FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Sunday of Worship January 20, :30 A.M. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday Ordination and Installation of Church Officers The Reverend Frederick H. Woodward, Pastor Debbie Eitel, Youth Director Catherine Mahler, Director of Music Michele Roberts, Bookkeeper 497 Pulaski Road Greenlawn, NY Phone: Fax: / may be reached by cell phone at

2 Sunday of Worship January 20, :30 A.M. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday Ordination and Installation of Church Officers CHIMES Bill D Andrea PRAYER OF INVOCATION Matthew Polcer O God of all nations and peoples, we are grateful for the dreams of freedom, justice and peace forever spun by your Spirit and focused by prophets in every age. We are grateful that in our time you call every man and woman to lift up and live by that dream, to embody it in our world by walking the walk, confessing our complicities, braving the work, daring the confrontation, exposing the lies, singing the faith, asking the questions, easing the hate, expanding the compassion, enduring in humility, and risking the revolution of love. However dark the night, however fearful the tyrannies of oppression, we can yet be confident and buoyant in you and your promises that one day justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, and peace abide in our hearts, through this land, on this earth, between brothers and sisters of every race. Keep us faithful to that promise, your dream, and for Christ s sake, and for ours. (Adapted from My Heart in My Mouth: Prayers for Our Lives, Ted Loder, 2000) PRELUDE BRINGING IN THE LIGHT Acolytes Michelle Perrotta and Jennifer Matos WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Please fill out Ritual of Friendship & Concerns of Our Church Family *PROCESSIONAL HYMN No. 120 Amen, Amen! CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Ps. 85) Matthew Polcer Pastor: People: Pastor: People: Pastor: All: You showed favor to your land, O LORD, you forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Restore us again O God, our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. Surely your salvation is near those who fear you, that your glory may dwell in our land. Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Let us worship God!

3 CHILDREN S MESSAGE CONFESSION OF SIN (unison) Most gracious and all wise God, before whose face the generations rise and fall; Thou in whom we live, and move and have our being, we thank thee for all of thy good and gracious gifts. We come before thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. We realize that we stand surrounded by the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate. We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie. We are forever offered the high road, yet we choose to travel the low road. For these sins, O God, forgive. Dispel that which blinds our minds, purify our hearts that we may see thee. O God, in these turbulent days when fear and doubt are mounting high, give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen. (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE Gloria Patri 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. OLD TESTAMENT READING Amos 5:18-24 pg. 960, lg. print pg Elder Alex Ames HYMN No. 413 There Is A Balm in Gilead TITHES AND OFFERINGS ANTHEM Chancel Choir RESPONSE Doxology Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above the heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION Elder Alex Ames GOSPEL READING Matthew 5:43-48 pg. 1012, lg. print pg READING Excerpts from the A Letter from Birmingham Jail, by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April, 1963) HYMN No. 422 Precious Lord, Take My Hand

4 ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF CHURCH OFFICERS Being installed today as ruling elders are John Connolly and Diane Hartmann. Being installed today as deacons are Maria Francis-Henry and Gloria Arelt. Being ordained and installed today as deacons are Maria Freidank and Craig Satterlee. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Elder Roger Kaufmann Worshipers briefly share joys and concerns as part of their offering to God of their prayers of supplication, intercession, and thanksgiving. PASTORAL PRAYER 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, the power, and the glory forever. Amen CLOSING HYMN Lift Every Voice and Sing (See Insert) CHALLENGE AND BLESSING *SINGING OUR HOPE POSTLUDE Come, O Lord, be with us. Fill us with joy and thanksgiving. May our hearts flow with peace. Come with your love and surround us. Friendship and peace, may they bloom and grow. Bloom and grow forever. Bless us now, bless our friends Bless all your people forever. Edelweiss Lift Every Voice and Sing! Lift Every Voice and Sing, sometimes referred to as the African American Anthem, was performed first as a poem my 500 African American children in celebration of Lincoln s birthday on February 12, Set to music in 1905, the anthem came to express the hope not only of black Americans, but of all people who seek the coming of God s kingdom to earth. As we celebrate Martin Luther King Sunday, and the fiftieth anniversary of both his Letter from Birmingham Jail (April, 1963) as well as his I Have A Dream speech (August, 1963), let us recommit ourselves to making sure that every voice is heard and that no voice in our midst is silenced. For then the days when hope unborn had died will give way to that new day when we all shall stand at last where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. Calendar for the Week of 1 / 20 / 13

