Forest Hill Church: diverse, inclusive, welcoming

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1 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 Anne Wilson, Director of Music Kate Burleigh, Dir. of Children s Ministries Shannon Headen, Dir. of Youth Ministries Forest Hill Church: diverse, inclusive, welcoming

2 2 Service of Worship October 15, 2017 at 11:00 am Sacrament of Baptism Welcome! Thank you for joining us today for worship. 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 Loving God, please help us quiet our minds and center our hearts on you. We want to sing your praises, learn more about you, and receive strength to be the people you created us to be. Thank you. We love you. Amen. Welcome Prelude spiritual, arr. Sandra Tucker Chatter with the Angels Voices in Bronze and the Descant Choir Greeting Our God with Joy Call to Worship Mission Partners Leader: Rejoice in God always! Again I say rejoice! All: We rejoice in God s presence with us. Leader: Let us give thanks for the grace and strength we find in Christ Jesus. All: We rejoice in God s presence with us. Leader: Let us open ourselves to the Spirit s leading and guidance. All: We rejoice in God s presence with us. Leader: Let us give thanks for the call to do justice and love mercy. All: We rejoice in God s presence with us. Leader: Let us risk believing in God s goodness in the midst of great challenges. All: We rejoice in God s presence with us. Leader: Let us lift ourselves and all creation to God s healing love and light. All: Rejoice in God always! Again we say rejoice!

3 * Processional Hymn No. 33 Praise the Lord! God s Glories Show *please stand if able Renewing Our Relationship with God Prayer of Confession Holy and loving God, we do not always do the best job of following you. When we become afraid, we allow worries and doubts to cloud our vision and shake our faith. We imagine you are far away and pursue things that leave us feeling hollow and even more alone. Forgive and renew us, we pray. Focus our hearts and minds on you. Show us those things that are excellent, admirable, and worthy of praise. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. Time of Silent Confession Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) Craig Phillips 3

4 Affirming the Good News in Our Lives Assurance of Pardon * Gloria Taizé All sing first time. Second time: low voices, begin; high voices enter two measures later; children and youth enter two measures after that. Opening Our Hearts to God s Word Minute for Mission Introducing our Mission Partners Baptism of Capri Montgomery Gerteis Charity Stock Congregational Welcome Capri Montgomery, we welcome you into the household of the living God. You are part of the body of Christ. Wherever you go, whatever you become, you are a beloved child of God. Amen. * Hymn No. 377 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Prayer requests to be read during the Prayers of the People may be passed to the ushers during this hymn 4

5 Scripture Lessons Elder Doris Bartlett Philippians 4: 1-9 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Luke 3: Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. Leader: Hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God s people. People: Thanks be to God. Sermon Prayers of the People For Capri (and all God s children!) Rev. Lois Annich 5

6 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 Offering Offertory Unclouded Day Rev. J. K. Alwood * 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. * Prayer of Dedication Going Forth to Live as God s People * Closing Hymn No. 462 I Love to Tell the Story * Commission and Blessing 6

7 * Choral Benediction Sanctuary * Passing of the Peace Postlude Finale (Symphony No. 1) Louis Vierne Welcome Visitors! We look forward to greeting you and answering any questions you may have. Welcome bags are available in the foyers and the narthex. Take one home with you! Be sure to visit our website, for a list of upcoming events, education programs for all ages, and past sermon texts and audio. Notes & Announcements Chancel Flowers The flowers today are given by Liz Wollaeger in honor of the children and youth of Forest Hill Church; and by Bill Finn and Rachel Martinez- Finn in memory of their parents, Diana and Jerry Martinez and Barry Finn. 7

8 Prayers are requested this week for the following: Joe and Betsy Andrews, Max Harmon, David Hunter, Florence Klein, Wafa Kuri, Krystal Lafontaine, Jeanette Nemcek, George Sentell, Carolyn Smith, Dorothy Turick, Bob and Linda Uhle, and Pat Weissbrod. Please remember these homebound members in your prayers: Marge Drollinger, Emma Jane Gibbs, Iris and Al Gilbert, Ron Klein, Emelia McGuire, Joyce Peters, Margie Stauffer, Elaine Tapié, and 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. Care Group: The Nazareth Care Group is responsible for assisting the clergy in meeting members needs during October. 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. Today we celebrate the baptism of Capri Montgomery Gerteis, daughter of Lisa and Mark Gerteis and sister of Sydney. Kate Burleigh is the attending Elder. Gina Turner is her godmother. All are invited to join the family for cake in the courtyard (weather permitting) or Bodwell Hall after worship. Congratulations to Charity McDonald and Ahren Stock, who were married at FHC on October 7. Dr. Lentz officiated. 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. 8

