December 25, 2013 - Christmas Day

PRELUDE:  Carols for Christmas, Hermann Schroeder

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

* CALL TO WORSHIP and salutation    

Leader:  Sing to the Lord a new song
People:  Sing to the Lord, all the earth
Leader:  Declare God’s glory among the nations and God’s wonders among all peoples.
People:  Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Leader:  Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad.
People:  Let the earth shout for joy before the Lord.
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

Merciful God, we come to you for forgiveness and for help. Forgive us for taking your presence for granted, for treating this special world as if it were ordinary, and for treating one another as if we were not treasured gifts. Help us to see our mistakes. Help us to recognize our fault. Help us to look to you for the strength we need to turn back to the ways you have taught us.

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

ANTHEM:  Christ is Born, Marvin Curtis

The Chamber Choir

Christ is born!  What do you say?  Born He was on Christmas day. All the angels in Heaven did sing, for born was He, our Savior King!

Wise men and shepherds made the journey afar, following angels and blazing star, finding for us sweet Prince of Peace, finding for us our sins’ release.

Alleluia for His birth we sing, let the whole earth hear the yuletide ring, peace on earth, good will extend unto the world rejoice again.

* HYMN No. 174:  Angels from the Realms of Glory             

SCRIPTURE LESSON

Luke 2: 8-20, Pew Bible, pg. 833

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.

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

THE SERMON, Dr. Ian Rottenberg

Christ is Born Today! (But What Does that Mean?)

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  Carol of the Star, Donald Moore

A star, a shining star, let wise men on their way to find that Bethlehem town where lay a holy babe.  Venite adoremus Dominum. 

A star, a guiding star, let angels from above.  To seek a tiny babe, surround Him with their love.  Venite adoremus Dominum.

A star, a mighty star, did shine o’er all the earth.  To welcome Him with joy, proclaim His wondrous birth.  Venite adoremus Dominum.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

ANTHEM:  Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, Michael Praetorius

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hasth sprung!  Of Jesse’s lineage coming as men of old have sung.  It came, a flow’ret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.

Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind, with Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind.  To shew God’s love aright she bore to us a Saviour, when half-spent was the night.

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. 156:  Gentle Mary Laid Her Child         

* BENEDICTION 
    Response:  Fanfare for Christmas Day, Martin Shaw

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

POSTLUDE:  Carillon, Louis Vierne

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME DR. IAN ROTTENBERG BACK TO THE PULPIT.  Ian is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Saint Leo University near Tampa, Florida.

2014 offering envelopes are at the church entrance.  If you do not see your box and would like one, sign your name on the clipboard.  A set will be prepared and available for you.

SUNDAY SCHOOL and CHILDREN AND WORSHIP will not meet this Sunday, December 29 and will resume on Sunday, January 5, 2014, Epiphany Sunday.

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, 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)

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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

November 24, 2013 - Last Sunday after Pentacost: Christ the King

PRELUDE:
Now Thank We All Our God, J. S. Bach
Now Thank We All Our God, G. F. Kaufmann

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION (Psalm 46), Mary Bow

Leader:  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
People:  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
Leader:  Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. 
People:  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
Leader:  God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
People:  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

* HYMN No. 376    We Gather Together

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sins.  You alone know how often we have wandered from your ways, wasted your gifts, and forgotten your love.  Have mercy on us, O Lord.  Forgive us, and help us to live in your light and to walk in your ways.  We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior.    Amen

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

ANTHEM:  Cantique de Jean Racine, Jean Fauré

O Lord of Hosts, how lovely are Thy dwellings. My soul longs for Thy courts, O Lord. My heart and flesh cry out. O blest are they whose hope is forever in Thee; who praise Thy name, who sing their songs within Thy holy house. O Lord, incline Thine ear; look down, my spirit longs for Thee. A Sun and Shield is the Lord of Hosts. O Lord of Hosts, how lovely are Thy dwellings. My soul longs for the courts of the Lord. In Thee I trust; look down and hear my prayer.

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM:  Requiem, Eliza Gilkyson

The Chamber Choir

Eliza Gilkyson’s “Requiem” was written in 2003 as a cry of grief for the victims of the Asian Tsunami. We offer it today as an ongoing prayer for all those whose lives have been shattered by nature's power.

Blessed Jesus, full of grace, awaken all our homes are gone, our loved ones taken, taken by the sea; blessed Jesus, calm our fears, have mercy - drowning in a sea of tears, have mercy; hear our mournful plea. Our world has been shaken, we wander, our homelands forsaken.  In the dark night of the soul bring some comfort to us all, O blessed Jesus come and carry us in your embrace that our sorrows may be faced.  Jesus, fill the glass to overflowing.  Illuminate the path where we are going. Have mercy on us all.  In funeral fires burning each flame to your mystery returning.  In the dark night of the soul your shattered dreamers, make them whole, O blessed Jesus help us to behold your gentle face - lead us to a higher place.  In the dark night of the soul our broken hearts you can make whole, O blessed Jesus come and carry us in your embrace, let us see your gentle face, Jesus.

