May 17, 2015 | 11 AM Worship

Welcome!
May 17, 2015 | 11 AM Worship
We aspire to be a church where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is
faithfully proclaimed and faithfully lived in grateful response to God’s love.
Sewickley Presbyterian Church | 414 Grant Street | Sewickley, PA | 15143 | 412.741.4550 | www.sewickleypresby.org
LIVE
GROW
SERVE
We welcome you this morning to Sewickley Presbyterian Church.
We are glad you are worshipping with us today.
Please see one of our Ushers
if you have any questions or need assistance.
Welcome Center
Sunday Worship Times
8, 9 & 11 AM
Sunday Morning Classes
10 AM
Join us for coffee in the Robinson Room, before and after worship.
Childcare
Children are always welcome to attend worship with their families. However, if
you would like to take advantage of our nursery you are invited to do so. Our
nursery is located on the 2nd floor. Parents are also welcome to care for infant
children in the Robing Room, which is located down the stairs near the sound
booth at the back of the sanctuary.
Friendship Pads
Rev. Kevin J. Long, Pastor
klong@sewickleypresby.org
Rev. Sarah R. Bird
Associate Pastor
sbird@sewickleypresby.org
R. Craig Dobbins
Director of Music Ministries
cdobbins@sewickleypresby.org
Please sign and pass the Friendship Pads at the end of the pews. Fill in your
information so that we know you came today.
Prayer Requests
Please write any prayer requests on the pew prayer cards and place them in
the offering plates. The pastors read and pray for these requests. Any requests
marked “public” will be shared with weekly prayer groups.
Large Print Bibles & Hearing Devices
If you would like a large print Bible and/or a hearing device, please contact an
Usher.
Brian Mack
Director of Children’s Ministries
bmack@sewickleypresby.org
KJ Norris
Sermon on CD
The 11 AM sermon is available on CD by request from the church office. You
may also find a recording online at www.sewickleypresby.org.
Interim Youth Director
kjnorris@sewickleypresby.org
Photography
Amy Simpson, Music Associate
We request that photography not be taken during worship. Thank you for your
cooperation.
asimpson@sewickleypresby.org
Handicap Accessibility
Church Office
•
412.741.4550 | M-F 9 AM - 5 PM
www.sewickleypresby.org
•
•
Visit our website for a complete list
of SPC staff members.
•
A wheelchair lift is available for your convenience. Follow the sidewalk that
curves around to the back of the building from Grant St. for easiest access.
A ramp is accessible from the Grant Street driveway near the Sanctuary.
An elevator is available on the Main level. Please access it by using the
wheelchair lift or the ramp.
A secondary lift is available to reach the Mezzanine level. Take the elevator
to the basement. The lift is to the left of the elevator.
3
Order of Worship
The beginning of the prelude is a call to silent preparation for the worship of God.
Prelude
Concerto for Three Trumpets, Two Oboes, Strings, and Tympani
I. (Moderato) - Grave - Allegro
Instrumentalists
Georg Telemann
* Call to Worship
One:
Many:
One:
Many:
Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord.
He is alive and reigns with God and the Holy Spirit.
Do not stand looking up toward heaven, for Jesus will come again.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
- based on Acts 1:11
* Hymn 260
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
Hyfrydol
* Corporate Prayer of Confession
Forgive my sins, O Lord, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body, the sins
I have done to please myself and the sins I have done to please others. Forgive
those sins which I know, and those which I know not. Forgive them all in thy mercy.
-Lancelot Andrews, d. 1626
Welcome and Announcements
At the end of each pew is a Friendship Pad. Please indicate your presence by signing it and
passing it along the row. Members, make a point to greet visitors sitting near you.
Reception of New Members
Congregational Response
Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Dennis
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love:
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Children grades 3 and under are invited to take part in our Young Children and Worship program in Studio B
on the mezzanine level.
Prayer for Illumination
Rob Leighton
Scripture Reading
Acts 1:6-11
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the
kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by
his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this,
as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and
they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of
Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into
heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
One:
Many:
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Word Sung (See Insert)
Offering
Offertory
Chorus from Messiah, Part II
Chancel Choir and Instrumentalists
Georg Frederic Händel
Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become the
kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of kings and
Lord of lords. Hallelujah!
- Revelation 19:6b, 11:15b, 19:16b
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer (“And forgive us our debts...”)
* Hymn 804
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!
Marion
* Benediction
Postlude
Six Pieces for Organ, Op. 50
VI. Deo Gratias
Joseph Willcox Jenkins
(Dr. Jenkins served this congregation as Organist-Choirmaster 1970 - 1979.)
