April 27, 2014 - Second Sunday of Easter

PRELUDE:  Second Sonata, Felix Mendelssohn

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION, Gerry Mendler

Leader:  The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
People:  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
Leader:  I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
People:  I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices!
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.   
ALL:  Amen. 

– from Psalm 16: 5-9

* HYMN No. 247: The Day of Resurrection

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

Holy God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.  Bring healing to all our wounds, make whole all that is broken in us, speak truth to all our illusions, and shed light in every darkness that all creation will see your glory through us and know your Christ.  Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
    * Gloria Patri  (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  Lord, We Pray Thee, Franz Josef Haydn

Lord, we pray Thee that Thy grace may always prevent, and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer Response, George Frideric Handel

Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son; endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won. Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay. Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son; endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

* HYMN No. 242:  In the Garden

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Peter 1: 3-9.  Pew Bible, page 983

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

John 20: 19-31.  Pew Bible, page 883

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  What More Proof Do We Need!, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
   Offertory:  Crown Him With Many Crowns, arr. Craig Courtney

Crown Him with many crowns! Crown Him the Lord of love! Behold His hands and side, rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified: no angel in the sky can fully bear that sight, but downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him with many crowns, the lamb upon His throne; Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own! Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save; His glories now we sing who died and rose on high, who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of years: the potentate of time, Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime. All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me; Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity. Crown Him with many crowns!

    * The Doxology  (pew card)
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 
    * Apostles’ Creed (pew card)        

* HYMN No. 239: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

* BENEDICTION 
      Response: Alleluia, Amen!, Charles Villiers-Stanford

POSTLUDE: Fuga (Second Sonata), Felix Mendelssohn

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME back the Rev. Douglas Estella to the pulpit.  Rev. Estella served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church from 2000 to 2006. Currently he is a teacher at the Academy of Urban Planning in Brooklyn. Doug and his wife, Janet, live in Sunnyside with their daughter, Renee.

THE COFFEE HOUR is hosted by the Congregational Care Committee in honor of the April birthdays.  Please join us in this time of fellowship.

CONGREGATIONAL LUNCHEON & MEETING on MAY 18, 12:00 pm 

Reports from Church organizations. 

Election of Elder and Deacons.  The slate is as follows: 

    Elder nominee: Judie Kellaway 
    Deacon nominees: Emerson Chen, Irma Schubert  

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Jorge Alamilla 
Greeters: Vivian and Peter Sclafani
Ushers: Gina and Sal Lombardo, Nina and Bill Proschel and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Michael Iovale and Sharon Rivilli

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).  

CHILDCARE during the worship hour 

Children through age 3 in the Educational Building, 1st floor, in Room 1A.

Children ages 3 through 2nd grade will share in the service through the Junior Sermon, then go to Room 2E for the Children and Worship Program.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – To host a coffee hour after church, speak with Rhoda Jabbour.

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

  • Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  This food will be given to families in need in Jamaica, New York. 
  • Donations for pets brought to the church office will be given to Worthy Pause to be distributed to local animal shelters.   
  • Christmas cards (with Forever Stamps on the envelopes) are collected in a basket at the back of the sanctuary.  These cards will enable inmates at the Nassau County Correction Center to correspond with their loved ones.                        

THE COTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND provides assistance to students who are part of our church community.  Scholarships are available to graduating high school students and students enrolled in post high school studies.  Applications are available in the church office and must be returned by May 1st.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Grace Attanasio, Ruth Bailey, John Benik, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Patricia Hamill, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra, Evelyn Stuedly.

March 16, 2014 — Second Sunday in Lent

PRELUDE:

Prelude and Fugue in g minor, J. S. Bach
O Man, Bewail Thy Grievous Fall, J. S. Bach

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION, Steve Sarran

Leader:     I lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come?
People:     My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Leader:     He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
People:     The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Leader:      Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:     Amen. 

— from Psalm 121: 1-3, 8     

* HYMN No. 209:  In the Cross of Christ I Glory

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison)     

Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.  We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.  We have offended against your holy laws.  We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.  And there is no health in us.  Have mercy upon us, O Lord.  Spare those who confess their faults.  Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just and humble life for the glory of your holy name.  Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
    * Gloria Patri(pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  O Saviour of the World, John Goss

O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious blood hast redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. 

