FIRST CHURCH AT WORSHIP

FIRST CHURCH AT WORSHIP
A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Ambler, Pennsylvania
November 9, 2014
Traditional Service - 9:30 a.m.
South Ridge (Contemporary) - 11:00 a.m.
Please remember to silence all electronic devices.
(During the Prelude you are invited to prepare your hearts to worship God.)
PRELUDE
Andante Festivo
Sibelius
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you are a visitor and you take a moment to fill out the Connection Card
found in the bulletin, we will gladly send you information about our church.
Just put the card in the collection plate or hand it to an usher. If anyone has
a joy or concern to include during the PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, please
fill out the yellow Prayer Request Card found in the pew rack, and give it to
an usher or one of the pastors at this time.
INTROIT
OPENING SENTENCES
Come, sing to the Lord!
Praise his holy Name!
Come sing and praise our God!
For God is our strength and Savior!
So come and be refreshed,
as fresh water brings joy to the thirsty!
* HYMN #276
Great is Thy Faithfulness
* CONFESSION OF SIN
Merciful and loving God,
you have created this world out of love and called it good,
and you created us to know, love and serve you.
We desire to know you, we love you,
and we want to serve you.
Too often, though,
we find that we know our own selfish desires best,
we love ourselves most,
and we want to serve you only after serving ourselves.
Lord have mercy on us for we are sinners.
We have gone astray;
we follow the desires of our own hearts
instead of following You.
We overlook our neighbors in need,
pass by injustice,
and sometimes even willfully defy your will for our lives.
Have mercy on us, because we are sinful.
We thank you, O Lord, because you are loving and gracious.
You know what we are like, and you love us still.
You sent your son Jesus to die for us, even though we are
sinners.
Pour out your mercy upon us, O God,
as we confess our sin to you . . .
* SILENT CONFESSION
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* OUR RESPONSE #579
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 PEACE OF CHRIST
[Children participating in Sunday School are dismissed at this time]
Claudette Fleischmann
GIVING TESTIMONY
ANTHEM
Earth and All Stars
Sanctuary Choir
Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Oh victory! Loud shouting army!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Refrain: God has done marvelous things.
I, too, will praise God with a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorms!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Flowers and trees! Loud rustling dry leaves!
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Refrain . . .
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!
Refrain . . .
Burkhardt
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!
Refrain . . .
Children of God, dying, rising,
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Heaven and earth, hosts everlasting,
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Refrain . . .
CCLI #147526
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE (NIV)
Romans 5:6-11
6
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ
died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous
person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.
9
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall
we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were
God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his
Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved
through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received
reconciliation.
John 8:2-11
2
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people
gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of
the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They
made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this
woman was caught in the act of adultery.
5
In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do
you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a
basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to
them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a
stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older
ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
10
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has
no one condemned you?”
11
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave
your life of sin.”
SERMON
"Grace Abounds"
The Reverend Ryan Balsan
* HYMN #275
God of Our Life
THE PRAYERS OF GOD'S PEOPLE
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.
OFFERTORY
This is My Father’s World
arr. Harmon
* DOXOLOGY #592
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.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
* HYMN #298
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Earth and All Stars
*Indicates to please stand if you are able.
Johnson
ASSISTING WITH WORSHIP THIS MORNING
Head Usher: Rich Myers
Greeters: Andrea Rose
Ushers: Susan Buehler
Betty Miller
Bob Miller
Connie Morgenson
Rich Myers
Jan Nader
Lay Reader: Carol Douglas
Soundboard: John Astler
Driving folks Sean Ryan and
to church today: Chuck Brumbaugh
FOR EVERYONE’S CONVENIENCE – There are hearing devices, large
print hymnals and bulletins, and children’s worship packets. Ask an usher
for assistance.
Our Nursery welcomes infants to three-year-olds ten minutes before
worship and is located in the main hallway on the 1st floor, Room 101.
SUNDAY SCHOOL: We offer the same program during the 9:30 AM and
11:00 AM worship services. Our Pre K & K class welcomes children, 3
years old through children in Kindergarten, 10 minutes before worship. This
class is located on the 3rd floor in Room 307.
