MANY: God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

God of promise, Abraham scoffed and Sarah laughed when they were told of your plans for them and their family. Yet you remained faithful to your promise, and gave them a son, Isaac. Help us to trust in your promises for our lives, and to live according to your will. Amen. 

HYMN OF THE MONTH [BLUE#458] [GTG #26] 

“Earth and All Stars” Ver. 1,3,4

1. Earth and all stars! loud rushing planets!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Hail, wind, and rain, loud blowing snowstorms!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

3. Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Limestone and beams! Loud building workers,

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

4 Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Daughter and son! Loud praying members!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN             

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG #488] 

“I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”

2.”When you heard the wonder of the Word

I was there to cheer you on;

You were raised to praise the living Lord,

to whom you now belong.

If you find someone to share your time

and you join your hearts as one,

I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme

from dusk ’till rising sun.”

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from you, for we have done wrong. We have lived for ourselves, and apart from you. We have turned from our neighbors, and refused to bear the burdens of others. We have ignored the pain of the world, and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed. In your great mercy forgive our sins and free us from selfishness, that we may choose your will and obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581] 

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 WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 541 or 573]                 Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the LORD builds the house,

   those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORD guards the city,

   the guard keeps watch in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early

   and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

   for he gives sleep to his beloved.

Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD,

   the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

   are the sons of one’s youth.

Happy is the man who has

   his quiver full of them.

He shall not be put to shame

   when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible NT 13 or 14]           Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, ‘My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.’ Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?” Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.’ But Sarah denied, saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid. He said, ‘Oh yes, you did laugh.’…

The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, ‘God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.’ And she said, ‘Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON:       “God of Hope”               Rev. Aaron Ochart 

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             “Nicene Creed”

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY Hymn of Promise Natalie Sleeth

DOXOLOGY [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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.

HYMN [BLUE#498] [GTG#486] 

“Child of Blessing, Child of Promise”    

1 Child of blessing, child of promise,

baptized with the Spirit’s sign,

with this water God has sealed you

unto love and grace divine.

2 Child of love, our love’s expression,

love’s creation, loved indeed!

Fresh from God, refresh our spirits;

into joy and laughter lead.

3 Child of joy, our dearest treasure,

God’s you are, from God you came.

Back to God we humbly give you:

live as one who bears Christ’s name.

4 Child of God, your loving Parent,

learn to listen for God’s call.

Grow to laugh and sing and worship;

trust and love God more than all.

PARTING PRAYER 

Lord, the gift of your Word is a light for our path. Help us to study your way and follow your teaching, until we know the true Light who has come into the world and will come again in glory: Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG# 547] “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”

“Go, my Children, with my blessing, never alone. 

Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own. 

In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever. 

Go, my children, with my blessing. You are my own.”  

POSTLUDE Invention No. 8 in F J.S. Bach

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF

2. God cares for me, God cares for me, 

God cares for me; God’s so good to me. 

3. God loves me so, God loves me so, 

God loves me so; God’s so good to me. 

4. God is so good, God is so good, 

God is so good; God’s so good to me.

WORDS OF WELCOME         

MINUTE FOR THE CHURCH Christian Education and Fellowship 

ADORATION 

CALL TO WORSHIP                     Ps. 1:1–3

ONE: Happy are those who delight in God’s word.

MANY: They are like trees planted by the water. 

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Holy Creator, you created all people in your own image to till the earth and help one another. Give us hearts to continue tending to all that you have made so that the earth will sustain life for generations to come. Amen.

HYMN OF THE MONTH [BLUE#458] [GTG #26] 

“Earth and All Stars” Verses 1, 2, and 4

1. Earth and all stars! loud rushing planets!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Hail, wind, and rain, loud blowing snowstorms!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

2. Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

4. Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Daughter and son! Loud praying members!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN 

COMMISSIONING of TEACHERS: 

Playschool Teachers to be commissioned: Lauren Crisler Director, Stephanie Galliano, Adm. Asst., Michelle Henry, TK Teacher, Sue McKenzie, TK Teacher, Nancy James, PK+ Teacher, Cherie Corcoran, PK+ Teacher, Briana Pertuit, PK+ Teacher, Debbie Perrie, PK+ Teacher, Sherry Welch-Kinler, 3’s Teacher, Virginia LaHatte, 3’s Teacher, May Masri,  3’s Teacher, Sharon Penny, 3’s Teacher, Kim Knouse, 3’s Teacher, Jamie Orlando, 3’s/2’s Teacher, Brittanie Amerland, 2’s Teacher, Kim Joseph, 2’s Teacher,  Angle’ Young, 2’s Teacher, Amanda Rowell, 2’s Teacher, Stacey O’Neil, 2’s Teacher, Gina Nissenbaum, 2’s Teacher, Yvette Burst, 1’s Teacher, Brittany Louis, 1’s Teacher, Alexandria Franks, Music Teacher, Hollie Gomila, Body Movement Teacher, Kaitlin Novak, Art Teacher, Cherie Mosbey, Substitute Teacher, Angelle Muscarello, Substitute Teacher, Laura DaCunha, Substitute Teacher, Janelle D’Herete, Substitute Teacher, Marleen Delle, Substitute Teacher, Debby Haydel, Substitute Teacher. 

