April 12, 2015

PRELUDE: Suite Gothique, Léon Boëllmann

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

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Emerson Chen

Leader:    Sing a new song to the Lord,
People:    Who has worked wonders, whose right hand has brought salvation.
Leader:    The Lord has made known salvation;
People:    God has shown justice to the nations and has remembered with love the people of God.
Leader:    All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
People:    Shout to the Lord, all the earth, sing out your joy.     

* HYMN No. 250: Jesus Christ is Risen Today

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  

Leader:    If, at times, we deny you, God forgive. When the risks of discipleship are high, and we are nowhere to be found:
People:    God forgive.
Leader:    When we wash our hands of responsibility:
People:    God forgive.
Leader:    When fear keeps us from witnessing to your truth, or prejudice keeps us from believing it:
People:    God forgive.
Leader:    In the bright light of the resurrection, O God, our sin is exposed, and your grace is revealed.
People:    Tender God, raise us in your love so that, with joy, we may witness to your salvation, in the name of Jesus, the risen one. Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON

ANTHEM: Ah, Jesus Lord, Thy Love to Me, arr. David N. Johnson

Ah, Jesus Lord, thy love to me no thought can reach, no tongue declare; O bind my thankful heart to thee, and reign without a rival there.  Thine wholly, thine alone, I'd live, myself to thee entirely give.
O grant that nothing in my soul may dwell, but thy pure love alone; Ah, may thy love possess me whole, my joy, my treasure, and my crown.  All coldness from my heart remove: may every act, word, thought, be love.
O Lord, how gracious is thy way!  All fear before thy presence flies; care, anguish, sorrow, melt away, where'er thy healing hands arise.  O Jesus, nothing may I see, and nothing seek, desire, but thee.

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer Response, Georg Friedrich 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. 248: He Lives

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 40:4-12, Pew Bible, page 446

Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.

Matthew 28:16-20, Pew Bible, page 812

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

THE SERMON: God’s Mission to the World, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory: Lift High the Cross, arr. Carl Schalk

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim Till all the world adore his sacred name.  Come, Christians, follow where our captain trod, our king victorious, Christ, the Son of God.  Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conqu'ring ranks combine. All newborn soldiers of the Crucified bear on their brows the seal of him who died. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, as thou hast promised, draw us all to thee.  So shall our song of triumph ever be: praise to the Crucified for victory!  Amen.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45

Leader:    How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us?
People:    First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he obtained for us by his death.

Second, by his power we too are already raised to a new life. Third, Christ’s resurrection is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.

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

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

POSTLUDE: Toccata (Suite Gothique), Léon Boëllmann

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

ON SATURDAY, April 18, Women’s Christian Circle - Luncheon & Program

Bring your own sandwich, dessert to be provided.  After the luncheon, the program is a story of Esther, written and portrayed by our Thespian Group.

ON SUNDAY, April 26, the Rev. Dr. Gregg Mast, president of New Brunswick Theological Seminary (one of the seminaries of the Reformed Church in America), will be our guest preacher. During the coffee hour that day, he will speak about the mission and vision of the seminary. Sally Ann Castle, an elder at COTH and a student at New Brunswick, will also share about her experience at the seminary. All are invited to come and learn about God's work in and through the seminary during the coffee hour that day.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Driver: Jorge Alamilla
Coffee Hour Host: Dorien Day 
Greeters: Carol Stark, Debra Rossi
Ushers: Joanne McCleary, Stacy Muller, Joan Wagner, Dorothea Zelnick
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli, Wai Chu

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Helga Brenner-Khan, Marilyn Cooney, Ed Dawson, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jackie Fraser, Elaine Good, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Michael Patras, Keith Pearson, Josephine Rivera, Frank Rivilli, Matthew Schulman, Janice Serra, Emily Testu

April 5, 2015 — Easter Sunday

PRELUDE: Piéce Heroique, César Franck

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

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Gerry Mendler

Leader:    Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People:    He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!
Leader:    Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People:    Who has given us new life and hope and raised Jesus from the dead.
Leader:    God has claimed us as his own.
People:    Bringing us out of darkness, God has made us light to the world.
Leader:    Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People:    He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

* HYMN No. 234: Christ the Lord is Risen Today 

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)

Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death.  We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death.  We overlook the poor and the hungry and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak and abuse the earth you made.  Forgive us, God of mercy.  Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM: from Messiah, George Friedric Handel

But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 118:1-9, Pew Bible, page 492

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?
The Lord is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

Matthew 28:1-10, Pew Bible, page 811

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

THE SERMON: Go and Tell, Rev. Blaine Crawford

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)

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, George Friedric 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 graveclothes where thy body lay.  Thine is the glory, risen, conquering Son; endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won.

* HYMN No. 243: Christ Is Alive!

* BENEDICTION 

    Response (standing): from Messiah, George Friedric Handel

Hallelujah!  For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.  King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah! 