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. 379:  For the Fruit of All Creation

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Jeremiah 23: 1-6, Pew Bible, page 633

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. The days are surely coming, says theLord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Luke 23: 33-43, Pew Bible, page 859

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

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

THE SERMON:  The King’s Cross, Rev. Douglas Estella

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  With Heart and Hands, John Rutter

For all the blessings you have granted us, Lord, give us thankful hearts, we pray: for life and health and happiness, and for the gift of each new day; for all our families and loved ones, the friends we meet along our way, we thank you, Lord, they are your gifts: Lord, we praise you, Lord we bless you, in your service let us all your love repay. Look all around you: you'll see a miracle or two; every valley, hill and mountain is calling to you.  For all the wonders of creation, a world whose marvels we behold: where winter turns to spring again; the changing scenes of life unfold, but there is One who never changes: through all eternity the same: be with us, Lord, for evermore: Alleluia, Lord, we praise your Holy Name.

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things hath done, in whom his world rejoices; who from our mother's arms hath blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.  Amen.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

* HYMN No. 375:  Sing to the Lord of Harvest

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

POSTLUDE:  Now Thank We All Our God, Sigfrid Karg-Elert

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Debra Rossi (AM) and Buck Kellaway (PM)
Coffee Hour Host: Rhoda Jabbour 
Greeters: Linda Diez and Marion Durney
Ushers: Virginia Andrews, Irma Karle, Irma Schubert, Dorothea Zelnick and Head Usher, Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli and Wai Chu
Childcare: Judie Kellaway

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

November 17, 2013

PRELUDE:

Praise to the Lord, Paul Manz
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now, Paul Manz

WELCOME
* CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP
* SANCTUS (pew card)             

* CALL TO WORSHIP AND SALUTATION - Psalm 98: 1-6, Nancy Gessner

Leader:  Sing a new song to the Lord, who has worked wonders, whose right hand and holy arm have brought salvation!
People:  The Lord has made known salvation; has shown justice to the nations; has remembered truth and love for the house of Israel.
Leader:  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 
People:  Shout to the Lord all the earth, sing out for your joy.
Leader:  Sing Psalms to the Lord with harp, with the sound of music.
People:  With trumpets and the sound of the horn, acclaim the King, the Lord! 
Leader:  Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

* HYMN No. 66: The God of Abraham Praise

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

Most gracious and most merciful God, we confess to you and to one another that time after time we have entered your presence with countless prayers but with hearts that have been closed to your grace. We have lifted our hearts and hands to you in praise, but our feet still walked in the ways of evil. We have rehearsed your commandments but have refused to see your face in the needs of our neighbor. We pray Lord, that you forgive our lack of faith and pardon our acts of injustice. Grant us healing that comes from your presence and the cleansing of your all-powerful Word, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

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

ANTHEM:  Come, Jesus, Holy Son of God, G. F. Handel

Come, Jesus, Holy Son of God, come.  Thy truth unseal.  Thy love reveal. Lord, hear Thou in mercy our prayer to Thee.  Come in Thy might.  Send forth Thy light. For Thee we long.  Hear Thou our prayer.  O hear Thou our prayer. To Thee be glory now and evermore.

JUNIOR SERMON        

ANTHEM:  Feed My Lambs, Natalie Sleeth

The Junior Choir

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

Hear our prayer, O Lord; incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen.

* HYMN No. 320:  Come, Let Us Praise the Lord

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Isaiah 65: 17-25, Pew Bible, page 607

For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord— and their descendants as well. Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.

Luke: 21: 5-19, Pew Bible, page 856

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.    

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

THE SERMON: Time, Like an Ever Rolling Stream, Elder Norman Haight

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory:  Great Lord God!, G. F. Handel

Great Lord God!  Thy kingdom shall endure forevermore.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH, from the Heidelberg Catechism Q &A 54

I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects and preserves for God's self a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.  Amen.

* HYMN No. 78:  O God, Our Help in Ages Past

* BENEDICTION 
    Response, J. S. Bach

The Lord bless you, yea, now and evermore.

POSTLUDE:  Praise to the Lord, Max Drischner

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME ELDER NORMAN HAIGHT TO THE PULPIT.
Elder Haight, is a Candidate for Word and Sacrament in the RCA under care of the Classis of Rockland-Westchester.  He is a recent graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary this past May, having served for a year as Student Minister at historic Old First Reformed Church of Park Slope, Brooklyn.   He is a resident and native of Peekskill, NY. 

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Royce Gothelf
Coffee Hour Host: Congregation Care Committee 
Greeters: Vivian and Peter Sclafani
Ushers: Wai and Richard Chu, Cathy and Tom Doyle; Head Usher, Jerry Good
Children and Worship: Kathy Bracken and Rhoda Jabbour
Childcare: Adriene Toy

YOUTH GROUP BROWN BAG SUNDAY: Next Sunday, November 24th the YPF will be collecting donations for the Greenpoint Church in Brooklyn, NY.  We are collecting clear plastic recycling bags, extra large black garbage bags, deep aluminum pans, olive oil, and butter.  These are all desperately needed items in the food ministry that Greenpoint Church provides to our community.  We will be delivering the items after church on that Sunday before Thanksgiving.  Thank you so much for your support of this YPF service project!

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.

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.