February 1, 2015

PRELUDE: Suite for Organ, William Boyce

SALUTATION AND WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* Gloria Patri  (pew card)     

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Nancy Gessner     

Leader:    O God, your constant love reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness extends to the skies.
People:    Your righteousness towers like the mountains, your justice is deeper than the sea.
Leader:    All find protection under the shadow of your wings. We feast on the abundance you provide.
People:    You are the source of all life, and in your light, we see light.

* HYMN No. 34: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart     

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

Almighty and most holy God, whose love has called us here and whose children we are; we acknowledge before you that we have spurned your love, disgraced your image, and wandered from your home.  We are easily caught up in the greed and fear of the society around us.  Gracious God, forgive us.  Set us free in Jesus Christ to live your life and to share your joy.  Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM: Lord, For Thy Tender Mercies' Sake, Richard Farrant

Lord, for Thy tender mercies' sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives, to decline from sin and incline to virtue, that we may walk with a perfect heart before Thee now and evermore.

* HYMN No. 465: Out of the Depths         

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 20:1-9, Pew Bible, page 433

The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary, and give you support from Zion.
May he remember all your offerings, and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices. Selah
May he grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright.
Give victory to the king, O Lord; answer us when we call.

Matthew 6:19-34, Pew Bible, page 787

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

THE SERMON: Regaining Trust, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory: Be Not Afraid, Craig Courtney

Be not afraid: for I have redeemed you.  Be not afraid: I have called you  by name.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the floods, they will not sweep o'er you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be consumed; you are mine, you are precious in my sight.
My love for you is everlasting, my love for you shall have no end.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the floods, they will not sweep o'er you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be consumed.  You are mine, you are precious in my sight.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
    Remembering with Love and Hope  (pew card)
    Invitation
    Communion Prayer
Sanctus  (pew card)
Mystery of the Faith (unison)
            Christ has Died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again. 
    Words of Institution

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & INTERCESSION
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer response, Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.

* HYMN No. 641: All the Way My Savior Leads Me

* BENEDICTION 
     Response, Don Besig

May the light of God shine on us today.  May it show us where to travel, lead us back if we should stray.
May the love of God live in us today.  May the warmth we feel within us show in all we do and say.
May the peace of God be with us today.  May it guide us and protect us as we go our separate ways.

POSTLUDE: Trumpet Tune, William Boyce

ANNOUNCEMENTS​

Service of Installation for Pastor Blaine will be next Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM.  Collation following.  All are invited to attend.

Pastor’s Contact Information:

Email:  pastor@churchonthehill.org
Church office:  (718) 358-3671
Parsonage:  (718) 353-1960

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY:  Today the Sunday School is participating in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign on Super Bowl Sunday.  The cans of soup will be given to a local food pantry.  Monetary donations will go to the Greenpoint Reformed Church Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.

LOOKING AHEAD – Mark your calendars!

  • Sun. Feb. 8    5:00 PM    Installation Service for Pastor Blaine
  • Wed. Feb. 11    7:30 PM    Consistory Meeting
  • Sun. Feb. 15    12:00 PM    YPF Fundraiser Bake Sale
  • Wed. Feb. 18    7:30 PM    Lenten Bible Study (see below)    

        8:00 PM    Ash Wednesday Service    

  • Sun. Mar. 22     9:30 AM     Women’s Communion Breakfast

ASH WEDNESDAY, SERVICE OF COMMUNION, February 18 at 8:00 pm.

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY:  Wednesdays beginning February 18 to April 1, 2015 at  7:30 PM in the Folensbee Lounge.  Pastor Blaine and Elder Sally Ann Castle will lead a book study on Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie Thompson.  If you are interested, contact Pastor Blaine.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Jean and Gerry Mendler
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour 
Greeters: Debra Rossi, Carol Stark
Ushers: Ginny and Hong Chan, Jeanne and Steve Sarran  
Children and Worship: Kathy Bracken, Wai Chu

VALENTINES FOR VETS: Bring your valentines by next Sunday, February 8 and deposit them in the box at the church entrance.  These cards will be delivered to the Veteran’s Hospital in St. Albans.

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).  

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese (in Liberia), Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Nora McCarthy, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Marge Renstrom, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

January 25, 2015

PRELUDE:

Prelude and Fugue in G, Johann Sebastian Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze, Johann Sebastian Bach

SALUTATION AND WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Patrick Mahowald

Leader:    Let us worship God, our light and our salvation.
People:    The Lord is the stronghold of our lives.
Leader:    We desire to live in God’s house and to seek God in his holy temple.
People:    We have come with shouts of joy, to sing and to make music to the Lord.
Leader:    Let us worship God in spirit and in truth.
People:    Teach us your ways and make straight our paths in this hour of worship and always.

