Forest Hill Church seeks to be diverse, inclusive and welcoming. All God's children have a place in this choir!

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1 image by photographer Bert van 't Hul, used with permission 3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Hts OH Fax: Website: Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr., Pastor Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig, Parish Assoc. Rev. Lois Annich, Interim Assoc. Pastor Rachel McDonald, Interim Assoc. Pastor 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. All God's children have a place in this choir!

2 Service of Worship November 22, 2015 at 11:00 am Welcome! Thank you for joining us today for worship. If you are visiting, 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. Prayer of Preparation We give you thanks, Eternal God, for all the blessings of this life. For clean refreshing water and the promise of our baptism that we are reborn by the power of the Holy Spirit. May this worship wash over us, cleaning and restoring. Amen. Welcome Prelude Happy Land Voices in Bronze arr. Douglas Warner Greeting Our God with Joy Call to Worship Ellie and David Vahey Leader: We gather together to ask the Lord s blessing! People: May the faithful find salvation; Leader: the careless be awakened; People: the doubting find faith; Leader: the anxious be encouraged; People: the tempted find help; Leader: the sorrowful find comfort; People: the weary find rest; Leader: the young be inspired. People: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us worship God. 2

3 * Processional Hymn No. 336 We Gather Together *please stand if able Renewing Our Relationship with God Prayer of Confession Gracious Creator, we seek your blessing, knowing that we have not earned it. In our brokenness, we seek your wholeness. In our sins, we seek your forgiveness. In our weakness, we seek your strength. In our sorrow, we seek your consolation. In our trials, we seek your justice. In our pain, we seek your peace. Hear our prayer, O God, and make our hearts new. Amen. Time of Silent Confession Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) Betty Pulkingham Affirming the Good News in Our Lives Assurance of Pardon * Alleluia Jeannette Sorrell Opening Our Hearts to God s Word Family Meditation 3

4 * Hymn No. 317 In Christ There Is No East or West Children in Pathways may leave during the hymn Prayer requests may be passed to the ushers during this hymn Scripture Lesson (text, p. 14) Isaiah 55: 1-5 John 7: Leader: Hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God s people. People: Thanks be to God. Sermon Prayers of the People Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr. A Well in the Wilderness 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. Ritual of Friendship all are asked to sign Offertory 4 Grace arr. Mark Hayes * Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Going Forth to Live as God s People * Closing Hymn No. 647 "Give Thanks" * Commission and Blessing

5 * Choral Benediction William Byrd Deo Gracias * Passing of the Peace Postlude Concerto in F G. F. Handel 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. Congregational Notes Chancel Flowers The flowers today are given by Betty Clark in honor of Ray and Irma Clark, Herbert and Don Fritz, and Donald Clark; and by Beth Hsu in honor of Dave and Chris Bell. Prayer Concerns this Week Prayers are requested this week for the following: Lucy Conde, Doris Brandt, Marge Drollinger, Carol Himmelsteib, Chuck Ishler, Kemp Jaycox, Shelly Jesberger, Mary Lewis, Lauren Miller, Mel Mervine, Dorothy Turick, Debbie Ungemach, and Robert Vandall. 5

6 Please remember these homebound members in your prayers: Bill Currie, Betty Farnfield, Iris Gilbert, Ron Klein, Emelia McGuire, Joyce Peters, Jack Quinn, George Sentell, Margie & Dwight Stauffer, Elaine Tapié, Lorian Thomas. 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. 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 Come to the Shop with a Conscience and Fair Trade Bazaar and Youth Group Bake Sale In Fellowship Hall The Race Conversation participants will meet in Bodwell Hall at 12:30 pm. The Cleveland Messiah Chorus presents Handel s Messiah today at 4 pm. 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 Psalm 25 and Luke 21:

