The Presbyterian Church on the Hill Fifth Sunday After Epiphany February 9, 2020

WE GATHER TOGETHER

As we gather together, please spend time in silent reflection to prepare for worship.

GATHERING MUSIC

PRELUDE Gaelic Morning Dan Forrest

INTROIT Christ, Be Our Light! Farrell/Unger

Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see.

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong. Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come. If you are able, please stand. Bold text is read or sung in unison.

CALL TO WORSHIP Linda Klose, liturgist We are called to follow—to walk in the way of justice and righteousness, for we are children of God! We are called to serve—to be Christ with and for one another, for we are the salt of the earth! We are called to shine—to be beacons of hope and witnesses to truth, for we are the light of the world! Come, you who are claimed as children of God, salt of the earth and light of the world. Let us worship the Lord!

HYMN 667 When Morning Gilds the Skies LAUDES DOMINI

GATHERING PRAYER (unison)

God of mystery and of judgment, who has made us to be salt and light in a tasteless, shadowed world, guide us in this time of worship. Grant us understanding and spiritual discernment so that others may see your good works through us, give you the glory, and be moved to serve you. Amen.

CALL TO CONFESSION God summons us to ministries of justice and compassion, but we often fall short in pursuing that call. In humility and faith, let us confess our sin before God and one another.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Lord, you placed us in the world to be its salt. We were afraid of committing ourselves, afraid of being stained by the world. We did not want to hear what ‘they’ might say and our salt dissolved as if in water. Lord, you placed us in the world to be its light. We were afraid of the shadows, afraid of the poverty. We did not want to know ‘difficult’ people and our light slowly faded away. Forgive us, Jesus. Remind us that you are at work in and through us Free us from fear that we might be the salt and light you have called us to be. Continue in silent prayers of confession…

WORDS OF ASSURANCE The prophet Isaiah tells us that if we call upon God, God will answer; when we cry for help, God will say, “Here I am.” God give us the gift of redemption by giving us the gift of Jesus Christ, who lived for us, died for us, and lives again. Hear his good news: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

PASSING OF THE PEACE You are the light of the world! Let your light shine as you turn to one another and offer signs of light and peace.

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

HYMN 582 Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me GLORY TO GOD

Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me. and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me, and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

LIFE ON THE HILL Please sign the red fellowship pad in your pew, then pass it down your pew and back again.

TIME WITH CHILDREN Children are invited to chancel steps for a brief message with Pastor Julie before Sunday School.

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

FIRST SCRIPTURE Isaiah 58:1–9a (9b–12)

Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I

choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

ANTHEM Bring Forth the Kingdom Marty Haugen George Liddy, guitar accompaniment

You are salt for the earth, O people: Salt for the Kingdom of God! Share the flavor of life, O people: Life in the Kingdom of God!

Bring forth the Kingdom of mercy, bring forth the Kingdom of peace; bring forth the Kingdom of justice, bring forth the City of God!

You are a light on the hill, O people: Light for the City of God! Shine so holy and bright, O people: Shine for the Kingdom of God!

You are a seed of the Word, O people: Bring forth the Kingdom of God! Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice grow in the Kingdom of God!

Matthew 5:13-16

SECOND SCRIPTURE Matthew 5:13-20(NRSV) “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON Salt and Light Pastor Julie Thompson

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

HYMN 694 Great God of Every Blessing AURELIA

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRESENTING OUR GIFTS TO THE LORD

OFFERTORY Light of the World Stephen Schwartz

DOXOLOGY: HYMN 710 We Lift Our Voices OFFERING

We lift our voices; we lift our hands; we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering. Lord, use our voices; Lord, use our hands; Lord, use our lives; they are yours: we are an offering. All that we have, all that we are, all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you. We lift our voices; we lift our hands; we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

PASTORAL PRAYERS and THE LORD’S PRAYER For a listening ear, please call Pastor Julie or our Stephen Ministry Leaders Deanne Nirider (281)744-1054 or Rick Degurski (908)309-2378).

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be 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.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

HYMN 767 Together We Serve SAN ANSELMO CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE San Anselmo Daniel Damon Our worship has ended – now our service begins.

