Donna Field

November 3, 2013 - Communion Service

 

PRELUDE, Kathryn Schneider

 

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

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION                                          Vivian Sclafani

Leader:  How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
All:  My soul longs for the courts of the Lord, my flesh sings for joy to the living God.
Leader:  Happy are those who live in the house of the Lord, ever singing your praise O God.
All:  Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion!
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Adapted from Psalm 84

* HYMN No. 20:  Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

* PRAY ER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

Merciful God, hope of our people in every age, we confess that we have sinned against you. We have wandered from your pathways, turned towards idols, lived without compassion, and disregarded the well being of your creation. Do not turn away from us O Lord, but renew your covenant, for only in you will our lives be healed. Guide us and lead us in your ways, for happy are those who live in your house.  Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM:  The Gift of Love, Hal H. Hopson

Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire, and have not love; my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess, but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.
Come, spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole, let inward love guide every deed.  By this we worship and are freed.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Psalm 32:1-7, Pew Bible, page 440

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah

Luke 19: 1-10, Pew Bible, page 854

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

THE SERMON:  Selah, Donna M. Field

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
        Offering
        Offertory:  Sine Nomine, Ralph Vaughan-Williams

For all the saints who from their labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.  Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou wast their Rock, their fortress and their might, Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight, Thou in the darkness drear their one true Light.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, and win with them the victor's  crown of gold. Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia!  Alleluia!
From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!  Alleluia!

        * 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, 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. 648:  Jesus, I Have Promised

* BENEDICTION
        Response, John Yarrington

The peace of God which passeth all understanding, be with you now and evermore. Amen.

POSTLUDE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME DONNA MARIE FIELD to the pulpit.  Donna graduated from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity degree.  She will be leading our worship services until a permanent minister is in place. 

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Gina Lombardo
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour
Greeters: Nina and Bill Proschel, Dorothea Zelnick
Ushers: Ginny and Hong Chan, Nancy Gessner, Irma Karle, Buck Kellaway, Rhoda Jabbour, Jeanne and Steve Sarran and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli and Sarah White
Childcare: Jayne Halley

VAN SERVICE is available for Sunday worship and grocery shopping every other Monday.  If you need a ride to church on Sunday or would like to join them for grocery shopping, speak with Gina Lombardo at (917) 767-2923.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Please pick a date on the Sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Gessner Hall or see 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.

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

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgado, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Robert Keller, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, John Molino, Ed Moores, Josephine Rivera, Gloria Scrivano, Janice Serra, Mary Wainwright, Joan Werbel. 

October 20, 2013

PRELUDE: 

Prelude and Fugue in C,  J. S. Bach
Have mercy on me, O Lord God, J. S. Bach

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)  

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION Giovanna Antonucci

Leader: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of God’s name.
All: 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.
All: 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)  

Even when we are faithless, Christ remains faithful. Trusting in grace, let us confess our sins together.
O Lord, have mercy on us. We keep our distance from you, for we are broken and sinful. Yet you see us, and cleanse us, and make us whole. Forgive us when we forget to return to you, have mercy when we fail to praise your name, and help us to exude the faith that makes us well. Amen.

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

ANTHEM:  Shalom Rav, Benjamin Steinberg

The Chancel Choir; Elizabeth Mahowald, soprano

TRANSLATION: Grant peace to Your people because You are the King of all peace. It is good in Your eyes to bless Your people at all times and every hour with Your peace. Blessed are You, Lord, who blesses His people with peace.

JUNIOR SERMON    

ANTHEM:  All Night, All Day, Traditional Spiritual

The Junior Choir

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)

Prayer response                                   Felix Mendelssohn

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He never will suffer the righteous to fall: He is at thy right hand. Thy mercy, Lord, is great and far above the heavens: let none be made ashamed that wait upon thee.

* HYMN No. 328 God's Holy Ways are Just and True

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Psalm 111, Pew Bible, Page 490

Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

Luke 17:11-19, Pew Bible, Page 852

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” 

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

THE SERMON:  At the Edge, Donna M. Field

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering

Offertory:  Gloria, F. J. Haydn

TRANSLATION:  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to all men.  We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee.