7 Labre Ministry Thanksgiving Dinner Forest Hill Church will again be providing a Thanksgiving dinner to our friends in East Cleveland. We have enough volunteers to serve, but we need people to prepare and donate food (to be delivered to FHC on Thanksgiving morning between 9 10 am). Right now we need 8 pies and 4 pans of mashed potatoes (20 servings each). Contact Jeff Smith (in person, at or jeffsmith2756@gmail.com). NEXT SUNDAY Adult Education, 9:30 in South Hall The Amos-Hosea Kerygma series will conclude with a wrap-up next Sunday. Watch for information about a special Advent series in December! Holiday Angels It s Holiday Angels gift-giving time (information was in Wednesday s news and is available on the foyer tables) the tree and gift ornaments will be available next Sunday. ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Advent Art Series for Young Adults Young Adults (you know if you qualify) are invited to drop in for one of three sessions to listen to Christmas music and enjoy some low-stress craft time. See the flyer on p. 25 of the December TOWER; contact Rachel McDonald for more information (rachelm@fhcpresb.org). 7

8 Care Group The Jericho Care Group is responsible for meeting members needs during November. 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: Jason Hidek, Deacon leader Janet Banis Nick & Phyllis Baumgartner Jennifer Blakeney & Marius Juodisius Jack & Mary Ann Breisch Robert & Wendy Brock & family David & Kate Burleigh & family Joseph & Janet Dauer Larry Dorod Marge Drollinger John & Sheryl Dugard Elizabeth Farnfield Cathy & Don Ghiandoni Tom & Paula Harvey Jason & Christina Hidek & family Alec & Nancy Jamieson Jessica Kelley-Moore & family Charlie Manak Twanda Patterson Jean Seeley Connie Sekerak-Hicks Chuck & Lora Smith & family Rob & Leslie Strachan JT & Sarah Tan & family Liz Wollaeger & family Katie Zito & family Social Groups and Circles Pacesetters (50s-60s) The Pacesetters will celebrate Christmas on Sunday, December 6 at 7 pm at the home of Dave and Chris Bell (3040 Scarborough, Cleveland Hts.). See the December TOWER for details. The Group (60s 70s) The Group will once again provide Christmas for a family at Boulevard School, and will gather at the home of Betsy and Joe Andrews 2740 Fairmount Blvd) on Friday, December 11 at 6:60 pm. RSVP to Cathy Ghiandoni ( or ghiandoni.c@gmail.com) for gift and potluck information. More information is in the December TOWER. 8

9 Youth News Every Sunday Mid and Sr High classes meet from 9:30 10:30 am. Next Sunday November 29, 5 pm: Whirly Ball and Laser Tag (all youth) FHC Staff s Rev. Dr. John Lentz Jr. Pastor pastorlentz@fhcpresb.org Rev. Lois Annich Interim Assoc. Pastor pastorannich@fhcpresb.org Rachel McDonald Interim Assoc. Pastor RachelM@fhcpresb.org Anne Wilson Music annew@fhcpresb.org Shannon Headen Youth shannon@fhcpresb.org Kate Burleigh Children kateb@fhcpresb.org Lynda Bernays Administration office@fhcpresb.org Becky Austin Finance beckya@fhcpresb.org Peg Weissbrod Outreach webeditor@fhcpresb.org Stavros Gazis Custodial office@fhcpresb.org 9

10 The December TOWER is now on line go to click on News & Upcoming Events along the top of the page, and voila! A list of TOWERs and calendars appears, for your reading pleasure. Printed copies are ready to be picked up in the Garden Courtyard foyer. If you prefer to read the TOWER on line, but find that one is mailed to you each month, please let the office know and you ll be removed from the TOWER mailing list. If you want to receive a copy but don t, let us know that too we will add you to the list to receive a printed copy. Do take time to read it! There s lots of information available. 10

