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Today's guest speaker is Don Herschell.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Choir Introit ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 121 L: I lift up my eyes to the hills — from where will my help come? P: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. L: God will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. P: He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. L: The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. P: The sun shall not strike us by day, nor the moon by night. L: The Lord will keep you from all evil; God will keep your life. P: The Lord will keep our going out and our coming in from this time on and forevermore. All: Let us worship God. INVOCATION Don Herschell
HYMN “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above” #645
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) You call us to become pilgrims, to follow you in a journey of faith. We would find it easier to follow when not so much is at stake. But you promise that you will be with us and that our needs will be met. You lead us into unfamiliar places, asking that we trust in your will. Yet we cling to our possessions, trusting in them for security instead. O God, your way is challenging when we choose to be complacent. You make great demands; we are anxious and uncertain. Have mercy upon us and forgive our hesitant steps toward the promise. We ask this in the name of Christ, our Savior. * Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT The Word of God Prayer for illumination Scripture readings: Genesis 12:1-4a John 3:1-17 Debbie Mary L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God! Sermon: “A MATTER OF TRUST” Responding to the Word HYMN “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” #829 * Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology (Hymnal page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer HYMN “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service” #761 *Choir *Benediction Postlude Bob Senay *Please stand if able
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Today's guest speaker is Sarah Angelo.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Bob Senay Introit Choir Thy Word Is a Lamp unto My Feet # 458 ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 32) L.: Let all God’s people come. P: We will lift our voices to the Lord. L: God says, “I will teach you the way you should go.” ALL: So, we will listen and follow God’s way. INVOCATION Sarah Angelo
* HYMN O Worship the King, All Glorious Above # 41
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Most merciful God, whose Son Jesus Christ was tempted in every way, yet without sin, we confess before You that we have sinned; we have hungered after that which does not satisfy; we have compromised with evil; we have doubted Your power to protect us. Forgive our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness. Restore in us such love and trust that we may walk in your ways and delight in doing Your will. * Time of silent prayer *Assurance of Pardon Friends, by the grace of God, you and I have been forgiven of our sins and invited to a renewed life with our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ! Amen! *Response – Gloria Patri (Hymnal page 581) *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. CHILDREN’S CHAT Prayer for Illumination Scripture reading Don Herschell Old Testament; Genesis 2: 15-17; 3: 1-7 New Testament; Matthew 4: 1-11 L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God! Sermon “ WILDERNESS SURVIVAL “ *HYMN O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go # 833 *Apostles Creed (copy next to prayer list) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory Bob Senay *Doxology (Hymnal page 606) *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN In the Cross of Christ I Glory # 213 *Choir Give Thanks # 647 *Benediction Postlude Bob Senay
BIRTHDAYS: David Gill, Bryan Welling, Marlene McFeely
ANNIVERSARYS: John & Rosemary Cole SYMPATHYS: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Remember our food Collection. And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the Community that may be in need at this time. Anyone wanting to join our new choir can do so by coming to the church during Sunday School hour. The choir rehearsal starts at 10:45 downstairs. All those interested are greatly appreciated. Starting March 5, 2023, we will be starting cover dish dinners after church. They will continue thru May 7th. Make your favorite dish to bring!! If you have any joys and concerns you want in the bulletin, please call, text, or email me. My email is tootie2403@gmail.com Please let me know by Wednesday night so I can get them in Sunday’s bulletin. Thanks, Diana
LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES
EACH SUNDAY AT 4 PM Again this Lenten season you are invited to worship and fellowship with neighbors in a series of Sunday Afternoon Services for Lent. The 2023 Theme is Turning Points. Guest preachers will draw upon the accounts of persons in the Gospel of John – people who experienced significant life-change because of Christ Jesus and the impact that He had upon them. Come for the worship and fellowship! Feb 26 Taylorstown Presbyterian Church 4:00 PM Rev. Dr. Jerome Creach, preaching Rev. Craig Kephart, liturgist Those in the Temple marketplace, John 2:2-25 Mar 5 West Alexander Presbyterian Church 4:00 PM Student Clayton LaPosta, preaching Ruling Elder Don Herschell, liturgist Nicodemus, John 3:1-13 Mar 12 North Buffalo U.P. Church 4:00 PM Ruling Elder Cody Rogers preaching ______________________, liturgist The Woman at the Well, John 4:5ff Mar 19 Grove U.P. Church, West Middletown 4:00 PM Rev. Renny Domske, preaching Ruling Elder Diana Smith, liturgist Judas Iscariot, John 13:21-30 Mar 26 U.P. Church of Claysville – Worship and Music by ONE VOICE ministry Apr 2 Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church 4:00 PM Rev. Terry Lucarelli, preaching. Ruling Elder Dale Rush, liturgist The Disciple Simon Peter, John 21:4-19 All services are at 4 p.m. The offering will be given to the McGuffey Food Pantry. As the host congregation for March 12, North Buffalo has been asked to provide greeters, an accompanist, ushers to collect the offering and at least two volunteers to count and record the offering in cash and checks, to record the total and to turn over the offering to a designated presbytery volunteer. At Easter, all of the offerings will be given to the food pantry. Those interested in serving in one of these roles should contact a member of our worship and music committee. Each church has also been asked to ensure that the speaker system is in good working order and to provide a fellowship space and light refreshments after the service. The presbytery will provide bulletins for each afternoon’s service.
CONTINUING PRAYER LIST
Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Elaine Belcascro, Sandy Stone, Matt Petrola, Nancy Hepinger, Sarah Wilson, Bill Poland, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Evelyn Wood, Brandon Bell, Ricci Amos, Nancy Diaz, Gianna Perry, Tiffany Cipoletti, Diane Anderson, Jim Durila, Tim Taylor, Suzy Smith, Ed Horne, Helen Provenzano, Jean Westfall, Lori Doxtator Walker, Ruth Buterbaugh, Carol Knabenshue, Mike Diedier, Richard Wagner, Ruby Hathaway, Nellie Baker, Janet Rhoades, Ed Caffrey, Billie Wilson, Jeff Durila, Ron Westfall, Taylor Shrontz Kopacko, Heather Waltz Simpson, Betty Fisher, Jean Kuhn
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns together. Take some time to think about the past week. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, use this prayer from the Church of England to get started.
Living God,
deliver us from a world without justice and a future without mercy; in your mercy, establish justice, and in your justice, remember the mercy revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Genesis 35:22b-26; 38:24-26; 49:10-12.
Good morning!
We’re so glad you decided to join us for Sunday School today!
When we meet together, we share our joys and concerns. Consider this past week. If you have any prayer requests you would like to share, please add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, get started with the prayer below (source).
God,
we’re so grateful to be able to meet here together and be in your presence today. We know it’s a gift. Help us never lose sight of that. While we’re here together studying Your Word (the Bible) we ask that You’d open our ears and our hearts to whatever it is You are wanting to teach us. Help us to see things through Your eyes and not the lens of our own understanding. We want to know You more, God. Thank you for showing us who You are and helping us understand and walk in Your love. What we learn today we want to act on. Don’t let it become mere head knowledge. Shape our minds, hearts, and actions according to Your word. Show us how to honor you and love others well with what we learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This week’s lesson is on Genesis 25:19b-34.
God provided Abraham and Sarah with a son Isaac. However, Abraham would have other sons by other women. Hagar, a servant of wife Sarah gave birth to Ishmael. After Sarah died, Abraham took another wife, Keturah, who bore him other sons. However, Abraham held Isaac in the highest regard. Isaac eventually married Rebekah. Abraham sent a servant to his ancestral homeland to find a wife for Isaac when Isaac was forty years old because Abraham did not want his son to marry a Canaanite woman. Together they settled in the southern part of Canaan, near the Sinai Peninsula.
