Collingswood Presbyterian Church

September 29, 2019

19th Sunday after Pentecost

30 Fern Avenue, Collingswood, New Jersey 08108

Telephone: 856-854-4523

Website: www.collingswoodpres.com

E-mail: collspres@verizon.net

The Rev. Dr. Robert Higgs, Pastor

William Powell, Director of Music

Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education

Janis Danielewicz, Secretary

Paul Ciarrochi, Church Caretaker

COLLINGSWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

September 29, 2019 16th Sunday after Pentecost

ASSEMBLING IN GOD’S NAME

Theme for the Day

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful

than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love

is stronger than death.” Robert Fulghum

Prelude Welcome and Announcements We welcome you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Please sign the guest book in the narthex so we can send you a welcome packet.

Prayer Joys and Concerns Please raise your hand to share your joys or concerns to be included in the prayers of the people this day. Please mail a prayer card from the narthex to your loved one. Centering Music

(Please stand for items marked with an asterisk. GTG is the purple “Glory to God” hymnal. STF is the “Sing the Faith” smaller blue hymnal)

Call to Worship Leader: The word has come for us from God: People: who promises to shelter us under the wings of hope and grace. Leader: The word has come to us from Jesus: People: who encourages us to remember the good news we have received. Leader: The word flows to us from the Spirit: People: who reminds us to place our hope and trust in God. Leader: With prayer and praise, in scripture and in song, together let us worship the Living God! *Hymn - “” GTG# tune - Call to Confession Leader: In God's presence, our lives are exposed, our words are shown for their hollowness, our need is revealed. Let us confess who we are, as we ask God to embrace us with grace and hope. Please join me as we pray: Prayer of Confession (unison) All: We need to confess, God of Abraham and Lazarus, how often we are not content with the simple gifts and lives you offer. Tempted by everything, we can become insensitive to those who have nothing. Encouraged by the world to accumulate more, we may miss the chance to gather your goodness and godliness. Chasing after all which has no value, we may not have the energy to pursue the faith, the love, the gentleness you have for us. Forgive us, God of Reversals. You have sent the One who speaks the words we need to listen to in order to have life. Help us to remember how you have redeemed us, and in remembering, may we make that good confession that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, now and forever. (time for silent meditation and confession)

*Words of Assurance Leader: This is the good news that comes from God: I will hear your prayers, I will answer with hope and peace, I will deliver you from your sins. People: God has covered us with grace; under God's hope we will find shelter. Thanks be to God. Amen. *Congregational Response “Glory Be to the Father” GTG #581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. *Sharing of the Peace Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

Children’s Call & Message - “Come All Ye Children” All children are invited to come play drums during the song Prayer of Illumination Leader: Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen. Gospel Luke 16:19-31 ̀ (page 954) Leader: The Gospel of the Lord People: Praise to You, O Christ.

The Psalter

Psalm 91

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, abide under the shad-ow of the Almighty. You shall say to the Lord, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust." God shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter and from the deadly pestilence. God's pinions will cover you, and you shall find refuge under the wings of the Lord, whose faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler. R You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day; Of the plague that stalks in the darkness, nor of the sick-ness that lays waste at mid-day. A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Your eyes have only to behold to see the reward of the wicked. R Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your habitation, there shall no evil happen to you, You shall tread upon the lion and adder; neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. R For God shall give the holy angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and adder; you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet. R Because they are bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver them; I will protect them, because they know my name. They shall call upon me, and I will answer them; I am with them in trouble; I will rescue them and bring them to honor. With long life will I satisfy them, and show them my salvation. R All: O God, to know you is to live, to serve you is to reign. Defend us from every enemy, that, trusting in your protective care, we may have no fear; through the power of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Musical Meditation Second Reading - Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 (page 722) Leader: The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God. Sermon - “The Audacity of Hope” Rev. Dr. Robert Higgs

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Hymn - “” GTG # tune - Statement of Faith - PCUSA Brief Statement of Faith In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus 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 pro claimed 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 broken- hearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. 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.

