Forest Hill Church seeks to be diverse, inclusive and welcoming.

All God's children have a place in this choir!

3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Hts OH 44118

216-321-2660 Fax: 216-320-1214

Email: office@fhcpresb.org Website: www.fhcpresb.org

Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr., Pastor

Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig, Parish Assoc.

Rev. Lois Annich, Interim Assoc. Pastor

Rachel McDonald, Interim Assoc. Pastor

Anne Wilson, Director of Music

Kate Burleigh, Dir. of Children’s Ministries

Shannon Headen, Dir. of Youth Ministries

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Service of Worship

January 31, 2016 at 11:00 am Welcome! Thank you for joining us today for worship.

If you are visiting, please join us in wearing a name tag so that we might greet you. Our ushers have hearing devices, large print editions of the bulletin,

activity bags for children staying in worship, and directions to our nursery for babies and young children.

Prayer of Preparation O beauty ever ancient, O beauty ever new

divine and Holy Presence, my being sings to you. In gratitude, in worship, my being sings to you!

(Hymn No. 650 “O Beauty Ever Ancient”)

Welcome

Prelude J. S. Bach “Air” (Suite in D Major)

Derek Snyder, cellist

Greeting Our God with Joy

Call to Worship Elder Doris Bartlett Leader: Welcome to this house of worship! This is the day that the Lord

has made. People: We will rejoice and be glad in it! Leader: Praise the Lord with me. People: We will exalt God’s name together. Leader: Let us worship God!

* Processional Hymn No. 14 “For the Beauty of the Earth” *please stand if able

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Renewing Our Relationship with God

Prayer of Confession Rachel McDonald Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Time of Silent Confession

Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) J. S. Bach

Affirming the Good News in Our Lives

Assurance of Pardon

* Alleluia Jeannette Sorrell

Anthem Sacred Harp, arr. James Carley

“Psalm 23” Mary-Francis Miller, mezzo-soprano

Children in grades 1-5 (Pathways) may leave following the anthem

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Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word

Scripture Lessons

Song of Songs 1: 1-4; 2: 8-14 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine, your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; therefore the maidens love you. Draw me after you, let us make haste. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.

The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

1 Corinthians 13: 8-13 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Leader: Hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God’s people. People: Thanks be to God.

* Hymn No. 203 “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love”

Prayer requests to be read during the Prayers of the People may be passed to the ushers during this hymn

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Sermon Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr. “A Love Poem from God”

Prayers of the People Rev. Lois Annich

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, forever. Amen.

Ritual of Friendship all are asked to sign

Offering QR code for online giving is on p. 6

Offertory arr. Roland Martin “Come Thou Fount”

Jack Lentz, tenor

* Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.

Going Forth to Live as God’s People

* Closing Hymn No. 408 “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

* Commission and Blessing

* Choral Benediction

Postlude (please be seated) J. S. Bach “Gigue” (Suite in D Major)

* Passing of the Peace

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Today’s Music Notes Today we welcome cellist Derek Snyder to our service. Derek is the founder of the nuevo tango band The Oblivion Project, the cellist of the Hastings Place Piano Trio and a teacher at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. He is a renowned arranger of works for cello ensembles, focusing primarily on the music of Dave Brubeck and Astor Piazzolla. Derek publishes works for cello at www.cellocelli.com. Special thanks today to Chris Vandall who played steel drums on our middle hymn and to Andrew Marunowski who played bass on the closing hymn.

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.

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The Deacons encourage you to stop by the Greeting Card Table in Fellowship Hall before or after worship to sign a card for one or more of our homebound members. We will address and mail the card for you.

Congregational Notes Chancel Flowers Today’s flowers are given by Randy and Sara Shaner in memory of their parents, Eric and Ruth Pickersgill and Edwin and Evelyn Shaner, and of Janet Pickersgill Mueller, Sara’s Sister; and by Al Gilbert in honor of his and Iris’ 65th wedding anniversary. Prayer Concerns this Week Prayers are requested this week for the following: Lucy Conde, Grace Glaros, Max Harmon, Carol Himmelsteib, Mary Hosier, Shelly Jesberger, Mary Lewis, Mel Mervine, Roz Peters, Jim Seeders, Dorothy Turick, Debbie Ungemach, and Robert Vandall. Please remember these homebound members in your prayers: Bill Currie, Marge Drollinger, Betty Farnfield, Iris Gilbert, Ron Klein, Emelia McGuire, Joyce Peters, Jack Quinn, George Sentell, Margie & Dwight Stauffer, Elaine Tapié, Lorian Thomas. Thank you to head usher Roger Heineman and today’s ushers. Please contact the church office if you are interested in joining an usher team.

