11:00 MORNING WORSHIP - Houghton Wesleyan Church

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
11:00 MORNING WORSHIP
FEBRUARY 15, 2015
Offertory: Chorale Prelude on “Jesus, Priceless Treasure” BWV 610 …J. S. Bach
As the prelude begins, let us observe silence as we prayerfully
anticipate this hour of corporate worship of Almighty God.
Please feel free to use the altar as your place of prayer
as we bow in humility before our loving heavenly Father.
If kneeling is difficult for you, please use the red chairs or stand by the altar rail.
Prelude: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring …………...J. S. Bach, arr. Wayne Leupold
Bach's “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” was written not for organ solo
but for voices with trumpets, oboes, strings, and continuo.
Since Bach’s time the piece, with its sweeping obbligato, has been transcribed for
numerous instruments and instrumental combinations, including organ solo.
The arrangement by Wayne Leupold played today by Hannah Messerschmidt,
sophomore organ student at Houghton College, places the choral melody in the pedals.
*Call to Worship (from Hebrews)
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix
your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way,
just as we are – yet he did not sin.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance
that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty
conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful. Alleluia!
*Invocation
*Hymn 393
My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
*Words of Greeting and Peace
Anthem: As the Branch is to the Vine ………………………..Franklin Ashdown
Prayer of Confession
Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our
shortcomings, and our offenses against you. You alone know how often we have
sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your
love. Have mercy on us, O Lord. Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your
light, and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
All:
Thanks be to God!
*Doxology
Worship through the Giving of Our Tithes and Offerings
(Hymn #447)
Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer
*New Testament Reading: John 15:1-17
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
All:
Thanks be to God!
*Hymn 347
Sermon:
*Hymn
I Need Thee Every Hour
I Am the True Vine
Pastor Wesley Oden
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (on screen)
*Benediction
*Congregational Amen (Hymn 656, Threefold)
*Postlude: Fugue in C minor, BWV 546 ………………………………J.S. Bach
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Please stand if able
Organist: Judy Congdon
Acolyte: Maya Cooley
Children’s Worship bulletins are available in the church foyer for ages 3-12.
NURSERY: We provide a fully staffed nursery for infants up to two years of age. The
Nursery is located on the first floor of the Christian Education Building and is available
during services.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Children ages 2-5 are dismissed during the song before the
sermon for Children's Church, which meets in room 116 on the first floor of the Christian
Education Building.
WELCOME TO THE HOUGHTON WESLEYAN CHURCH. Our God of mercy, grace,
truth and justice calls us into relationship with him. He has shown himself faithful in
every moment of life. We come together today to acknowledge who he is and to offer
ourselves to him once again.
TONIGHT small groups continue meeting.
WEDNESDAY EVENING you are invited to an Ash Wednesday service, 6:30 in the
sanctuary. This is a time of contemplation, prayer, hymns and the imposition of ashes
to remind us of our sin and Christ’s sacrifice. No Kids' Clubs or prayer group this
week.
NEXT SUNDAY MORNING is the First Sunday in Lent. Each Sunday we will be pondering
Mark’s description of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and what his prayer
teaches us about our prayers. Next Sunday’s sermon focuses on the agony of prayer. We
gather for worship at 8:20, 9:40, and 11:00.
THURSDAYS IN LENT: During the season of Lent, you are invited to participate in a
weekly prayer event with two elements. We would love to fill each Thursday (6:00 am –
6:00 am) with people coming to prayer room to pray. You may reserve an hour this
morning or anytime online (hwchurch.org/prayer-room/). In addition, we are setting
aside three hours each Thursday (Noon, 6:00pm, 10:00pm) for corporate prayer and
communion. Each week will focus on a different moment in the journey of Christ's
passion, moving us closer to the tomb. This week’s emphasis draws our attention to
Judas’s betrayal of Jesus. Individuals, families, students, all are invited to participate.
OFFICE REMODEL Beginning tomorrow, and for the next 5-6 weeks, we are engaging in
a remodel project of the current church offices. During the construction, the office area
will be inaccessible including the west outside door. Patty Stalker’s office will be set up
in Room 105 (across from the library). Thank you for your patience during the
renovation.
CHILDREN'S CHURCH: Houghton College is on break February 22 and March 1.
Children's Church (ages 2-5) is in need of an adult teacher and an adult assistant for
both dates at the 8:20 and 11:00 services. Sign ups and teacher packets are in the church
foyer or contact Emily Hoffman (emilyhoffman@hwchurch.org, 567-2264).
MEETINGS THIS WEEK: Finance Committee, Monday, 7:00pm
Elders, Tuesday, 7:00pm
LIVE STREAMING CHURCH SERVICES: We are now streaming our Sunday morning
worship services live. At the moment audio only is available; in the coming weeks, we
will be adding video. Access is available on most devices (computer, iPhone, Android,
Tablets, Roku). Every sermon that we stream live is archived (On Demand) each week
and can be revisited at a later day or time. Go to http://streaming.hwchurch.org .
WOMEN'S COZY MID-WINTER RETREAT: February 28, 9 a.m. to noon, come out of the
bitter cold and join us for a time of worship, yummy food and fellowship as Kristen
Sanasith shares her heart and experience with us.
MISSION MOMENT: Helping young and old churches grow! HWChurch donates field
"shares" to the Wesleyan Church in Sierra Leone, which most often is used to train
future pastors and leaders. We likewise assist one of the youngest sister churches in
Czech Republic as they reach out to plant new churches. Pray for fruit from both
endeavors and pray for the part our Faith Promise giving plays in this support.
NEWS FOR INVESTORS
Last Week
Offerings Received
$ 12,002
Budget Needed
$ 13,280
Difference +/–
—$
1,278
Fiscal Year
$ 498,745
$ 491,360
+$
7,385
PRAYER CONCERNS: for all who are grieving; for all with health concerns: Beulah
Avery, Jill Kingdon Tyson, Priscilla Ries Waltz, Vesta Mullen, Tim Nichols, Bruce
Brenneman, Bill Roeske, Bev Rhett, Micah Christensen, Linda Roth, Eila Shea, Edna
Howard, Crystal Blake, Emily Crikelair; for all grieving and suffering from the Ebola
outbreak and for a speedy solution to this disease; and for Christians around the world
who face threats and persecution.