PRELUDE
Prelude and Fugue in a minor, Johann Sebastians Bach
If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee, Johann Sebastians Bach
WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION, Nancy Gessner
Leader: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of God’s name.
People: How awesome are your deeds, O God! We sing praises to your name.
Leader: Come and see what God has done: turning the sea into dry land; bringing us across the river Jordan.
People: How awesome are your deeds, O God! We sing praises to your name.
Leader: Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
-- adapted from Psalm 66
* HYMN No. 29: O Worship the King
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
God, we are blessed because You do not count our sins against us. When we acknowledge our sins, You forgive us and we are guilty no more. When we acknowledge our sins, You become our hiding place and surround us with songs of deliverance. Free us now from the trappings of our sin. Give us hearts that yearn for You instead of hearts filled with rebellion. Remind us that dwelling with You and Your purpose for our lives is far better than any temptation we face. Thank You for Your great grace and unfailing compassion. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
* Gloria Patri (pew card)
ANTHEM: The First Song of Isaiah, Jack Noble White
The Chancel and Junior Choirs
Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing from the springs of salvation. And on that day you shall say, Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his Name.
Make his deeds known among the peoples; see that they remember that his Name is exalted. Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
JUNIOR SERMON
MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Prayer response, John Yarrington
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
* HYMN No. 224: Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know
SCRIPTURE READING
Hebrews 1: 1-4, Pew Bible, page 970
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!
THE SERMON: The Superiority of Jesus Christ!, Rev. Donteena Edwards
WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering
Offertory: My Eternal King, Jane Marshall
My God, I love Thee; not because I hope for heaven thereby, Nor yet because who love Thee not must die eternally. Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me Upon the cross embrace; For me didst bear the nails, the nails and spear, And manifold disgrace.
Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, Should I not love thee well? Not for the hope of winning heaven, Or of escaping hell. Not with the hope of gaining aught, Not seeking a reward; But as Thyself hast loved me, O everlasting Lord!
E’en so I love Thee, and will love, And in Thy praise will sing; Solely because Thou art my God, And my Eternal King.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
* Apostles’ Creed (pew card)
* HYMN No. 211: Lead Me to Calvary
* BENEDICTION
Response, Théodore Dubois
Thee we adore, O Saviour, bless Thee and praise Thee for ever, for on Thy holy cross Thou has the world from sin redeemed.
POSTLUDE: Chaccone, Louis Couperin
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE WELCOME BACK TO OUR PULPIT the Rev. Dr. Donteena Edwards, a former student intern at The Church on the Hill. Donteena received her Doctor of Ministry from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Her doctoral thesis was “Aging in Church and in Community”, which speaks to her interest in the elderly. Currently, she is the academic dean and one of the instructors at Westbury Bethel Bible Institute.
TODAY’S COFFEE HOUR is hosted by the Congregational Care Committee in honor of the October birthdays. Please join us in this time of fellowship.
THE FLOWERS are given by Reeta and Ted Dombrowski in celebration of their 15th Wedding Anniversary.
SYNODICAL ASSESSMENT: If you have not given a special offering for your assessment ($95.00 per member), please help us by making the payment. The Synodical and Classical Assessment is the amount we owe Reformed Church in America for your membership.
SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL AUCTION – Saturday, January 10, 2015
LOOKING AHEAD – Mark your calendars!
- Sun. Oct. 26 9:30 AM Men’s Communion Breakfast (insert)
- Sat. Nov. 15 10:00 AM HARVEST FESTIVAL (inserts)
OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:
Van Drivers: Gary LiBert (AM), Bill Proschel (PM)
Greeters: Nina and Bill Proschel, Dorothea Zelnick
Ushers: Wai and Richard Chu, Cathy and Tom Doyle
Children and Worship: Kathy Bracken and Sarah White
VAN SERVICE: If you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler at (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).
COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – To host a coffee hour, put your name on the sign-up sheet in Gessner Hall or speak with Rhoda Jabbour.
PRAYER REQUESTS: Grace Attanasio, Ruth Bailey, Kenneth Cornwell, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Harvey Moder, John Molino, Marge Renstrom, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra, Evelyn Stuedly
Also, pray for 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese, U.S. Army and a daughter of this congregation, who will be deployed to Liberia, Africa on November 1.