Palm Sunday           

WORSHIP SERVICE                       Sunday, April 1, 2007                   8:30 & 11:00 A.M.

PRAYER TIME BEFORE WORSHIP: Mighty God, we behold this day the dramatic entry of your son Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. We marvel that he is offering himself as messiah one last time to the crowds. He is coming not only as a military conqueror but he comes in peace and for peace. He comes to bring life not death, to save and not to destroy, to free and not make captives of the people. Surely his reign will be a different kind of reign than all who have preceded him. We would ourselves stand with the crowds along the road and welcome him with shouts of “Hosanna – come Save Us Now!” Let every voice honor his coming with, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Amen.

 

PRELUDE         “Three Settings of All Glory, Laud and Honor”            Fedak, Burkhardt, Kaufmann

 

WELCOME, CONCERNS, AND GREETINGS

*****

 

MOMENT FOR STEWARDSHIP                                                                  John Raphael

 

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

  

CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 118)

Leader:               Welcome the One who approaches the city! It is the time of God’s visitation. Let every eye behold him.

Community:      Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Leader:               Cut branches from the trees and scatter them before him. The king comes, riding on a donkey, messenger of peace.

Community:      Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Leader:               Welcome this conqueror who comes to bring life, salvation and redemption to all the people.

All:                    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Enter in, blessed one, and defeat our enemies. Take up our reign. Ride on in majesty!

                                                                           

*PROCESSING HYMN                 “All Glory, Laud and Honor”                       arr. Dobrinski

                   Northmont Belles, Scott Davis, trumpet, Chancel Choir and Congregation

 

1.     All glory, laud and honor to thee, Redeemer King, to whom the lips of children

         made sweet hosannas ring.   Thou art the Kind of Israel, thou David’s royal Son,

      Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed one.


                                                                        -2-

2.     The company of angels are praising Thee on high, And mortal men and all things

        Created make reply.  The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went; Our

         praise and prayers and anthems before Thee we present.

 

3.     To Thee, before Thy passion They sang their hymns of praise.  To Thee, now high Exalted, Our melody we raise.  Thou didst accept their praises; Accept the Prayers we bring.  Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King.  Amen.

 

* INTROIT                                             “The Palms”                                                        Faure

O’er all the way green palms and blossoms gay, Are strewn this day in festal preparation.  Where Jesus comes to wipe our tears away.  E’en now the throng to welcome Him prepare; Hosanna!  Praise ye the Lord!  Bless Him who cometh to bring us salvation!

 

*PRAYER OF ADORATION AND INVOCATION

 

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING                 Psalm 130                                (O.T. Page 573)

Leader:   The word of the Lord.

Community:      Thanks be to God.

 

RESPONSIVE CONFESSION

Leader:               As Jesus Came near to Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it saying,

                          “If you only recognized on this day the things that make for peace…but

                          you do not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

Community:      Holy One, we confess this morning that there have been many times

                          when you have reached out to us. You offer a new beginning. You

                          offer life now and forever. You want to embrace us in your arms of

                          love. Yet we turn away. In the hardness of our own hearts we miss

                          your welcome.

Leader:               The crowd threw their cloaks in the road, while others cut branches from

                          the trees and spread them on the road.

Community:      We confess that we too love a good parade. We love things on a large

                          scale that leave a lasting impression. Yet we confess that some in the

                          crowd who welcomed Jesus with “Hosannas!” at the start of the

                          week, would be shouting, “Crucify him” at week’s end. Forgive us

                          for thinking that large crowds are all that matter, for surely heaven

                          rejoices if only one person repents and finds the light.

Leader:               When Jesus entered the city, some asked who he was, “Just the prophet

                          Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee,” some said.


                                                                          -3-

Community:      We confess, O God, that the odds seemed stacked against your Son.

                          He was so alone, so reviled and many plotted to get rid of him. Fear

                          and anxiety ran high. We confess that fear and anxiety run high in us

                          as well, but may we be rooted in the same gospel-powered freedom

                          that allowed your son to pursue his course. Forgive us. Keep us

                          faithful to you all the way to the end.

