Rev. Jennifer Mills-Knutsen, Senior Minister Scott Stroman, Director of Worship and Music

A Christ-centered community of faith for all people, in the heart of this great city.

January 8, 2017

Preparing to Hear God’s Word

Gathering Song

Open Our Eyes, Lord Robert Cull Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus;

to reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him.

Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen; Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

Welcome

We Worship in Song As With Gladness Men of Old Pilgrim Hymnal 119

As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright;

so, most glorious Lord, may we evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed, there to bend the knee before Him whom heaven and earth adore;

so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare, at that manger rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy,

all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly King.

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah Pilgrim Hymnal 93 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim though this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand;

bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more, feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow; let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through;

strong deliverer, strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield, be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside; death of death, and hell's destruction, land me safe on Canaan's side;

songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee, I will ever give to thee.

Our Creed Stroman I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified and died.

He descended into Hell; on the third day he rose again. He ascended into heav’n, and is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

Call to Worship Leader: You are a child of God, an important part of this

interwoven universe. People: Help us care for each other and for all life. Leader: No person is an island, we all belong to God’s family. People: Help us to respect all people. Leader: We are amazed at the possibilities of each person’s life. People: Help us to show understanding and acceptance to all.

Bill Wallace Aotearoa, New Zealand

Prayer of Invocation O Lord of light, in this hour of worship, in this beautiful place, make pure our hearts, and we shall see thee. Reveal thyself to us, and we shall love

thee. Strengthen our wills, and we shall choose the good from the evil, and day by day manifest in the world the glory and power of thy blessed

Gospel, which thou has made known to us through thy Son Jesus Christ. I. Wayan Mastra, Bali

Passing the Peace of Christ

News of the Church

Hearing God’s Word

Scripture Reading Zena Martin Acts 10:34-36, 44-48

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all!

44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter asked, 47 “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” 48 He directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited Peter to stay for several days. (Common English Bible)

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Children’s Message

The Word in Music Liam Dunachie

Message Rev. Jennifer Mills-Knutsen God, Unbound

Responding to God’s Word

Song of Response Baptized and Set Free Cathy Skogen-Soldner

We are people created, chosen by God. Then we're washed, ever gently, in mercy and love.

Sin has power no more, Jesus opened the door to a fountain bringing healing and wholeness and more.

We are fed and we're nourished, filled and refreshed. Then our hunger returns and again we are blessed.

For whatever the need, God is greater indeed: endless ocean, always deeper than all of our need.

We are nourished by water, all living things, and by life that the Spirit abundantly brings.

As we journey toward home, may your presence be known: precious river, ever flowing, now carry us home.

Now with praise and thanksgiving, we join the song. All are welcome! We gather to sing loud and strong. Not enslaved, but set free! From now on, all will be

one in Jesus, one in water, baptized and set free!

Pastoral Prayer

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Offertory

Doxology Stroman All things come from you, O Lord, and of your own do we give you.

Song of Commitment Grace, Mercy and Peace Stroman

Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you, be unto you, grace, mercy and peace be unto you, unto you.

From the Father and Jesus our Lord, grace, mercy and peace be unto you.

The Blessing

Leading in today’s service are Liam Dunachie, Scott Stroman,

and Rev. Jennifer Mills-Knutsen.

Thanks to Sally Calimoso for hosting Fellowship Hour.

The flowers today are provided by Justin and Ryan Gozo: "We thank & praise God for the Birthday of our mom/grandma - Janet Reyes"

SECURITY NOTICE PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE BELONGINGS UNATTENDED

News of the Church

The Crèche is available for families with young children (0-3 years).

Concert for International Justice Mission Saturday, 28 January, 6:00 p.m. at AIC Anne Beitel Thomas and Keith Ford will be giving a chamber music concert at AIC in aid of IJM. The program is violin and piano chamber music—duos —specifically Brahms Sonata in No. 1 G, Op. 78 and Prokofiev Sonata No. 2 in D, Op. 94b. Afterwards there will be tea, coffee and juice, plus some cakes and snacks. There will be a retiring collection for International Justice Mission, one of the church’s designated charities. IJM is a human rights organisation that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and human trafficking, and brings the perpetrators to justice. Please join us for some beautiful music in aid of a good cause.

Cold Weather Shelter at AIC—In two weeks, we will begin welcoming guests every Wednesday night for our ninth year with the Community of Camden Churches Cold Weather Shelter. To accomplish this, we are in need of five volunteers to help out in the kitchen and have a meal with our guests during the dinner shift and two for the breakfast shift over the course of the eleven weeks that we will host the shelter. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jonathan at jonathan@amchurch.co.uk. If you are already trained up, you can sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0849abad23a3fa7-2017

Mission Prayer Focus

Palestinian Bible Society—We pray for the work of Bible Societies across the world, making sure people in every language have access to the holy scriptures. We pray especially for our partners in the Palestinian Bible Society as they continue to carry the Bible to Christians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

Annual General Meeting Sunday 22 January

immediately after worship

The membership of AIC will gather on 22 January to discuss the business of the church. There are several important items on the agenda, including the budget for 2017 and a restructuring of the church's charitable status. Please plan to attend to participate in the decision-making!

Sunday School—Adults gather at 9:45am, youth at 10am and children begin in worship before leaving to attend their own classes.

Flower Dedication—If you would like to donate flowers to the church on Sunday mornings (cost of £35), you can sign up during Fellowship Hour or contact the Church Office at info@amchurch.co.uk

AIC 20s & 30s Group—Are you under 40ish? Are you looking to meet new people, go deeper in faith and get connected to AIC? Join the newly forming AIC 20s & 30s group at one of their upcoming gatherings! E-mail jonathan@amchurch.co.uk to be added to the group e-mail list. They have two upcoming events:

Ladies Night Dinner, Wednesday 11 January, 7:00 p.m. Granger & Co. Stanley Building, 7 Pancras Square N1C 4A All ladies are welcome to the monthly ladies dinner for a night of fun and fellowship! Come as you are! (Budget: £15-20).

Beer & Bible Study, Tuesday 24 January, 7:30 p.m., location TBA Come enjoy a beer, food, and fellowship in what we hope becomes a monthly pub + Jesus bible study. No need to read anything beforehand. We'll read a passage from the Bible together, along with some historical context and discussion questions from The Hardest Question.

American International Church 79a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD

0207 580 2791 www.amchurch.co.uk info@amchurch.co.uk

A Congregation of the United Reformed Church

Tithes and Offerings If you prefer to give your tithes and offerings via bank transfer, you may do so with the following information: Beneficiary: The American Church in London Sort Code: 40-05-16 Account Number: 81651498 Please also note to email info@amchurch.co.uk so that we are able to track your donation. Thank you.

We are a Christian community, open to all people seeking Christ’s touch and blessing. A healthy church is built on Jesus Christ and expressed through fellowship, worship, discipleship and mission. And so as God’s church we live to fellowship sincerely, worship actively, grow in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus, and to offer ourselves in service to this community and the world. In worship we... Praise the Lord in song, Hear the Word of God proclaimed in preaching, Profess our faith in God as Father, Son and Spirit, Offer prayers of petition and thanks, Confess our sins and receive words of pardon, Share in the sacraments, communion and baptism, Give freely in support of the church’s work.

AIC Council Members Stuart Brown President Rob Thomas Treasurer

Richard Abbott Personnel and Facilities Elizabeth Johnson Secretary and Fellowship

Migdalia van der Hoven Communications Judith Chilcote Worship

R. Nelson At-Large