ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE Sean Cotty
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)
* CALL TO WORSHIP Nina Proschel
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
And the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
The decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple.
Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts
Be acceptable to you, O LORD, our rock and our redeemer.
* HYMN No. 574 Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you
with our whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be,
so that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name.
(Silent Prayers of Confession)
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Herein is wisdom.
Glory be to God.
* Gloria Patri (pew card)
JUNIOR SERMON
ANTHEM: From the Rising of the Sun F.A. Gore Ouseley
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same
My name shall be great, shall be great among the gentiles;
and in every place incense shall be offered up unto my name:
For my name shall be great among the heathen, thus saith the Lord!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
Response: Sevenfold Amen
* HYMN No. 583 Make Me a Captive, Lord
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 p. 58
Matthew 21:33-46 p. 803
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Laws for Life Rev. Blaine Crawford
* CONFESSION OF FAITH:
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 115
Q. Since no one in this life can obey the Ten Commandments perfectly, why does God want them preached so pointedly?
A. First, so that the longer we live the more we may come to know our sinfulness and the more eagerly look to Christ for forgiveness of sins and righteousness.
Second, so that we may never stop striving, and never stop praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, to be renewed more and more after God’s image, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory: Kittery William Billings
Our Father who in heaven art,
All hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
throughout this earthly frame.
* The Doxology (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication
* HYMN No. 21 How Great Thou Art
* BENEDICTION
Response: Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing;
Fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing,
Triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us
traveling through this wilderness.
POSTLUDE
All are invited to join us downstairs in Gessner Hall for a coffee hour, given in appreciation of Emerson Chen and Sora Choi for leading the choirs during the transition period.
Announcements
Apples and Apple Crisp Sale - During the coffee hour, the YPF will be selling freshly picked apples and apple crisps to help support their mission trip activities. Thank you so much for your support!
Human Trafficking Educational Opportunity
Human trafficking is happening all around us; human slavery still exists today. Author David Batstone writes that over 100,000 people live enslaved in the U.S. and globally, more slaves live in bondage today than during the height of the transatlantic slave trade. How can this be? How can slavery still exist today? All are invited to learn more about human trafficking in the world today and how the church might respond. RCA missionary, Jennifer Lucking, will lead a learning session on Thursday, October 19, at 7 p.m. at Church on the Hill. The event will last one hour. If you are unable to attend this event and would like to hear Jennifer, she will be preaching at COTH on October 22. If you plan to attend the educational event, please RSVP to Pastor Blaine by Monday, October 16.
Free Concert, Thursday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Trio Bauge will be joining pianist Abram Korsunsky in a concert at Church on the Hill. The program will include music by Beethoven, Brahms, and Dohnanyi. This concert is free and open to the public. There will be a small reception in the music room following the performance.
Men’s Communion Breakfast
Next Sunday, October 15, 2017, 9:30 a.m. (see insert)
WCC Luncheon & Program, Saturday, October 21, at 1:00 p.m.
Grandma’s Pizza will be served, followed by a program by Nancy Gessner about the General Synod of the RCA.
Fall Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Folensbee Lounge
Have you ever wondered how the things you’ve experienced in life fit into God’s great plan? You’re not alone. This fall, the Bible study will be learning from the life of Abraham. Guided by the book Abraham: One’s Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith, you’ll learn how the challenges, failures and triumphs of Abraham are a pattern for the life of every believer.
Free Yoga
Yoga in the Yard is moving inside this fall! After a successful summer in the church yard, we will continue to offer free yoga classes this fall in Gessner Hall. Yoga will be on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mats are provided and the class is for all ability levels! Join us and bring a friend to this free class.
CWS Hygiene Kits
COTH will be sending hygiene kits to the Church World
Service in response to the recent hurricane disasters.
We will be collecting items for these kits until October 28. A box will be in Gessner Hall for your donations. (See the insert for items needed.)
On Saturday, October 28 we will meet to put the items into the kits and pack them for shipping.
A Time of Prayer, Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., Folensbee Lounge
Take time out of your busy lives to slow down, dwell in God's presence and pray to God. If you're unable to join us in the Folensbee Lounge, you’re invited, wherever you are, to pray during this time every Thursday evening. You might start by praying for those listed on the prayer list.
Prayer List
Remember the following individuals in your daily prayer:
Jose, Gracinda and David Cerqueira, Rosemarie Dappio, Joan Dwyer, Rosemarie Graffeo, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Jason Knese, Ginny Marsico, Ann McCaffrey, Denise Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Megan Peters, Kook Ryo, Debra & Greg Sparrow, Mary Ann Sullivan