Minute for Mission Prayers of the People Leader: We pray to you, O God: People: Hear our Prayer

THE EUCHARIST (Gratitude) OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Call to Stewardship Leader: May our gifts this day go to serve those who need healing, those who are hungry, those who need a friend or community, and those who are on the other side of that chasm we call indifference. We may not always notice them, but you do, and so we pray that they might be touched by your grace and hope. Do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Offertory *Doxology - “Praise God, from Whom All Blessing Flow” GTG #606 Praise God, from whom all blessing flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. (continued on next page)

Prayer of Thanksgiving (continued) Leader: Eternal God, creator of the world and giver of all good, we thank you for the earth, our home, and for the gift of life. We praise you for your love in Jesus Christ, who came to heal this broken world, who died rejected on the cross and rose triumphant from the dead. Because he lives, we live to praise you, our God forever. People: Gracious God, who called us from death to life, we give ourselves to you; and with the church through all ages we thank you for your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Leader: Now let us pray for God's rule on earth as Jesus taught us: Lord’s Prayer All: 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.

SENDING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

*Closing Hymn - “” GTG # tune- *Charge and Benediction

Choral Benediction Chancel Choir Postlude

Go Forward and Serve! Be a part of God’s work through CPC

Please join us in the Lounge for coffee and fellowship time.

Thank you for your service!

Worship Leader: Bill Ostrem Greeters/Ushers: Flowers: The flowers are given today by Candace Lowden In honor of the wedding of Kimberly Lowden & Michael Roberts married on Saturday, September 28th.

If you are going into the hospital or would like a pastoral visit from our new Pastor, Rev. Dr. Bob Higgs, please call

or have a family member call the church office at 856-854-4523

In a pastor emergency, you may call or text Rev. Higgs at 609-226-6678.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

We would like to welcome our visitors. We are glad to have you here and hope you will feel as if you are among family. Children are welcome to remain in the service. There are activity bags and children’s bulletins available in the Narthex.

Large print bulletins and hymnals are available for your convenience. If you have difficulty hearing, personal amplifiers are available in the narthex.

PLEASE BRING THE HEARING AIDS BACK TO THE DEACON OF THE DAY.

We also provide a nursery for children– infants through age three (3). Our nursery worker is Jenny Calderone.

Our Children’s Church program for children ages Pre-K through 5th grade begins following the Children’s Sermon. They will return during communion.

ATTENTION "GROWN FOLKS" of all ages! TEA & TALK returns at a NEW TIME 6:30 - 8:00 pm! TEA & TALK was created for "mature grownups" 55+ - or whatever your particular age might be! Our new time allows us to get together over a meal, some tea or coffee, play a game, hear some music, get creative with a craft or ser-vice project and share some conversation. Held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, the group will be kicking off the season on October 16th with a pizza and ice cream Social. Free of charge! Handicap accessible.

Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack October 25-27 at the Cherry Hill Armory. We will be reserving 20 packing spots this year and hope to fill them. There will be a sign up in the narthex starting 9/8. There are jobs for all ages 5 and up. We will reserve times on both Saturday and Sunday. Also there are two fundraising events coming up. On September 21 FMSC is hosting a Hoedown at First Presbyterian Church in Haddonfield and a “Run” in Haddonfield on September 28th. If you are interested in either event call Karen Mazak 856-979-8419. More information to come.

We are seeking members who would like to assist with fund raising for our congregation. Anyone with creative ideas or a willingness to help is welcome. If you are interested or want to know more, please contact Bill Ostrem (william.ostrem@gmail.com).

Following Coffee Hour In the Lounge

Lead by Dan Graves

Noisy Collection Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord!!

The children take this extra collection asking people to put their change into the collection cans,

the last Sunday of the month. The noisy collection this month is for Feed My Staving Children

2019 Flower Dedications

October 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th are still available for flower dedications.

Please sign up!

If you would like to reserve a special date to dedicate the flowers which are used to decorate the Sanctuary in honor or memory of a loved one, use the book or contact Janis in the church office. The

cost is $20. Please make checks payable to: Collingswood Presbyterian Church

September 29th Youth Meeting 6:00 pm September 30th Deacon’s Meeting 7:00 pm

Peace & Global Witness Offering The Peace & Global Witness Offering encourages the church to em-brace our reconciling God’s mission with those around the corner and around the world, to be active peacemakers – at all times in all ways. Your gift enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Special envelopes are in the pew racks and in the narthex. Please consider filling an envelope and placing it in the offering plate. How will your gift be used? Our congregation retains 25% to support programs working for Christ's peace. Another 25% goes to our Presbytery and Synod ministries of peace and reconciliation and the remaining 50% is used by the PCUSA Mission Agency to advo-cate for peace and justice. The offering will be dedicated during our worship service on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 6th.

