Bulletin Archives - Page 12 of 31 - John Calvin Presbyterian Church

Announcements 5-19-24

Posted on May 18, 2024 in Announcements |

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAVORITE HYMNS: Do you have a favorite hymn that you would like for us to sing this summer? Let us know which one. You can use the insert in the bulletin or email Kelly.

MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY DONATION: Each month we are asking you to donate one or two items to the food pantry. This month we are asking for shelf-stable breakfast items.

GARAGE SALE: We are planning a garage and bake sale for the end of May. The sale will take place on Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st. This is a fundraiser to help with church expenses and budget.

As you do your Spring cleaning, please keep the church in mind as a place to donate your quality furnishings, clothes, appliances, tools, kitchenware, books, games, and knickknacks. Large furniture, computers, and some other electronics can not be accepted. Please do not start bringing your items to the church until after service on May 26th. Donations can then be placed in the Fellowship Hall.

Fresh homemade baked goods are a wonderful addition to the sale and can be brought to the Fellowship Hall starting on Thursday, May 30th. Please help us spread the word by informing your friends and neighbors.

CELEBRATE OUR GRADUATES: Join us after the service to celebrate all our wonderful graduates with cake and coffee.

PENTECOST OFFERING: We will be taking up the Pentecost offering this week and next week. Please use the included envelope or you can give online on our website.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: There will be a congregational meeting at the end of worship on May 26th for the purpose of dissolving the pastoral relationship between John Calvin Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Aaron Ochart.

BIRTHDAYS: Laura Thomas 5/20

CALENDAR:

5/20 – 1:00 PM – Staff Meeting

6:30 PM – Session Meeting

5/21 – 2:30 PM – PW Circle Meeting

5/23 – 10:00 AM – Game Day

5/26 – 10:15 AM – Choir Warm-up

10:30 AM – Worship Service

THE GRADUATES:

MATTHEW FREUDENTHAL: Matthew was born in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on August 16, 2006. He was baptized in Ukraine by the Orthodox Church. He was adopted by Greg and Cindy in February of 2008 and his baptism was blessed by John Calvin Church shorthly after they got back home. He has been active in Boy Scouts and worked at Code Ninjas throughout High School. He will graduate from St. Therese Academy on May 16th where he has been taking TOPS courses. He currently plans to attend Delgado and take computer classes.

CALEB HEBERT: Caleb Hebert is graduating from Brother Martin High School with Honors. While at Brother Martin he was a member of the band for 5 years and was in Mu Alpha Theta. Caleb has received a full scholarship for tuition to the University of Mississippi. He also received a band scholarship for his skills on the French horn. He looks forward to being in the Ole Miss Band. Caleb will be majoring in electrical engineering.

DEBORAH NOLAN: Deborah is graduating from Cabrini High School with a 3.7 GPA and earned Alpha Honor roll and cum laude. She was a member of the knitting club, coloring club, origami club, film club, music club, and drama club, where she was the House manager. During the summers she worked for NOBTS’ summer camp, where she earned hundreds of service hours. She also worked at their daycare after school caring for babies 3 months to 1 year old. Deborah enjoys going out for tea and coffee, shopping, playing video games, and babysitting. In August, Deborah will be attending Millsaps College in Jackson, MS where she will study Psychology.

CHRISTINA THOMAS: Ginny and I are deeply grateful and pleased that Christina will be graduating from Tulane University School of Medicine on Saturday the 18th of May, 2024. She was baptized at John Calvin Church. She Graduated from St.Martin’s High School and did her Undergraduate studies at Boston University. She received a Masters in Bio Sciences from Tufts University and Masters in Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health. Yesterday, she Graduated with her MD from Tulane University School of Medicine. In July 2024 Christina will be starting her General Surgery Residency. Uplifting Women’s Health is her passion. Prayers sought for her continued success.

ALLICE HULL: Alice recently graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, a milestone she achieved on May 11th. She’s passionate about making music, art, and spending time outdoors. Currently, Alice is excited to stay in New Orleans, where she plans to embark on her professional journey.

2024 Sundays at Six: The Sundays at Six concert series is up and running! We have four artists scheduled for July, with a possible 5th concert in August. Kelly is currently looking for sponsors for those concerts! Sponsors can fund a concert for $200 each, and sponsors will be included on the programs as well as thanked during the concert as part of welcoming remarks and artist introduction. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please let Kelly know as soon as possible!

