North Presbyterian Church 22 nd Sunday after Pentecost October 25, 2015 10:45 a.m.
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD Gathering Time Hymn 411 God Is Here Today Hymn 401 Here in This Place Greeting, Welcome, and Opportunities for Discipleship Welcome to our guests and visitors! As a church of hospitality we invite you, if you feel comfortable, to introduce yourself at this time. We are glad you are here. We hope you will fill out the welcome pad (in the pew holder) to help us get acquainted. We also invite you to join us in Westminster Hall for coffee hour following worship. Everyone please silence your cell phones. Prelude Prelude on Slane Hopson Call to Worship Leader Men Women Leader Men Women Leader Men Women Leader Out of the darkness came light; And the power of God was revealed in the running wave and the flowing air, in the quiet earth and the shining stars. Out of the dust came life; And the image of God was revealed in the human face and the gentle heart, in the warmth of flesh and the depth of soul. Out of justice came freedom; And the wisdom of God was revealed in the need to grow and the will to love, in the chance to know and the power to choose. And God looked at the creation, And behold, it was very good. ( The Iona Community from The Iona Abbey Worship Book, published by Wild Goose Publications, Iona Community, Fourth Floor, Savoy House, 140 Sauchiehall St., Glasgow G2 3DH, UK) Invocation *Hymn 450 Be Thou My Vision (During the singing of the hymn, please pass prayer requests to center aisle.) *Call to Confession
*Prayer of Confession Eternal God, we confess that we have failed to seek your will. When the poor cry out for help, we often pass them by. When the weak reveal their strength, we want to silence their voices. Forgive us, God of grace. Save a place, even for us, at that great banquet of redemption when all will be made well; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *Silent Confession (A time for personal confession of sin) *Assurance of Forgiveness Hear the good news! God loves us. God forgives us. *Response Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Hymn 587 Celtic Alleluia *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 will be dismissed to Church School after Children s Time.) Anthem O Lord, Increase My Faith Gibbons Prayer for Illumination WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD Scripture Readings Jeremiah 31:7-9 p.734 Mark 10:46-52 p.47 Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God. Sermon Sight Restored Rev. William T. Hennessy A Moment for Silent Reflection WE RESPOND AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith We believe that God is present in the darkness before dawn; in the waiting and uncertainty where fear and courage join hands, conflict and caring link arms, and the sun rises over barbed wire. We believe in a with-us God who sits down in our midst to share our humanity. We affirm a faith that takes us beyond the safe place: into action, into vulnerability, and into the streets. We commit ourselves to work for change and put ourselves on the line; to bear responsibility, take risks, live powerfully and face humiliation; to stand with those on the edge; to choose life and be used by the Spirit for God s new community of hope. Amen. ( The Iona Community from The Iona Abbey Worship Book, published by Wild Goose Publications, Iona Community, Fourth Floor, Savoy House, 140 Sauchiehall St., Glasgow G2 3DH, UK) *Hymn 797 We Cannot Measure How You Heal Prayers of the People A Testimony of Gratitude Deacon Shirley Mazourek Offering Offertory: Prelude Lang *Doxology Hymn 609 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! *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 744 Arise Your Light Is Come! *Charge *Benediction *Congregational Amen (Hymn 568) *Postlude Postlude on Festal Song te Velde *Those who are able, please stand.
