MECHANICSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 300 East Simpson Street Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6596 717-697-0351 www.mechpresby.org January 21, 2018 3 rd Sunday in Ordinary 8:15 & 11am Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church is a marvelous mixture of God s people. We are strong and weak, sad and joyful, faithful and sinful, graced and searching, young and old, married, single, divorced and widowed. Regardless of who we are, we need one another, and we need to celebrate Jesus Christ who lives within us. We re glad you re here! If you have a prayer request you would like to share with the pastors, please fill out a card from the pew rack and pass it to the center aisle where an usher will collect it during the first hymn. The Prayer Chain and staff pray for those you have mentioned and others throughout the week. Please let us know of any changes. Quiet Meditation Gathering Around the Word We gather knowing God is with us. The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon. ~ Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings When we gather at a friend s home for a meal, we always begin with conversation, telling our stories. In worship, after we gather, we listen as readings from the Word of God are proclaimed. These are the stories of God s people.
ENTER TO WORSHIP DEPART TO SERVE Prelude Come Sunday D. Ellington Today s music, for Prelude, Anthem, Offertory, and Postlude, was chosen and is dedicated to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the lives of those who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. We Shall Overcome, a hymn we will sing to close our Worship today, was chosen for the same reason. Welcome & Concerns of the Church During this time, please take a moment to sign the pew pad and pass it along the pew, taking note of the persons sitting with you so you can greet them warmly by name. Centering Prayer It is a joy to come together in the Sanctuary to reunite with family and friends whether it s been a day or a week or more. The Centering Prayer prepares our hearts and our minds for the gift of worship. Parents, don t worry if your children make noise it s part of the joy! *Introit *Hymn #466 Come and Fill Our Hearts CONFITEMINI DOMINO Come and fill our hearts with your peace. You alone, O Lord, are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace. Alleluia! *Call to Worship Psalm 62:5-12 One: Our souls wait in silence; All: our hope rests in God our rock our salvation our refuge. We will not be shaken. In this time of worship, we pour out our hearts because we trust in God s steadfast love. *Hymn #318 In Christ There Is No East or West ST. PETER *The Belhar Confession 10.1-3, 10.5a, 10.6 How should the church respond when sin disrupts the church s unity, creates division among the children of God, and constructs unjust systems that steal life from God s creation? Members and leaders of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in South Africa faced these questions under apartheid, a system of laws that separated people by race from 1948 1994. The Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa (URCSA), the church that succeeded the Dutch Reformed Mission Church after apartheid, has offered the Confession of Belhar to the global Reformed family as a gift, believing that the themes of unity, reconciliation, and justice issue a call from God to the whole church toward holy action, transformation, and life. We believe in the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects and cares for the church through Word and Spirit. This, God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end. We believe in one holy, universal Christian church, the communion of saints called from the entire human family. We believe that Christ s work of reconciliation is made manifest in the church as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another. We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ Therefore, we reject any doctrine which, in such a situation sanctions in the name of the gospel or of the will of God the forced separation of people on the grounds of race and color and thereby in advance obstructs and weakens the ministry and experience of reconciliation in Christ *Response #581 Glory be to the Father 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.
*The Passing of God s Love and Peace The Peace of Christ be with you... And also with you. Proclaiming the Word We experience the Word of God. Children s Moment We invite children to remain in worship. There is a nursery available for infants through 5 year olds. Prayer for Illumination First Lesson Jonah 3:1-5, 10 O.T. p. 860 This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God. *Hymn #39 (8:15) Great Is Thy Faithfulness FAITHFULNESS Anthem (11:00) Set Down Servant R. Emerson Chancel Choir Set down, servant, I can t set down My soul s so happy that I can t set down My Lord, you know your promised me, a long white robe and a pair of shoes Go yonder, angel, fetch me some shoes, and place them on-a my servant s feet. My Lord, you know your promised me, a long white robe and a starry crown. Go yonder, angel, fetch me a crown, and place it on-a my servant s head. Now servant, please, set down! My Lord, you ve been so good to me. My soul has been set free! Second Lesson Mark 1:14-20 N.T. p. 35 This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God. Sermon I Love to Tell the Story Kathryn Z. Johnston Sunday School Word of the Day: Reluctance The children are encouraged to listen for the Sunday School Word of the Day. Responding to the Word We affirm our faith and commitment to the Word of God. *Hymn #462 I Love to Tell the Story HANKEY *Declaration of Faith The Confession of Belhar, 10.7 We believe that God has revealed God s self as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people; that God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged that God calls the church to follow God in this; for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry; that God frees the prisoner and restores sight to the blind; that God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly; that for God pure and undefiled religion is to visit the orphans and the widows in their suffering; that God wishes to teach the church to do what is good and to seek the right; that the church must therefore stand by people in any form of suffering and need, which implies, among other things, that the church must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream; that the church as the possession of God must stand where the Lord stands, namely against injustice and with the wronged; that in following Christ the church must witness against all the powerful and privileged who selfishly seek their own interests and thus control and harm others.
