Holy Communion

                                                     Prayer Emphasis Sunday                  

WORSHIP SERVICE               Sunday, September 3, 2006                        10:00 A.M.

PRAYER TIME BEFORE WORSHIP: We give thanks this morning O God, for people who are different from us, who look differently, dress differently and they are people that you love without reservation. Thank you that you have given to each of us gifts that are different in kind and variety. You have put neighbors beside us that we need to get to know. Thank you that your Son welcomed people without setting boundaries, ate with them, touched them, healed them and ministered to their deepest needs. Come among us this morning and do the very same thing, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

PRELUDE                     “Variations on the Hymn Praise Ye the Lord”                       Callahan

                                            (Entrada, Trio, Meditation and Fanfare)

                                               “In This Moment of Remembrance”                                  Wood    

 

WELCOME, CONCERNS, AND GREETINGS

     Please fill out a Prayer Emphasis Card and place it in the offering plate.

 

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:               Praise the Lord!

Community:      Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the gathered assembly of God’s people.

Leader:               Praise God’s name with dancing, tambourine and lyre.

Community:      For the Lord takes pleasure in the worship of his people.

Leader:               Let the faithful exult in glory – let them sing for joy to the Lord.

Community:      Let the high praise of God flow from our lips, letting us know we were made to give God glory.

All:                    Let everything in all creation offer up praise to God!

 

HYMN SING  (seated)       “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty” (vs. 1 & 3)                  No. 482

                                            “O Jesus, I Have Promised” (vs. 1 & 2)                            No. 388

                                                         “To God Be the Glory”                                        No. 485

                                                                         

*UNISON PRAYER OF ADORATION AND INVOCATION

 

FIRST SCRIPTURE                             Luke 6:27-36                                     (N.T. Page 64)

Leader:   The word of the Lord.

Community:      Thanks be to God.

                         


                                                                          -2-                                                                         

UNISON CONFESSION

O God, we are always a little bit uncomfortable when we read the stories of Jesus, how he welcomed all kinds of people and sat at the table with them. He welcomed lepers that everyone else crossed the street to avoid. He swapped stories with tax collectors who were a despised group. He reached out to prostitutes that respectable people shunned. He conversed with zealots who only believed in force to make lasting change. Anyone and everyone were in the company he kept. We confess we keep a pretty narrow group of friends, people like us, who think like us and react like us. Forgive us for not showing hospitality to the very people embraced. Help us to widen our circle of friends, and so become like your Son, whom we would make our pattern for life. Amen.

                                                                                                                                                    

SILENT CONFESSION & DECLARATION OF PARDON

Leader:               Do not cast us away from your presence, O God, and do not take your Spirit from us. Sustain us with your willing and generous Spirit.

Community:      In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. As we turned Godward, the Spirit is

                          there to restore and deliver us. Amen.

 

RESPONSE                                  “Change My Heart O God”

 

Change my heart, O God; make it ever true. Change my heart, O God; may I be Like you. You are the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me; this is what I pray. (repeat)

 

ANTHEM                                                  “Pianosong”                                          Paul Halley

                                                             Sue Swick, piano

 

KIDS’ CORNER                                                                                                         Bill Goff                  After Kids Corner, Bill Baierl will be taking the children ages 4-9 to Steps of Faith)

 

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING            Luke 7:31-50                           (N.T. Page 66)

Leader:   The word of the Lord.                                                                                                  

Community:      Thanks be to God.

                                                                                                                                                  

MEDITATION:             “Jesus’ Table Fellowship”                    The Rev. Doyle Snyder                              

*AFFIRMATION AND GLORIA PATRI                                                           (No. 579)   

We believe that at the Lord’s Supper, the community of believers is renewed by the memory of Christ’s life and death. By his real presence we are renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit, and by the promise of his coming again. Christ makes himself

                                                                        -3-                                                                     

known to us in the breaking of the bread. He offers us his body broken for our sake, and his blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. We accept his promises and gifts and depend on his life to sustain ours. Reunited around one loaf and cup, we receive strength and courage to continue our pilgrimage with God in the world.

