8169 Perry Highway
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Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) | ||||||
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Fourth Sunday in Epiphany
Annual Meeting Sunday
WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday, January 28, 2007 10:00 A.M.
PRAYER TIME BEFORE WORSHIP: On this annual meeting Sunday, O God, give each of us faith-glasses to see what you have been doing in our midst this past year, and all that you want to do through us in 2007. We don’t want to get bogged down in reports, papers and just numbers, but we want to see evidence that lives are being changed for Jesus Christ, there is vibrancy in your work here, new people are coming to faith, new ministries that reach out to others are being formed, and your work of justice and peace is growing. Speak to us this day that our worship together may energize us, give us Spirit and send us on your way rejoicing. Amen.
PRELUDE “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” arr. Bish
“For the Beauty of the Earth” arr. Bish
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 71)
Leader: The God of all the universe knows us, embraces us and provides everything needful.
Community: Before we were born, God knew us. He formed us in his womb.
Leader: I will tell of God’s goodness; all day long I will speak of God’s salvation.
Community: Since I was young, I trusted in God and was not disappointed.
Leader: I will always hope in God; I will praise him more and more.
Community: Through all the stages of my life, God will go before me, leading the way.
Leader: God is our shelter, a strong fortress.
All: You said to us, “seek my face” and our hearts say to you, “your face, O Lord, will we seek.”
*PROCESSING HYMN “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” No. 464
*PRAYER OF ADORATION AND INVOCATION
God of Sabbath promise, you created us not only for work, but also to enjoy the blessing of renewal and rest. As you created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day, so too, we need times of renewal and refreshment. Often we feel exhausted, overstressed and overwhelmed, and we need to be renewed from the inside out. Come refresh our souls and spirits. Lift our burdens. Help us to enter the freedom that comes with following Jesus Christ. Together we would learn of
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you, recommit our lives to you, and see everything we do as part of your greater plan to advance the kingdom, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
UNISON CONFESSION
Your Son said to those early disciples two words…just two words, that changed their lives forever, “Follow Me!” It would seem that those words would be easy to achieve, that not much would be demanded of us. Yet multitudes have heeded those two words and their lives have never been the same again. It has led some to give up great wealth, to cross oceans to tell the Good News, to give inestimable hours to feeding the hungry and working for justice and peace. We confess this morning that we all fall short of that demand, to follow Jesus Christ with our whole being, heart, mind and soul. We would rather do what is easy, fashionable for the moment, yielding up just a portion of our life and time. When we listen to your Son speak, he did not want us to look back over his shoulder, but “take up our cross daily and follow him.” Forgive us if we have yielded to you our lives piecemeal, that our discipleship is half-hearted and enable us to follow you more completely, all the way to the end, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION AND DECLARATION OF PARDON
Leader: Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn us? Only Christ
and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us,
Christ prays for us, Christ pardons us.
Community: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a
new life has begun. Amen.
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RESPONSE “Give Me a Clean Heart”
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ANTHEM “Over My Head” spiritual arr. Bell
Solos: Judy Antonson, Dorothea Fisher, Christine Cherup
Refrain: Over my head, I hear music in the air; over my head; there must be a God somewhere. Oh, when the world is silent, I hear music in the air. (Refrain). And when I’m feeling lonely, I hear music in the air. (Refrain). Now when I think on Jesus, I hear music in the air. (refrain).
KID’S CORNER Cory Marion
(After Kids Corner, Karen Reckless will be taking the children ages 4-7 to Steps of Faith)
*HYMN “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!” No. 341
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Colossians 3:12-17 (N.T. Page 201)
Leader: The word of the Lord.
Community: Thanks be to God.
SERMON “Forty Years” Dr. David B. Antonson
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*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH & GLORIA PATRI No. 579
We confess that we are moving toward a day when all things will be renewed in Christ. In Christ God gave us a glimpse of the new creation he has already begun and will surely finish. We do not know when the final day will come. In our time we see only broken and scattered signs that the renewal of all things is under way. We do not yet see the end of cruelty and suffering in the world, the church, or in our own lives. But we see Jesus as Lord. He stands at the center of our history, and we are confident he will stand at its end. He will judge all people and nations. Evil will be condemned and rooted out of God’s good creation. There will be no more tears or pain. All things will be made new. The fellowship of human beings with God and each other will be perfected. A Declaration of Faith, 1977
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS
ORGAN OFFERTORY “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” arr. Albrecht
*OFFERTORY PRAISE (Sung to the tune of “All Creatures of Our God and King”)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise God all creatures here below. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*HYMN “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” No. 369
*BENEDICTION AND RESPONSE
Response: “May the Lord Bless You and Keep You” George Pearsall
Glen Wissner, baritone solo, Carolyn Pearsall, piano
(This is being sung with love and good wishes to Dave and Judy on their new life together).
