Forest Hill Church, Presbyterian
3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Hts OH 44118
216-321-2660 Fax: 216-320-1214
Email: Website: www.fhcpresb.org
Discovering God’s call, celebrating the Spirit’s presence,
Witnessing to Christ’s transformative power!
Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr., Pastor Anne Wilson, Ministry of Music
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Assoc. Pastor Keon Abner, Director of Youth Ministries
Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig, Parish Assoc. Rachel McDonald, summer intern
Service of Worship
July 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Celebration of Holy Communion
Sacrament of Infant Baptism
Welcome! Thank you for joining us today for worship.
This morning we celebrate the Eucharist (the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion). We celebrate the Eucharist by intinction (dipping the bread into the cup). We also provide a gluten-free alternative, so that all may freely partake. After receiving the elements you may come to the railing to receive a blessing from the pastors.
Prayer of Preparation: A Prayer for our Country
Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. Make us always remember your generosity and constantly do your will. Bless our land with industry, sound learning, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Make us who come from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail. We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome
Prelude Pablo Sosa (Argentina)
“Miren qué bueno”
Behold, How Pleasant (Psalm 133)
Greeting Our God with Joy
Call to Worship Elder Ann Williams
Leader: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
People: And also with you.
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Leader: O praise the Lord with me,
People: let us exalt God’s name together!
Leader: Let us worship God.
* Opening Hymn No. 331
“God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand”
(composed for the centennial celebration of July 4, 1776)
Renewing Our Relationship with God
Prayer of Confession (Iona Community) Rachel McDonald
Leader: Holy God, Maker of all . . . People: Have mercy on us.
Jesus Christ, Servant of the poor . . . Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, Breath of life . . . Have mercy on us.
Leader: Let us in silence confess our faults and admit our frailty.
Time of Silent Confession
Leader: Before God, with the people of God, I confess to my brokenness: to the ways I wound my life, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
People: May God forgive you, Christ renew you, and the Spirit enable you to grow in love.
Leader: Amen.
People: Before God, with the people of God, we confess to your brokenness: To the ways we wound our lives, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
Leader: May God forgive you, Christ renew you, and the Spirit enable you to grow in love.
People: Amen.
Affirming the Good News in Our Lives
* Response Paul Vasile
“Glory to God”
Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word
The Sacrament of Baptism for Sophie Amelia Jean-Mary
Congregational Response
With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you, Sophie Amelia, into Christ’s church to share with us in his ministry, for we are all one in Christ.
Scripture Lesson Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
Sermon Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr.
“Revealed to Infants”
We Welcome Keon Abner as Director of Youth Ministries
Ritual of Friendship all are asked to sign
Offertory Jean Sibelius
“Song of Peace”
* Response South Africa song
Eucharist
Invitation
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Sanctus Guillermo Cuéllar (El Salvador)
Prayers of the People
Lord’s Prayer
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Communion of the People
Music during Communion Carleton Young
“In the Singing”
Prayer after Communion
For the gifts you bestow, Holy One, we gather in thanksgiving. Open our hearts to your enduring justice. Open our minds to your breathtaking liberty. Whenever we falter, steady us, whenever we fail, lift us: for we seek to more fully embody your reign of peace and to make our world more just and loving. Amen.
Going Forth to Live as God’s People
* Closing Hymn No. 37
“Let All Things Now Living”
* Commission and Blessing
* Choral Benediction
* Passing of the Peace
Postlude G. F. Handel
“Allegro maestro” (from Water Music)
* Please stand if you are able
Welcome Visitors!
We look forward to greeting you and answering any questions you may have. Visitor welcome bags are available in the foyers and the narthex. Take one home with you! Be sure to visit our website, www.fhcpresb.org, to find a complete list of upcoming events, education programs for all ages, and texts and audio of past sermons.
Parish Notes
Chancel Flowers
The flowers today are given by Marge Drollinger and her four sons in loving memory of her husband and their father, John Drollinger.
Prayer Concerns this Week
Prayers are requested this week for the following:
Ginny Colville, Kay Currie, Flora Dannemiller, Betty Farnfield, Marilyn Murray, Margaret Sentell, Debbie Ungemach.
Please remember these homebound members in your prayers:
Dick Bloomquist, Ruth Brickel, Bill Currie, Pat Drake, Marge Drollinger, Iris Gilbert, Ron and Florence Klein, Emelia McGuire, Joyce Peters, Elaine Tapié.
Today we celebrate the baptism of Sophie Amelia Jean-Mary, daughter of Ralph and the Rev. Michelle Jean-Mary. Jeff Smith is the attending Elder.
This Month’s Ushers
Joe Andrews, Nick Baumgartner, Charles Ishler, Jane Ishler, Kate Monaghan, Daryl Musick, Victoria Sampson. Roger Heineman, Head Usher.
Nursery care for babies and young children is available on the second floor of the Monticello Wing.
Attendance last week (including Christian Education children): 110
Announcements
TODAY
Today Is Hunger Sunday
Any cash or checks in envelopes marked Hunger will be used 100% for support of hunger programs. Each month we send the money to the Hts Emergency Food Cupboard (Disciples Church, Cleveland Hts.), the New Covenant Lutheran Church Hunger Center (East Cleveland), and the Presbyterian Hunger Program in Haiti.
THIS WEEK
Family Promise Host Week: July 6-13
Our week of Family Promise hosting begins today. Please keep the families and volunteers in your prayers as they get to know each other this week.