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 forever. Amen. Offering of Tithes & Gifts 11am worshipers: Please place the top sheet of the fellowship pads in the offering plates. Offertory Steal Away R. Warner *Doxology *Prayer of Dedication Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. Bearing & Following the Word We declare the Word of God throughout the week. OLD HUNDREDTH *Hymn #379 We Shall Overcome WE SHALL OVERCOME *Charge & Benediction *Response #462, refrain I Love to Tell the Story HANKEY I love to tell the story; twill be my theme in glory To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love. *Postlude An Improvisation on The Promised Land a Spiritual, M. McKeever *** Please greet one another in Christ s name *** VISITORS: Welcome! Information about MPC can be found in the packets in the pews. If you are interested in additional information, please ask anyone around you or contact one of the pastors. You will find the restrooms, including baby changing stations in the Gathering Area just outside the Sanctuary doors. Children s worship kits are located in the back of the Sanctuary. Worship aids are available from the ushers. We re glad you re here! The flowers are placed to the glory of God in honor of Rosemary s 94 th birthday by Kevin, Renée and Scott Breen; in honor of Jackson s 4th birthday by Rod and Kim Savidge. The yellow rose in the Sanctuary symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst. We thank our many friends in the congregation for your prayers, concerns and cards over the past weeks. ~~ Ran and Andy Singiser A time of personal prayer is offered following the service. If you would like to pray with a pastor and one of the officers of the church, please meet them by the prayer room near the pulpit following the worship service. Ministers..... All members of the congregation Senior Pastor/Head of Staff Rev. Kathryn Z. Johnston..... kjohnston@mechpresby.org Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults... Rev. Mark A. Allio... mallio@mechpresby.org Director of Music... Mark McKeever... mmckeever@mechpresby.org Christian Education Director... Cathay Snyder... csnyder@mechpresby.org Playful Beginnings Director... Karen P. Taylor... playfulbeginnings.mpc@gmail.org Mission Relations... www.pcusa.org/missionconnections Jim & Jodi McGill, Malawi Find us online!... www.mechpresby.org Twitter: @mechpresby Facebook: Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church
Participating in Worship: Greeters: Jan Burrows, Patt Schmidt, Maggie Stern (8:15); Lesley Rogers, Missy Rulapaugh, Mary Speedy (11:00) Ushers: Rick & Jan Whitcomb, Wayne Yost (8:15); Terry Cornish, Ed Rogers, Scott Rogers, Pat Schaal (11:00) Readers: Jim Honafius (8:15); Bob Bell (11:00) Liturgy: CTW: Joanna Harader Nursery: Jenn Thomson, Marcy Weigel (8:15); Jeremy & Kelli Fry, Danielle Martin (11:00) Fellowship Hours: Bill & Em Lucas (8:15); Tom & Patti Hinkson (11:00) Church to Pray For: Christ Presbyterian Church, Camp Hill, PA If you or a family member is hospitalized or in need of pastoral care, call 717-896-0131 at any time. It will connect you to the church office and one of the pastors. 2017 Financial Statements are available in the Gathering Area. Please help the church save the cost of postage by picking up your statement on your way home this morning. Tonight Sky Zone and Dinner(ish) Meet there (95 Gateway Dr.) at 4:45 PM. Cost is $20 for two hours of jump time and a slice of pizza and a drink. We ll finish up at 7 PM. Jan. 28 Baked Potato Brunch Questions or comments: contact Mark Allio (717-697-0351 or mallio@mechpresby.org WEEK OF JANUARY 21-28, 2018 SUN Newsletter Deadline 8:15/11 AM 9 AM 9:35 AM 4 PM Worship Westminster Choir Sunday School Youth Group to Sky Zone MON 7 PM Session TUE 11 AM 6:30 PM 7 PM Joyful Hearts (Parlor) continues to study the Book of Acts. The Dave Petko Class (Conference Room) continues a comparative study of the four Gospels. Staff Meeting Girl Scouts Book Club WED 6:30 PM 7:45 PM Bells of Celebration Chancel Choir THU 12 PM Pastor s Bible Study FRI 6:15 AM Men s Bible Fellowship SAT 9AM-1PM Women s Retreat SUN 8:15/11 AM 9 AM 9:15 AM 9:35 AM 12 PM 3 PM Worship/Annual Meeting Westminster Choir Blood Pressure Screening Sunday School Baked Potato Brunch Boy Scouts Adult Topics: (Upper Fellowship Hall) Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race Study: Beginning Your Racial Autobiography In response to national events and an invitation from the Co- Moderators of the 2016 General Assembly of the PCUSA, we begin a four-session conversation on race and the themes raised in the book, Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debbie Irving. In each session, we will reflect on scripture, the Confession of Belhar, and stories from the work itself. You do not have to read Irving s work to participate in this timely discussion on race in America. This class will meet through February 11 th.