John Calvin Presbyterian Church

1. Here in this place, the new light is streaming; 

now is the darkness vanished away; 

see in this space our fears and our dreamings

brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken, gather us in the blind and the lame;

call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.

2. We are the young, our lives are a mystery. 

We are the old who yearn for your face. 

We have been sung throughout all of history, 

called to be light to the whole human race. 

Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; gather us in the proud and the strong;

give us a heart, so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song.

3. Here we will take the wine and the water; 

here we will take the bread of new birth.

Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,

call us anew to be salt for the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion; 

give us to eat the bread that is you;

nourish us well, and teach us to fashion 

lives that are holy and hearts that are true,

4. Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, light years away:

here in this place the new light is shining;

now is the kingdom, and now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;

gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.  

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you fully love us, but we have not fully loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, hatred, warfare, and greed. 

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

*GLORIA PATRI #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.

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                                        Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

   whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

   of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me

   to devour my flesh—

my adversaries and foes—

   they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

   my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me,

   yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord,

   that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord

   all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

   and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter

   in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

   he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up

   above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

   sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,

   be gracious to me and answer me!

‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’

   Your face, Lord, do I seek.

   Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger,

   you who have been my help.

Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,

   O God of my salvation!

If my father and mother forsake me,

   the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

   and lead me on a level path

   because of my enemies.

Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,

   for false witnesses have risen against me,

   and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord

   in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

   be strong, and let your heart take courage;

   wait for the Lord!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN           

ANTHEM                       Hymn of Promise                            Natalie Sleeth    

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 and 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 work 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

Unrevealed until its season, Something yet unknown, which God alone can see.

SECOND LESSON                                                                  John 9:1-41    

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON               “I Once Was Blind”               The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                    Confession of Belhar

We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; 

that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells…

that the credibility of this message is seriously affected and its beneficial work obstructed when it is proclaimed in a land which professes to be Christian, but in which the enforced separation of people on a racial basis promotes and perpetuates alienation, hatred and enmity…

Therefore, we reject any doctrine which, in such a situation sanctions in the name of the gospel or of the will of God the forced separation of people on the grounds of race and color and thereby in advance obstructs and weakens the ministry and experience of reconciliation in Christ.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY    Be Thou My Vision Carrolton Forrester

*DOXOLOGY

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

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM James Ferguson 

ONE: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the hope of your calling,

MANY: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all…

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

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

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

*HYMN #280                   “Amazing Grace”               AMAZING GRACE

1 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

 

2 ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!

 

3 Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

 

4 The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

 

5 When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

*PARTING PRAYER         The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Our loving Father, from Thy hand have come all the days of the past. To Thee we look for whatever good the future holds. We are not satisfied with the world as we have found it. It is too little the kingdom of God as yet. Grant us the privilege of [being] a part in its regeneration. We are looking for a new earth in which dwells righteousness. It is our prayer that we may be children of light, the kind of people for whose coming and ministry the world is waiting.—Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE  “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee”             HYMN TO JOY

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the gloom of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

POSTLUDE              

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Asst. 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

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP           Isaiah 55

ONE: Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; 

MANY: And those who have no money, come, buy and eat!

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

*HYMN                               “Here in this Place”                GATHER US IN

1. Here in this place, the new light is streaming; 

now is the darkness vanished away; 

see in this space our fears and our dreamings

brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken, gather us in the blind and the lame;

call to us now, and we shall awaken; 

we shall arise at the sound of our name.

2. We are the young, our lives are a mystery. 

We are the old who yearn for your face. 

We have been sung throughout all of history, 

called to be light to the whole human race. 

Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; 

gather us in the proud and the strong;

give us a heart, so meek and so lowly; 

give us the courage to enter the song.

3. Here we will take the wine and the water; 

here we will take the bread of new birth.

Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,

call us anew to be salt for the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion; 

give us to eat the bread that is you;

nourish us well, and teach us to fashion 

lives that are holy and hearts that are true,

4. Not in the dark of buildings confining, 

not in some heaven, light years away:

here in this place the new light is shining;

now is the kingdom, and now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;

gather us in, all peoples together,

fire of love in our flesh and our bone.  

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you fully love us, but we have not fully loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, hatred, warfare, and greed. 

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

*GLORIA PATRI #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.

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                                        Psalm 147:1-11

Praise the Lord!