9 Coming Up TODAY Help Support our Senior High Youth Mission Trip! Need groceries? Buy a grocery gift card. Want to help the youth go on a mission trip? Buy a grocery gift card. (Do you detect a pattern here?) Cards for Giant Eagle, Dave s, Heinen s or Zagara s are available. THIS WEEK Bible Study: The lessons for this week are: Exodus 33: 12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10; Matthew 22: Bible and Bagels discusses next Sunday s text(s) on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30. All are welcome! NEXT SUNDAY Adult Education, 9:30 in South Hall Next Sunday morning we will focus attention on another obscure Reformation character Menno Simons, the Dutch priest who brought Anabaptism into a disciplined order that became the Mennonites and Amish. You don t have to go all the way to Holmes County to find them. Labre Project Warm, gently-used clothing and accessories coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, blankets for men, women and children are appreciated for the Labre Project in East Cleveland. Please leave donations in the bin in Fellowship Hall. Beer n Hymns Returns! Join us at the BottleHouse (2050 Lee) for an oldfashioned hymn sing with a small band next Sunday, October 22 at 6:30 pm. The BottleHouse is family-friendly with games and space to play; seating is at long tables; beer, wine, mead and root beer are sold. You may bring food or enjoy pizza and cookies provided by the church. 9

10 LOOKING AHEAD News from The Group: On November 5 we ll go see the musical Shrek at Heights High at 4 pm, followed by dinner at Anatolia Café on Lee Rd. Several of our high-school-age members are appearing in school productions the weekend of Nov Grant Heineman, Garrett Vandall and Chip Vandall (with Anne Wilson as accompanist) are appearing in Cleveland Heights High s Shrek the Musical; and Ian Zych is playing the lead role of Peter in Hawken School s Peter and the Star Catcher. Tickets for Shrek are $15, $12 and $9 depending on location (in the newly renovated high school auditorium) and can be purchased online at Showtix4u.com. (In the box labeled Find a show, write Cleveland Heights. Shrek the Musical will pop up click on it.) You may also call ShowTix at For tickets to Peter and the Starcatcher, see the Zych family or call the school at Sanctuary Project: For more information about our Sanctuary Project, please the coordinators at sanctuary@fhcpresb.org. You can support the sanctuary project by joining a Thursday evening yoga class. Free will donations will help support the project. You may also donate to the church by cash or check; specify that it is for the Sanctuary Project. 10

11 From Abundance Pantry: Help to set up a holiday gift shop to enable our pantry guests to give gifts to the youngsters in their lives. Please help us gather things like toys, games, stuffed animals, children s books, wrapping paper, and Christmas decorations. These can be your own used items, goodwill items, or dollar store items. This might be a good time to clean out your attic! The idea is to let our pantry guests do the wrapping. Between now and Christmas, please put your items in the box marked Pantry Gift Items on the stage in Fellowship Hall. Thank you. Staff s Rev. Lois Annich Interim Assoc. Pastor pastorannich@fhcpresb.org Becky Austin Finance beckya@fhcpresb.org Lynda Bernays Administration office@fhcpresb.org Kate Burleigh Children kateb@fhcpresb.org Ann Donkin Building mgr. adonkin@fhcpresb.org Stavros Gazis Custodial office@fhcpresb.org Shannon Headen Youth shannon@fhcpresb.org Rev. Dr. John Lentz Jr. Pastor pastorlentz@fhcpresb.org Peg Weissbrod Outreach pegw@fhcpresb.org Anne Wilson Music annew@fhcpresb.org Youth News Every Sunday: Logos (Mid High) meets from 9:30 10:30 am in the Ruah Room. Today: Sine Nomine Choir will rehearse in the chapel immediately after worship. Ekklesia (Sr Highs) will then go to First Watch for lunch. 11

