They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season Psalm 1 May 17, 2015 Confirmation Sunday * Please rise, in body or spirit Welcome Prelude Joyful Praise Celebration of Worship The Bel Canto Ringers Angela Rines Kathleen Wissinger * Call to Worship (responsively) Ben Valenti We are God's work of art--each one of us a precious gem, a marvelous melody, a potter's delight. We are God's handiwork--woven together in love, shaped with infinite compassion, painted with incredible beauty. We are the church of Jesus Christ--diverse in human qualities, but united in our call to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourself. We are the Body of Christ--living in his truth, sharing his peace, carrying his hope, embodying his love, in the world he loved so much. Remind us who we are and what our lives are about. Renew us and empower us to live out the miracle of who we are, by the power of God working among us. Together let us worship the living God. We open ourselves to God, who makes all things new.
* Hymn 637 O Sing to the Lord Cantai ao Senhor Confession and Pardon Prayer of Confession (unison) Emma Craig O Lord our God, you know us better than we know ourselves. As we come before you now, believers and doubters alike, we all share a deep need, for we are all lost without your grace. Search us, O God, and know our hearts, test us and know our troubled thoughts. Give us true repentance Forgive us all our wrongs. Transform us by your Spirit to live for you each day, to learn to serve each other. Amen. Kyrie: Hymn 575 Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us Pardini Silent Prayer Assurance of Pardon (responsively) The good news is that Christ calls us to new life and enables us to begin again and again and again and again. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! * Response: Hymn 586 Alleluia Alleluia 7 Confirmation Recognition Confirmands: Adam Redgate, Benjamin Valenti, Brett Maginley, Daniel Alessio, Emma Craig, Ethan May, Evan MacGregor, Grace Godfrey, Isabella Galinkin, John Alessio, Julia Woodworth, Juliann Stiles, Lucy Boyadjis, Savannah Familo, Sophia Sparacino Mentors: Stan Mack, Jack Fraebel, Ken Hashagen, Vern Verhoef, Carol Lowry, Mark Wells, Bruce Fisher, Morgan Smith, Lisa Fraebel, Wayne Rush, Beverly Tignor, Janet McMillan, Daria Lisco, Sue Woodruff, Beth Fisher * Hymn 726 Will You Come and Follow Me Kelvingrove Prayer for Illumination (unison) Savannah Familo Open our hearts to your power moving around us and between us and within us, until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy, in communities transformed by justice and compassion, and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen. 2
First Scripture Reading: Psalm 1 (Old Testament, page 463) Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Anthem Hisakata (The Gentle Light Of Spring) Victor C. Johnson The Tower Singers Barbara Valenti, piano Robin Bruen, recorder Scott Gothe, percussion Spring has come, and once again the sun shines in the sky. So gently smile the heavens that blossoms lift their sleeping eyes. Second Scripture Reading: 1 John 5: 9-13 (New Testament, page 227) If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Sermon Testimony 2015 Confirmands Daniel Alessio, Isabella Galinkin, Evan MacGregor, Juliann Stiles, Julia Woodworth 3
* Hymn 697 Take My Life Hendon Greeting/Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts to God (Please sign and pass the friendship pad, found in the pew, to the person next to you. Offering envelopes and prayer request cards are located in the pew pockets for your convenience. Cards will be collected with the offering.) Offertory Fe y Esperanza Melinda Ramseth Hoiland The Bel Canto Singers Barbara Valenti, piano Robin Bruen, recorder Dan Alessio, John Alessio, Evan MacGregor, percussion We live by faith and hope. We have faith in God who loves us and in Jesus, God s son. And we hope that our world will someday live as one. God has giv n us many blessings and gifts to share with our brothers and our sisters in the world everywhere. * Doxology (unison) Lasst uns Erfreuen * Prayer of Dedication Prayers of the People The Lord s Prayer (unison) 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. 4 John Alessio
* Hymn 749 Come! Live in the Light! We Are Called * Benediction Postlude O, Sing to the Lord arr. Linda Lamb The Tower Ringers Participating in the service today are Angela Rines, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries; our 2015 Confirmands; Matthew Webb, Director of Music; Julie Ramseyer, Director of Children s Music; the Bel Canto Choir, and the Tower Choir. The acolytes are Elizabeth Bruen and Mollie Kiel. Greeters: Ben Valenti, Evan MacGregor, Sophia Sparacino, John Alessio, Savannah Familo Ushers: Ethan May, Adam Redgate, Brett Maginley, Lucy Boyadjis, Grace Godfrey THE FLOWERS in the sanctuary today are given in memory of Andrew and Eleanor Kernaghan by Arnel Kernaghan, Cheryl, Bruce, Morgan and Haley Smith. THE FLOWERS in the narthex are given in honor of our confirmands, their parents, their mentors and Angie Rines. No Fellowship Hour today Come join us for a picnic at Lewis Morris Park. May Food Drive, today, to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry This annual drive helps the Interfaith Food Pantry stock their shelves for their clients during the summer months. If you didn t bring anything today, but would like to contribute, we ask that you would bring non-perishable food donations to the Parish House during regular office hours. We will also be accepting monetary donations. Please make checks payable to The Presbyterian Church in Morristown and note Food Pantry in the memo. 5
