OAK HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH July 29, 2018 17 th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30 a.m. TIME OF QUIET PREPARATION As you arrive in the sanctuary, please quiet and prepare yourself for worship. Relax your body; quiet the inner dialogue of your mind; be open and receptive to God s Spirit in our midst. *those who are comfortable, please stand THE WORD CALLS US TOGETHER PRELUDE Lord, We ve Come To Worship You Key *CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: God loves us! Children: God claims us! All: Every person, Leader: Every adult, Children: Every child, All: Every family! God claims and loves us all! Leader: So let us bow our heads, Children: And lift our voices, All: Let us sing and dance, Leader: Shout and ponder, Children: Laugh and play, All: And live our whole lives in praise of our good and gracious God. *OPENING HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! No. 1 PRAYER OF CONFESSION Unison: Be merciful, Lord, for we have sinned. We know your story, your gift, your love for us. We know your promise of new life and abundance. We know all this and still, still we strive for the kind of power King David abuses. We strive for power over others, power over creation, power over our neighbors and communities. Like David, we forget that you call us to care for one another, and to work with your whole creation in bearing witness to your good news. Forgive us the hurt we cause when we strive for our own power and glory. Renew us as we seek to follow you. Call us back to you, again and again, God of mercy, for the sake of your child, Jesus Christ. Amen. Silent Prayer of Confession Assurance of Pardon RESPONSE OF PRAISE (Cantor sings responses through first, followed by the congregation) Praise the God of our salvation! Hosts on high His pow r proclaim; Heav n and earth and all creation laud and magnify His name. (repeat) *SHARING THE PEACE (Share the peace of Christ as you feel led, with a wave, a smile, a kind word, or a handshake.) TIME FOR GROWING DISCIPLES (At the conclusion of the Time for Growing Disciples, children ages birth to 3 rd grade may stay in worship or go to the nursery.) ANTHEM Ancient Words DeShazo Chancel Choir PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Ephesians 3:14-21 (see insert) SECOND SCRIPTURE READING John 6:1-21 (see insert) SERMON MEDITATION IN MUSIC Ms. Korla Masters *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (unison) The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN God Is Calling through the Whisper No. 410 OFFERING OUR GIFTS (Please sign the Friendship Register found at the end of the pew. Complete information, including your email, and pass pad along to those worshiping with you. ) *Prayer of Dedication Offertory Jesus Is All the World to Me arr. Koerts *Doxology Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me No. 582 CONGREGATIONAL JOYS AND CONCERNS AND 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. LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY (Not merely announcements, but the activities of our life together that reflect our day-to-day responses to God s call for faithfulness, and your invitation to join in!) *CLOSING HYMN Arise, Your Light Is Come! No. 744 *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Lord, Bid Your Servants Go in Peace American Folk Hymn Sunday, July 29, 2018 4111 Connecticut St. Louis, MO 63116 (314) 664-5525 office@oakhillpcusa.org (office) www.oakhillpcusa.org
Worship Notes: THE CEB Both of today s readings come from the Common English Bible (CEB) translation. This is different than the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) we most often use in worship, which is also the translation in our pew bibles. The CEB is a new translation from the original Hebrew and Greek texts, published in 2011, by a group of different Christian publishing houses, including Chalice Press (Disciples of Christ), Westminster John Knox Press (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.), Church Publishing Inc. (Episcopal Church), Pilgrim Press (United Church of Christ), and Abingdon Press (United Methodist Church). The team that developed this translation aimed to make the Bible accessible to a broad range of people; it s written at a comfortable level for over half of all English readers. (quote from http://www.commonenglishbible.com/explore where you can read more about the process of translation and the scholars who participated in the project.) The NRSV translation of the Bible that we most often use in worship was originally published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches (www.nationalcouncilofchurches.us), and included Protestant, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Jewish scholars on the translation team. It is a revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV). It is often referenced as the most academic translation and serves as the preferred translation in most Presbyterian (PCUSA) churches. The NRSV translation took special care to address issues of gender inclusivity in translation. You can read