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Covenant Presbyterian Church
Butler, Pennsylvania
May 17, 2015
"It took me a long time to learn
that God is not the enemy of my enemies.
He is not even the enemy of His enemies."
-- German pastor Martin Niemoeller (1892–1984),
who protested Hitler's anti-semitic measures
in person to the Fuehrer, was eventually arrested,
then imprisoned at Sachsenhausen and Dachau
concentration camps from 1937 to 1945
The Rev. Dr. James E. Swanson, Pastor
Pastor’s Phone: 724-752-8383 / 724-712-1407
Church Office Phone: 724-287-7731
Fax Number: 866-309-2674
Website: http://covenantbutler.org
Order of Worship for the Lord’s Day
May 17, 2015
Eleven O’clock, A.M.
Rev. Dr. James E. Swanson, Pastor
Choir Director /Organist: Miss Beverly Antis
Liturgist: Nancy Rice
THIS IS GOD’S HOUSE ~ ALL ARE WELCOME HERE !
To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn
and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all
who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want
fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to
all who will come – this church opens wide her doors and offers
warmest welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince
of Peace and the Light of the world.
Prelude on “Hyfrydol”
PRELUDE
Raymond H. Haan
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
Leader:
People:
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord is God;
It is he who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Let us come before the Lord with thanksgiving.
We lift our voices in praise and adoration!
*OPENING HYMN 144
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
HYFRYDOL
*THE PRAYER OF ADORATION
PSALM OF THE DAY
Psalm 1: 1-6
(Pew Bible OT p. 473)
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
CORPORATE PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
O God, you are always ready to re-create a new heart
within us and a new community where we shall live
together in peace as brothers and sisters; so let this
newness be in us!
Forgive what lies behind and turn our hearts and minds to
what is ahead. Free us from the chains of guilt and fear
which hinder our energy to love, and our ability to be
loved.
Refresh our hope and vision as your church, and renew
our commitment to the ministries of care and compassion
in which you call us to serve.
This we humbly pray, trusting in your grace.
A TIME FOR SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Pastor: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Through the Holy Spirit, God gives new life
and freedom from the power of sin.
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
*THE GLORIA PATRI 579
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
GLORIA PATRI
PC(USA) Study Catechism, Questions 23-24
Leader:
[Question 23.] What comfort do you receive by trusting in
God's providence?
People:
The eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ watches
over me each day of my life, blessing and guiding me
wherever I may be. God strengthens me when I am
faithful, comforts me when discouraged or
sorrowful, raises me up if I fall, and brings me at last
to eternal life. Entrusting myself wholly to God's
care, I receive the grace to be patient in adversity,
thankful in the midst of blessing, courageous against
injustice, and confident that no evil afflicts me that
God will not turn to my good.
Leader:
[Question 24.] What difference does your faith in God's
providence make when you struggle against bitterness and
despair?
People:
When I suffer harm or adversity, my faith in God's
providence upholds me against bitterness and
despair. It reminds me when hope disappears that
my heartache and pain are contained by a larger
purpose and a higher power than I can presently
discern.
Even in grief, shame and loss, I can still cry out to
God in lament, waiting on God to supply my needs
and to bring me healing and comfort.
*THE GREETINGS OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
SHARING OF JOYS, CONCERNS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONSECRATION & BLESSING ~ OPERATION BACKPACK
Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26
FIRST READING
(Pew Bible NT p. 112)
Liturgist: This is the word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING
1 John 5: 9-13
(Pew Bible NT p. 224)
Liturgist: Here ends the second reading.
People: Praise be to you, O Lord.
*GOSPEL READING
John 17: 6-19
(Pew Bible NT p. 106)
Pastor: This is the gospel of our Lord.
People: Glory to you, O Christ.
*CONGREGATIONAL CANTICLE
(Hymn 111, vs. 3 and 4)
Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing!
GELOBT SEI GOTT
Praise we in songs of victory
That love, that life which cannot die,
And sing with hearts uplifted high:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thy name we bless, O risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The life laid down, the life restored:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
“ SHOCK AND AWE ”
SERMON
Pastor Jim
PULPIT HYMN 154
Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor
BRYN CALFARIA
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER (using debts and debtors)
PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS, GIFTS
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Flute Piece
Thomas Thorley
*THE DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
*UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
O God, accept our offerings, and use us to bring life and
health and hope to your world. Make us generous and
faithful stewards of your mysteries, doing your will and
proclaiming your word; through Christ we pray. Amen.