How good it is to sing praises to our God;

    for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted

    and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars;

    he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

    his understanding is beyond measure.

The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;

    he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

    make melody to our God on the lyre.

He covers the heavens with clouds,

    prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.

He gives to the animals their food,

    and to the young ravens when they cry.

His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

    nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,

    in those who hope in his steadfast love. 

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN              “River of Life”

ANTHEM           Sing A New Song To The Lord                   Natalie Sleeth    

SECOND LESSON                                                                  John 7:37-52

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.”

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                   “Nazarene”                         The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                         Confession of 1967 

God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life: social and cultural, economic and political, scientific and technological, individual and corporate. It includes the natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin. It is the will of God that the divine purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from creation… With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God. “Now to [God] who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to [God] be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY   Excerpts from Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 by Frederic Chopin

*DOXOLOGY

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 #356       “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”      NETTLETON

1 Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above;

Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of God’s unchanging love!

2 Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I’m come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed his precious blood.

3 O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let that grace now, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee:

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

*PARTING PRAYER         The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Our loving Father, from Thy hand have come all the days of the past. To Thee we look for whatever good the future holds. We are not satisfied with the world as we have found it. It is too little the kingdom of God as yet. Grant us the privilege of [being] a part in its regeneration. We are looking for a new earth in which dwells righteousness. It is our prayer that we may be children of light, the kind of people for whose coming and ministry the world is waiting.—Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE  “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee”             HYMN TO JOY

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the gloom of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

POSTLUDE     Excerpts from Prelude Op. 28 No. 15       Frederic Chopin            

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Asst. 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

Church Office 504.888.1375

Playschool Office 504.888.1378

The Reverend Aaron Ochart – Head of Staff

Louise Ochart – Christian Education Leader

Sam Garnett – Music Director

Kelly Cuppett – Asst. Music Director

Lauren Oufnac – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

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

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

JCPC Prayer Team You may write your prayer request on one of the forms, located in the pew rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate. You may also enter prayer requests on-line at www.johncalvinchurch.org, just click  “Prayer Request.”

1. Here in this place the new light is streaming; 

now is the darkness vanished away; 

see in this space our fears and our dreamings

brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken, gather us in the blind and the lame;

call to us now, and we shall awaken; 

we shall arise at the sound of your name.

2. We are the young, our lives are a mystery. 

We are the old who yearn for your face. 

We have been sung throughout all of history, 

called to be light to the whole human race. 

Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; 

gather us in the proud and the strong;

give us a heart, so meek and so lowly; 

give us the courage to enter the song.

3. Here we will take the wine and the water; 

here we will take the bread of new birth.

Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,

call us anew to be salt for the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion; 

give us to eat the bread that is you;

nourish us well, and teach us to fashion 

lives that are holy and hearts that are true,

4. Not in the dark of buildings confining, 

not in some heaven, light years away:

here in this place the new light is shining;

now is the kingdom, and now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;

gather us in, all peoples together,

fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

                        

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, you fully love us, but we have not fully loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, hatred, warfare, and greed. 

God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

*GLORIA PATRI #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.

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                                                   Psalm 34:1-10

I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

    let the humble hear and be glad.

 O magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt his name together.

 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,

    and delivered me from all my fears.

 Look to him, and be radiant;

    so your faces shall never be ashamed.

 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,

    and was saved from every trouble.

 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

 O taste and see that the Lord is good;

    happy are those who take refuge in him.

 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,

    for those who fear him have no want.

 The young lions suffer want and hunger,

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN        

ANTHEM                     “Come, Jesus, Holy Son of God”         Hal Hopson 

SECOND LESSON                                                                John 6:35-59

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON              “True Heavenly Bread”             The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             Theological Declaration of Barman

     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. Amen. 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY     Woodland Sketches, III. At An Old Trysting Place
by Edward MacDowell

*DOXOLOGY

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 AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 510            “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts” 

1 Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts, thou fount of 

life, thou light of all, from the best bliss that 

earth imparts we turn, unfilled, to heed thy call.

1. Here in this place the new light is streaming; 

now is the darkness vanished away; 

see in this space our fears and our dreamings

brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken, gather us in the blind and the lame;

call to us now, and we shall awaken; 

we shall arise at the sound of your name.

2. We are the young, our lives are a mystery. 

We are the old who yearn for your face. 

We have been sung throughout all of history, 

called to be light to the whole human race. 

Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; 

gather us in the proud and the strong;

give us a heart, so meek and so lowly; 

give us the courage to enter the song.

3. Here we will take the wine and the water; 

here we will take the bread of new birth.

Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,

call us anew to be salt for the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion; 

give us to eat the bread that is you;

nourish us well, and teach us to fashion 

lives that are holy and hearts that are true,

4. Not in the dark of buildings confining, 

not in some heaven, light years away:

here in this place the new light is shining;

now is the kingdom, and now is the day.

Gather us in ans hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;

gather us in, all peoples together,

fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Merciful and loving God, you have called us to be your people and claimed us for the service of Jesus Christ. We confess that we have not lived up to our calling to proclaim the good news in word and deed. We are quick to speak when we ought to listen, and remain silent when it is time to speak. We put too much faith in our own actions and fail to trust the strength of your Spirit. 

O God, forgive our foolish ways. Strengthen us anew to follow Christ’s way in the world. By your Holy Spirit, give us the grace we need to be faithful disciples and fulfill our common calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

*GLORIA PATRI #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.

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                               John 4:46-54 

Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little boy dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.’ The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household. Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN   

ANTHEM            “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”          Hal Hopson    

SECOND LESSON                                                     John 5:1-18                     

After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralysed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.’ But he answered them, ‘The man who made me well said to me, “Take up your mat and walk.” ’ They asked him, ‘Who is the man who said to you, “Take it up and walk”?’ Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, ‘See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.’ The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. Therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath. But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is still working, and I also am working.’ For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

INTERPRETATION OF ANNUAL REPORT 

Christian Education Committee

Outreach/ Congregational Life Committee

Playschool Committee

Presbyterian Women

Worship Committee

Board of Deacons

Homily and Pastor’s Report

 RESPONSE     

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY         Kelly Cuppett

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: … Great is the mystery of faith:

MANY: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again…

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 394          “There is a Balm in Gilead”            BALM IN GILEAD

Refrain: There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole.

There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul.

1 Some times I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain,But 

then the Holy Spirit Revives my soul again. (Refrain)

2 Don’t ever feel discouraged, For Jesus is your friend, And

if you lack for knowledge He’ll not refuse to lend. (Refrain)

3 If you cannot preach like Peter, If you cannot pray like Paul, You can 

tell the love of Jesus And say “He died for all.”( Refrain)

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE        “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee”             HYMN TO JOY

Joyful, joyful, we adore You, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before You, Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

     my help and my God.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN       “Planting Seeds of God’s Love”

ANTHEM                 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”           

I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.

God set the stars to give light to the world. The light of my life is Jesus. 

In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. 

The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus. 

Clear Sun of righteousness, shine in my path, 

and show me the way to the Father.    

I’m looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.

When we have run with patience the race, 

we shall know the joy of Jesus.           

SECOND LESSON                                                                  John 4:1-42

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                   “Assumptions”                    The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                    Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q1. What is the main purpose for humanity?

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

Q2. What rule has God given to tell us how we may glorify and enjoy God?

1. 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.

Q3. What do the Scriptures mainly teach?
A. The Scriptures mainly teach what we are to believe about God, and what duty God requires of us.

Q6. How many Persons are there in the Trinity?
A. 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.

Q14. What is Sin?

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

Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A. 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.

Q30. How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. 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.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY          “Praise and Adoration Medley”          arr. Stan Pethel 

Mike Isham, Saxophone

*DOXOLOGY

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 AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 #370      “Just As I Am, Without One Plea”           WOODWORTH

1. Just as I am without one plea 

but that thy blood was shed for me, 

and that thou bidst me come to thee,

(Refrain) O Lamb of God I come, I come. 

2. Just as I am, though tossed about

with many a conflict, many a doubt,

fightings and fears within, without, (Refrain)

3. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

because thy promise I believe, (Refrain)

4. Just as I am, thy love unknown

has broken every barrier down;

now to by thine, yea, thine alone, (Refrain)

*PARTING PRAYER                       Clement of Rome (First Century)

O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grant us, we pray, to be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming down of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. That which we know not, reveal; that which is wanting in us, fill up; that which we know, confirm; and keep us blameless in your service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE             “You Shall Go Out with Joy”

You shall go out with joy And be led forth with peace

The mountains and the hills Will break forth before you

There’ll be shouts of joy And all the trees of the field

Will clap, will clap their hands

And all the trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

The trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

The trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

While you go out with joy

POSTLUDE           Psalm 19 – Benedetto Marcello    

   it is so high that I cannot attain it.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;

   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

   Wonderful are your works;

that I know very well.

