WORSHIP for FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT MARCH 18, 2018 10:30 A.M. Grounded in the grace of God, we are a vibrant Christian community, disciples of all ages, gathered for worship and nurture, scattered to serve and to love. -MPC Mission Statement adopted by the Session March 31, 2008
Welcome to Morrisville Presbyterian Church WE WELCOME GUESTS AND VISITORS to our service today. If you are not a member, we invite you to consider membership with us. If you would like more information about how we can serve you, please speak to a pastor. FRIENDSHIP PAD: During the Words of Welcome, please pass the red Friendship Pad to the outside aisle and back again to the center. This allows worshipers to recognize people in their pew, and helps staff members identify those who may need attention. THE CHANCEL FLOWERS are offered to the glory of God and are given by Roger and Nancy Anderson, and family, in celebration of Nancy C. Anderson who is 95 years young today. The flowers are also given in appreciation of Bernice Donini and her success in establishing the Weekday Nursery School 60 years ago and of the community service the school has provided to many families and generations of children. Thank you to Bea and to all the teachers at WNS. USHERING AT TODAY S SERVICE: Head Usher Lisa Zazzu, Ann Clements, Tom Evans, Lori Newman, Geoff Smith, and Tony Zazzu. Junior Deacon is Joely Gardner. CHILDCARE is provided in the Nursery/Pre-School room from 9:15 a.m. 11:45 a.m. each Sunday. Children, aged 0-2, are welcome in the nursery during our education hour (9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.). Children, aged 0-4, are welcome in the nursery during worship. Parents, please feel free to use our nursery, or keep your children with you in worship. If you need help locating the nursery, please don t hesitate to ask an usher. HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for use anywhere in the sanctuary during worship. These pocketsized receivers are available from Deacons in either Narthex and are to be returned after the service. HYMNALS, BIBLES, & BULLETINS WITH LARGE PRINT are available during worship each Sunday morning from a Deacon in the Narthex. Please return the Hymnal and/or Bible after the service. PASTORAL CARE REMINDER Members of the staff truly want to be attentive when members or friends of MPC are experiencing health difficulties. If you (or a family member) have been admitted to a hospital, please let us know by contacting the church office, and one of the pastors will be pleased to visit. You may also reach pastor Rachel Rhodes at 267-793-0232, or pastor Debbie Heffernan at 267-342-0089. Thank you for your assistance. WORSHIP NOTE * The asterisk indicates that those who are able may please stand. PUBLICATION DEADLINES Please forward any announcements you would like included in the Bulletin by noon Tuesday of each week to Bulletin@MPCusa.net. Articles for the May edition of Currents are due by April 10. Send articles to Currents@MPCusa.net. C ONTACT US M ORRISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF 771 North Pennsylvania Ave. Morrisville, PA 19067 215.295.4191 Office@MPCusa.net Rachel A. Rhodes, Senior Pastor & Head of Staff (ext. 234)... RachelRhodes@MPCusa.net Deborah Heffernan, Interim Associate Pastor for Children, Youth & Family Ministry (ext. 225)...... DebbieHeffernan@MPCusa.net Jack McAnlis, Minister of Visitation...JackMcAnlis@MPCusa.net Timothy Carpenter, Director of Music... TimCarpenter@MPCusa.net Geoffrey Shoffstall, Principal Organist... GeoffreyShoffstall@MPCusa.net Rich Drabb, Property Manager (ext. 231)... RichDrabb@MPCusa.net Laurie Jacobson, Bookkeeper (ext. 226)... LaurieJacobson@MPCusa.net Damon Miller, Communication Coordinator... DamonMiller@MPCusa.net Diane Toner, Administrative Assistant (ext. 0)... DianeToner@MPCusa.net 2
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT G A T H E R I N G PRELUDE O People, Lament Your Great Sins - J. S. Bach WORDS of WELCOME Geoffrey Shoffstall Pastor Rhodes MINUTE for MINISTRY One Great Hour of Sharing Nancy Powers CHORAL INTROIT *CALL to WORSHIP Donna Damiani One: From water to wilderness: All: God s covenant continues; God s kingdom comes near. One: On stone and in hearts: All: God s covenant continues; God s kingdom comes near. One: From the ancestor of nations to the Son lifted up: All: God s covenant continues; God s kingdom comes near. One: We follow Jesus on the Lenten path, All: For where he is, we would be also. Let us worship God together! *HYMN 63 The Lord is God *PRAYER of CONFESSION Unison Redeeming God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart, and have not loved our neighbors as we ought; we have strayed from your commandments. Do not remember our sins, but forgive our iniquities, that we may fix our eyes on you and sin no more, through Christ our Lord. *SILENT PRAYERS of CONFESSION *RESPONSE 601 Amen (DANISH) AZMON Here each worshiper may offer silent prayers of confession. Congregation *PROMISE of FORGIVENESS One: Beloved of Christ, our God who sees all that we hide from the world also cleanses every broken corner of our hearts. Trust in God s mercy and God s grace, that you may serve with pure hearts in Christ s name. Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *RESPONSE to GOD S PARDON (back cover of hymnal) Glory to the Father GLORIA PATRI 3
*THE PEACE One: The Peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us greet one another with the Peace of Christ. As a sign of their reconciliation in Christ, the people share the peace of Christ, greeting one another with these or similar words: The peace of Christ be with you, Peace be with you, or simply, Peace. PRAYER for ILLUMINATION L I T U R G Y o f t h e W O R D OLD TESTAMENT READING Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Old Testament, page 691) One: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. ANTHEM Write Your Blessed Name - K. Lee Scott Write Your blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraved, that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me from Your love. Be to me a strong tower of defense, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life. Write Your blessed name --Thomas à Kempis TIME for YOUNG DISCIPLES Children in grades K-5 may leave for music time with Mr. Carpenter. 4 Chancel Choir PSALTER READING Psalm 51:1-12 (Responsive) (Old Testament, pages 492-493) One: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. All: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. One: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. All: Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. One: Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. All: You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
One: All: One: All: One: All: One: All: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON Rising from the Ashes Pastor Rhodes *HYMN 740 Lead Me, Guide Me LEAD ME, GUIDE ME *AFFIRMATION of FAITH from Our World Belongs to God of the Christian Reformed Church As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world which some seek to control, but which others view with despair we declare with joy and trust: Our world belongs to God! We rejoice in the goodness of God, renounce the works of darkness, and dedicate ourselves to holy living. As covenant partners, called to faithful obedience, and set free for joyful praise, we offer our hearts and lives to do God's work in his world. With tempered impatience, eager to see injustice ended, we expect the Day of the Lord. And we are confident that the light which shines in the present darkness will fill the earth when Christ appears. Come, Lord Jesus! Our world belongs to you. PRAYERS of THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION OFFERING Invitation to Give Presentation of Gifts Offertory Music Canticle of Hope Cynthia Dobrinski *Doxology 606 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow *Prayer of Dedication *HYMN 749 Come! Live in the Light! *CHARGE and BLESSING *CHORAL RESPONSE *POSTLUDE Fanfare - William Mathias S E N D I N G 5 Chancel Ringers OLD HUNDREDTH WE ARE CALLED
FOOD CENTER NEEDS The Food Center is in need of paper and plastic grocery-sized bags. Donations would be appreciated. ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, by providing food to the hungry, and by helping to empower the poor and oppressed. Consider how you will help when we receive the OGHS offering on Palm Sunday. Thank you! VACATION COVERAGE NEEDED Rich Drabb will be on vacation for two weeks beginning March 25 through April 6. We are looking for volunteers to help vacuum carpets and clean bathrooms. If you are able to help, please call Rich at 215-801-4445 or email him at richdrabb@mpcusa.net. Thank you in advance. Announcements BOOK GROUPS The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Freud by Armond Nicholi Tuesday, March 20 & April 17 7-9:00 p.m. in Room 202 Facilitated by Drew Hunger New Book Group Forming! The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson This study of the migration of African-Americans out of the South to different regions will include films. Facilitated by Jill Monroe-Dillon MPC OFFICE HOURS REMINDER Just a friendly reminder that the church office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The office is closed on Fridays. 6