July 7: Fourth Wave Women’s Choir

July 14: Dody Piper, voice & Sam Garnett, organ

July 21: David Sigler, guitar

July 28: Crescent City Swing Band

Order of Worship 5-5-24

Posted on May 2, 2024 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

6th Sunday of Easter

May 5th, 2024 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Aaron Ochart

Liturgist: Beverly Kennedy

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

* Please stand, in body or spirit

GATHERING

PRELUDE Let Us Break Bread Together, arr. Chuck Siclair

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN (GTG#837)

What a Fellowship, What a Joy Devine

1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

leaning on the everlasting arms;

what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain: Leaning, leaning,

safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning,

leaning on the everlasting arms.

2 O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

leaning on the everlasting arms;

O how bright the path grows from day to day,

leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]

WORDS OF WELCOME

MINUTE FOR MISSON: pw

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP John 15:13

ONE: There is no greater love than this:

MANY: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Loving Lord, you have showered your world with faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to you, to offer hope to those in need, and to love all your children. Amen.

*HYMN (GTG #250) ”Hymn of Promise” PROMISE

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold a snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

there’s a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

*RESPONSE HYMN ( Blue#370 GTG#442) Just as I am

1 Just as I am, without one plea

but that thy blood was shed for me,

and that thou biddest me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come; I come!.

CONFESSION

CALL TO CONFESSION

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death. We confess that we remain captive to doubt and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death. We overlook the poor and the hungry, and pass by those who mourn; we are deaf to the cries of the oppressed, and indifferent to calls for peace; we despise the weak, and abuse the earth you made.

Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS

ONE: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

MANY: Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI (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.

PROCLAMATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Cor. 13:1-13

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON ”Love is Love” Rev. Aaron Ochart

RESPONSE

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH From the Brief Statement of Faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God.

Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image …, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation.

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY Love Is Love Is Love by Abbie Betinis

*DOXOLOGY (GTG #609)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

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.

ONE: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

MANY: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

ONE: … Praise to you, Lord Christ:

MANY: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord, Jesus, come in glory…

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

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

*HYMN (Blue #335; GTG #693) Though I May Speak

1 Though I may speak with bravest fire,

and have the gift to all inspire,

and have not love, my words are vain,

as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

2 Though I may give all I possess,

and striving so my love profess,

but not be given by love within,

the profit soon turns strangely thin.

3 Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control;

our spirits long to be made whole.

Let inward love guide every deed;

by this we worship, and are freed.

*PARTING PRAYER

Glory to you, O God: you have won victory over death, raising Jesus from the grave and giving us eternal life. Glory to you, O Christ: for us and for our salvation you have overcome death and opened the gate to everlasting life. Glory to you, O Holy Spirit: you lead us into the truth. Glory to you, O Blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE Sevenfold Amen by Peter Lutkin

POSTLUDE Seek ye first/Canon in D, arr. Annika Bergsma

Announcements 5-5-24

Posted on May 2, 2024 in Announcements, Bulletin |

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TABLECLOTH DINNER: Join us for our next Tablecloth Dinner at Mr. Ed’s in Kenner, 910 W. Esplanade on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 PM.

MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY DONATION: Each month we are asking you to donate one or two items to the food pantry. This month we are asking for shelf-stable breakfast items.

MOTHER’S DAY POT LUCK: Join us next Sunday, May 12th at Chinese Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM for a Mother’s Day worship service and potluck lunch afterward. Feel free to bring a dish to share if you can. We will not have a worship service at John Calvin on May 12th.

CHILDREN CHURCH TEACHERS NEEDED: We are looking for a teacher for the PK Children church class, on May 19th. Please see Louise if you can teach. This class takes place during our normal service time after the children’s sermon.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN BIRTHDAY OFFERING: The Presbyterian Women will be celebrating their annual Birthday Offering on May 5 and May 12. These funds provide much-needed assistance to numerous programs both domestic and international. This year’s funding will go to the Bethel Hills project in Marthasville, Missouri to provide appropriate and affordable housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their mission is to provide a supportive, faith-based, and inclusive community where all are accepted and valued. Funding will also assist Shawnee Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. This congregation is located in an economically disadvantaged area where single mothers and children face the challenges of food insecurity. The congregation has been serving free dine-in meals each Monday. These funds will help them renovate their kitchen and expand their capacity. Improvements in the fellowship hall will allow them to offer enriching activities such as tutoring, a play area, parenting workshops and financial literacy classes. Thank you for your continued support for our long PW tradition of giving! Please write your checks to the church with Birthday Offering on the memo line. This also applies to any other form of donation.