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

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

Almighty God, we confess how hard it is to be your people.  You have called us to be the church, to continue the mission of Jesus Christ to our lonely and confused world.  Yet we acknowledge we are more apathetic than active, isolated than involved, callous than compassionate, legalistic than loving.  Gracious Lord, have mercy upon us and forgive our sins.  Remove the obstacles preventing us from  being your representatives to a broken world.  Awaken our hearts to the promised gift of your indwelling Spirit.  This we pray in Jesus’ powerful name.  Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM: Set Me as a Seal, Joseph M. Martin

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm.  For love is stronger than death.  Many waters cannot quench love.  Neither can the rivers drown it; for love burns brighter than flame, more unyielding than the grave.  Love is a gift of perfect grace.

— Song of Solomon 8:6-7

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 LESSONS

Psalm 1:1-3, Pew Bible, page 424

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

Matthew 5:1-16, Pew Bible, page 785

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

THE SERMON: The Blessed Ones, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  God and God Alone, arr. Tom Fettke

God and God alone created all these things we call our own, from the mighty to the small, the glory in them all is God's and God's alone.
God and God alone reveals the truth of all we call unknown.  And all the best and worst of man won't change the Master's plan it's God's and God's alone.
God, our sovereign God and God alone is fit to take the universe's throne.  Let everything that lives reserve its truest praise for God and God alone.
God and God alone will be the joy of our eternal home.  He will be our one desire.  Our hearts will never tire of God and God alone.
God and God alone is fit to take the universe's throne.  Let everything that lives reserve its truest praise for God and God alone.

    * The Doxology  (pew card) 
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: 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:  Rigaudon, André Campra

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Service of Installation for Pastor Blaine will be on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM.  Collation following.  All are invited to attend.

Pastor’s Contact Information:

Email:  pastor@churchonthehill.org
Church office:  (718) 358-3671
Parsonage:  (718) 353-1960

OUR COFFEE HOUR is given by the Congregational Care Committee in honor of everyone with a December and January Birthday.  All  are invited. 

OUR FLOWERS are given by the Heckel and Krsnak families in honor of Jerry and Elaine Good’s wedding anniversary.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY – next week February 1, 2015 

The Sunday School will again participate in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign on Super Bowl Sunday.  Please bring in cans of soup and they will be given to a local food pantry.  Monetary donations will go to the Greenpoint Reformed Church Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.

ASH WEDNESDAY, SERVICE OF COMMUNION, February 18 at 8:00 pm.

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY:  Wednesdays beginning February 18 to April 1, 2015 at  7:30 PM in the Folensbee Lounge.  Pastor Blaine and Elder Sally Ann Castle will lead a book study on Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie Thompson.  If you are interested, contact Pastor Blaine.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Gary LiBert (AM), Buck Kellaway (PM)
Greeters: Linda Diez, Angela Edward
Ushers: Sally Ann Castle, Jayne Halley, Irma Karle, Dorothea Zelnick
Children and Worship: Christina Schaub, Yessinia Iovale-Perez

VALENTINES FOR VETS: Bring your valentines on Sundays, February 1 or 8 and deposit them in the box at the church entrance.  These cards will be delivered to the Veteran’s Hospital in St. Albans.  We want our vets to know that they are not forgotten.

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).

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese (in Liberia), Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Nora McCarthy, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Marge Renstrom, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

January 18, 2015

PRELUDE:

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Johann Sebastian Bach
Amazing Grace, arr. Gilbert M. Martin

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Sue Nicholas     

Leader:    Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise God’s holy name.
People:    Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Leader:    Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding.
People:    Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you the servants who do his will.
Leader:    Praise the LORD, all the works everywhere in his dominion.
People:    Praise the LORD, O my soul.

* SALUTATION

* HYMN No. 9: Sing Praise to the Father

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you and one another. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are sorry for all we have done to displease you and to harm our neighbor. Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your light and walk in your ways. Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM: Soon and Very Soon, Andrae Crouch

Soon and very soon we are going to see the King; Hallelujah!  We're going to see the King. No more dying there, we are going to see the King;  Hallelujah!  We're going to see the King.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer response, Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.

* HYMN No. 451: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 91:1-6, 9-12, Pew Bible, page 477

You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.