The Chancel flowers are given by Elda Gall to the Glory of God and in memory of her parents, John and Anna Rops.

Serving Today Greeter: Wendy Robinson Ushers: Ed Kelsey, Captain, Linda Klose, Del Kunert, Pat Meyers, George Woodnorth Head Usher: Jamie Montero Nursery Volunteer: Laura Evernham Sunday School Teachers: Shirley Carle, Kristin Worthley, Carol Cox, Cheryl Miller Fellowship Hosts: Session Class of 2022 Flower Team: Shirley Carle, Connie Perry Counters: Deanne Nirider, Marilyn Dicken

Life on the Hill This Week: Monday, February 10, 6 p.m. Worship Community 7 p.m. Christian Education Community Tuesday, February 11, 10 a.m. Stewardship Community Wednesday, February 12, 7 p.m. Stephen Ministry Thursday, February 13, 11:30 a.m. Adult Study 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Opportunities to Give, Grow, Serve: (See sign-up sheets on tables in back of the sanctuary.) WORSHIP • Be a Greeter: Welcome our members and guests to worship. • Be a Liturgist: Help lead worship by reading prayers and scripture provided by Wednesday the previous week. • Fund a flower arrangement: Give flowers in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Sign-up on bulletin board near church office.

EDUCATION Children’s Worship Bags are available on the white coat rack behind the back pew. Children may take home the children’s bulletins, candy, crafts and stickers. Please leave crayons and games in the bags to enjoy each week. Parents, please ensure that children replace bags on the rack on their way out of the sanctuary each Sunday. Men’s Fellowship. In March they will begin a new short book entitled, "The Story of Heaven" by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. At each gathering there will be a video and a few questions to think about emailed out prior to the meeting. New attendees may sign up on sheet in the back of the sanctuary to receive a booklet (Study Guide). See Randy Stolze if you have any questions.

FELLOWSHIP • Host Fellowship Time: Set up, provide, serve and clean up refreshments after worship.

MISSION • Coat and Clothing Drive: Today is the last day to drop off donations for our coat and clothing drive led by our Christian Education and Mission Communities. Thanks for your support!

• Trinity Soup Kitchen: Our next day to serve the meal at Trinity Soup Kitchen is Saturday, March 7. If you are able to

join the group from PCOH, please sign up on the table in the back of the sanctuary. • Donate food: Bring non-perishable food items to give to Trinity Church Saturday Soup Kitchen. Bring your extra meals to church to give to The Center in Asbury Park

MEMBERSHIP • Are you interested in becoming a member of this congregation? If so, note this on the Fellowship Pad. A Membership class will be scheduled soon! • Did you receive a copy of our 2019 Annual Report? Copies are available on a table at the back of the sanctuary.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, our mission is to provide a dynamic fellowship that studies, shares, and lives the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. We minister to spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of our diverse community to further the Kingdom of God.

STAFF

Julie D. Thompson, TRANSITIONAL PASTOR Dr. Jeff Unger, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ORGANIST Jackie Colin, ADMIN. ASSISTANT/OFFICE SUPERVISOR Jason Allen, DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH MUSIC Bonnie Carle, NURSERY SUPERVISOR AND CUSTODIAN

LEADERSHIP

Session Members: Michael Compoly (Treasurer), Marilyn Dicken, Laura Evernham, Ralph Jensen, Ed Kelsey, Deanne Nirider, Anne Pagnoni, Wendy Robinson, Jorge Tersey Sharon Fix, CLERK OF SESSION

Deacons: Shirley Carle (Co-Moderator), Carol Cox (Co-Moderator), Elda Gall, Janet Lee, Pat Lee, Gee McCormick, Jamie Montero, Connie Perry, Meghan Pringle, Randall Stolze

Mission Study Team: Bob Strunk,(chair), Kent Donahue, Diana Griffith, Barbara Lofthouse, Marcia Turpin, Megan Zarodnansky,

Presbyterian Church on the Hill 10 Cold Indian Springs Road, Ocean, NJ 07712 New phone: 732/493-4110 website email: [email protected] address! website: PCOH.church

facebook.com/Presbyterian-Church-on-the-Hill Office Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri,. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.