UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

 

 

 

12 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road

Yardville, NJ 08620

(609) 585-5770

(609) 585-5674 fax

www.upcnj.org

February 7, 2010

11:00 am Service

WELCOME

Welcome! You have come to hear the Word of God, and you shall hear it read and preached. But we hope that by hearing it, you will also meet the Word of God, the Living Word, Jesus, our Master and Savior. And we pray that you will leave our church equipped to serve him more faithfully and effectively.

 

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

February 7, 2010

 

PRELUDE                                    “Near to the Heart of God”                                      arr. Smith

 

PRAYER HYMN                  “When Morning Gilds the Skies”                                         487

When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer to Jesus I repair:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

 

WE COME TO WORSHIP GOD

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:    We enter into God’s sanctuary praising God’s name for the entire universe to hear.
People:   We kneel at the altar and offer thanks for your steadfast love.
Leader:    In our hour of need, we cry out to you.
People:   And you answer, increasing our strength and resolve.
Leader:    We will sing of the ways and the glory of the Lord.
People:   For your steadfast love endures forever!

                                                                                                 

*HYMN                             “I Will Give Thanks with My Whole Heart”                              247

 

CALL TO CONFESSION

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                   

Jesus, you call us to follow and we resist. You call us to leave everything behind, and we cling to vanity.  You call us to repent, and we refuse.  You call us to love our neighbors, and we love ourselves.  You call us to sacrifice, and we choose safety.  You call us to believe your Good News, and we cower in fear.  Merciful God, we remember that the present form of this world is passing away.  We believe again that you have the words of eternal life.  Jesus, by the power of your Spirit, grant us the grace of true repentance, that we might see the really real and believe the truly true.  Amen.      

 

SILENT PRAYER

ASSURANCE OF PARDON 

 

*GIVE GLORY TO GOD

                                          “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”     (v. 2)                                11

Love caused Your incarnation, Love brought You down to me;

Your thirst for my salvation Procured my liberty.

O love beyond all telling, That led You to embrace

In love all loves excelling Our lost and fallen race.

 

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD TO US

 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

                                                                   

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                               Pg. 541                                          Psalm 138

 

 1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

before the gods I sing your praise;

 2 I bow down toward your holy temple

and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;

for you have exalted your name and your word

above everything.  

 3 On the day I called, you answered me,

you increased my strength of soul.

 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,

for they have heard the words of your mouth.

 5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

for great is the glory of the Lord.

 6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;

but the haughty he perceives from far away.

 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;

you stretch out your hand,

and your right hand delivers me.

 8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

Do not forsake the work of your hands.

 

A TIME WITH CHILDREN                                                                               Rev. Jean Pinto

 (After “A Time With Children,” parents are invited to take their children who are 5 or under to the Nursery.)

 

ANTHEM                                           “God of the Sparrow”                                        C. Schalk

 

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON                                  Pg. 893                                   Luke 5:1-11

 

5 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God,  2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.  3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.  4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”  5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”  6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.  7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.  8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”  9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken;  10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”  11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

 

SERMON                                       “Scouting the Deep Water”                           Rev. Jean Pinto                                                        

                           

MOMENT FOR QUIET REFLECTION

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH—Apostles’ Creed

            I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

            I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.  Amen.

 

WE PRESENT TO GOD OUR GIFTS AND OFFERINGS

 

OFFERTORY                                  “Where He Leads Me”                                       arr. Paxton

 

 

*WE GIVE PRAISE AND THANKS TO GOD                                                       (tune # 455)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below;

Alleluia, Alleluia.  Praise Him above ye heav'nly host; Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  © Public Domain

 

*PRAYER TO DEDICATE OUR GIFTS

Holy and gracious God, with thankful and glad hearts we offer our tithes and offerings to you. Thank you for the privilege of participating in your kingdom, of spreading the good news, of taking care of the “least of these.”  Use these gifts, and us, for your purposes and will in our world. For Christ’s sake we pray.  Amen.

