Covenant Presbyterian Church Butler, Pennsylvania February 5, 2012

Covenant Presbyterian Church
Butler, Pennsylvania
February 5, 2012
I am in Christ
Christ is in me,
My body His temple,
Sin’s captive set free;
My heart His altar,
Divine love the flame,
Cleansing for service
In His matchless Name;
My life and His life
Co-mingled shall be,
With God’s very Spirit
Enthroned in me.
—Francis Rhoads La Chance
____________________________________
Guest Preacher: Rev. Raymond Eichler
The Reverend Dr. James E. Swanson, Pastor
Pastor’s Phone: 724-752-8383 / 724-712-1407
Church Office Phone: 724-287-7731
Website: http://covenantbutler.org
Order for Worship on the Lord’s Day
February 5, 2012
Eleven O’clock, A.M.
Guest Preacher: Rev. Raymond Eichler
Pastor: Rev. Dr. James E. Swanson
Choir Director /Organist: Miss Beverly Antis
Liturgist Today: Nancy Jo Moorhead
THIS IS GOD’S HOUSE ~ ALL ARE WELCOME HERE !
PRELUDE
Prelude on "Praise to the Lord"
CHORAL INTROIT
Robert Lau
O Come and Sing Unto the Lord
The Psalter
O come and sing unto the Lord, To God our voices raise;
Let us in our most joyful songs The Lord, our Savior, praise.
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN
Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
LOBE DEN HERREN
*PRAYER OF ADORATION
THE PSALM OF THE DAY
Psalm 147: 1-11
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
THE CORPORATE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God, how exalted are your ways;
Holy Savior, how sinless is your life;
Holy Spirit, how pure is your power!
(Pew Bible p. 556)
Whatever progress we imagine to have made along the
road to righteous living, we stand in need of your grace
this day. We, your people, are not worthy of your care
and do not follow Jesus as nearly as we should.
Forgive us for what we have done, and for what we have
failed to do, that has hindered the full expression of
your love and the advancement of your kingdom here on
earth. Continue to call us back to repentance, and turn
us to the upward way, for we desire to do your will and
follow where you lead.
A TIME FOR SILENT CONFESSION
THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Pastor:
Even in our wanderings, God never abandons us to
desolation.
People:
All we like sheep have gone astray, each one to
our own way, yet Love seeks us out.
Pastor:
God, in Christ, will never fail us. His mercy endures
forever. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People:
In Jesus, our Christ, we are forgiven!
*GLORIA PATRI 579
*THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
GLORIA PATRI
A Contemporary Creed
We believe in God, creator and lover of the earth,
origin and destiny of us all.
We believe in Jesus, the Christ, the herald of hope,
God's laughter in the face of despair:
Plunged into death and hell,
he broke free the captives,
and is leading the way to a land of promise
where justice and peace will flourish.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who plants the seeds of truth,
brings us to birth as the body of Christ,
and empowers us to confront and transform
all that is corrupt, degrading and deceitful.
We believe in the coming reign of God.
In that day all will be consummated
in the glorious marriage of earth and heaven.
In that day those who have passed through
the world's deep sorrow
will be raised from the waters, robed in righteousness,
and gathered into the joyous fulfillment of God's desire.
For the inbreaking of that day on this day,
we work and pray: Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
*THE GREETINGS OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
SHARING OF JOYS, CONCERNS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHORAL PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
“Teach Me, O Lord”
Healey Willan
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes,
and I shall keep it unto the end.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
(Pew Bible p. 634)
Isaiah 40: 25-31
Liturgist: This is the Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON
Hebrews 11: 1-3
(Pew Bible p. 209)
Liturgist: This is the Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
GOSPEL LESSON
John 14: 1-7, 25-27
(Pew Bible p. 103)
Pastor: The Gospel of our Lord.
All: Glory to You, O Christ.
CONGREGATIONAL CANTICLE - Hymn 327, vs. 2
The church from You, dear Savior,
Received this gift divine,
And still that light is lifted
On all the earth to shine.
MUNICH
It is the chart and compass
That, all life's voyage through,
Amid the rocks and quicksands,
Still guides, O Christ, to You.
