THE FIRST CHURCH IN ALBANY (Reformed Church in America)
110 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207 ~ (518) 463-4449
Email: [email protected] ~ 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
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