February 18, Remember the Future. Rev. Chris Weichman

Transcription

1 February 18, 2018 Remember the Future Our mission at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is: To awaken all people to our need for a life-changing encounter with the living Lord Jesus Christ, and to encourage and equip each one to become His fully-devoted follower. The Congregation, in ministry We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation The Caring Church in the Heart of the City!

2 Gathering Music Solemn Prelude Charles Callahan (from A Lenten Suite) Welcome, Announcements & Reading of Mission Statement Abby Blankenship Prelude Jesu Priceless Treasure J.S. Bach Call to Worship L: The Lord is merciful and gracious, P: slow to anger and abounding in love. L: God s promise is for all generations; P: God s covenant is with every living thing. L: Let us worship God. *Hymn #22 God of the Sparrow Roeder *Prayer of Confession (in unison) God our Redeemer, we confess that we are people of ashes and dust. You have claimed us in your covenant, yet we forget your steadfast love. You seek us out in the wilderness, yet we continue to wander in our sin. Forgive us, God of grace. Wash us clean, once again, so that we may return to you and follow your holy way; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. *Words of Assurance Those who love me, I will deliver, says the Lord; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them and show them my salvation. Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. ~ based on Psalm 91:14-15, NRSV Abby Blankenship Abby Blankenship *Passing of the Peace The Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. *Gloria Patri #581 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. Story Telling Sunday, February 18, 2018 ~ first Sunday in Lent ~ 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services G A T H E R I N G P R A Y I N G L I S T E N I N G Britney Knight After Storytelling, children who leave the 11:00 service will be escorted to Reed Chapel on the third floor for Children s Worship.

3 Scripture Reading Psalm 25:1-10 Abby Blankenship Page 436, Pew Bible Hymn #420 Lord, to You My Soul is Lifted Genevan 25 Scripture Reading Genesis 9:8-17 Page 6, Pew Bible Sermon Remember the Future Pastoral Prayer & Lord s Prayer God is Good All the Time! All the Time God is Good! 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. R E S P O N D I N G Giving of Our Tithes & Offerings Offertory Anthem ~ Call to Remembrance, O Lord The Covenant Choir Richard Farrant Anthems Text Call to Remembrance, O Lord, Thy tender mercy and Thy loving kindness, which hath been ever of old. O Remember not the sins and offences of my youth, but according to Thy mercy, Think Thou on me, O Lord, for thy goodness. *Doxology Hymn #450 Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always; thou and thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure thou art. *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn #435 There s a Wideness in God s Mercy In Babilone *Benediction *Postlude O Love, How Deep David N. Johnson *Please rise in body or spirit. Liturgist ~ Abby Blankenship ~ Sound Tech ~ Neal Wurst Thank you to the Fabich & Sweet families for hosting Fellowship today. Please join them in the Parlor after each worship service for refreshments.

4 M E M O R I A L D O N A T I O N S In lieu of Sanctuary flowers a donation to Our Neighbor s Place & the Vicary Organ Maintenance Fund has been lovingly given in memory of Ruth Dockstader, by her daughter, Debby & son, David. W E L C O M E T O W O R S H I P Welcome to all, especially guests, newcomers to Erie & college students. Please silence all electronic devices upon entering the Sanctuary & McBrier Chapel. Our ushers are available to assist you with large print bulletins & hymnals, systems for the hearing impaired & directions to the restrooms. You are invited to the Parlor after each service for refreshments & fellowship. Members are encouraged to invite visitors to join them. Interested in volunteering to host? Contact Sandra Herman or sign up in the Parlor. Families with young children: We welcome children in worship! Crayons & books are available in Art Gallery Hall. Please return at the end of worship. We have infant through age 3 childcare available in the Nursery during 9:30 Faith Formation & 11:00 service. Would you like to hear today s sermon again? Today s & past sermons are always available on our website Interested in exploring membership within First Covenant? For more information, please contact Sheila Sweet at (814) Stephen Ministry is a ministry in which people with special gifts for caring can put those gifts to use in an organized way, bringing Jesus love & care to those who most need it. If you know someone who is going through a difficult time, contact Leader Diane Ream, (814) Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide focused, confidential, one-to-one Christian care ~ to help that person experience the healing power of Christ s love. Hospital Callers: Would you like to bring the love of God to those in the hospital? If you are interested in joining a wonderful ministry of our church, contact Sheila Sweet at or Mary Ann Sesler at Planned Hospitalization? If you would like a visit from the pastor and/or Deacons, please call the church office with the dates of your scheduled hospitalization. Also, be sure to indicate First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant as your church when you complete your intake forms. Looking for a few good drivers!! The Deacons are looking for church members to give other members a ride to church to experience FPCC worship & fellowship. If you are willing to help with this outreach please call Debbie or Rick Bernardini at for more details. F A I T H F O R M A T I O N H O U R Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Children, Youth & Young Adults Pre-K ~ Grade 5 Jr. High Lounge & Reed Chapel Grades 6 ~ 8 Sr. High Lounge Grades 9 ~ College Campus Ministry Lounge Adults Letters to Timothy with Bill Holmes Room 313 Book of Jonah with Fidelis Room Protestants: Faith that Made the Modern World with Rob Baker Room 116