JCPC Sunday School Teachers and Nursery Care workers to be Commissioned: Briana Mayfield, Cameron Mayfield, Linda Lowry, Louise Ochart, Rev. Aaron Ochart, Cynthia Palmisano

ONE: God calls ordinary people from ordinary places to do extraordinary work with God’s people. God called Abraham and Sarah to pack their belongings and follow God to a new land.

ALL: So they followed God. 

ONE: God called Moses to take the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 

ALL: So they followed God. 

ONE: God called David to be a king, even though he was a young boy and the youngest of all of Jesse’s sons.

ALL: So they followed God. 

ONE: God called Mary to have a baby and name the child “Jesus,” because he would save the people from their sins.

ALL: So they followed God.

ONE: God called Peter and James and John away from their families, their homes, and their work as fishermen.

ALL: So they followed God. 

ONE: God called Martha away from the kitchen and Lydia away from her purple cloth, and Priscilla to open her home as a new church.

ALL: So they followed God. 

LOUISE: Sunday School teachers and other church educators, You have been called to teach the faith to those in your congregation, from the youngest to the oldest. You are called to teach and to learn lessons from the Bible, deep spiritual truths, and to mutually call one another to deeper faith and life. Will you serve with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS: We will.

LAUREN: Playschool Teachers, You have been called to serve God in this place by teaching our smallest ones. You will teach colors, letters, and numbers, as well as foundational lessons of how to be a human being.  Will you serve with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?

PLAYSCHOOL TEACHERS: We will.

AARON: Lord our God, we are like trees planted by the Living Water of your Word. May we meditate on your Word day and night. Your Spirit calls out to us in the business of our lives to learn her wisdom, to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to rely on our own understanding. 

Bless the teachers called to these particular ministries, whether they are here in person or elsewhere. Give them your strength when they have none and your peace that passes all understanding. Help them to remember that they are called to learn as well. Bless all of their students, no matter the age, and give them a great year of learning and growth. Bless also all of the students, teachers, staff, and administration of the many schools around us. Keep them all safe and in your tender loving kindness. Amen.    

RESPONSE HYMN [BLUE#304] [GTG #188] 

“Jesus Loves Me!”

1 Jesus loves me! This I know,

for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong.

They are weak, but he is strong.

Refrain: Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, we confess that we have tried to hide from you, for we have done wrong. We have lived for ourselves, and apart from you. We have turned from our neighbors, and refused to bear the burdens of others. We have ignored the pain of the world, and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed. In your great mercy forgive our sins and free us from selfishness, that we may choose your will and obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581] 

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 WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 472 or 499]                   Psalm 20

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!

   The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

May he send you help from the sanctuary,

   and give you support from Zion.

May he remember all your offerings,

   and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.

          Selah

May he grant you your heart’s desire,

   and fulfill all your plans.

May we shout for joy over your victory,

   and in the name of our God set up our banners.

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;

   he will answer him from his holy heaven

   with mighty victories by his right hand.

Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,

   but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.

They will collapse and fall,

   but we shall rise and stand upright.

Give victory to the king, O Lord;

   answer us when we call.

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible NT 2]                         Genesis 2:4-25

These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’

Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.’ So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,

‘This at last is bone of my bones

   and flesh of my flesh;

this one shall be called Woman,

   for out of Man this one was taken.’

Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON: “Rescuing Deliverer” Reverend Ochart 

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH              “Apostles’ Creed”

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, 

And in Jesus Christ [God’s] only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY   You Are the One         Thomas Keesecker   

DOXOLOGY [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYERS

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

HYMN [BLUE#455] [GTG#15] 

“All Creatures of Our God And King” Verses 1, 3, and 6    

1 All creatures of our God and King,

lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

O brother sun with golden beam,

O sister moon with silver gleam,

sing praises! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 O brother fire, so warm and bright,

chase off the shadows of the night.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day

unfolds such blessings on our way,

sing praises! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

6 O sisters, brothers, take your part,

and worship God with humble heart.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

All creatures, bless the Father, Son,

and Holy Spirit, Three in One!

Sing praises! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

PARTING PRAYER  (Jarome c.342-420)

Lord, the gift of your Word is a light for our path. Help us to study your way and follow your teaching, until we know the true Light who has come into the world and will come again in glory: Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG# 547] “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”

“Go, my Children, with my blessing, never alone. 

Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own. 

In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever. 

Go, my children, with my blessing. You are my own.”  

POSTLUDE LASST UNS ERFREUEN