John

May 11, 2014 - Mother’s Day

PRELUDE:

Choral Song, Samuel Sebastian Wesley 
Aria, Flor Peeters 

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION - Psalm 100:1-3a    Emerson Chen

Leader:     Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
People:    Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Leader:     Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his;   
People:     We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Leader:      Grace and peace to you from God our Father, the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:     Amen.      

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

* 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: Prayer to Jesus, arr. John Ness Beck

Lord Jesus, think on me and purge away my sin, from selfish passions   set me free and make me pure within. Lord Jesus, think on me, by  anxious thoughts oppressed; let me your loving servant be and taste   your promised rest. Lord Jesus, think on me, nor let me go astray, through darkness and perplexity point out the heavenly way. Lord Jesus, think on me, that when this life is past, I may the eternal brightness see, and share Thy joy at last.  Amen.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer Response, Louis Lewandowski

How good it is to thank the Lord, to praise Thy name, O Thou Most High; to tell Thy kindness through the day, Thy faithfulness when night draws nigh.  With joyous psalms and with the harp, will I Thy marvels gladly sing; Thy works have made my heart rejoice, I triumph in Thy work, my King!

* HYMN No. 115: Fairest Lord Jesus

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Peter 2:19-25, Pew Bible, page 984

 

For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

John 10:1-10, Pew Bible, page 872

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

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

THE SERMON: The Perfect Pastor, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
   Offertory: Proclaim the Glory of the Lord, arr. Jack Schrader

Proclaim the glory of the Lord.  Let every tongue confess He reigns;  lift up His name in praises forever.  Proclaim the glory of the Lord.  Make known His mighty deeds to all; take up the call, Let every nation know: He is our Messiah, our Savior and our King; Let all our voices join as one and fill the earth with singing.  Glory to our God, His greatness we applaud.  Let every race on every shore Proclaim the glory of the Lord.  Proclaim the glory of the Lord; Give honor to the Prince of Peace; For if we cease, the stones will start shouting.  Proclaim the glory of the Lord; With hands uplifted let us raise immortal praise to Him who  reigns on high!  He is our Messiah.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (pew card)    Apostles’ Creed

* HYMN No. 569: Living for Jesus a Life That Is True

* 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: Trumpet Dialogue, Louis Clerambault

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 FLOWERS: The carnations are given by Judie and Buck Kellaway in loving memory of her mother, Grace Kales and will be distributed to all ladies after today’s service.

THE COFFEE HOUR is hosted by Judie and Buck Kellaway and the Congregational Care Committee in honor of the May birthdays and Mother’s Day.  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  

MARK YOUR CALENDARS :   

  • Saturday, May 17    1:00 PM    WCC Luncheon & Program
  • Sunday, May 18    12:00 PM    Congregational Luncheon & Meeting
  • Sunday, June 1    11:00 AM    Confirmation Sunday
  • Sunday, June 8    11:00 AM    Children’s Day / Stewardship Sunday

        12:00 PM    Church Barbeque

  • Saturday, June 21    12:00 PM    WCC Luncheon (see insert)

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Roger Bow
Greeters: Nina and Bill Proschel
Ushers: Dana Chan, Cascille Hampton, Jennifer Hopper, Stephanie Parker and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Judie Kellaway and Yessenia Iovale-Perez

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.

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, Melvin Werbel.

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.

January 19, 2014

PRELUDE:

Choral Song, Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness, J.S. Bach

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION – from Ps. 40    Jim Nicholas

Leader:  I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
People:  He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Leader:  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
People:  Happy are those who make the LORD their trust.
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  
ALL:  Amen. 

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

* 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 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 and know Christ as Savior and Lord.  Amen.

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

ANTHEM:  Everybody Ought to Know, The Junior Choir

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, 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. 93:  All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Pew Bible, page 926

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 1:29-42, Pew Bible, page 862

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

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

THE SERMON:  Come and See, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
   Offertory:  The God of Abraham Praise, arr. Gerhard Schroth

The God of Abraham praise; all praised be His Name who was and is and is to be and still the same! The one eternal God, ere aught that now appears; the first, the last: beyond all thought His timeless years!