The Church Office Assistant position

Posted on Apr 29, 2024 in Announcements |

On behalf of the Session and the Church Staff Committee of John Calvin Presbyterian Church (JCPC), we would like to invite all to review and forward the enclosed open position for the Church Office Assistant. The Church Office Assistant position is a part-time 20-hour flexible work week position that includes paid holidays, vacation, and sick-leave. The Church Office

Assistant’s primary responsibilities include:

Receptionist duties,
Assistant to pastoral leadership, and
General office administrative duties

Please forward this email containing the position description for the Church Office Assistant to anyone that may be interested. All interested candidates in the position can either mail their resume to the Church office or via email to rpisham@gmail.com. Any questions regarding this position can also be directed to the email address provided.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in our search to fill this opening at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.

In Christ’s Service,

Session of JCPC and Staff Committee (Aaron Ochart, Sharon Fortin, Bill Bottomley, Ragina Isham)

JOHN CALVIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

4201 Transcontinental Drive

Metairie, Louisiana 70006

504-888-1375

Position Title: Church Office Assistant

Position Description:

The Church Office Assistant on a part-time basis will perform receptionist duties, serve as an assistant to pastoral leadership, and perform general office administrative duties. This position will also interact with Church members and various volunteer committees of the Church. A flexible 20-hour work week is applicable during the normal business hours of the Church (Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 4:00pm and Friday from 8:30am to noon). The position includes 12 paid holidays, 10-days of vacation, and 5-days of sick leave.

Position Responsibilities:

Receptionist Duties

· Act as a receptionist to people coming into the Church office, calling by telephone or receipt by email.
· Greet people who come into the Church office, giving them the appropriate help as necessary, or referring them to the person most able to help them.
· Maintain confidentiality.

Assistant to Pastoral Leadership (e.g. pulpit supply, temporary/interim pastor, and/or called and installed pastor)

· In partnership with the Pastoral leadership, coordinate and prepare the Sunday Church Service bulletin and worship slides.
· Track and publish announcements in the Sunday Church Service bulletin.
· In conjunction with input from the Deacons and Church volunteers, maintain a list of all known pastoral concerns that need attention from the Pastoral Leadership and/or the Deacons. Include all known new hospital admittances, illnesses, deaths, new births and other information of a pastoral nature in a memo form.

General Office Administrative Duties

· Receive and distribute all incoming mail and email (including bills for the financial staff).
· Maintain a schedule of events for all church activities.
· Receive and keep reports of outreach group payments.
· Maintain address information for Church membership, visitors and concerned parties.
· Maintain food pantry assistance program in conjunction with the Outreach Committee.
· Maintain all office equipment and supplies.
General Office Administrative Duties (continued)
· Manage Custodian requests (order cleaning supplies & validate receipt of ordered supplies and raise awareness on any concerns with the cleaning service).
· Interface with maintenance service call-out representatives for the Church, Church office, and outreach rooms (i.e. greet and escort to site of maintenance, receive invoicing, and communicate with the Facilities Committee).
· Order yearly inspections for Facilities (Fire, plumbing, elevators).
· Order Church flower arrangements weekly as needed.

Position Requirements:

· Microsoft Office Suite/Publisher using the Windows operating system.
· Google Workspace (formerly known as Google Suite; Gmail, Google Chrome, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Meet, etc.)
· Accounting/bookkeeping experience is desirable.
· Excellent time management skills and able to multi-task, prioritize, and effectively execute tasks.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Communicates respectfully and establishes professional relationships through active listening and demonstration of empathy & positive regard.

If interested in the position, mail your resume to the church office or via email to rpisham@gmail.com. Any questions regarding this position can also be directed to the email address provided.

Order of Worship 4/21/24

Posted on Apr 18, 2024 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

4th Sunday of Easter

April 21st, 2024 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart

Liturgist: Caleb and Christian Hebert

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

* Please stand, in body or spirit

GATHERING

PRELUDE For the Beauty of the Earth by Jon Schmidt

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN (Blue #554; GTG#37)

Let All Things Now Living

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving

To God the creator triumphantly raise.

Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,

by guiding us on to the end of our days.

God’s banners are o’er us; pure light goes before us,

A pillar of fire shining forth in the night:

till shadows have vanished all fearfullness banished,

as forward we travel from light into light.

By law God enforces, the stars in their courses

the sun in its orbit obediently shine;

the hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,

the depths of the ocean proclaim God divine.