* The Doxology  (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  John 1:1-4

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.  Amen. 

* HYMN No. 661 Be Strong in the Lord

* BENEDICTION 

Response, Harold W. Friedell

Day by day, Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly day by day.

POSTLUDE Jesu, Priceless Treasure, J.S. Bach

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME DONNA MARIE FIELD to the pulpit.  Donna graduated from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity degree.  She will be leading our worship services until a permanent minister is in place. 

TODAY’S COFFEE HOUR is hosted by the Congregational Care Committee in honor of the October birthdays.  All are invited to join us.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Bill Proschel (AM), Simon Walsh (PM)
Ushers: Elaine Ho, Loretta McCaffrey, Barbara and Richard Niebergall and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Judie Kellaway and Michael Iovale
Childcare: Joan Wagner

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

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.   

VAN MINISTRY: We offer van service for Sunday worship and grocery shopping every other Tuesday.  If you need a ride to church on Sunday or would like to join them for grocery shopping, speak with Gina Lombardo at (917) 767-2923. 

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgado, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Robert Keller, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, John Molino, Ed Moores, Josephine Rivera, Gloria Scrivano, Janice Serra, Mary Wainwright, Joan Werbel.

October 13, 2013

* All who are able, please stand.  Please turn off your cell phones. Thank you.

PRELUDE:  Cynthia Shaw, guest organist

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)  

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION Steve Sarran

Leader: Destruction and violence are everywhere, strife and contention are all around.
All: The needs of the world are so great; O Lord increase our faith.
Leader: The law is slack, and justice does not prevail.
All: The needs of the world are so great; O Lord increase our faith.
Leader: How many threats surround us: warfare, homelessness, loneliness, loss.
All: The needs of the world are so great, but you O God are greater still--- the One in whom all things are possible. O Lord! Increase our faith in you!
Leader: Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

* HYMN No. 2 Holy, Holy, Holy!  Lord God Almighty

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

Merciful God, you have called us to live in sincere faith and to suffer for the gospel.  We confess that we do not come before you with a clear conscience.  Our faith is clouded by sin and uncertainty.  We shrink from your call to live- and sacrifice- for others.  Too quickly, we seek our own ease and comfort first.  We confess that in our own lives, and in the church, we rely on our power rather than yours.  In new mercy, forgive us and increase our faith, that we may be faithful servants at your everyday table.  In Christ’s name we pray.  Amen

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

ANTHEM:  Ave Verum, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

SUNG IN LATIN - TRANSLATION:

Jesu, Word of God Incarnate, of the Virgin Mary born; on the cross thy sacred body for us men, with nails, was torn. Cleans us by the blood and water streaming from Thy pierced side. Feed us with Thy body broken, now and in death's agony.

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. 101 My Jesus, I Love Thee

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Lamentations 3:19-26, Pew Bible, pg. 669

The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall!My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Luke 17:5-10, Pew Bible, pg. 852 

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”

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

THE SERMON:  Strength in Numbers, Donna M. Field

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering

Offertory: The King of Love My Shepherd Is, John Ness Beck

The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His, and He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul He leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth. In death's dark vale I fear no ill, with Thee, dear Lord, beside me, Thy rod and staff my comfort still; Thy cross before to guide me. And so through all the length of days, Thy goodness faileth never. Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever. Amen.

* The Doxology  (pew card)
* Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  —Adapted from the Belhar Confession

We share one faith, have one calling, are of one soul and one mind.
We have one God, are filled with one Spirit, and are baptized with one baptism. We eat of one bread and drink of one cup, confess one Name, are obedient to one Lord, work for one cause, and share one hope. Together we come to know the height and the breadth and the depth of the love of Christ. Together- we are built up to the stature of Christ to the new humanity.
Together- we know and bear one another's burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ that we need one another, build up one another, admonish and comfort one another, and suffer with one another for the sake of righteousness. Together we pray. Together we serve God in this world.   Amen.

* HYMN No. 692 Faith of Our Fathers

* BENEDICTION 
       Response          John Yarrington

The peace of God which passeth all understanding, be with you now and evermore. Amen.