                                                                                                            A Declaration of Faith, 1977

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER (use debts and debtors)

 

CALL FOR THE OFFERING – PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM           “O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee”                      arr. Smith

                                                                           Sue Swick, piano

 

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (served Intinction)

Invitation, Prayer of Dedication, Serving the Bread and Juice

We say to you, “The body of Christ broken for you, the blood of Christ shed for you.”

(Note: If you choose not to come forward, we will come to where you are in the pew.)

 

*HYMN                                   “You Are Holy” (sing it 3 times)                    See bulletin insert    

             

*BENEDICTION                         “The First Song of Isaiah”                                     No. 2030

                                                         (found in Sing the Faith”)

                                                          Congregation and Organ

 

(Are you in need of prayer? If you have a joy, or a concern, or a prayer request and would like to speak to a Stephen Minister, two of our Stephen Ministers, Peggy Meister and Larry Wichterman, will be at the front of the sanctuary after the service.)

                                                                           

Surely it is God who saves me; I will trust in Him and not be afraid, For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, and He will be my Savior.                

             

*POSTLUDE                                 “God Himself is Present”                                       Burkhardt

*All Who Are Able May Stand                                        *****Ushers May Seat Worshippers   

 

THE LIGHTED CANDLE on the communion table reminds us to pray for peace.

GREETERS:                             Bill Held, Jim Bodfish, Pat & Dick Krotzer

LAY READERS:                      Jim Dickson

ELDERS:                                 Kip Campbell, Larry Wichterman

USHERS:                                 Terry Fahrney (head usher), Larry Frye, John Sebastian, Bryan Frye

                                                  or Jack Swick (head usher), Jerry Fisher, Ron McClymonds, Howard

                                                  Womsley

STEPS OF FAITH:                Bill Baierl

 

NORTHMONT OFFERS a well-equipped nursery that is supervised by permanent staff. All worshippers are welcome to use the nursery for infants and preschoolers for all or a portion of each service. When exiting the front doors of the sanctuary, turn right.

 

ON THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND we welcome you to worship at Northmont Church. We also salute all those who labor to make this country what it is, who hold dangerous jobs, especially public safety providers such as police, firefighters and paramedics.

 

                                                                                  VISITORS’ GUIDE

WE ARE GLAD you have chosen to worship with us. We invite visitors to sign the friendship register pad. Look for hospitality greeters wearing nametags. To learn more about Northmont Church:

                    w     Take a visitor packet of information from an usher when they are offered.

                    w   Attend Lemonade on the Lawn after the 10:00 a.m. service.

                    w     Children are welcome in the nursery.

                    w     We invite you to participate in worship and all other programs we offer.

                    w     Check out our website: www.northmontchurch.org

 

CHANCEL FLOWERS are given in loving memory of Gladys and Bill Ochsenhirt from their children, Bill, Jim and Arleen and their families.

 

THE ROSE ON THE COMMUNION TABLE is in honor of the birth of Dylan Durant Showalter-Westwood, infant son of Michelle Showalter and Paul Westwood, who  was born on August 22, 2006 at Allegheny General Hospital. Dylan’s grandmother is Janet Showalter.

 

OUR SYMPATHY goes out to Jane Zeitler in the death recently of her sister, Bea Bickle in New York State.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOB PLATTS who is celebrating his 90th birthday on Saturday, September 9th!

 

OUR MEMBER OF SPECIAL CONCERN: Jack & Sally Ehrhardt – St. Barnabas Community, #214A, 5850 Meridian Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 (Personal # 724-449-5937)

 

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: Aug. 27th, 10:00 A.M. - 232; SON - 45

 

FOLLOWING WORSHIP please join us for Lemonade on the Lawn (or in Polley Fellowship Hall if the weather is inclement). Our new members will be our hosts.

 

STEPHEN MINISTER  Jean Stultz will be making hospital calls this week. If you have a special request, please call her at 412-364-7217.

 

OUR STEPHEN MINISTRY program has placed blue and white cards in each pew rack entitled “A Great Way You Can Help a Hurting Friend.” Please read this card.

