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FIRST CHURCH AT WORSHIP
A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Ambler, Pennsylvania
March 22, 2015
Traditional Service - 9:30 a.m.
South Ridge (Contemporary) - 11:00 a.m.
Please remember to silence all electronic devices.
(During the Prelude you are invited to prepare your hearts to worship God.)
PRELUDE
Blessed Jesus, We Are Here
INTROIT
OPENING SENTENCES
Let us worship the Lord, who has drawn us together.
Let us worship God who has restored us to life.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you faithful ones,
and give thanks to His holy name.
The Lord’s anger is but for a moment;
His favor is for a lifetime.
J.S. Bach
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
You have turned our mourning into dancing; you have taken off
our sackcloth and clothed us with joy, so that our souls may
praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, we will give thanks to you forever.
Let us worship God.
* HYMN #488
The God of Abraham Praise
* CALL TO CONFESSION
* CONFESSION OF SIN
Lord, we confess that we love our lives as they are.
We struggle with even the idea of change.
We wrestle with the thought of doing things differently.
But we know that the life we cling to
is less than you offer to us.
Only you, O Lord, can give us true life in full.
Forgive us for holding onto the wrong things.
Teach us by your Spirit to let go of our agendas
and assumptions.
Help us to let go of our self-righteousness
and false notions of power.
Give us the strength and courage to try new things.
Encourage us – and even push us –
to let go of ourselves so we can fully embrace you, Holy
God.
We pray these things in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
* SILENT CONFESSION
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* OUR RESPONSE #579
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.
* THE PEACE OF CHRIST
[Children participating in Sunday School are dismissed at this time.]
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you are a visitor and you take a moment to fill out the Connection Card
found in the bulletin, we will gladly send you information about our church.
Just put the card in the collection plate or hand it to an usher. If anyone has
a joy or concern to include during the PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, please
fill out the yellow Prayer Request Card found in the pew rack, and give it to
an usher or one of the pastors at this time.
ANTHEM
None Other Lamb
Sanctuary Choir
Courtney
None other lamb, none other Name,
none other hope in heaven or earth or sea,
none other hiding place from guilt and shame,
none beside Thee.
My faith burns low, my hope burns low,
only my heart’s desire cries out in me.
By the deep thunder of its want and woe
cries out to Thee. Cries out to Thee.
Lord, Thou art life, though I be dead;
love’s fire Thou art, however cold I be.
Nor heaven have I, nor place to lay my head,
nor home, but Thee. Nor home but Thee.
None other Lamb.
CCLI #147526
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE
Mark 10:46-52 (NIV)
46
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a
large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means
“son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard
that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David,
have mercy on me!”
48
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more,
“Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
50
Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his
sight and followed Jesus along the road.
SERMON
"Seeing and Believing"
The Reverend Ryan Balsan
*HYMN #303
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
THE PRAYERS OF GOD'S PEOPLE
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.
OFFERTORY
Love Consecrates the Humblest Act Burkhardt
* DOXOLOGY #592
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 DEDICATION
* HYMN #280
Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
* BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Behold the Great Redeemer
Careless/arr. Schreiner
*Indicates to please stand if you are able.
ASSISTING WITH WORSHIP THIS MORNING
Head Usher: Tom Shaner
Greeters: Earle and Nancy Matlack
Ushers: Kristin Baird
Tom Bender
Renata Jarymowycz
Lauri McCallum
Judy McKee
Teri McMasters
Lay Reader: Scott French
Soundboard: Paul Berry
Driving Folks Ron Moritz and
To Church: Rich Gould
FOR EVERYONE’S CONVENIENCE – There are hearing devices, large
print hymnals and bulletins, and children’s worship packets. Ask an usher
for assistance.
Our Nursery welcomes infants to three-year-olds ten minutes before
worship and is located in the main hallway on the 1st floor, Room 101.
SUNDAY SCHOOL. We offer the same program during the 9:30 AM and
11:00 AM worship services. Our Pre K & K class welcomes children, 3
years old through children in Kindergarten, 10 minutes before worship. This
class is located on the 3rd floor in Room 307.
Grades 1 through 5 begin in worship with their families. Children will be
invited to meet their teachers in the back of the Sanctuary. Elementary-age
homerooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
MEMBER PRAYER CONCERNS
Spence Butterwick
Richard and Arlene Crowell
John Detwiler
Lois Domm
Falcone family
Howard Forster
Paul Furnival
Eileen Honert
Corinne Jones
Donna King
John Kirch
Dot Lynch
Ellen Morrow
Evelyn McAdam
Dick McNeal
Betty Rawlins
Lindsey Robinson
Charles Siegmann
Rick Stevens
Jeff Stone
Mim Theobald
Joanne Yutzler
If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, contact the
church office (Info@FPCAmbler.org/215-646-3030). The church
staff prays for concerns during our weekly staff meeting.