Although Isaac found a suitable wife that’s was no guarantee regarding the continuation of the family line. Infertility had also affected Isaac mother Sarah. Both generations had to depend on God’s power in order to conceive. Isaac’s prayers were answered and Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other with in her, and she ask the Lord, “What is happening to me?” The Lord’s response, “Two nations are in your womb, and two people from within you will be separated ; one people will be stronger that the other and the older will serve the younger.” The right or inheritance of the firstborn was a crucial element of the ancient Near East’s social and legal systems. The Lord overturn this and told Rebekah that her youngest son would have greatest status and acclaim than the second child. The first born son came out hairy and red and was named Esau. The second son came out holding Esau’s heel and was named Jacob. The boys grew up and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Isaac who loved wild game love Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. This favoritism will be repeated years later with Jacob with his son Joseph. Issac love for Esau and his hunting would be a factor in how Jacob and Rebekah plotted against Esau and Isaac regarding the father’s blessing. Esau came in from the open country and was famished and asked for some of the stew that Jacob was making. Jacob said he would give him the stew if Esau would sell him his birthright. The firstborn’s birthright would include a double portion of the father’s estate. Isaac was a wealthy man therefore the birthright would have been sizable. Esau said, “Look, I am about to die what good is the birthright to me?” Esau’s desire for immediate gratification led him to disregard the most important earthly thing that was his to lose: his birthright. This would have been a lifetime blessing. Jacob had Esau swear an oath. Esau risked divine judgement should he later try to deny or break the agreement. After his oath Esau was given bread and some lentil stew. 
Conclusion
Readers should be unimpressed with the attitudes and actions of the individuals described in this lesson. Isaac and Rebekah each favored one of their sons over the other. Esau desired immediate relief over long term benefits. Jacob schemed and manipulated his brother for personal gain. A story that began with God’s love and power transitions into a story of people pursuing selfish interests. However, we need not idealized any one human character, because the Lord is the protagonist of this story. He alone can make good out of less than ideal circumstances and less than ideal people. God worked through this deeply flawed family, and he will work in the lives of all people whom he has called. People of God should not strive to force his hand. Instead, we should trust that his plans and purposes will be fulfilled regardless of any attempts to circumvent or force those plans. Prayer Father, we celebrate that you have chosen to work through us your people. Thank you for your faithfulness to us, even when we fail to live holy lives. Prepare us so that we can live out your purposes in the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen Questions
Benediction
Our benediction this week is from the New International Version. 
Next week's lesson will be on Genesis 32:22-32.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet in person, we take some time to share both joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests or any expressions of joy, you can add them in the comments below this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful example of Abram who by faith in Your Word has become the biblical example of a man who believed in the Word of the Lord - and who simply trusted in the promises of God. Thank You for the Bible and the many precious promises and truths that it contains. Help us to listen to Your voice and obey Your call - to Your praise and glory.. in Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Today's lesson is on Genesis 12:1-5, 7; 15:1-7.
Introduction
The first 11 chapters of Genesis recount humanity’s futile attempts to rely on self-control to preserve a relationship with God and our equally futile attempts to make ourselves God. When those efforts failed, God turned to another method to reach out to humans. God made a covenant with a particular man of faith to bless the human race through him. (Most theologians would say that God understood from the start that a covenant based on God’s faithfulness alone would be the only way to bring us into relationship with God.) The man was Abram, and he lived in the Mesopotamian city known as Ur of Chaldeans. It was a wealthy city whose people practiced pagan religious rituals, according to modern archeology. The call announced (12:1-5, 7) But God called Abram to leave that place and to go to a place that God would show him. Besides being the starting point of a monotheistic relationship for Abram, it was an act of faith. In the ancient world, a person’s identity and social standing were attached to their family and ancestors. In addition, security and protection were also found in the clan. God was calling Abram to leave all of that and to trust God, with the promise that Abram would be blessed, that Abram would be great, and that through him all people on earth would be blessed. So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, taking with him his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot and all of their immediate family and their belongings. When they reached Canaan, the Lord again spoke to Abram and told him this is the land God will give him and his descendants. And Abram built an altar there to commemorate the epiphany. The call affirmed (15:1-7) Far away from home and in a dangerous and unknown land, Abram must have been uneasy. However, God appears to him again, telling him not to be afraid and that God himself would be his shield and his reward. Finally, we hear Abram’s response. The obvious question is how is God going to make him a great nation when Abram has no children. Abram was 75 years old when he left Harran so he is already well advanced in years, as is Sarai. However, God assures him that he will have a son, his own flesh and blood and that, through that son, his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abram believed God. Abram trusted that God would somehow fulfill his promise, even if he could not see how. Abram knew what his descendants would someday find out: the Lord is faithful and keeps his promises. 