 

ON PRAYER EMPHASIS SUNDAY PRAYER REQUEST CARDS may be found in each pew rack. Please pick up a card, fill it out with the name of person or a need and it would be helpful to write in your name and phone number. Place your prayer card in the offering plate. A volunteer will be at each door with a plate of cards. Please take a “Prayer Request” as you depart and pray for that person this coming week. Feel free to call them.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS: Brian Zimick – Margot Plant’s son (Margot is the Director of Northmont Child Development Center) If you wish to send a note of encouragement send it to: Brian Zimick, Manor Care, 113 West McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317; Larry, Caroline & Nathan Schwirian, Sandy Stallar, Don Frick, Terry Hartley, Pete & Ruth Krahe, Joshua Turner

 

TO BE REMEMBERED WITH CARDS AND PRAYERS:

        Ed Halboth, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital

        Bob Platts, discharged

        Sharon Volpe, West Penn Hospital

        Kathy Zink, Magee Women’s Hospital

        John Hancock, discharged

       

                                                         SON Worship Speaker

Sept. 3         No SON worship today. Worship in the morning and enjoy the holiday in the

                    evening with your family.

Sept. 10       Intern Chris Brown

Sept. 17       Dr. David Antonson

 

PIPER DEADLINE: September 13 is the deadline for the October  Piper!  Reminder – have your article mailed to the editor by noon! piper@northmontchurch.org Please send your articles by e-mail if possible! The church office is not responsible for submitting your article. Please find someone in your group to e-mail your article to the editor. Your article should be sent as an attachment.

 

A NOTE REGARDING THE DEACONS PIRATE GAME:  You who attended the Pirate game last week with the deacons are well aware that the bus did not show up for transportation.  Laidlaw admits their error and we are negotiating with them for reparation.  If you were unable to attend due to the lack of transportation or if you did attend and had to pay a parking fee, please let John Raphael know and you will be reimbursed.  John can be reached at 724-933-9131

 

 

OUR MEMBERS IN THE MILITARY – REMEMBER WITH CARDS AND PRAYERS:

          SGT Ryan W. Hey, C TRP 4-7CAV 2ID, unit # 150237, Camp Hovey, S. Korea, APO AP 96224

            (Matt Hey’s nephew)

          CPL & Mrs. David Potter, 217 Speer Ct., Camp Pendelton, Stuart Mesa, Ocean Side, CA 92054  

          (Mary Potter’s son and Bernice Dowling’s grandson)

          Fraley, David T., Navy Customs, Battalion Quebec, APO AE 09815 (Betty Fraley’s son)

          PFC Roach, Justin, C Co. 1st BN 17th IN Regt., Camp Taji, Unit Number 50102, APO AE 09378 –

              Jason Elizeus’s cousin

          SSG Jonathan Falk, A Co. 1-506 2nd Plt., Camp Corregidor, APO AE 09381 – Art & Lois Groweg’s

              Grandson

          Sgt. Glen P. Archey, HHT 2-17 CAV (S3), 101st ABN Div., APO AE 09335 – nephew of Ed & Pat

               Scullion (prayers only until further notice)

          Rob Malloy, HHS/5-133 FA, LSA ADDER-TALLIL, APO AE 09331 (friend of David & Reese Potter’s –

             has no family)

 

CHILDREN WHO ARE BAPTIZED and are being nurtured in the Christian faith, are welcome to the Lord’s Table.

 

WE WELCOME  to  our pulpit this morning Rev. Doyle Snyder who recently has served as interim pastor at Third Presbyterian Church in Uniontown. We also welcome his wife Beverly, who is worshipping with us today.

 

ATTENTION MEN! Come to the NBC (Northmont Brotherhood Club) meeting each Tuesday morning. Starting at 8:30 A.M. – donuts, coffee, and fellowship in the kitchen. We meet at 9:00 A.M. in Polley Fellowship Hall. This week Wally Hough will be showing a video of  Africa.

 

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ADULTS: Chancel Choir begins rehearsals this Wednesday, September 6th at 7:30 P.M. in the choir room. There is so much to sing about…World Communion, Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas! Speak to Bill Goff if you are interested in using your voice to praise God.