12 Calendar: October 15-22, 2017 Sunday, October 15 9:00 am Child care begins 9:30 am Adult Education Youth Education: Logos (Mid Hi) Descant Choir 10:15 am Descant Choir activity 10:30 am Continental Breakfast Chancel Choir 11:00 am WORSHIP: Baptism Children s Worship class 12:15 pm Coffee and Conversation Mission Fair Blood Pressure check Sine Nomine Choir rehearsal 1:00 pm Ekklesia (Sr High) at First Watch 2:00 pm Messiah Chorus rehearsal 5:00 pm Faith Leader Monday, October 16 8:30 am Sanctuary Breakfast 6:00 pm Progress not Perfection (AA) 7:00 pm Al Anon 7:30 pm Borton Group (AA) Boy Scout Troop #403 Tuesday, October 17 12:00 pm Abundance Pantry registration 1:00 pm Abundance Pantry 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion 7:15 pm Black History Team mtg Wednesday, October 18 7:30 am Bible & Bagels 10:00 am Tower assembly team 12:00 pm Bullshevicks (at Nighttown) 12:30 pm Wed. Women s AA 7:00 pm TransFamily East Thursday, October 19 9:30 am Pantry Lunch team meeting 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion 6:20 pm Voices in Bronze rehearsal 7:00 pm Yoga 7:30 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal Friday, October 20 10:00 am Al Anon meeting 2:00 pm Meditation Group 6:00 pm Logos (mid high) to Sky Zone Saturday, October 21 8:00 am Men s Group 9:00 am Fall Work Day Sunday, October 22 8:30 am Nominating Committee mtg 9:00 am Child care begins 9:30 am Adult Education Youth Education: Logos (Mid Hi) Descant Choir 10:15 am Descant Choir activity 10:30 am Continental Breakfast Chancel Choir Cherub Choir rehearsal 11:00 am WORSHIP Children s Worship class 12:15 pm Coffee and Conversation Sine Nomine Choir 2:00 pm Messiah Chorus rehearsal 5:00 pm Faith Leader 6:30 pm Beer n Hymns (BottleHouse) 12

13 Reconnecting with God's Creation in the 21st-century A class combining scripture, discussion, field trips and more The purpose of this course is to explore the wonder of the natural world on a spiritual level, our ongoing connection and relationship with nature, an awakening to its power of healing, and our responsibility as Christians for its stewardship. The course will include examination of scripture, small group discussions, field experiences, journaling, and the development of a Personal Plan of Reconnection for each participant. The course will take place over the span of a year and consist of twelve sessions: two classes and one field experience (e.g., to a nearby park or nature center) each season. We will look at how political, behavioral, economic and social dimensions affect our relationship with nature. By the conclusion of the course, participants will develop a plan by which they will intentionally draw closer to, learn from, and be empowered to better serve God s creation. Participants will be expected to make every effort to attend each class session and field trip. The first session will be January 14, 4:00-6:00 pm in South Hall For more information, please contact Kemp Jaycox and Stephen Sedam, class leaders. Kemp: kempjaycox@yahoo.com or Stephen: goldens101@aol.com or You may register on line (see the weekly ) or by completing the form below (place in offering or return to the office). 13

14 Registration for Reconnecting with God s Creation Name (please print clearly) Phone I have read the preceding description and understand the time frame and general expectations of the class. Signature 14

15 Reformation Jokes and Puzzles, cont. A Calvinist arrives at Heaven s gates and sees that there are two queues going in. One is marked predestined, and the other is marked free will. Being a good Calvinist he wanders over to the predestined line. After a few minutes an angel asks him, Why are you in this line? He replies, I chose it. The angel looks surprised, Well then, you should be in the free will line. So our Calvinist, now slightly miffed, obediently wanders over to the free will line. Again, after a few minutes another angel asks him, Why are you in this line? He sullenly replies, An angel made me come over here. 1. In what language did Luther post his 95 theses? 2. Who is also known as the Morning Star of the Protestant Reformation? Hint: his body was exhumed and burnt posthumously (as also was done with Martin Bucer). 3. Which religious sect broke away from Zwinglism? 15

16 Answers to last week s puzzle (match quote to author) 1. I will cause a boy who drives a plow to know more of the scriptures than the pope. William Tyndale 2. We must remember that Satan has his miracles, too John Calvin. 3. If magistrates go against the rule of Christ they may be deposed. Ulrich Zwingli 4. Lord of hosts! When I swim in the merciful waters of your grace I find that I can neither plumb nor measure the depths Menno Simons 5. Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave. Martin Luther 6. He who allows oppression shares the crime. Desiderius Erasmus Join us in the South Hall 9:30 AM next Sunday to learn about Menno Simmons. 16

17 The Stewardship Campaign officially begins next Sunday, October 22. You may pick up your packets today in the Garden Foyer as you leave the sanctuary. Members of the Ministry of Stewardship will be there to assist you. God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 Cover image: Stained Glass Baptism clip art in the public domain 17