THE FIRST CHURCH IN ALBANY (Reformed Church in America) 110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207 ~ (518) 463-4449 Email: firstchurch@verizon.net ~ Website: www.firstchurchinalbany.org ~ Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Founded in 1642; Continuing in Ministry Today In response to God's unconditional love for all people made known to us in Jesus Christ, we are called to be a welcoming and affirming community. The First Church in Albany includes young and old, families, couples and singles, rich and poor, persons of various races, ethnicities, backgrounds, sexual orientation and gender identities, differing physical and mental abilities, believers and seekers. We welcome into the full life of the church all those whom God sends us. Centered in Christ, we commit ourselves to breaking down dividing walls and building a community where all are loved. FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT March 22, 2015 THE APPROACH TO GOD The heart is but a small vessel, yet dragons are there and also lions; there are poisonous beasts and all the treasures of evil. But there too is God, the angels, the life and the kingdom, the light and the apostles, the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace all things are there. --Pseudo-Marcarius, a Syrian monk of the fourth century Prelude Cantata 82 Ich habe genug (I have enough) Johann Sebastian Bach Recitative: Mein Gott! wenn kömmt das schöne Nun! Aria: Ich freue mich auf meinen Tod Aria: Ich habe genug Announcements Call to Worship (The text and translation are on page 6 of the bulletin. As the prelude begins, you are invited to use this time to center yourself for worship.) Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. Amen. Psalm 124:8
Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You trace my journeys and my resting places, and are acquainted with all my ways. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot grasp it. Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I climb to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. from Psalm 139 *Hymn 248 You Are Before Me, Lord SURSUM CORDA Prayer of Confession Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, We ponder our hearts, our deepest feelings of love and devotion, our place of deep decision-making, our instrument of being fully ourselves. Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, Our hearts are not always open by our choice; sometimes we like to close our hearts and our minds and our hands. Yet they are open because our hearts cannot resist your steady care and address. Our hearts are open for you, because you have made us so that our hearts are restless till they rest in you. Refrain: B.21 Gracious God, our hearts re-new, make our spirits right and true. Do not cast us from your sight, nor remove your spirit s light. Your salvation s joy restore, make us steadfast evermore. 2
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, Do your mysterious, majestic work with our hearts; reclaim re-new, reenliven, that we may be transformed. Make our hearts open and receptive, ready to listen and to obey. Refrain: Gracious God, our hearts re-new Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, Let the pulse of our hearts throb now according to the cadences of your rule; command and we will obey; speak and we will listen; lead and we will walk where you tell us to go. Refrain: Gracious God, our hearts re-new Assurance of Pardon *The Peace Since God in Christ has forgiven us, let us be imitators of God and live in love, as Christ loved us. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. Let us greet one another with the peace of Christ. *Response Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found; Brought here together by Christ s love, by love we thus are bound. Let strife among us be unknown, let all contention cease; Be Christ the glory that we seek, be ours Christ s holy peace. Text: Ubi Caritas, 8th century hymn translated by Omer Westendorf 1960, ren. 1988 World Library used by permission of Onelicense # A-700689 The Prayer for Illumination THE WORD OF GOD The Old Testament Lesson Jeremiah 31:31-34 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Tune: ST. ANNE 3
The Gospel Reading John 12: 20-33 The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Anthem: God So Loved the World (John 3:16-17) A Word with Children Sermon Written on the Heart THE RESPONSE TO GOD *Hymn 372 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian Offering Offertory: Music for Oboe *Doxology (Hymn 591) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all creatures here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession 4 John Stainer I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN 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. *Hymn 371 Lift High the Cross *Charge and Blessing CRUCIFER *Postlude Oh, Innocent Lamb of God Johann Pachelbel A *Those who are able please stand
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS: Liturgist: Bill Lawrence; Preacher: The Rev. John Paarlberg; Organist and Choir Director: Mary Bon. Soloist: Peter Subers, baritone; Guest Musician: Susan Kokernak, oboe. We welcome all who gather to worship God this morning, especially visitors and friends from near and far. Please sign our guest book or complete a visitor s card (found in the pew rack) and place it in the offering plate. If you have questions about our ministry, we encourage you to speak with one of the pastors or an usher. There is an elevator in our building, which makes every floor accessible. Hearing assist devices are available for your use. Please ask an usher. The prayer of confession is adapted from Walter Brueggemann, Prayers for a Privileged People, Abingdon Press, pp. 3-4. The flowers this morning are in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Cooper by Shirley Bone. Children and Worship: A Joyful Way to Worship God In the Children s Worship Center, children ages 4 8 experience the wonder and mystery of God through unique storytelling, singing, prayer, and creative expression. Children ages 4-8 are invited to go to the Children s Worship Center after the children s sermon. The Children and Worship storyteller today is Lauren Casullo, the greeter is Sue Hunter. The Way, a small group for inquirers and those new to the church is an opportunity for your faith to be explored, nurtured, and renewed. We will meet after worship today for a simple lunch and small group discussion. Next Sunday the Board of Elders will meet with those who wish to profess or reaffirm their faith and/or request baptism for their children. There are CDs of our worship service available on the table in the main lobby. Help yourself and take one for a friend. If there is a particular service or sermon you would like and there are no more copies available, contact Mary Bon. You can also listen to our worship service on our website at http://firstchurchinalbany.weebly.com/sermons.html Our Next Dinner for the Homeless Shelter is Friday, March 27 th. Can you bring a dish to feed 6-8 hungry guys? We also need a delivery person for April 10 th. Sign up at the hospitality table. Contact Mary Bon for more information. And thank you for your contributions of wonderful food for the March 13th dinner! 5
