Trinity Sunday

May 26, 2013

Our Mission

In common with all churches we seek to:

Worship God

Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures

Develop community

Offer nurture through the pastoral care giving of our members and staff

We call people to a life of:

Discipleship

Stewardship

Spiritual development

As a faith community we seek to be:

An inviting church

Offering hospitality and

Encouragement to people in search of God.

Our Vision

We will organize our church as a center for:

Spiritual development

Music and the arts

Urban mission

Ecumenical cooperation

Our Objectives

We have some unique opportunities due to our Germantown location and

congregational history. These include:

Providing special programs for children and families in the local community

Building a healthy, diverse congregation

Developing an urban mission

Developing a ministry of music and the arts

Using our building and endowment creatively and responsibly

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown logo seen on the cover of this bulletin represents the mul-

tifaceted life of our energized congregation. The cross on the left symbolizes our Living Lord – the foun-

dation upon which we build our faith. The harp in the yellow square represents our rich musical heritage,

for we enjoy celebrating the gift of music in worship, workshops, and concerts. It is important for us to

share music with our community. The dove symbolizes serving – offering educational and mission oppor-

tunities through our many outreach activities. People – active and joy-filled – are represented in the red

square on the right. We welcome all people to this church. We are a diverse congregation of many racial,

ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are, indeed, alive, spirit-filled, and caring.

The colors are reflective of the beautiful stained glass windows of the church. In fact, the colors of the

logo were taken directly from The Christmas Window– “Thy light is come” made by Nicola D’Ascenzo

and seen in the southwest corner of the nave.

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown –

Alive, Celebrating & Serving the Living Lord!

May 26, 2013 Trinity Sunday

Celebration Sunday

ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM

GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY

Prelude: Hymn Sing

Welcome and Announcements

†*Congregational Introit 2166: Christ Beside Me (From Sing the Faith) BUNESSAN

†*Call to Worship

Leader: Let us praise God, creator of all that is.

People: Let us praise Christ, blessed redeemer.

Leader: Let us praise Spirit, sustaining breath of life.

People: Three in one and one in three. Holy Mystery.

†*Hymn 138: Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty NICEA

(Please bring your donations for the Food Cupboard and Cents-Ability forward during this hymn.)

CONFESSING OUR SINS TO GOD

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession (unison)

Loving God, you created the heavens and the earth, making everything

good—even glorious. Jesus Christ, Light of the world, our Savior: you

have made us your brothers and sisters and commissioned us to bear

your name out into the world. Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Guide:

you enlighten us with wisdom to know what is right and humility to

make this confession: that we have been poor stewards of the earth,

clumsy and spiritless disciples, unjust in our dealings with others, divid-

ed in our witness and devotion to you. Forgive us, triune God. By your

grace and love and fellowship

Silent Meditation

Assurance of Pardon

___________________ *congregation standing

† latecomers may be seated

IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK SILENTLY TO

GOD. AT THE CLOSE OF THE SERVICE LET US GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH CHEERFULNESS.

PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS TURNED OFF DURING WORSHIP.

†*Congregational Response 140: Holy, Holy (Verse 3) HOLY, HOLY

Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,

We’re so glad that you’ve redeemed us, precious Jesus;

And we lift our hearts before You as a token of our love,

Precious Jesus, precious Jesus.

†* Sharing the Peace of Christ

Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.

People: And also with you.

(As worshipers, we come from diverse experiences and points of view. We have differ-

ent racial, educational, and economic backgrounds. Yet we are all one in Christ. We

symbolize this as we exchange with one another, by words and gestures, signs of peace

and reconciliation such as, “The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.”)

Children’s Choir: No Mountain High Enough Charles Kirby There is no mountain high enough, No river wide enough, No ocean deep enough to separate

me from God. No desert dry enough, No jungle thick enough, No darkness black enough to

keep me from my Lord. There is no mountain high enough, No river wide enough, No ocean

deep enough to separate me from God. No king is great enough, no army large enough, no

power strong enough to keep me from my Lord. There is no mountain high enough, No river

wide enough, No ocean deep enough to separate me from God.

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

Prayer for Illumination Jason Greene, reader

The First Lesson Psalm 8

Leader: O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

aa You have set your glory above the heavens.

People: Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bul-

aa wark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.

Leader: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon a

aa and the stars that you have established;

People: what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals

aaa that you care for them?

Leader: Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them

a with glory and honor.

People: You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;

aaa you have put all things under their feet,

Leader: all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,

People: the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along

the paths of the seas.

All: O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the

aaaa earth!

Leader: God’s Word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path.

People: Thanks be to God!

Choir: Sanctus Charles Gounod

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.

Hosanna in excelsis. Amen

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Hosanna in highest. Amen

The Second Lesson Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our

Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in

which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not

only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces

endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our

hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Leader: God we thank you for your Word;

People: The story of your grace.