 

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

 

*COMMUNION HYMN             “Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation”              516

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & LORD’S PRAYER

Leader:    The Lord be with you.

People:   And also with you.

Leader:    Lift up your hearts.

People:   We lift them to the Lord.

Leader:    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People:   It is right to give our thanks and praise.

           

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

Hear our prayer, O Lord, Hear our prayer, O Lord

Incline Thine ear to us, And grant us Thy peace.

 

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

 

THE BREAD  (to be held for corporate communion)

 

THE CUP (to be held for corporate communion)

 

COMMUNION PRAYER

O Lord, we have gathered together as the body of Christ and have been fed, body and spirit, with the bread of life.  Encouraged, nourished and strengthened, help us to share the good news of the gospel.  Amen.

                                                                         

PASSING OF THE PEACE    

 

*HYMN                                 “Bless Now, O God, the Journey”                   Sing the Faith 2191

                                    (Sung to Tune 388, “O Jesus I Have Promised”)

 

*WE RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSING

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

            Go in peace, go in love, finding joy in each other.

            Go in peace, go in love, in Christ we’re sister and brother.

            Led by His Spirit, there’s strength each day,

            Light for the way together.

            Go in peace, go in love, may God be with you forever.               

                                                                                                         Edelweiss                                                                                                                                            

 

POSTLUDE                                     “God’s Trumpet Call”                                          arr. Blake

 

*Those who are able may stand.

 

*********************

 

The flowers today are given by Bill & Karen Chamberlin in joy for Tess Chamberlin’s 2nd birthday!

 

Greeters & Ushers:      The Scouts

                

Liturgist:                     

                                  

UPCOMING EVENTS  February 7th – February 14th

 

Sunday—February 7th:            8:30 am Communion Worship

                                                9:45 am Sunday School

                                              11:00 am Communion Worship

                                                5:00 pm Youth Group

Monday—February 8th:         7:00 pm Outreach Ministry Team

Tuesday—February 9th:        7:00 pm Education Committee

                                               7:00 pm Stewardship Ministry Team-Facilities

Wednesday—February 10th: 12:00 noon Survivors

                                               6:30 pm Memorial and Endowment Committee

                                               7:00 pm Worship Ministry Team

Thursday—February 11th:      7:30 pm Choir

Sunday—February 14th:          8:30 am Worship

                                                9:45 am Sunday School

                                              11:00 am Worship

                                                5:00 pm Youth Group

                                            

There are large print bulletins and listening devices available.  Please see an usher if you need this service.

 

Childcare is available during the 11 a.m. service for infants through kindergarten age children. 

 

The Survivors (55 and over group) will meet at the church on Wed., February 10th at 12:00 p.m. to play Bunco.  Hoagies and drinks will be provided and we are asking anyone planning to attend to bring a salad or dessert to share.  All seniors and their friends are welcome to participate but a reservation is required.  Please contact Rita Peterson at 259-7256 or email ritapete@optonline.net.  Come join the Survivors for a fun afternoon of Bunco and fellowship.  Also, please continue to save the tabs from beverage cans for the benefit of Ronald McDonald House.  A box is provided in the narthex.

 

The Per Capita apportionment for 2010 is $34.92. 

 

On Super Bowl Sunday (February 7th) our youth will once again be participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring.  They will collect donations in large soup pots after the worship service.  The monies they receive will be given to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.  Before you host your Super Bowl party, or go to a Super Bowl party, remember to drop a dollar, 5 dollars, or ten dollars in the soup pots as you leave worship.

 

This year Lent begins February 17 and once again we will start our Lenten Journey with the simple nourishment of soup and bread.  The fellowship and the soup we share, fortify us as we begin our spiritual journey. Come and join us for some wonderful soup!  Supper is at 6 pm. After supper we will gather in the sanctuary for worship and begin our Lenten observance with the imposition of ashes.  Worship begins at 7:30 pm.