Announcements

TODAY Prayer Requests from Pantry Guests

Neighbors who are in need of food are guests at our monthly Abundance Pantry lunch. Many of them express gratitude for the hospitality they receive here; many of them also have prayer requests. On January 26

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we received a number of requests which are now in baskets by each sanctuary door. You are invited to take one as you leave today and pray for the person or situation described. By doing this you will help us promote prayerful community support!

THIS WEEK

Bible and Bagels Bible and Bagels meets Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 am in the Jin Room. All are welcome! The lesson this week is from Psalm 99 and Luke 9: 28-36.

NEXT SUNDAY Adult Education, 9:30 in South Hall

The Kerygma series on The Song of Solomon concludes next Sunday with a plenary session led by Rabbi Roger Klein.

Black History Month Black History Month kicks off next Sunday with A Taste of New Orleans and a discussion of Ta-Nehesi Coates’ article, “The Case for Reparations.” Please make every effort to read the article (from the June 2014 issue of The Atlantic Monthly). See page 11 for more information.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation

The Annual Meeting is TODAY immediately after worship. Lunch will be served. All are invited to attend; all active members will vote on new leaders and officers.

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ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Lent Begins February 10

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10. We will offer dinner at 6:30 and worship with communion and imposition of ashes at 7:30 pm. During Lent, supper will be served between 6-7 pm each Wednesday (come anytime and serve yourself) and will be followed by a brief worship service.

Officers: Please note that ministries will meet at 7:30 pm on Feb. 17 and March 9; Session will meet at 7:30 pm on Feb. 24 and March 16.

Adult Education in Lent

The Adult Education Ministry is planning a series of presentations on the images of Jesus in the arts and in the Abrahamic religious traditions for five Sundays in Lent, February 14 - March 13, 2016.

February 14 John Lentz: Christ and the Historical Jesus February 21 Ramez Islambouli: An Islamic Perspective February 28 Melinda Mersack: Jewish Theology and the Messiah March 6 Gary Sampson: Faces of Jesus in the Visual Arts March 13 Barbara Essex: An African American Perspective on Jesus

Special Offering News We collected $2102 for the Christmas Joy offering in December, 2015.

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Social Groups and Circles The Group (60s – 70s)

Spend Super Bowl Sunday with The Group – February 7, 6 pm at the home of Pat and Hal Musick, 369 W. Glen Eagle Dr., Highland Hts. Please bring an appetizer, salad or dessert to accompany soup made by the Ghiandonis and Musicks. RSVP to Pat (halmusick@att.net or 440-442-3592) or Cathy (216-691-9105 or ghiandoni.c@gmail.com).

Care Group The Calvary Care Group is responsible for meeting members’ needs during February. 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.

Members of this month’s Care Group are: Jenny Himmelman, Deacon leader Jewrett Bailey & family Kevin & Brittani Ball & family Amber & Derrik Balogh Nancy Burcham Bruce & Beverly Cameron Paul Cary, Sue Yelanjian & family Jordan Dail Kay Dunlap Bill Finn & Rachel Martinez-Finn Tim & Carol Gifford Ajah Hales Robyn Hales Judy Hammer Chris Henry

Alex Heston & Elizabeth Endicott-Heston David & Anne Hunter Paolo Iannarelli & Maria Raijki Paul Jennings Bill and Sandy Ladebue Fred & Joann Lafferty Patricia Ludwig Daryl Musick Jeremy Ryman & Diane Moyer & family Sampson Tedunjaiye, Victoria Sampson & family Lee & Cathi Thomas Beryl Williams Caleb Wright Bob & Ginny Young

Youth News Every Sunday

Mid and Sr High classes meet from 9:30 – 10:30 am.

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The Lessons Next Sunday: Transfiguration of the Lord – Exodus 34: 29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:2; Luke 9: 28-36. Set aside time each day for prayer and study. As you read the lessons for the week, consider how they settle or challenge you? What image or word catches your attention? Keep notes of your observations in a journal.