300 North Forest Road Sunday, October 25 8:30am Worship/Chapel 9am-12pm Flu Vaccine Clinic/WH 9:30 Children s & Youth choir practice/south basement Adult Ed./lib Bible Study/RC 10:45 Worship/Sanctuary 3:00pm Documentary Film: Merchants of Doubt /WH Monday, October 26 4-8pm Dress-a-Girl/WH 5:00pm Nominating Comm./lib. Tuesday, October 27 8:00am Prepare FONP food/kit 9:00 Staff mtg./ofc. 1:00pm Bible study/lib. 4:30pm Deliver FONP/Hudson St. Wednesday, October 28 1:00pm Book Group/lib. 7-8:30pm Intro. To Mindfulness Course/chapel Thursday, October 29 6am-9pm 6:30pm 7:30pm History of Halloween Open House (LE3)/WH Bells/S151 Saturday, October, 31 8-11pm Adult Choir/Choir room WCF/Chapel Sunday, November 1 All Saints Day 8:30am Communion in the Pews Worship/Chapel 9:30 Children s & Youth choir practice/south basement Inquirer Class/S251 Adult Ed./lib Bible Study/RC 10:45 Worship/Sanctuary ACE Amherst Chamber Ensemble EGA Embroidery Guild DR Dickinson Room FJC Family Justice Center FONP Friends of Night People Kit Kitchen Lib Library NPC North Presbyterian Church Ofc Office RC Resource Center WH Westminster Hall
Flu & Pneumonia Vaccinations TODAY North Church is a clinic site for Visiting Nurses Association of WNY, Inc. (VNA) immunization program today from 9:00 a.m. to noon, in Westminster Hall. Reservations are not needed. Medicare Part B, BlueCross BlueShield, Independent Health and Univera are accepted. Individuals are responsible to the VNA for any charges not covered by insurance. Clinics are open to people age 9 and older. A parent or legal guardian must accompany anyone under the age of 18. Free Public Showing of Documentary Film North Church will host a free public showing of the documentary film Merchants of Doubt by Robert Kenner today at 3:00 p.m., in Westminster Hall. This film is inspired by the acclaimed book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway; the film takes on a satirically comedic yet illuminating ride into the heart of conjuring American spin. The Sony Pictures film lasts 96 minutes. Update: Special Emergency Offering for Syrian Refugees Last Sunday you gave $896 in response to the request for help for Syrian refugees. Thank you! We are hoping to have just a few more gifts to bring the total to $1000. It is not too late to give. Please use the envelope in the pew racks or write a check with Refugees on the memo line. The Special Emergency Offering will help Church World Service (CWS) meet the needs of refugees now in Europe. A first check will be sent to CWS next week; more will be sent as needed. You can help: 1. Giving generously to the October 18 th Special Offering. CWS is working in Serbia and Hungary and other European countries to provide food, water, shelter and other essential services to the hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants making their way through the European Union in hopes of eventually finding new homes in Western and Northern Europe.
2. The US government has agreed to resettle an additional 10 thousand refugees in 2016. Some may come to Buffalo and be resettled by Journey s End, Catholic Charities, the International Institute or Jewish Family Services. The NPC Session and Mission Committee are seeking ways to be actively involved in this process. We will keep you informed. 3. Read the long article on refugees titled Exodus The Epic Migration to Europe & What Lies Ahead in the October 19 th issue of Time Magazine which is on the newsstands now. We will have some copies available on Sunday. 4. Pray for all those affected by this crisis. VOICE Buffalo Public Meeting Binding the Fabric Together on Monday, October 26, is the public meeting of VOICE Buffalo. The public is invited to attend the meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. at ELIM Christian Fellowship, 70 Chalmers Ave., Buffalo. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The group seeks to faithfully bring forth justice (Isaiah 43:2.) Dress-a-Girl Dress-a-Girl seamstresses, doll makers, ironers, cutters, and runners: come sew with us! We'll be meeting in Westminster Hall on Monday, October 26, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Join us for all of that time or for any part of that time. Please bring a salad ingredient for our build-a-salad supper. Dessert and beverages will be provided. Friends of Night People: Help Wanted Help is needed on Tuesday, October 27, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at 394 Hudson St., Buffalo. Please e-mail Jane Arnold at hjanjea@aol.com if you can serve. Volunteers are always needed in the kitchen at North Church that same morning from 8-9 to help prepare the potatoes and chicken. Warm and clean clothing donations are being accepted at North. A labeled box will be available near the north entrance. Bags are provided there for your convenience.