   My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

   intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.

In your book were written

   all the days that were formed for me,

   when none of them as yet existed.

How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!

   How vast is the sum of them!

I try to count them—they are more than the sand;

   I come to the end—I am still with you.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

   test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me,

   and lead me in the way everlasting.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN        “Listen to the Wind”

ANTHEM                        Come, Children of Zion                   Lloyd Larson     

SECOND LESSON                                                                  John 3:1-21  

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON                       “Questions”                    The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                     Heidelberg Catechism         

Q1: What is your only comfort, in life and in death?

A1: 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. Amen. 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY    “Be Thou My Vision”                 Mary Byrne/ Gungor

*DOXOLOGY

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.

INSTALLATION OF RULING ELDER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 485                  “To God Be The Glory”       

1. To God be the glory; great things he hath done!

So loved he the world that he gave us his Son;

who yielded his life an atonement for sin,

and opened the lifegate that all may come in. 

Refrain: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the earth hear his voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,

and give him the glory: great things he has done!

2. Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,

and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;

but purer and higher and greater will be

our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. (Refrain)

*PARTING PRAYER                       Clement of Rome (First Century)

O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grant us, we pray, to be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming down of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. That which we know not, reveal; that which is wanting in us, fill up; that which we know, confirm; and keep us blameless in your service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE              “You Shall Go Out with Joy”

You shall go out with joy And be led forth with peace

The mountains and the hills Will break forth before you

There’ll be shouts of joy And all the trees of the field

Will clap, will clap their hands

And all the trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

The trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

The trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

While you go out with joy

POSTLUDE                             Promenade                          Gordon Young  

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                            John 1:36, 39

ONE: Look, here is the Lamb of God! 

MANY: Jesus calls us: Come and see.                                                                

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Patient God, Your son, Jesus, expressed anger at abuses and injustice. Help us to show concern, not apathy, for injustice in our world, and teach us to make right all that may be wrong. Amen.

HYMN 419              “How Clear is Our Vocation Lord”

1 How clear is our vocation, Lord, When once we heed Your call:

To live according to Your word, And daily learn, refreshed, restored,

That You are Lord of all And will not let us fall.

 

2 But if, forgetful, we should find Your yoke is hard to bear,

If worldly pressures fray the mind And love itself cannot unwind

Its tangled skein of care: Our inward life repair.

 

3 We mark Your saints, how they became In hindrances more sure,

Whose joyful virtues put to shame The casual way we wear Your name,

And by our faults obscure Your power to cleanse and cure.

 

4 In what You give us, Lord, to do, Together or alone,

In old routines or ventures new, May we not cease to look to You–

The cross You hung upon– All You endeavored done.

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of glory, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. We confess that our sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we ignore cries for justice; we do not strive for peace.

In your mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and pour out the gifts of your Spirit, that forgiven and renewed, we may show forth your glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI 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.

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                                                        Psalm 127                                                                                                                                                                                

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.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN     

         

ANTHEM                       “God’s Holy House”                            Robert Lau

This is God’s holy house and in it let us sing

bringing praise to God on high, and to our heavenly King

May it always be to us a symbol of God’s love,

filled with comfort, peace and grace, sent from the Lord above. 

Holy, holy, holy, lord above: bless us as we worship you, and bless this house of love

Hymns of praise let us sing within this sacred place. 

May we know God’s love for us, the power of his grace.

Songs of joy will fill the air and loud hosannas ring;

we will sing to God on high, and Jesus Christ the King.

SECOND LESSON                                                                John 2:13-25

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.  He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.             

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON             “Human Institutions”                       Rev. Aaron Ochart 

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH               Scots Confession: BOC 3.01

We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom only we must worship, and in whom alone we put our trust. Who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. By whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable providence for such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of his own glory.   

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                 

*DOXOLOGY

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 AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 442                “The Church’s One Foundation”

1 The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord;

She is His new creation By water and the word.

From heaven He came and sought her To be His holy bride;

With His own blood He bought her And for her life He died.

2 Elect from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth,

Her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth;

One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses, With every grace endued.

