North Presbyterian Church 2 nd Sunday of Easter April 8, 2018 10:15 a.m.
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD Gathering Time Hymn 238 Hymn 240 Thine Is the Glory Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks Greeting, Welcome, and Opportunities for Discipleship Welcome visitors! If you feel comfortable, please introduce yourself at this time. We are glad you are here. We hope you will fill out the friendship pad in the pew holder to help us get acquainted. Please join us for coffee in the Dickinson Room after the service. Everyone please silence your cell phones. Prelude I Know that My Redeemer Liveth Handel arr. Smith Call to Worship Christ the Lord is risen! Even though we have not touched his wounded hands, we believe. Even though we have not heard him speak our names, we believe. Let us open our hearts to Christ and sing a song to rejoice our risen Lord. Invocation *Hymn 233 The Day of Resurrection! (Please pass Joys and Concerns to center aisle to be collected during the singing of the hymn.) *Call to Confession *Prayer of Confession You have shown yourself to us, O God, by Word and Spirit, with signs and wonders, in flesh and blood, yet we still struggle to live and believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Have mercy on us; forgive us. Enter into our lives and cast out our fear so that we may come to trust in you and have life in Jesus name. Amen. *Silent Confession (A time for personal confession of sin) *Assurance of Forgiveness Hear the good news! God loves us. God forgives us.
*Response *Passing of the Peace Having received Christ s peace, let us share it by turning to our neighbors and greeting them, saying May the peace of Christ be with you! Children s Time (Children may go to their Sunday school classes afterwards.) Solo Rejoice Now, My Spirit J. S. Bach Dale Suckow
WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD Prayer for Illumination Scripture Readings John 20:19-31 p.115 Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God. Sermon A Doubtful Confidence Mark Aquino WE RESPOND AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD *Affirmation of Faith Together we confess that God unites us in faith. Together we come to know the height, and the breadth, and the depth of the love of Christ. Together we are built up to the full stature of Christ. Together we know and bear one another s burdens. We admonish one another. We comfort one another. We suffer with one another. We need one another. We build up one another. Together we pray. Together we serve God in this world. Together we fight against all which may threaten or hinder this unity. Thanks be to God. -Barbara Hedges-Goettl. Used with permission *Hymn 817 We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight Prayers of the People Offering Offertory: Hymn of Promise Sleeth arr. Carter
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow: Praise God all creatures high and low. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God, in Jesus fully known: Creator, Word, and Spirit one. Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Lasst uns erfreuen *Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord s Prayer The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. and now we pray: 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. WE DISPERSE TO SERVE GOD IN THE WORLD *Hymn 610 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing *Charge *Benediction *Postlude Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee! arr. Carter *Those who are able, please stand. Banners in the sanctuary are the handiwork of Olivia Ebsary.
Mark Aquino, Youth Coordinator, Westminster Presbyterian Church Along with teaching Sunday School and Confirmation Class, Mark's interest and dedication in spiritual faith has started him on his journey of becoming a Lay Preacher. He joined the Westminster Presbyterian Church staff in 2013 as the Youth Ministry Coordinator. Mark's major role is to foster an environment of apprenticed leadership and empowering youth and young adults to be faithful Christian disciples. As a lifelong member of the Church, Mark is passionate about growing and nurturing the vitality of youth and young adults in both church and community. Mark is a graduate of Buffalo State College and is currently working on his Master's in Special Education. In addition to his ministry at Westminster, he teaches high school students in East Aurora and is a Registered Nutrition Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer.
