First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Organized in 1855 Heritage The only peace for souls in this world consists in being filled with divine love and animated with heavenly hope. The Venerable Bede SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST NOVEMBER 8, 2015 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 Solemn Melody H. Walford Davies WELCOME Alex Lang CALL TO WORSHIP One: God alone laid the foundations of the earth. All: The morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy. One: From the midst of the whirlwind, God speaks with power. All: We have seen the deeds of the Lord, One: for God commands and raises the stormy wind and also makes the storm be still. All: We ourselves have seen the wondrous deeds of the Lord! Let us rejoice and worship God forever! HYMN 275 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Ein Feste Burg CALL TO CONFESSION Tai Zimmerman PRAYER OF CONFESSION Creator of the morning sun and the stars of night, forgive us for what we have done wrong and heal any wounds we have caused. We acknowledge the harm that we have done, and the good we have failed to do. Forgive us, we pray; guide us in your truth, and teach us the way to go, that we may love and serve you well. Help us to live into the covenant made with Abraham to be your people, to be children of God, so that all will feel welcomed and know of your love and grace. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION in Jesus name we pray. Amen. WORDS OF FORGIVENESS GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 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. 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
HEARING GOD S WORD PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION Tai Zimmerman SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 8 (Pew Bible, p. 427) Tai Zimmerman The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God! ANTHEM All Things Bright and Beautiful John Rutter All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings. The purpleheaded mountains, the river running by, the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky. The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden: God made them every one. God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well. Chancel Choir SERMON God in the Sky Alex Lang TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (The Heidelberg Catechism) One: What do you understand by the providence of God? All: The almighty and ever-present power of God whereby he still upholds, as it were by his own hand, heaven and earth together with all creatures, and rules in such a way that leaves and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and unfruitful years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, and everything else, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand. HYMN 25 O Lord, Our God, How Excellent Winchester Old GIVING THANKS TO GOD PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Judy Hockenberry 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 The Heavens Are Telling Joseph Haydn The heavens are telling the glory of God, The wonders of his work displays the firmament; To day that is coming speaks it the day, The night that is gone to following night. In all the lands resounds the word, never unperceived, ever understood. Chancel Choir Trio: Toni Esker, Nick Pulikowski, and Tom Pardo
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 Judy Hockenbbery GOING FORTH IN GOD S NAME HYMN 26 Earth and All Stars Earth and All Stars BENEDICTION Alex Lang CHORAL BENEDICTION Adam Hendrickson Choose love. Be the light. Change the world. POSTLUDE Toccata on A Mighty Fortress Charles Ore Please stand as you are able. Preaching: Alex Lang Greeters: Sue Henderson; Jim and Ingrid Kaufman Ushers: David Crim (head usher), Frank Morrone, Jan Richardson, Andy Wendle Flowers: Betty Lou Bukowski Honoring the memory and sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States Mary Clarbour and Family In memory of Donald Clarbour killed in Vietnam, November 6, 1969 Marty Kraybill In honor of Richard s birthday Tom and Mary Krigas In gratitude to the US Marine Corps for 240 years of service Witold and Betty Launer With thanksgiving for family Walter Meyer Honoring the sailors and soldiers of the MRF Vietnam Sally Sopchyk In loving memory of Mathew J. Sopchyk Pastors: Alex Lang, Tai Zimmerman, Judy Hockenberry 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 11:00 am service is 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.