POSTLUDE:                             

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME DONNA MARIE FIELD to the pulpit.  Donna graduated from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity degree.  She will be leading our worship services until a permanent minister is in place. 

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Royce Gothelf
Coffee Hour Host: Marion Durney 
Greeter: Debra Rossi
Ushers: Sally Ann Castle, Nancy Gessner, Jayne Halley and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli and Michael Rivilli
Childcare: Adriene Toy

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 – Please pick a date on the Sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Gessner Hall or see Rhoda Jabbour.

VAN MINISTRY: We offer van service for Sunday worship and grocery shopping every other Tuesday.  If you need a ride to church on Sunday or would like to join them for grocery shopping, speak with Gina Lombardo at (917) 767-2923. 

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgado, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Robert Keller, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, John Molino, Ed Moores, Josephine Rivera, Gloria Scrivano, Janice Serra, Mary Wainwright, Joan Werbel.

 

October 6, 2013 - Worldwide Communion Sunday

PRELUDE:                                

The Celestial Banquet, Olivier Messiaen
Amazing Grace, arr. Gilbert M. Martin

WELCOME
*Call to Worship and Salutation, Jeanne Sarran (Sign Language)

Choir:    We stand before you, God, with ready arms reaching for you.
People:   We bow before you, God, with humbled hearts seeking you.
Choir:    We sing before you, God, with glad voices raised to meet you.
People:   We kneel before you, God, with open souls lifted to greet you.
Leader:  Draw your Church together, O God, into one great company of disciples, together following our Lord Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving him in his mission to the world, and together witnessing to his love on every continent and island.
Choir:    Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*HYMN No. 779: Great God, Your Love Has Called Us

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Mark 14: 22-25, Rosa Weed (Spanish)

While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’  Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’

 Acts 2: 2-13, Nina Proschel (Russian), Helga Brenner-Khan (German), Linda Diez (French)

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?  Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?  Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”  Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

JR. SERMON

ANTHEM:  Amazing Grace, arr. John Rutter

Maureen Saepia-Chen, soprano

Amazing grace!  How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!  I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.

SERMON: A Mouth-full, Donna M. Field

*WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offering
Offertory:  In Remembrance, Buryl Red

In remembrance of me, eat this bread, in remembrance of me, drink this wine.  In remembrance of me, pray for the time when God's own will is done. In remembrance of me, heal the sick.  In remembrance of me, feed the poor. In remembrance of me, open the door and let your brother in.
Take, eat, and be comforted.  Drink, and remember, too, that this is my body and precious blood, shed for you.  In remembrance of me, search for truth. In remembrance of me, always love.  In remembrance of me, don't look above, but in your heart for God.  Do this in remembrance of me.

*The Doxology (pew card)
*Prayer of Dedication

MORNING PRAYERS AND LORD’S PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER, New Zealand Book of Common Prayer

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.
Amen.

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S SUPPER                     Donna Field & Emerson Chen

Christ invites us all to this Holy Feast.  As we gather this morning, we remember our sisters and brothers from above and below the equator, from the North and from Down Under, from every time zone around the globe.  As today's sunlight inches across land and sea - Christians gather to celebrate their place in God's family. All who are baptized in Christ are invited and are welcome.

One:  What do you understand by “the communion of saints”?

All:    First, that believers one and all as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts.  Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and joyfully for the service and enrichment of the other members. Come, for the meal is ready!

                                                                               Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 55.

Prayer of Preparation

Confession

One:  To God be the glory: great things God has done!

           To prepare ourselves to partake of this Holy Meal, let us pray:

Healing God, we come before you broken, yet seeking wholeness, isolated, yet seeking community, overwhelmed, yet seeking simplicity, shamed, yet seeking grace:

All:    God, we yearn for the healing you promise.

One:  God of Justice, we come before you selfish, yet seeking a generous heart, arrogant, yet seeking humility, responsible for injustices, yet seeking forgiveness.

All:    God, we yearn for the justice you promise.

One:  God of Peace, we come before you afraid, yet seeking assurance, agitated, yet seeking serenity, angry, yet seeking a forgiving heart.

