FIRST CHURCH AT WORSHIP A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Ambler, Pennsylvania February 1, 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 Arioso Handel INTROIT OPENING SENTENCES Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus promises, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” May our light so shine that people will see our lives and praise our Father in heaven. Let us worship the One who fills our lives with the light of life. * HYMN #442 The Church’s One Foundation * CALL TO CONFESSION * CONFESSION OF SIN Gracious Father, you call us to be your own. You breathed life into our being and marked us with the name of your Son. Yet, often we ignore your call in our lives. We walk past the need of another because we are so caught up in our own lives. We speak a harsh word rather than a word of grace. We hoard your gifts and allow others to go without. Lord, forgive us for missing your call to be light in this world. Make your Light to shine through us that the world would know your gracious love. Hear us now as we bring our personal confession to you in Jesus’ name. * 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 [Children participating in Sunday School are dismissed at this time.] 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. ANTHEM Larson In Holy Reverence Lord, We Come Sanctuary Choir In holy reverence, Lord, we come before your throne this hour, to kneel and worship at your feet, to drink the cup of joy so sweet. Great God of love and power, we have come this day to bring our praise and honor, meet with us, we pray. Our lives and all are in your hands, our hearts are known by you. Your grace has led us through the past, your loving arms have held us fast. Meet this hour, O Lord, with us, we pray. CCLI #147526 PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE Acts 10:1-23 (NIV) 10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and Godfearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. SERMON * HYMN #430 "Out of the Box" Rev. Dr. Anita Bell Come Sing, O Church, in Joy! THE CELBRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER AND THE PRAYERS OF GOD'S PEOPLE We invite you to come forward to receive the elements by dipping a piece of bread into the cup. Beginning at the front, form two lines down the center aisle then return to your pews via the outside aisles. If you cannot come forward, please signal the elder who is prepared to serve you in your seat. (Gluten free crackers are available in the bread baskets). 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 Jesus Lead Thou On Manz * 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 * HYMN #411 Arise, Your Light Is Come! * BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Go Forth in Faith * Indicates to please stand if you are able. Ritter ASSISTING WITH WORSHIP THIS MORNING Head Usher: Tom Bender Greeters: Scott Miksch Ushers: Kelly Campion Margaret Hale Glenn Rodgers Bob Wagner Lorraine Wagner Louise Wesson Lay Reader: Susan Buehler Communion Lynn Gould Servers: Rich Gould Jan Nader Emily Smith Soundboard: Paul Berry FOR EVERYONE’S CONVENIENCE – There are hearing devices, large print hymnals and bulletins, and children’s worship packets. Ask an usher for assistance. 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 Spence Butterwick Richard and Arlene Crowell John Detwiler Lois Domm Art Elliott Falcone family Eileen Honert Corinne Jones Donna King John Kirch Dot Lynch Ellen Morrow Evelyn McAdam Dick McNeal Betty Rawlins Lindsey Robinson Charles Siegmann Kyle Stevens Jeff Stone Mim Theobald 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. Prayer requests from extended family and friends (listed in the order received): Asher, grandson of Mark & Margot Pickett; friends of Nancy Richards Rosowski family, friends of Deb Warner Abi Bard, daughter of Georgina Bard Mariinha, mother of Gel Mullen Alex, friend of Lindsey Anderson Saler Family and friends of Rebecca Kim Cullison family, friends of Jan Stavinga Patricia Buziak, mother of Sarah McClure Family of Gale Rudley Samuel Charles and family Family of Maria Chepigan Innocent victims of violence in Nigeria Rich Smith, friend of Brian Bortnick John Ryan Harris, concern of Holly and Brandon Harris Stan Moyer, brother of Lisa Astler The Morris family Eathon Black, friend of Carol Dugan Beth Cody, loved one of Gladys Bunio and Lynn Meidt Lori, friend of Kim Valentine ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2015 THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given in loving memory of our daughter, Marsha Monarch, from Emily and Al Brenneman. IF YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED OR HAVE A PASTORAL CONCERN contact the church office ([email protected]/215646-3030). 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. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION. With the cold and flu season upon us, feel free to take a squirt of hand sanitizer from the new dispensers provided for the health of our congregants. ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, February 8th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the meeting is to review and receive the budget for 2015 and to approve the terms of call for Senior Pastor, Ryan Balsan. Copies of the 2014 Annual Report can be found in the Narthex and on our website. If you would like a complete copy of the budget contact the church office. In November, about 100 members of our church leadership met to be introduced to the Capital Stewardship Journey, and what we hope will take place in 2015. That day we handed out our Case Statement for the Capital Journey, which identified our church mission and vision, and how the Capital Journey relates to both, as well as a summary of the project scope and process. On our church website, for your information you will find: 1. The Capital Stewardship Journey Case Statement including project process and scope. 2. A recent letter sent to the attendees of the November meeting, summarizing what we did and what feedback we received at the meeting (called the Ignite Feedback Letter on the website). 3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), with the most common questions that came up at that meeting as well as responses. We encourage you to take a look at these documents by clicking on the "Foundations for the Future" tab on our church website. Hard copies can be found in the Foundations for the Future box in the church library. Please feel free to take a paper copy. More information will be coming in a few weeks! Please pray that our work in 2015 will be in step with God's plan, and bring more people to know Christ. JOIN THE LENTEN JOURNEY. This year, First Presbyterian Church of Ambler is excited to study A Place At The Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor. This study guides you through a purposeful connection with the world's poor through food. It will challenge you to eat like the poor for forty days and to donate the money you spend on groceries to a specific charity or project that serves the world's poor in concrete ways. How you do this is a personal decision, guided by your conversations with family and God. Look for more information in this month's newsletter. Small groups are forming to guide you in this journey. They will meet at night and during the day, at the church and in people's homes. You can still embark on this journey even if you cannot commit to a small group. The books are available for purchase by the Help Desk for $10. If you are interested in hosting a small group please sign up at the Help Desk or contact Rachel Coley at [email protected]. Look for small group signups starting next week. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS meets every Sunday in the Parlor at either 9:30 AM or 11:00 AM. David and Cindy Reed will lead today’s discussion “When Charity Destroys Dignity”. Future topics will include terrorism, religious freedom, the life of Jesus, charity, race and many more. All are welcome. If you are interested in facilitating using a provided curriculum, contact Rachel Coley at [email protected]. SAVE THE DATE! Dr. Kimlyn Bender will be joining us for a weekend of theological exploration on March 13th and March 14th. 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. FPCA will meet each month on the 2nd Thursday through May. We will gather in the Library from noon to 2:00 PM. Anyone is welcome to join this group, either for all the sessions or just one. Our next study session will be on Thursday, February 12th. FEBRUARY MISSION GIVING OPPORTUNITY. In your envelope offering box and in the pews, there are envelopes labeled Missions Offering. Gifts placed in these envelopes will support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. PDA is an emergency and refugee program of PC(USA), providing global disaster recovery support to meet the immediate and long-term needs of ravaged communities. Our church has sent multiple mission teams to the Gulf Coast for hurricane relief work with PDA. Visit http://pda.pcusa.org/ for more information about this organization. INTER-FAITH. House wares, furniture and cleaning supplies are needed to help furnish an apartment. If you can donate any of these items, contact Lauren ([email protected] / 215-646-0120) at Inter-Faith Housing Alliance. House wares: glasses, pots & pans, oven ware/baking sheets, cooking utensils, bed linens/towels, shower curtain/bath mat, indoor trashcans, vacuum cleaner. Furniture: sofa, chairs, dressers for mom and dad, dresser for child. SOUP KITCHEN, February 20th and 21st. Sign up at the Help Desk for