Prayer requests from extended family and friends
(listed in the order received):
Theresa Stuhlman and family
Unspoken concerns
Carol Parker, sister of Larry Wiggins
Barbara, wife of Bill Swinsburg
Joe Todaro, friend of Mike Fox
Carl Matheny, friend of Judy and Dick McNeal
Family of Cayman Naib
Those with financial difficulties
Abi Dietz, daughter of Georgina Bard
Janet Kelenish and family, friends of Barbara Frankl
Joe Sullivan, friend of Bill Martin
Laurie Stephens, daughter of Jan and Mark Stephens
Family of John Shollenberger, friends of Sharon Davis
Maura Mallach, friend of the Wagners
Alex Stein, friend of Jim and Christie Bogrette
Tom Bruszak, nephew of Marianne Watters
Elaine Carroll, mother of Terri McMasters
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MARCH 22, 2015
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS
are given in honor of our 61st wedding anniversary,
by Phil and Barbara Albright.
IF YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED OR HAVE A PASTORAL
CONCERN contact the church office (Info@FPCAmbler.org/215646-3030).
If you are on FACEBOOK or FOURSQUARE, check in from First
Presbyterian Church of Ambler, and let your friends know you are
worshiping with us today.
PARENTS, you are welcome to feed your babies wherever
you feel comfortable. If you would like a quiet place, Marie
Thomas, our Children's Ministry Director, is making her
office available. Marie's office is behind the balcony on the
third floor, Room 301.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION. Feel free to take a squirt of hand
sanitizer from the new dispensers provided for the health of our
congregants.
Join us for our Lenten Sermon Series “Who is Jesus” as
we explore the Gospel of Mark at both the 9:30 AM and
11:00 AM Sunday worship services.
Easter and Lent
Maundy Thursday
April 2nd
6:45 p.m. Soup Supper
7:30 p.m. Worship
Good Friday
April 3rd
12:00 Noon Worship
Easter Vigil Worship
A celebration of
darkness into light
Saturday, April 4th
7:30 PM in the Sanctuary
Easter Sunday, April 5th
8:45 AM Traditional Worship
10:00-11:00 AM All Church Easter Breakfast, Fellowship Hall
11:00 AM South Ridge Easter Worship
No Sunday School.
Nursery care will be provided at both services.
PARKING OPTIONS. There are many parking options near
our church. There is a large Septa lot, street parking and a
parking lot on the corner of Butler and Lindenwold Avenues
(see parking insert for options). If you are able, please park
in one of these alternate locations so we can accommodate
and welcome visitors.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS. Starting today, adult
Sunday School begins a series called “We’re All Strangers: An
Examination of Race, Immigration, and the Church”. Over the
next several weeks we will explore how human nature affects
racism, the history of racism in the United States, current events
like Ferguson and the church’s role in it all. Join us at 9:30 AM
or 11:00 AM in the Parlor.
LIBRARY BOOK REVIEW. What the Bible Really Says, by
Morton Smith and Joseph Hoffmann. The Bible was written “in
days of yore” when the world was completely different from the
one we know. The chapter on Miracles in this book gives a
modern view of the miracles of Jesus, thus giving us a new
perspective on the Bible.
FREE BOOKS. There are free books available in the library.
EASTER FASTING DONATION. Some of us have been
reading “A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the
Poor” as part of the Lenten Journey. The book challenges
us to eat like the world’s poor during this season of fasting.
Part of the discipline of this fast is to think about how much
you typically spend on a meal, then figure out how much you
spend on your fasting meal, and save the difference. On
Easter Sunday we will be collecting what has been saved.
These donations will help fund our Stop Hunger Now event
in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 12th. Please write
FASTING on the memo line of your check or on your
donation envelope.
THIS YEAR’S EASTER OFFERING will be split between
Dawn’s Place and The Alumni Group (T.A.G.). Dawn’s
Place is a residential, not-profit organization that works to
improve the lives of women trapped by, or at risk for,
commercial sexual exploitation by providing housing, trauma
recovery services, vocational training and other services.
T.A.G. is inspired and motivated to develop social
productivity in men who have had problems with substance
abuse, through a plan of mentoring and housing provision.
Use the Easter offering envelopes in your pew, or from your
envelope offering box.
EASTER FLOWER DONATIONS. An invitation to share in
the joy and beauty of the Easter season by providing financial
resources to decorate the Sanctuary with Easter flowers has
been placed in the church mailboxes. Additional forms are at
the Help Desk. Sunday, March 29th is the last day to sign up.
