Announcements 10-1-23

Announcements:

PROGRAM OF HOPE: October is our month for the Program of Hope. We will be making sandwiches and bagging lunches at 2:00 PM every Tuesday in October except Oct. 31st. 

MATTHEW 25: Tuesdays in October we will be presenting another program on the Matthew 25 initiative. Join us for this wonderful program at 12:30 PM in the Library. After the program you are welcome to join us in making sandwiches for Program of Hope. More information to come so mark your calendar now. 

Books On Gratitude: As Fall approaches, our thoughts begin to turn to the upcoming Holidays. As we start to prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving and Christmas this is the perfect time to reflect on Gratitude. How do we live a life of Gratitude for what God has done for us? As Christians our gratitude goes beyond a list of things we are thankful for and turns our hearts to action. The first three books recommended by Christian Education Director for this month will help us to learn to live a life of Gratitude and the last two books will help us to understand that being thankful leads to action to give back to God through our time, tallents, and tithe. Oct 1st. Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass

If gratitude is good, why is it so hard to do? In Grateful, Diana Butler Bass untangles our conflicting understandings of gratitude and sets the table for a renewed practice of giving thanks.

We know that gratitude is good, but many of us find it hard to sustain a meaningful life of gratefulness. In Grateful, cultural observer and theologian Diana Butler Bass takes on this “gratitude gap” and offers up surprising, relevant, and powerful insights to practice gratitude. Using her trademark blend of historical research, spiritual insights, and timely cultural observation, she shows how we can overcome this gap and make change in our own lives and in the world. Bass reclaims gratitude as a path to greater connection with god, with others, with the world, and even with our own souls. It’s time to embrace a more radical practice of gratitude—the virtue that heals us and helps us thrive.

BLOOD DRIVE: We are excited to be hosting a Blood Drive for Vivian Peranio. Vivian is a 3 year old girl who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last year.  This drive will be around the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis. She is now in the maintenance phase, meaning the worst of the chemo is over, but the blood center and her family are continuing to host blood drives to help not only Viv, but other children in similar circumstances. Even if you cannot give blood we can use your help with snacks or registration. Please speak with Sharon or Sue about volunteering. To sign up ahead of time please use the QR code on the bulletin board.  

PEACE AND GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING: We will be collecting for the Peace and Global Witness offering this week and next week. A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ’s peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.

BIRTHDAYS: Evelyn Tobey 10/1, Lauren Cali 10/2, Lousie Ochart 10/4

Calendar 

10/1 – 10:30 AM – Worship Offering for Peace and Global Witness

Children’s Church 

10/2 – 9:00 AM – Bible time for 3’s in their classroom

          1:00 PM – Staff Meeting 

           6:30 PM – C.E. Meeting via zoom  

10/3 – 9:30 AM – Bible Time PreK – TK 

          12:30 PM – Mathew 25 

          2:00 PM – Making Sandwiches for Program of Hope 

10/4 – 8:00 AM – Program of Hope 

10/5 – 10:00 AM – P.W. Council Meeting

10/6 – Office Closed 

10/7 – Fellowship Hall in Use 

10/8 – 9:15 AM – Sunday School 

         Adults in the Library 

         Fellowship Time for the Youth Fellowship Hall

         10:30 AM – Worship Offering for Peace and Global Witness

Children’s Church 

         2:00 PM – Fellowship Hall in Use  

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: We have a brief congregational meeting after the service on Oct. 8th to elect the nominating committee. 

PLAYSCHOOL: Trunk Or Treat is right around the corner. We are collecting candy and snacks in the narthex, church office, and playschool office. Also the playschool will be starting their annual gift wrap and cookie fundraiser soon so be on the lookout for more information soon. 



Order of Worship 9-24-23

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

September 24th, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart         

Lay Leader: Gwen Nolan

Please silence all cell phones. 

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

✝ Please stand, in body or spirit

THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE      Improvisation on “Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown”

✝PROCESSIONAL HYMN [BLUE#260] [GTG#275]

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

1 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.

Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe.

His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he.

Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

WORDS OF WELCOME         

MINUTE FOR MISSION Peace and Global Witness

ADORATION 

CALL TO WORSHIP     Ps. 113:7

ONE: The Lord raises the poor from the dust

MANY: and lifts up the needy from the ashes.

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Holy God, your servant Jacob wrestled with your angel and prevailed. In honor of his persistence you gave him a new name. Teach us to persist in the face of struggle, and call us by name. Amen. 

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

“Earth and All Stars”

  1. Earth and all stars! loud rushing planets!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Hail, wind, and rain, loud blowing snowstorms!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

  1. Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

  1. Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Limestone and beams! Loud building workers,

Sing to the Lord a new song!

God has done marvelous things.

We too sing praise with a new song!

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN             

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG #760] 

“Bring Many Names”

1 Bring many names, beautiful and good,

celebrate, in parable and story,

holiness in glory, living, loving God.

Hail and Hosanna! Bring many names!

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                     

✝GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581] 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 

world without end, Amen, Amen.

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible OT 489 or 517]                     Psalm 46

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.

God is our refuge and strength,

   a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

though its waters roar and foam,

   though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

          Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

   the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;

   God will help it when the morning dawns.

The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;

   he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD of hosts is with us;

   the God of Jacob is our refuge.

          Selah

Come, behold the works of the LORD;

   see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

   he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;

   he burns the shields with fire.

‘Be still, and know that I am God!

   I am exalted among the nations,

   I am exalted in the earth.’