SERMON
Rev. Raymond Eichler
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER (“debts” and “debtors”)
CHORAL AMEN
Three-fold Amen
Danish
PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS & GIFTS
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Here, O My Lord
Donald Sebesta
Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
and all my weariness upon thee lean.
Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
here drink with thee the royal wine of heav'n;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sins forgiv'n.
I have no help but thine; nor do I need
another arm save thine to lean upon;
It is enough, O Lord, enough indeed;
my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.
Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness;
mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
thy blood, thy righteousness, O Lord, my God,
O Lord, my God.
* DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
OLD HUNDREDTH
*UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
O God, accept our offerings, and use us to bring life and
health and hope to your world. Make us generous and
faithful stewards of your mysteries, doing your will and
proclaiming your word; through Christ we pray. Amen.
THE COMMUNION HYMN 513
Let Us Break Bread Together
LET US BREAK BREAD
THE INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
Pastor:
People:
Pastor:
People:
Pastor:
People:
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE COMMUNION (remain seated)
Please hold the bread & the cup
until all have been served,
Then we shall partake together.
THE LITANY FOLLOWING COMMUNION
Pastor: Bless the Lord, O my soul;
People: And all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!
Pastor: Bless the Lord, O my soul;
People: And forget not all His benefits.
Pastor: Let us pray together:
All: Thanks be to You, O God, for this sacrament of
bread and cup; for the joy of pardon, the birth of
new hope, the cleansing of Your Holy Spirit, and
the peace that passes all understanding.
Keep us in Your love, we pray, that we may walk
before You all the days of our lives in the gladness
of the redeemed and in the power of the children of
light. Amen.
*RECESSIONAL HYMN 139
Come, Thou Almighty King
ITALIAN HYMN
*THE BENEDICTION
* CHORAL RESPONSE
“God Be with You Till We Meet Again”
R. Vaughan Williams
God be with you till we meet again;
Loving counsels guide, uphold you,
With a Shepherd's care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
*A TIME OF SILENCE
*CHARGE AND DISMISSAL
Pastor: Now go without fear, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Go in confidence and be God's "Yes" to the world.
Feed the hungry, visit the sick, bind up the brokenhearted.
Forgive one another.
Resist evil and embrace the truth.
Proclaim hope to all in despair.
People: We go as ambassadors of God’s good news.
Pastor: Then depart in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
*POSTLUDE
Postlude Fantasia
Robert W. Thygerson
___________________________________________
* THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND
YOU WERE GREETED TODAY ~ by Betty Butler.
The Flowers in the Sanctuary
are provided by
Dr. & Mrs. Dennis Demby (Dee)
IN HONOR OF:
Rev. Loretha Johnson (Dee’s mother)
& James Christopher Demby (son)
and
IN MEMORY OF:
Shannon
We Welcome to our Pulpit this morning
The Rev. Raymond Eichler
Rev. Eichler will be back in two weeks to preach
during our 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday,
February 19th. We look forward to his return!
Next Sunday, February 12th Rev. Ed Carlson will
be the guest preacher for the 11 am morning
worship service.
The Annual Corporation Meeting of
Covenant Presbyterian Church
To receive the financial reports for 2011
TODAY @ 12:30 PM in the Assembly Room
Moderated by “Rev. J.” (Bill Jamieson)
A brief Fellowship Time sponsored by the Session will
be held before the beginning of the Corporation
Meeting.
*Copies of the February 5, 2012 Annual Corporation Report
are available in the narthex and downstairs in the Assembly
Room.
The Souper Bowl of Caring
Update: $604
A record breaker for Covenant!
Thank you for your continued
support!
All Proceeds benefit
our Community Dinners mission outreach
LOOKING AHEAD!
Annual Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 21st
5:30 p.m. ~ 7 p.m.
(Fellowship Hall)
An event for the entire family—Share the fun and fellowship!
Bring your family and invite your friends to enjoy a
traditional supper of pancakes, sausage, buckwheat cakes,
beverage, and ice cream for dessert. Cost: $6 – Adults and $3
– Children 12 and under
…and don’t forget our SILENT AUCTION with an
opportunity to bid on quality gifts, handmade items, gift
certificates, and gift baskets.