Conclusion
Abram had to answer a difficult call with boldness, courage, and faith. God had placed the call, and Abram answered by relocating his family. This decision would radically change his life and the loves of others for centuries. There will be times in the life of a believer when the challenge is not to find God’s will but to follow God’s call. This call may lead to a different job, a new neighborhood, or even to an unknown land. Yet if we remain faithful to God and trust in his steadfast promises, he will bless us deeply. Prayer God, throughout history you have shown yourself to be faithful. Give us faith to follow your call and patience to trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the New International Version. 
Next week's lesson will be on Genesis 25:19b-34.
Good morning! We're so happy you decided to join us today! When we meet in person, we share what joys and concerns we have together. As you think over your past week, consider any prayer requests you might have. If you have anything you would like to share, you can include it as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started. Loving Father, as I see Your great wisdom reflected in Your wonderful creation, I want to praise You with my whole being. Thank you for the creative Word-of-God, WHO not only spoke the worlds into being from nothing but died for me, so that I could live – so that I could have life - everlasting life and life more abundantly. Open the eyes of foolish men who arrogantly refuse to recognise the truth and acknowledge Jesus as their Creator God and gracious Saviour, and thank You for all Your never-failing goodness, long-suffering mercy, and amazing grace towards ME. This I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN. Today's lesson is on Genesis 21:8-20.
Today's guest speaker was Dr. Renny Domske.
PRELUDE Carol Smith
INTROIT ”Go and Tell Others” CHOIR ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP LEADER: Who do men say that I am? PEOPLE: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God. LEADER: The Virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son. PEOPLE: And they will call Him Emmanuel - which means, “God with us.” LEADER: For my eyes have seen Your salvation, ALL: Which You have prepared in the sight of all people. INVOCATION DR. Domske Good morning! We're so glad you decided to join us for the first Sunday of the new year! When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns together. Take some time to consider your last week. What are you thankful for? What are you worried about? If you have anything you would like to share, you can include it in the comments so that we can all pray. When you are ready, use this prayer for the new year (source) to get started. God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly, thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others, mindful that our steps make an impact and our words carry power. May we walk gently. May we speak only after we have listened well. Creator of all life, help us enter the New Year reverently, aware that you have endowed every creature and plant, every person and habitat with beauty and purpose. May we regard the world with tenderness. May we honor rather than destroy. Lover of all souls, help us enter the New Year joyfully, willing to laugh and dance and dream, remembering our many gifts with thanks and looking forward to blessings yet to come. May we welcome your lavish love. In this new year, may the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead. Amen. Today's lesson is on Genesis 4:1-15.
Today’s guest speaker is Jack Snodgrass. All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service. INTROIT:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Responsive Reading Psalm 104 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, 10 He sends the springs into the valleys; They flow among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst.12 By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches.13 He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, 17 Where the birds make their nests; The stork has her home in the fir trees. 18 The high hills are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the rock[d] badgers. INVOCATION
Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Don Herschell.
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
Hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Call to Worship On that first day, when time began You gave birth to creation; light danced through the darkness; the waters of hope flowed free and clear. On that first day at the Jordan, when redemption began You spoke of life for all your children, as Your Child stepped into the waters of forgiveness, dancing in hope with his cousin, John. On this first day of the week, when we begin anew You call us to faithfulness, as we open our hearts to You, Your voice claiming us as Your own. |
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