COMMUNITY CUPBOARD DONATIONS. We all visit the
supermarket, sometimes several times a week, to pick up
food for our families. While you are there, why not pick up
some cleaning products, paper goods, canned goods or
staples to donate to the Mattie N. Dixon Community
Cupboard? To help you remember and to make carrying
your donation easier, help yourself to a small canvas bag
found in the collection bins located outside of the Parlor and
under the coat racks near Fellowship Hall. Keep the bag in
your car, remember to fill it with your donation the next time
you are at the supermarket, and then bring it to FPCA next
Sunday. Thank you for your generosity and for helping
those in need.
PRAYER TEAM MEMBERS WANTED. We are looking for
individuals who would like to be part of a prayer team
praying for the Capital Stewardship Journey and our
church’s ministry. No meetings required. If you are
interested, please email Marilyn and Bill Lobley
(mylobley@verizon.net) or contact Denise Walters
(dwalters931@gmail.com/215-646-3419).
EASTER BREAKFAST INVITATION. Join us in Fellowship
Hall for Easter Breakfast immediately following the 8:45 a.m.
service on Sunday, April 5th. While this event is free to the
congregation, reservations are required. Invitations have
been placed in the church mailboxes, and are available at
the Help Desk.
DEBORAH CIRCLE will meet on Tuesday, March 24th at
10:30 AM at the home of Betty Miller. Please read lesson 6
of our study. Call Betty Miller (215-361-1833) if you are
unable to attend.
P.R.I.M.E. TIME. Join us on April 7th at 11:30 AM for lunch
and a presentation by the Highlands Historical Society.
Meg Bleeker-Blades, Executive Director at The Highlands
will tell us about this 44-acre historic site in our own back
yard. The estate includes a Georgian mansion and a twoacre floral garden. If you plan on joining us for lunch,
R.S.V.P. by Thursday, April 2nd to the church office (215646-3030) or email Barb Schmitt (Barbjs@comcast.net).
MEN'S RETREAT.
Our annual retreat is being held at
Spruce Lake Resort in Canadensis, PA, the weekend of April
24th-26th. Our guest speaker will be Whitney Kuniholm,
president of Scripture Union/USA and author of several
Christian books. Cost $150.00 includes meals and lodging.
Please sign up at the Help Desk to reserve your spot so you
won't miss out on a great weekend of Christian fellowship
and great home cooked food.
M.O.P.S. NIGHT OUT. Let’s get together to paint and talk
on Friday, April 17th from 6:30-9:00 PM at Mermaid Art
Studio (15 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, PA/ 267-934-9121). Bring
a friend and some snacks to share. Register and pay online
at: http://mermaidartstudios.com/payment and enter “MOPS
group April 17th” in the comments. Contact Marie Thomas,
Director of Children’s Ministries for more information
(Marie@FPCAmbler.org/215-646-3030).
HELLO…MY NAME IS. Let’s get to know each other by
wearing name tags on Sunday. If you don’t have a clip-on
name tag and would like one, please contact the church
office. Sticker name tags are also available, just ask one of
the ushers.
MARCH S.U.R.G.E. EVENTS (3rd to 5th Youth Group)
Stand Up and Remember God Everyday
• Sunday, March 29 (6 to 7:30 PM)
SURGE Club. Come play an incredible game of Indoor MiniGolf. You won’t want to miss it. Drop-off & pick-up in Room
201.
Third Grade Bible Class (March 1st to May 3rd)
Third Graders can still join our Third Grade Bible Class. We meet
during 9:30 AM Sunday school in Room 310. On May 3rd, third
graders will receive a personalized Bible during worship. The third
grade students will begin in worship and be dismissed to meet their
teachers with the other children.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
1. MS and HS classes meet at 9:30 AM in
room 304 for combined worship, followed
by smaller group lessons. Want to come
early to hang out, play games, and eat
snacks? Doors open at 9:00 AM.
2. Our Confirmation Class has started! Please pray for our students as
they go through the process of considering their faith and becoming
members of the church. Confirmation Class meets every Sunday
morning from 9:30-10:30 AM in room 302 (through March 29).
Youth Group
• NO HS Youth Group tonight!
• MS Youth Group this Thursday, March 26th. Bring your Bibles!
SMALL GROUPS:
Small Groups are almost finished! Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:308pm.This session (ending on April 1), we are discussing all things MONEY!
How to make it, save it, spend it, and use it for God’s glory. This study will
give you practical tools for managing money for the rest of your life!
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
1. Join us for our Spring Service Project on Saturday, May 9th (8:45am12pm). We will be working as a team, doing some yard work for some
of our very own FPCA Family!
2. SAVE THE DATE! We will be having our first ever Sky Zone Night!
Join us on Monday, May 11th for a night of trampoline fun. We will be
meeting at FPCA at 5:15pm and returning to FPCA by 8:45pm. The
cost is $20 per person (includes a 90 minute jump time and Sky
Socks). Bring a friend!