 

SILENT CONFESSION & DECLARATION OF PARDON                        

Leader:               The coming of Jesus to Jerusalem was a clue to the new rule of God, a

                          regal act that would lead to a brutal death for the sins of the world.

Community:      Thank you for Jesus and his willingness to suffer and die for us,

                          taking the sin of the world on himself. In him we are forgiven and set

                          free. Amen.

 

RESPONSE                “Sunday’s Palms are Wednesday’s Ashes” (vs. 1)                  No. 2138

                                                      (Found in Sing the Faith)

                                                                         

ANTHEM                                              “Palm Sunday”                                       arr. Grundahl

                                          Chancel Choir, Christine Cherup, soprano

                      Text and Tune: Ride On, King Jesus (African American Spiritual) and

                                                            Lift Up your Heads

 

KIDS’ CORNER (11:00)                         “Do Ya?”                                                  Kuzinton

                                                          “Happy All the Time”                                         arr. Loes

Kuyimba Choir, Leslie Scheuer, director, Sue Swick, piano

(After Kids’ Corner Jan Wilson will be taking the children ages 4-10 to Steps of Faith

 No Steps of Faith Next Sunday)

 

*HYMN                                       “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”                                        No. 89

 

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING             Luke 19:28-44                        (N.T. Page 83)

Leader:   The word of the Lord.                                                                                                  

Community:      Thanks be to God.

             

SERMON             “Behind The Scenes”                           The Rev. Dr. Donald R. Ewing

 

*CREED AND GLORIA PATRI                                                                             No. 579

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children. He healed the sick and bound up the

 

                                                                          -4-

brokenhearted, eating with outcasts and forgiving sinners. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition. Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain,

and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, and delivering us from death to life eternal…With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.                                                                                                       A Brief Statement of Faith, 1990

 

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

 

RECEIVING OUR TITHES & OFFERINGS

                                                                           

OFFERTORY ANTHEM               “O Thou Eternal Christ, Ride On”               arr. Yarrington

                          Mike Cunko, percussion, Diane Goff and Sue Swick, handbells

 

O Thou eternal Christ of God, Ride on!  Establish thou forever more the triumph now begun.  A mighty host, by thee redeemed, is marching in thy train, Thine is the kingdom and the power, and thou in love shalt reign.  O Holy Savior of mankind, Ride on!  We bear with thee the scourge and cross, if so thy will is done And be the road up hill or down, unbroken or well trod, We go with thee to claim and build A city unto God.  O thou whose dreams enthrall the heart, ride on!  Ride on till tyranny and greed are ever more undone.  In mart and court and parliament the common good increase Till men at last shall ring the bells of brotherhood and peace.  O thou who art the Life and Light, exalted Lord and King, We hail thine august majesty and loud hosanna sing, Until in every land and clime thine ends of love are won:  O Christ, Redeemer, Brother, Friend, Ride on

 

*OFFERTORY PRAISE & PRAYER OF DEDICATION

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!

 

*RECESSIONAL HYMN                   “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!”                        No. 91

 

*BENEDICTION                                           

 

 (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, at the 8:30 A.M. service Val Volkman and John Russell and at 11:00 A.M. service Diane Goff and Bill Baierl will be at the front of the sanctuary after the service.)

 

*POSTLUDE                   “Postlude on the Welsh Tune Llangloffan”                                Miller

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

 

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

 

GREETERS             8:30           Kim & Tom Englert, Bud Walker, Don Tanner

                               11:00           Jeff & Gerri Morris, George Depee, Ed Wyatt                      

ELDERS                 8:30           Jean Eckert

                               11:00             Judith Shifrin

LAY READER     11:00           Gwen Spahr

USHERS                8:30           Hayes Stover (head usher), Roy Anderson, Bruce Sardon, Richard

                                                  Sutter  

                              11:00       Bill H. English (head usher), Karen or Mark Nootbaar, Lisa Behm

STEPS OF FAITH                Jan Wilson (No Steps of Faith on Easter Sunday)

 

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. 

                                                                                  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 Fellowship Time after the 11:00 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

 

REMINDER TO ALL GROUPS & COMMITEES: It is the responsibility of each group or committee using the church to be sure the church is totally locked and all lights are out before leaving the church if your group is the last group to leave the church!