The God of Abraham praise, at whose supreme command I rise and seek the joys at His right hand. I all on earth forsake, its wisdom, fame, and power, and Him my only portion make, my Shield and Tower.

The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high; hail, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, they ever cry. Hail, Abraham's God and mine, I join the heavenly lays. All majesty are Thine and endless praise. Amen.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

* HYMN No. 702:  I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord

* BENEDICTION 
    Response:  Sevenfold Amen, John Stainer

POSTLUDE:  Trumpet Voluntary, Henry Purcell

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.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY: The Sunday School will again participate in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring” campaign on Super Bowl Sunday, February 2nd.  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 Soup Kitchen.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Gary LiBert (AM), Gerry and Jean Mendler (PM)
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour
Greeters: Linda Diez and Angela Edward
Ushers: Gina and Sal Lombardo, Nina and Bill Proschel and Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Judie Kellaway and Yessenia Iovale
Childcare: Nancy Gessner

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.

VALENTINE FOR VETS:  Bring your valentines on Sundays, February 2 and 9  and deposit them in the box at the church entrance.  These cards will be personally delivered to the Veterans Hospital in St. Albans.  We want our vets to know that they are not forgetten.

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).  

The van service for grocery shopping will resume in the Spring. 

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – To host a coffee hour after church, speak with Rhoda Jabbour or put your name on the list in Gessner Hall..

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:  Ruth Bailey, Letty Delgado, 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

December 24, 2013 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP: Music of the Season

Carol Sing  (1st stanza only)

151. Go, Tell It on the Mountain
152. Angels We Have Heard on High
155. O Little Town of Bethlehem
157. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
162. The First Noel, the Angel Did Say

ORGAN PRELUDE:  Weinachten, Max Reger

* HYMN No. 173:  O Come, All Ye Faithful

* CALL TO WORSHIP

Minister:  Let us go, in heart and mind, to see what has come to pass.  Let us go with the shepherds:
People:  Let us go to find the Savior!
Minister:  Let us go with the wise ones:
People:  Let us go to find God’s promise, born for us!
Minister:  Let us go with the poor and humble:
People:  Let us go to find our King, born in a lowly manger.
Minister:  Let us go with all the world, with all the peoples of the nations. Come, let us worship; come, let us adore him:
People:  Christ the Lord!

* HYMN No. 145: Of the Father’s Love Begotten

* INVOCATION AND SALUTATION      

FIRST LESSON:  Isaiah 9: 2-7

The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined. 
You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder. 
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian. 
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
   and all the garments rolled in blood
   shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 
For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
His authority shall grow continually,
   and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
   He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
   from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 

ANTHEM:  Candlelight Carol, John Rutter

How do you capture the wind on the water?  How do you count all the stars in the sky?  How can you measure the love of a mother, or how can you write down a baby's first cry?  Candlelight, angel light, firelight and starglow shine on his cradle til breaking of dawn.  Gloria in excelsis Deo!  Angels are singing; the Christ child is born.

Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him, seraphim round him their vigil will keep; nations proclaim him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold him and sing him to sleep.  Candlelight, angel light, firelight and starglow shine on his cradle til breaking of dawn.  Gloria in excelsis Deo!  Angels are singing; the Christ child is born.

Find him at Bethlehem laid in a manger; Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay.  Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation: a child with his mother that first Christmas Day.  Candlelight, angel light, firelight and starglow shine on his cradle til breaking of dawn.  Gloria in excelsis Deo!  Angels are singing; the Christ child is born.

SECOND LESSON:  Luke 2: 1-7

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

ANTHEM:  Sing We Now of Christmas, arr. John Leavitt

Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here.  Hear our grateful praises to the Babe so dear.  Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!  

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Angels called to shepherds, “Leave your flocks at rest, journey forth to Bethlehem, find the lambkin blest.”

From the eastern country came kings from afar, bearing gifts to Bethlehem, guided by a star.