5 Today, Sunday 1/20, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday, Installation of Elected Officers 9 am Ebenezer Wesleyan Worship 10:30 am Worship 12 pm Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm FOW 7 pm Ebenezer Wesleyan Worship Monday 1/21, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, office closed Tuesday 1/22, Materials for the February issue of Steeple Chimes due Wednesday 1/23 Pastor Fred s Lectionary Bible Study will resume next Wednesday, January 30 th. Thursday 1/24 7 pm Ebenezer Wesleyan Church CE Hall 8pm Choir Friday 1/25, [Youth Group Annual Ski Trip 10:30 am Bible Study Saturday 1/26, Youth Group Annual Ski Trip Next Sunday 1/27, Guest Preacher Rev. Nancy Jennings, Youth Group Annual Ski Trip ] 9 am Ebenezer Wesleyan Worship 10:30 am Worship 12 pm Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm FOW 7 pm Ebenezer Wesleyan Worship Announcements for the week of 1 / 20 / 2013 The flowers on the Lord s table today are given in memory of loved ones by Everett and Becky Dodge. Materials for the February issue of Steeple Chimes are due this Tuesday, January 22 nd, 10am, and will be folded Thursday, January 31 st, by Joy Circle and friends.

6 The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following worship February 3rd. BIBLE STUDIES ~ All are Welcome ~ Come Grow In Christ Sunday Adult Bible Study meets at 12:00 noon. Friendships of Women Sunday Womens' Bible Study meets at 6:30pm - 8:30pm. All women are welcome. Call Diane Hartmann ( ) for location. Pastor's Lectionary Bible Study Wednesdays at 2:00pm in Pastor's study or church parlor Friday Morning Bible Study Fridays at 10:30am in church parlor to share ideas and discuss what the Bible says to each of us. Pastor Fred's Office Hours 11am - 5pm Monday thru Thursday...unless visiting or attending meetings outside the above hours call for appointments & consultations. Pastor Fred will be on vacation Wednesday, January 23 rd through Tuesday, January 29 th. His office hours will resume Wednesday, January 30 th. Prayer Ministry Please contact Betty Chatfield ( or bbcny22@aol.com ) to have your praises and/or prayer requests ed to our Prayer Partners or to become a Prayer Partner. CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS Donated 'newer' cell phones; BlackBerries, iphones & ipods will be used to purchase prepaid calling cards for American soldiers. A box for donations is just outside church office. "Help Our Heroes Call Home." (CellPhonesForSoldiers.com) BIBLES are needed. The American Bible Society is in great need of your used BIBLES. Don't throw them away...pass them on. A basket for them can be found in the Narthex. with thanks from the Missions Committee MINISTRIES WEEK OF 1 / 20 / 13 GREETERS: Greeting us today before the service is Jill Ferro and Family. ASSISTING IN THE PULPIT this morning is Elder Alex Ames. SESSION LISTENING POST: Elder Meg Lawrence, , will be available after Worship in the hall by the office for any who would like to share their ideas or insights about the ministry of the Church. COFFEE HOUR: Assisting with Coffee Hour today are Mildred Bachmann and Dottie Harris. ELDER ON CALL: Elder John Connolly, , will be available during the week to respond to questions or concerns you might have related to the ministry of this church. DEACON(S) ON CALL Deacon Arlissa Dean, , and Susan Perrotta, , are here to serve you. If you or someone you know has a spiritual, physical, or financial need, the Deacon on Call will try to help you! Just call the Deacon or call the church office. All information will be kept confidential. THERE IS AN ACTIVE PRAYER MINISTRY IN GREENLAWN CHURCH. Please feel

7 free to call with your request for loved ones, friends, neighbors or yourself. Call Betty Chatfield at or her at NEEDS REQUESTS If you know of someone in need, please fill out the blue form & place in the box located by the food pantry. FLOWERS FOR THE CHANCEL Each Sunday flowers beautify the Chancel of our church. We would encourage any and all to donate flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, in memory of, etc. A check for $30 should be made to Greenlawn Presbyterian Church. To order flowers, please call Becky Dodge at Our Serving Boards 2013 The Board of Deacons Class of 2013 Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Patricia Ames Arlissa Dean Gloria Arelt Corinne Burdett Rebecca Dodge Debbie Eitel Maria Francis-Henry Kathleen Gerlach Maria Freidank Barbara Small Susan Perrotta Craig Satterlee The Session Class of 2013 Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Alexander Ames Robert Arelt John Connolly Margaret Lawrence Betty Chatfield Diane Hartmann June Spence Roger Kaufmann The Reverend Frederick H. Woodward, Pastor PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Your prayers make a difference! Please lift up the following in prayer: Margaret Bailey; Kim Dodge; Maria Hottinger & Family; Michele Roberts Caregivers; Our Church & it's Leader; Our Nation & it's Leaders; All with financial set-backs and emotional distresses; Troops Worldwide; All affected by SuperStorm Sandy Our Children and Their Future