* Those who are comfortably able may stand.
The flowers today are given by June and David Nimick
in loving memory of David’s parents (Francis and Mary), sister (Eleanor),
brothers (Fran and Charles) and their wives (Chris and Carolyn)
(all of whom were, at one time, members of this congregation)
Thank you:
Ushers: Carol Perkovich, Liza Thornton, Deborah Tranter and Claude Whalen. Sunday Morning Greeters:
Maleet Gordon and Joanna Sarsfield. Sound Personnel: Don Slater. Childcare Workers: Heather TaylorMartin (Childcare Supervisor), Morna Murray, Chelsea Safran, Lucinda Safran and Kaylee Torres.
The Word Sung
Sunday, May 24, 2015
during the 11 AM worship service
Ascension Oratorio, BWV 11
by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
The Chancel Choir
Anna Singer, soprano
Xiu-Ru Liu, mezzo-soprano
Angelo Ragghianti, tenor
Raymond Blackwell, baritone
Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Amy Simpson, organ
Craig Dobbins, conductor
According to the New Testament in the Bible, Jesus Christ met several times with his disciples during the 40 days after
his resurrection to instruct them on how to carry out his teachings. It is believed that on the 40th day he took them to
the Mount of Olives, where they watched as he ascended to heaven. Ascension Day officially observed on a Thursday,
is one of the earliest Christian festivals dating back to the year 68 CE.
Ascension Day marks the end of the Easter season and occurs ten days before Pentecost, which this year is observed on
Sunday, May 24.
******
Ascension Oratorio
1. Chor
Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen,
Preiset ihn in seinen Ehren,
Rühmet ihn in seiner Pracht;
Sucht sein Lob recht zu vergleichen,
Wenn ihr mit gesamten Chören
Ihm ein Lied zu Ehren macht!
(Anonymous)
1. Chorus
Praise God in His riches,
Praise Him in His honor,
Extol Him in His splendor;
Seek to rightly imitate His praise
When with full chorus
You make a song in His honor!
2. Rezitativ (Tenor)
Der Herr Jesus hub seine Hände auf und segnete
seine Jünger, und es geschah, da er sie segnete, schied
er von ihnen.
(Luke 24:50-51)
2. Recitative (Tenor)
The Lord Jesus lifted up His hands and blessed His
disciples, and it so happened, that as He blessed them,
He departed from them.
3. Rezitativ (Bass)
Ach, Jesu, ist dein Abschied schon so nah?
Ach, ist denn schon die Stunde da,
Da wir dich von uns lassen sollen?
Ach, siehe, wie die heißen Tränen
Von unsern blassen Wangen rollen,
Wie wir uns nach dir sehnen,
Wie uns fast aller Trost gebricht.
Ach, weiche doch noch nicht! (Anonymous)
3. Recitative (Bass)
Ah, Jesus, is Your departure already so near?
Ah, is the hour then already there
When we must let You leave us?
Ah, behold, how hot tears
Roll down our pale cheeks,
How we yearn after You,
How all our consolation is nearly destroyed.
Ah, do not withdraw from us yet!
4. Arie (Alto)
Ach, bleibe doch, mein liebstes Leben,
Ach, fliehe nicht so bald von mir!
Dein Abschied und dein frühes Scheiden
Bringt mir das allergrößte Leiden,
Ach ja, so bleibe doch noch hier;
Sonst werd ich ganz von Schmerz umgeben.
(Anonymous)
4. Aria (Alto)
Ah, just stay, my dearest Life,
Ah, don’t flee so soon from me!
Your farewell and Your early departure
Brings me the greatest of all sorrows,
Ah, truly, just stay awhile here;
Otherwise I will be completely undone with grief.
5. Rezitativ (Tenor)
5. Recitative (Tenor)
Und ward aufgehoben zusehends und fuhr auf gen
And He was apparently lifted up and journeyed to
Himmel, eine Wolke nahm ihm weg vor ihren Augen,
Heaven, a cloud enveloped Him before their eyes,
und er sitzet zur rechten Hand Gottes.
and He sits at the right hand of God.
(Acts 1:9 and Mark 16:19)
6. Choral
Nun lieget alles unter dir,
Dich selbst nur ausgenommen;
Die Engel müssen für und für
Dir aufzuwarten kommen.
Dir Fürsten stehn auch auf der Bahn
Und sind dir willig untertan;
Luft, Wasser, Feuer, Erden
Muß dir zu Dienste werden.
