Founded in 1642; Continuing in Ministry Today. Fifth Sunday of Easter May 14, 2017 Heritage Sunday THE APPROACH TO GOD

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1 THE FIRST CHURCH IN ALBANY (Reformed Church in America) 110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY ~ (518) info@firstchurchinalbany.org ~ Website: ~ Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Founded in 1642; Continuing in Ministry Today In response to God's unconditional love for all people made known to us in Jesus Christ, we are called to be a welcoming and affirming community. The First Church in Albany includes young and old, families, couples and singles, rich and poor, persons of various races, ethnicities, backgrounds, sexual orientation and gender identities, differing physical and mental abilities, believers and seekers. We welcome into the full life of the church all those whom God sends us. Centered in Christ, we commit ourselves to breaking down dividing walls and building a community where all are loved. Fifth Sunday of Easter May 14, 2017 Heritage Sunday THE APPROACH TO GOD Prelude Sonata in g minor Willem de Fesch Largo - Allemande - Tempo di Gavotte Sonata in e minor Willem de Fesch Largo - Alla breve - Presto Announcements Call to Worship Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. Amen. Psalm 124:8 O give thanks to the Lord, call on God s name. Make known God s deeds among the peoples. Sing to the Lord, sing praises; tell of all God s wonderful works. Glory in God s holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord, and the strength of the Lord; seek God s presence continually.

2 Remember the wonderful works God has done, the wonders and the judgments of God. The Lord is our God; whose judgments prevail in all the earth. from Psalm 105 *Hymn 457 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art TOULON Prayer of Confession We confess to you, O Lord, that we are not the people we like others to think we are; that we are not always who we appear to be. Sometimes we are afraid to admit even to ourselves what lies in the depths of our souls. But we do not want to hide our true selves from you. We believe that you know us as we are, and yet you still love us. Help us not to shrink from self-knowledge; give us the courage to admit our faults and seek forgiveness; teach us to respect ourselves for your sake; and help us put our trust in your guiding power. Deliver us from the bondage of guilt and fear and free us to be your forgiven people. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. (The prayer may continue in silence.) Assurance of Pardon The Peace Since God has reconciled us to himself through Christ, let us be reconciled with one another. Let us be imitators of God and live in love, as Christ loved us. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. 2

3 *Response 147 Blessing and Honor (verse 1) O QUANTA QUALIA Blessing and honor and glory and power, Wisdom and riches and strength evermore Give we to Christ who our battle has won, Whose are the kingdom, the crown and the throne. The Prayer for Illumination THE WORD OF GOD The Old Testament Lesson Psalm 77 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Musical Trio Sonata in D Largo, Allemande, Giga Allegro Willem de Fesch The New Testament Lesson II Thessalonians. 2:13-15 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. A Word with Children The Sermon Dangerous Memory The Prayer for Blessing on the Word THE RESPONSE TO GOD *Hymn (insert) Seeking Water, Seeking Shelter PSALM 42 Offering Offertory King Jesus Hath a Garden Filled with Diverse Flowers Dutch Carol arr. John Rutter 3

4 *Doxology (Hymn 591) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. The Joys and Concerns of the Church The Prayers of the People The 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, for ever. Amen. *Hymn 421 The Church of Christ in Every Age WAREHAM *Charge and Blessing Benediction Response: Shaker Benediction arranged by Burton Bumgarner *Postlude Toccata in C Jan Pieterzoon Sweelinck A *Those who are able please stand. WORSHIP LEADERS: Liturgists: The Rev. John Paarlberg and the Rev. Susan Vincent- Cox; Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Allan Janssen; Mary Bon Minister of Music and Choir Director; Erica Pickhardt, violoncello; Elizabeth Silver, violin; Jaqueline Wright, flute; WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS: The entire congregation. We welcome all who gather to worship God this morning, especially visitors and friends from near and far. Please sign our guest book or complete a visitor s card (found in the pew rack) and place it in the offering plate. If you have questions about our ministry, we encourage you to speak with one of the pastors or an usher. There is an elevator in our building, which makes every floor accessible. 4

5 Please join us following the service for refreshments and conversation downstairs in Zimmerman Hall. Hearing assist devices are available for your use. Please ask an usher. The flowers this morning are given in gratitude by Cheryl Gowie. Thank you to all who participated in the Albany CROP Hunger Walk. Save the Date for our Pot-luck Luncheon and Congregational meeting. It will be next Sunday, May 21 after the sanctuary service. A book table featuring past and present First Church authors is set up in the church lobby. Great reads on the history and heritage of the church are for sale. Sunday Afternoon, May 14th Look for us on Sunday, May 14th at the Heritage Tent during the Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park. We have a special First Church exhibit table set up in the Heritage Tent located near the Moses Statue. There will be a massed Festival Choir for the service on May 21. Join us at 9:30 AM in the sanctuary of First Church. Everyone is invited even if you don t sing regularly with the choir. For more information contact Mary Bon First Church offers financial aid for children who wish to attend summer camp at Camp Fowler. Please see Pastor Paarlberg for more information. The Weathervanes will again host the Old Friends Luncheon on Wednesday, May 17th at 12:30 p.m. in Zimmerman Hall. If you would like to renew some friendships or make some new friends, partake of an excellent Chicken a la King lunch, and enjoy a great program, please plan to join the regulars at this Weathervanes Special. After lunch, enjoy a story told by our favorite storyteller John Bowen! Come and enjoy! Make your reservation by telephoning Audrey Ming ( ). 5

6 THIS WEEK AT FIRST CHURCH Sunday 5/14 Fifth Sunday of Easter/ Heritage Sunday 9:00 AM Drive-In Worship The Rev. Dr. Allan Janssen, guest preacher 10:30 AM Sanctuary Worship The Rev. Dr. Allan Janssen, guest preacher Children & Worship (during service) 11:30 AM Coffee and Conversation Monday 5/15 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Food Pantry Open 11:30 AM Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesday 5/16 12:00 NOON Bible Study Wednesday 5/17 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Food Pantry Open 12:00 NOON AA Meeting 12:30 PM Weathervanes: Old Friends Luncheon Thursday 5/18 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Sunday 5/21 Sixth Sunday of Easter/ Heritage Sunday 9:00 AM Drive-In Worship 10:30 AM Sanctuary Worship Festival Choir Children & Worship (during service) 11:30 AM Congregational Meeting & Luncheon The Lily Among Thorns, the symbol on the banner and on the wall above the chancel, is one of the early symbols of the Dutch Reformed Church. It originated in the mid- 16 th century during the rebellion of the Low Countries against Spain and became a symbol of the church under persecution. The lily and thorns in the design are encircled by the passage from Song of Solomon in Dutch: Gelijck een lelie onder de doornen so is mine vriendinne onder de dochteren. As a lily among thorns, so is my love among maidens. 6

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