Bible and Bagels
Bible and Bagels meets Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Jin Room. All are welcome! The lesson this week is from Genesis 25: 19-34; Psalm 119: 105-112; Romans 8: 1-11; Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23.
NEXT SUNDAY
Adult Education – Bible study
9:00 in the Jin Room
Tom Zych will lead Bible study every Sunday until July 27. This year the group will discuss texts that challenge us, take us out of our comfort zones and raise questions that may surprise and unsettle us.
Summer Choir
The Summer Choir continues through July. Won’t you give it a try?
LOOKING AHEAD
Care Group
The Jerusalem Care Group is responsible for meeting members’ needs during July. Please call the church office to report an illness, hospitalization, family emergency, birth or death. Information will then be passed on to the Care Group leaders.
ª Members of this month’s Care Group are:
Pat Musick, Deacon leaderDoris Brandt
Ruth Brickel
Lucy Conde
Monita Franklin
Chris & Daniel Fuller
Brett & Annette Himes & family
Cindy Fink, Kemp Jaycox & family
Jack & Shelly Jesberger & family
Matt & Jacquelyn Knoch
Jim Manista
Jane Melbourne
Sam & Lauren Miller / Pat & Hal Musick
Richard Obermanns
Karen Parker
Dustin & Dacia Prins & family
Carol Scott
Steve Sedam
Damos & Dele Solaru & family
Marjorie Thomas
Mark & Carol Wedell
Anne Wilson
Julie Wolfram Smith
Nancy Wyss
Robert & Julie Ann Yoe
5th Annual Thunder Run 5-K Run / Walk
This year’s event is on Saturday, July 19, starting at 9 am. Proceeds will go to Lake Erie Ink. A local non-profit, the group promotes creative writing among school-aged children. Volunteers are needed! Please contact Jim Roosa () or go to www.thunderrun.org for more information.
Social Groups and Circles
The Group (60s – 70s)
On July 12 The Group (and anyone else who would like to join them) will go to a Lake County Captains game. Please contact Jane or Chuck Ishler (216-382-7590 or ) for tickets and more information.
Youth News
Next Sunday: Car wash! Come prepared at 8:30 am!
The Lessons
Today’s Scripture: Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Next Sunday: Genesis 25: 19-34; Psalm 119: 105-112; Romans 8: 1-11; Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23. As part of your daily devotions, read the lessons. What image or word catches your attention? How do they settle or challenge you? Keep notes of your observations in a journal.
FHC Staff Emails and Phone Extensions
Program Staff
Rev. Dr. John Lentz Jr. / ext. 200
Rev. Clover Beal / ext 201
Liz Wollaeger / ext. 206
Anne Wilson / ext. 208
Keon Abner / ext. 207
Office Staff
Becky Austin / ext 203
Lynda Bernays / ext 202
Stavros Gazis / ext 202
Calendar: July 6 - 13, 2013
Family Promise Host week: 5 pm – 7 am every day
Sunday, July 68:30 am Nominating Committee mtg
9:15 am Child care begins
9:00 am Adult Ed: Bible study
9:30 am Summer Choir
Continental Breakfast
10:00 am WORSHIP: Communion and
baptism of Sophie Jean-Mary
11:15 am Coffee Hour
Creating a Sabbath Covenant
5:00 pm Family Promise host week begins
Monday, July 7
6:00 pm Progress not Perfection (AA)
7:00 pm Al Anon
7:30 pm AA: Borton Group
Tuesday, July 8
1:00 pm Abundance Pantry
food distribution
5:00 pm Fitness Fusion exercise class
Wednesday, July 9
7:30 am Bible and Bagels
12:30 pm Wednesday Women’s AA
7:00 pm Ministries meet / Thursday, July 10
5:00 pm Fitness Fusion exercise class
7:30 pm Living into Our Sabbath Identity
Friday, July 11
10:00 am Al Anon meeting
Saturday, July 12
11:00 am Memorial service for
Irma Knepper
7:00 pm The Group to Lake County
Captains game
Sunday, July 13
8:30 am Car wash begins
9:15 am Child care begins
9:00 am Adult Ed: Bible study
9:30 am Summer Choir
Continental Breakfast
10:00 am WORSHIP
Summer Pathways
11:15 am Coffee Hour
2:00 pm Service for Keon: New Life at
Calvary Church
4:40 pm Labre Project
Director of Youth Ministries: Keon Abner
Keon L. Abner is a native of Ohio, the son of two Presbyterian pastors and the little brother to three girls. Keon is currently a student at Moody Theological Seminary, with a study focus in congregational care and youth ministry. With a strong passion for youth ministry, all of Keon’s ministry endeavors are in line with three actions: Relate, Cultivate, Culminate. The central point of Keon’s message is that the love of Christ is undeniable and is able to move beyond any barriers that people set before them. Keon is a musician and loves gospel, jazz, and classical music. His hobbies include reading, talking, and researching the latest technology finds. You may find Keon at a local Steak & Shake talking ministry and or theology, at the lake at dusk, or in a swimming pool somewhere. In every area of his life, Keon is an expressive, charismatic, voluble kind of guy who loves people and what they bring to the table.
FHC Youth are going to Harlan, KY, July 28 - August 2
The FHC youth will be assisting local residents to fix up and provide safe and comfortable housing for families in Harlan, KY while focusing on understanding the complex factors behind Appalachian poverty and the beauty of Appalachian culture.