1. family and parenting
2. children

WORSHIP for the
SIXTH SUNDAY of
EASTER
MAY 10, 2015 | 10:30 AM
Grounded in the grace of God, we are a vibrant Christian community, disciples of all ages, gathered for worship and nurture,
scattered to serve and to love. -MPC Mission Statement adopted by the Session March 31, 2008
Welcome to Morrisville Presbyterian Church
your child is ready to return to the sanctuary for you
to continue to worship together.
WE WELCOME GUESTS AND VISITORS to our
worship service today. If you are not a member, we
invite you to consider membership with us. If you
would like more information about how we can
serve you, please speak to a pastor.
PASTORAL CARE REMINDER—Members of the
staff truly want to be attentive when members or
friends of MPC are experiencing health
difficulties. If you (or a family member) have been
admitted to a hospital, please let us know by
contacting the church office, and one of the pastors
will be pleased to visit. You may also reach the
pastors on their mobile phones–Bruce Ballantine at
304-914-2108 and Debbie Heffernan at 267-3420089. Thank you for your assistance.
FRIENDSHIP PAD: During the Words of Welcome,
please pass the Friendship Pad to the outside aisle
and back again to the center. This allows worshipers
to recognize people in their pew, and helps staff
members identify those who may need attention.
THE CHANCEL FLOWERS are offered in loving
memory of Ruth Temple and Jenny Demech given
by their children, grandchildren and their families.
The windowsill flowers are offered by her family in
honor of their mother, Helen Borden, as she celebrates her 95th birthday.
HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for
use anywhere in the sanctuary during worship.
These pocket-sized receivers are available from
Deacons in either Narthex and are to be returned
after the service.
USHERING AT TODAY’S SERVICE: Head Deacon
Carol Hernandez, Alastair Brunton, Beth Keys, Fran
Wiser, Wes Gardner, Lisa Kutch, Jeff Morruzzi,
Amy Schnurr and Jr. Deacons Evan Schnurr,
Brandon Schnurr and Blake Becker.
HYMNALS, BIBLES, & BULLETINS WITH LARGE
PRINT are available during worship each Sunday
morning from a Deacon in the Narthex. Please
return the Hymnal and/or Bible after the service.
WORSHIP NOTE
TODAY’S ACOLYTE is Evan Wadley.
* The asterisk indicates that those who are able, may please stand.
CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN UP TO AGE 4 is provided in the Nursery/Pre-School room from
10:15–11:45 a.m.. Infants and toddlers are also wel- Please forward any announcements you would like included in
come in worship. Visitors, please feel free to wor- the Bulletin by Tuesday of each week to [email protected]
ship with your children for as long as they are able.
Articles for “Currents” are due by the 1st day of the
If he or she gets wiggly and needs a stretch break,
preceding
month. Send articles to [email protected].
audio from the service is available in the chapel, until
CONTACT U S
M O R R I S V I L L E P RE S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H C H U R C H S T A F F
771 North Pennsylvania Ave. | Morrisville, PA 19067 | 215.295.4191 | [email protected]
Bruce Ballantine, Interim Pastor & Head of Staff (ext. 234) ................................................................................................. [email protected]
Deborah Heffernan, Interim Associate Pastor (ext. 225) ................................................................................................... [email protected]
Linda Seaman, Director of Older Adult Ministry (ext. 232) ........................................................................................................ [email protected]
Steve McBride, Director of Music & Communications Coordinator ............................................................................................ [email protected]
Rich Drabb, Property Manager (ext. 231)........................................................................................................................................ [email protected]
Laurie Jacobson, Bookkeeper (ext. 226) ................................................................................................................................ [email protected]
Elizabeth Scully, Administrative Assistant (ext. 0) ............................................................................................................................. [email protected]
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Sixth Sunday of Easter
G A T H E R I N G
PRELUDE
WORDS of WELCOME
Pastor Heffernan
INTROIT—Come, Let us Sing! (WAGNER)
The Chancel Choir
Come, let us sing and make a joyful noise to God! Come let us sing!
CALL to WORSHIP
One: This is Christ’s new commandment:
All:
to love one another as he loves us.
One: And there is no greater love than this:
All:
to lay down one’s life for others.
Greg Neiman
*HYMN 356—Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
NETTLETON
*PRAYER of CONFESSION—Unison
God of all hope and joy, we confess that we continue to live in fear. In Christ,
you claim us as children, but we disobey your commands. In Christ, you even
call us friends, but we have not been faithful to you. Forgive us, God of grace.