*THE CLOSING HYMN151 Crown Him with Many Crowns
DIADEMATA
*THE BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Hymn 540, vs. 1, God Be with You Till We Meet Again
RANDOLPH
God be with you till we meet again;
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
—Jeremiah Eames Rankin
*THE TIME OF SILENCE
*THE CHARGE & DISMISSAL
Pastor:
Now may the blessing of God rest on our heads,
And the Truth of God set us free from all dangers,
real and perceived;
So that in our labor and in our leisure,
In our rising up and our sitting down,
In hours of joy or in days of sorrow,
We shall with gladness of heart
Commend our lives wholly unto Him
who keeps us from falling.
Pastor:
Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!
People:
Thanks be to God!
*THE POSTLUDE
Cornet Voluntary
* THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND
Henry Heron
YOU WERE GREETED TODAY Joe Nemmer and Bob Young.
JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP TIME !
Immediately following worship each
Sunday we gather for a time of
fellowship. If you are a visitor, please
join us for conversation (and food!)
Hosting today: Joe Nemmer & Bob Young
The Flowers
in the Sanctuary
are provided by
Audrey Carlson
In Memory of:
Ed, whose birthday would
have been May 21st
$ $ Financial Snapshot ~ April 2015 $ $
Total Budgeted Expenses
$ 22,060
Budgeted Income from All
Sources
$ 11,785
Taken from Reserve Funds
to meet expenses
$ 10,275
2015 Pledges Received to Date
31 pledges for a total of $93,666
COMMITTEE MEETING this week—
Worship & Music
This Wednesday, May 20th
@ 6:30pm ~ The MacDonald Memorial Room
(Connell classroom)
__________________________________
This week –
Pastor Jim,
Karen & Danny
will be getting away
for a few days to
Ocean City, Maryland
The Swansons will be gone Tuesday – Friday, and Pastor Jim will be
preaching next Sunday, May 24th. In the meantime, however, if you
need to reach him, please call the pastor’s cell phone and leave a
message… or contact Elsie in the church office and she will pass
along your message.
__________________________________
PENTECOST SUNDAY
NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 24TH
@ 11 AM ~ Sanctuary
Come Join Us as We—
Celebrate: Communion (come forward)
Receive:
Enjoy:
Our annual Apportionment Donations
-- $40 per each member on the Active Roll
A delicious Pot-Luck Luncheon
(in the Assembly Room following worship)
Bring your favorite dish to share!
Your annual Per Capita Letter and Apportionment
Offering Envelope for 2015 is ready now. Please help us save
mailing costs by picking up your copy today, arranged
alphabetically in the narthex.
If you are unable to be with us next Sunday, you may
place your contribution on this morning’s offering plate, or
mail it or drop it off at the church office during the week.
Please make checks payable to Covenant Presbyterian Church
marked “per capita” in the memo section.
*If you are enclosing cash, please remember to write your
name on the outside of the apportionment envelope so that
you may receive proper credit for your contribution.
CELEBRATE, RECEIVE AND ENJOY !
On the Calendar for JUNE
Summer Worship Hours
Beginning on June 7, 2015
10 am - Worship Service
with Fellowship Hour following
Annual Church Rummage Sale
Saturday, June 13th
9am – 3pm ~ Fellowship Hall
Get ready to unload your “treasures” for
the annual rummage sale.
For questions of if you are available to volunteer
your help, please contact Connie Brown,
Coordinator at 724-285-3872 or on her cell 412-629-3007
Marian (Knepper) Deucker Curran
Marian joined the Church Triumphant April 25, 2015
The Memorial Service will be held for family and friends
on Saturday, June 27th @ 11AM (Sanctuary)
Lunch follows the service in the Assembly Room
The People for Peace
Special Peace Mission Project:
Operation Backpack
As they do at the end of every study period,
the People for Peace choose a mission project
to support. This time it is “Operation
Backpack” for foster children.
During this morning’s worship service, we will consecrate and
bless these backpacks which will then be transported and sent on
to a child who is experiencing a stressful life change.
The members of the class have collected and filled
backpacks with essential items, as well as things that are
comforting and fun, for children who are being removed from
the only home they have ever known—with just the clothes on
their back.
Founded in 2005, Operation Backpack is a foundation
dedicated to spreading awareness and working to prevent ALL
kinds of child abuse. Inspired by stories of abuse and neglect
in the foster care system, OBP began supplying backpacks to
foster children in Allegheny county and surrounding areas.
They currently supply more than 100 backpacks a month to
children being placed into foster care.
The intention of the program is to give these neglected and
abused children something they can call their own and
hopefully make their transition to their new foster homes a
little easier.
We applaud Nancy Rice, Leader, and all the members of the
People for Peace Study Class, for their compassionate projects
bringing the love of Jesus Christ to all those in need.
Did you know there are more than
402,000 children in foster care
in the United States?
May is National Foster Care Month. Pray for children in foster care,
their families, foster and adoptive families, and families considering
foster care and adoption.
A Prayer
No one is far from you, O God.
We come together in joy – mindful of the depth of your love and the
healing of your hand;
We come together in gladness – comforted to know that you have
not abandoned us or left us alone, but given us each other as
helpmates and friends.
We come together with praise – for each other and those who assist
us on our journey.
No one is far from you O God and we call upon your power in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit to guide
and protect the most vulnerable among us ~ our children, our
families, and our youth.
_________________________________________________________
In The Life of Our Church
_________________________________________________________
Prayer Concerns, Birthdays and Anniversaries:
available in the printed bulletin
but removed from the online version
to ensure confidentiality
_________________________________________
Covenant Cupboard Food Bank
HOURS FOR DISTRIBUTION
9 AM to 11 AM
(DOWNSTAIRS in FELLOWSHIP HALL)
MAY 2015 Schedule
Monday, May 11
Monday, May 18
Thursday, May 21
Thursday, May 28
_________________________________________
Matthew 10: 28-31 ~ Do Not Fear !
Jesus said: “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet
not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's
knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be
afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
___________________________________________________
Stick-to-it-ivness
In elementary school, we learned that Thomas Edison invented the
lightbulb. Some people say it is the most important invention ever
because without it we’d be in the dark. (pun intended) But the thing
is, Thomas Edison did NOT invent the lightbulb. No, in fact there is
a whole list of inventers who made lightbulbs long before Mr.
Edison did.
Thomas Edison was the single scientist who made the lightbulb
practical and easily available for the general public. His kind of
lightbulb worked by running electricity through the wire inside a
bulb of blown glass, which then glowed, shining light. But the early
inventers used filaments that were very expensive, hard to find, or
only glowed for a few minutes. Candles were much better than those
bulbs.
Edison, on the other hand, thought there had to be a way to make a
better lightbulb, so he began experimenting, trying to find the right
combination of materials. He tried over 6,000 types of wires before
he found the right one. That’s a lot of wires! (Side note: you’d have
to eat 30 Oreos every single day for a whole year to eat 6,000
Oreos!) Mr. Edison had what we call perseverance. He moved
forward in his work with persistence. This means that even though
it was hard work, he stuck to it.
In Hebrews, the writer reminds his readers that life is all about
“sticking to it” or “hanging in there.” We are called to be persistent,
to live our lives with perseverance, to keep working with faith and
conviction even when things get difficult and we feel like giving up.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that
clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that
is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of
our faith…” --Hebrews 12:1
The “nones” have now finally,
officially arrived !
We’ve heard about the “rise of the nones” (religiously unaffiliated)
for a long time. They were always coming, always on the move. Now
they are really here.
The nones surged from a 16.1% share of the total population to
22.8% in 2014–a gain of 6.7%. This number includes atheists
(3.1%), agnostics (4.0%), and the biggest group, in the bland but
descriptive category: “nothing in particular” (15.8%).
According to the most recent Pew Poll of Religion:
“The number of religiously unaffiliated adults has increased
by roughly 19 million since 2007. There are now
approximately 56 million religiously unaffiliated adults in
the U.S., and this group – sometimes called religious “nones”
– is more numerous than either Catholics or mainline
Protestants, according to the new survey. Indeed, the
unaffiliated are now second in size only to evangelical
Protestants among major religious groups in the U.S.”
_____________________________________________
Update
on Presbyterian Disaster Relief
in Nepal
Just a little more than two weeks after thousands of people died in
the massive earthquake that struck on April 25, a second
earthquake hit Nepal. The second earthquake measuring 7.4 struck
north-east of Kathmandu on May 12, 2015. At least 64 people were
killed and more than 2,000 people injured. This figure is likely to
keep rising as rescue services gain access to those affected. The
quake has caused an increase in landslides in many areas of the
previously affected districts. Houses and buildings that were
partially damaged from the previous earthquake have now
collapsed.
PDA’s partners in Nepal have been distributing immediate lifesaving supplies since the first quake on April 25, such as water,
food, shelter and medication to over 40,000 people in some of the
most severely impacted districts; and will continue the relief and
assessment efforts.
The increased landslides triggered by the second quake, together
with the coming monsoon season in June, pose numerous critical
challenges for travel to the affected areas, particularly those which
are located in rural and remote areas.
Presbyterian Relief Assistance is a long-term response. As recovery
plans are developed, PDA will accompany and further financially
support our partners in the area to ensure a comprehensive
recovery is sustained. Please continue to pray for the people of
Nepal who once again are seeking safety in open areas; also in your
prayer, remember our partners and all who are engaged in the relief
and recovery efforts.