5 F I R S T C O V E N A N T L I F E Erie Youth Discussion on Racism & Equality, a short film created by local young people, will be shown by "One Table" in the Parlor this Tuesday, February 20 at 4:00 p.m. You are invited. A discussion will follow, moderated by Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov from Temple Anshe-Hesed. One Table is a group of "Erie's multicultural, interfaith bridge-builders". 20+ Gannon students & high schoolers leave for Jubilee on Friday, February 23. Kyle & Britney invite YOU to briefly greet them & send them off with prayer at 3:30 p.m. Meet in the Parlor! NO YOUTH GROUP Today & next Sunday, February 25 th. Today, a group of students are leaving for an overnight Lake Erie Presbytery Ski Trip. Next week, high schoolers will be away at the Jubilee Conference in Pittsburgh. Youth Group resumes March 4th! One Great Hour of Sharing Fish Banks The children will receive their fish banks during the 8:30 & 11:00 Storytelling. Children Pre-K through 5 th grade are encouraged to collect change throughout the next 4 weeks of Lent. Fish Banks will be collected Easter Sunday, April 1 st during Storytelling in the service. The money collected goes to Presbyterian Mission Agency Disaster Relief. Since almsgiving is a part of the Lent season, parents & children can use the banks to be reminded to give during this time. Gannon students & leaders will use the church as home-base during their Alternative Break Service Trip in Our West Bayfront from February 25-March 3. Would you like to help the Mission Committee provide an ice cream sundae break one evening OR the Campus Ministry team prepare breakfast on Saturday, March 3 for the guests? Contact Pat Tracy to help with ice cream at Contact Abby Blankenship about breakfast at We have an opening for Memorial Flowers or Mission Giving on March 18. If you would like to donate flowers for the Lectern in memory or honor of a loved one, please call Mary Concoby at Last chance: Want to be Wholly Fit? Registration forms for this Gannon-student led opportunity are available in the office & due TODAY. Sessions will include exercise, dance, yoga, & much more (for adults of all ages) on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 2:30 from March 8 through April 19. Return is the theme for Lent derived from Joel 2:13 "Return to the Lord your God, for God is merciful & compassionate, very patient, full of faithful love, & ready to forgive." You will find flyers (created by campus minister Abby Blankenship) with information about opportunities to "Return" during Lent near the church entrances. Share flyers with co-workers, neighbors & friends. What is Modified Pot-Luck you ask? It's like an old-school church dinner, except the entree & tossed salad are provided. You bring the appetizer, side dish, bread, beverage or dessert. This is what you will experience at Connections on Wednesday nights during Lent beginning this week, February 21st. Following dinner will be a time of Bible reflection with activities for adults & children. NO CHARGE for dinner; donations only. Lent Devotionals are available at the entrances to the Sanctuary & by the office. For adults, A Wondrous Love by Henri Nouwen & C.S. Lewis. For families, Home, Heart & Spirit filled with daily devotions & activities. Book Fair to support Children s Ministry will begin on Sunday, February 25- Sunday, March 11 from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM in the Community Art Gallery by the 7 th St. Entrance. Shop faith-filled children s books at a discount from Sparkhouse & earn 20% on every order for our FPCC Children s Ministry. Experience God through art is the new exhibit in the Community Gallery. Take time to reflect on artwork from around the church & private collections with themes of forgiveness, mercy, repentance, grace, service, love & compassion. Winter hosts needed! Winter is when folks appreciate a cup of coffee & some conversation after worship. The Fellowship schedule (by the Parlor clock) has openings on March 4, 25 & April 1. You, your family or your group are invited to sign up to host the fellowship one Sunday soon.