POSTLUDE “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” arr. 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: Janet Manning, Harry Rittenour, Chuck McClure
ELDER: Larry Wichterman
LAY READER: Dave Sartori
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: Karen Reckless
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.
*Please turn off your cell phones and pagers.
WELCOME to worship this fourth Sunday in Epiphany and the day we hold our annual congregational meeting. May the one who hung the stars on space and spun the planets into orbit, who is seated at the right hand of God, praying for us, meet each of us in some way today.
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 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
FELLOWSHIP TIME: There will be no Fellowship Time today due to the Congregational Meeting. See you next week!
THE ROSE ON THE COMMUNION TABLE is in honor of the birth of Scott Clifton Stoufflet, infant son of Tara and Scott Stoufflet, who was born on Friday, January 19th at Magee Women’s Hospital. Ken and Marlene Yoest are Scott’s grandparents.
OUR MEMBER OF SPECIAL CONCERN: Nelrose Altmyer – 607 Wexford Bayne Road, Wexford, PA 15090 (Personal 724-935-2655)
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: Jan 21: 8:30 - 84, 11:00 - 200, Sunday School – 93
STEPHEN MINISTER Jan Baty will be making hospital calls this week. If you have a special request, please call her at 412-367-7973.
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.
PRAYER REQUEST CARDS are in each pew rack as well as on the table in the back of the church. If you have a prayer request, please fill out the card and place it in the basket on the table in the back of the church and those needs and names will be given to the person giving the morning prayer and will be included that day.
PRAYER REQUESTS: Crichlow family, U.S. Troops, Our church as we choose a new minister, James Holmes, Shaun Walker
SON Worship Speaker
Jan. 28 No SON due to the Congregational meeting
Feb 4 No SON due to the Super Bowl
PIPER DEADLINE: February 9, 2007 is the deadline for the March 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.
TO BE REMEMBERED WITH CARDS AND PRAYERS:
Grace Garver, North Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center
Betty Hawthorne, Windsor Place, One Windsor Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Bob Forsythe, home
Susan Stewart, Passavant Hospital
Bart Roberts, discharged
Betty Buirge, discharged
Josh Henn, discharged
OUR MEMBERS IN THE MILITARY – REMEMBER WITH CARDS AND PRAYERS:
CPL & Mrs. David Potter, 217 Speer Ct., Camp Pendelton, Stuart Mesa, Ocean Side, CA 92054
(Mary Potter’s son and Bernice Dowling’s grandson)
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)
CPL Vaile, Chris, CLB/5 MT 2nd PLT. 73002, FPO AE 09509-3002 (friend of David & Reese
Potter’s)
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 our topic is St. Clair Hospital: Situations Handled In the Emergency Room.
THE TRANSITION TEAM has arranged guest preachers until our interim pastor arrives around April 1st. This coming Sunday, Ordination and Installation Sunday, our guest preacher will be Rev. Doyle Snyder. His topic will be “Good Grief.” On Sunday, February 11th our guest preacher will be Rev. Dr. Jerome Creach, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Pittsburgh Presbytery.
WE ARE GIVING THE FINAL CALL for the annual congregational meeting. It will be held today approximately 11:00 A.M. following worship in the Sanctuary. Reports will include the annual election of officers, review of the 2007 session-approved budget, a report from our Reach Out Committee, a report from our Transition Team and a vote to dissolve the ties between the congregation and Dr. Antonson. If the Nominating Committee is ready, it will present a slate of nominees for the Pastor Nominating Committee; if it is not ready, it will give a report. There will be childcare in the nursery with Jill Gable and Sally Matan, and older children can proceed to the Youth Lounge where there will be videos and care by Sean Kelly and Bill Goff.
NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH is installation of Deacons, (8:30 service) and installation of Elders, (11:00 A.M. service). Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services.
A NEW MEMBER/INQUIRER’S CLASS begins on Sunday, February 4th at 7:00 P.M. in the Berean Room. This three-week class also meets on February 11th at the same time, but on the final Sunday, February 18th the class meets at 9:45 A.M. At the final class the Session will receive new members into active membership, they will be recognized at the 11:00 A.M. service and reception will be given in their honor at noon in Polley Fellowship Hall.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH we will observe Scout Sunday. Our scouts and cubs from troop 335 will usher, read scripture, play in our scout band and give troop reports at both services. Come, hear and see what our troop is doing!
LAST CHANCE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER for fresh Florida citrus fruit is Tuesday, February 6, 2007. Help Northmont support the mission of North Hills Community Outreach by placing your citrus order. Give your order form to the church office. Last year NHCO made a difference in the lives of 6,283 local families with compassionate, effective and immediate services.
