August 28, 2016

 

PRELUDE:                             Gothic Suite    Leon Boellmann

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Dorien Day

     Leader:    Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty! 

     People:    Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 

     Leader:    Who will not praise you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? 

     People:    For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you! 

* HYMN No. 50    Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)     

Lord God, we have given more weight to our happiness than to your will. We have eaten without a thought for the hungry. We have spoken without an effort to understand others. We have kept silence instead of telling the truth. We have lived without actions for justice. Within your church we have been slow to practice love of our neighbors. And in the world we have not been your faithful servants. Forgive us and help us to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Amen. 

* KYRIE (pew card)

* ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* SUMMARY OF THE LAW

     Leader:    Herein is wisdom.

     People:    Glory be to God.

     * Gloria Patri (pew card)

ANTHEM    Variants on an Irish Hymn    arr. John Ness Beck

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. 0 Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father and I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall; Still be my vision, O Ruler of all. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

          The Lord’s Prayer                                         Albert Hay Malotte

                             Glenn D. Alamilla, tenor

* HYMN No. 43    A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

SCRIPTURE READINGS        Isaiah 58:6-14    Pew Bible, pg. 601

                                              Luke 13:10-17    Page 848

     This is the Word of the Lord.

     Thanks be to God.

SERMON                        Drawing Near to God    Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH     Belhar Confession, Article 4     

We believe that God has revealed himself as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people.  We believe that God calls the church to follow him in this, for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry.  We believe that the church must stand by people in any form of suffering and need, which implies that the church must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

          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

* HYMN No. 517    The Solid Rock

* BENEDICTION

      * Response            Peter C. Lutkin     

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen.

POSTLUDE:                                Toccata    Leon Boellmann

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OUR FLOWERS are given in loving memory of Matthew Good by his family.

WORSHIP HOUR will continue at 10:00 AM next Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. 

LOOKING AHEAD – Mark your calendars!

  • Sun. Sept. 11    11:00 AM    Worship Service    

                        6:00 PM    Retirement Celebration for Andrew Andela

  • Tues. Sept. 13    7:30 PM    Bible Study
  • Thurs. Sept. 15 10:00 AM     Bargain Boutique re-opens

                           7:30 PM    Choir Rehearsal

  • Sat. Sept. 17       10:00 AM    Ecumenical Women’s Fall Brunch
  • Sun. Sept. 18      9:30 AM    Sunday School Classes begin

                          11:00 AM    Worship Service

                          12:00 PM    Church BBQ

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.

BULLETIN CHANGE – In September, a new Sunday bulletin with minor changes will be used.  The prayer list in the bulletin will be started anew.  If you would like the church to continue to pray for someone currently on the list, please let Barbara know so that the name will be included in the new bulletin.

YEAR-ROUND FOOD 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. 

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Bermudez Family, Dora Bramble, Helga Brenner-Khan, Donald Calfa, Marilyn Cooney, Jaynie d’Agostino, Allegra DeMelo, Dombrowski Family, Jim D’Oria, Jolie Dunham, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Claudia Mellett, Jean Mendler, John Molino, Denise Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Dorothy Rama, Dorothy Reid, Josephine Rivera, Isabelita Rueda, Carmela Stocchia, Lynne Sullivan, Mary Ann Sullivan, Emily Testut, Joan Wagner, Joan Werbel

August 21, 2016

PRELUDE:      Suite for Organ    Seth Bingham

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

* PASSING OF THE PEACE

* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP        Maureen Saepia Chen

Leader:    Praise the Lord!

People:    The Lord’s name be praised!

Leader:    We will give thanks to you, O LORD, with our whole heart; we will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

People:    We will be glad and exult in you; we will sing praise to your name, O Most High.          

* HYMN No. 41    Stand Up and Bless the Lord

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison)     

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. Through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)

* ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* SUMMARY OF THE LAW

Leader:    Herein is wisdom.

People:    Glory be to God.