“ Begin your Lenten Journey in Unity with
our Brothers and Sisters in Christ ”
______________________________________
“Project Hope of Zelienople” Collection
Please bring items to the Church Library
Project
Hope
…
is
a
nonprofit
organization founded to give hope to parents who stay at the
hospital with their children and face the challenge of caring for
themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually in order to meet
the overwhelming needs of their hospitalized children.
Sponsored by
The People for Peace Bible Study Class
JOINT PRESBYTERIAN
ASH WEDNESDAY COMMUNION SERVICE
Wednesday, February 22nd
@ 7:30 PM
Hosted by:
Saint Andrews
Presbyterian Church
201 E. Jefferson St., Butler
Pastors, Elders and Choir Members representing several
Presbyterian Churches in the Butler area will be participating in
the worship service.
Light refreshments served following worship
Please Note: There will be no separate Ash Wednesday Noon
Worship Service held at Covenant this year. We encourage
our members to attend the Joint Ash Wednesday Service at
Saint Andrews.
Now Accepting Items for the
Shrove Tuesday Silent Auction
Held in conjunction with the Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Supper (February 21st)
Some donation ideas:
Gift Certificates; Gift Baskets; Handmade Items; Popular or
Seasonal Items; OR a monetary donation which our auction
organizers will use to purchase items on your behalf.
Please contact Nancy Rettig to report what item
you wish to offer for auction:
724-285-9881 or 724-355-2486
TO: Sheep
FROM: Shepherd
DATE: Feb 3, 2012
The last ten days have held many challenges, including
post-surgical “complications” which I had anticipated but did
not welcome and had hoped to avoid. Your concern, your
cards, your calls – and especially your prayers – have
strengthened me more than you can know. It was a rocky
road for a while, but I feel much better now that I’m home.
In case you are wondering: I’m being a “good boy” –
following doctor’s orders (and Karen’s orders), getting lots of
rest and slowly getting my appetite back (as well as my sense
of humor). It’s great to know you are “doing church” just fine
without me. Keep up your good work. I pray for you as well !
One additional “prayer request” ~ I learned on Wednesday
(Feb. 1) that a dear seminary classmate of mine, and a very
close friend of the Swanson family for these past 30 years,
suffered a fatal heart attack that morning and died. Rev. Ed
Delair (probably my best friend and closest colleague in
ministry since we met our first year at PTS) had been serving
most recently as program director at Ghost Ranch (New
Mexico). He and his wife Becky lived there; the Delairs have
four grown children~ Eddie, Tom, Eva and Will. Ed was 57
years old.
I know each of us has experienced the sudden loss of a
close friend which leaves us impoverished and bereft. I
thank God that in Ed’s case I can say confidently, “yet even at
the grave we sing ‘Hallelujah’. Our friendship, partnership
and mentoring have been, and continue to be, a precious gift,
offered freely as “brothers in Christ” for these many years.
Please ask God’s comfort for the Delair family… and for me.
Love, Pastor Jim
Agnes Peebles has been active for many years serving on
committees in the Beaver-Butler Presbytery and is currently serving
on the Peacemaking Committee with Pastor Jim and Betty
Anderson. She is also the Coordinator for the Artisan Market Place.
On January 12, Agnes fell and fractured her hip which required
surgery on January 13th and weeks of rehabilitation. Please send
your cards and notes of encouragement to: Agnes Peebles / 324
Norman Dr. / Cranberry Township, PA 16066
To all the churches in the presbytery:
Could you - would you – thank everyone for their prayers,
cards, phone calls. I have felt absolutely cushioned in prayer
during these days of recovery. When the rehab exercises are
tough, I remind myself that there are many who are supporting
my efforts - and it helps a lot. I am looking forward to the day
when I will return to my patio home and eventually resume my
activities. In the meantime I exercise, eat, work on my counted
cross-stitch, and heal !