We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;

with glad adoration a song let us raise,

till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:

“To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!”

WORDS OF WELCOME

DEACON MINUTE AND MINUTE FOR MISSION: Program of Hope

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. 7:17

ONE: The Lamb of God will be our shepherd;

MANY: he will guide us to the water of life.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of the Word, in the parable of the sower you showed us how your word can take root and grow within us. Nurture the seeds of your word in our hearts and help us to grow in faith and love. Amen.

*HYMN (GTG #250) ”Hymn of Promise” PROMISE

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold a snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

there’s a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

*RESPONSE HYMN (GTG#750) Goodness is Stronger than Evil

Goodness is stronger than evil;

Love is stronger than hate;

Light is stronger than darkness;

Life is stronger than death;

Victory is ours Victory is ours through Him who loves us.

CONFESSION

CALL TO CONFESSION

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS

ONE: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

MANY: Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI (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.

PROCLAMATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 Thess 1:1-10

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON “Imitators of Christ” Rev. Aaron Ochart

RESPONSE

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Theological Declaration of Barmen

Jesus Christ, as he is attested for us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death.

As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures.

The church’s commission, upon which its freedom is founded, consists in delivering the message of the free grace of God to all people in Christ’s stead, and therefore in the ministry of his own Word and work through sermon and Sacrament.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY River in Judea John Leavitt

*DOXOLOGY (GTG #609)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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 #272; GTG #22) God of the Sparrow

God of the sparrow God of the whale

God of the swirling stars

How does the creature say Awe

How does the creature say Praise

God of the earthquake God of the storm

God of the trumpet blast

How does the creature cry Woe

How does the creature cry Save

God of the rainbow God of the cross

God of the empty grave

How does the creature say Grace

How does the creature say Thanks

God of the hungry God of the sick

God of the prodigal

How does the creature say Care

How does the creature say Life

God of the neighbor God of the foe

God of the pruning hook

How does the creature say Love

How does the creature say Peace

God of the ages God near at hand

God of the loving heart

How do your children say Joy

How do your children say Home

*PARTING PRAYER

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE Sevenfold Amen by Peter Lutkin

POSTLUDE excerpt from River in Judea John Leavitt

*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.

Announcements 4/21/24

Posted on Apr 18, 2024 in Announcements |

Announcements:

VBS DIRECTOR: The CE committee is looking for someone to be in charge of VBS this summer. The dates for VBS are July 16th to 19th. Please see Louise for more information or if you are willing to help out.

Announcements Continued:

MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY DONATION: Each month we are asking you to Donate one or two items to the food pantry. This month we are asking for canned fruit, fruit snacks, and applesauce.

TABLECLOTH DINNER: Join us for our next Tablecloth Dinner at Mr. Ed’s in Kenner, 910 W. Esplanade on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 PM.

Creation Care Reading Recommendations: Inhabiting Eden: Christians, the Bible, and the Ecological Crisis By Patricia K. Tull.

In this thoughtful study, respected Old Testament scholar Patricia K. Tull explores the Scriptures for guidance on today’s ecological crisis. Tull looks to the Bible for what it can tell us about our relationships, not just to the earth itself, but also to plant and animal life, to each other, to descendants who will inherit the planet from us, and to our Creator. She offers candid discussions on many current ecological problems that humans contribute to. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions and a practical exercise, making it ideal for both group and individual study. This important book provides a biblical basis for thinking about our world differently and prompts us to consider changing our own actions.

HYMNS and BEER: Join us at 7:00 PM on April 25th at Blue Ruin Speakeasy, 3224 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001 for Hymns and Beers. We will be celebrating this amazing Earth God created and which we have been entrusted to care for. Proceeds from this event will be split between the musician and Glass Half Full.

CHILDREN CHURCH TEACHERS NEEDED: I am looking for a teacher for the PK Children church class, for April 28th and May 5th. Please see Louise if you can teach one or both of these days. This class takes place during our normal service time after the children’s sermon.

BIRTHDAYS: Mary Antill 4/25, Christina Thomas 4/26, Linda Laporte 4/26, Carol Fourmaux 4/27

Order of Worship 4-14-24

Posted on Apr 12, 2024 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

3rd Sunday of Easter

April 14th, 2024 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart

Liturgist: Sue Crawford

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

* Please stand, in body or spirit

GATHERING

PRELUDE Prelude in C Major J.S. Bach
Mia Benevento

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN (Blue #106; GTG#240)

Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks

Refrain: Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord,

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name.