The First Church Readers are meeting today after worship when we will discuss Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott. Everyone is welcome to join us. Mid-Week Study/Discussion Group in Lent A small group will be meeting on Wednesday afternoons at 3:30 to discuss Contrast Community: Practicing the Sermon on the Mount, by James Bailey.This book invites us to hear Jesus words in fresh ways and not only to study the Sermon but to sing it, pray it, and to put it into practice in our daily lives. Please let Pastor John Paarlberg know if you would like to participate. We will be discussing chapters 5 (Blessed Community Challenged to Value Women) and 6 (Blessed Community Trusted Truth-Tellers). This morning in the pre-service music we will hear the second portion of Bach s Cantata 82, I have enough. The text and music express the feelings of Simeon, addressing God after having held the infant Jesus in his arms (Luke 2). He is content to die, having seen the Lord. We welcome oboist, Susan Kokernak who will be joining our baritone soloist, Peter Subers. Next week in the pre-service music we welcome flutist, Jacqueline Wright, and soprano soloist, Rose Hunsberger. Cantata texts: Recitative Mein Gott! wenn kömmt das schöne: Nun! Da ich im Friede fahren werde Und in dem Sande kühler Erde Und dort bei dir im Schoße ruhn? Der Abschied ist gemacht, Welt, gute Nacht! My God! When will the lovely 'now!' come, when I will journey into peace and into the cool soil of earth, and there, near You, rest in Your lap? My farewells are made, world, good night! Aria: Ich freue mich auf meinen Tod, Ach, hätt' er sich schon eingefunden. Da entkomm ich aller Not, Die mich noch auf der Welt gebunden. With gladness I look forward to my death, ah, if only it had come already. Then I shall emerge from all the suffering that still binds me to the world. Aria: Ich habe genug, Ich habe den Heiland, das Hoffen der Frommen, Auf meine begierigen Arme genommen; Ich habe genug! Ich hab ihn erblickt, Mein Glaube hat Jesum ans Herze gedrückt; Nun wünsch ich, noch heute mit Freuden Von hinnen zu scheiden. I have enough, I have taken the Savior, the hope of the nations, into my eager arms; I have enough! I have beheld Him, my faith has impressed Jesus on my heart; now I wish, today, to depart from here with joy. 6
Anthem Text: God So Loved the World (from Stainer s The Crucifixion ) God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, But have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, But that the world through Him might be saved. Text compiled by William John Sparrow-Simpson from John 3: 16-17 THIS WEEK AT FIRST CHURCH Sunday 3/22 Fifth Sunday in Lent 10:15 AM Pre-Service Music: Cantata 82 10:30 AM Sanctuary Worship During Worship: Children & Worship 11:45 AM Coffee and Conversation Post-service: The Way a small group for inquirers (parlor) First Church Readers ( pastor s study, 2 nd floor) 4:30 PM Journeys of Faith Monday 3/23 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Food Pantry Open Tuesday 3/24 12:00 PM Bible Study Wednesday 3/25 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Food Pantry Open 3:30 PM Discussion of: Contrast Community: Practicing the Sermon on the Mount Thursday 3/26 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Friday 3/27 Overflow Shelter meal Sunday 3/29 Palm /Passion Sunday 10:15 AM Pre-Service Music for Flute 10:30 AM Sanctuary Worship During Worship: Children & Worship 11:45 AM Coffee and Conversation Elders Meeting (parlor) 7
SUGGESTED NOMINATIONS FOR ELDERS, DEACONS & TRUSTEES Each year the congregation is invited to suggest names of members who could serve on the Consistory and Board of Trustees. The Reformed Church in America s Order for the Ordination and Installation of Deacons and Elders includes the following: Deacons and elders are called to serve as Christ served. We look to them to be people of spiritual commitment, exemplary life, compassionate spirit, and sound judgment. Deacons are set apart for a ministry of mercy, service, and outreach. At their ordination deacons are asked: Will you faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully manifest Christ's love and care, gather and distribute the offerings of God's people, visit and comfort the distressed, minister to the poor and needy, and strive to advance God's reign of justice and peace? Elders are set apart for a ministry of watchful and responsible care for the welfare and order of the church. They have oversight of all members, including one another, the deacons, and the ministers, equipping everyone to live in harmony with God's Word. At their ordination elders are asked: Will you faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully study God's Word, oversee the household of faith, encourage spiritual growth, maintain loving discipline, and provide for the proclamation of the gospel and the celebration of the sacraments? Trustees are responsible for the building and property of First Church. In this regard, they make decisions concerning building maintenance, capital improvements, the parking lots and endowment fund. The Board of Trustees normally meets five or six times a year. Please take time in prayerful consideration before suggesting the names of people you believe have gifts for these offices. Then, submit the names (indicating the office) in writing, either by placing a note in the offering plate or in the box on the table in the lobby. Name: Suggested Office: (Deacons, Elders, Trustees) 8