Adult Education: 9:30 a.m. in the library October 25; and November 1 and 8 Do. Doing. What It s All About. Christianity has been expressed in countless ways over the centuries. Now is no different. This series is about what s next for those who follow Jesus. Love God with all your heart, soul strength and mind. Come do what it s all about. Incarnation, Compassion, Politics, Passion, Resurrection are the themes explored by contemporary theologians for 20 minutes and then by us in reflection and discussion. Bible Study: Acts 9:30 a.m., Resource Center We will continue with Acts. As in previous years, study leaders volunteer. Tuesday Bible Study: A Study of Amos Who were Amos and Micah? What do they have to say to us? Join a lunch-time weekly Bible Study in the church library and explore these questions. Tuesdays this fall at 12:30 p.m. (Bring a bag lunch.) A Simple Request We need you to help let our community know of the existence of the Family Justice Center at 330 North Forest Road next to our church. One hundred-thirty clients experiencing domestic violence have been served since our opening in February 2013. We know that there are many others who have not come in for services, and we want to get the word out to them that help is available right here. All we need you to do is to take some written materials to the places that you frequent here in the suburbs your doctor s office, your hair salon or barber shop, your school, your dentist office. It doesn t require money, doesn t require any special skills or training, doesn t require you to travel any distance to help. Please stop by the table in Westminster Hall today so we can talk to you about this simple thing that can make a huge difference in the life of someone who desperately needs our assistance. Questions? Talk to Sue D Angelo or JoAnne Alderfer.
Wednesday Book Groups Check out the books at http://www.pinterest.com/northchurch/books/ or at http://northchurchwilliamsville.org/fellowship/ Morning (10:00am, library) November 18: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Afternoon (1:00 p.m., library) October 28: Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King. November/December: this combined meeting will meet on December 2 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia S. Fleming. Membership Classes Offered If you are interested in membership, our fall Inquirers classes will be held on Sunday, October 18 and 25, and November 1 and 8, at 9:30am in S251. New members will join on November 15 during the 10:45 a.m. worship service. If you are interested in learning more about North Church and/or are interested in joining, please contact Mitch Roemer (688-6464), the church office (632-1330) or make a note on the welcome pad in the pew. Before and After School Program at North North Church is the site of a new before and after school program called LE3 Inc. Locally Enriching Educational Experiences for All Children. This is a tutoring program, not a daycare, for children in grades k-8. On Thursday, Oct. 29, there is a History of Halloween open house. For more information and rates for the program, check out www.le3-inc.org. Members of North Church receive a slight discount. Check out the website or call director Ellie Poleon at 716-368-1912 to learn more.
Go Shopping at Presbyterian Village On Friday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m., enjoy several vendors like Mary Kay, 31 Bags, and My Sister s Soap and enter for a chance to win an early bird raffle. See the flyer on the Community Board in the north entrance for more on this exciting event. Town Hall Meeting As the Session begins developing the 2016 budget, we invite you to join us to learn more about North s current financial position and the plans and dreams for the future. Bring your ideas and questions; a lively discussion is planned. All are welcome to this town hall meeting on Sunday, Nov. 8, in the sanctuary following the second service. Lynette Sparks s Installation The folks of North Church are invited to a Service of Installation for Lynette Sparks as Associate Pastor on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 10:45 a.m., at Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St., Rochester. Four-Congregation Event You re invited to two free presentations on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 7-8:30 p.m. Make reservations by calling the church office at 632-1330 or e-mail n.church@verizon.net by Nov. 12. Join Temple Beth Zion, Congregation Shir Shalom and Westminster Presbyterian Church to hear Dr. Claude Welch, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, speak on International Perspectives on Arab-Israeli Relations: A Historical and Political Overview, and Dr. Daniel P. Kotzin, associate professor at Medaille College, speak on Understanding the History of Zionism(s). Cold Weather Items Needed Again this year Journey s End Refugee Services has resettled nearly 500 refugees. Many have arrived since last winter and, of course, the children already here have grown several sizes and do not have winter coats, boots, hats, etc. Please bring your gently used coats and boots to help these new residents of Buffalo face our winter weather. Deposit them in the boxed in