6 T H E W E E K A H E A D Sunday, February 18th 8:30 a.m. Worship ~ Sanctuary 9:15 a.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor 9:30 a.m. Confirmation Class ~Sr Lng 9:30 a.m. Faith Formation ~ Various 11:00 a.m. Worship ~ Sanctuary 12:15 p.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor 2:30 p.m. Youth Group Ski Trip ~ Peek n Peak 4:00 p.m. Sunday Suppers ~ Knox Hall Monday, February 19th ~ President s Day ~ ~ Pre-School Off ~ 5:30 p.m. Session ~ Fidelis 6:30 p.m. NA ~ Sr. Lounge Tuesday, February 20th 3:30 p.m. Urban University ~ Knox Hall 4:00 p.m. One Table Movie ~Parlor 5:15 p.m. Properties ~ Library 7:30 p.m. AA ~ 313 7:30 p.m. NA ~ Sr. Lounge Wednesday, February 21st 9:45 a.m. Pre-S Story Time ~ Parlor 10:30 a.m. Bible Study ~ 116 1:30 p.m. Staff ~ Parlor 5:15 p.m. Connections ~ Knox Hall 5:30 p.m. NA ~ 116 6:00 p.m. COG/Life Skills ~ Discovery 8:00 p.m. Restore ~ Kirk House Thursday, February 22nd 7:00 a.m. Men s Bible ~ Perkins 11:00 a.m. ICM/B ~ Library 12:00 p.m. NA ~ 116 3:30 p.m. Urban University ~Sr. Lounge 4:30 p.m. YPC ~ Knox Hall 5:00 p.m. GU Pep Band ~ Fidelis 6:30 p.m. Covenant Bells ~ Sanctuary 7:15 p.m. Covenant Choir ~ Music Rm 7:30 p.m. Women s NA ~116 Friday, February 23rd ~ Jubilee in Pittsburgh ~ 7:00 a.m. Men s Group ~ Parlor 4:00 p.m. Jubilee Send Off ~ Parlor Saturday, February 24th ~ Jubilee in Pittsburgh ~ ~ Gannon Spring Break ~ Sunday, February 25th ~ Jubilee in Pittsburgh ~ 8:30 a.m. Worship ~ Sanctuary 9:15 a.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor 9:30 a.m. Confirmation Class ~Sr. Lng 9:30 a.m. Faith Formation ~ Various 11:00 a.m. Worship ~ Sanctuary 12:00 p.m. Greater than the Sum ~ Sanctuary 12:15 p.m. Fellowship ~ Parlor 4:00 p.m. Sunday Suppers ~ Knox Hall Coming Soon... The Big Event! This Lake Erie Presbytery day of learning & worship is Saturday, March 10, 2018 & hosted by First Covenant. Plan to attend. Plan to assist. For registration details visit pbylakeerie.org Sunday, February 25, :30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services ~ Second Sunday in Lent ~ Genesis 17:1-7, Year to Date Pledge totals: Totals are both pledge & non-pledge revenue Budget: $49,251 ~ Received: $44,585 F P C C S T A F F Abby Blankenship, Campus Minister Helen Greider, Sunday Hostess Ian Headley, Weeknight Host Lisa Hiegel, Director, Covenant Preschool Seth Hiegel, Weeknight Host Jackie K. Jones, Covenant Cook Britney Knight, Director, Youth/Family Ministries Luba Kovalchuk, Custodian Seph Kumer, Director, Community Engagement Marsha Mackinnon-McKinley, WebMaster JoAnn Peters, Finance / Records Administration Anne Sauer, Administrative Assistant John Scepura, Building & Maintenance Mechanic Kyle Schumacher, Campus Minister Monty Service, Coordinator, Missional Music Kevin Stevenson, Covenant Cook Leslie Weber, Organist / Choirmaster, Pastor/ Head of Staff When you wish to contact our Pastor,, he can be reached in the Church office from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, at ex.103 or anytime by at chris.weichman@firstcovenanterie.org AMS