*Hymn 132: Come, Great God of All the Ages ABBOT’S LEIGH

Sermon: THE MYSTERY OF THE TRINITY Reverend Dr. Nancy E. Muth

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

*Affirmation of Faith: The Brief Statement of Faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Je-

sus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust

in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and

serve.

We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the

reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives,

teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and

binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and

calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blas-

phemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human

pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised Jesus from the

dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, deliv-

ering us from death to life eternal.

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God

created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image male

and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we re-

bel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s command–

aaa

ments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as

truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet en-

trusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with

justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of

Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the

earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the

house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the

covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a fa-

ther who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of

life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept

ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all be-

lievers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who in-

spired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through

Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the wa-

ters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and

calls women and men to all ministries of the church. In a broken and fear-

ful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness

among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in

Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to

work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, em-

powered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to

live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God's new heaven and new

earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or

in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayers of the People

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 forever. Amen.

Offering of Our Gifts and Lives

Offertory: Sing Praise to the Lord Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry Setting by Robert A. Hobby

Sing praise to the Lord! Sing praise in the height; rejoice in God’s word you angels of light; O

heavens, adore Him by whom you were made, and worship before Him, in brightness arrayed.

Sing praise to the Lord! Sing praise upon earth, in tuneful accord, all you of new birth; O praise

Him who brought you His grace from above; O praise Him who taught you to sing of His love.

O praise to the lord, all things that give sound; each jubilant chord, reecho around; Loud or-

gans, His glory tell out in deep tone, and trumpets, the story of what God had done. Sing praise

to the Lord! Thanksgiving and song to God be outpoured all ages along; for love in creation,

for heaven restored, for grace and salvation, sing praise to the Lord!

*Congregational Response 592: Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

*Hymn 2223: They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love ST. BRENDAN’S

(From Sing the Faith)

*Charge and Benediction

*Congregational Response 432: Song of Hope ARGENTINA

May the God of hope go with us every day,

Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.

May the God of justice speed us on our way,

Bringing light and hope to every land and race.

Praying, let us work for peace, singing, share our joy with all,

Working for a world that’s new, faithful when we hear Christ’s call.

*Postlude: Prelude and Fugue in a-minor Johann Sebastian Bach

WELCOME: If you are visiting with us today, please sign the Fellowship Pad at the

end of your pew. We pray the hour will be meaningful to you and you will come and

worship with us again. Everyone is cordially invited to a time of fellowship in the

Longstreth Auditorium following the worship service.

TODAY’S GREETERS: Veda Gibbs, Denise Cowie, Joan Blake. Next week’s

Greeters will be: Lois Nafziger, Jean Swenson, Pete Smith.

IN MEMORIAM

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of

Joanne Stroh

PRAYERS FOR FIRST CHURCH: Each Sunday members are invited to meet at

9:40 AM in the Westside Room to offer prayers for the life of our church. We believe

that if an in-depth study of God's Word is coupled with fervent prayer, the Lord will

bring about a great revival in our church. Everyone is welcome.

CHALLENGE OFFERING - CDF FREEDOM SCHOOL: The Children’s

Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School® is a child-centered program that motivates

children to excel, strengthens their feelings of self worth and lets them know that they

are loved and valued by caring adults. A focus on reading guides the activities along

with the traditional experiences of summer camp. Bible study, swimming, crafts and

trips! We need your help to meet the $75,000 budget to operate the program 7:30AM –

6PM, for seven weeks beginning June 24 through August 9. Parents pay an affordable

$45 per week ($315 for seven weeks;) however, no child is turned away because of in-

ability to pay the fee. Partner with us as we help keep our children safe this summer

while strengthening their cognitive and life skills through this engaging program. The

actual program cost per child is $1500. Transportation cost for one local venue is $300

or $400 with admission to the venue. Daily snack cost, $40. Your financial support will

help in many ways whether you sponsor a child’s weekly fees or pay for transportation

for a trip or give what you can to help us meet our budget. Know that your investment

will have an impact on the life of a child.

OPERATION CLEAN UP GERMANTOWN! Today after worship and coffee hour

volunteers are needed to help pick up trash along Chelten Avenue between German-

town Avenue and Greene Street. Trash bags will be provided. Be a part of this visible

demonstration to the community that First Church cares about Germantown.

BREAD AND CUP: FPCG’s own Gospel Choir will be the headliners of the June 2

Bread and Cup Coffeehouse from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. If you’ve ever wanted to hear

them in concert, here’s your chance! Also, although they may need no introduction to

those of us who’ve been blessed by their contribution to our worship, this is a wonder-

ful opportunity to introduce them to your friends and neighbors who may worship else-

where, or those who don’t have a church home. In addition to the gospel choir, we’ll

have our time of open microphone for others to share their performing arts gifts, and a

hospitality table to receive your culinary arts gifts. This is the last Bread and Cup until

the fall, so bring a friend or make a new one at Bread and Cup!