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING JANUARY 28, 2018 (11am) Committee Reports Review of the 2018 Budget Approval of Pastors Terms of Call Nominating Committee Report Ruling Elder-Elect Phil Van Zile has been a member of MPC since 1994. He has served two three-year terms on Session from 1996 2001. He was Chair of the Staff Committee during that time. He was also a Deacon from 2012 2014. He has also served on the Administration Com. of Carlisle Presbytery. Phil has been married to Susan for 36 years and has two married children, Caroline and Taylor, living in Washington, DC and New York City respectively. The Annual Reports are available at the back of the Sanctuary. Please take only one per family. A BAKED POTATO BRUNCH will follow the meeting. WOMEN S RETREAT SATURDAY! 9:00 Registration 9:30 Program Topic: The Anointing Woman Martha Spong will lead the presentation on the way all four gospels tell the story of a woman who anoints Jesus. Mark's version is the oldest; Matthew echoes Mark, but Luke and John change the setting and details. During the retreat, we will look at the place of the woman in each version of the story and our own place in the story God is telling. You may reserve by signing up in the Gathering Area or emailing/calling Margie Fealtman (717-691-1045 or mfealtman@juno.com) or Sharon Chizar (717-732- 3571 or sechizar@aol.com) by January 24. There will be a light lunch following the presentation. Hope you can join us for a morning of enlightenment, fellowship and fun! Would You Like to Serve Communion? Please let the office know if you are an ordained Deacon or Elder who even though not currently serving, would like to help serve Communion. Thanks! Chancel Flowers There are open dates in February on the flower calendar located in the Breezeway to sponsor chancel flowers. Two vases ($15 each) are needed each week. Stewardship includes spiritual growth: We are people of the light, the light of Christ that shines from within us. How do we let that light shine out into the world? In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to seek and serve Christ in all others. As we begin a new year of ministry, may we be prayerful about how we are using our gifts and our resources to shine the light of Christ in our communities and beyond. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Short-term Sunday School teaching commitment. Cathay is looking for a few adults to help facilitate an adult Sunday School study during the Lenten season. Please let her know as soon as possible if you are willing and interested. (csnyder@mechpresby.org) Waking Up White January 28: Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race Study: What is Race? This session will focus upon our understanding of race. February 4: Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race Study: What is Racism? This session focuses upon our understanding of racism. February 11: Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race Study: Where do we go from here? In this last session, we will identify the next steps to take in understanding race and what we might do to work towards ending racism. Boy Scout Troop 80 Rich Richardson is retiring as the MPC representative to the Boy Scouts. Thank you for your decades of faithful service, Rich! This position is crucial for the continuation of the Boy Scout program here at MPC. Please let the office or one of the pastors know if you are interested in learning more about this important position in our faith community. Pep Set/Mix and Mingles The Camp Hill Lion s Club Pancake Breakfast is on Saturday, February 24, 7AM to Noon. We will meet at the MPC at 8:15. Contact Larry Sharer (717-761- 2518 or email ljshare@verizon.net) if interested. Sunday Snow & Ice In the event of inclement weather, we urge members to please decide on the side of caution. Closings will be listed with ABC Channel 27 WHTM-TV or check the church s website: www.mechpresby.org.