Agnes Peebles
In The Life of Our Church
Prayer Concerns:
Pastor Jim. . . . . . . at home recuperating from his recent surgery;
prayers for Karen and the Swanson Family
Agnes Peebles. . . . receiving rehabilitation for a fractured hip
suffered in a fall
For Continued Prayer
Marian Curran; the Dunmires; Arthur Forbes; Dorothy
Hershberger; John Johnston; Gladys Strobel; Phyllis Thoma;
MaryLou Wilson
Birthdays:
Orville Nicholas (Feb. 5) Ethan Nicholas (Feb. 8)
Jason Reefer (Feb. 8) Eileen Davidson (Feb. 9)
In Memoriam
Mary Pauline Albert
Born May 31, 1924
Joined the Church Triumphant ~ January 29, 2012
Mary “Pauline” Albert, a former resident of Butler, PA, passed
away January 29, 2012 in Cape Coral, Florida where she resided for
the last 7 years. Pauline was born in Greensburg, Indiana on May
31, 1924 to Mary and Paul Gregory. She was a graduate of
Southside High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Pauline is survived by her two daughters: Ronda Enos of Cape
Coral, FL; Phyllis and Loni Daniels of Venice, FL; two sons: Larry
and Cathy Albert of Douglasville, GA; Richard and Terri Albert of
Butler; fifteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and three
great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward
Albert; her son, Ronald Dunn; her companion, Cliff Ewing; her
sister, Lela “Peaches” Brown and her brother, Bill Gregory.
Pauline had worked for J.C. Penney’s in Butler for 10 years, had
been a School Crossing Guard in the City of Butler from 1970-1975,
was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, VFW Women’s Auxiliary,
the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Cape
Coral and prior to moving from Butler, she was a member of
Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Pauline loved and cherished time with her family and friends
and lived her life to the fullest. Her sense of humor was unequaled.
Over the years she was honored to be the Matriarch of a large and
loving family and will be missed by all of them.
Friends were received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E.
Cunningham St., Butler, on Thursday, February 2nd from 2-4 and 79 p.m. Funeral Services were held at the Geibel Funeral Home on
Friday, February 3rd at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dr. William A. Jamieson,
officiated. Interment in Butler County Memorial Park.
Football, Faith
and John 3:16
Americans love football and faith.
Mixing the two, Denver Broncos
quarterback Tim Tebow has renewed
the debate about public expressions of
religion, prompted by the NFL
player’s common practice of writing
biblical references–such as John
3:16 on the black marks beneath
his eyes.
We Christians assume that the typical American knows what this
Bible reference means. But do they? Last year, the American
Bible Society commissioned the Barna Research Group to find
out how well Americans understand various aspects of the Bible,
including whether they could identify what the numbers “3:16”
mean. A statistical sample of people were asked to identify what
the “three” in “3:16” means.
Overall, nearly 7 out of 10 Americans (68%) were able to identify
without any prompting from the interviewers that the “three” in
3:16 refers to the chapter in the New Testament gospel of John
where the reference is found. More than 3 out of 10 adults either
gave an incorrect answer (15%) or ventured no guess (17%).
Among Mr. Tebow’s generational peers—18 to 27-year-olds—
recognition was actually lower (61%) than the national average.
Practicing* Protestant Christians (80%) were more likely than
were practicing* Catholics (66%) to correctly identify the
reference.
One of the surprises: a majority of people outside Christianity
(59%), including those affiliated with another faith or atheists
and agnostics, knew that the “three” referred to the third chapter
in John.
In comparison, slightly more Americans were able to identify
correctly the first book in the Bible as Genesis (76%). But fewer
were able to name the original languages of the Old Testament
(Hebrew, named by 57%) or New Testament (Greek, identified by
27%).
David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group, directed the study.
He put the findings in context: “The controversy surrounding Mr.
Tebow ends up affecting so many people because—whether they
have an affinity for sports or not—most Americans have at least
some knowledge of the Bible and some connection to
Christianity. Despite the pundits' protestations, more Americans
than one might expect are quite aware of what Tim is Tebow-ing
about in the end zone.”
Barna Group has been conducting research to understand
cultural trends related to spiritual values, beliefs, attitudes and
behaviors since 1984. If you would like to receive free e-mail
notification of the latest research findings from Barna Group, you
may subscribe to this free service at the Barna website
(www.barna.org). Additional religion-based resources are also
available through the website.
_________________________________________
* Practicing Christians were defined as: “adults who describe themselves as
Christians, attend a worship service at least once a month, and say their
religious faith is very important in their life.”
© Barna Group 2012