Our Next Meeting of “That One Youth Group” will be TONIGHT September 29th at 6 pm. We will be planning our next project; planning a social outing and we will talk about participating in worship on October 20th. (More to come on that) Can’t wait to see you all…Oh and

of course there will be snacks!!! Also, SAVE THE DATE… We will be start-ing a new Bible Study for Youth 6th Grade -12th on the Second Sunday of every month…We are calling it “Second Sunday Bible Bash”. Our First Meeting will be Sun-day, October 13th!!! If you are a young person aged 3rd grade through 12th (or know such a person) who would like to get involved, please contact Gretchen Kolecki our Director of Christian Education at grkolecki@gmail.com If you have not done so already, please join our Youth Group Face-book Page: Collingswood Presbyterian Youth Group. It is a good way to keep in touch and up to date on youth group info and activi-ties. YOUTH THIS MEANS YOU TOO!

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CPC THIS WEEK

Sun 9/29 10:30 am - Worship Mon 9/30 7:00 pm - Board of Deacons Wed 9/25 5:30 - 6:15 Advanced Youth Bell Choir Practice 6:30 - 7:15 Intermediate Choir Practice 7:15 pm Adult Bell Choir Practice Sun 10/6 10:30 am - Worship

WEEKLY

Meditation 6:15 - 8:15 Monday

Al-Anon

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Wednesday

This week in Sunday School we will be going out and cleaning up the neighborhood. Please wear shoes and clothes that allow the children to pick up trash etc. We will have gloves and will wash our hands after. Also, if you have a child in Sunday School, please join our Facebook page: Collingswood Presbyterian Church Sunday School.

KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS Those who serve in government, our military personnel, those who work in other countries, and our country, our president, and our leaders.

Those at home or in care facilities Robert Johnson

Eleanor Kelley

Prayer Requests Ray Burns Bob Burns Bob Marks David Kolecki Ruth Hanson Selah Karkan Julia Kline Marion Mills Kathy Moran Julia Woods Ruth Harris Gail Harris Maureen Baggett Catherine Tumminia Frankie Trout Melissa Wolfe Please pick up a prayer card in the narthex

and mail it to these loved ones for whom we pray.

Rev. Debby Brincivalli & Staff of West Jersey Presbytery First Presbyterian Church on Maurice River, Millville, NJ

Our PCUSA mission in Haiti Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Church, Cardenas, Cuba

Njikob Presbyterian Church, Cameroon

If you are going into the hospital or would like a pastoral visit, please call

or have a family member call the church office or one of the deacons or elders. If you don’t call, we are going to assume you don’t want a visit!

Please remember to fill out a new pink form. with each update for the prayer list.

CHURCH STAFF AND OFFICERS - 2019 Rev. Dr. Robert Higgs, Pastor

William Powell, Director of Music Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education

Janis Danielewicz, Church Secretary Paul Ciarrochi, Church Caretaker

Maryann Kelly, Bookkeeper THE SESSION

(Meets first Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.) Karen Mazak, Clerk of Session

Candace Lowden, President, Board of Trustees Barbara Bockmann, Financial Secretary & Treasurer

BOARD OF DEACONS

(Meets fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.) Moderator Vice-Moderator Secretary Treasurer

Class of 2020 Class of 2021

Jennifer Giordano Shawn Ellis Martha Jane Caldwell-Bates

Lorrie Heuser Daniel Graves Candace Lowden

Carol Longmire Bill Ostrem

Committees of Session Chair

Christian Education Carol Longmire

Finance and Stewardship

Memorials Candace Lowden

Mission and Outreach Martha Jane Caldwell-Bates

Personnel Dan Graves

Property Shawn Ellis

Worship and Arts Lorrie Heuser

Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021

Lilianna Stevens Susan Wilson Dennis Kolecki

Tom Wolfe Aurora Sperlunto

Megan Standring

Carol Fulton

Our Vision Statement (What we want to be)

We seek to become:

A church that witnesses to the community

and the world by sharing and demonstrating our relationship

with Christ.

A church that encourages all people to know God’s great love

revealed in Jesus Christ.

A church that faithfully listens for God’s will for our lives and

our community

A community of God that is an open, inviting, caring family of

faith where all are embraced, accepted and loved.

Our Mission Statement

(How we will accomplish this vision)

The Collingswood Presbyterian Church Congregation, as part of the

Christian Church, Presbyterian Church USA, is called to Worship and

Serve the Lord by:

Constantly seeking renewal through God’s Grace and Wisdom.

Welcoming and reaching out to all of God’s community.

Providing for education in Christian and Presbyterian principles

Ministering to everyone through community and worldwide

mission.

Sharing the Christian message as expressed in the Gospel.