THE FIRST CHURCH IN ALBANY (Reformed Church in America)

110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207 ~ (518) 463-4449

Email: info@firstchurchinalbany.org ~ Website: www.firstchurchinalbany.org ~ Sunday Worship: 10:30 am

Founded in 1642; Continuing in Ministry Today

In response to God's unconditional love for all people made known to us in Jesus Christ, we are

called to be a welcoming and affirming community. The First Church in Albany includes young and

old, families, couples and singles, rich and poor, persons of various races, ethnicities, backgrounds,

sexual orientation and gender identities, differing physical and mental abilities, believers and

seekers. We welcome into the full life of the church all those whom God sends us. Centered in Christ,

we commit ourselves to breaking down dividing walls and building a community where all are loved.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

May 7, 2017

THE APPROACH TO GOD

Prelude Berceuse Louis Vierne

Announcements

Call to Worship

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Amen. Psalm 124:8

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young by the side of your altars, O Lord, my God.

Happy are those who dwell in your house.

They will always be praising you.

Happy are the people whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on the pilgrim’s way.

They go from strength to strength.

For you, O God, are a sun and shield; you bestow favor and honor.

O Lord of hosts, happy are those who put their trust in you. from Psalm 84

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*Hymn 207 How Lovely, Lord MERLE’S TUNE

Prayer of Confession

Living God, in love you have called to yourself and into the fellowship of

your people. We confess that we often resist your call because we fear the

changes it will bring. We are glad for the fellowship of your church when

it meets our needs; but our commitment waivers when the life of faith

becomes too demanding or difficult. You have called us to a ministry of

reconciliation, yet often we find it easier to turn away from others. You

have challenged us to generosity, but many times we would rather keep to

ourselves. Enter our lives, God, once again. Release us from the bonds of

self-centeredness. Create in us a renewed openness to your love, that we

may share your love with others. (The prayer may continue in silence.)

Assurance of Pardon

The Peace

Since God has reconciled us to himself through Christ,

let us be reconciled with one another.

Let us be imitators of God and live in love, as Christ loved us.

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

*Response 147 Blessing and Honor (verse 1) O QUANTA QUALIA

Blessing and honor and glory and power,

Wisdom and riches and strength evermore

Give we to Christ who our battle has won,

Whose are the kingdom, the crown and the throne.

THE WORD OF GOD

The Prayer for Illumination

The Gospel Lesson John 10: 1-10

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

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Responsive Psalter: (Psalm 23)

(refrain from Sing! 181 Used by permission of Onelicense # A-700689Refrain: Marty Haugen C 1986, GIA Publications, Inc.)

Response: (Choir only)

Shepherd me, O God,

beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Response: (Choir and Congregation):

Shepherd me, O God,…

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;

for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Response: Shepherd me, O God,...

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Response: Shepherd me, O God,…

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A Word with Children

The New Testament Lesson Acts 2: 42- 47

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Sermon “Devoted” They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread

and the prayers. Acts 2:42

The Prayer for Blessing on the Word

THE RESPONSE TO GOD

Offering

Offertory Late Have I Loved Thee Alice Jordan

*Doxology (Hymn 591)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Christ, all creatures here below;

Praise Holy Spirit evermore;

Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

The Meaning of the Sacrament and the Invitation

*Hymn 436 We Are Your People WHITFIELD

The Communion Prayer

The Lord be with you.

And also with you. Lift up your hearts!

We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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Holy and right it is, ...

we worship and adore your glorious name.

Sanctus (sung to the tune: EASTER HYMN)

Holy, Holy, Holy God, Alleluia!

By the earth and heaven adored, Alleluia!

Our hosannas high we raise: Alleluia!

Christ, our savior's name we praise! Alleluia!

Most righteous God, …

Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

The Lord’s Prayer

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, for ever. Amen.

The Words of Institution and Communion

Communion Anthem Thee We Adore T. Fredrick Handel Candlyn

Prayer after Communion

*Hymn 438 Blest Be the Tie That Binds DENNIS

*Charge and Blessing

*Postlude Dialogue on the Trumpet Louis Clerambault

A *Those who are able please stand.

