First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Organized in 1855 Heritage The gift of the Holy Spirit in the fellowship of the Church enables Christians to embody Jesus Christ in the world. John V. Taylor SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY PENTECOST MAY 24, 2015 11:00 AM 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 OD S PEOPLE PRELUDE O God, Our Help in Ages Past Healey Willan Rejoice Greatly, O My Soul S. Karg-Elert Royce Eckhardt, organist WELCOME Alex Lang CALL TO WORSHIP One: In the beginning, at creation, the Spirit hovered over the waters of the deep. All: In the waters of the flood, God cleansed the earth and humankind. One: God caused the waters to part so that Israel could cross from slavery to liberation. All: God formed Jesus in the waters of Mary s womb. One: Jesus taught us how to live by washing his disciples feet in water. All: Drinking water from a well, Jesus met a Samaritan woman, the first person to recognize that he was the Christ. One: Today we give thanks for the water that has claimed us as children of God All: and rejoice that we are part of the family of God. HYMN 193 Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain Unser Herrscher CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION Holy God, giver of all good things, we have failed to live in thanksgiving for the earth, for our families, for neighbors, and for strangers; for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that grows our food. Forgive us for sins against you, your creation, and our neighbors through disobedience to your will in word and deed. Teach us to love the way of blamelessness and to be happy in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 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 OD S WORD PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Mark 9:1-8 (Pew Bible, p. 820) The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God! ANTHEM River in Judea Jack Feldman, arr. Leavitt Oftentimes I dream of music, of the river that freely flows. And it sings a song sweeter than honey, one everybody knows. Late at night I hear it singing then again when I wake at dawn. And it fills me up with hope and goodwill, the will to go on, go on. There is a river in Judea that I heard of long ago. And it s a singing, ringing river that my soul cries out to know. When I m weary and downhearted, how I long for the song it sings, for the calm within its gentle blue, the peace that it brings, it brings. May the time not be too distant when we meet by the river, meet by the shore. Til then dream of that wonderful day as we sing once more, once more. The Chancel Choir SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Mark 9:9-13 (Pew Bible, p. 821) Alex Lang The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God! SERMON The River Alex Lang TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (The Second Helvetic Confession) We are baptized with water. And therefore we are baptized, that is, washed or sprinkled, with visible water. For the water washes dirt away, and cools and refreshes hot and tired bodies. And the grace of God performs these things for souls, and does so invisibly or spiritually. HYMN 684 Faith Begins by Letting Go Lux Prima 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 Fresh Winds of the Spirit David Davenport Fresh winds of the spirit blow gently on me, Awaken a longing as old as the sea. Oh, Jesus my Savior, attend me I pray, Blow gently on me, dear Lord, blow gently on me. Fresh winds of the spirit, in silence I wait, Come flooding my being as I meditate. Run deep as a river a cool healing stream, Blow gently on me, dear Lord, Blow gently on me. Fresh winds of the spirit in service I rise, Oh, joy beyond measure, let praise fill the skies. Our Father, in heaven, in all glory be! Blow gently, on me, dear Lord, Blow gently on me. The 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 Judy Hockenberry GOING FORTH IN GOD OD S NAME HYMN 686 God of Our Life Sandon BENEDICTION Alex Lang POSTLUDE Allegro in Bb A. Corelli Please stand as you are able. Preaching: Alex Lang Greeters: Mary Ahlers, Sally Jensen Ushers: Peter Bukowski (head usher), Bob Harrald, Frank Morrone, Kaori Ozaki, Kazue Sono Flowers: Betty Lou Bukowski In memory of Bob Bukowski s brother, Ensign Richard Peter Bukowski, and his shipmates on the USS Ingraham, lost during World War II Betty and Witold Launer In thanksgiving for family Rob and Nancy Lincoln In loving memory of Samuel A. Lincoln, Jr. Pastors: Alex Lang,, 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 ELCOME,, GUESTSG UESTS!, G 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.