Jesus is Lord of all the earth.

He is the King of creation. Refrain.

Come let us praise the living God,

joyfully sing to our Savior. Refrain.

WORDS OF WELCOME

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP 1 John 3:2

ONE: Beloved, we are God’s children now;

MANY: Peace be with you. The Risen Lord is here.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Holy Lord, your followers gave to your children something more powerful and more valuable than riches. They gave healing and hope. Bring healing and hope into our world and show us evidence of your presence in our lives. Amen.

*HYMN (GTG #250) ”Hymn of Promise” PROMISE

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold a snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

there’s a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

*RESPONSE HYMN (GTG#800) Sometimes a Light Surprises

1 Sometimes a light surprises the child of God who sings;

it is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings;

when comforts are declining, he grants the soul again

a season of clear shining to cheer it after rain.

CONFESSION

CALL TO CONFESSION

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS

ONE: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

MANY: Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI (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.

PROCLAMATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON Acts 3:1-10

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON “The Name of Jesus” Rev. Aaron Ochart

RESPONSE

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Shorter Catechism

ONE: What is the main purpose for humanity?

MANY: The main purpose for humanity is to glorify and enjoy God forever.

ONE: What rule has God given to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God?

MANY: The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God.

ONE: What do the Scriptures mainly teach?

MANY: The Scriptures mainly teach what we are to believe about God, and what duty God requires of us.

ONE: How many Persons are there in the Trinity?

MANY: There are three Persons in the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

ONE: What is Sin?

MANY: Sin is any lack of obedience to, or violation of, the law of God.

ONE: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

MANY: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and human, in two distinct natures, and one Person forever.

ONE: How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

MANY: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY Waltz in A major, Op. 39/15 J. Brahms

Lucia Benevento

*DOXOLOGY (GTG #609)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN (Blue #343; GTG #761)

Called as Partners in Christ’s Service

Called as partners in Christ’s service,

called to ministries of grace,

We respond with deep commitment

fresh new lines of faith to trace.

May we learn the art of sharing,

side by side and friend with friend,

Equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.

Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring,

Christ’s clear call to work and worth

let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth.

Men and women, richer, poorer,

all God’s people young and old,

blending human skills together

gracious gifts from God unfold.

Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission,

in a small or global sense,

help us bear each other’s burdens,

breaking down each wall or fence.

Words of comfort, words of vision,

words of challenge said with care,

bring new power and strength for action,

make us colleagues free and fair.

So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life

that surround each person’s sorrow

with a calm that conquers strife.

Make us partners in our living, our compassion to increase,

messengers of faith,

thus giving hope and confidence and peace.

*PARTING PRAYER

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE (Blue #113; GTG #245)

“Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” LLANFAIR

“Christ the Lord is risen today!” Al-le-lu-ia!

All creation, join to say: Al-le-lu-ia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Al-le-lu-ia!

Sing, O heavens, and earth reply, Al-le-lu-ia!

POSTLUDE Gavotte in G minor J.S. Bach
Olivia Benevento

Announcements 4-14-24

Posted on Apr 12, 2024 in Announcements |

Announcements:

MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY DONATION: Each month we are asking you to Donate one or two items to the food pantry. This month we are asking for canned fruit, fruit snacks, and applesauce.

Creation Care Reading Recommendations: 50 Ways to Help Save the Earth, Revised Edition: How You and Your Church Can Make a Difference by Rebecca Barnes. Rebecca Barnes outlines fifty ways in which you, your congregation, and your local community can help fight global warming and enjoy participation in a vital part of Christian discipleship. In 50 Ways to Help Save the Earth, Revised Edition, she makes a clear connection, in a practical and unintimidating way, between stewardship of the earth and living one’s faith.

This easy-to-follow book consists of seven chapters on topics related to global climate change: “Energy,” “Food and Agriculture,” “Transportation,” “Water,” “People,” “Other Species,” and “Wilderness and Land.” Each chapter begins with a statement on how the content relates to global warming, followed by action items ranging from individual efforts to activities that encourage the involvement of the congregation and wider communities.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL: Join us for adult Sunday School, from 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM in the church library, as we continue our faith journey and share the importance of God in our daily lives. In our current six-session study, we are talking about our relationship with God, the importance of prayer, how prayer matters, and how we can use prayer to discern God’s will.

