First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Organized in 1855 Heritage Let your door stand open to receive Christ, unlock your soul to him, offer him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, and the joy of grace. Ambrose of Milan SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT MARCH 6, 2016 11:00 AM Choose love. Be the light. Change the world. First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights 302 N. Dunton Avenue Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847-255-5900 www.fpcah.org mail@fpcah.org
The prelude is your invitation to quiet preparation for the worship of Almighty God. GATHERING AS GOD S PEOPLE PRELUDE Cortège et Litanie Marcel Dupré WELCOME Alex Lang CALL TO WORSHIP (From Psalm 96) One: O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. All: Sing to the Lord, bless God s name, tell of his salvation from day to day. One: For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; All: ascribe to the Lord the glory due God s name; One: worship the Lord in holy splendor. HYMN 620 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven Lauda Anima CALL TO CONFESSION Andrew Orals PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed: we have not loved you with all our heart or served you with all our strength; we have been blind to the vision of a renewed world and deaf to your call to costly discipleship; we have been indifferent to the suffering of others and unwilling to forgive one another. We say we believe, yet we too often act out of our unbelief. Strengthen us in our faithless moments so we may serve you with energy all the days of our lives. SILENT CONFESSION in Jesus name we pray. Amen. WORDS OF FORGIVENESS RESPONSE (Hymn 555) O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; have mercy on us, Lamb of God, and grant us your peace. PASSING THE PEACE One: The peace of Jesus Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us share the peace of Christ with one another. COMMUNITY LIFE Tai Zimmerman
HEARING GOD S WORD PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION Andrew Orals SCRIPTURE READING Luke 7:1-10 (Pew Bible, p. 839) Andrew Orals The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God! ANTHEM Through Christ Pepper Choplin Through Christ, we can do al things. Through Crist, we can find new strength day by day, through our lives we press on, we press on. Through Christ, we can do all things. Through Christ, we can find new strength through the night, through the storm, we press on, we press on. So rejoice in the Lord. Again I say, rejoice and live with thanksgiving and prayer. And the peace of our God, beyond all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ, through Christ. How shall we meet the days ahead? How shall we keep our calling true? And if life puts us to the test, by faith, we ll demonstrate our best. We ll press on, we ll press on, we ll press on. Chancel Choir SERMON Faith Alex Lang TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Hebrews 10:39; 11:3, NRSV) But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not seen. HYMN 45 I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes Dundee GIVING THANKS TO GOD PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Tai Zimmerman 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 OFFERTORY Lamb of God Twila Paris Your only Son, no sin to hide, But You have sent Him from Your side, To walk upon this guilty sod, And to become the Lamb of God. Your gift of love, they crucified, They laughed and scorned Him as He died, The humble King, they named a fraud, And sacrificed the Lamb of God. Oh, Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God, Oh, wash me in Your precious blood, My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. I was so lost, I should have died, But You have brought me to Your side, To be led by Your staff and rod, And to be called a lamb of God. Chancel Choir
DOXOLOGY (Hymn 606) 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. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Tai Zimmerman GOING FORTH IN GOD S NAME HYMN (back page) Are Ye Able Beacon Hill BENEDICTION Alex Lang POSTLUDE Trumpet Tune in D Jerry Westenkuehler Please stand as you are able. Preaching: Alex Lang Greeters: Darl Pochert, Luke Sparreo (confirmand) Ushers: Jeff Leach (head usher), Barb Martin, Michio Matsumura, Yoshiko Matsumura, Frank Morrone, Cathy Walker Flowers: Presbyterian Women In honor of those who serve Pastors: Alex Lang, Tai Zimmerman, Judy Hockenberry, TC Anderson Director of Music Programs: Adam Hendrickson Associate Director of Music Adult Choirs: Alan Wellman Associate Director of Music and Organist: Chris Urban
WELCOME, GUESTS! Thank you for worshiping with us this morning. Please sign the Friendship Pad and pass it along the pew, and introduce yourself to those around you after the service. Then stop by the Welcome Center in the Narthex to pick up information that will acquaint you with our church services and programs. If you have questions, members of the Welcomers Corps will be there to answer them. You are also invited to join the conversation on Facebook, at facebook.com/fpcah, and Twitter, at @FirstPresAH. We look forward to connecting with you again. CHILD CARE Children of all ages are warmly welcomed and encouraged to participate in worship. Child care is available (infants through age four) in the Christian Education Wing (8:15 am 12:15 pm). We encourage 3- and 4-year-olds to participate in Preschool Sunday School, offered from 9:45 to 10:45 am. CLASSES FOR ALL AGES From September through May, Sunday morning Christian education classes are held for all ages. These include classes for preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school students, as well as education and discussion groups for adults. Children s and youth education, as well as adult classes, take place from 9:45 to10:45 am. Check the adult education brochure for course titles, dates, and times. To learn more, visit fpcah.org or call the church office at 847-255- 5900. SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Large print bulletins, large print hymn packets, and hearing amplifiers are available from the ushers. WORSHIP BAGS Worship bags for young worshipers (ages 3-12 years) are available outside the Sanctuary and in the Chapel. The bags contain items designed to guide active participation in the service and learning about worship. Please return the bags to the basket as you leave. IMPORTANT WORSHIP REMINDERS Please silence cell phones and refrain from taking photos or recording worship services. A weekly webcast of the services are available at fpcah.org/webcast. Audio CD recordings of 11:00 am worship are available in the church office. To download a podcast of today s sermon, visit the Worship page at fpcah.org.