First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights A congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Organized in 1855

Heritage “Our desert experience may be…weariness, disappointment, loneliness, personal emptiness…the feeling that we have nothing to give….You just have to keep on keeping on in prayer. There are no paths in the desert except the ones you make by walking on them.” —Maria Boulding

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT FEBRUARY 22, 2015 11:00 AM 302 N. Dunton Avenue • Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847-255-5900 • www.fpcah.org • [email protected]

The prelude is your invitation to quiet preparation for the worship of Almighty God.

GATHERING AS GOD’S PEOPLE PRELUDE

“It Is Well with My Soul” David Schwoebel Chuck Beech, piano; Chris Urban, organ

WELCOME

Alex Lang

CALL TO WORSHIP One: Come to the Lord with openness, seeking God’s presence, whatever it brings. Bring doubts, bring belief. See the Lord and live.

HYMN 166

“Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days”

CALL TO CONFESSION

St. Flavian

Grace Martin

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Gracious God, we come before you in need of forgiveness and grace. You call us to trust in you completely, but we do not. We are timid and fearful as we follow your lead. We justify our actions and words, though we know they are not what you require. We struggle to understand the new life Christ offers, preferring old habits to risky change. Forgive us, we pray. Help us to commit our lives to the life of Christ, trusting that you have included us by grace in the family of faith. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION ...in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS RESPONSE (Hymn 551) Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.

PASSING THE PEACE One: The peace of Jesus Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us share the peace of Christ with one another.

COMMUNITY LIFE

Tai Zimmerman

HEARING GOD’S WORD PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION FIRST SCRIPTURE READING

Grace Martin Genesis 22:1-8 (Pew Bible, p. 15) Grace Martin The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God!

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING

Genesis 22:9-19 (Pew Bible, p. 16) Alex Lang The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God!

SERMON

“Here I Am”

Alex Lang

TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (The Apostles’ Creed) I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

HYMN 816

“If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee”

Den Lieben Gott

GIVING THANKS TO GOD OFFERING

Barbara Gorsky

OFFERTORY

“Lord, Here Am I” John Ness Beck “Master, Thou callest, I gladly obey; Only direct me, and I’ll find Thy way. Teach me the mission appointed for me, What is my labor, and where it shall be. Master, Thou callest, and this I reply, “Ready and willing, Lord, here am I.” Willing, my Savior, to take up the cross; Willing to suffer reproaches and loss; Willing to follow, If Thou but lead; Only support me With grace in my need. Master, Thou callest, and this I reply, “Ready and willing, Lord, here am I.” Living or dying, I still would be Thine, Yet I am mortal While Thou art divine. Pardon, whenever I turn from the right; Pity, and bring me again to the light. Master, Thou callest, and this I reply, “Ready and willing, Lord, here am I.” The Chancel Choir; Chuck Beech, piano

DOXOLOGY (Hymn 606) 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 THANKSGIVING

Barbara Gorsky

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION THE INVITATION THE THANKSGIVING One: All: One: All: One: All:

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give thanks and praise.

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.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION SERVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP (All baptized believers are invited to receive Holy Communion. Please partake of the bread as it is served. We will hold the cup and drink together. Gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free bread is available in a separate container on each tray.)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME HYMN 840

“When Peace like a River”

BENEDICTION POSTLUDE

Ville Du Havre

Alex Lang “Grand Chorus in B flat”

Theodore Dubois

Please stand as you are able. Preaching: Liturgist: Ushers:

Alex Lang Grace Martin Peter Bukowski (head usher), Bob Harrald, Frank Morrone, Kaori Ozaki, Kazue Sono Flowers: Rob and Nancy Lincoln—In loving memory of William F. Rieckhoff Pastors: Alex Lang, Tai Zimmerman Barbara Gorsky Director of Music Programs: Adam Hendr ickson Associate Director of Music—Adult Choirs: Alan Wellman Associate Director of Music and Organist: Chr is Ur ban

WELCOME, GUESTS! Thank you for worshiping with us this morning. Please sign the Friendship Pad and pass it along the pew, and introduce yourself to those around you after the service. Then stop by the Welcome Center in the Narthex to pick up information that will acquaint you with our church services and programs. If you have questions, members of the Welcomers Corps will be there to answer them. You are also invited to join the conversation on Facebook, at facebook.com/FPCAH, and Twitter, at @FirstPresAH. We look forward to connecting with you again. CHILD CARE Children of all ages are warmly welcomed and encouraged to participate in worship. Child care is available (infants through age four) in the Christian Education Wing (8:15 am – 12:15 pm). We encourage 3- and 4-year-olds to participate in Preschool Sunday School, offered from 9:45 to 10:45 am. CLASSES FOR ALL AGES From September through May, Sunday morning Christian education classes are held for all ages. These include classes for preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school students, as well as education and discussion groups for adults. Children’s and youth education, as well as adult classes, take place from 9:45 to10:45 am. Check the adult education brochure for course titles, dates, and times. To learn more, visit fpcah.org or call the church office at 847-2555900. SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Large print bulletins, large print hymnals, and hearing amplifiers are available from the ushers. WORSHIP BAGS Worship bags for young worshipers (ages 3-12 years) are available outside the Sanctuary and in the Chapel. The bags contain items designed to guide active participation in the service and learning about worship. Please return the bags to the basket as you leave. IMPORTANT WORSHIP REMINDERS Please silence cell phones and refrain from taking photos or recording worship services. A weekly webcast of the 11:00 am service is available at fpcah.org/ webcast. Audio CD recordings of 11:00 am worship are available in the church office. To download a podcast of today’s sermon, visit the Worship page at fpcah.org.