 

The Women's Book Club will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7:00 pm in the Bertolet Lounge.  We will be discussing THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT by Jennifer Chiaverini.  The setting of the story is in Creek's Crossing, PA in the years leading up to the Civil War.  The novel follows Dorothea Grangers' passage from innocence to wisdom as America struggles with the issue of slavery.  All women who enjoy books and fellowship are encouraged to join us.  Our March selection is HOTEL on the CORNER of BITTER and SWEET by Jamie Ford.

 

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities presents a free program “Abraham Lincoln: Man of Sorrow” on Sunday, February 21st at 1:00 pm at The Contemporary, 176 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.  Christian Johnson is an impressive Abraham Lincoln, giving special insights into our country’s great emancipator.

 

The Worship Ministry Team is looking for bread making machines.   If you have one we can borrow on February 20th, please call the church office, 585-5770.

 

Easter cantata rehearsals will begin, Thursday, Feb. 11th at 7:30 pm.  The choir will sing the cantata "At the Ninth Hour" on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010 at the 11 a.m. worship service. This year's Easter cantata is based on the Gospel of Mark and it is a retelling of the last
week of Christ's life from Palm Sunday to Easter morning.

 

Dear Members and Friends of United Presbyterian Church,
     Thank you all for your generous Christmas gifts.  We are grateful for your kindness, your thoughtfulness, and your generous support over the years.
God Bless You,
Betty Reinert, John Milne, and Jean Pinto

 

Dear UPC Members,

     Thank you so much for the gift of money as well as blessings from your hearts.  Your generosity is very much appreciated.  Your best gift has been your gifts of prayer and messages of support. 

Again, thank you!

Mike Mraz

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

 

Healing Charlotte Worth (heart surgery); David Negron (hospitalized with spinal injury from car accident); Dolores Yili (cancer); Diana Reed (cancer); Philip Forrester (cancer); Ashli Chamberlin (breast cancer); Edythe Sharf (blood cancer); Dottie Nygeres (broken nose and facial problems from a fall); Larry Gordon; Charles Secord; Rita Stout; Al Harris; and Bob Cifelli.

Comfort for the bereaved family and friends of Wally Mohnal who passed away Monday.

Concern about a heart test for Bill Chamberlin.

Thanksgiving for Josiah’s life (after life-threatening seizure).

Healing for Mary Polom (knee surgery); Ted (renal failure); Nick (bad car accident); Jane Korosec; and Eric Anderson (surgeries for blood clots in both legs).

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP

You are invited to make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord of Life, or to renew your commitment as a Christian Disciple.  Please speak to the pastor who will talk and pray with you.  If you are looking for a church home we invite you to join this family of faith and service.  This is a caring congregation, open to all.  Please let us know how we can serve you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHURCH STAFF

Ministers: All the members of the Congregation

Co-Pastor:  Rev. John H. Milne  (799-7271) jacmilne@comcast.net

Co-Pastor:  Rev. Jean B. Pinto (737-8011) jeanbpinto@comcast.net

Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Terry E. Fouse

Organist:  Michael Mraz

Choir Director:  Marilyn Machmer

Praise Band Director:  Julie Braeckman

Church Secretary:  Betty Reinert

Custodian:  Bob Matlack

Custodian:  Jack Hoff

Prayer Chain: Daytime: Carol Heberling (298-2594); Betty Reinert (585-5770)

                     Evening: Gail Fouse (585-3248); Joyce Vaughn (888-1187)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR CONGREGATION IN MISSION

Because of your stewardship commitment, the United Presbyterian Church is supporting the ministries of:

v      The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through Monmouth Presbytery; the Synod of the Northeast, and the General Assembly.

v      Presbyterian Homes of N.J.

v      Mobile Meals of Hamilton Township

v      Princeton Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund

v      InterVarsity  (Eric Oliver)

v      Trenton Area Habitat for Humanity

v      Trenton Area Rescue Mission

v      Presbyterian Camp at Johnsonburg

v      Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

v      Phoebe’s Pantry

v      Womanspace

v      Homefront