By the power of your Spirit help us to abide in your love and share that love
with others; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
*SILENT PRAYERS of CONFESSION
Here each worshiper may offer silent prayers of confession.
*RESPONSE—Amen (DANISH)
The Chancel Choir
*ASSURANCE of FORGIVENESS
One: Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in
his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is
good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
All:
Amen.
*RESPONSE to GOD’S PARDON 567—Glory Be to the Father
*THE PEACE
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GLORIA PATRI
One:
All:
One:
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Let us greet one another with the peace of Christ.
As a sign of their reconciliation in Christ, the people share the peace of Christ, greeting one another
with these or similar words: “The peace of Christ be with you,” “Peace be with you,” or simply, “Peace.”
L I T U R GY of the W OR D
PRAYER for ILLUMINATION
PSALTER READING—Psalm 98
One: This is the Word of the Lord.
All:
Thanks be to God.
(Old Testament, page 521 )
ANTHEM—The Majesty and Glory of Your Name (FETKE)
The Chancel Choir
When I gaze into the night skies and see the work of your fingers; the moon and stars suspended in space: Oh, what is man that you are
mindful of him? You have given him a crown of honor, and have made him a little lower than the angels. You have put him in charge of all
creation: the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea. O Lord, our God, the majesty and glory of your name transcends the
earth and fills the heavens. O Lord, our God, little children praise you perfectly, and so would we. Alleluia!
TIME for YOUNG DISCIPLES
Children in grades K-2 may leave for Cherub Choir in Room 104.
GOSPEL READING—John 15: 9–17
One: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All:
Thanks be to God.
SERMON
(New Testament, page 103)
Best Friends Forever
*HYMN 389—O Jesus, I Have Promised
Pastor Ballantine
NYLAND
PRAYERS of THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION
THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts and debtors)
OFFERING
Invitation to Give
Presentation of Gifts
Offertory Music
*Doxology—Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)
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S A C R A M E NT of B A P T I S M
PRESENTATION and SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
RENUNCIATION and AFFIRMATION
(APOSTLES’ CREED, ECUMENICAL)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in
Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died,
and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he
ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will
come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy
catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
THANKSGIVING OVER the WATER
One: The Lord be with you.
All:
And also with you.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All:
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: We give you thanks, Eternal God….To you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
one God, be all praise, honor, and glory, now and forever.
All: Amen.
BAPTISM and BLESSING
WELCOME
WELCOMING PRAYER –Unison
With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you into Christ’s church, for we are all
one in Christ. We promise to love, encourage and support you, to share the
good news of the gospel with you, and to help you know and follow Christ.
S E N D I N G
*HYMN 498—Child of Blessing, Child of Promise
KINGDOM
*CHARGE and BLESSING
*CHORAL BENEDICTION—Sevenfold Amen (LUTKIN)
*POSTLUDE
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The Chancel Choir
Worship Note & Announcements
WELCOME
Today we baptize Ryan James Haas. Ryan is the
son of G. Patrick Haas and Cathleen Jones Haas
and the grandson of Susan and Charles Jones.
Ryan’s sponsor is Charles Jones Jr., brother of Cathleen Jones Haas. Let us extend a warm Morrisville
welcome!
these certificates – they cost as much as you are
willing to give! Please support the youth in mission
trip as they prepare to do God’s work in Pipestem,
West Virginia. As well, you will be supporting the
spiritual journey of more than 35 youth.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE IVINS OUTREACH
CENTER’S ANNUAL AUCTION
An Afternoon of Wine and Food Pairings on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the
Falls Banquet Hall. We hope you will join us for
an early summer afternoon of wine, food, music
and live silent auctions, all to support of The Ivins
Outreach Center.
BUILDING USAGE FORMS REMINDER
A letter was sent out to all the committee chairs
regarding their group’s building usage schedule for
2015-2016. Please return the letter and indicate the
days/times when your group will meet in the church
from June 2015-August 2016. If you aren’t sure yet,
please return the form anyway and indicate on it
that you still need to schedule your meetings. If you
did not receive the letter, please email Liz in the
church office: [email protected] and she will send
you the form. Thanks to all for your cooperation in
scheduling for this coming year.
PREPARING FOR PENTECOST DURING
THE EDUCATION HOUR
With Elder Carol Carpenter we will continue the
Adult/Senior High format at 9:30 a.m. Sunday,
May 17 as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, the
day the Christian Church was born through the
fire of the Holy Spirit. We will look at Luke’s account of that first day and the community that was
formed. Then we will examine what it means today
to be a witness, enlightened by the breath of God.