Grades 1 through 5 begin in worship with their families. Children will be
invited to meet their teachers in the back of the Sanctuary. Elementary-age
homerooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
You can register your children for 2014-2015 Sunday School
at church or online at FPCAmbler.org.
MEMBER PRAYER CONCERNS
Sandra Brandreth
Audrey Buchholz
Richard and Arlene Crowell
John Detwiler
Lois Domm
Mary Duncan
Art Elliott
Falcone family
Eileen Honert
John Kirch
Dot Lynch
Ellen Morrow
Evelyn McAdam
Dick McNeal
Betty Rawlins
Lindsey Robinson
Charles Siegmann
Kyle Stevens
Jeff Stone
Mim Theobald
Kathy Wandall
If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, contact the
church office (Info@FPCAmbler.org/215-646-3030). The church
staff prays for concerns during our weekly staff meeting.
Prayer requests from extended family and friends
(listed in the order received):
Hank Thode, father-in-law of Joanie Brumbaugh Thode
Richard Mabry, step-father of Kristin Baird
Gert Hedrick, mother of Cheryl Kurpiel
Pop-Pop and Grandmom of Sophia and Samuel Bortnick
Marsha Tara, friend of Kirk Kiernicki
Love family, for strength and healing
Mary & Bill Waterman, friends of Sharon and Ron Moritz
Family affected by a fire in western PA including 4 children
Rochelle, friend of Ashley DiIenno
Abi, daughter of Georgina Bard
Swirski family, friends of the Reff family
Kristen, friend of Kirk
Dr. John Taddie, father of Sandy Nance
All those suffering from addiction
Aubrey Conley and the fire at A2D
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER 9, 2014
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS
are dedicated to soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines
who have fought for freedom around the world
from Diana Mackie.
IF YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED OR HAVE A PASTORAL
CONCERN contact the church office (Info@FPCAmbler.org/215646-3030).
If you are on FACEBOOK or FOURSQUARE, check in from First
Presbyterian Church of Ambler, and let your friends know you are
worshiping with us today.
PARENTS, you are welcome to feed your babies
wherever you feel comfortable. If you would
like a quiet place, Marie Thomas, our Children's
Ministry Director, is making her office available.
Marie's office is behind the balcony on the third floor,
Room 301.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION. With the cold and flu season upon us,
feel free to take a squirt of hand sanitizer from the new dispensers
we’ve provided for the health of our congregants.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES for 2015 stewardship
packets. Stewardship Sunday is November 23rd. Bring your
personal commitment cards with you to present in worship that day.
2014 Fall Sermon Series:
Serving Our Abundant God.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.
There will be a Congregational Meeting today at 10:30 AM.
The purpose of this meeting is to approve the Capital
Stewardship Journey.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL TO EXPLORE C.S. LEWIS. C.S.
Lewis is widely known through books like his Narnia stories and
Mere Christianity. However, Lewis was first and foremost a
philosopher and medievalist. These talks will focus on Lewis as a
philosopher and survey his views of common sense, pleasure
and happiness, and the soul. Dr. Stewart Goetz, a professor at
Ursinus will offer the following classes at both 9:30 AM and
11:00 AM as follows:
11/09 Lewis and Common Sense
11/16 Lewis on Pleasure and Happiness
11/23 Lewis on the Soul
11/30 No Class, Thanksgiving Holiday
12/07 What Makes Lewis Unique?
MEN’S BREAKFAST. Come join us for fellowship and a
delicious meal at the next Men’s Breakfast on Saturday,
November 15th at 8:00 AM in Fellowship Hall. Our speaker this
month will be Whitney Kuniholm. Whit is President of
Scripture Union/USA, an international ministry that is devoted to
helping people of all ages meet God every day through reading
the Bible and prayer and reaching out to the next generation
with God’s Word.
Whitney has written several books. His
newest book “The Essential Question: How to make a
difference for God” will be available for purchase at the men’s
breakfast. Sign up at the Help Desk or contact Bob Pearce.
(RowAndFish@gmail.com/215-884-2385).