11 Calendar: November 22-29, 2015 Sunday, November 22 Shop with a Conscience and Fair Trade Gift Bazaar in Fellowship Hall 8:30 Nominating Committee mtg 9:00 Child care begins 9:30 Adult Education Youth Education Descant Choir 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Continental Breakfast Chancel Choir Cherub Choir 11:00 WORSHIP Children in Worship class 11:15 Pathways to the Promise Land 12:15 Coffee and fellowship hour: Gift Bazaar 12:30 Race Conversations: debriefing 4:00 Cleveland Messiah Chorus presents Handel s Messiah 5:00 Faith Leader Labre Ministry Monday November 23 5:00 pm PWR Meeting: Church of the Western Reserve 6:00 pm Progress not Perfection (AA) 7:00 pm Al Anon 7:30 pm Borton Group Boy Scout Troop #403 Tuesday, November 24 1:00 pm Abundance Pantry opens 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion exercise class Wednesday, November 25 7:30 am Bible and Bagels 12:30 pm Wednesday Women s AA Thursday and Friday, November Thanksgiving: Office closed Sunday, November 29: 1 Advent 9:00 Child care begins 9:30 Adult Education Youth Education Descant Choir 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Continental Breakfast Chancel Choir 11:00 WORSHIP: Communion Children in Worship class 12:15 Coffee and fellowship hour 5:00 Faith Leader Youth: Whirly Ball and Laser Tag 11

12 Holiday Angels Each year, our congregation comes together to provide Christmas gifts for children in our community. Please consider becoming a Holiday Angel. It is so easy to participate! Iris Circle has made beautiful Christmas ornaments and will place them on the Christmas tree in Fellowship Hall by November 29. All you need to do is choose an ornament, read the directions, and return the gift to Fellowship Hall by December 13, wrapped or unwrapped according to the directions. The Ministry of Justice and Mission has chosen to support three ministries dear to Forest Hill Church. 12 As in past years, we will once again be providing gifts for children who attend Boulevard Elementary School. We typically provide one toy and one article of clothing for each child. This year we are supporting 9 families. The families are chosen by Boulevard School, and the specific requests are given to us. Each gift is noted on an individual ornament. All these gifts should be wrapped and returned by Dec. 13 to the stage in Fellowship Hall. In continued support of the Labre Ministry, we will be providing gifts for children who attend after school programming at the Family Home Center. You will find ornaments on the tree requesting the donation of items by different ages. These gifts should be WRAPPED and returned by Dec. 13 to the stage in Fellowship Hall. Our own Abundance Food Pantry serves approximately 350 visitors each month. Between now and Christmas, we would like to provide small gifts to the parents for them to wrap for their children. The ornaments on the tree contain suggested items with the words as many as you like. But feel free to bring in any small toy for

13 donation to the pantry. We prefer a lot of small gifts than a few larger ones. Please place the UNWRAPPED gifts in the box marked Food Pantry Holiday Angels on the stage in Fellowship Hall. You can bring them at any time between now and Dec. 20. Thank you for your generosity, and Merry Christmas! Joanne Shaner, Head Angel A few prayers of thanksgiving for this week of Thanksgiving Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God's presence with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Give us this day our daily bread, O Father in heaven, and grant that we who are filled with good things from Your open hand, may never close our hearts to the hungry, the homeless, and the poor; in the name of the Father, and of the Sone, and of the Holy Spirit. from the abbey of New Clairvaux, Viña, California 13

14 The Lessons Isaiah 55: 1-5 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. John 7: On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, Out of the believer s heart shall flow rivers of living water. Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Next Sunday: (1 Advent) Jeremiah 33: 14-16; Psalm 25: 1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; Luke 21: 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. 14

15 from the Iona Community: With the whole church WE AFFIRM THAT WE ARE MADE IN GOD S IMAGE, BEFRIENDED BY CHRIST, EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT. With people everywhere WE AFFIRM GOD S GOODNESS AT THE HEART OF HUMANITY, PLANTED MORE DEEPLY THAN ALL THAT IS WRONG. With all creation WE CELEBRATE THE MIRACLE AND WONDER OF LIFE; THE UNFOLDING PURPOSES OF GOD, FOREVER AT WORK IN OURSELVES AND THE WORLD This affirmation was written for the 2001 revision of the Iona Abbey Worship Book 15

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