North Presbyterian Church 1st Sunday in Lent

February 14, 2016 – 10:45 a.m.

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting, Welcome, and Opportunities for Discipleship Welcome to our guests and visitors! As a church of hospitality we invite you, if you feel comfortable, to introduce yourself at this time. We are glad you are here. We hope you will fill out the welcome pad (found in the pew holder) to help us get acquainted. We also invite you to join us in Westminster Hall for coffee hour following worship.

Everyone—please silence your cell phones.

Gathering Time Be Still and Know John Bell

Prelude Jesus, Priceless Treasure Cassler

Call to Worship In Christ, the God of heaven has made a home on earth. Christ dwells among us and is one with us. Highest of all creation, he lives among the least. He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary. Come now, all who thirst, and drink the water of life. Come now, all who hunger, and be filled with good things. Come now, all who seek, and be warmed by the fire of love.

Invocation

*Hymn 618 O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (During the singing of the hymn, please pass Joys & Concerns to center aisle.)

*Call to Confession Take Me, O Take Me As I Am (Hymn 698)

*Prayer of Confession (Responsively)

Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Giving God, you blessed us with saltiness, But we became bland. You trusted us with your Word, But we did not keep it. You lit a flame in our midst, But we hid it under formality, smothered it with our fears.

God in your mercy: Forgive us. Silence Forgiving God, we believe that you have called us To be salt and light; That you offer us time and space and strength To begin again. Silence Giving and forgiving God, We thank you.

*Assurance of Forgiveness Hear the good news! God loves us. God forgives us.

*Response Gloria Patri et Filio by Jacques Berthier Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

*Passing of the Peace Having received Christ’s peace, let us share it by turning to our neighbors and greeting them, saying “May the peace of Christ be with you!”

Children’s Time

WE HEAR THE WORD OF GOD

Resting in God’s Care Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture Reading Luke 4:1-13 p.61

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God.

Sermon “The Journey Begins” The Rev. William T. Hennessy

Anthem I Want Jesus to Walk with Me African-American Spiritual Marty Shafer, soloist

WE RESPOND AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD

Offering Offertory: Prelude on “St. Flavian” (Hymn 166) Willan

*Doxology (Hymn 607) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper The Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving Opening Dialogue, p. 9 in the Hymnal “We offer you praise…your unending greatness:” Sanctus, p. 9 in the Hymnal “Hear us, O Christ…Great is the mystery of faith:” Acclamation, p. 10 in the Hymnal “It is in this mystery…in the words you have taught us:”

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.

Communion of the People (Our Lord invites all who trust in him, and all who long to trust in him, to share in this meal, which he has prepared. Communion will be received in the pews. If your diet requires gluten-free bread, please signal the servers so it can be brought to you.)

Prayer after Communion You have given yourself to us, Lord; now we give ourselves for others. Your love has made us a new people; as a people of love we will serve you with joy. Your glory has filled our hearts; help us to glorify you in all things. Amen.

WE DISPERSE TO SERVE GOD IN THE WORLD

*Hymn 166 Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days

*Charge

*Benediction

*Sung Response (next page)

*Postlude Variation on “Deo Gracias” Lind

*Those who are able, please stand.

Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-700789

300 North Forest Road

Sunday, February 14

Communion in the Pew

8:30am Worship/Chapel

9:30 Adult Ed./Lib.

Bible Study/RC

Inquirer Class/S251

9:30am-12pm Childcare available/S257

10:45 Worship/Sanctuary

11:45 Coffee Hour/WH

3:00pm BRAVO concert/Sanctuary

Monday, February 15 Presidents Day

Office closed

Monday, February 15

7am-6pm LE3/WH

Tuesday, February 16

7am-6pm LE3/WH & North Basement

9:00am Staff mtg./Ofc.

12:30pm Bible study/Lib.

5:45pm Lenten Soup Supper &

Study/WH

Wednesday, February 17

7am-6pm LE3/WH

10:00am Book Group/Lib.

7:30pm Sarah Circle/Eisenlord

home

Thursday, February 18

7am-6pm LE3/WH

6:30pm Bells/S151

7:00pm Girl Scouts/South

Basement

7:30pm Adult Choir

Friday, February 19

7am-6pm LE3/WH

7:30-10:00pm ACE rehearsal/WH

Saturday, February 20

9:00am-noon Work time at church—all

welcome!