the Mission Area marked Journey s End. Items are needed for men, and women, boys and girls of all ages and sizes especially smaller men s sizes. 2015 Town of Amherst Warm Clothing Project for Amherst s Children in Need In 2014 the Warm Clothing Project helped 359 babies, children and youth. Referrals to the Warm Clothing Project come from school social workers, counselors, teachers and nurses working in Amherst, Sweet Home and Williamsville school districts. Additional referrals come from food pantries serving ZIP codes 14221, 14226, 14228, 14051, and 14068. How can you help? 1. Contact Mrs. Katy Mobarak-Miller, BSW, by November 13 Town of Amherst Youth and Recreation Dept. 1615 Amherst Manor Drive, Williamsville 14221 631-7132 ext. 7523 or kmobmiller@amherst.ny.us 2. Assist one or more child/youth (no later than December 1) Receive information on each child/youth: gender, age, grade, size, etc. and the two to three winter clothing items needed as requested by the parent/guardian. (Most needs are winter jackets, school clothes, pajamas, and winter boots.) Shop and return items to the town address above with the identifying information no later than December 1. 3. Unable to shop? Make a cash contribution (check made out to North Church with a note the money is for the Warm Clothing Project). These funds will be sent to Mrs. Miller and a group of volunteers will do the shopping. Deacons Care Ministry at North Are you experiencing a life event where you could use support or help? We, the Deacons of North Church, would like to know your concerns and help find ways to get you the support you need. We are looking for ways to expand our outreach and understand how we can assist. Please feel free to reach out to any of the Deacons (see list on back of bulletin) or send an email to npcdeaconscare@gmail.com.
Men s Fellowship: 8th year anniversary celebration (2008-2015) As the end of 2015 approaches, a new phase of the Men s Fellowship is about to begin. Following several organizational-planning meetings and two surveys of the men at North Church in early December, 2007, the Session gave four individuals (Alan Maclean, Jim McConnell, Brad Sparks, and Jeff Weaver) permission to form a Men s Fellowship at North Church. The purpose was to increase fellowship among the men in the church, and to provide them with opportunities to enhance their understanding of various topics. The first breakfast (with eggs and sausage served on warm plates) was held in March 2008, when 23 men braved a cold, wintry Saturday morning to hear an invigorating kick-off talk by Rev. Tom Yorty, senior pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church. During these eight years, 57 events (e.g., breakfasts with a broad perspective of speakers, tours, and baseball games), several of which were open to the congregation, have taken place. Since then, most of the planning has been undertaken by Don Boyer, Tony Link, Alan Maclean, Jim McConnell, Roger Quimby, and the late Jeff Weaver. Save the Dates: November 4 Mindfulness Course 7 Red Blazer Men s Chorus Concert 8 Town Hall Meeting 11 Mindfulness Course 14 Mindfulness Retreat (half-day) 15 Alternative Marketplace Jewish Presbyterian Dialogue 18 Mindfulness Course 20 & 22 Pulpit Exchange with Shir Shalom 21 Presbytery Meeting in Gowanda 22 Memorial Service for Mary Mohlke Turkey Basket Pick-up
Preacher: Bill Hennessy Coordinator: Mary Soom Liturgist: Sue D Angelo Greeter (10:45): Gretchen Orlando Counters: Bill Clark & volunteer Pianist /Organist (10::45) Marlene Harrington Ushers (10:45): Mary Soom, Linda Gowans Jim & Ellie McConnell Ushers (8:30): Louise Cooper & Irene Harbison Lock-up: Roger Quimby Acolytes (10:45): Matthew Bottorff & Sara Koteras Pianist (8:30): Sharon Dittmar Nursery: Regina & Sara Koteras Visitors You are important to us. We invite you to come to the chancel area in the front of the sanctuary after the (10:45) service to learn more about North Church. You may also approach anyone wearing a yellow ribbon today. Fill out a visitor card and put it in the offering plate if you wish to be contacted. 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. (Adopted by the Session June 5, 2006) Ministers: The Congregation Pastor/Head of Staff: The Rev. William T. Hennessy Director of Sacred Dance: Olivia Ebsary Administrative Assistant: Cynthia Machamer Bookkeeper: Judy Blackchief Facilities Coordinator: Mike Callaghan Childcare Supervisor: Regina Koteras Director of Music, Organist: Marlene Harrington Webmaster: Tara Martin Director of Music, Children & Youth: Marty Shafer