 

SEPT. 9TH – ROSS & McCANDLESS COMMUNITY DAYS: Northmont will be at both Ross and McCandless Community Days this year with it’s “Stampin’ Oasis” offering families stampin’, free water, a great raffle, and music and videos playing about Northmont. We will be inviting everyone we can to our September 23 Community Block Party. We need volunteers for 2-hour slots between noon and 8:00 P.M. Sign up sheets are in the back of the church after the service. Questions about Ross Community Day can be answered by Anne Linaberger or Diane Goff. McCandless Community Day questions can be answered by Fred and Sarah Jane Beorn and Bill Strait. Bill Baierl, Bob Holtgraver, and Rev. Antonson are all involved in leading the event at well.  Volunteer progress: 14 volunteers signed up. 2 more needed. Two for Ross at 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thanks to everyone who has signed up. PLEASE ATTEND A SHORT VOLUNTEER MEETING TODAY IN THE MALAWI ROOM (ROBING) AFTER SERVICE.

 

NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, we will go to our 2 service format of 8:30 and 11:00 A.M. with our church school for all ages at 9:30 A.M. The spirit of Northmont (SON) contemporary service will continue at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday evenings. There will be no SON service on Labor Day weekend, September 3rd, however.

 

REMINDER FOR MILITARY CARE PACKAGES: On the second Sunday of each month the Deacons will have collection boxes at the tower entrance and in the Library. We encourage you to bring items and deposit them in the boxes so we can package them up and send them out to the military personnel we have on our list. We also would like to have any names and addresses of military men and women that you might know who would like to receive our care packages.

 

FALL GATHERING FOR THE WOMEN OF NORTHMONT: Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. Here’s a nice time to enjoy each other’s company, make some new friends and see what’s in store for Northmont’s Presbyterian Women this year.  There’s no charge for this fun night out.  Hymn number 2236 says it all:

 

Not in the dark of buildings confining

Not in some heaven, light-years away,

But here in this place the new light is shining,

Now is the Kingdom, now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever,

Gather us in and make us your own;

Gather us in all peoples together,

Fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

                                                                                                                              -Marty Haugen

 

NORTHMONT BELLES begin on Friday, September 15th at 3:45 P.M. in the choir room. Come and ring your hearts out to God!

 

KIDS IN  GRADES 1-5!!!!!! Northmont  Kids of the Kingdom Program begins with a pizza supper  on Wednesday, September 20th at  5:30 P.M. in Polley Fellowship Hall. Music, Bible stories, kitchen crafts, choirchimes, and exciting new boomwhackers are all part of the fun. We will begin to learn our new Christmas musical, “A Stable Fit for a King.” “What,” you may ask, “are Boomwhackers?”  Come and find out!  Our program ends at 7:00 P.M.  Northmont members and their friends are most welcome! Please bring a few dollars for pizza!


SEPT. 23RD – NORHTMONT BLOCK PARTY: Please mark your calendar for Northmont’s Annual Block Party at 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Bring your family and friends to practice and see Northmont’s “Reach Out” attitude in action. Invite that person who might need a deeper spiritual life, or a community and place to explore Christianity and the Northmont spirit. Besides the traditional attractions including Petting Zoo, Moonwalk, Balloon artist, Stampin’, Face Painting, Tractor Rides, Antique Cars, Musical exhibition, free food, … Your Reach Out team is working on a few new ones for us all. Don’t miss it.

 

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN JOINING NORTHMONT, or just want to find out more about our programs, ministries and missions, you’re invited to our next New Member/Inquirer Class. The class provides approximately 5 hours of instruction aimed at educating visitors to become active members of the church. The class will meet on Sunday evenings September 24 and October 1 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the Berean Room (ground floor across from the kitchen). Those class members who decide to join the church will meet on Sunday morning October 8, and be introduced to the congregation at the 11:00 AM service that day. For more information or to RSVP contact Anne Linaberger at (412-364-2547 or alinaberger1@comcast.net. Please notify Anne if you need child care or transportation. Date for the 2007 new member classes are: Winter Class: February 4, 11 & 18, and Spring Class: May 20, June 3 & 10.

 

BEACONS will be dining at Miyaka Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Wexford flats on Saturday, September 30th at 6:30 P.M. Please call Kathy Spitz at 724-935-1051 to reserve your spot.

 

JOIN OTHERS IN INVESTING in the KINDOM. We have $3,000 toward the $10,000 goal to buy textbooks for the 20 seminary students at Zomba Theological College in Malawi. Stock certificates of any denomination are available in the church office through the end of September.