Sunday, February 21

8:30am Worship/Chapel

9:30 Adult Ed./Lib.

Bible Study/RC

Inquirer Class/S251

9:30am-12pm Childcare available/S257

10:45 Worship/Sanctuary

11:45 Meeting of

Congregation/Sanctuary

Coffee Hour/WH

ACE—Amherst Chamber Ensemble EGA—Embroidery Guild

DR—Dickinson Room

FJC—Family Justice Center

FONP—Friends of Night People

Kit—Kitchen

LE3—Tutoring program

Lib—Library

NPC—North Presbyterian Church

Ofc—Office

RC—Resource Center

WCF—Williamsville Christian Fellowship

WH—Westminster Hall

International Chamber Music Concert Today

From February 12-14, the BRAVO International Chamber Music Workshop held its

comprehensive chamber music workshop for string and piano students at North Church. BPO

Principal Cellist Roman Mekinulov was artistic director. Outstanding middle, high school and

college violinists, violists, cellists and pianists participated. You’re invited to their concert

today at 3:00 p.m.

Hospice Spring Bouquets

Today Karen Hopkins will be pre-selling Hospice Spring Bouquets, in memory of her dad, Paul

Kreppel. Bouquets are $8. Karen will be taking orders (and payments) after both services.

Karen will have the bouquets for delivery on Sunday, February 28, after both services. If

paying by check, checks should be made payable to Hospice.

Adult Education: Adult Forum, Sundays at 9:15 a.m. (note time change)

Exodus and Exile: During February and March, an adult forum series will look at the

geopolitical circumstances driving the flow of these newer refugees. Everyone is welcome.

February 14—Family Issues among Immigrants and Refugees. Guest speaker Nadia Shahram

is a practicing counsellor and attorney specializing in divorce mediation. She also authored

Marriage on the Street Corners of Tehran, a 2010 novel based on true stories of Iranian

Muslim women facing legal and cultural inequality in everyday life as well as in court rooms

(available from the public library).

February 21—Refugees from Iraq and Syria. The Rev. Rami Al Maqdasi, who served a church

in Kharabba, Syria, is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Syria and

Lebanon. Rami and his family have attended NPC since their arrival in Buffalo as refugees

from Iraq two years ago. Prior to coming to Buffalo, Rami worked in the Middle East for

agencies providing services to Syrian and Iraqi refugees and displaced persons.

February 28—Refugees from Burma. Our guest speaker, Lay Lay Moe, is a Burmese senior

language interpreter at Jericho Road Community Health Center. The series will continue

through March 20 with presentations on Somalia, economic opportunities for refugees

(Westminster Economic Development Initiative), and a panel of North Church members

sharing refugee stories.

Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 in the resource center

We will be studying “Joseph and His Brothers.” Study leaders are volunteers.

Tuesday Bible Study

You’re invited to join the Tuesday lunch Bible Study for its current mini-series “What We Bring

to God.” Bring a bag lunch and join us in the library at 12:30 to eat, followed by study from 1

to 2:00 p.m. We are NOT planning to meet the 4th Tuesday of each month because those

are the days when some of us volunteer for Friends of Night People.

Meeting of the Congregation

A meeting of the congregation is called for Sunday, February 21, immediately following the

10:45 a.m. service, for the purpose of electing a deacon for the Class of 2019.

CWS—Blanket Drive Coming Soon!

Attention! On Sunday, February 28 and March 6, you will have the opportunity to support a

worthy cause: Church World Service Blankets. What good can a blanket do? It brings comfort

in times of crisis to hurting and displaced families in such far-flung places as Sudan, Pakistan

and Nicaragua. For just $5, you can provide comfort in many communities hit by disaster. Will

you join Martha Circle again this year? For each blanket you buy, you will receive a sweet,

edible treat lovingly prepared by a member of Martha Circle. Please stop by a table in the

narthex or Westminster Hall to make a difference.

Pennies for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

It's that time of year again! Jonathan Roesser will be collecting pennies to be donated to the

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In the past few years, North Church has just about

matched what Jonathan has been able to collect over the year. His contributions to this cause

now total more than $1600.00 since 2011. Won't you please bring in your pennies through

the month of February and give them to Jonathan or leave them in the front office? The

power of a penny can do great things! Thank you.

Men: Have You Taken the Survey?