Church Picnic: Today, after the service 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Doe Meadow Picnic Site, Lewis Morris Park, Morris Township. Come and bring your friends to the church picnic for music, barbecue, games, and softball. Please bring a salad, finger-food dessert or baked beans to share - and chairs or blankets, games and sporting equipment, including gloves and mitts. Barbecue fare and bottled water will be provided. More detail and map to the new location on the website, www.pcmorristown.org/picnic. The cost is $5.00 per person or $20 per family. Contact: Brenda @ bcurry7@gmail.com Faith on Film Sunday May 17 4:00 PM Parish House Film viewing and discussion along with pizza and salad, moderated by our own film aficionado Vern Verhoef. The Other Son is a French drama that follows the paths of a Palestinian and Jewish baby that are born in the same hospital and mistakenly switched. How do the young men and their families react when the mistake is discovered many years later? This thought provoking drama raises many questions about identity, loyalty and faith. Rated PG-13. And... Red Oak Contemporary Ensemble Concert Saturday, May 29, 8 p.m. Chapel Want to hear "classical" music in a new way? Come hear "plugged in" fresh classical music by living composers - including some exciting electronic music! This is not your grandfather's Mozart. Carnegie Hall Tickets deadline for purchase tomorrow! You can still purchase tickets to see the Chancel Choir perform at CARNEGIE HALL on SUNDAY, JUNE 7 at 2pm, through the church office if you do so tomorrow, May 18. A part of your ticket price benefits the music program so order now! 6
OPEN MEETINGS THIS WEEK: For a full schedule of meetings, go to our website. Sunday, May 17 Office closed Confirmation Sunday 7:45 a.m. Worship with Communion (Chapel) 10:00 a.m. Worship with Recognition of our Confirmands (Sanctuary) May Food Drive 11:30 a.m. Church Picnic 4:00 p.m. Faith on Film Monday, May 18 1:30 p.m. Circle 12 2:00 p.m. Small Group (Mead) Tuesday, May 19 8:30 a.m. Small Group (D. Lisco) 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Wednesday, May 20 7:00 a.m. Small Group (M. Kaller) 9:00 a.m. AAA 12:00 p.m. Worship 4:15 p.m. Ekklesia 4:15 p.m. W! Scavenger Hunt 7:00 p.m. Koinonia Thursday, May 21 1:00 p.m. JAM Friday, May 22 Office closes at noon 9:30 a.m. Volunteers (June Tower Tidings and Bulletins) Saturday, May 23 Office closed 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi Sunday, May 24 Office closed Pentecost, Memorial Day weekend 7:45 a.m. Worship with Communion (Chapel) 10:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 11:15 a.m. Burying Ground Service Please note: The Office and the Nursery School will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. PHOTO DIRECTORY 2015 UPDATE THE 2015 PHOTO DIRECTORY COMMITTEE thanks all those who have had their portraits taken for the new directory. There will be one last set of photo sessions on June 18, 19, and 20 to accommodate those who haven t had a photo taken. Please sign up at the What's Up table after the 10:00 service, or with Wendy Doidge (973-786-5997) or Vicky Willson (973-540-1395) or on the website at www.pcmorristown.org/photo2015. 7
WELCOME We are a historic church, part of a historic denomination, and we celebrate this history while exploring ways to bring passion and freshness to our worship and congregational life. Join us as we seek to discover Fresh Traditional ways to proclaim, gather, and nurture, all toward continuing Jesus Christ s earthly ministry of building God s Kingdom. Visitor s Information brochures are in the stands at the entrances to assist you in finding your way around our campus. Visiting with Children? Activity materials for young worshipers are in the drawers of the literature chests in both vestibules. Infant and child care is provided during the service in Howard House, the building to the right of the sanctuary. Restrooms: Please accompany children (under age 10) to the restrooms. (Located through the left door by the bell tables.) Special Needs? Feel free to ask ushers and greeters for assistance if you have any questions or special needs. Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available from the ushers in the narthex at the back of the church. Please come again Sunday Worship Schedule: 7:45 a.m. Worship with Communion (Chapel) 10:00 a.m. Worship, in the Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Burying Ground Service No Wednesday Morning Bible Study, on May 20. Wednesday Worship Service at Noon in the Chapel The Presbyterian Church in Morristown Sanctuary and Chapel: 57 East Park Place, Parish House and Offices: 65 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 538-1776 www.pcmorristown.org 8