Calendar of Events/300 North Forest Road Sunday, April 8 9:00am Adult Ed./Lib. 9:15 Bible Study/RC Yoga/Chapel 9:30 Children s Choir rehearsal 10:15 Worship/Sanctuary Monday, April 9 10:15am Sunday School/NS Chair yoga/wh 11:00 Pastoral Care/Lib. 7:00pm Tuesday, April 10 9:30am 7:00pm Wednesday, April 11 NO CHAIR YOGA TODAY 9am-8pm 7-9pm Mindfulness/Chapel Session/WH Staff mtg./ofc. Deacons/DR EGA/WH Mindfulness/Chapel 7:00 Sarah Circle: Eisenlord home Thursday, April 12 7:30pm Sunday, April 15 8:00am Adult Choir/Choir Room Worship/Chapel 9:00 Adult Ed./Lib. 9:15 Bible Study/RC; Yoga/Chapel 9:30 Children s Choir rehearsal InerG rehearsal/sanctuary Called Session/Choir room 10:15 Worship/Sanctuary (installation of new members; dedicate Care Cases Sunday School/NS 11:30 Care Cases Luncheon/WH Monday, April 16 10:15am 1:00pm Chair yoga/wh All-staff Meeting/Lib. 7:00 Property Comm./Lib. 7-9 Mindfulness/Chapel Wednesday, April 18 10:00am Book group/lib. 10:15 Chair yoga/wh 7-9pm Thursday, April 19 7:00pm Mindfulness/Chapel Girl Scouts/SB 7:30 Adult Choir/Choir Room Sunday, April 22 Youth Sub Sale! 8:00am Worship/Chapel 9:00 Adult Ed./Lib. 9:15 Bible Study/RC; Yoga/Chapel 9:30 Children s Choir rehearsal 10:15 Worship/Sanctuary Sunday School/NS 4:30 Earth Day celebration: Congregation Shir Shalom Want to see more calendar events? Go to https://northchurchwilliamsville.org/weekly-bulletin-andnorth-star/. If you see an error or want to add an event, please e-mail n.church@verizon.net. EGA Embroidery Guild DR Dickinson Room FJC Family Justice Center FONP Friends of Night People Kit Kitchen LE3 Before and After School Program Lib Library NB north basement Ofc Office RC Resource Center SB south basement WH Westminster Ha
LE3 IS EXPANDING AT NORTH The Before and After School Program offered by LE3 that has been operating in the North Wing since June 2016 has received approval from New York State to expand its programming to offer full-day programming for preschool-aged children. To accommodate the expansion, LE3 will move its existing Before and After School Program to rooms S155, S156 and S157 in the South Wing on Monday, April 9. The full-day programming will begin on Monday, June 25, and include the rest of the rooms on the lower level plus the Childcare Room on the upper level of the South Wing. The lease that has been negotiated allows North to use all the leased spaces after 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and all weekend. Furniture that LE3 is acquiring for the leased space may also be used by North during the times it has access to the leased areas. To minimize any possible disruption, cabinets with locks will enable LE3 and North to secure any material to support their respective programming. An attempt has been made to keep everyone informed who may be impacted by LE3 s expansion. Please direct any questions you may have to personnel in the church office. LE3 is having an Open House on Saturday, April 28, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and on Sunday, April 29, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. To register call 716-430-9322, email epoleon@le3-inc.org or just stop in. Special pricing will be available for children whose parents are members of North. ADULT FORUM RESUMES APRIL 8 The spring series of adult faith formation discussions resumes April 8, at 9:00 a.m., in the library. It will include the following topics: April 8: The Resurrection, a video presentation by New Testament scholar N.T. Wright April 15: Update on the West Valley nuclear site, a PowerPoint presentation on the decisions currently facing the U.S. Department of Energy and NYSERDA on how to deal with the buried nuclear wastes 30 miles south of here.
April 22-June 10: Interrupting Silence: God s Command to Speak Out, a new Bible study by Walter Brueggemann BIBLE STUDY IN THE RESOURCE CENTER This study happens weekly on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. We will study the Sunday lectionary. The study leaders are volunteers. SARAH CIRCLE GATHERINGS Sarah Circle will meet on the following dates/times: April 11 at Ann Eisenlord's home at 7:00 p.m. May 9 at JoAnne Alderfer's at 7:00p.m. June 13, 2018 at Sue D'Angelo's for picnic at 6:30 p.m. YOUTH GROUP SUB SALE The youth group will be holding its annual sub sale to raise funds for upcoming activities, including this summer s trip to the Montreat Youth Conference. Subs will be sold for $5 each and will be available after 10:15 a.m. worship on Sunday, April 22. If you would like to order a sub, please fill out the order form (found on the welcome table) and drop it in the box in the narthex between now and April 21. Sub orders can also be submitted online, by using the following URL: http://tiny.cc/npysubsale. Payment (cash or check) will be due at the time of pick-up. Thank you for supporting our youth! YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! At its March 5 meeting, Session approved the creation of a Stewardship Committee to conduct the financial campaign to support the 2019 budget. Two members of Session are stepping forward and several additional members from the congregation are being sought. Initial planning will begin in late April, and the actual campaign will launch in early fall. Your contribution to the church assumes many forms. Today it is your time and talent that are needed. Please contact Joe Alber (834-6560) or Pastor Hennessy for additional information or to volunteer. Thank you.