* Gloria Patri(pew card)

ACT OF PRAISE         Maureen Saepia Chen, soprano     

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

    Prayer Response                 

* HYMN No. 538    I Need Thee Every Hour

SCRIPTURE READINGS    Isaiah 5:1-7, 14-17    Pew Bible, pg. 552

                                     Hebrews 11:29-12:2    Page 978

                                        This is the Word of the Lord.

                                     Thanks be to God.

SERMON                        A Fruitful Life    Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH     Based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 86

Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image, so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits, so that he may be praised through us, so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living our neighbors may come to know Christ.

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

         Offertory 

    * The Doxology(pew card)      

    * Prayer of Dedication

* HYMN No. 648    O Jesus, I Have Promised

* BENEDICTION

      * Response         

POSTLUDE:      Voluntary    Seth Bingham

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

APPRECIATIONS: We thank Maureen Saepia Chen for sharing her musical talents to enhance our worship service.

OUR WORSHIP HOURS will continue at the 10:00 AM hour through Labor Day Sunday, September 4.  We hope you will give our worship your support through prayer and attendance. 

ECUMENICAL WOMEN’S MINISTRY ANNUAL FALL BRUNCH

Saturday, September 17, 2016, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Community Reformed Church, 90 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY

RSVP needed – email lesleymazzotta@gmail.com or call (917) 623-4554

Women’s Homeless Shelter

Our church provides shelter every Friday night, year round, for up to 10 grateful women. This ministry needs your assistance to provide dinner, stay for a few hours or sleepover. The work is easy and fulfilling. Seasonal professional clothes, socks and underwear donations are appreciated as well. Please contact Maureen Saepia-Chen at 917-797-3031 or email msaepia@gmail.com

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

  • Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  During the school year, 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: Jorel Andaluz, Bermudez Family, Dora Bramble, Helga Brenner-Khan, Donald Calfa, Marilyn Cooney, Jaynie d’Agostino, Allegra DeMelo, Dombrowski Family, Jim D’Oria, Jolie Dunham, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Claudia Mellett, Jean Mendler, John Molino, Denise Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Dorothy Rama, Dorothy Reid, Josephine Rivera, Isabelita Rueda, Carmela Stocchia, Lynne Sullivan, Mary Ann Sullivan, Emily Testut, Joan Wagner, Joan Werbel

 

 

August 14, 2016

PRELUDE: Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness, Johann Sebastian Bach

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Emerson Chen

Leader:    In your wisdom, O God, you call us here to worship you.
People:    We gather, alive to the Word of God.
Leader:    You call us to be fully alive with your life abundant, ready to listen and respond with heart, soul, strength, and mind.
People:    We listen, alive to the Word of God. 
Leader:    You call us to be always watchful for your Word of wisdom, sometimes startling and unexpected, sometimes still and quiet, but always dwelling among us. 
People:    We watch and wait for the Word of God.      

* HYMN No. 5: Come, Thou Almighty King

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison)

Our Father, forgive us for thinking small thoughts of you and for ignoring your immensity and greatness. Lord Jesus, forgive us when we forget that you rule the nations and our lives. Holy Spirit, we offend you in minimizing your power and squandering your gifts. We confess that our blindness to your Word, O triune God, has resulted in shallow faith, half-hearted obedience, and only small bits of justice. Have mercy upon us and forgive us. Amen. 

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Leader:    Herein is wisdom.
People:    Glory be to God.
* Gloria Patri(pew card)

THE ACT OF PRAISE, Emerson Chen, baritone

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer Response

* HYMN No. 538: I Need Thee Every Hour

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Jeremiah 23:23-29, Pew Bible, page 634

Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed!” How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart? They plan to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, just as their ancestors forgot my name for Baal. Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Luke 12:49-56, Pew Bible, page 848

“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

SERMON: A Silent, Shattering Word, Rev. Blaine Crawford

* CONFESSION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)

PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR STACEY DUENSING

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
         Offertory             
    * The Doxology(pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

* BENEDICTION
      * Response

POSTLUDE: Intermezzo, Hermann Schroeder

THE COFFEE HOUR after today’s service is given in appreciation of our Summer Intern, Stacey Duensing, who completes her ministry with us today.  Please join us in Gessner Hall for this time of fellowship.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

APPRECIATIONS: We thank Emerson Chen for sharing his musical talents to enhance our worship service.

