First Presbyterian Church March 8, 2015 10:30 a.m.

Third Sunday in Lent Be reverent. This is the house of the Lord. Before the service, speak to God.

During the service, let God speak to you. After the service, speak to one another.

“I will strive to enter that intimate space of Christ’s radical love with you.”

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prelude “Behold the Lamb of God!” arr. Lani Smith

Welcome and Church Life Notes

*Passing of the Peace – please share the peace & love of Christ with your neighbor

Introit

*Call to Worship (read responsively)

Leader: You have been called to the banquet.

People: This is the feast.

Leader: You have been summoned to the wedding.

People: This is the feast of life and light.

Leader: From the streets and the byways, God has invited us.

People: We have come to the banquet that has no end. Praise be to God.

Amen!

*Hymn “This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made” #681

Prayer of Confession (read responsively)

Leader: Let us come before the throne of God, the mercy seat, with all of our

humanity, open to the peace of promised forgiveness.

People: You invite us to your feast, O God, and we do not come. You beg

us to give thanks for life, and we fail in our thanksgiving. You have

made for us a wonderful earth, and we neglect the gift. Forgive us

for what we have done and for abandoning the pathway you desire

for us. Be our guide and conscience. Turn our feet and hands

toward your will, that all we do might give glory to you. Amen.

(A moment for silent personal prayer of confession)

Assurance of Pardon (read responsively)

Leader: The God of peace, who calls all creation to live in unity, hears your plea.

In the spirit of fasting and repentance, in the mercy of Almighty God,

you are forgiven.

People: For the sake of Christ Jesus, our Savior, who died and rose from

the dead to destroy the shroud of despair, we rejoice!

*Choral Response “The Gloria”

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!

Anthem “O lamb of God” Mark Patterson

Chancel Choir

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Time with the Children Rev. Sarah Hooker

(Children may leave for the Child Care Room following the Time with Children.)

Prayer for Illumination (read in unison)

Your word, O God, is a feast all its own. Let your Holy Spirit open our minds to your call to listen, for we know your holy Word heals and reconciles your people. Amen.

First Scripture Reading (pages 517-518 OT in the pew Bible) Psalm 46

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

*Hymn “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” #343

Second Scripture Reading (page 24 NT in the pew Bible) Matthew 22:1-14

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God

Sermon “Party Foul” Rev. Sarah Hooker

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

*Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed – (Traditional version) (read in unison)

(Ushers gather in the narthex at this time.)

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

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy

Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was

crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he

rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right

hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the

quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of

saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life

everlasting. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts, Offerings

Call to the Offering Offertory “O Gracious Lord” Robert J. Powell

*Choral Response “The Doxology” # 606

*Prayer of Dedication

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

… “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

*Hymn “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” #415

*Benediction

*Postlude “More Holiness Give Me” Roger C. Wilson

*You are invited to stand.

Thought for the Day: “We must not wish for the disappearance of our troubles but for the grace to transform them.” —Simone Weil

Pastor: Rev. Sarah Hooker Music Director: Gayle Olsen Organist: Gayle Olsen e-mail: office@fpcdelhi.org

Liturgist: Elder Rusty Maxwell 4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753 (607) 746-2155, Fax # 746-2156

Web Site: www.fpcdelhi.org

The First Presbyterian Church Delhi, New York

First Presbyterian Church actively exists as the living body of Christ, committed to growing in faithfulness to God, serving the whole human

family and welcoming all people into God’s love. (Our Mission Statement)

SUNDAY March 8

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS 9:15 am Bible Study (Library) 9:30 am Sunday School (Chapel and CE Wing) 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal (Chapel) 10:30 am Worship (FPC Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee Hour (FH) 12:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary and Chapel) 4:00 pm Boy Scout Troop Meeting (FH)

MONDAY March 9

9:00 am Senior Fitness (FH) 11:00 am Delaware County Senior Council (Chapel) 11:00 am Delaware Opportunities Senior Meals (CR) 6:30 pm Presbyterianism 101 Class (Library)

TUESDAY March 10

11:00 am Delaware Opportunities Senior Meals (CR) 5:00 pm Weight Watchers (FH)

WEDNESDAY March 11

7:30 am SPARKS study group at Crossroads Café 9:00 am Senior Fitness (FH) 11:00 am Delaware Opportunities Senior Meals (CR) 5:30 pm Girl Scouts (RR) 5:30 pm A Pealing Sound Rehearsal (Sanctuary and Chapel)

THURSDAY March 12

11:00 am Delaware Opportunities Senior Meals (CR) 6:00 pm Yoga Class (Chapel)

FRIDAY March 13

11:00 am Delaware Opportunities Senior Meals (CR)

SATURDAY March 14

2:00 pm Deacon’s Cooking (FH)

SUNDAY March 15

9:15 am Bible Study (Library) 9:30 am Sunday School (Chapel and CE Wing) 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal (Chapel) 10:30 am Worship (FPC Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee Hour (FH) 12:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary and Chapel)

RR – Red Room; CR – Conference Room; FH – Fellowship Hall; BR – Blue Room

FOOD BANK MISSION REMINDER! Help us fill the food box each week and help our friends and neighbors in need. Cash donations may be placed in the offering plate (clearly marked) or left in the church office. Please make checks payable to the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission.