(Johann Rist)
6. Chorale
Now everything is subject to You,
You Yourself only excepted;
The angels must for ever and ever
Come to wait upon You.
The princes stand still on their way
And are willingly in service to You;
Air, water, fire and earth
Must be of service to You.
7. Rezitativ & Duet (Tenor & Bass)
7. Recitative & Duet (Tenor & Bass)
Und da sie ihm nachsahen gen Himmel fahren, siehe,
And as they watched Him ascending to Heaven, behold,
da stunden bei ihnen zwei Männer in weißen Kleidern,
two men in white garments stood beside them,
welche auch sagten: Ihr Männer von Galiläa, was stehet
who also said: You men of Galilee, why do you stand
ihr und sehet gen Himmel? Dieser Jesus, welcher von
and look at Heaven? This Jesus, who has been
euch ist aufgenommen gen Himmel, wird kommen,
taken from you to Heaven, will return, just as you
wie ihr ihn gesehen habt gen Himmel fahren.
have seen Him ascend to Heaven.
(Acts 1:10-11)
8. Rezitativ (Alto)
Ach ja! So komme bald zurück;
Tilg einst mein trauriges Gebärden,
Sonst wird mir jeder Augenblick
Verhaßt und Jahren ähnlich werden.
8. Recitative (Alto)
Ah yes! Then come back soon;
remove at last my sorrowful bearing,
otherwise every moment
shall be hateful to me and all the years alike.
9. Rezitativ (Tenor)
9. Recitative (Tenor)
Sie aber beteten ihn an, wandten um gen Jerusalem
They however prayed to Him, turned around toward
von dem Berge, der da heißet der Ölberg, welcher ist
Jerusalem away from the mountain, which is called
nahe bei Jerusalem und liegt einen Sabbater-Weg davon, the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem and lies
und sie kehreten wieder gen Jerusalem mit großer Freude. a Sabbath-day’s journey away, and they returned again
(Luke 24:52a, Acts 1:12, and Luke 24:52b)
to Jerusalem with great joy.
10. Arie (Soprano)
Jesu, deine Gnadenblicke
Kann ich doch beständig sehn.
Deine Liebe bleibt zurücke,
Daß ich mich hier in der Zeit
An der künft’gen Herrlichkeit
Schon voraus im Geist erquicke,
Wenn wir einst dort vor dir stehn.
(Anonymous)
10.Aria (Soprano)
Jesus, Your merciful gaze
I can continually see.
Your love remains behind,
So that here, in mortal time,
I can refresh myself spiritually
Already with future glory,
When one day we shall stand
there before You.
11. Choral
Wenn soll es doch geschehen,
Wenn kömmst die liebe Zeit,
Daß ich ihn werde sehen
In seiner Herrlichkeit?
11. Chorale
When shall it happen,
When will the dear time come,
That I shall see Him
In His glory?
Du Tag, wenn wirst du sein,
Daß wir den Heiland grüßen,
Daß wir den Heiland küssen?
Komm, stelle dich doch ein!
( Gottfried Wilhelm Sacer)
O day, when will you be,
When we will greet the Savior,
When we will kiss the Savior?
Come, present yourself now!
- trans. Pamela Dellal
******
Jennifer Johnson
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
William Betts
Laura Mikush
Stephanie Smith
Funding for the instrumentalists for this morning’s service is made possible through the Sarah Murdock Music
Endowment, a generous gift from the late Sarah Elizabeth Murdock.
*******
SOPRANO
Jennifer Berg
Ann Boyer
Kathryn Doebler
Nancy Morrisey
Anna Singer
ALTO
Elizabeth Andrews
Carolyn Dietrich
Toby Graham
Ellen Hitchins
Xiu-Ru Liu
Virginia Morrow
Mary Anne Riley
Barbara Swan
Amy Szuba
Janice Wendt
BASS
Timothy Bingman
Raymond Blackwell
Keith Boyer
John Orndorff, Jr.
David Wise
TENOR
Dwight Dietrich
Thomas Graham
Angelo Ragghianti
Joseph Melichar
Joshua Taylor-Martin
*******
VIOLIN
Ellen Chen-Livingston
Louis Lev
FLUTE
Jennifer Steele
Rhian Kenny
VIOLA
Paul Silver
OBOE
Scott Bell
Harold Smoliar
TYMPANI
Paul DeChancie
BASSOON
Philip Pandolfi
ORGAN
Amy Simpson
VIOLONCELLO
David Premo
BASS
Betsy Heston
TRUMPET
Charles Lirette
Chad Winkler
Jarrett Kocan
FUTURE MUSIC EVENTS...
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