FHC Staff Emails

Rev. Dr. John Lentz Jr. Pastor pastorlentz@fhcpresb.org Rev. Lois Annich Interim Assoc. Pastor pastorannich@fhcpresb.org Rachel McDonald Interim Assoc. Pastor RachelM@fhcpresb.org Anne Wilson Music annew@fhcpresb.org Shannon Headen Youth shannon@fhcpresb.org Kate Burleigh Children kateb@fhcpresb.org Lynda Bernays Administration office@fhcpresb.org Becky Austin Finance beckya@fhcpresb.org Peg Weissbrod Outreach webeditor@fhcpresb.org Stavros Gazis Custodial office@fhcpresb.org

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Please Be Prepared! Read “The Case for Reparations”

this QR code will take you to the article or

http://tinyurl.com/nopprgt The kick-off event for Black History Month, Taste of New Orleans, will be next Sunday, Feb. 7 from 12:30-2:00 pm. Tasty samples of New Orleans’ favorite foods, including fish and grits, beignets, and chicory coffee will be served. We will also include a brief overview of the ideas in Ta-Nehisi Coates’ groundbreaking work, “A Case for Reparations.” The overview will be in a game-show format, so come prepared! There will be prizes for the winning team. We encourage everyone to READ THE ARTICLE at least once before Feb. 7. Please save paper by bringing your iPad or laptop with the link to the article to the Feb. 7 event. (Copies of the article are available in the brochure rack in the foyer. Please take one only if you are unable to access it online.) This overview is to help us all be well prepared for the central event of our Black History Month celebration - a not-to-be-missed panel discussion of this ground-breaking work on Sunday, Feb. 21, from 12:30 - 2:00 pm. See the February Tower for complete information about our special guest panel.

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Calendar: January 31 – February 7, 2016 Sunday, January 31 9:15 Child care begins 9:30 Descant Choir (gr. 1-5) Youth Education (gr. 6-12) Adult Education 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Chancel Choir Continental Breakfast 11:00 Worship Children’s Worship class Children’s Ed: Pathways (gr. 1-5) 12:15 Lunch and the Annual Meeting of the Congregation 3:00 GCC Listening Campaign (St. Paul’s) 5:00 Faith Leader Monday, February 1 6:00 pm Progress not Perfection (AA) 6:15 pm Apollo’s Fire rehearsal 7:00 pm Al Anon Endowment Committee mtg 7:30 pm Borton Group Boy Scout Troop #403 Tuesday, February 2 12:00 pm Abundance Lunch 1:00 pm Abundance Pantry opens 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion Wednesday, February 3 7:30 am Bible and Bagels 12:30 pm Wednesday Women’s AA

Thursday, February 4 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion 6:20 pm Voices in Bronze 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Friday, February 5 10:00 am Al Anon Saturday, February 6 8:00 am Men’s Group 9:00 am CEIRS class: Dr. George Smiga Stewardship retreat 10:00 am Funeral: Michael Carter (viewing, 9:30 am) Sunday, February 7 9:15 Child care begins 9:30 Descant Choir (gr. 1-5) Youth Education (gr. 6-12) Adult Education 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Chancel Choir Continental Breakfast 11:00 Worship: Ordination and Installation of Officers Children’s Worship class Pathways to the Promise Land (gr 1-5) 12:15 Fellowship and Coffee Hour Sine Nomine Choir 12:30 Black History Month program: “Taste of New Orleans” 3:00 Living Prayer leaders 5:00 Faith Leader Living Prayer class 6:00 The Group: Super Bowl party

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Report from the Pantry

It takes…

900 lbs of food, mostly bread and meat, from Save A Lot

4400 lbs of food (canned goods, produce, dairy and non-

perishables) from the Cleveland Food Bank

Boxes of bread and pastry from Heinen’s and On the Rise bakery

Fruit and vegetables from Zagara’s

To provide 150 people with food to take home

And it takes multiple donations of soup ingredients, salad, cornbread and

cake To feed 169 lunch guests

Thanks to Paul Jennings, Mike Glaros, Nick Baumgartner, Chuck

Sprague and Barb Cloud

for food pick-up and delivery

Thanks to all the pantry volunteers

Thanks to Beth Zych, head cook, and all the kitchen assistants

Thanks to Grace Uhle, Nancy Burcham and 20 table hosts

for set-up and providing hospitality

Thanks to Rosanna Sprague and Kathy Hanna-Stauffer

for registering the guests this week and every week

Thanks to the custodians for extra hours of clean-up time

The pantry needs donations of 16 and 24 oz container with tight lids,

and books and magazines to share with the guests.

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Lent 2016 at Forest Hill Church

Ash Wednesday: February 10

6:30 Dinner, 7:30 Worship

Communion and imposition of ashes

Wednesdays, February 17 – March 23

6:00 – 7:00 Drop-in Supper, 7:00 – 7:30 Worship

Black History Month Events

Sundays, February 7, 14, 21, 28 after worship

Saturday, February 27: Concert

5:30 Potluck Soul Food Dinner

6:30 Celebration of African-American Music

Holy Week: March 20 – 26

Maundy Thursday, March 24

6:30 Dinner, 7:30 Worship

Easter: March 27

Worship at 9 and 11 am