First Presbyterian Church Delhi, New York

Church Life: Week of March 8, 2015

“I will strive to enter that intimate space of Christ’s radical love with you.”

God commands us to “remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8, NIV). This is meant as a blessing, not a burden. So welcome to worship, to rest and to celebration!

O God, your words are more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey (Psalm 19:10). I open my heart to whatever you tell me today.

We invite everyone to take a moment during the offertory to sign the Church Attendance Register found in each pew. A special welcome is extended to all who are visiting with us this morning. We hope that your worship experience will be meaningful and enjoyable. If you are interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church or becoming a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Sarah, the Church Office or any Elder.

COFFEE HOUR will be held today in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the Worship Service. EVERYONE is invited to this time of fellowship. Please join us this morning!

The FLOWERS this morning are given in honor of Allison Noble's 26th birthday by Vicki Noble.

The Girl Scouts are observing GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY today during the worship service. They will be serving as ushers and greeters as well as helping with Coffee Hour. We take this opportunity to express our appreciation for their service to our community.

The TRUSTEES responsible for counting today are Ed Goff and Jim Merwin. The Trustees responsible for counting on March 15 are Jackie Clark and Vicki Noble.

Liz Arehart will be in the child-care room today during the worship service. There is a list of who will be providing care each week posted on the Nursery door. Child care is provided from after the children's sermon until the end of worship most Sundays. If you are in need of care earlier in the service arrangements can be made by locating a nursery attendant prior to the service.

March Mission Focus – One Great Hour of Sharing

Children’s worship bags now available. Puzzles, small toys, coloring and drawing materials are located in the hospitality room on the shelves. Children are welcome to select a bag with items of their choosing to use during worship. Children’s Bulletins are also available. You may return the materials to the shelves at the conclusion of the service or simply leave the bag in the pew. Presbyterianism 101: What Does It All Mean Anyway? Join Pastor Sarah in a series of five classes on what it means to be a Presbyterian. We will be having discussions, watching videos from Theocademy, and learning about this denomination we belong to. This class is perfect for people considering membership in our church, those who are already members, or for folks who would just like to learn more about our denomination. Classes are held Monday nights at 6:30 pm continuing March 9, 16 & 23.

The February – March 2015 Courier has been sent via email to those on our mailing list. If you would like a hard copy, please pick one up in the narthex or on the table outside the office. If you did not receive a copy via email or regular mail, please relay your preferences for newsletter communication format with the church office. Thank you!

**Newsletter Deadline** Newsletter articles are due in the office on Thursday, March 19, 2015 by 10:00 am in order to be placed in the combined Holy Week – mid-May Courier. If you are able to turn items in earlier, it is greatly appreciated.

Habitat for Humanity is in need of volunteers! Areas of help most needed include providing food, painting, spackling, electrical, plumbing, etc. Please sign up on the sheets in the narthex, fellowship hall or outside the church office.

Information on summer camps is available in the church office and online. If you would like to see the brochures or want guidance in finding a camp nearby, please check with Barbara Thompson, Nichole Newbold, Gia Cantwell, Sarah Philion or Nancy Althaus. Camperships are once again available through the Presbytery on a first come, first serve basis.

Easter Lilies may be ordered through March 29. Order forms are available in the February - March Courier, church office or

on bulletin boards throughout the church.

Sewing Fellowship will meet in the Red Room on Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 pm. Even if you do not sew, please join us! If you know of anyone who might be interested, please pass the word. All are welcome to join us in fellowship & mission.

CWS School Kits – We will again be filling the Church World Service School Kits. Prayerfully consider filling a kit or purchasing items towards filling a kit and drop them off at the church office. Please make all donations by April 9. Items needed include:

One pair of blunt metal scissors (rounded tip)

Three 70-count spiral notebooks or notebooks totaling 200-210 pages (no loose-leaf or filler paper)

One 30-centimeter ruler (12")

One hand-held pencil sharpener

One large eraser

Six new pencils with erasers

One box of 24 crayons (only 24)

One 12" x 14" to 14" x 17" finished size cotton or lightweight canvas bag with cloth handles. (Please, no reusable shopping bags or backpacks.) School bag pattern available in the church office and on the church website.

Pack all items inside the cloth bag.

We especially need donations of 70-count spiral notebooks, school bags or fabric to be used to make the bags. See Nancy in the church office if you have any questions.

Thoughts on Giving: “You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything…” – Exodus 20:4 How many “gods” do you put before God? “Idols” do not always take the shape of physical things, things we can touch and feel. Those are easy to recognize. Many times they take the form of things we cannot touch and are much harder to spot - pride, power, ego, comfort or health.

Stewardship Prayer: That we may learn to turn away from the false idols of our society – those visible and invisible.

Attendance week of 3-1-15 63 The amount needed each week The amount given week of 3-1-15

$2,983.00 $2,254.50

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 3-1-15 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 3-1-15

Mission giving week of 3-1-15 Mission giving YTD as of 3-1-15

$26,847.00 $18,489.08

$559.00

$308.00 $1,113.00

Apportionment Needed 2015 Apportionment received YTD as of 3-1-15

$6,775.53 $1,234.33

The Per Capita amount for 2015 has been set at $31.81 per member.

Coffee Hour volunteers are needed throughout the spring and especially March 15 and 22! Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact the church office if you are able to help. If there are no volunteers, coffee, tea and juice will be served.