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR MPC HANDYMAN CREW! Our beautiful building provides for more than our Sunday services & Sunday school classes. Our church is home to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, AA groups, MPC food program, clothing center, Head Start program, Weekday Nursery School and other groups. It is also used for weddings and funerals. We are looking for men and women to be a part of our handyman crew. Jobs would include such things as painting, cleaning, table set ups, yard work and other miscellaneous jobs. If interested, please contact Roger Anderson at 215-806-5466 or email Rich Drabb at Rich- Drabb@MPCusa.net. TODAY IS THE WEEKDAY NURSERY SCHOOL S 60 TH BIRTHDAY BASH Please join us today, from 2 to 4:00 p.m, as we celebrate the 60th birthday of WNS. We will have birthday cake, raffle baskets as well as music and movement with Lolly Hopwood. The raffle basket prizes provide solutions to a variety of spring needs such as gardening, food (including coffee, pizza, & dinner at Rosa Bianca s), spring automotive tasks, and entertainment (Disney, Little Gym, Movies, Kids Yoga, and a Spa). Raffle proceeds go to the WNS Scholarship Fund. BOY SCOUT TROOP 3 FUNDRAISER Troop 3 will be selling Fritz s Bakery Sticky Buns on Sunday, March 25. 100 boxes will be available to sell that day only. Each box will cost $8.00. The money raised will help offset the Scouts camping expenses. Troop 3 thanks you for your continued support. Journeys of Faith Morrisville Presbyterian Church 2018 Lenten Supper Series Gather with your Morrisville Presbyterian friends on Wednesday evenings during Lent for a simple soup supper in Fellowship Hall, followed by a brief worship service during which a member of the MPC family will share a portion of his or her faith journey. Date March 21 Speaker Greg Neiman Stay up to date With MPC. Like us on Facebook! Find us at Morrisville Presbyterian Church. You ought to be in pictures! MPC is on Supper begins at 6:00 p.m. Worship begins at 6:30 and ends at 7:00 p.m. To make your reservation, or to request child care, please contact the church office by noon on Monday during the week you plan to attend. 7 Follow us @MorrisvillePresbyterian.
SUNDAY, March 18 - Fifth Sunday in Lent 8:30 a.m. God s Thunder Chapel 9:30 Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 Fellowship Time Reception Host: Deacons 11:45 Teen Choir Music Room 11:45 Visitation Ministry Room 200 2:00 p.m. Weekday Nursery School Room 220-222 60th Birthday Bash MONDAY, March 19 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 3 Fellowship Hall 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Rooms 220/222 7:00 Board of Trustees Conference Room 7:00 Food Center Bag Packing 7:30 Evangelism & Room 200 Communications Committee 7:30 Mostly Motets Music Room TUESDAY, March 20 9:00 a.m. Food Center Set-Up Fellowship Hall 10:00 Clothing Center 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting Room 200 6:30 GSEP Senior Troop 2030 Room 210 7:00 C.S. Lewis & Freud Room 202 Book Group 7:00 Sarah Circle Lounge 7:30 Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220 WEDNESDAY, March 21 9:00 a.m. Food Center Fellowship Hall Noon Brown Bag & Bible Conference Room 1:00 p.m. Weekly Prayer Meeting Room 200 6:00 Lenten Supper Series Fellowship Hall & Chapel 6:00 Youth Club Fellowship Hall 7:00 Cub Pack 3 Rooms 220/222 To view upcoming events and meetings, please visit www.mpcusa.net and click on the MPC Events Calendar under the About Us tab. MPC Weekly Calendar THURSDAY, March 22 11:00 a.m. Food Center Stocking Room 4 Noon Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220 6:30 p.m. Oakville Girl Scouts Room 220 6:45 Chancel Choir Music Room 7:00 Ivins Outreach Board Conference Room 8:00 Nominating Committee Room 200 8:15 Chancel Chimes Chapel FRIDAY, March 23 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Lounge SATURDAY, March 24 10:00 a.m. Cub Scout Room 220/221 Pinewood Derby SUNDAY, March 25 - Palm Sunday 8:30 a.m. God s Thunder Chapel 9:30 Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 Fellowship Time Reception Host: New Members 11:45 Teen Choir Music Room TODAY! Join the celebration! Weekday Nursery School s 60th Birthday Bash Sunday, March 18, 2018 2-4:00 p.m. MPC (Room 220-2 or maybe outside!) Crafts, birthday cake, raffle baskets & Lolly Hopwood (from LollyandYoyo.com) Music for children 2 to 5 years old M O R R I S V I L L E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 771 NORTH PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE MORRISVILLE, PA 19067 215.295.4191 WWW.MPCUSA.NET 8