Norwood Presbyterian Church

Prelude Judith Fleitas

As the symbols of the Word of God and the Light of the World are carried into our midst, please prepare your heart for worship.

Greeting, Announcements The Rev. Chris White

*Opening Praise Music

*Sing the Faith #2066 “Praise the Name of Jesus” Roy Hicks Jr.

*Sing the Faith #2069 “All Hail King Jesus” Dave Moody

*Sing the Faith #2071 “Jesus, Name Above All Names” Naida Hearn

*Call to Worship (Responsively) Merle Pointer

O great God, who are you? O great God, where are you?

O great God, show yourself to us, in this place, at this time.

We are listening for you. We are here because we want to know you more fully.

Let us seek and sing and pray together - let us worship God!

Call to Confession

Let us admit our sin before God and one another in faith and with repentance.

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

Loving God, forgive us our sins. Forgive us the times when we have done things we should not have done and the times we have not done things we should have done. You ask that we love others as you love us. Yet, we find it hard to love those who are different than ourselves. We have not been overly concerned about injustice as long as it didn’t affect our lives. Let the power of the Holy Spirit be present in us. Forgive us in the name of the living Christ. Amen. (silent prayer)

Assurance of Pardon (Responsively)

The God who challenges us is also the God who accepts us.

The God who confronts us is also the God who encourages us.

Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel!

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

*Sing the Faith #2219 “Goodness is Stronger than Evil” John Bell

*Sharing Christ’s Peace (Responsively)

The peace of Christ be with you! And also with you!

You are invited to share Christ’s peace with one another.

Special Music Judith Fleitas

Kids for Christ - Building Christian Character

Children of all ages are welcome to come forward for a special message. Afterwards, they are invited to go to the back of the sanctuary (to the Kids Korner) where there are youth bulletins and other material available.

As the children return to their places, please join in singing:

Sing the Faith #2233 “Where Children Belong” James Ritchie

This, this is where children belong, welcomed as part of the worshiping throng. Water, God’s Word, bread and cup, prayer, and song: This is where children belong.

Prayer of Illumination

Psalm 23 (Responsively) from Eugene’s Peterson’s translation from “The Message”

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

Epistle Lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Gospel Lesson: John 10:1-10

Message “Images of God” The Rev. Chris White

*PC(USA) #139 “Come, Thou Almighty King” ITALIAN HYMN

*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) “A Glossary of Greatness”

Companion of the lonely, Binder of wounds, Seeker of lost souls, Friend of the poor, Source of all that is, Forgiver of sins, Voice of the voiceless, Counselor of the confused, Shelter from the storm, Creator of heaven and earth, we in our ways worship and adore you. Amen.

Sharing our “Joys and Concerns” with the Body of Christ

Prayers of the People, including a time of silent 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 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.

Returning to God a portion of our Time, our Talents, and our Tithes

Offertory

Please sing while the ushers bring the offering forward:

*Sing the Faith #2065 “More Precious than Silver” Roy Hicks Jr.

*Prayer of Dedication Carol Malott & Ruth Williamson

*Sing the Faith #2010 “I Am Who I Am” ST. DENIO

*Charge and Benediction

*Congregational Refrain

*PC(USA) #586 “Threefold Amen” DANISH

*Postlude Judith Fleitas

*If able to do so comfortably, the congregation is invited to stand. Bold Print indicates congregation’s participation.

Welcome to Norwood Presbyterian Church(NPC)!

Please sign the sheet on the clipboard so we can rejoice in your attendance! If you are a visitor looking for a church home, we warmly invite you to consider NPC.

During worship, we offer nursery care for those 5 years old and under. Please let an usher know if you would like a nursery attendant to care for your infant or if you need directions to the nursery.

There are special bulletins available for the youth. After “Kids for Christ”, the youth are invited to the “Kids Korner” so they might continue to quietly participate in this worship service.

If you have any questions or need pastoral assistance, please feel free to contact Pastor Chris at 265-0844 or the church office at 531-1546.

Our special friend this week is Marie Withrow.