Order of Worship 4-7-24

Posted on Apr 5, 2024 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

2nd Sunday of Easter

April 7th, 2024 Ten Thirty in the morning

Preacher: Mr. Mike Isham

Liturgist: Evelyn Tobey

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

* Please stand, in body or spirit

GATHERING

PRELUDE

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN (Blue #118; GTG#233)

“The Day of Resurrection!” LANCASHIRE

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad,

the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.

From death to life eternal, from sin’s dominion free,

our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory.

Now let the heavens be joyful; let earth its song begin;

the round world keep high triumph

and all that is therein.

Let all things seen and unseen

their notes of gladness blend,

for Christ the Lord has risen, our joy that has no end.

WORDS OF WELCOME

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP John 20:19, 21

ONE: Peace be with you. Jesus stands among us.

MANY: Peace be with you. The Risen Lord is here.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*HYMN (GTG #250) ”Hymn of Promise” PROMISE

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold a snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

there’s a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

CONFESSION

CALL TO CONFESSION

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Forgive us, God of mercy. Help us to trust your power to change our lives and make us new, that we may know the joy of life abundant given in Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Amen.

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS

ONE: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

MANY: Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA PATRI (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.

PROCLAMATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON “Slow to Understand” Mike Isham

RESPONSE

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism

ONE: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

MANY: That I belong body and soul, in life and in death not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by the Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY

*DOXOLOGY (GTG #609)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures high and low. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN (Blue #104; GTG #248)

“Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!” HYMN TO JOY

Christ is risen! Shout hosanna! Celebrate this day of days!

Christ is risen! Hush and wonder: all creation is amazed.

In the dessert all surrounding,

see a spreading tree has grown.

Healing leaves of grace abounding

bring a taste of love unknown.

Christ is risen! Raise your spirits

from the caverns of despair.

Walk with gladness in the morning.

See what love can do and dare.

Drink the wine or resurrection, not a servant, but a friend.

Jesus is our strong companion.

Joy and peace shall never end.

Christ is risen! Earth and heaven

never more shall be the same.

Break with bread of new creation

where the world is still in pain.

Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get ye gone!”

God, the First and Last is with us. Sing hosanna every one!

*PARTING PRAYER

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE (Blue #113; GTG #245)

“Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” LLANFAIR

“Christ the Lord is risen today!” Al-le-lu-ia!

All creation, join to say: Al-le-lu-ia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Al-le-lu-ia!

Sing, O heavens, and earth reply, Al-le-lu-ia!

POSTLUDE

STAFF

Church Office 504.888.1375

Playschool Office 504.888.1378

The Reverend Aaron Ochart – Head of Staff

Louise Ochart – Christian Education Leader

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

Announcements 4-7-24

Posted on Apr 4, 2024 in Announcements |

Announcements:

MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY DONATION: Each month we are asking you to Donate one or two items to the food pantry. This month we are asking for canned fruit, fruit snacks, and applesauce.

Creation Care Reading Recommendations: Making Peace with the Land: God’s Call to Reconcile with Creation (Resources for Reconciliation) God is reconciling all things in heaven and on earth. We are alienated not only from one another but also from the land that sustains us. Our ecosystems are increasingly damaged, and human bodies are likewise degraded. Most of us have little understanding of how our energy is derived or our food is produced, and many of our current industrialized practices are both unhealthy for our bodies and unsustainable for the planet. Agriculturalist Fred Bahnson and theologian Norman Wirzba declare that in Christ, God reconciles all bodies into a peaceful, life-promoting relationship with one another. Because human beings are incarnated in material, bodily existence, we are necessarily interdependent with plants and animals, land and sea, heaven and earth. The good news is that redemption is cosmic, with implications for agriculture and ecology, from farm to dinner table. Bahnson and Wirzba describe communities that model cooperative practices of relational life, with local food production, eucharistic eating, and delight in God’s provision. Reconciling with the land is a rich framework for a new way of life. Read this book to start down the path to restoring shalom and experiencing Jesus’ kingdom of shared abundance, where neighbors are fed and all receive enough.

CALENDAR:

4/8 – 10:00 AM – Staff Meeting

12:15 PM – Playschool Committee Meeting

6:30 PM – Outreach Committee Meeting

4/11 – 10:00 AM – Game Day

4/14 – 9:15 AM – Adult Sunday School

10:15 AM – Choir Warm-up

10:30 AM – Worship Service – Bible Builds during Children’s Church

11:45 AM – Choir Practice

6:30 PM – Christian Education Committee Meeting