HORIZON BIBLE STUDY, a publication of the Presbyterian
Women, will meet on Thursday, November 13th in the library
from noon to 2:00 PM.
Contact Marianne Watters
(homeh20s@msn.com) for more information.
CALLING ALL SOPRANOS, ALTOS, TENORS AND BASSES.
Do you enjoy singing but have a schedule that doesn’t allow you
to commit to rehearsing on a weekly basis throughout the year?
Here is a special opportunity to share your talents and sing to the
glory of God. We are looking for singers (members and nonmembers alike) who would like to participate in the Advent Choir
for a very special service on December 21st at the 9:30 AM
service. Interested? If so, you are invited to join the choir for
rehearsals on Wednesday evenings: November 12th, 19th,
December 3rd, 10th, and 17th, from 8:00-8:30 PM as the choir
prepares two anthems for the 9:30 AM service on December
21st. We only ask that you commit to attending at least three or
four of the rehearsals and show up at 9:00 AM on December
21st.
Contact Michael Joy (MichaelJoy@comcast.net) or mark your
interest on the Connection Card.
HONORING OUR VETERANS. Thank you to all of our veterans
for serving our country and protecting our freedom.
MATTIE N. DIXON COMMUNITY CUPBOARD OUTREACH.
With the holidays approaching, we are reminded that the
opportunity to SHARE our good blessings is one of our greatest
reasons for thankfulness. The Mattie N. Dixon Community
Cupboard, with the help of other local churches, businesses and
organizations, distributes food and household goods at
Thanksgiving and throughout the year to less fortunate families
in our community. If you would like to contribute to this worthy
cause you may use the Thanksgiving Outreach envelopes found
in your church mailbox and at the Help Desk. Place your
contribution in the offering plate through November 23rd.
IMPACT THRIFT VOLUNTEERING, Monday, November 10th
from 7:00-9:00 PM. Adults (and youth 12 and up with a parent)
are invited to volunteer at IMPACT’s donation Processing Center
in Montgomeryville. Sign up at the Help Desk or contact Sarah
Dence (sdence@gmail.com).
BLOOD DRIVE. The deacons will host a blood drive on
Monday, December 1st from 10:00 AM-8:00 PM at St. Anthony’s
Church (259 Forest Avenue, Ambler). Sign up at the Help Desk
or go to http://www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code
STOP in the “Find a blood drive search bar” to sign up. Contact
Lauren Kellock (215-285-2514) or Sue Kauffman-DePuyt (215654-0173) with any questions.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: It’s time to get those shoe
boxes ready! Start the Christmas season by filling a shoebox
with small gifts that will be delivered around the world to children
in need, and help spread the message of God's love. Look for
the OCC brochure in your mailbox for more details. FPCA will
be collecting shoeboxes in the Fellowship Hall during coffee
hour today, November 16 and November 24.
Contact Lauri McCallum
(215-206-7227/mcpax2011@gmail.com).
HOSTING INTER-FAITH FAMILIES. Each January, First Pres
Ambler hosts the Inter-Faith Housing Alliance families taking part
in a short term emergency shelter program. We share our
facilities and hospitality with neighbors who find themselves
temporarily homeless. This is a great opportunity for you and
your family to support our neighbors. There are several ways
you can help:
•
Sleep Overnight – in one of the Sunday School rooms.
Arrive by 8 PM and leave by 7 AM or earlier as needed.
•
Cook a dinner - Bring supper to Fellowship Hall and share
the meal with our guests.
•
Serve as a Weekly Supper Coordinator - Arrive by 5:30
PM each night at Fellowship Hall to greet the dinner hosts
and show them around the kitchen. You can leave once
the hosts are settled in.
If you’d like to help out this year, sign-ups will take place after
services beginning November 16th. Sign up on-line at:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D4EABAD2AA3F85-fpca
(Access Code “FPCA”). For more information, kindly contact
John Ingram (john.s.ingram@gmail.com) or Sara Van Sant (215203-4097). Heartfelt thanks to each of you for supporting this
very important outreach mission of FPCA.