Please pray for her this week and be sure to sign her card

so she will know we are thinking of her.

EVENTS @ NPC

Today, Apr. 13 9:30 am Christian education for all ages

10:45 am Worship in Sanctuary

12:00 pm Fellowship in library

7:00 pm GA (Gamblers Anonymous)

Mon. Apr. 14 7:00 pm Scouts

Tues. Apr. 15 5:30 pm Vitas (grief counseling); Piper

deadline

8:00 pm AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

Wed. Apr. 16 Pastor Chris on retreat

9-12 pm Counseling

Thurs. Apr. 17 11:30 pm Pastors Lunch at Bluebird Café

1-4 pm Counseling

5:30 pm Book Club in church office

8:00 pm AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

Sat. Apr. 19 9-12 pm Work Day at NPC

Sun. Apr. 20 9:30 am Christian education for all ages

10:45 am Worship in Sanctuary; The Rev.

Dr. A. Dale Stewart speaking

12:00 pm Fellowship in Victory Room

7:00 pm GA (Gamblers Anonymou

Christian Education Classes for all ages @ 9:30 am

All are welcome!

Serving us today: Serving us next week:

Liturgist: Merle Pointer Liturgist: Scott Street

Ushers: Carol Malott & Ruth Williamson Ushers: Eleanor Hayes & Kay Shafer

Fellowship: Christine & Scott Street Fellowship: Reception for Rev. Stewart

If you would like to serve as liturgist or usher, please see Eleanor Hayes or Sue Werner. If you would like to host fellowship, please see Michael Douglas or Sara Lehew. Thank you!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Carmel PC; The Presbytery of Cincinnati

Judith Alford Larry Bittikofer David Braden

Audrey Chapman The Connelly family Jeff Douglas

Herman Douglas Jim Finkle Debby Gaver

Sally Genova Joyce Hammer Kristian Herzner

Linda Hill Jenny Huber Barb Hutzel

Sandy Jones Jean Macht Aaron May

Scot McDaniel Norma Nelson Ralph Palmer, Jr.

Eileen Parker Beth Peace Shirley Pittinger

Steven Schad Lara Sekula Agnes Spurlock

Clara & Bob Sterrett Brenda Stevens Linda Tanner

Jason Testerman Don Thomas Paul Tompkins

Julie Volle Dorothy Weber Len Woelfle

Please also pray for:

~Those in retirement and nursing homes, those “at home” and those in the military. (See the Piper for a complete listing.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

~Welcome back Judith!

~April 15: Income tax day! Also, Piper articles are due.

~Pastor Chris will be on retreat April 16.

~On April 17, at 11:30 am, Pastor Chris will meet with local Norwood pastors at the Bluebird Café and continue their plans for a baccalaureate service for those graduating from Norwood High School.

~April 17, 5:30 pm - the Book Club will meet in NPC’s church office to discuss their latest book. Bring your own dinner and come enjoy the fellowship and discussion.

~April 19 from 9-12, come and continue the work that was started last Saturday! Help us get spruced up for Spring and move Baby Bear to its new location. (And thanks to all those who have already helped!)

~Sunday, April 20, The Rev. Dr. A. Dale Stewart will be with us to celebrate his 50 years of ordination. There will be a reception after morning worship. Please plan on joining us and invite others who might be interested.

~Thursday, April 24, Presbyterian Women (PW) will meet in the church library for lunch and Bible study. Kay Shafer is our hostess. Every woman is welcome!

~Sunday, April 27, after worship, there will be an orientation for the new Elders and Deacons. Also, Carriage Court will be at 2 pm.

~Tuesday, April 29, the Northeast Cluster of the Presbytery will meet at Grace PC. Please let the church office know BY APRIL 22 (RSVP due) if you would like to attend and if you are interested in carpooling.

~Thursday, May 1, National Day of Prayer and “GLAD” location TBD.

~Saturday, May 3, at 9 am, the Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study will meet at Frisch’s in Norwood. Bring a buddy with you!

~Sunday, May 4 - the youth will present their Noah’s Ark play during worship. We will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper.