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FIRST CHURCH AT WORSHIP
A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Ambler, Pennsylvania
May 3, 2015
Traditional Service - 9:30 a.m.
South Ridge (Contemporary) - 11:00 a.m.
Please remember to silence all electronic devices.
(During the Prelude you are invited to prepare your hearts to worship God.)
PRELUDE
O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee
arr. Whitworth
INTROIT
OPENING SENTENCES
Vivian:
Frankie:
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your Word.
Vivian:
Frankie
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
Vivian:
Frankie:
I have hidden your Word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Vivian:
Praise be to you, Lord;
Vivian:
Let us worship God.
* HYMN #477
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
* CALL TO CONFESSION
* CONFESSION OF SIN
Holy and Loving God,
We come before you and confess this morning that
we often think that we deserve your grace.
We look at people around us
and we think that we stack up pretty well.
We come up with lists of sins that don’t plague us,
ignoring those that do.
We see ourselves as people with clean hands and pure hearts,
because we judge ourselves by outward appearances.
We know, though, that when we look within our hearts,
we are not always as pure as we want everyone to think.
Forgive us for our pride in believing that we are righteous
and can save ourselves.
Forgive us for refusing to look at our sin
and for believing that our self-righteousness is real
righteousness.
Show us our faults, and our sins.
Forgive us for the things that we have done left undone,
that displease you.
In your mercy, Lord,
hear our prayer.
Cleanse us of unrighteousness,
And let us stand before you
In the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Hear us as we silently confess our sins to you . . .
* SILENT CONFESSION
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* OUR RESPONSE #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, Amen.
* THE PEACE OF CHRIST
THIRD GRADE BIBLE CELEBRATION
Justin Michael Dickson
Annaliese Elizabeth Driehuis
Nathan Joseph Falcone
Lilian Grace Majka
Thomas Patrick Mackey
Taylor Michael Miksch
Jackson Mitchell Palmer
(not able to attend today)
Megan Elizabeth Recchiuti
Francis Oliver Wiemelt
Vivian Esther Wiemelt
THANK YOU TO CONGREGATION
Vivian Wiemelt
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you are a visitor and you take a moment to fill out the Connection Card found
in the bulletin, we will gladly send you information about our church. Just put the
card in the collection plate or hand it to an usher. If anyone has a joy or concern
to include during the PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, please fill out the yellow
Prayer Request Card found in the pew rack, and give it to an usher or one of the
pastors at this time.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE Romans 5:1-11 (NRSV)
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this
grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of
God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and
character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has
been given to us.
6
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the
ungodly.7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though
perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God
proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for
us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood,
will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were
enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much
more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But
more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation.
SERMON
“Transformed by Grace”
The Reverend Ryan Balsan
ANTHEM
O Lamb of God, I Come
Sanctuary Choir
Koepke
Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me;
And that thou bidst me come to thee. O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thy love unknown, hath broken every barrier down;
To be thine, yea thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
CCLI #147526
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER AND
THE PRAYERS OF GOD'S PEOPLE
Partake of the bread when served.
Hold the cup until all may partake in unison.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is
the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether
Biery
* DOXOLOGY #592
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. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Justin Dickson
Tommy Mackey
Nathan Falcone
Lily Majka
* HYMN #379
Taylor Miksch
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Oh, Be Joyful in the Lord
Wolford
ASSISTING WITH WORSHIP THIS MORNING
Head Usher: Tom Bender
Greeter:
Ushers: Connie Morgenson
Ed Morgenson
Bob Wagner
Lorraine Wagner
Bob Walters
Lay Reader: Lauri McCallum
Communion Jeff DePuyt
Servers: Dick Dresher
Scott French
Lynn Gould
Christina Hughes
Kent Selko
Emily Smith
Kathy Wandall
Driving Folks Sean Ryan and
To Church: Scott French
FOR EVERYONE’S CONVENIENCE – There are hearing devices, large
print hymnals and bulletins, and children’s worship packets. Ask an usher
for assistance.
CHILDCARE AND SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Nursery welcomes infants to three-year-olds ten minutes before
worship and is located in the main hallway on the 1st floor, Room 101.
SUNDAY SCHOOL. We offer the same program during the 9:30 AM and
11:00 AM worship services. Our Pre K & K class welcomes children, 3
years old through children in Kindergarten, 10 minutes before worship. This
class is located on the 3rd floor in Room 307.
Grades 1 through 5 begin in worship with their families. Children will be
invited to meet their teachers in the back of the Sanctuary. Elementary-age
homerooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
MEMBER PRAYER CONCERNS
Phil Albright
Harry Ash
Spence Butterwick
Richard and Arlene Crowell
John Detwiler
Lois Domm
Kenny Drinkwater
Falcone family
Howard Forster
Paul Furnival
Corinne Jones
Donna King
John Kirch
Dot Lynch
Ellen Morrow
Evelyn McAdam
Dick McNeal
Betty Rawlins
Muriel Resh
Lindsey Robinson
Charles Siegmann
Rick Stevens
Jeff Stone
Mim Theobald
Joanne Yutzler
If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, contact the
church office ([email protected]/215-646-3030). The church
staff prays for concerns during our weekly staff meeting.
WE EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHY to the family of Lauren Keatley, on
the death of her mother, Nancy Spiegelberg.
Prayer requests from extended family and friends
(listed in the order received):
Mike, husband of Ashley DiIenno
People of Nepal and aid workers
Isaiah Smith, Antwan Smith and Timmy Thomas,
friends of Doug Forster
Sam Brown, friend of Mark Stephens
Ann Wainer, friend of Barb Schmitt
Don McNeal and family, brother of Dick McNeal
Youth on the college search journey
Ora, friend of Brian Bortnick
Madison Diviaio, daughter of Brian Bortnick
Guy Diviaio, father-in-law of Brian Bortnick
Patricia Buziak, mother of Sarah McClure
Nancy Berry, wife of Craig S. Berry Sr.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY 3, 2015
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS ARE GIVEN
in celebration of the 70th wedding anniversary of
Corinne and Charles M. Jones.
If you are on FACEBOOK or FOURSQUARE, check in from First
Presbyterian Church of Ambler, and let your friends know you are
worshiping with us today.
PARENTS, you are welcome to feed your babies wherever
you feel comfortable. If you would like a quiet place, Marie
Thomas, our Children's Ministry Director, is making her office
available. Marie's office is behind the balcony on the third
floor, Room 301.
If you are on FACEBOOK or FOURSQUARE, check in from First
Presbyterian Church of Ambler, and let your friends know you are
worshiping with us today.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION. Feel free to take a squirt of hand
sanitizer from the new dispensers provided for the health of our
congregants.
PARKING OPTIONS. There are many parking options near
our church. There is a large Septa lot, street parking and a
parking lot on the corner of Butler and Lindenwold Avenues.
If you are able, please park in one of these alternate locations so
we can accommodate and welcome visitors.
METAMORPHOSIS. Join us on Sundays in April and May for
sermons on “Being Transformed by God’s Grace” at both the
9:30 AM and 11:00 AM worship services.
NEPAL EARTHQUAKE. On April 25th the worst earthquake in
more than 80 years, struck just west of the capital of Kathmandu
and destroyed towns and mountainous villages. The government
of Nepal has officially requested international assistance and
declared a state of emergency. Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term
recovery in the impacted areas with partner, ACT Alliance, and
its members who are already on the ground. If you would like to
respond with a donation, make checks payable to FPCA (with
PDA in the Memo line), or write “PDA” on a donation envelope.
JOIN THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT ASSOCIATE PASTOR!
Your participation is essential for the first step of our process to
be complete. All members and visitors are invited and
encouraged to complete a Congregational Survey to provide
the Mission Study team with needed information and insight into
the composition and vision of our faith community. Click the link
on the front page of the FPCAmbler.org website to begin. Paper
copies of the Survey are provided at the Help Desk for anyone
interested in completing a paper survey. Return completed
paper copies to the basket at the Help Desk or the church office.
The deadline for completed surveys is May 10th. Thank you
for sharing in the Mission Study portion of the search for our next
Associate Pastor!
CAPITAL STEWARDSHIP
JOURNEY INFORMATION PACKET.
Pick up your information packet today
after worship. Write your name on the
ticket in the bulletin and exchange it for a packet (more tickets
are available at the Help Desk). Packets will be available today
and May 10th after the 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM worship services.
Members who are not able to pick up a packet after Sunday
worship will have one mailed to them.
GIFT CARD DONATIONS. Do you have any gift cards with
balances available in your wallet or on your dresser at home?
The deacons are collecting gift cards for grocery stores, gas
stations and Target, Kmart and Walmart for families in need in
our area. You may purchase a new gift card to donate. Place all
gift cards in the box at the Help Desk with the amount or balance
written on it. The collection will continue through Sunday May
31st.
CALLING ALL SOPRANOS, ALTOS, TENORS AND
BASSES. Do you enjoy singing but your schedule doesn’t allow
you to commit to rehearsing on a weekly basis throughout the
year? Here’s a special opportunity to share your talents and sing
to the glory of God. We are looking for singers (members and
non-members alike) who would like to participate in the
Pentecost Choir on Sunday, May 24th, at the 9:30 AM
service. Interested? If so, you are invited to join the choir for
rehearsals on Wednesday evenings: May 6, 13, and 20 as the
choir prepares two anthems for the 9:30 AM service. We ask
that you commit to attending at least three or four of the five
rehearsals and arrive at 9:00 AM on May 24th.
Contact Michael Joy at [email protected] or mark your
interest on the Connection Card.
FOOTSTEPS 4 HOPE CANCELLED. This event benefiting the
Progeria Research Foundation has been cancelled. Mark your
calendar for Make A Splash 2015 on Sunday, September 13th.
This family-friendly event at the Flourtown Country Club includes
swimming, food and fun. All proceeds go to the Progeria
Research Foundation.
COMMUNITY GOLF TOURNAMENT.
Inter-Faith Housing
th
Alliance is hosting their 18 Annual Community Golf Tournament
at PineCrest Country Club on Tuesday, June 23rd. Inter-Faith is
currently looking for golfers, luncheon guests, donations for the
silent auction, and event sponsors. Register for golf of lunch
online at www.i-fha.org. For more information on sponsorship
opportunities or to make a donation, contact the Inter-Faith office
(215-628-2334/ [email protected]). Thank you.
“HORIZON BIBLE STUDY” is a publication of the Presbyterian
Women of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. This year the study
will be “Reconciling Paul” based on 2nd Corinthians, written by
Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Our final meeting for this year will be
on Thursday, May 14th from Noon -2:00 PM in the library.
P.R.I.M.E. TIME. Join us on Tuesday, May 5th for lunch at 11:30
AM. Immediately following lunch there will be a presentation by
David Rowland, President of the Old York Road Historical
Society. He will speak about the Philadelphia area architecture
of Horace Trumbauer. Early in his career, Trumbauer designed
the Grey Towers castle of Arcadia University. He concentrated
on grand homes for several decades, then he switched to public
buildings.
His most well-known public buildings are the
Philadelphia Art Museum, the Free Library and the Ritz Carlton.
If it had pillars, it must be a Trumbauer!
THURSDAY EVENING SMALL GROUP. Join us on Thursdays
from 7:10-8:40 PM in the church library. Why does Christian
character matter? How is our character tested? Why is it often a
struggle, and how do we deal with success or failure? We will
look at James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:1-5. Why do we make being
together on Thursday evenings a priority? The author of
Hebrews puts it well, “And let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one
another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25.
CHURCH FAMILY CAMPING. Please join us for a weekend of
fun and fellowship! We have reserved the excellent Group Site
at Green Lane Park on Memorial Day Weekend (Friday evening
May 22 - Sunday May 24). This is tent camping, but with
amenities such as hot showers and flush toilets only steps
away. Opportunities include fishing, hiking trails, bike riding,
badminton, stories and s'mores around the campfire, and more!
Please respond on the Connection Card or direct questions and
RSVPs to Debbie or Harry Heckler, Jr. ([email protected] /
215-264-7820) by Sunday May 17th.
AMBLER FIRST FRIDAY TEAM. Join the Friday Fun in Ambler
and help us CONNECT with our neighbors. We’re looking for a
team to organize an FPCA presence at these events. Our goal
is to meet our neighbors, provide information and/or an activity at
Ambler 1st Fridays, and facilitate outreach at this community
event.
BIBLE STUDY. Join us on Thursdays from 7:10 – 8:40 PM in
the church library for a time of reflection and discussion on
Pastors Ryan and Anita’s sermon series based on N. T. Wright’s
book After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters.
On Thursday, April 30th we will focus on 1 John 4:12-16 and the
Gospel of John 14:19-23 – “Christ In Us & Us In Christ.” God’s
purpose for our gatherings is “to equip his people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all
reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God
and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12-13. Contact Douglass Weiss
([email protected]).
LIBRARY BOOK REVIEW. Pleasing God, by R.C. Sproul. The
Bible reading today was Paul’s urging the Colossians not to sin
anymore. This is often very hard to do, especially in today’s
world. The author gives us answers and helps us find our way
back to God.
IT’S BACK! SUMMER FRIENDS IS BACK!
Coming this summer, a Builders Quest
experience where your kids will build an amazing
adventure, one block at a time. Kids from ages 3
to entering 6th grade can find awesome
experiences, great friends and a meaningful relationship with God. Your
kids have TONS of fantastic workshop options: The Amazing Race, Mission
Impossible, Junior Chef, Street Graffiti and more, Summer Friends has it all!
Summer Friends is a FREE vacation bible school July 6-10 2015. Every
night there will be an optional meal at 5pm;
tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for kids. After the
meal the fun begins at 5:45pm with skits, music
and workshops.
Online registration is not
available yet; but keep your eyes open! Spaces
fill up fast and you won't want to miss a fun-filled
week like this! For more information call the
church
office
(215-646-3030)
or
email
[email protected].
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Middle School (MS) and High School (HS)
classes meet at 9:30 AM in room 304 for
combined worship, followed by smaller group
lessons. Want to come early to hang out, play
games, and eat snacks? Doors open at 9:00 AM.
Youth Group
• HS Youth Group tonight from 6:30-8pm.