our next Soup Kitchen on Friday and/or Saturday. We work with a coalition of 14 churches (called the NECH) to provide a soup kitchen every Saturday morning in Philadelphia. You can be part of this effort by helping to prepare the meal Friday night at our church, serving the meal in Frankford on Saturday morning, or both. Contact Mark and Barb Yantek (215-641-4928/[email protected]). WINTER COMMUNITY OUTREACH. Going to the grocery store this week? Please join the deacons in our annual winter community outreach by donating supplies and food to Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard & Hope Gardens. Items needed during the winter months include: • Cleaning Products: dish, laundry, bar soaps, bleach, Clorox wipes, Windex, Mr. Clean • Paper Goods: toilet tissue and paper towels • Canned goods: 100% juice, fruit, peanut butter • Staples: brown rice, pancake mix, syrup These items will be collected during January and February. Place items in the collection bins located outside of the Parlor and under the coat racks near Fellowship Hall. Your generosity is appreciated. CARE PACKAGES for First Pres College Students and Military Personnel. The Ruth Circle (along with support from Presbyterian Women circles) would like to send care packages to the college students and military personnel of the church. Do you know a college student or military service person who would appreciate receiving a care package? Look for flyers in your church mailboxes, which should be completed and returned to Denise Walters' church mailbox by Sunday, February 8th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Denise Walters (215-646-3419/ [email protected]). Donations are gladly accepted to help defray shipping costs. The care packages will be delivered the week of February 15th. CAR NEEDED. One of the families we've been assisting through Helping Hands is in immediate need of a donated car. If you have a car you're not using, or an older car you can afford to donate, would you consider giving your car to this family? Their car was repossessed, and they cannot afford a car payment. Please contact the church office ([email protected]/215-646-3030) if you have a car you might be willing to donate. FAMILY DRIVE-IN MOVIE is scheduled for Saturday, February 21 (4:00-7:00 PM). Bring your whole family, make a cardboard box car, enjoy dinner and watch “How to Train Your Dragon 2”. Nursery care will be available. Sign-up at the Help Desk or at the 3rd floor Welcome Center. Dinner donations can be made on line at: http://tinyurl.com/DriveInFoodDonation. M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers). Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Join us on Saturday, February 7th from 9:0011:00 AM. Make a beautiful flower arrangement and discuss how you, as a mom with young children, can find time to be passionate and love extravagantly. Breakfast for moms will be followed by small group discussions and a craft. MOPPETS, led by professional teachers, is available for infants through elementary-age children. Invite your friends! No cost. We meet on the 1st Saturday morning of every month (Sept. to June, except January). MEN’S BREAKFAST. Come join us for fellowship and a delicious meal at the next Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, February 21st at 8:00 AM in Fellowship Hall. Sign up at the Help Desk or contact Bob Pearce ([email protected]/ 215-884-2385). CALLING ALL WOMEN OF FPCA, the CHICs small group would like to extend an invitation for you to join us as we seek to discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God, as we work through Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. Together, we will journey through 12 core disciplines of the Christian faith as we seek to grow in our relationships with God and with other people. We will be meeting on Mondays from 7:30-9:00 PM beginning on February 2nd. Books can be purchased through Amazon. If you would like more information, or plan to join us for this study, please contact Amy Ruhf at [email protected], or 267-481-4364. CHILI COOK OFF. You are invited to join us for FPCA's 5th Annual Chili Cook Off on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 12:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. We are looking for volunteers to bring a pot of chili to serve and be sampled by many! We encourage our "tasters" to bring something to share such as a salad, appetizer (e.g. chips & salsa, guacamole), bread (e.g. corn bread, crusty bread), or dessert. We will supply sample cups, spoons and beverages. Prizes will be awarded for a variety of categories, so start planning your entry now! Sign up on the Connection Card found in the bulletin, or on-line through our web site link at www. FPCAmbler.org. Sign-ups will help with planning, but we welcome "walk in" entries