THE COVENANT OF OUR CONGREGATION

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1 FIRST REFOR MED CHURCH SCHENECTADY THE COVENANT OF OUR CONGREGATION We do hereby set forth the principles of the Christian faith as commonly held among us, believing that no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. It shall be our aim to bring joy to little children, instruction and high ideals to youth, inspiration to men and women in the midst of life, and comfort to those in life's later years; and to labor together for the betterment of humankind. Our fellowship shall not be dependent upon identity of theological opinion, or of outward circumstance, or of denominational concern, but shall grow from a common loyalty to Jesus, a common commitment to serve the world we touch, and a common purpose to do justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. Our ideal is a church of the open mind, the warm heart, the hopeful spirit, and the social vision which ever seeks to express, in all walks of life, the mind of Jesus. Adopted by the Congregation in 1962 November 18, 2007 TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST November 18, 2007 Is your cell phone on? What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) 9:40 a.m. VOLUNTARY Hymn Preludes for the Autumn Festivals Wilbur Held 1. Awake, Awake to Love and Work 2. Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones 3. A Mighty Fortress 4. For All the Saints 5. Variations on God Bless our Native Land 6. Now Thank we All Our God 7. We Gather Together 10:00 a.m. The Approach to God GREETING The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WORSHIP ORIENTATION CALL TO WORSHIP Daniel Carlson CHORAL INTROIT Choral Call Robert Campbel *PROCESSIONAL HYMN 551 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come St. George s Windsor PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) God of grace, we confess that we have not responded well to your love We have been unfeeling and unfruitful. We have judged others too quickly and helped them too infrequently. Settle us now, we pray, so that we might hear the needs of our hearts. (silence) Gracious God, In this time of harvest home, may we bear rich fruits of compassion and peace. Amen. GOD S FORGIVING LOVE 1 2

2 *RESPONSE OF PRAISE Gloria Patri (Hymn 579) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen. *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. *PASSING THE PEACE Greet each other saying Peace be with you. or similar words. MINUTE FOR MISSION Senior High Youth Group ANTHEM We Plough the Fields, and Scatter J.A.P. Schulz, arr. John Rutter We plough the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand; He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain: All good gifts around us are sent from heav'n above, Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love. He only is the maker of all things near and far. He paints the wayside flower, he lights the evening star. The winds and waves obey him, by him the birds are fed; Much more to us his children, he gives our daily bread: M. Claudius, trans. Jane Campbell (1861) The Word of God FIRST LESSON Isaiah 65:17-25 (page 696) Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CHILDREN S MESSAGE *HYMN 453 O Holy City, Seen of John Morning Song (vss. 1 & 2 Choir; vss. 3 & 4 Choir and Congregation) SECOND LESSON Luke 21:5-19 (page 85) Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Heavenandearth Bill Levering 3 The Response to the Word OFFERING OFFERTORY Canticle of Heaven Craig Courtney Those who are clothed in white, who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, who are before the throne of God, who serve Him day and night within His temple; and He who sits upon the throne will spread Hi tent over them. They shall hunger no more; they shall thirst no more. The sun shall no strike them, nor scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will shepherd them; He will lead them to springs of living water; God wil wipe every tear from their eyes. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: "Now is the dwelling o God with us all, and he shall dwell with us; we will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. There will be no more death, no more mourning or crying or pain; for the old order of things ha passed away." *DOXOLOGY (Hymn 592) AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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. *RECESSIONAL HYMN 559 We Gather Together Kremser *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION CHORAL RESPONSE (Please be seated until the Postlude begins) Go Into the World Dale Wood POSTLUDE Marche Triomphale Nun danket alle Gott *The congregation may stand * * Worship Notes * * 4 Sigfrid Karg-Eler We welcome all who gather to worship God this morning. If you are a first time visitor, complete an information card and place it in the offering plate. If you are interested in becoming a member, please speak with one of the ministers after the service. We are eager to know and serve you. Everyone is invited to enjoy fellowship and refreshments after the service in Assembly Hall.