WINTER FROLIC: The Deacons invite everyone to join them at the North Park Skating Rink, (2nd Floor) on Sunday, February 11 from 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. for the Winter Frolic. Bring some cards, or a board game and a dish to share: A-G: Dessert, H-R: Appetizer (no bags of chips, please), S-Z: Salad. Skating will be available for those who wish and yummy soup and sandwiches.
DR. AND MRS. ANTONSON want to thank all those who attended and participated in their farewell celebration last evening at the Chadwick in Wexford. It was truly a night to remember. They are also grateful for the many notes, cards, phone calls, hugs in the hallways that give them their sendoff this week. They simply say to everyone, “thank you, thank you, thank you!”
THERE ARE TWO eight-foot tables in Dr. Antonson’s office this morning, filled with books that he is not going to take home with him. He invites anyone who is interested to stop by, select a few books and take them with you. Happy reading!
OPENINGS ON MISSION TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS: Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church is organizing two trips to New Orleans where they will be staying at area churches and doing blitz builds on a number of already gutted homes. Hosanna Industries will be joining them on the first trip scheduled for March 17-24, 2007, the second trip planned for March 31-April 7, 2007. They still have space available on both trips, the cost of which is projected to be $450. If anyone is interested, please contact Sharon Lee at slee1214@yahoo.com or 412-963-0410. If anyone is interested in this opportunity please contact the above references and Ken Yoest 412-366-0019; missionstuff@comcast.net
MENTAL ILLNESS. The constant tension is hard to live with. When one family member is mentally ill, the whole family suffers. By listening and helping you sort through your feelings, a Stephen Minister can provide the caring support to keep you going.
DR. & MRS. ANTONSON are leading a tour to Italy called “Highlights Of Italy.” The dates are March 19-29, 2007. Brochures are in the office.
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH FOR NORTH HILLS FOOD BANK: Month of January – Paper Products. 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 WEDNESDAY
6:00 -7:00 PM A women’s study: “I’m Too Young to be this Old?” led by Kathy Spitz and Liz Hamilton.
6:00 – 7:00 PM George and Barb Schweiger are leading a small group Bible study in the Library. The book is “Parables” by John White.
EVERY THURSDAY
Spirituality and Prayer: Exploring the Way: An Introduction to Spirituality (Exercise in Spirituality) 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 – 9:30 A.M.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Malawi Room
NEXT WEEK: Isa. 6:1-8 (9-13); Ps. 138; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
ADULT TOPICS CLASS: Fellowship Hall
TODAY: Please join the Adult Topics Class as we discuss the joys, challenges and perils of raising a family in a modern world.
NEXT WEEK: You won’t want to miss Larry Schweiger, brother of George Schweiger and President of the National Wildlife Federation, as he speaks on global warming. Please join us as Larry, who worked with former Vice President Al Gore in his evaluation of the subject, shares his knowledge and experience on the subject.
FEB 11: The Rev. Doyle Snyder will review a recent book on the human genome. Join us for what is sure to be a fascinating hour.
FOUNDATIONS: Led by Rev. Doyle Snyder Berean Room
The class returns to its regular schedule today at 9:45 A.M. We are considering how the Bible came to be and will soon look at introductions to each of the 66 books of Holy Scripture, which is our truly fascinating and very helpful treasure. Welcome.
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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
Global Mission Partnerships with:
Our Mission Family currently serving in the Middle East
Michael & Rachel Weller Family serving in Ethiopia
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Week of January 28, 2007
Sunday, Jan. 28
9:00a Sunday School
10:00a Worship
11:00a Congregational Mtg.
4:00p Jr. High - FH
6:30p AA - FH
7:00p Sr. High - YL
No SON Service
Gen. 18:1-16
Monday, Jan. 29
7:00p Boy Scouts - FH
Psalm 150
Tuesday, Jan. 30
8:30a NBC - FH
Heb. 11:1-12
Wednesday, Jan. 31
9:30a Knitters - MR
4:30p Roots - YL
5:30p Oasis - Kit., FH, MR, BR, WR,
YL, BSR, Lib.
6:30p Transition Team - MR
7:30p Choir - WR
Psalm 12
Thursday, Feb. 1
9:30 a CDPC - FH
6:30p Cub Den Mtgs - FH
Gen. 22:1-18
Friday, Feb. 2
9:30a Project Linus - MR
3:45p Belles - WR
7:00p Cub Committee Mtg - MR
Psalm 116
Saturday, Feb. 3
8:00a Officers' Retreat - FH
John 7:1-13
For the latest information, see www.my.calendars.net/northmontchurch. Contact Linda Allerton at (412) 364-0105 to add entries to church calendar. Meeting locations noted in weekly calendar view below: FH = Fellowship Hall, SANC = Sanctuary, LIB = Library, KIT = Kitchen, MR = Malawi Room, BR = Berean Room, YL = Youth Lounge, WR = Westminster Room, PS = Pastor’s Study, BSR = Bible Study Room