FOLLOWING WORSHIP please join us for Fellowship Time following the service in Polley Fellowship Hall hosted by the Facilities Management Committee.

CHANCEL FLOWERS are given in loving memory of my beloved wife Kathryn, from her husband, Hank Wojdyla. Flowers are also given in loving memory of Esther B. Altvater, from Bob, Cathy, Aaron, Sarah and Jacob Koehler.

WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY to Jan Baty in the death of her father, G. Manson Taylor, who died last week.

 

OUR MEMBER OF SPECIAL CONCERN: Karen Gould – Outlook Pointe at Allison Park #108, 2224 Walters Road, Allison Park, PA 15101 (Personal # 412-487-0496)

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: March 25: 8:30 - 75, 11:00 – 151, Sunday School – 86

STEPHEN MINISTER Bill Baierl will be making hospital calls this week. If you have a special request, please call him at 412-367-4693.

 

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 CARD REQUESTS: Russell Anderson, Northmont Congregation, Donna Erdner, Sarah Gable

 

                                                          SON Worship Speaker

       

        April 1                             Rev. Doyle Snyder

        April 8                             No SON service this week!

        April 15                           Rev. Don Ewing

PIPER DEADLINE: April 13, 2007 is the deadline for the May 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:

        Ed Halboth, C/O Jim Bendel, 121 Hilton Road, Greensburg, PA 15601

        Jean Higby, 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)

 

BULLETIN DEADLINES will change beginning today, to Sunday’s prior to the Sunday you would like to have your announcement published in the Sunday bulletin!

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.

 

                                                      Holy Week Services, 2007

THURSDAY, APRIL 5TH, MAUNDY THURSDAY,  7:30 P.M. We observe Christ’s final supper with the disciples.  Rev. Dr. Donald Ewing will give the message.  The Chancel Choir and soloists Glen Wissner, Dorothea Fisher, Bill Caswell and Leslie Scheuer  will present The Last Supper and The Mount of Olives from  “Three Lenten Scenes” by David H. Williams. 

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 6TH, GOOD FRIDAY,  7:30 P.M. We observe Christ’s final hours.   Meditations by Dr. Ewing, our seminary student Chris Brown and our youth director, Sean Kelly, on the Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The Chancel Choir, soloists and instrumentalists will provide music appropriate to the evening. Youth assisting are: Bryan Caswell, Amanda Joos, Anna Sartori, Allison Reckless and Colin Parrish.

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 8TH,  EASTER SUNDAY,  He is risen, He is risen indeed! 

     7:15 a.m.  Easter sunrise service with the 2007 Confirmation Class of Northmont

     7:45 a.m.  Breakfast in Polley Fellowship Hall hosted by our Scout Troop 335.

     8:30 and 11:00 a.m.  Two Festival services!  The title of Dr. Ewing’s message will be

     “Another Easter Sermon.” Participating will be our Chancel Choir, Dorothea Fisher,

     soloist, Northmont Belles and brass ensemble.  Kids of the Kingdom Choir and

     Kuyimba Choir will sing at 11:00 A.M.                     

 

 

THE RESURRECTION CROSS IS IN THE CHURCH YARD waiting to receive your flowers on Easter Morning.  This is a wonderful symbol of life reborn.  It uses one of God’s great achievements in natural beauty – the flower – to remind us of His power to create, recreate, and resurrect. Children and adults are encouraged to participate, and parents have a natural opportunity to explain the cornerstone of our Faith, Christ’s resurrection, to their children. Please bring your own flowers, fresh or silk, or take one provided, to thoughtfully place on the cross. The beauty of our cross adorned with flowers is enjoyed by all who pass by!

 

MAY 2007 DIRECTORIES are now available in the church office today or during normal office hours. We ask for a $1.00 donation to help defray printing costs.

 

BEACONS: Fellowship Time is our responsibility on April 15th. Any help would be appreciated. Please call Marilyn Brown at 412-766-6997 with what you are bringing, if you can help, serve, or clean up.