• MS Youth Group this Thursday, May 7th from 6:30-8pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
1. Join us for our Spring Service Project on Saturday, May 9th (8:45am12pm). We will be working as a team, doing some yard work for some
of our very own FPCA Family!
2. Join us on Monday, May 11th for a night of trampoline fun at Sky Zone.
We will be meeting at FPCA at 5:15pm and returning to FPCA by
8:45pm. The cost is $20 per person (includes a 90 minute jump time
and Sky Socks). Bring a friend!
Fellowship Hall (F.H.)
Memorial Conference Room (M.C.R., 2nd floor)
SUNDAY, MAY 3
9:30 AM
10:40 AM
11:00 AM
11:10 AM
5:00 PM
6:00-7:30 PM
6:30-8:00 PM
MONDAY, MAY 4
10:30 AM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
TUESDAY, MAY 5
10:00 AM
11:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
• Worship, Sanctuary
• Children’s Sunday School
Children/Youth Bell Choir
South Ridge Worship, Sanctuary
Children’s Chimes Choir
A.A., M.C.R.
S.U.R.G.E. Club
HS Youth Group, F.H.
Staff Meeting
A.A., M.C.R.
Jr. GS Troop 7464, Room 201
Child Safety Meeting, Library
CHICS, Parlor
Women’s Bible Study (Lobley), Parlor
P.R.I.M.E. Time, F.H.
A.A., M.C.R.
Confirmation Dinner with Session. F.H.
• Young Adult Bible Study, Library
• Bruce Ruhf Bible Study, Parlor
• Session, M.C.R.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
9:30 AM
6:00 PM
Library Staff Work
A.A. Women Beginners, Parlor
Ambler Food Co-Op, F.H.
7:00 PM
Joyful Ringers, Sanctuary
8:00 PM
Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
8:30 PM
H.O.G.S. (Men’s Bible Study), Parlor
THURSDAY, MAY 7
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
6:00 PM
A.A., M.C.R.
6:30 PM
M.S. Youth Group, F.H.
7:00 PM
S.R. Band Rehearsal, Sanctuary
7:10 PM
Small Group Mtg., Library
FRIDAY, MAY 8
6:00 PM
A.A., M.C.R.
6:30 PM
Tahir Kinsey Group, Library
SATURDAY, MAY 9
9:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Youth Service Project, Yard Work
Eagle Scout Ceremony
First Presbyterian Church
4 South Ridge Ave
Ambler, PA 19002
Phone: 215-646-3030
Web Site: www.FPCAmbler.org
Fax: 215-643-0621
E-mail: [email protected]
Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All baptized members of the congregation
CHURCH STAFF
Carol Anders, Organist and Parish Visitor .............................................. [email protected]
Ryan Balsan, Pastor, Head of Staff……………………………………………[email protected]
Anita Bell, Interim Associate Pastor ........................................................... [email protected]
Brian Bortnick, South Ridge Music Director/Webmaster ...................... [email protected]
Michael Joy, Director of Music ...............................................................MichaelJoy@Comcast.net
Cheryl Kurpiel, Church Administrator....................................................... [email protected]
Leslie Thomas, Director of Youth Ministries ............................................. [email protected]
Barbara Schmitt, Parish Visitor ....................................................................... [email protected]
Marie Thomas, Director of Children’s Ministries........................................ [email protected]
Jodi Wolper, Secretary of Publications and Publicity ................................. [email protected]
Class of 2015
Trey Halkett
Susan Buehler
Dave Klitsch
William Martin
Teri McMasters
Robert Nance
Class of 2015
Cindy Bowman
Suzanne Kauffman DePuyt
Lauren Kellock
Linda Moulton
Rich Myers
Amy Ruhf
Memorials Committee
Liz Ferry
Katie Marlowe
Mary McGready
Ed Morgenson
THE SESSION
Cindy Reed, Clerk of Session
Class of 2016
Kristin Baird
Rachel Coley
Jeff DePuyt
Sherri Gannon
Christina Hughes
Ron Moritz
Class of 2017
Karen Driscoll
Scott French
Judy McKee
Bob Walters
Anne Whitney
Mark Yantek
BOARD OF DEACONS
Class of 2016
Tom Bender
John Brasch
Sara Halkett
John Ingram
Deb Koziol
Andy McClure
Cristy Robertson
Class of 2017
Lisa Astler
David Coley
Martijn Driehuis
Tahir Thomas Kinsey
Carol Kocher
Andrew Schielke
Tom Shaner
Endowment Committee
Jeff DePuyt
Rich Krauss
Dick McNeal
Bill Messerschmidt
Eric Rudolph
Keith White
Tom Wynn
Nominating Committee
Cindy Bowman, Deacon Rep.
Mike Bowman
Cheryl Kurpiel
Bill Lobley
Robert Nance, Session Rep.