3 Large print bulletins and audio receivers are available to assist you. Please ask an usher. Special bulletins for children are also available. Restrooms are available out the front right doorway of the sanctuary. All children, in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Third, are invited to take part in Children and Worship today. After the Children's Message, the children walk upstairs to the Worship Center. Childcare for babies through kindergarten is available between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at the Kinderwyk building at 10 North Church Street. This Week Next Week Childcare Sarah Bachorik, Steve Breitenbach, Joanne Sarah Bachorik, Tani and Steve Breitenbach Bedell, Eric Evans, Inge- Lise Pangburn Greeters Kip and Joanne Arnold Bob & Cathy Allen Head Usher Del Pierce Earl Wainright Ushers Jim McCullough, Carol Troost, Doug Todd, Karen & Rob Dickson Carol DeLaMarter, Jim Ramsey, Kip & Joanne Arnold, Chris & Leah Fernandes, Philip Yourno Processing Sara Erickson, Sarah Howes, David Bain, Roberta Blackmer, Darwin Brudos, Barbara Draffen, Phil Falconer, Marlene Risseeuw Richard Blackmer, Rob Dickson, Carol DeLaMarter, Jerry Griggs, Rachel Hewitt, Peggy King, Linda Pommerer, Fran Shuey Children s Leader Elsa Hjelmar Chris Van Oort Storyteller Samantha Brooks Tani Breitenbach Reader Sarah Howes Preacher Bill Levering Daniel Carlson Counting Deacons Joe Doolittle, Therese Donald Kleiber, Cathy Lewis McCarty Flower Delivery Charles & Inge-Lise Pangburn, Mary Jane Fisher Donald & Betty Kleiber, Carol DeLaMarter Adult Forum Mayan Hands Coffee and Connections JHYG Regional Food Bank No Meeting SHYG No Meeting Movie Herrington s Music Notes We thank the Youth Orchestra for accompanying today s middle hymn on the Orff instruments, and Leah Kidwell-Fernandes for accompanying the choir anthem, We Plow the Fields and Scatter, on the harp. The words of this song were originally published in 1782 by the famous German poet Matthias Claudius ( ). Starting with 5 Wir pflugen und wir streuen they were based on words he had heard sung by farmers at local harvest festivals. The tune of this song was composed by J.A.P. Schulz ( ). The song was included in the RCA hymnal Rejoice in the Lord (1985). The chancel flowers today are placed in the sanctuary to the glory o God, and in loving memory of Robert Bruce Crandell by his wife, Jane Crandell. We are grateful that these flowers, which represent our prayers and praise, will be taken to church family members to recognize a specia need or celebration. If you would like to order celebratory or memorial flowers for the Chancel, please call the church office at ** Notices for This Week ** Post Service Opportunities for November Today Paula Griffin wil present a program on Mayan Hands, providing an overview of the Mayan hand weavers of Guatemala and how fair trade opportunities are changing the lives of these women. Mayan Hands will be a featured participant for Alternative Christmas Fair December 2nd at Firs Reformed Church. Come for a preview of some of the items Mayan Hands will have for sale for your Christmas giving. November 25 th Coffee and Connections will be the program. Pie Pick-Up If you ordered pies from SHYG, please pick them up right after worship in Assembly Hall near the fireplace. Proceeds wil help fund our February mission trip to Mexico. Thank you for you support! Junior High Youth Group This afternoon we will leave the parking lot at 5:00 p.m. to help sort food at the Regional Food Bank of Albany Please wear warm, comfortable work clothes and sneakers or boots We ll be in the warehouse where it s chilly. Parents, we will return a 6:45 p.m. For sale in the Church Bookshop are mini Advent calendar cards (December 1 st will soon be here!) especially appealing to children and ready to mail. Also, especially for knitters, a book of instructions for 11 baby afghans and the best selling book that inspired it, Knit Together by Debbie Macomber. This afternoon at 3:00 p.m., there will be an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at the Memorial Chapel on the Union College campus. 6