The LORD of hosts is with us;

   the God of Jacob is our refuge.

          Selah

SCRIPTURE  [Pew Bible NT 28 or 29]             Genesis 32:6-13, 22-30

Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, instructing them, ‘Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have lived with Laban as an alien, and stayed until now; and I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves; and I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.” ’

The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, ‘We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.’ Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies, thinking, ‘If Esau comes to one company and destroys it, then the company that is left will escape.’

And Jacob said, ‘O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, “Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good”, I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. Yet you have said, “I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.” ’

So he spent that night there, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau,…

The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ Then the man said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.’ Then Jacob asked him, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON: “Striving with God and with Humans” Rev. Aaron Ochart 

 RESPONSE     

✝AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             “Scots Confession”

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 [God’s] inscrutable providence for such end as [God’s] eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of [God’s] own glory.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown       Daniel L. Mennicke 

Ft. Jessica Martinez

✝DOXOLOGY [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

RECEIVING OF NEW MEMBERS

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 [BLUE#119] [GTG#236]  “The Strife is O’er”    

Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

1 The strife is o’er, the battle done;

the victory of life is won;

the song of triumph has begun.

Alleluia!

2 The powers of death have done their worst,

but Christ their legions hath dispersed:

let shouts of holy joy outburst.

Alleluia!

3 The three sad days are quickly sped;

Christ rises glorious from the dead:

all glory to our risen Head!

Alleluia!

4 Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,

from death’s dread sting thy servants free,

that we may live, and sing to thee:

Alleluia! (Refrain)

✝PARTING PRAYER 

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

✝CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

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

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

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

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

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

POSTLUDE EIN’ FESTE BURG   setting by Noel Rawsthorne

Flowers this Sunday were given by John and Linda LaPorte in Honor of their anniversary.




ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements 10-1-23

Announcements:

PROGRAM OF HOPE: October is our month for the Program of Hope. We will be making sandwiches and bagging lunches at 2:00 PM every Tuesday in October except Oct. 31st. 

MATTHEW 25: Tuesdays in October we will be presenting another program on the Matthew 25 initiative. Join us for this wonderful program at 12:30 PM in the Library. After the program you are welcome to join us in making sandwiches for Program of Hope. More information to come so mark your calendar now. 

Books On Gratitude: As Fall approaches, our thoughts begin to turn to the upcoming Holidays. As we start to prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving and Christmas this is the perfect time to reflect on Gratitude. How do we live a life of Gratitude for what God has done for us? As Christians our gratitude goes beyond a list of things we are thankful for and turns our hearts to action. The first three books recommended by Christian Education Director for this month will help us to learn to live a life of Gratitude and the last two books will help us to understand that being thankful leads to action to give back to God through our time, tallents, and tithe. Oct 1st. Grateful: The Subversive Practice of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass

If gratitude is good, why is it so hard to do? In Grateful, Diana Butler Bass untangles our conflicting understandings of gratitude and sets the table for a renewed practice of giving thanks.

We know that gratitude is good, but many of us find it hard to sustain a meaningful life of gratefulness. In Grateful, cultural observer and theologian Diana Butler Bass takes on this “gratitude gap” and offers up surprising, relevant, and powerful insights to practice gratitude. Using her trademark blend of historical research, spiritual insights, and timely cultural observation, she shows how we can overcome this gap and make change in our own lives and in the world. Bass reclaims gratitude as a path to greater connection with god, with others, with the world, and even with our own souls. It’s time to embrace a more radical practice of gratitude—the virtue that heals us and helps us thrive.

BLOOD DRIVE: We are excited to be hosting a Blood Drive for Vivian Peranio. Vivian is a 3 year old girl who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last year.  This drive will be around the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis. She is now in the maintenance phase, meaning the worst of the chemo is over, but the blood center and her family are continuing to host blood drives to help not only Viv, but other children in similar circumstances. Even if you cannot give blood we can use your help with snacks or registration. Please speak with Sharon or Sue about volunteering. To sign up ahead of time please use the QR code on the bulletin board.  

PEACE AND GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING: We will be collecting for the Peace and Global Witness offering this week and next week. A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ’s peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.

BIRTHDAYS: Evelyn Tobey 10/1, Lauren Cali 10/2, Lousie Ochart 10/4

Calendar 

10/1 – 10:30 AM – Worship Offering for Peace and Global Witness

Children’s Church 

10/2 – 9:00 AM – Bible time for 3’s in their classroom

          1:00 PM – Staff Meeting 

           6:30 PM – C.E. Meeting via zoom  

10/3 – 9:30 AM – Bible Time PreK – TK 

          12:30 PM – Mathew 25 

          2:00 PM – Making Sandwiches for Program of Hope 

10/4 – 8:00 AM – Program of Hope 

10/5 – 10:00 AM – P.W. Council Meeting

10/6 – Office Closed 

10/7 – Fellowship Hall in Use 

10/8 – 9:15 AM – Sunday School 

         Adults in the Library 

         Fellowship Time for the Youth Fellowship Hall

         10:30 AM – Worship Offering for Peace and Global Witness

Children’s Church 

         2:00 PM – Fellowship Hall in Use  

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: We have a brief congregational meeting after the service on Oct. 8th to elect the nominating committee. 

PLAYSCHOOL: Trunk Or Treat is right around the corner. We are collecting candy and snacks in the narthex, church office, and playschool office. Also the playschool will be starting their annual gift wrap and cookie fundraiser soon so be on the lookout for more information soon.