The men’s fellowship group recently met to brainstorm ideas for future get-togethers. We

broke the ideas into categories and would like your opinion on what you are most likely to

attend. Some are more about learning, taking tours, getting some exercise, facilitated

conversations, and guest speakers. It is all about doing things together with other Christians.

Although we typically meet on a Saturday morning for breakfast, we are also interested in

doing things at other times. We also welcome women and children to many of the events.

Men, please take three minutes to complete the survey now at

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HG6YZLX Thank you! (You can find the link on the

homepage at www.northchurchwilliamsville.org as well.)

Book Groups (library)

(Visit https://www.pinterest.com/northchurch/books/ to see more)

Morning (10:00 a.m.)

February 17: The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance,

and Empower the Mind by Michio Kaku (Feb. 2015)

March 16: Erik Larson. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (2015)

April 20: Stories from the Shadows: A Reflection of a Street Doctor by James J.

O’Connell

Afternoon (1:00 p.m.)

February 24: The Valley of Amazement, by Amy Tan

March 23: Mary Coin, by Marisa Silver

Spring Inquirer Classes

You’re invited to learn about North Church and become a member, if you desire. Classes are

being offered today and on February 21 and March 6 at 9:30 a.m., in S251. New members will

be welcomed on Sunday, March 13.

Lenten Soup Suppers and Study on Science and Faith

February 16 and 23, and March 1, 8, and 15 5:45-7:30pm

Enjoy homemade soup, bread, fresh fruit and dessert. Cost is only $5 per adult; children eat

free. Our study this year is titled “Painting the Stars.” It is an exploration of evolutionary

science and its impact on faith. Please come for a provocative and energizing discussion.

Registration is required for child care the Monday before each supper. Kindly call the

office at 632-1330.

Musical Opportunities

Palm Sunday: If you would like to sing with the opening Hosanna, please contact

Marlene Harrington at mwharrington.35@verizon.net or call 839-1930 for more

information. The only rehearsal will be prior to the service on March 20.

Easter/March 27 Additional singers are welcome to join the choir for this festive

occasion. Some rehearsal necessary. Contact Marlene for details.

Musical: Tales of Wonder/May 15 This will require a combination of learning the

music on your own with recordings and attending some group rehearsals. Inquire for

details.

Do You Need Help or Support?

The Deacons of North Church serve the congregation through hospitality, compassion, caring

for the lonely, comforting the sick, prayer, and caring for others. Are you experiencing a life

event where you could use support or help? We would like to know your concerns and help

find ways to get you the support you need. We are looking for ways to expand our outreach

and understand how we can assist. Please feel free to reach out to any of the Deacons or

send an email to npcdeaconscare@gmail.com.

Mission Statement

Brought together by our shared faith in

Jesus Christ,

Called by God to live as faithful disciples,

Blessed by our diverse gifts and experiences,

We commit ourselves to:

Worship together,

Teach and learn from one another,

Nurture each other with care and love, and

Reach out in ministry and mission to

the world.

(Adopted by the Session June 5, 2006)

Preacher: Bill Hennessy Coordinator: Norma Henderson

Liturgist: Kathy Lash Lock-up: Chad Kahler

Organist/Pianist: Marlene Harrington Counters: Bill Clark, Shirley Mazourek

Greeters: Ann Eisenlord, Mary Soom Childcare: Regina Koteras & Eden Donelli

Ushers/Communion Servers (8:30): Karen & Pianist (8:30): Heather Randall

Stuart McKee Acolyte (10:45): Olivia McLeod

Ushers/Communion Servers (10:45): Tim &

Wendy Ayler; Randy & Kerri Bigler

Visitors—You are important to us. Please fill out a visitor card and put it in the offering plate if

you wish to be contacted. You may also approach an usher—likely wearing a yellow ribbon

today—to find out more about North Church.

Ministers: The Congregation

Pastor/Head of Staff: The Rev. William T. Hennessy Director of Sacred Dance: Olivia Ebsary

Administrative Assistant: Cynthia Machamer Accountant: Karen Thomas

Facilities Coordinator: Mike Callaghan Childcare Supervisor: Regina Koteras

Director of Music, Organist: Marlene Harrington Webmaster: Tara Martin

Director of Music, Children & Youth: Marty Shafer Pre-Teen Coordinator: Kimberly Will