3 Though with a scornful wonder This world sees her oppressed,

By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed,

Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up, “How long?”

And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.

4 Mid toil and tribulation, And tumult of her war,

She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore;

Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest,

And the great church victorious Shall be the church at rest.

5 Yet she on earth has union With God the Three in One,

And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won:

O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,

Like them, the meek and lowly, May live eternally.

PARTING PRAYER                       Clement of Rome (First Century)

O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grant us, we pray, to be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming down of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. That which we know not, reveal; that which is wanting in us, fill up; that which we know, confirm; and keep us blameless in your service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE      “You Shall Go Out with Joy”

You shall go out with joy And be led forth with peace

The mountains and the hills Will break forth before you

There’ll be shouts of joy And all the trees of the field

Will clap, will clap their hands

And all the trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

The trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

The trees of the field Will clap their hands (clap clap)

While you go out with joy

POSTLUDE     Chaconne in C – Buxtehude            

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                         Psalms 29: 3, 9                        

ONE: The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

MANY: and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

                                                   

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of revelation, You made your son known at a wedding, a public celebration of love. Celebrate love with us by revealing Jesus in our midst. Amen.

HYMN 302                     “I Danced in the Morning”

1 I danced in the morning when the world was begun,

And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun

And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth—

At Bethlehem I had my birth.

 

Refrain:Dance, then, wherever you may be,

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,

And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

 

2 I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,

But they would not dance and they would not follow me;

I danced for the fishermen, for James and John—

They came with me and the dance went on. [Refrain]

 

3 I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;

The holy people said it was a shame;

They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,

And they left me there on a cross to die. [Refrain]

 

4 I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black.

It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;

They buried my body and they thought I’d gone.

But I am the dance and I still go on. [Refrain]

 

5 They cut me down and I leap up high—

I am the life that will never, never die;

I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me—

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. [Refrain]                              

 CONFESSION 

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of glory, you sent Jesus among us as the light of the world, to reveal your love for all people. We confess that our sin and pride hide the brightness of your light. We turn away from the poor; we ignore cries for justice; we do not strive for peace.

In your mercy, cleanse us of our sin, and pour out the gifts of your Spirit, that forgiven and renewed, we may show forth your glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

GLORIA PATRI 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.

PROCLAMATION

FIRST LESSON                                                       Psalm 104:1-4, 14-23

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

    O Lord my God, you are very great.

You are clothed with honor and majesty,

    wrapped in light as with a garment.

You stretch out the heavens like a tent,

    you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,

you make the clouds your chariot,

    you ride on the wings of the wind,

you make the winds your messengers,

    fire and flame your ministers.

You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,

    and plants for people to use,

to bring forth food from the earth, 

    and wine to gladden the human heart,

oil to make the face shine,

    and bread to strengthen the human heart. 

The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,

    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

In them the birds build their nests;

    the stork has its home in the fir trees.

The high mountains are for the wild goats;

    the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons;

    the sun knows its time for setting.

You make darkness, and it is night,

    when all the animals of the forest come creeping out.

The young lions roar for their prey,

    seeking their food from God.

When the sun rises, they withdraw

    and lie down in their dens.

People go out to their work

    and to their labor until the evening.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN              “Signs”

ANTHEM    “Behold, I Have Loved You”   Robin Wolaver/arr. Bill Wolaver      

Behold, I have loved you with an everlasting love

Behold, I have drawn you with my loving kindness

I have loved you with an everlasting love 

      

SECOND LESSON                                                                  John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

SERMON                 “Superabundance”                     Rev. Aaron Ochart 

 RESPONSE     

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                               The 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. 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                 

*DOXOLOGY

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 AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 464                  “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

1 Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,

Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

Drive the gloom of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day.

2 All Thy works with joy surround Thee,

Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around Thee,

Center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

Flowery meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain,

Call us to rejoice in Thee.

3 Mortals, join the happy chorus

Which the morning stars began;

Love divine is reigning o’er us,

Joining all in heaven’s plan.

Ever singing, march we onward,

Victors in the midst of strife,

Joyful music leads us sunward

In the triumph song of life.

PARTING PRAYER                       Clement of Rome (First Century)

O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grant us, we pray, to be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming down of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. That which we know not, reveal; that which is wanting in us, fill up; that which we know, confirm; and keep us blameless in your service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE           A Festal Tune – Weber