SUMMER CHOIR: Beginning Sunday, June 9, 2013, Summer Choir will

begin. The music will be quite a bit easier for the Summer months. Come and

join us when you can. Rehearsals begin at 8:45 AM each Sunday to prepare the

music for that day. For more information contact David Daugherty, Director of

Music.

THE PHILADELPHIA PRESBYTERY invites you to a night at the Please Touch

Museum on Thursday, June 20, 6:00 – 9:00PM. Come see what is happening at the

Please Touch Museum at its new location in Fairmount Park. This event is open to all

ages. Take the kids or see for yourself how much fun they have been having without

you! Tickets are an unbelievable $12.50 which includes free parking, a $5.00 food

voucher and unlimited carousel rides. For more information visit the Presbytery’s web

site www.presbyterianPTMnight.eventbrite.com or see Dani Howard at coffee hour.

AN AFTERNOON AT THE THEATER: Join the Congregational Development

and Fellowship Committee for a day in Lancaster, Saturday, October 12 for a perfor-

mance of the musical Noah at the Sight & Sound Theatre. Noah begins at 1:00PM and

will be followed by dinner (Family Style or Buffet) at a location to be announced later.

Tickets are limited! Make your reservation now with a $10.00 per ticket deposit. Tickets

prices: Adults - $85.00, Teens - $55.00, Children - $40.00. Transportation will be pro-

vided. Ticket sales end Sunday, June 22. See Dani Howard at coffee hour or email her at

danihoward@verizon.net for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Financial aid through the

First Church General Scholarship Fund

is available to qualified undergraduate

and graduate students for the coming school year

2013-2014

Interested students who have been accepted at an

accredited school may obtain an application by calling

David Daugherty 215-843-8811, Extension 21

Completed applications must be returned to the church office

on or before Saturday, June 15, 2013

Attn: Scholarship Committee

Incomplete applications will not be considered

NOTES

WINDOW ON THE WEEK

Sunday, May 26 Celebration Sunday

8:45 AM Chancel Choir

9:40 AM Power of Prayer—Westside Room

10:00 AM Worship Service

11:00 AM Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium

11:30 AM Operation Clean Up Germantown

11:30 AM Adult Education

11:30 AM Confirmation Class

11:30 AM Sunday School

11:30 AM Gospel Choir—Sanctuary

Monday, May 27 Memorial Day

Church Offices Closed

Tuesday, May 28

Wednesday, May 29

4:00 PM Keystone State Boychoir—Music Room

6:30 PM Line Dancing—Longstreth Auditorium

Thursday, May 30

6:00 PM Gospel Choir—Sanctuary

7:30 PM Voices in Bronze—Westside Room

Friday, May 31

12:00 PM Gaudenzia House Banquet-Set Up

2:30 PM Drop-in-Center-Gym

Saturday, June 1

8:15 AM Keystone State Boychoir

10:00 AM Open Gym

Sunday, June 2

8:45 AM Chancel Choir

9:40 AM Power of Prayer—Westside Room

10:00 AM Worship Service

11:00 AM Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium

11:10 AM Children’s Choir

11:30 AM Adult Education

11:30 AM Confirmation Class

11:30 AM Sunday School

11:30 AM Gospel Choir—Sanctuary

11:30 AM New Members Lunch

4:00 PM Bread and Cup

Church Officers

Elders

2013 2014 2015

Denise Cowie Jack Asher Sherry Archer

Lois Nafziger Daniel Conner Carolyn Ballard-Freeman

Peter Smith Contina Lundy Joanne Elliott

Ted Walkenhorst Jack Roberts Robert Swenson

Faith Wolford Irene Overton Madeline Valentine

William Young, Jr.,

Clerk of Session

Deacons

2013 2014 2015

Joan Blake Robert Archer Sarah Andrews

Jean Swenson Susan Mills-Farrington Donald Carlin

Rosy Walkenhorst Gene Gardenhire Ruth Cato

David Wolford Rossie Gardenhire Veda Gibbs

Delores Solomon Evadney Miller

Pastor

Director of Adult Education and Community Life

Director of Urban Ministry

Director of Music and Communication

Director of Christian Education

Parish Visitor

Church Administrative Assistant

Sextons

Seminarian

The Reverend Dr. Nancy E. Muth

The Reverend Kevin L. Porter

Eileen Jones

David Daugherty

Christian Heyer-Rivera

Heidi Mercado-Littles

Brent Haddix

Illya Pasture, Valient Solomon , Harold Whaley

.