OUR WORSHIP HOURS will continue at the 10:00 AM hour through Labor Day Sunday, September 4.  We hope you will give our worship your support through prayer and attendance.   

THE CHURCH OFFICE AND bUILDING WILL BE CLOSED on Wednesday, August 17 and Thursday, August 18. There will be no power in the buildings as some electrical upgrades are made to our system.  In case of emergency, please contact Pastor Blaine at (718) 353-1960.  The church building will re-open on Friday, August 19.

ECUMENICAL WOMEN’S MINISTRY ANNUAL FALL BRUNCH

Saturday, September 17, 2016, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Community Reformed Church, 90 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY (map)
RSVP needed – email lesleymazzotta@gmail.com or call (917) 623-4554

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

  • Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  During the school year, 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: Jorel Andaluz, Bermudez Family, Helga Brenner-Khan, Donald Calfa, Marilyn Cooney, Jaynie d’Agostino, Allegra DeMelo, Dombrowski Family, Jim D’Oria, Jolie Dunham, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Claudia Mellett, Jean Mendler, John Molino, Denise Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Dorothy Rama, Dorothy Reid, Josephine Rivera, Isabelita Rueda, Carmela Stocchia, Lynne Sullivan, Mary Ann Sullivan, Emily Testut, Joan Wagner, Joan Werbel

August 7, 2016

PRELUDE: Prayer, Leon Boellmann

SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* PASSING OF THE PEACE
* Gloria Patri  (pew card)     

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Emerson Chen
Leader:    Lord, you alone are God, we have no good apart from you.
People:    In you alone we take refuge.
Leader:    For you are our counselor and our guide.
People:    In you our hearts rejoice and our bodies rest secure.
Leader:    Lead us, Lord, in your path of life.
People:    In your presence there is fullness of joy.               

* HYMN No. 199: Tell Me the Story of Jesus

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION(unison)     

Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you. 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 ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you.  Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON

* SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Leader:    Herein is wisdom.
People:    Glory be to God.

THE ACT OF PRAISE, Emerson Chen, baritone

SCRIPTURE READINGS

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-15, Pew Bible, page 290

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.

Luke 9:51-62, Pew Bible, page 843

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

SERMON: The Gift of the Spirit, Stacey Duensing

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

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
         Offertory                  
    * The Doxology(pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer Response                 

* HYMN No. 648    O Jesus, I Have Promised

* BENEDICTION
      * Response           

POSTLUDE:      Praise to the Lord    Paul Manz

ANNOUNCEMENTS

APPRECIATIONS: We thank Emerson Chen for sharing his musical talents to enhance our worship service.

OUR WORSHIP HOURS will continue at the 10:00 AM hour through Labor Day Sunday, September 4.  We hope you will give our worship your support through prayer and attendance.   

BIBLE STUDY – Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 PM, Folensbee Lounge

Women’s Homeless Shelter

Our church provides shelter every Friday night, year round, for up to 10 grateful women. This ministry needs your assistance to provide dinner, stay for a few hours or sleepover. The work is easy and fulfilling. Seasonal professional clothes, socks and underwear donations are appreciated as well. Please contact Maureen Saepia-Chen at 917-797-3031 or email msaepia@gmail.com

YEAR-ROUND COLLECTIONS – 

  • Donations for the Food for Kids Ministry should be brought to the Church office.  During the school year, 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: Jorel Andaluz, Bermudez Family, Helga Brenner-Khan, Donald Calfa, Marilyn Cooney, Jaynie d’Agostino, Allegra DeMelo, Dombrowski Family, Jim D’Oria, Jolie Dunham, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Lynne Johnson, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Marie Mark, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, James McCreary, Claudia Mellett, John Molino, Denise Moran, Eva Munoz, Joan Pearson, Keith Pearson, Dorothy Rama, Dorothy Reid, Josephine Rivera, Isabelita Rueda, Peter Schumacher, Carmela Stocchia, Lynne Sullivan, Emily Testut, Joan Wagner, Joan Werbel