All:    God, we yearn for the peace you promise.

Words of Assurance

Apostles Creed  (pew card)                                       Jeanne Sarran (Sign Language)

One:  Knowing that through Christ all things are made new, we come to this communion table to be recreated through the bread and cup, and to be renewed in our faith and commitment.

All:    God, we submit ourselves to renewal through you. This we pray through Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

One:  Loving and gracious God who summons galaxies into being, we give thanks and blessings to you.  We bless and thank you for our world.  The diversity of our planet amazes us from the prairies and pampas of the Americas to the dusty deserts of Africa and Asia, from the majestic mountains of Europe to the vast outback of Australia.  We give you thanks for the multiplicity of humanity with our complexity of color and culture yet called into oneness-of-being through Christ. With many tongues, yet with one voice, we honor you saying:

SANCTUS (pew card)

One:  Loving and gracious God who surrounds creation with abundant love, we give thanks and blessings to you. We praise you for your love made known to us through Jesus, which reassures and reconciles us to you, to ourselves and to one another. As Christ is our light to you, may we be lights to others illuminating the path toward communion with you the Holy Spirit and Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

           Together we proclaim the Mystery of Faith -

All:    Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!

Words of Institution                                             Jeanne Sarran (Sign Language)

Blessing of the Elements

One:  God, may this bread connect us more closely with you and with our neighbors near and far.
All:    Bless this bread, we pray.
One:  May this fruit of the vine remind us of the inter-connectedness of people around the world.
All:    Bless this cup, we pray.
One:  May this simple meal bring us into union with you, your people and your world united in the One Body of Christ.

Sharing the Elements

Prayer of Thanksgiving

All:    Praise God from whom all blessings flow! With thanksgiving, let us celebrate our new life in Christ giving thanks to God our creator and sustainer: Loving and gracious God, thank you for this holy meal. Thank you for Jesus and his all-inclusive love for humanity. Thank you for this day which we worship and serve you.  Amen.

*HYMN No. 697                In Christ There Is No East or West          

*Benediction (unison)                                        Adapted from the Belhar Confession           

We share one faith, have one calling, are of one soul and one mind.
We have one God, are filled with one Spirit and are baptized with one baptism. We eat of one bread and drink of one cup, confess one Name, are obedient to one Lord, work for one cause, and share one hope. Together we come to know the height and the breadth and the depth of the love of Christ. Together we are built up to the stature of Christ, to the new humanity.
Together we know and bear one another's burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ that we need one another, build up one another, admonish and comfort one another and suffer with one another for the sake of righteousness.
Together we pray. Together we serve God in this world.  Let us all go in peace.  Amen.

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

Pastor Donna gives thanks to Emerson Chen, Rosa Weed, Nina Proschel, Helga Brenner-Khan, Linda Diez, Jeanne Sarran, and the Chancel Choir for participating in this morning’s service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME DONNA MARIE FIELD to the pulpit.  Donna graduated from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity degree.  She will be leading our worship services until a permanent minister is in place.

MEMORIAL SERVICE for Hank Brunjes, brother of Donald Brunjes, this Saturday, October 12, 2013, 11:00 A.M. in the sanctuary.  Collation following.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to do crafts for the Harvest Festival on November 16th.  See Helen Lucas after the worship service or call (718) 353-2940.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Gina Lombardo
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour
Greeters: Nancy Gessner and Eva Munoz
Ushers: Ginny and Hong Chan, Marion Durney, Marie Mark, Jeanne and Steve Sarran, Adriene and Bill Toy and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Kathy Bracken and Michael Iovale
Childcare: Judie Kellaway

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

VAN MINISTRY: We offer van service for Sunday worship and grocery shopping every other Tuesday.  If you need a ride to church on Sunday or would like to join them for grocery shopping, speak with Gina Lombardo at (917) 767-2923.

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgado, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Alfred Gessner, Lisa Gessner, Robert Keller, Fritz Kunisch, Ann Martin, John Molino, Ed Moores, Josephine Rivera, Gloria Scrivano, Janice Serra, Mary Wainwright, Joan Werbel.