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WORSHIP LEADERS: Liturgist: The Rev. Susan Vincent-Cox; Preacher: The Rev. John

Paarlberg; Mary Bon Minister of Music and Choir Director; WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS:

The entire congregation.

We welcome all who gather to worship God this morning, especially visitors and

friends from near and far. The order of worship is based on the historic liturgy of the

Christian church. Through the proclamation of the Word and the sharing of the sacramental

meal we encounter the living God, who graciously heals and powerfully renews our lives. If

you are a first time visitor, please sign the guest book or complete a visitor’s card (found in

the pew rack) and place it in the offering plate. If you have questions about our ministry, we

encourage you to speak with a pastor or an usher. There is an elevator in the building, which

makes every floor accessible. Please join us for refreshments and conversation in

Zimmerman Hall after the service.

Hearing assist devices are available for your use. Please ask an usher.

The flowers this morning are given by William Karchner in loving memory of his mother

Marie and father William.

Drive-in worship began today. Each Sunday in May through the first Sunday in September

worshippers gather at 9 a.m. in the Sheridan Avenue parking lot and in Clee Park for a half-

hour worship service led from the outdoor pulpit.

The CROP Walk is this afternoon. Plan to walk or sponsor our walkers. You can sign up

today at the First Lutheran Church. You can also go online to pledge to support the team

from First Albany. Go to https://www.crophungerwalk.org/albanyny Money raised in the annual

CROP walk helps hungry people in Albany and around the world.

Save the Date for our Pot-luck Luncheon and Congregational meeting. It will be on

Sunday, May 21 after the sanctuary service.

There will be a massed “Festival Choir” for the service on May 21. Join us at 9:30

AM in the sanctuary of First Church. Everyone is invited even if you don’t sing regularly

with the choir. For more information contact Mary Bon

Offertory anthem text: Late have I loved thee O Lord. Whose Fairness is so old and yet so

new. Behold Thou wast within and I without, and there I sought Thee. Thou didst call and

cry, and burnt my deafness. Thou dist gleam, and glow and dispel my blindness. Thou didst

touch me, and I burned for Thy peace. For Thyself Thou has made us, and restless our hearts

until in Thee they find their ease. Late have I loved Thee, O Lord

Text: St Augustine 5th

Century

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Communion anthem text: Thee we adore, O hidden Savior, thee, who in thy sacrament dost deign to be;

both flesh and spirit at thy presence fail, yet here thy presence we devoutly hail.

O blest memorial of our dying Lord, who living bread to men doth here afford!

O may our souls for ever feed on thee, and thou, O Christ, for ever precious be.

Fountain of goodness, Jesu, Lord and God, cleanse us, unclean, with thy most cleansing blood;

increase our faith and love, that we may know the hope and peace which from thy presence flow.

O Christ, whom now beneath a veil we see, may what we thirst for soon our portion be,

to gaze on thee unveiled, and see thy face, the vision of thy glory and thy grace.

Words: Thomas Aquinas, thirteenth century; trans. James Russell Woodford,

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THIS WEEK AT FIRST CHURCH

Sunday 5/7 Third Sunday of Easter 9:00 AM Drive-In Worship (Communion) 10:30 AM Sanctuary Worship (Communion)

Children & Worship (during service)

11:30 AM Coffee and Conversation

12:30 PM CROP Walk

Monday 5/8 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Food Pantry Open

6:30 PM Leadership/Interim Pastor Committee

Tuesday 5/9 12:00 NOON Bible Study

Wednesday 5/10 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Food Pantry Open

12:00 NOON AA Meeting

Thursday 5/11 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal

Friday 5/12 6:00 PM Pre-Concert Heritage Tour

7:30 PM Organ Concert

Sunday 5/14 Fifth Sunday of Easter/ Heritage Sunday 9:00 AM Drive-In Worship

The Rev. Dr. Allan Janssen, guest preacher 10:30 AM Sanctuary Worship

The Rev. Dr. Allan Janssen, guest preacher Children & Worship (during service)

11:30 AM Coffee and Conversation