 

“IT CAN’T BE THAT BAD.” But it is. And no one seems to understand what you’re going through. At times like this, you need a concerned Christian friend who will listen while you work through your feelings. A Stephen Minister can be that friend.

 

REMINDER TO ALL GROUPS SENDING OUT BULK MAILINGS: Your group is responsible to stuff and label the envelopes, and box and deliver your mailing to the post office.


 

MCKNIGHT MEALS ON WHEELS is in need of volunteers. Kitchen volunteers work 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. but can be flexible. Volunteer drivers and deliverers usually work in pairs with route directions, 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Driver and delivery volunteers may consider one day a week, or every other week. We also need subs in all areas. For more information call Pat MaKris, Site Manager at 412-487-4088.

 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH FOR NORTH HILLS FOOD BANK: Month of September – Macaroni and Cheese. All items are very much appreciated, especially monetary donations. Checks should be made out to Northmont U. P. Church – memo-North Hills Food Bank.

 

 

Small Group/Spiritual Growth Opportunities

EVERY SUNDAY

After SON Group: 7:00 P.M. in Northmont Library. Contact Bart Roberts (724-933-6065)

 

EVERY THURSDAY

Spirituality and Prayer Group continues its study of Eugene Peterson’s Christ Plays in 10,000 Places.  Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Berean Room.  Led by Alick Kennedy.

 

EVERY FRIDAY @ 6:30 PM: Family Friendly – Bring the kids! Bill Baierl 412-367-4693

 

ADULT BIBLE STUDY – 8:45 A.M.

 

ADULT BIBLE STUDY:                                                                                      Malawi Room

NEXT WEEK: Prov. 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Ps. 125; James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17; Mark 7:24-37

 

     

 

* * * * *

Pastor: Rev. Dr. David B. Antonson

Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Polley

Parish Associate Pastors: Rev. Alick Kennedy and Rev. Dr. Robert Forsythe

Organist and Director of Music: C. William Goff             

Youth Director: Sean Kelly

                    Seminary Intern: Chris Brown

Office Manager: Linda Allerton

Church Secretary: Rose Dragan

Church Treasurer: Lynn Merriman

Custodians: Colin Baldwin, Jr. and Patty Sopouchak

Northmont Child Development and Preschool Center:

Director: Margot Plant and Assistant Director: Jan Moreland
 
                                         * * * * * *

 

              Calendar for the Week:

                  September 3 – September  9, 2006

 

Sunday, September 3:                                                                                                                        Rev. 5:1-14

  8:45 AM                 Adult Bible Study                                                                                                               

10:00 AM                 Worship

11:00 AM                 Training for McCandless & Ross Community Days                             Malawi Room

   6:30 PM                 AA                                                                                                              Fellowship Hall

 

Monday, September 4:                                                                                                                           Psalm 9

                                  Office Closed

                                 

Tuesday, September 5                                                                                                                   Acts 12:1-17

  8:30 AM                 NBC                                                                                                            Fellowship Hall   

  9:30 AM                 PW Board Meeting                                                                                     Malawi Room

   7:00 PM                 Worship Committee                                                                           Westminster Room

   7:00 PM                 Global Mission                                                                                             Malawi Room

   7:00 PM                 Mission Stewardship & Local Mission                                                    Berean Room

   7:00 PM                 Capital Projects Committee                                                                                    Library 

   7:30 PM                 Mission Committee                                                                                     Malawi Room

         

Wednesday, September 6:                                                                                                            John 8:47-59

   9:30 AM                Knitters                                                                                                         Malawi Room

    7:00 PM                CDPC                                                                                                                         Library

    7:30 PM                Choir                                                                                                    Westminster Room

                                                                                                                                                                                     

 Thursday, September 7:                                                                                                                    Psalm 130

 11:00 AM                Spirituality & Prayer                                                                                    Berean Room

    7:00 PM                Cub Committee Meeting                                                                            Fellowship Hall

    8:00 PM                Cub Sign-up                                                                                              Fellowship Hall

Friday, September 8:                                                                                                                      Acts 13:13-25

                                 

Saturday, September 9:                                                                                                                 John 10:1-18

   9:30 AM                Reach Out Committee                                                               Malawi Room & Library