4 Come join us for Jazz Vespers today at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This month s lineup includes: Ray Alexander on piano, Greg Brown on bass, and our own Tom D Andrea on drums. Ray Alexander s accomplishments include: pianist at the famed Lake George Sagamore Hotel; organist at Diamond Point Community Church; accompanist with the Lake George Junior/Senior High School Choruses; and he has performed with a number of eminent jazz artists. Ray resides in Queensbury, NY. Greg Brown is an exciting jazz bassist. He has toured the US and Europe with various jazz and rock groups; he is also the bassist at the Sagamore Hotel, and now resides in Glens Falls. Tom D Andrea has played with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as well as with Herbie Mann, Ernestine Anderson, and Herb Ellis. He has also performed at SPAC with Perry Como and Andy Williams. Tom resides in Clifton Park with his wife, Linnea. Consistory Notes The consistory (the governing board) of First Reformed Church met this week. In attendance were previously ordained members of the board called the great consistory. The meeting produced exciting news: 1. Upon the recommendation of the personnel committee, we have hired the Reverend Stacey Midge to be the Mission, Outreach, and Youth Ministry Coordinator. She will start in February and will help our congregation enact the covenant you find on the front page of every bulletin. 2. Worship attendance of the last month is up 25-30% over the same period last year. 3. The early results of the stewardship campaign indicate that families are pledging for 2008 at a current average rate of 20% greater than There will be a follow-up letter this week and phone contacts beginning November The worship committee continues to receive input about elements of the worship service. In particular, lively engagement about the Passing of the Peace is afoot. Congregation members are encouraged to seek discernment about this in prayer, informed discussion, and consultation with the worship committee on the web (a poll is there) or by contacting the chair, Sara Howes. 5. The boiler at 10 N. Church is limping badly and will be replaced. 6. The plans are developing for an adult spiritual growth retreat in The Cancer Support Group will meet on Monday, November 19 th a 11:00 a.m. at Diane Ontkush s home, 1202 Viewmont Drive, Niskayuna Those who are faced with cancer or living with cancer, spouses and significant others are welcome. If you have any questions, please cal Maria Greskovich at Tuesday Evening Women s Fellowship meets every 3 rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. This month s meeting will be held on November 20 t at Connie Young s home, 1400 Keyes Avenue, Niskayuna. Wednesday Dialogue for Men & Women, will not meet this week Dialogue will resume on November 28 th. FRC will not meet this week. It resumes on November 28 th. Inner City Needs - The Schenectady food pantry (SICM) needs smal jars of jams and baby formula and food. Volunteers are also needed fo the extra demand of the holiday seasons. Call if you have an hour or more to give. Do you have an extra bed in your home? One of our Faith in Schenectady families needs a bed or futon for their teenage daughter. She now sleeps on their sofa. If you have one to donate, please contac Eric Evans at ** Notices for Future Weeks ** Would you like to share your Thanksgiving dinner with a member o First Church? We re looking for folks who would like to enjoy a mea on the holiday with other church families. Please call Carol Welch ( ) if you could host a meal or would be interested in being a guest. The Thursday Musical Club, a 35-voice women s chorus directed by Julie Panke, will present a Winter Concert on Friday, November 30 th 7:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church of Scotia. The concert wil include traditional and popular selections. Guest artists are the Thursday Belles handbell choir directed by Judy Moore. The response to FRC s Bus Trip to NYC Saturday, December 1, is a huge success! All seats have been filled and we have a waiting list. To secure your reservation for the trip, please send your check, made out to First Reformed Church in as soon as possible. If you have any questions please call Laura Linder at Mission Shares for the SHYG mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico will be for sale at the Alternative Christmas Fair. 8

5 Volunteers needed for Alternative Christmas Fair December 2 nd, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Mission and Benevolence Committee is finalizing plans for the Alternative Christmas Fair for our congregation and the community. We continue FRC efforts in support of Fair Trade Coffee (we'll be adding chocolates for this sale) and providing handcrafted candles from South Africa to benefit HIV caregivers. There will be other opportunities to consider other gifts with a purpose for holiday giving. This includes Heifer International, Mayans Hands weavers, Lucinda House pins and the sale of refreshments and bake goods to benefit Haven Grief Counseling Center to name a few. Watch for our flyer for a complete list. If you can be a shopkeeper for a few hours on December 2 nd, or could help set-up on November 30 th, please speak to or call Carol DeLaMarter at and leave a message. If you wish to bake please contact Judith Pace-Antokol at Haven And of course we need shoppers. If you are making your list for family and friends we guarantee there will be opportunities and ideas for everyone on your list. Today Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Sunday Calendar For the Week of November 18, :30 a.m. Youth Orchestra, Dirck Romeyn Room 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study, Poling Conference Room 9:00 a.m. Church School 9:00 a.m. Parents Group, Walton Conference Room 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir, Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. First Communion, Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Kirk Singers, Friendship Hall 11:00 a.m. Adult Forum, Assembly Hall 3:00 p.m. Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Union College 5:00 p.m. JHYG, Regional Food Bank 5:00 p.m. Jazz Vespers, Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Mens News Group, Poling Conference Room 11:00 a.m. Cancer Support Group, Ontkush Residence 7:00 p.m. Klokken Ringers, Bell Room 8:30 a.m. Childcare, Kinderwyk 9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Moms Group, Walton Conf. Rm. 7:00 p.m. Tuesday Evening Women s Group, Young Residence Office Closed for Thanksgiving Office Closed for Thanksgiving 8:30 a.m. Youth Orchestra, Dirck Romeyn Room 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study, Poling Conference Room 9:00 a.m. Church School 9:00 a.m. Parents Group, Walton Conference Room 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir, Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. First Communion, Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Kirk Singers, Friendship Hall 11:00 a.m. Adult Forum, Assembly Hall 7:00 p.m. SHYG, Herrington s Home 9 10