PARENTS’ NIGHTS:
Parents, you asked and we listened! We are hosting a Parents’ Night once
each month as a time for fellowship, fun, and discussing the ins and outs of
parenting teens. We will meet at the church and eat dinner at a local
restaurant together. Mark your calendars for the following dates!
Thursday, April 16th
Sunday, May 17th
Fellowship Hall (F.H.)
Memorial Conference Room (M.C.R., 2nd floor)
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
10:40 AM
11:00 AM
11:10 AM
12:00 PM
5:00 PM
MONDAY, MARCH 23
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
TUESDAY, MARCH 24
10:00 AM
12:00 Noon
5:30-6:45 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
9:30 AM
11:30 PM
12:00 NOON
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
8:30 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
• Worship/Sunday School
• New Member Class, M.C.R.
Café, F.H.
Children/Youth Bell Choir
SouthRidge Worship/Sunday School
Children’s Chime Choir
Young Adult Lunch Event
A.A., M.C.R.
A.A., M.C.R.
• Jr. GS Troop 7464, Room 201
• Brownie Troop 7641, Room 308
Outreach Meeting, M.C.R.
CHICS, Library
• Women’s Bible Study (Lobley), Parlor
• Deborah Circle, at Betty Miller’s
Sarah Circle, Normandy Farms
Marbles, F.H.
A.A., M.C.R.
• Adult Ed Meeting, Library
• Mission Mtg, M.C.R.
• Young Adult Bible Study, Yoo Home
Bruce Ruhf Bible Study, Parlor
Library Staff Work
Miriam Circle, F.H.
Lenten Small Group, Parlor
A.A. Women Beginners, Parlor
Youth Small Groups, Youth Rooms
Joyful Ringers, Sanctuary
Lenten Small Group, Home of the Keatleys
Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
H.O.G.S. (Men’s Bible Study), Parlor
A.A., M.C.R.
MS Youth Group, F.H.
• Lenten Small Group, Parlor
• S.R. Band Rehearsal, Sanctuary
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
6:00 PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
9:00 AM
A.A., M.C.R.
•
•
AMBLER MARBLES TOURNAMENT, F.H.
Lenten Small Group, Library
First Presbyterian Church
4 South Ridge Ave
Ambler, PA 19002
Phone: 215-646-3030
Web Site: www.FPCAmbler.org
Fax: 215-643-0621
E-mail: info@FPCAmbler.org
Ministers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All baptized members of the congregation
CHURCH STAFF
Carol Anders, Organist and Parish Visitor .............................................. pfacpa1943@netzero.net
Ryan Balsan, Pastor, Head of Staff…………………………………………….Ryan@FPCAmbler.org
Anita Bell, Interim Associate Pastor ........................................................... Anita@FPCAmbler.org
Brian Bortnick, South Ridge Music Director/Webmaster ...................... B.Bortnick@Comcast.net
Michael Joy, Director of Music ...............................................................MichaelJoy@Comcast.net
Cheryl Kurpiel, Church Administrator....................................................... Cheryl@FPCAmbler.org
Leslie Thomas, Director of Youth Ministries ............................................. Leslie@FPCAmbler.org
Barbara Schmitt, Parish Visitor ....................................................................... barbjs@comcast.net
Marie Thomas, Director of Children’s Ministries........................................ Marie@FPCAmbler.org
Jodi Wolper, Secretary of Publications and Publicity ................................. Jodi@FPCAmbler.org
Class of 2015
Trey Halkett
Susan Buehler
Dave Klitsch
William Martin
Teri McMasters
Robert Nance
Class of 2015
Cindy Bowman
Suzanne Kauffman DePuyt
Lauren Kellock
Linda Moulton
Rich Myers
Amy Ruhf
Memorials Committee
Liz Ferry
Katie Marlowe
Mary McGready
Ed Morgenson
THE SESSION
Cindy Reed, Clerk of Session
Class of 2016
Kristin Baird
Rachel Coley
Jeff DePuyt
Sherri Gannon
Christina Hughes
Ron Moritz
Class of 2017
Karen Driscoll
Scott French
Judy McKee
Bob Walters
Anne Whitney
Mark Yantek
BOARD OF DEACONS
Class of 2016
Tom Bender
John Brasch
Sara Halkett
John Ingram
Deb Koziol
Andy McClure
Cristy Robertson
Class of 2017
Lisa Astler
David Coley
Martijn Driehuis
Tahir Thomas Kinsey
Carol Kocher
Andrew Schielke
Tom Shaner
Endowment Committee
Jeff DePuyt
Rich Krauss
Dick McNeal
Bill Messerschmidt
Eric Rudolph
Keith White
Tom Wynn
Nominating Committee
Cindy Bowman, Deacon Rep.
Mike Bowman
Cheryl Kurpiel
Bill Lobley
Robert Nance, Session Rep.