Matthew 4:1-17, 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.
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

THE SERMON: Human Navigation, Rev. Blaine D. Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory: I Shall Not Be Moved, arr. Alice Parker

Glory Hallelujah, I shall not be moved, Anchored in Jehovah I shall not be moved, just like a tree that's planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.
In His love abiding, I shall not be moved, and in Him confiding, I shall not be moved, just like a tree that's planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.
Though all Hell assail me, I shall not be moved.  Jesus will not fail me, I shall not be moved, just like a tree that's planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.
Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved, On the Rock of Ages, I shall not be moved, just like a tree that's planted by the waters, I shall not be moved.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

* HYMN No. 502: Amazing Grace!  How Sweet the Sound

* BENEDICTION 
    * Response: Sevenfold Amen, John Stainer

POSTLUDE: Work for the Night is Coming, arr. H. Alexander Matthews

ANNOUNCEMENTS
JANUARY 18, 2015

WE WELCOME Rev. Blaine Crawford and his wife Brittnee to the Church on the Hill.  If you wish to contact the pastor, you may call him at the church (718) 358-3671, the parsonage (718) 353-1960 or email him at pastor_at_churchonthehill.org.

The Service of Installation for Pastor Blaine will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM.  All are invited to attend.

OUR COFFEE HOUR is given by Marion and Ray Durney in appreciation of the Auction Volunteers.  After the service, all are invited downstairs to Gessner Hall for a time of fellowship. 

OUR FLOWERS are given by the Auction Committee in appreciation of Marion and Ray Durney and Glenda and Jorge Alamilla.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 1, 2015: The Sunday School will again participate in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign on Super Bowl Sunday.  Please bring in cans of soup and they will be given to a local food pantry.  Monetary donations will go to the Greenpoint Reformed Church Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Jean & Gerry Mendler (am), Bill Proschel & Gerry Mendler (PM)
Greeters: Nancy Gessner, Eva Munoz
Ushers: Judie Kellaway, Jean Mendler, Debra Rossi and Irma Schubert

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

2015 OFFERING ENVELOPES are at the back 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: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese (in Liberia), Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Nora McCarthy, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Marge Renstrom, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra

January 4, 2015 - Epiphany Sunday

PRELUDE

In Dulci Jubilo, Johann Sebastian Bach
Puer Natus Est (A Boy is Born), Everett Titcomb

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* Gloria Patri  (pew card)     

* CALL TO WORSHIP(Psalm 8: 1-5), Roslyn Andela

Leader:     O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  
People:     Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
Leader:     When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
People:     Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.
ALL:      Amen.      

* SALUTATION

* HYMN No. 182:  Brightest and Best of the Stars

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison)     

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.  We have failed to be an obedient church.  We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy.  Forgive us, we pray.  Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  We Have Seen His Star, Everett Titcomb

We have seen His star in the East, and are come with our offerings to worship the Lord.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13, Pew Bible, page 537

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.

Matthew 25: 31-40, Pew Bible, page 807

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

THE SERMON:  Now is the Time, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  There Shall a Star, Felix Mendelssohn

RECITATIVE: When Jesus, our Lord, was born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea; behold, from the east to the city of Jerusalem there came wise men, and said:
TRIO: Say, where is He born, the King of Judaea? For we have seen His star, and are come to adore Him.
CHORUS: There shall a star from Jacob come forth, and a sceptre from Israel rise up, And dash in pieces princes and nations. As bright the star of morning gleams, So Jesus sheddeth glorious beams of light and consolation! Thy Word, O Lord, Radiance darting, Truth imparting, Gives salvation; Thine be praise and adoration!

    * The Doxology(pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
    Remembering with Love and Hope  (pew card)
    Invitation
    Communion Prayer
        Sanctus  (pew card)
        Mystery of the Faith (unison)
            Christ has Died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again. 
    Words of Institution

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & INTERCESSION
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer Response, Felix Mendelssohn

As bright the star of morning gleams, So Jesus sheddeth glorious beams Of light and consolation! Thy Word, O Lord, Radiance darting, Truth imparting, Gives salvation; Thine be praise and adoration.

* HYMN No. 181:  As With Gladness Men of Old

* BENEDICTION
    Response:  Fanfare for Christmas, Martin Shaw

Gloria in excelsis deo. (Glory to God in the highest!)

POSTLUDE:  In Thee is Gladness, Johann Sebastian Bach

ANNOUNCEMENTS​

Rev. Blaine D. Crawford has been called to be our next Minister of Word and Sacrament.  His first official day in the pulpit will be Sunday, January 18, 2015.

WE WELCOME BACK 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. 

TODAY’S COFFEE HOUR is hosted by the Sunday School staff.  “King Cakes” will be served to celebrate Epiphany Sunday.

2015 OFFERING ENVELOPES are at the back 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.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Jean and Gerry Mendler
Greeters: Nina and Bill Proschel, Dorothea Zelnick
Ushers: Ginny and Hong Chan, Jeanne and Steve Sarran 
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli, Michael Iovale

LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available.  Please ask an usher if you want 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).  

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Please pick a date on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Gessner Hall or speak with Rhoda Jabbour.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Letty Delgardo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, 1st Lt. Alexandra Knese (in Liberia), Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Nora McCarthy, John Molino, Marge Renstrom, Josephine Rivera, Janice Serra