WANTED: YOUR RECIPES FOR A NORTH CHURCH COOKBOOK! We are cooking up a new North Church cookbook to raise money to be split equally between two worthy causes: major repair of the church organ and the church operating budget. The new cookbooks will be available in the fall. What we need from you on or before October 1, are your recipes main dishes, desserts, vegan, gluten-free, cooking for a crowd, soups you name it! Please email your submissions to n.church@verizon.net. If you have questions about this fundraiser, please contact Sue D Angelo at sjdangelo@hotmail.com. TWO DIFFERENT YOGA CLASSES Everyone is invited to come to yoga at North Church. Olivia Ebsary offers two different classes. Chair yoga: Every Monday and Wednesday (except second Wednesday of the month), from 10:15-11:00 a.m. in Westminster Hall. Donations are welcome and some insurance accepted. Mat yoga: Sundays from 9:15-10:00 a.m.. Everyone is invited! Questions? E-mail oliviaebsary@gmail.com. CARE CASES DEDICATION & SOUP LUNCH Whoever welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me Mark 9:37 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Your response to the Care Case Project during Lent was overwhelming! You provided funds and supplies to complete 50 Care Cases!! AND there were still extra items and more than $500 to give to the Snyders to purchase supplies needed for the babies they spoke about when they visited North Church. The Mission Committee is so appreciative of the other participants that helped with this project and hopes that you will invite them to the 10:15 a.m. worship service on April 15, when the cases will be dedicated, and to the luncheon following this service. These groups include individuals from Chair Yoga, Dress-a-Girl, the Women's Group from Amherst Unitarian Universalist Church, friends of Linda Gowans, and friends of Elizabeth Schulz.as well as others of whom we may not be aware. We look forward to seeing you at the dedication and luncheon!
WEDNESDAY BOOK GROUPS Everyone is invited to a book group, which meets in the library (note the times). The next one is on March 28 at 1:00 p.m.: Vanishing Act by Thomas Perry. On April 18 at 10:00 a.m. the book is Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker (2011) by Kevin Mitnick and Steve Wozniak (foreword) NEEDLEWORKERS GROUP We will be meeting on the first Thursday of the month. Whether you re a pro or have always wanted to learn, please join us. Questions? Contact Sue D Angelo at sjdangelo@hotmail.com. EARTH DAY FESTIVAL AND GATHERING Protecting God s Creation: Divesting Ourselves of Fossil Fuels is an Earth Day festival and gathering hosted by Congregation Shir Shalom (4660 Sheridan Dr., Williamsville) and cosponsored by North on Sunday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. This interactive program for families on how to protect our planet also includes an interfaith service at 6:00 p.m. with stories, reading, and live music, food trucks, and electric and hybrid vehicles. CALENDAR MEETING If you are chair of a committee or the point person for a group or project at North, please plan to attend the calendar meeting on Monday, April 23, from 7-8pm in the church library. Bring an informal "report" of upcoming events you are planning as we strive to communicate and work with each other. Questions? Contact n.church@verizon.net. SAVE THE DATES Wednesday, May 2, from 4-7 p.m. Our annual Chiavetta s BBQ chicken fundraiser Saturday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m. Drones over North (outside; rain date June 2) Thursday, May 31 Walk of Abraham August 20-24 VBS at North!
Leader: Mark Aquino Coordinator: Dick Mesmer Pianist/Organist: Marlene Harrington Counters: Tim Ayler, Diane Sprague Lock-up: Randy Bigler Liturgist (10:15): Shevaun Donelli O Connell Greeters: Don & Charlotte Boyer Ushers (10:15): Ann & Ed Eisenlord; Anne & Ken McIlroy Visitors You are important to us. Please fill out a visitor card and put it in the offering plate if you wish to be contacted. You may also approach an usher likely wearing a yellow ribbon today to find out more about North Church. Mission Statement Brought together by our shared faith in Jesus Christ, Called by God to live as faithful disciples, Blessed by our diverse gifts and experiences, We commit ourselves to: Worship together, Teach and learn from one another, Nurture each other with care and love, and Reach out in ministry and mission to the world. Ministers: The Congregation Pastor/Head of Staff: The Rev. William T. Hennessy Coordinator of Sacred Arts: Olivia Ebsary Administrative Assistant/Webmaster: Cynthia Machamer Bookkeeper: Karen Thomas Facilities Coordinator: Mike Callaghan Childcare Supervisor: Regina Koteras Director of Music, Organist: Marlene Harrington Youth Director, Northtowns: Mack Barker Director of Music, Children & Youth: Alanna Carlins Musical Assistant: Kurt Ebsary
Elders (Session) Clerk of Session: Sylvia Bigler Deacons Moderator: Glenn Hopkins Class of 2018 Joe Alber Ralph Doerzbacher Bill Ervin Class of 2019 Bill Clark Sue D Angelo Shevaun Donelli O Connell Scott Marshall Marsha Villano Class of 2018 Glenn Hopkins Shirley Mazourek Garry Ostermeier Pam Ostermeier Class of 2019 Karen Hopkins Connie Littlewood Sheridan Skura Carol Suckow Class of 2020 Anselm George Warren Marcus Rob Powell Class of 2020 Kerri Bigler Olivia Ebsary Heather Randall Class of 2021 Joe Alber Mary Atwood Ralph Doerzbacher Debbie Hutton Marty Shafer Class of 2021 Chris Gunther Glenn Hopkins Garry Ostermeier Pam Ostermeier Karen Roesser