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. 212:  What Wondrous Love Is This

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Genesis 12: 1-4a, Pew Bible, page 8

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

John 1: 1-17, Pew Bible, page 862

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  New Beginnings, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  from "Messiah", G. F. Handel

Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.

    * The Doxology(pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH        
    The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

* HYMN No. 502:  Amazing Grace

* 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:  We All Believe in One God, Johann Sebastian Bach

ANNOUNCEMENTS​

WE WELCOME BACK THE REV. DOUGLAS ESTELLA TO THE PULPIT.

Rev. Estella previously served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church and currently teaches ESL at the Academy of Urban Planning.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Kay Buchakian (AM), Bill Proschel (PM)
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour 
Greeters: Peter and Vivian Sclafani
Ushers: Elaine Ho, Loretta McCaffrey, Gerry and Jean Mendler and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli and Nancy Gessner

LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available.  Ask an usher if you need one.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE MAILBOX

If you have any concerns regarding a church member, please drop us a note in the special mailbox in the back of the church.  It will be checked regularly.

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).  

CHILDCARE during the worship hour 

Children thru age 3 in the Educational Building, 1st floor, in Room 1A.

Children ages 3 thru 2nd grade will share in the service through the Junior Sermon, then go to Room 2E for the Children and Worship Program.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – To host a coffee hour after church, speak with Rhoda Jabbour.

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

  • Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  This food will be given to families in need in Jamaica, New York. 
  • Donations for pets brought to the church office will be given to Worthy Pause to be distributed to local animal shelters.   
  • Christmas cards (with Forever Stamps on the envelopes) are collected in a basket at the back of the sanctuary.  These cards will enable inmates at the Nassau County Correction Center to correspond with their loved ones.                        

PRAYER REQUESTS: Grace Attanasio, Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, Irma Matzke, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

March 9, 2014 - First Sunday in Lent

PRELUDE

Prelude and Fugue in e minor, J.S. Bach
Prelude on “Rhosymedre”, R. Vaughan-Williams

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION, Christina Schaub

Leader:  Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
People:  Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Leader:  Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
People:  You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. 
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:  Amen. 

– from Psalm 32:1-2, 6-7

* HYMN No. 200:  Lord, Who Throughout

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
    * Gloria Patri (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  Forty Days, Dave Brubeck

Forty days alone in the desert, days and nights of constant prayer, seeking in the wailing wind an answer to despair, forty days of questioning: Why was he there? In the desert, in the lonely desert Forty days of fasting and prayer, searching for his destined role, thirsting after righteousness and nourishing his soul, seeking inward miracles to reach his goal.  In the desert, in the lonely desert, after forty days in the desert, He and God became as One.  Jesus found within Himself the Father's will is done.  He must prove to doubting man: He is the Son.  In the desert, in the lonely desert.

(Mark 1:12-13)

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
   Prayer response, Johann Wolfgang Franck

O Jesus, grant me hope and comfort; O let me ne'er in sorrow pine. My heart and soul, yea, all my being, O Jesus, trust alone in Thee. Thou Prince of Peace, Thou Pearl from heaven, true God, true Man, my morning star! O come, Thou precious Sun most radiant,Thy beams illumine my heart and soul.

* HYMN No. 192:  O Sing a Song of Bethlehem

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Pew Bible, page 2

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ “But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Matthew 4:1-11, Pew Bible, page 785

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  Dealing with Temptation: Whom Do You Trust?, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
   Offertory:  When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, arr. Gilbert M. Martin

When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to his blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small. Love, so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!  Amen.

    * The Doxology (pew card)
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
    The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

* HYMN No. 194:  Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring

* 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:  Prelude on “Hyfrydol”, R. Vaughan-Williams

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME back the Rev. Douglas Estella to the pulpit.  Rev. Estella served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church from 2000 to 2006. Currently he is a teacher at the Academy of Urban Planning in Brooklyn. Doug and his wife, Janet, live in Sunnyside with their daughter, Renee.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Jorge Alamilla
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour
Greeters: Virginia Andrews and Debra Rossi
Ushers: Mary and Andy Bow, Wai and Matthew Chu and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Judie Kellaway and Yessenia Iovale-Perez

LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available.  Ask an usher if you need one.