more about the NRSV translation here: http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html. Holy, Holy, Holy (our opening hymn) In 325 AD, Church leaders convened in the town of Nicaea in Bithynia to formulate a consensus of belief and practice amongst Christians. What resulted was the Nicene Creed, a document passed on through the ages as one of the pillars of church doctrine. The primary function of this creed was to establish a firm belief in the Trinity, countering the heresy of Arius, who believed that Jesus was not fully divine. It was this creed that inspired Reginald Heber to write this great hymn of praise to the Triune God, with the intent that the hymn be sung before or after the creed was recited in a service, and on Trinity Sunday eight weeks after Easter. The tune, composed by John B. Dykes for Heber s text, is also titled NICAEA in recognition of Heber s text. The words evoke a sense of awe at the majesty of God, and call on all of creation humans, saints and angels, and all living things to praise the Godhead three-in-one. - From www.hymnary.org Rev. Erin Counihan, Pastor Rev. Dr. Alan Meyers, Parish Associate Mrs. Susan Brown, Minister of Music Ms. Carole Adams, Secretary Ms. Korla Masters, Student Pastor & Interim Director, AMEN St. Louis Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday, 12:00 noon in writing. ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK July 29, 2018 Sunday 9:45 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Service of Worship Following Worship Time of Fellowship (and snacks) Monday 7:45 8:00 a.m. Prayer Pause 7:30 p.m. Compton Heights Band Concert in Tower Grove Park Tuesday 6:30 8:30 p.m. Foosball & Snacks @ the S.LS. Building, 3227 Morgan Ford Wednesday 11:00 a.m. Bible Study in the Faith and Fellowship Room 5:00 p.m. Worship and Christian Education Committee in the Faith and Fellowship Room 6:30 p.m. Evangelism and Membership Committee Meeting in the Theleos Room 7:30 p.m. Touchy Topics Book and Discussion Group at Hartford Coffee Thursday 10:00 a.m. Circle 3 in the Theleos Room We welcome you to worship at Oak Hill. We greet everyone in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and celebrate the gift of God s incarnate love through our worship and service. We hope you will stay and join us for a time of fellowship after worship today. We ll gather downstairs for coffee and snacks! For more information about what s happening at Oak Hill, don t forget to check out our website at www.oakhillpcusa.org.
Today s Liturgist is Heather Macarthur. Greeters are Avery and Kim Smith. Ushers are Wendy Barrow, Quinn Colwell, Dena Roper, and Rich Wiethop. Nursery Caregivers are Sarah Gibson and Karen Zigler. The Stewardship and Property Committee is hosting the time of fellowship in July. As a church family, we shall be praying this morning and all week for the following members and friends. You may wish to contact them to indicate your interest and ask if they have any special prayer concerns. Peggy and Wendy Barrow Susan Brown and Bill Bandy Mark, Stephanie, and Leland Hoegger If you have a specific prayer request to share with the congregation, please fill out the yellow prayer request form in the pew and place it in the offering plate. For prayers and congregational support during the week, call Pastor Erin or the church office. THANK YOU PASTOR KORLA! After worship this morning, we ll celebrate Pastor Korla s ministry with us and send her off to Minnesota for her Lutheran Internship Year. Please join us downstairs for snacks and sweets and be sure to offer Korla a high five and all of your well wishes for the next steps in her ministry and her ordination journey! Churches In the Streets Clean Up- TODAY! After worship and after fellowship hour today, we ll be caravanning downtown to help clean up the abandoned lot where we join our partners in outreach, Churches In the Streets. On Monday nights, our AMEN Groups volunteer handing out clothing, food, and other resources, while also sharing in fellowship with some of our unhoused neighbors. But the space where we do all this is quite a mess. It s also dangerous, with lots of broken glass. S o bring your work gloves, wear closed toed shoes and help us do a little cleaning up of the space. Meet in the Large Assembly Room at 12:15 p.m. Please plan to join the Oak Hill group at the Bandstand in Tower Grove Park on Monday, July 30. The Compton Heights Concert Band performance will feature Butchwax and the Hollywoods with guest Billy Peek. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. CHOIR BREAK The Choir will be taking a break from rehearsals for the month of August. Please note your calendars. Thanks! Everyone is invited for food, fun, foosball and fellowship! Bring a dish, appetizer or dessert to share with the crowd! (Fast food goodies are, yes, good!) This Tuesday night, July 31, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Great American Human Foosball, 3227 Morgan Ford.. It's a fun night of community with our neighborhood kids. (There is no mission group staying at the AMEN House this week.) Everyone is invited! Please contact Dena Roper with any questions. The Touchy Topics Book and Discussion Group will resume on Wednesday, August 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Hartford Coffee to discuss Sarah Kendzior s book, The View from Flyover Country. Circle 3 will meet on Thursday, August 2, at 10 a.m. in the Theleos Room. Please bring a sandwich - salad, chips and dessert will be provided. The Mission Committee is hosting the luncheon and coffee hour in August. The luncheon will be a true potluck. Please bring your favorite dish to share on August 5. Please see any member of the Mission Committee with questions. Maintenance Issue We have had an infestation of fruit flies in the various rooms in the basement of the church. We have taken measures to get rid of them, but need your help. If you have any type of food that would attract them, we ask that you make sure it is in an enclosed trash container when you throw it away. We also ask that every Sunday after the coffee hour or luncheon, that all trash be taken out of the trash cans in this area and placed the trash bins in the alley. Different session committees are responsible for the fellowship time (and the removal of the trash on Sundays), but anyone is welcome to help in making sure all trash is removed from this area on Sundays. (Our cleaning people only empty the trash when they are here on Fridays.) We also ask that aluminum cans be rinsed out before they are put in the special trash can for aluminum cans. It s Background Check Time!!! During the month of August we will be updating our background check records. If you volunteer with children and youth at Oak Hill- in the nursery, at foosball, at open gym, at Children s Sunday School, and more- we need to make sure we have a clear background check for you. For those who ve been checked before, please see Pastor Erin for a quick form, so we can call and make sure you re clear. If you ve not been checked before, we can give you the info to go online and create an account. We re trying to update EVERYONE s records this month, so we are clear and ready to go before Rally Day!!! Thanks for your help in ensuring all of our youth are safe!
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Ephesians 3:14-21 14 This is why I kneel before the Father. 15 Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. 16 I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. 17 I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, 18 I ask that you ll have the power to grasp love s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 19 I ask that you ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God. 20 Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; 21 glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen. Leader: This is the Word of the LORD; People: thanks be to God! SECOND SCRIPTURE READING John 6:1-21 1 After this Jesus went across the Galilee Sea (that is, the Tiberias Sea). 2 A large crowd followed him, because they had seen the miraculous signs he had done among the sick. 3 Jesus went up a mountain and sat there with his disciples. 4 It was nearly time for Passover, the Jewish festival. 5 Jesus looked up and saw the large crowd coming toward him. He asked Philip, "Where will we buy food to feed these people?" 6 Jesus said this to test him, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, "More than a half year's salary worth of food wouldn't be enough for each person to have even a little bit." 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said, 9 "A youth here has five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that for a crowd like this?" SECOND SCRIPTURE READING (cont d) 10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass there. They sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Then Jesus took the bread. When he had given thanks, he distributed it to those who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, each getting as much as they wanted. 12 When they had plenty to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the leftover pieces, so that nothing will be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves that had been left over by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw that he had done a miraculous sign, they said, "This is truly the prophet who is coming into the world." 15 Jesus understood that they were about to come and force him to be their king, so he took refuge again, alone on a mountain. 16 When evening came, Jesus' disciples went down to the lake. 17 They got into a boat and were crossing the lake to Capernaum. It was already getting dark and Jesus hadn't come to them yet. 18 The water was getting rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When the wind had driven them out for about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He was approaching the boat and they were afraid. 20 He said to them, "I Am. Don't be afraid." 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and just then the boat reached the land where they had been heading. Leader: This is the Word of the LORD People: thanks be to God!