On May 24, Pentecost Sunday, we will join in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. with participants of all
ages for an intergenerational event marking the
Church’s birthday with creative activities.
BOOK GROUP MEETINGS
The Wings Group will discuss pages 87-149 of Sue
Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings this coming Friday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the MPC
Lounge. The Narnia Group will discuss The Silver
Chair on Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m.
CHURCH CLEAN-UP DAY!
Rich Drabb would like to invite you to a Church
clean-up day on Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Rich at 215-801-4445.
Everyone is welcome!
BRING A CANDLE ON PENTECOST
On Sunday, May 24, during the 10:30 a.m. worship
service we will celebrate Pentecost – the day the
Holy Spirit appeared in Jerusalem in the form of
wind and flame, giving birth to the Christian
church. As part of our Pentecost observance, we
are asking each worshiper to bring a small candle
to be placed on a table in the front of the sanctuary. During the reading of the Pentecost story
(Acts 2:1-21) at the beginning of the service, the
candles will be lit, thus symbolizing the coming of
the Holy Spirit. Please bring a votive or small candle of any color. Thank you.
YOUTH IN MISSION
Please come support the Youth in Mission car wash
and bake sale on Sunday, May 17. Also, we are selling Stock Certificates on Sunday mornings before
and after the worship service each Sunday in the
Communication Center. These certificates entitle
you to a postcard from the team while they are away
and an invitation to hear about their trip when they
return. The cost? Well that’s the great part about
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MPC Weekly Calendar
SUNDAY, May 10 Mother’s Day
8:30am
Weekly Prayer Meeting Conference Room
9:00
Teen Choir
Music Room
9:30
Education
Conference Room
10:00
Chancel Choir
Music Room
10:30
Worship & Baptism
Sanctuary
11:00
Cherub Choir
Room 104
11:30
Fellowship Time
Lounge
Weekly Prayer Group host
11:45
Agape Choir
Room 104
MONDAY, MAY 11
Noon
Deborah Circle
6:00pm
Rebecca Circle
7:00
Boy Scout Troop 3
7:00
Cub Scouts
7:00
Food Packing
Lounge
Fellowship Hall
Room 220, 122, 210
Room 4
TUESDAY, May 12
10:00am Clothing Center
Room 4
10:00
Food Center Set-up
Fellowship Hall
11:00
Ivins Center
Lounge
A Matter of Balance
Conference Room
3:00pm
Staff Meeting
Conference Room
6:00
Girl Scouts
Room 122
7:30
Alcoholics Anonymous
Room 220
WEDNESDAY, May 13
9:00am
Food Center
Noon
Brown Bag and Bible
7:00pm
Finance Committee
Fellowship Hall
Conference Room
Conference Room
THURSDAY, May 14
11:00am Food Stocking
Noon
Alcoholics Anonymous
6:00
God’s Thunder
6:30pm
Oakville Girl Scouts
7:00
Chancel Choir
7:00
Ivins Center Meeting
7:00
To Live Again
8:30
Chancel Ringers
Room 4
Room 222
Chapel
Room 220
Music
Conference Rm.
Fellowship Hall
Chapel
FRIDAY, May 15
1:00pm
Wings Book Group
7:30
Alcoholics Anonymous
Lounge
Room 122
SATURDAY, May 16
SUNDAY, May 17
8:30am
Weekly Prayer Meeting Conference Room
9:00
Teen Choir
Music Room
9:30
Education
Conference Room
10:00
Chancel Choir
Music Room
10:30
Children’s Sunday Worship Sanctuary
11:00
Cherub Choir
Room 104
11:30
Fellowship Time
Lounge
Deacons host
11:45
Agape Choir
Room 104
11:45
Car Wash & Bale Sale
Noon
Worship Committee
Music Room
4:30pm
Confirmation Class
Lounge
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
When sending mail to the church, please be advised we no longer have mail delivered to Post Office Box 240.
Please mail all correspondence to our street address: 771 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Morrisville, PA 19067.
Our phone number, fax and email address remain the same. Thanks!
M
O R R I S V I L L E
P
R E S B Y T E R I A N
C
H U R C H
771 N OR TH P ENNSY LVANI A A VENUE | M OR RIS VILLE , P A 19067
215.295. 4191 | W W W .MPC US A . NE T
PASTORS & PROGRAM STAFF
Bruce Ballantine, Interim Pastor & Head of Staff | Deborah Heffernan, Interim Associate Pastor
Louise Shoemaker, Parish Associate | Linda Seaman, Director of Older Adult Ministry
Steve McBride, Director of Music and Principal Organist