and ALL are welcome! P.R.I.M.E. TIME. Join us on Tuesday, February 3rd in Fellowship Hall from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM for a catered hot lunch with dessert. Mr. and Mrs. Gary Fuess will share stories and photos of Alaska. Contact: Barbara Schmitt (215-643-5315 / [email protected]) Church office ([email protected] / 215-646-3030). S.U.R.G.E. All-Nighter, February 13-14. Drop off on Friday at 7 PM in Room 201. Pick-up on Saturday at 10 AM. Sign-up outside Room 201. Summer Friends (VBS) is scheduled for July 6-10 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. Dinner will be served at 5:15 PM. Workshop leaders are needed to design a thirty-five minute workshop teaching elementary-age kids something you like to do. They will love you for it. Sign up at our Help Desk. WANTED: LEGO Donations for Builder’s Quest Summer Friends. Do you have LEGO toys, any type or size, that you are willing to donate for this year’s Summer Friends? We need as many as we can get. Please put Lego donations in the big yellow box in the Children’s Library. Thank you! Ambler Marble Shooting Club meets every Tuesday through March 24. Cost is $10.00/child for 10 weeks. No experience necessary. Ambler Marbles Tournament is on Saturday, March 28 at 9 AM. SUNDAY SCHOOL MS and 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. Our Confirmation Class has started. Please pray for our students as they go through the process of considering their faith and becoming members of the church. Confirmation Class meets every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM in room 302 (January 25-March 29). B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters In Christ) • No Regular HS BASIC tonight due to the FUSION: SuperBowl Party! • MS BASIC this Thursday, Jan. 5th. Bring your Bibles! Want to read ahead? Check out James 1:2-4. SMALL GROUPS: Small Groups are BACK! Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8pm, starting THIS Wednesday, February 4th! This session (eight weeks spanning from February 4- March 25), we will be discussing all things MONEY! How to make it, save it, spend it, and use it for God’s glory. This study will give you practical tools for managing money for the rest of your life! UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES: 1. Our FUSION: SOUPer Bowl Party is TONIGHT from 6-9pm at the Valentine’s house (921 Davis Rd. Amber)! We’ll be playing games, watching the big game, and competing in a SOUPer Bowl challenge of our own! Get ready for food, prizes, friends, and fun! 2. SAVE THE DATE: The annual All-Night Laser Tag trip is scheduled for March 20-21st… can you last the night? More details to come. 3. DATE CHANGE: Our Spring Service Project has been moved to Saturday, May 9th! We will be working as a team, doing some yard work for some of our very own FPCA family! PARENTS’ NIGHTS: Parents, you asked and we listened! We will be hosting a Parents’ Night once each month as a time for fellowship, fun, and discussing the ins and outs of parenting teens. We will meet at the church and eat dinner at a local restaurant together. Mark your calendars for the following dates Thursday, February 12th Thursday, April 16th Sunday, March 15th Sunday, May 17th Fellowship Hall (F.H.) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 9:30 AM 10:30 AM 10:40 AM 11:00 AM 11:10 AM 5:00 PM 6:00-9:00 PM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 10:30 AM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 5:30-6:45 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 9:30 AM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:30 PM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 6:00 PM 6:30 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM Memorial Conference Room (M.C.R., 2nd floor) Worship/Sunday School Café, Fellowship Hall Children/Youth Bell Choir SouthRidge Worship/Sunday School Children’s Chime Choir A.A., M.C.R. FUSION SOUPerBowl, Valentine house Staff Meeting A.A., M.C.R. Jr. GS Troop 7464, room 201 Young Adult Small Group Bible Study, Yoo home CHICS, Parlor Women’s Bible Study (Lobley), Parlor P.R.I.M.E. Time, F.H. Marbles, F.H. A.A., M.C.R. • Bruce Ruhf Bible Study, Parlor • Session, M.C.R. Library Staff Work A.A. Women Beginners, Parlor Youth Small Groups, Youth rooms Joyful Ringers, Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room H.O.G.S. (Men’s Bible Study), Parlor A.A., M.C.R. MS B.A.S.I.C. Youth Group, F.H. • Deb Koziol Small Group, Library • S.R. Band Rehearsal, Sanctuary CHICS, Parlor A.A., M.C.R. Tahir Kinsey Group, Library M.O.P.S., 3rd Floor Mary Duncan Visitation, Parlor Mary Duncan Memorial Service 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 .......................................... [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.
© Copyright 2024