THIRD LESSON:  Luke 2: 8-20

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them

ANTHEM:  All My Heart This Night Rejoices, Z. Randall Stroope

The Chamber Choir

All my heart, all this night rejoices, as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices, "Gloria in excelsis Deo!"  All the air, and everywhere, "Gloria!"  Come let us all both great and small sing "Gloria!"  Hail the star where hope is burning, "Gloria!"  Love Who with love is yearning, ever yearning, "Gloria! 

All my heart, all this night rejoices, as I hear, far and near sweetest angel voices, "Gloria in excelsis Deo!"  All the air, and everywhere, "Gloria!"  Come and dwell in glory forever and ever.  Far on high in joy that can alter never.  Dwell in the house of Love forever, ever and ever gloria!

FOURTH LESSON:  John 1: 1-14

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.

ANTHEM:  Christmas Lullaby, John Rutter

Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem: angels are singing, their sound fills the air.  Wise men have journeyed to greet their Messiah; but only a mother and and baby lie there.  “Ave Maria”: hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.  “Ave Maria, maiden, and mother of Jesus our King”.

Where are his courtiers, and who are his people?  Why does he bear neither sceptre nor crown?  Shepherds his courtiers, the poor for his people, with peace as his sceptre and love for his crown.  “Ave Maria”: hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.  “Ave Maria, maiden, and mother of Jesus our King”.

What though your treasures are not gold or incense?  Lay them before him with hearts full of love.  Praise to the Christ child, and praise to his mother who bore us a Saviour by grace from above.  “Ave Maria”: hear the soft lullaby the angel hosts sing.  “Ave Maria, maiden, and mother of Jesus our King”.

* HYMN No. 146:  Joy to the World! The Lord is Come

MEDITATION:  Meeting God, Meeting Us, Rev. Thomas C.Goodhart

* HYMN No. 152:  Angels We Have Heard on High

CHRISTMAS OFFERING
    Offertory Prayer 
    Lord’s Prayer
    Offertory:  On This Day Earth Shall Ring, H. C. Stewart

On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing to the Son, Christ the King.  Born on earth to save us, Him the Father gave us, Ideo.  Gloria in excelsis Deo.  His the doom, ours the mirth, when He came down to earth, Bethlehem saw His birth, ox and ass beside Him, from the cold would hide Him.  Ideo.  Gloria in excelsis Deo. God’s bright star o’er His head, wise me three to Him led, kneel thy low by His bed, lay their gifts before Him, praise Him and adore Him. Ideo.  Gloria in excelsis Deo.  On this day angels sing, with their song earth shall ring praising Christ, Heaven’s King.  Born on earth to save us, peace and love He gave us.  Ideo.  Gloria in excelsis Deo.

* HYMN No. 155:  O Little Town of Bethlehem

ANTHEM:  Still, Still, Still, arr. Norman Luboff

Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow.  For all is hushed, the world is sleeping, Holy Star its vigil keeping.  Sleep, sleep, sleep, ‘tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.  The night is peaceful all around you, Close your eyes, let sleep surround you.  Dream, dream, dream of the joyous day to come.  While guardian angels without number watch you as you sweetly slumber. 

SOLO:  O Holy Night, Adolphe Adam

Glenn D. Alamilla, tenor

PASSING OF THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT

CAROL:  Silent Night, STILLE NACHT

Silent night! holy night!  All is calm, all is bright, Round yon Virgin Mother and Child!  Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace.  Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! holy night!  Shepherds quake at the sight.  Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing: “Alleluia, Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.”

Silent night! holy night!  Son of God, love’s pure Light, Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night!  holy night!  Wondrous Star, lend thy light, With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King; Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.

BENEDICTION  (seated)

WE WELCOME to the pulpit the Rev. Thomas C. Goodhart, minister of the Trinity Reformed Church in Ridgewood, Queens.  Pastor Tom is our Classis Supervisor until we have a permanent minister in place.

A SPECIAL SOCIAL HOUR will be held downstairs in Gessner Hall following the service.  Hosting this Wassail Hour are the young people of our church.

OUR USHERS are Marion Durney, Jerry Good, Rhoda Jabbour, Buck and Judie Kellaway, Gary LiBert, Jeanne and Steve Sarran