at The Tavern Co. on Lee Rd. For dinner reservations, please contact Nancy Grube ( or donance@sbcglobal.net). 11

12 Iris Circle (all women of the church) Iris Circle will meet at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Tuesday, March 15 for a tour. Meet at the church at 10:30; the tour is at 11 am. RSVP to Barb Hansen (bjhansen47@gmail.com) or Cathy Ghiandoni (ghiandoni.c@gmail.com) if you plan to attend. Hilltoppers (retired) The Hilltoppers will be treated to a travelogue by Dave Neff of Panatanal, an area of rainforest in southern Brazil, on Friday, March 18 at 1 pm. Youth News Every Sunday Mid and Sr High classes meet from 9:30 10:30 am. The Lessons Next Sunday: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14; John 12: 1-8. Set aside time each day for prayer and study. As you read the lessons for the week, consider how they settle or challenge you? What image or word catches your attention? Keep notes of your observations in a journal. 12

13 Calendar: March 6-13, 2016 Sunday, March 6: 4 Lent 8:30 Nominating Committee 9:15 Child care begins 9:30 Descant Choir (gr. 1-5) Youth Education (gr. 6-12) Adult Education 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Chancel Choir Continental Breakfast 11:00 Worship: Communion Children s Worship class 12:15 Fellowship and Coffee Hour 5:00 Faith Leader Living Prayer class 6:00 Young Adult Retreat 7:00 GCC Core Team meeting Monday, March 7 6:00 pm Progress not Perfection (AA) 7:00 pm Al Anon 7:30 pm Borton Group Boy Scout Troop #403 Tuesday, March 8 1:00 pm Abundance Pantry opens 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion exercise class Wednesday, March 9 7:30 am Bible and Bagels 12:30 pm Wednesday Women s AA Continued in next column Weds., cont 5:30 pm Tablesetters 6-7 pm Drop-in Supper 7:00 pm Worship 7:30 pm Ministries meet Thursday, March 10 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion exercise class 6:20 pm Voices in Bronze 7:00 pm Softball commissioners meeting 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Friday, March 11 10:00 am Al Anon Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 13: 5 Lent 9:15 Child care begins 9:30 Descant Choir (gr. 1-5) Youth Education (gr. 6-12) Adult Education 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Chancel Choir Continental Breakfast 11:00 Worship Children s Worship class Pathways to the Promise Land (gr 1-5) 12:15 Fellowship and Coffee Hour 5:00 Faith Leader Living Prayer class 13

14 FHC Staff s Rev. Dr. John Lentz Jr. Pastor Rev. Lois Annich Interim Assoc. Pastor Rachel McDonald Interim Assoc. Pastor Anne Wilson Music Shannon Headen Youth Kate Burleigh Children Lynda Bernays Administration Becky Austin Finance Peg Weissbrod Outreach Stavros Gazis Custodial Exploring Membership Class -- April 9th and 10 th Have you been wondering how Forest Hill Church fits into your Spiritual Journey? Join us as we explore what the Forest Hill Church community has to offer. Learn more about the church in a relaxed and casual small group setting, with the Pastor and other church members. Saturday, April 9, 9:00 am noon and Sunday April 10, 9:00 10:30 am Bodwell Hall (in the lower education wing.) Food and beverages provided; Childcare available upon request. Please RSVP via office@fhcpresb.org or phone: (216) Just say you'd like to sign up for the Exploring Membership Class. 14

15 Holy Week and Easter at Forest Hill Church Palm Sunday: March 20 Children and any others who wish to process with palms will meet in South Hall before the service. Maundy Thursday: March 24 We will serve dinner at 6:30 pm. There will be a Tenebrae service (service of darkness) at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary. Good Friday: March 25 We will join the Community Ecumenical Service (12 3pm) at St. Paul s Episcopal Church at Fairmount and Coventry in Cleveland Hts. A series of meditations will be presented by pastors from St. Paul s and other area churches; you may come and go as you wish. Saturday, March 26 Come to the Easter Vigil, which will begin on the front steps of the church at 7:30 pm. If you would like to receive the sacrament of baptism during this service, please see one of the pastors or contact the church office. Easter: March 27 Worship in the Chapel, 9 am and in the Sanctuary, 11 am Communion will be celebrated at both services. At 10 am children from prek-grade 5 are invited to an Easter egg hunt in the CE wing. Cover image: "Barley in a field near Höchberg, Germany," Gerste Ähren.jpg, available under GNU Free Documentation License, version