POSTLUDE: God of Grace, arr. Paul Manz

THE COFFEE HOUR is hosted by Judi Hunt, Judie Kellaway and Yoon Ryo. After the service, all are invited to Gessner Hall to share in a time of fellowship.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Jean and Gerry Mendler
Greeters: Joan Werbel and Joan Pearson
Ushers: Jorge Alamilla, Sally Ann Castle, Ginny, Hong and Michael Chan, Buck Kellaway, Jeanne and Steve Sarran 

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.

WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN CIRCLE- Luncheon, Saturday, April 18, 2015

After the luncheon, the program is a story of Esther, written and portrayed by our Thespian Group.

VAN MINISTRY: Volunteers are desparately needed to assist with driving members to worship services. If you can help, speak with Gerry Mendler after church or call (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).

Also, if you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler. 

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

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Helga Brenner-Khan, Marilyn Cooney, Ed Dawson, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jackie Fraser, Elaine Good, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Michael Patras, Keith Pearson, Josephine Rivera, Frank Rivilli, Matthew Schulman, Janice Serra, Emily Testut

March 29, 2015 — Palm Sunday

PRELUDE: Marche Religieuse, Alexandre Guilmant 

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

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Matthew Chu

Leader:    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
People:    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Leader:    Lo, your king comes to you;
People:    Triumphant and victorious is he,
Leader:    Humble and riding on a donkey,
People:    On a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Leader:    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
People:    Hosanna in the highest!

* OPENING HYMN and DISTRIBUTION OF THE PALMS 

    The Palms (to be sung by congregation and Choir), Jean Faure

Palm trees and flow'rs unite upon our way, Greetings they bring to us of joy and gladness; Lo!  Jesus comes!  All hail auspicious day!  He comes to banish gloom and care and sadness.
REFRAIN:
People and tongues shall chant His praise, Tune ev'ry voice, His name be gladly singing Hosanna!  Glory to God!  Glory to Him who comes, bringing salvation, salvation.
His gentle voice pervades the living throng; Bringing to life anew the soul forsaken; 'Tis He who gives the darkest night a song, And joy to those who in His love awaken.
Shout, shout aloud, O fair Jerusalem, Now let thy notes in joyous praise ascending; God by the wondrous grace of Bethlehem Shall hear in perfect song our voices blending.

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

O Lord, who on this day entered the rebellious city that later rejected you, we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem’s, that our faith is often more show than substance, that our hearts are in need of cleansing. Have mercy on us, Son of David, Savior of our lives.  Help us to lay at your feet all that we have and all that we are, trusting you to forgive what is sinful, to heal what is broken, to welcome our praises, and to receive us as your own.  Amen.

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

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM: Ride on! Ride on in Majesty, W. Glen Darst

Ride on! Ride on in majesty! Hark! All the tribes Hosanna cry; O Saviour meek, pursue Thy road With palms and scatter’d garments strow’d. Ride on! Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O’er captive death and conquered sin. Ride on! Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh; The Father on His sapphire throne Expects His own anointed Son. Ride on! Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
Ride on! Ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O God, Thy power, and reign. Ride on! Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

MORNING PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
    Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
    Prayer Response, David H. Williams

Thy road is ready; and Thy paths, made straight, With longing expectation seem to wait The consecration of Thy beauteous feet, And silently Thy promised advent greet!

* HYMN No. 205: Ride On, Ride On in Majesty

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 118:19-29, Pew Bible, page 493

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Matthew 21:1-16, Pew Bible, page 802

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself’?”

THE SERMON: Unexpected Jesus, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
    Offering
    Offertory: Procession of Palms, Malcolm Williamson

Elizabeth Mahowald and Dorien Day, sopranos

Ride on! ride on in majesty! Hark, all the tribes Hosanna cry; Thine Humble beast pursue his road With palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die: O Christ thy triumph now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on! ride on in majesty! The winged squadrons of the sky Look down with sad and wond'ring eyes To see th'approaching sacrifice.
Ride on! ride on in majesty! The last and fearful strife is nigh; Thy father, on his sapphire throne, Expects his own anointed Son.
Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; Bow thy meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O God, Thy power, and reign.
All glory, laud, and honour To thee, Redeemer, king. To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring. Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David's royal son, Who in the Lord's name comest, The King and blessed one.
O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Benedictus Blessed is He Qui venit in nomine Domini that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in excelsis! Hosanna in the highest!

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

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

* HYMN No. 203: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

* BENEDICTION 
    Response: Ride on! Ride on in majesty!, W. Glen Darst 

POSTLUDE: We All Believe in One God, Everett Titcomb

OUR FLOWERS are given by Betty Gessner and Family in memory of Arnold Gessner on the anniversary of his birth.

TODAY’S COFFEE HOUR is hosted by Sarah, Bob and Annabel White and given by the Congregational Care Committee in honor of everyone with a March Birthday.  All  are invited. 

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY:  Every Wednesday during Lent, Pastor Blaine and Elder Sally Ann Castle will lead a book study on Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie Thompson.  They will meet in the Folensbee Lounge at 7:30 P.M.  If you are interested, speak to the Pastor or Sally Ann Castle.