LIBRARY BOOK REVIEW. What’s So Amazing About Grace?
by Philip Yancey. Jesus gave grace to the adulteress. How
often do we give grace to our fellow man? Grace is the one thing
that only humans can distribute. It is the redeeming feature of
the church. So let us all be like Christ and give grace and hope
to all.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SUNDAY MORNINGS:
• Nursery Caregivers (during 11 AM Worship). We are looking for
a few more nursery caregivers who will serve no more than six
times a year.
• Teacher/Shepherd (during 11 AM Worship). Team up with one
other person to regularly shepherd elementary age children.
Shepherds escort children to our creative workshops, work on
Bible skills and lead small group prayer times. Prep is minimal.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
It is time for children (3 years old through 5th grade) to
sign up to participate in Good News of Great
Joy Christmas Pageant. Practices begin Sunday,
November 2nd and continue through December 7th.
(NO PRACTICE on November 30th, Thanksgiving Weekend).
Pre K & K will practice from 10:45-11:15 AM and during the Sunday
School hour. Children in 1st through 5th will practice from 8:45-9:30 AM.
We will sit with your children during 9:30 worship until they are
dismissed to Sunday School. Sign up at the Help Desk or at the 3rd
floor Children's Ministry Welcome Center.
Child Musicians Needed! Try out November 16th at 10:45 AM in the
Choir Room. If your child plays an instrument and would like to try out
for a solo or be accompanied by our music director, Michael Joy,
please let us know on the Pageant sign-up form.
Contact Marie Thomas (Marie@FPCAmbler.org/215-646-3030)
The Pageant
will be presented on
th
Sunday, December 14 during the 10:00 AM worship service.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
All classes meet at 9:30 AM in room 304 for
combined worship, followed by smaller group
lessons. Want to come early to hang out,
play games, and eat snacks? Doors open at
9:00 AM.
B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters In Christ)
• NO HS BASIC tonight, Sunday, Nov. 9th!
• MS BASIC this Thursday, Nov. 13th!
SMALL GROUPS
We will be continuing our study of BEING HUMAN: The Good, the Bad, and
the Ugly. This week we'll be focusing on the topic of Being Good Enough.
How often do we think that we don’t add up? How is this different from how
Christ sees us? Meet us in the Youth Room on Wednesday, from 6:30-8
PM. Bring your Bible.
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
1. Youth Sunday is NEXT WEEK 11/16! Plan on coming to one or both
of the services. If you would like to be a part of the service (as a
reader, greeter, usher, etc.), email Leslie ASAP!
2. Join us for our Winter Service Project at Cradles to Crayons on
Tuesday, Dec. 9th from 5-9pm. This event is open to all MS and HS
students.
3. SAVE THE DATE: Our annual Winter Retreat is January 16-18, 2015.
We will be traveling to Spruce Lake Retreat Center this year for a
weekend full of games, fun, worship, snow (hopefully), and growing in
our relationship with God. Cost: $100
4. SAVE THE DATE: Our FIRST EVER family and friends Ski Day will be
on Saturday, February 7th. Want to go skiing/boarding/tubing as a
family AND get the group discount on the slopes? Join us as the FPCA
Youth Ministry hosts a “anyone welcome” Ski Day. Details to follow.
ANNOUNCING THIS YEAR’S SUMMER TRIPS:
• 2015 Mission Trip to Providence, Rhode Island (June 21-27). This
trip is open to all current 8th-12th grade students. All initial deposits
($100) are due NO LATER THAN Sunday, November 23rd.
• The Great Escape is BACK (July 27-Aug. 1)!!! This trip is open to all
current 5th-8th grade students. All initial deposits ($150) are due NO
LATER THAN Sunday, November 23rd.
Fellowship Hall (F.H.)
Memorial Conference Room (M.C.R., 2nd floor)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
9:30 AM • Traditional Worship
• Sunday School for all ages
10:40 AM Children/Youth Bell Choir
11:00 AM • SouthRidge Worship
• Sunday School for all ages
11:10 AM Children’s Chimes Choir
11:40 AM Children/Youth Bell Choir
5:00 PM A.A., M.C.R.
6:30-8:00 PM HS B.A.S.I.C. Youth Group, F.H.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
6:00 PM • Thank Offering Dinner, F.H.
