Welcome! We re glad you joined us today. Whether you re a first-time visitor, a longtime member or you join us from time to time, we re delighted to celebrate Sunday worship with you. If you have any questions about the church, an usher or member of consistory with a blue name tag will be happy to assist you. Child care is available for children through age four. Nursery room leaders can contact parents on their cell phones if any issue arises. Children of any age are welcome to stay throughout the service, but parents with a fussy child may choose to listen to the service in the Narthex or Choir Room, both outfitted with speakers. Ask an usher to direct you. Restrooms are available in the parlor adjacent to the Narthex, as well as next to the Choir Room. After the service, we invite you to stay for light refreshments and fellowship in the Edwards Room, through the doors on your right at the front of the church. Today s Ushers and Greeters Before the service, Elder Elinor Urstadt and Mary Huber are greeting in the Narthex. Immediately following worship, Elder Rosanne Welshimer and The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Ruge will be greeting in the Narthex. The captain of the ushers is Noble Carpenter. Carol and Joseph Godfrey will be serving coffee and tea in the Edwards Room after service.
Sunday, March 1, 2015 ORDER OF SERVICE 10:30 a.m. PRELUDE Andante from Sonata in G Minor G. F. Handel Shelly Szabó, violin INTROIT When We Are Tempted to Deny Your Son Louis Bourgeois CALL TO WORSHIP L: Our help is in the name of the Lord P: Maker of heaven and earth. L: Praise the Lord! P: The Lord s name be praised. *HYMN 488 The God of Abraham Praise LEONI *GATHERING PRAYER (The congregation shall be seated at the conclusion of the Gathering Prayer.) CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION Great God of love and grace, When we confess our sins, we are welcoming you into our lives. Give us trust enough to tell the truth to you and to ourselves. O God, please revive us again, and restore us to the joy of your mercy and presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Silence is kept for personal confession.) *indicates that those who are able may stand
ASSURANCE OF GOD S PARDON Hear the good news Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *RESPONSE There s a Wideness in God s Mercy (No. 298, v. 2) IN BABILONE For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind; And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind. If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God s Word; And our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord. CHANCEL TALK (After the Chancel Talk, all children are invited to Church School.) PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE LESSON Mark 8:31-38 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON Lose it and Use It The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Ruge *HYMN 84 In the Cross of Christ I Glory RATHBUN GREETINGS AND COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS SHARING OUR FRIENDSHIP AND GIFTS (As we prepare to receive the offering, please sign the Friendship pad, pass it along your pew, and greet each other following worship.)
OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune (Congregation sings v. 1, 2 and 5) Verse 1: All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell, Come ye before him, and rejoice. Verse 2: The Lord, ye know, is God indeed, Without our aid he did us make; We are his folk, he doth us feed. And for his sheep he doth us take. Verse 3: O enter then his gates with praise, Choir only Approach with joy his courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless his name always, For it is seemly so to do. Verse 4: For why? The Lord our God is good: Choir only His mercy is for ever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure. Verse 5: To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host Be praise and glory evermore. Amen. The Chancel Choir R. Vaughan Williams HYMN 591 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (DOXOLOGY) OLD HUNDREDTH PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING GATHERING AROUND THE TABLE INVITATION GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is truly right and our greatest joy Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, who forever sing to the glory of your name. (singing) INSTITUTION Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen. Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! With the confidence of the children of God, we pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us. THE 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.
SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP (Please come up, receive the wafer and dip it in the cup. Gluten-free wafers are available upon request. Ask an usher if you d like to be served in your seat.) MUSIC DURING COMMUNION Erbarme dich from St. Matthew Passion J. S. Bach Nani Fueting, mezzo-soprano Erbarme dich, mein Gott, um meiner Zähren willen! Schaue hier, Herz und Auge weint vor dir bitterlich. Erbarme dich, mein Gott. Have mercy, my God, for the sake of my tears! See here, before you heart and eyes weep bitterly. Have mercy, my God. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION *HYMN 281 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah CWM RHONDDA (Please be seated for the Benediction.) BENEDICTION AND BLESSING CHORAL RESPONSE Fourfold Amen Roland M. Carter POSTLUDE Litanies Jehan Alain PARTICIPATING IN THE SERVICE The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Ruge The Reverend Cari Pattison The Reverend Jonah Smith-Bartlett The Reverend Samuel Clover Dr. Sándor Szabó, Minister of Music Helga Bartus, organist Margaret Torell, tower bells
GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD The flowers at the Lord s Table are given in loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Domenico Vittorini by Nancy and Carlo Vittorini and family. Please keep the following individuals in prayer: Ongoing challenges with cancer, chronic disease or other health conditions: Michael Berardino Mary Beth Blom James Bryson, father of Maureen Barton Elaine Conway Maxine Eimicke Elias Kachur John Lapins Ed Mastromarino, Sr., husband of Alexis Mastromarino Louanne Mitchell Matthew Ragusa, grandson of Barbara Robinson Anthony Ricciardi Batriz Rivero, mother of Rita Silva-Szymanski Lucy Shively Hayden Schnier People who have lost loved ones: Doris Benson and family on the death of her husband, Robert Benson Gail Dudack and Pat Colombo on the death of Gail s brother, David Dudack Laura Stichter-Bryson and family on the death of her mother, Mildred McLearn Eric Haims and family on the death of his mother, Endrea Haims Stacie Moye and family on the death of her father, Ronald Ray Shirley Susan Hansen on the death of her son Evan Clark The Talbot, Broman and Putnam families on the death of William Lowell Putnam Friends and family of Danesi Wilson Betty Hewitt and family on the death of her husband, Fred Hewitt Carol Keenan and family on the death of her husband, Graham Keenan Barbara Eustis and family on the death of her mother, Frances Hames Simmons To add a name to this prayer list, please contact The Reverend Cari Pattison at cari@reformedchurch.org.