LENTEN ENVELOPES: Your special offering during Lent will be placed in the Deacons Fund.  Please use the envelope in the bulletin.  Thank you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS​

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.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Gary LiBert (AM), Buck Kellaway (PM)
Greeters: Nina and Bill Proschel, Dorothea Zelnick
Ushers: The YPF
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli, Michael Iovale

WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN CIRCLE: Saturday, April 18, 2015

After the luncheon, the program is a story of Esther, written and portrayed by our Thespian Group.

CHILDREN AND WORSHIP PROGRAM: Children ages 3 through 7 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 speak with Rhoda Jabbour.

VAN MINISTRY: Volunteers are desparately needed to assist with driving members to worship services. If you can help, speak with Gerry Mendler after church or call (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).

Also, if you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler. 

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Helga Brenner-Khan, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jackie Fraser, Elaine Good, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Michael Patras, Keith Pearson, Josephine Rivera, Matthew Schulman, Janice Serra, Emily Testut

March 22, 2015

PRELUDE

Prelude and Fugue in e minor, J.S. Bach
Prelude on "Rhosymedre", R. Vaughan-Williams

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

* CALL TO WORSHIP, Sarah White

Leader:    Come among us, living Lord.
People:    We come to hear your living Word.
Leader:    We meet together in the name of Christ
People:    To share your mission and your sacrifice; To receive the power that only you can give, that we might live!
Leader:    We gather to worship and proclaim your saving grace;
People:    To be drawn into your world of beauty and justice.
Leader:    Let us worship in spirit and in truth.

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

* PRAYER OF CONFESSION  (unison)     

Gracious Father, the God of life, teach us ever more to respect and love all the lives you create. Forgive us our lack of concern and love for those who are hungry and thirsty. Teach us to open our hearts to all your children. Forgive us when we are negligent and uncaring for those who suffer from a careless society, for those imprisoned, and for those who find themselves in a new and strange land. Teach us to open our homes and churches, to visit the lonely and forgotten, and to bring your love into their lives on this earth. Amen.

* KYRIE (pew card)

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

JUNIOR SERMON                   

ANTHEM: from The Crucifixion, John Stainer

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that who-so believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that tthe world through Him might be saved.

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

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

* HYMN No. 742: Tell All the World of Jesus

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 97, Pew Bible, page 480

The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.
His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
All worshipers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.
Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O God.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Matthew 25:31-46, Pew Bible, page 807

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

THE SERMON: A Faith that Loves, Rev. Blaine Crawford

WORSHIP OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS, Jeanne Sarran
    Offering
    Offertory: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, arr. Gilbert M.Martin

When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to his blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small. Love, so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all! Amen.

    * The Doxology  (pew card)      
    * Prayer of Dedication

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Based on the Belhar Confession, Section 4     

We believe that God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly.
We believe that for God, pure and undefiled religion is to visit the orphans and the widows in their suffering.
We believe that the church must stand by people in any form of suffering and need and must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

* HYMN No. 231: Ah, Holy Jesus

* BENEDICTION 
    Response: Théodore Dubois

Thee we adore, O Saviour, bless Thee and praise Thee for ever, for on Thy holy cross Thou has the world from sin redeemed.

POSTLUDE: Prelude on "Hyfrydol", R. Vaughan-Williams

ANNOUNCEMENTS​

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY:  Every Wednesday during Lent, Pastor Blaine and Elder Sally Ann Castle will lead a book study on Forgiveness: A Lenten Study by Marjorie Thompson.  They will meet in the Folensbee Lounge at 7:30 P.M.  If you are interested, speak to the Pastor or Sally Ann Castle.

LENTEN ENVELOPES: Your special offering during Lent will be placed in the Deacons Fund.  Please use the envelope in the bulletin.  Thank you.

COMMUNION TO SHUT-INS: Pastor Blaine and an elder will be making communion visits to our shut-ins during Lent.  Please contact the Pastor or the church office if you know someone who would like to be visited.

OUR APPRECIATION FOR TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS:

Van Drivers: Jorge Alamilla
Greeter: Irma Shubert
Ushers: Irma Karle, Judie Kellaway, Debra Rossi, Sally Ann Castle
Children and Worship: Sharon Rivilli, Wai Chu

VAN MINISTRY: Volunteers are desparately needed to assist with driving members to worship services. If you can help, speak with Gerry Mendler after church or call (917) 362-6284 (day) or (718) 464-3464 (evening).

Also, if you need a ride to church on Sunday, speak with Gerry Mendler. 

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

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jorel Andaluz, Grace Attanasio, Helga Brenner-Khan, Marilyn Cooney, Letty Delgardo, Allegra DeMelo, Ed Diercks, Dombrowski Family, Edythe Durney, Jackie Fraser, Elaine Good, Jenny Hampton, Richard Holm, Robert Keller, Karen Krieg, Fritz Kunisch, Ann McCaffrey-Amalfitano, Rev. John H. Meyer, John Molino, Keith Pearson, Josephine Rivera, Matthew Schulman, Janice Serra, Emily Testu