• A.A., M.C.R.
7:00 PM • Young Adult Bible Study, Yoo Home
• Impact Service Project
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
10:00 AM Women’s Bible Study, Parlor
10:30 AM Staff Meeting, Pastor’s Office
5:30-6:45 PM Ambler Marbles Club, F.H.
6:00 PM A.A., M.C.R.
7:15 PM Deacons
7:30 PM • Bruce Ruhf Bible Study, Parlor
• Traditional Worship Mtg., Pastor’s
Office
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
9:30 AM Library Staff Work
6:00 PM A.A., Women Beginners, Parlor
6:30 PM Youth Fall Small Groups
7:00 PM • Joyful Ringers, Sanctuary
• Temple Flooding Mtg., F.H.
8:00 PM Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
8:30 PM H.O.G.S. (Men’s Bible Study), Parlor
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
12:00 Noon Horizon Bible Study, Library
6:00PM A.A., M.C.R.
6:30 PM MS B.A.S.I.C. Youth Group, F.H.
7:00 PM • Gates of Jerusalem, Room 201
• S.R. Band Rehearsal, Sanctuary
7:30 PM Children’s Committee Meeting, room 301
8:30 PM CHICS, Parlor
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
S.U.R.G.E. Philly Blitz Weekend
6:00 PM • A.A., M.C.R.
• Young Adults Hang-Out, Fireside Bar
and Grille
6:30 PM Tahir Kinsey Group, Library
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 S.U.R.G.E. Philly Blitz Weekend
8:00 AM Men’s Breakfast
First Presbyterian Church
4 South Ridge Ave
Ambler, PA 19002
Phone: 215-646-3030
Web Site: www.FPCAmbler.org
Fax: 215-643-0621
E-mail: info@FPCAmbler.org
Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All baptized members of the congregation
CHURCH STAFF
Carol Anders, Organist and Parish Visitor .............................................. pfacpa1943@netzero.net
Ryan Balsan, Pastor, Head of Staff…………………………………………….Ryan@FPCAmbler.org
Brian Bortnick, South Ridge Music Director .......................................... B.Bortnick@Comcast.net
Michael Joy, Director of Music ...............................................................MichaelJoy@Comcast.net
Cheryl Kurpiel, Church Administrator....................................................... Cheryl@FPCAmbler.org
Leslie Thomas, Director of Youth Ministries ............................................. Leslie@FPCAmbler.org
Barbara Schmitt, Parish Visitor ....................................................................... barbjs@comcast.net
Marie Thomas, Director of Children’s Ministries........................................ Marie@FPCAmbler.org
Jodi Wolper, Secretary of Publications and Publicity ................................. Jodi@FPCAmbler.org
Class of 2015
Trey Halkett
Susan Buehler
Dave Klitsch
William Martin
Teri McMasters
Robert Nance
Class of 2015
Cindy Bowman
Suzanne Kauffman DePuyt
Lauren Kellock
Linda Moulton
Rich Myers
Amy Ruhf
Memorials Committee
Liz Ferry
Katie Marlowe
Mary McGready
Ed Morgenson
THE SESSION
Cindy Reed, Clerk of Session
Class of 2016
Kristin Baird
Rachel Coley
Jeff DePuyt
Sherri Gannon
Christina Hughes
Ron Moritz
Class of 2017
Karen Driscoll
Scott French
Judy McKee
Bob Walters
Anne Whitney
Mark Yantek
BOARD OF DEACONS
Class of 2016
Tom Bender
John Brasch
Sara Halkett
John Ingram
Deb Koziol
Andy McClure
Cristy Robertson
Class of 2017
Lisa Astler
David Coley
Martijn Driehuis
Tahir Thomas Kinsey
Carol Kocher
Andrew Schielke
Tom Shaner
Endowment Committee
Jeff DePuyt
Rich Krauss
Dick McNeal
Bill Messerschmidt
Eric Rudolph
Keith White
Tom Wynn
Nominating Committee
Mike Bowman
Cheryl Kurpiel
Bill Lobley, Deacon Rep.
Robert Nance, Session Rep.
Cristy Robertson
Bruce Ruhf