UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

 

 

12 Yardville-Hamilton Square Road

Yardville, NJ 08620

(609) 585-5770

(609) 585-5674 fax

www.upcnj.org

April 4, 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

April 4, 2010

 

PRELUDE                                           “The Strife Is O’er”                                      arr. W. Held

                                             “Awake My Heart With Gladness”                            arr. W. Held

 

PRAYER HYMN                                 “Christ Is Alive!”                                                            108

Christ is alive!  Let Christians sing.

The cross stands empty to the sky.

Let streets and homes with praises ring.

Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

 

WE COME TO WORSHIP GOD

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:    Jesus Christ is risen today!
People:   Christ is risen, indeed!
Leader:    The tomb could not hold him.
People:   The grave is empty.  Christ is risen!
Leader:    Humanity’s sin could not condemn him.
People:   He shattered sin’s power over us.  Christ is risen!
Leader:    Death could not contain him.
People:   He conquered death for all eternity.  Christ is risen!
Leader:    Jesus Christ is risen today!
People:   Christ is risen, indeed!

                                                                                                 

*HYMN                                          “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”                                               123

                                                                                                         

CALL TO CONFESSION

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                    

O God, you search us and know us and all that we are is open to you.  We confess that we have sinned.  When we entomb Christ in the pages of history and seal the joy of the Spirit behind the stone of our pride, forgive us.  When we search for the living in places of death and manufacture death in places of life, forgive us.  When we dismiss the bearers of good news and are loathe to touch the marks of truth, forgive us.  When we turn our back on the way of freedom traveling through the wilderness, and trudge back to the bondage of the past leaving flowers on the grave of hope: in your mercy, Lord, forgive us and heal us.  Amen

 

SILENT PRAYER

 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON  

 

*GIVE GLORY TO GOD         

                                                “Christ Is Risen!  Shout Hosanna!”      v. 3                                   104

Christ is risen!  Earth and heaven Nevermore shall be the same.

Break the bread of new creation Where the world is still in pain.

Tell its grim, demonic chorus:  “Christ is risen!  Get you gone!”

God the First and Last is with us.  Sing Hosanna, everyone!

 

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD TO US

 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

                                                                   

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                           Pg. 532                                 Psalm 118:14-24

 

 14 The Lord is my strength and my might;

he has become my salvation.

 15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:

“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;

 16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted;

the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”

 17 I shall not die, but I shall live,

and recount the deeds of the Lord.

 18 The Lord has punished me severely,

but he did not give me over to death.

 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,

that I may enter through them

and give thanks to the Lord.

 20 This is the gate of the Lord;

the righteous shall enter through it.

 21 I thank you that you have answered me

and have become my salvation.

 22 The stone that the builders rejected

has become the chief cornerstone.

 23 This is the Lord’s doing;

it is marvelous in our eyes.

 24 This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

 

A TIME WITH CHILDREN                                                                              Rev. John Milne

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

 

ANTHEM                                      “Jesus Lives Today”                                      Ferguson/Greer

 

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON                       Pgs. 919-920                                  Luke 24:1-12

 

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.  2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,  3 but when they went in, they did not find the body.  4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.  5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,  7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”  8 Then they remembered his words,  9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.  10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.  11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.  12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

 

SERMON                                 “The Empty Promises of Easter”                         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                      “Today the Grave Hath Lost Its Sting”                            H. Willan

 

*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

Gracious God, you have given us the ultimate gift in the death and resurrection of your Son.  We humbly offer these gifts to you.  Consecrate them to your use — that the ministry of this congregation might serve as a witness to those who still doubt.  Amen.

 

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

 

*COMMUNION HYMN                           “The Day of Resurrection!”                            118

 

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

We are so grateful, Lord Jesus, that as our risen Lord you invite us to your table and nourish us with your Spirit.  May this supper inspire us to live resurrection lives, glorifying you and serving your creation.  Amen.

                                                                         

PASSING OF THE PEACE    

 

*HYMN                                        “Thine Is the Glory”                                                  122

 

*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                           “Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain”                        D. Cherwien

 

*Those who are able may stand.

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

 

See the bulletin insert for the flowers.

 

Greeter:     Jean Cifelli

 

Ushers:     Rhea Mucha and Dan Mucha

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS  April 4th – April 11th 

 

Sunday—April 4th:                 8:30 am Worship

                                             11:00 am Worship

Monday—April 5th:               7:00 pm Member Care Committee

Tuesday—April 6th:               9:00 am UPW Coordinator’s Meeting

                                             10:30 am UPW Circle Meeting

Wednesday—April 7th:        11:00 am Education Forum

                                               7:00 pm Stewardship Ministry Team-Finances

Sunday—April 11th:               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 on Wed., April 14th at 10:00 am at the church to travel to the Roebling Museum to learn about life in that mill town in the 1900's.  We also will visit the Hungarian Reformed Church nearby.  At 1:15 we will plan to have lunch at Bensi's at Shoppes of Hamilton.  If you are unable to go to the museum, join us for lunch.  All seniors and their friends are encouraged to enjoy this fun outing.  For reservations, call Gail Fouse (585-3248) or Rita Peterson (259-7256).  Reminder: keep saving can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House!

 

The Women's Book Club will meet on Tues., April 27th, at 7:00 pm in the Bertolet Lounge.  We will be discussing OLIVE KITTERIDGE by Elizabeth Strout. Olive Kitteridge is a crusty, retired teacher who lives in a small town in Maine.  She deplores the changes around her, but manages to touch others' lives as told in 13 short tales.  All women who enjoy books and fellowship are invited to attend.  Our May selection is: THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett.

 

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

 

Healing of Donna Bade’s mother, Mary Brigini (broken hip); Dawn Fisher (cancer); Joey Angiolino (Hurlers Syndrome); Ashli Chamberlin (breast cancer and chemo treatments); Edythe Sharf (blood cancer); Reneé (possible hip cancer); Dolores Yili (cancer); Diana Reed (cancer); Philip Forrester (cancer); Anna Carmichael (hospitalized); Ann Wilson (eye surgery); Rob Nyerges (brain problems); Wayne Greiser (critical health problems); Kay Hunnel; Stacey and Salvatore; and Alice Anthony.

Comfort for the bereaved family of Michael Letts.

Concern about William Hough (rehab resident in Hamilton Continuing Care); and also about Pam Rose.

Safety and blessings to the D’Angelo family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

v      Trenton Area Campus Ministries