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).

CHILDCARE during the worship hour 

Children thru age 3 in the Educational Building, 1st floor, in Room 1A.

Children ages 3 thru 2nd grade will share in the service through the Junior Sermon, then go to Room 2E for the Children and Worship Program.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – To host a coffee hour after church, speak with Rhoda Jabbour.

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  This food will be given to families in need in Jamaica, New York. 

Donations for pets brought to the church office will be given to Worthy Pause to be distributed to local animal shelters.   

Christmas cards (with Forever Stamps on the envelopes) are collected in a basket at the back of the sanctuary.  These cards will enable inmates at the Nassau County Correction Center to correspond with their loved ones.                        

PRAYER REQUESTS: Grace Attanasio, Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, Irma Matzke, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

March 2, 2014 - The Transfiguration of Our Lord

PRELUDE

Prelude and Fugue in C Major, Johann Sebastian Bach
God's Time is the Best, Johann Sebastian Bach

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION, Gerry Mendler

Leader:  The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
People:  The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
Leader:  Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
People:  Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!
Leader:  Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain;
People:  For the LORD our God is holy.
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:  Amen. 

– from Psalm 99: 1-3, 5, 9     

* HYMN No. 52: I Sing the Mighty Power of God

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

O God of the covenant, the cloud of your splendor and the fire of your love revealed your Son on the mountain heights.  Forgive us our sins and transform our lives in his image; write your law of love on our hearts, and make us witnesses of your glory, that we may lead others into your presence, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
    * Gloria Patri (pew card)

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  From the End of the Earth, Alan Hovhaness

Hear my cry, O God; from the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.  I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.  Alleluia.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer response, Felix Mendelssohn

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear; and safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here. The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid, But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

* HYMN No. 358:  Eternal Father, Strong to Save

SCRIPTURE READINGS

2 Peter 1:16-21, Pew Bible, page 987

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Matthew 17:1-9, Pew Bible, page 798

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

The Word of God for the people of God. Let the people of God say - AMEN!

THE SERMON:  A Glimpse of Glory, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  Cantate Domino, Giovanni Francesco Anerio

SUNG IN LATIN.  TRANSLATION:

O sing unto the Lord, sing ye a new song.  O praise Him in the company of the saints.  Rejoice ye Israel now in Him your maker, and children of Zion, be joyful in the Lord, your King.

O let us praise His name with dancing, with timbrel and harp sing praises.  Let the saints be joyful in praising Him, let us praise Him and be joyful in glory.

Sing unto the Lord a new song, with praises all be joyful. 

    * The Doxology (pew card)
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
    The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

* HYMN No. 731:  O Christians, Haste

* BENEDICTION 
    Response, Martin Shaw

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no man evil for evil. Strengthen the downhearted, support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all men. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost be among you and go with you forever and ever. Amen

POSTLUDE:  Fugue in g minor, Johann Sebastian Bach

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME back the Rev. Douglas Estella to the pulpit.  Rev. Estella served as pastor of the Sunnyside Reformed Church from 2000 to 2006. Currently he is a teacher at the Academy of Urban Planning in Brooklyn. Doug and his wife, Janet, live in Sunnyside with their daughter, Renee.

TODAY’S FLOWERS:  The left vase is given by Angela and Vikram Edward in loving memory of their son and brother, Sandeep Edward.

The right vase is given by Angela and Vikram Edward in loving memory of Mary Wainwright.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Jean and Gerry Mendler
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour
Greeters: Linda Diez and Angela Edward
Ushers: Dana Chan, Cascille Hampton, Jen Hopper, Stephanie Parker and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Kathy Bracken and Susan Halley-Lowe

2014 OFFERING ENVELOPES are at the entrance of the church.  If you don’t see your envelopes and would like a box, please sign the list and a set will be available for you next Sunday.

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 after church, speak with Rhoda Jabbour.

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  This food will be given to families in need in Jamaica, New York. 

Donations for pets brought to the church office will be given to Worthy Pause to be distributed to local animal shelters.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Jenny Hampton, Robert Keller, Hope Kingman, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, Irma Matzke, John Molino, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra and Mabelle Dong.