1660 Kessler Boulevard, East Drive Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-251-9489 www.northminster-indy.org Welcome to worship at Northminster! Thank you for worshipping with us today. If you are visiting with us this morning we hope you feel the presence of God and the hospitality of this congregation. If you have any questions about our church please ask one of the pastors or a greeting host wearing a red Ask Me badge. SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY January 27, 2019 * = Those who are able, please stand. Congregation responds in bold. CENTERING THOUGHT The Road Not Taken Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost APPROACHING GOD WELCOME Teri Thomas PRELUDE Praeludium Gordon Young (1919-1998) * CALL TO WORSHIP When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them. Speak O lord, your servants listen. Let us worship God. * HYMN NO. 18 Hallelujah! Sing Praise to Your Creator NYANYIKANLAH HYANYIAN BARU
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION Ruth Chadwick Moore Loving God, we confess that we have ignored the needs of the poor. We have turned away from our own kin. We allow the gospel to go stale and hide the light you have given. Forgive us and give us your grace. By the renewing gifts of your spirit, inspire and empower us again to show the wonder of your love. * SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYER AND REFLECTION * DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Sisters and brothers your sins are forgiven by the faith of Christ, who chose love over hatred and forgiveness over blame. We rejoice, for God s mercy is great. Jesus brings healing, justice and peace. * SHARING THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. (Worshipers may greet one another with words of Christ s peace.)
LISTENING FOR GOD S WORD CHILDREN S TIME Children may be excused for Church School at this time. ANTHEM (11:00) Soon-Ah-Will-Be-Done African-American spiritual arr. William Dawson (1899-1990) Chancel Choir PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE Matthew 5: 3-12 (Page 4) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. MEDITATION HYMN NO. 172 Blest Are They BLEST ARE THEY (please sing Refrain on cue from leader) 9:00 Section Leaders 11:00 Peace Choir
SCRIPTURE Matthew 5: 13-16 (Pg. 4) You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. MEDITATION * HYMN NO. 314 Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness CHRIST, BE OUR LIGHT
SCRIPTURE Matthew 5: 17-20 (Pg. 4) Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. MEDITATION RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD 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 (Please sign the pew pad and pass it to your neighbor.) OFFERTORY Swing Low, Sweet Chariot African-American spiritual arr. Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949) Elizabeth Kleinsmith, Soprano
* DOXOLOGY LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! * PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING GOING FORTH * HYMN NO. 700 I m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me I M GONNA LIVE
* CHARGE AND BLESSING
CHORAL RESPONSE God be in my head J. Wright 9:00 Section Leaders 11:00 Chancel Choir God be in my head and in my understanding; God be in my eyes and in my looking; God be in my mouth and in my speaking; God be in my heart and in my thinking; God be at my end and at my departing. Acolytes in worship today are Sam Banks and Jackie Gritton. MUSIC IN WORSHIP Hymn No. 172 Blest Are They is a simple setting of the Beatitudes, Matthew 5: 1 12, one of today s scripture lessons. The hymn maintains the two part structure of scripture in each blessing in the stanzas (1. Blest are they, the poor in spirit; 2. Theirs is the kingdom of God ), each of which is followed by the uplifting refrain Rejoice and be glad. Note rejoice and be glad are the opening words of Matthew 5: 12. The hymn was composed by Saginaw, Michigan native David Haas (born 1958). Haas has become one of the most prominent Catholic composers since the mid-1980s. Hymn No. 314 Longing for Light We Wait in Darkness, (or Christ Be our Light ) was written by British sacred music composer Bernadette Farrell (born 1957). The stanzas move from longing for the signs of the kingdom of God to us as its servants and signs. The refrain is a petition that Christ would be our light and shine in our hearts as the church is gathered by that light.
The Chancel Choir s rendition of the African-American spiritual Soon-Ah-Will-Be-Done was arranged by William Dawson (1899 1990), long time director of the acclaimed Tuskegee Institute School of Music in Alabama. This spiritual visualizes a home where hard labor, unpleasant conditions, pain, misery and weeping are over, and at last, families separated by the auction block are reunited, and everyone is protected by a loving God. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION TODAY Lunch by reservation at 12:05pm Meeting at 12:45pm What s Next? Sunday Worship February 3 we will explore the Lord s Prayer and our treasures in heaven. February 10 in Matthew 7, Jesus shows his preacher side. February 17 we will explore one of Jesus favorite teaching methods parables. February 24 we welcome Dr. Lake Lambert, the president of Hanover College to the pulpit. Mission and Outreach Pantry Partners Northminster Day at 2 nd Presbyterian s food pantry. 2 nd Tuesday of the month. Events and Education
Christian Doctrine Wednesday evening study began on January 23 Coffee with Krista Tippet TODAY, 10am Confirmation Class TODAY, worship and Annual Meeting Annual Meeting of the Congregation TODAY, lunch at 12:05pm, meeting at 12:45pm Youth Group TODAY, 5:30pm Exploring Cycle Plays February 3, 10am Youth Group Super Bowl Party February 3 3B Chair Yoga February 4 and 18, 2:30pm Caregiver Support Group February 4, 6pm and February 6, 1pm The Bible and the New York Times February 10, 10am Confirmation Class Meet Mentors - February 10, 10am Health Support Group February 11, 7pm Sound & Spirit Lonesome River Band (bluegrass) February 15, 7pm Youth Group February 17, 5:30pm Italian Night February 23, 6pm Confirmation Class February 24, 10am Book of the Month February 24, 12:15pm 3B Exercise Monday and Thursdays, 2:30pm Women s Bible Study Tuesdays at 11:00am Men s Prayer Breakfast Wednesdays, 7:30am For more information, check out our website (northminster-indy.org). To give by text message on a smartphone, text the amount you would like to give to 317-316-3009. Our online giving system, ShelbyNext, will then prompt you through a one-time set up for giving.
Teri L. Thomas Pastor Ruth Chadwick Moore Associate Pastor Maureen Wilson Director of Education and Youth Ministries John M. Wright Director, Music Ministries Marko Petričić Music Associate/Organist Denise Harrington Senior Ministry Consultant Carol McDonald Parish Associate MINISTRY Carol Campbell John Reed Tony Dzwonar Stephen Ministry Leaders Donald R. Durrett Associate Pastor Emeritus Lori Schlabach Church Business Adminstrator Susan Glant Nancy J. Sala Adminstrative Assistants Tim McElroy Lead Custodian Jonathan Peterson Sunday Custodian