 

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: Samaritan Counseling Center, Inc. and Northmont’s Stephen Ministry Program, are co-sponsoring a six (6) week Grief Support Group.  The sessions will be held on Monday evenings beginning Monday, April 16, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Berean Room.  This program is co-led by Phil Jamison, M.Div., an experienced Bereavement Counselor and Gwen Spahr, a Northmont Stephen Minister.  The group meets for an hour and a half and will provide participants with information about the grieving process, managing your grief and emotional support.  There is no charge for this program, however, registration is a must. To register or if you have any questions, please call Gwen at 412-364-1850.

 

THE HOUSE ECHOES. They’re scattered now – two at college, one in an apartment of his own. It’s hard to cook for just two again. While you’re glad they’re becoming independent, you still miss them. Sometimes so much that it hurts terribly. A Stephen Minister can help you sort through your feelings at this time.

 

NORTHSIDE COMMON MINISTRIES are in need of empty clean egg cartons that hold a dozen eggs. Please place your donated empty egg cartons in the Library. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!

 

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

 

THE SEARCH COMMITTEE for Director of Family Ministries and Contemporary 
Worship continues to meet on a regular basis.  We are currently reviewing resumes
and will soon be interviewing candidates.  If you know of anyone who may be
interested in this position contact any of the members of the search committee
or access the church website for details. The members of the search committee
are Bill Baierl, Vicky Dellaquila, Nancy Garver, Bart Roberts, and
Bruce Sardon. Please remember that this search committee is for Director of Family
Ministries and Contemporary Worship, NOT the Pastoral Search Committee.

 


 

                                          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.

 

6:15-7:15 PM George and Barb Schweiger are leading a small group Bible study in the Library. The book, “Jesus’ Final Week,” is an 8-week Lenten series. All are welcome.

 

EVERY THURSDAY

Spirituality and Prayer: Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Berean Room. 

 

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: Acts 10:34-43 or Isa. 65:17-25; Ps. 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Cor. 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12

 

ADULT TOPICS CLASS                                                                                 Fellowship Hall

There will be no Adult Topics Class on Palm Sunday or Easter.  On April 15th, you will want to be with us as Dr. Ron Schafer, who recently returned from a trip to Egypt and the middle east, begins a 3 week class on Islam. Currently presenting the same topic at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Dr. Shafer will be examining the religion’s many facets and a very interesting few weeks can be anticipated.

 

FOUNDATIONS Led by Rev. Doyle Snyder                                                          Berean Room

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.


 

* * * * *

Interim Pastor: Rev. Dr. Donald R. Ewing

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

Custodian: Colin Baldwin, Jr.

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

* * * * * *


Week of April 1, 2007

Sunday, April 1

8:30a Worship - Sanc.

9:30a Sunday School

11:00a Worship - Sanc.

4:00p Jr. High Youth Group - YL

6:00p SON Service - Sanc.

6:30p AA - FH

7:00p Sr. High Youth Group – YL

7:00p PNC - BR

Psalm 149

 

Monday, April 2

 9:30a PW Board Meeting - MR

10:00a Staff Mtg. - Lib.

6:00p PLC Mtg. - MR

7:00p Boy Scouts - FH

7:00p Chris. Ed. - BSR

John 8:46-59

 

Tuesday, April 3

8:30a NBC - FH

10:00a Northmont Homemakers - MR

7:00p Mission Com. Mtg. - MR

7:00p Worship Com. Mtg. - WR

1 Cor. 14:1-19

Wednesday, April 4

9:30a Knitters - MR

4:30p Roots - YL

5:30p Oasis - Kit., FH, BR,

                       WR, YL, BSR, Lib.

7:00p Communion Set-Up - Kit.

7:30p Choir - WR

Exod. 5:1-6:1

 

Thursday, April 5

7:30p Maundy Thursday Service - Sanc.

2 Cor. 2:14-3:6

 

Friday, April 6

Office closed at noon

7:30p Good Friday Service - Sanc.

Mark 10:17-31

 

Saturday, April 7

8:30a Brass Rehearsal - Sanc.

9:30a Reach Out Committee Mtg. - MR

9:30a Choir, Belles, Brass Rehearsal - Sanc.

11:00a Confirmation Rehearsal - Sanc.

Exod. 9:13-35

 

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