Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Podcast

Today we had some songs from the praise band, a choral piece for the offertory, and a sermon from Rev. Jason on our return to the Sanctuary. After the service, we had a brief congregational meeting. Prelude - "In The Name Of The Lord" (arr Mark Hayes) - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#381) "All People That on Earth Do Dwell"Moment for Children & YouthConfession and Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerPraise SongsSermon - "Let's Get Back To It" (Ezra 3:1-7) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertory - "With a Voice of Singing" by Martin Shaw - Covenant Choir; Felix Macovei, organPrayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaBenedictionAll People That on Earth Do DwellAll people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell, Come ye before Him and rejoice. Know that the Lord is God indeed: Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take. O enter then His gates with praise, Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His name always, For it is seemly so to do. For why? the Lord our God is good, His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure. Amen.

Jason is taking a vacation this week and Sharon is stepping in to lead today's service. Prelude - "Holy, Holy, Holy" (arr. Mark Hayes) - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#399) "Jesus Calls Us o'er the Tumult"Confession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaPraise SongsSermon - "Jesus Calls Us" (Ephesians 4:1-6) - by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerOffertoryServing the Sacrament of CommunionBenedictionSinging the Lord's PrayerJesus Calls Us o'er the TumultJesus calls us o'er the tumultOf our life's wild, restless sea; Day by day I hear Him saying, "Christian, come and follow me." As, of old, disciples heard itBy the Galilean lake, Turned from home and work and leisure, Leaving all for His dear sake: In our joys and in our sorrows, Days of toil and hours of ease, Still He calls in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these." Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear Thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all. Amen.

We thank all of the soldiers who lost their lives in service to God and Country. In life, your bravery showed its strength in going where few would consider and fewer still would dare to set foot; and your sacrifice, though far from our sight, is held dear by all who value the freedoms we have today. May our memories of the fallen never fade; certainly their brothers-in-arms and their families and friends at home shall not. And for those who know the fallen, we give what comfort and consolation we can, knowing that the weight of the loss can be neither expressed nor lightened with words. Thank you. Prelude - 'Even So, Lord Jesus Come' (arr. Fred Bock) - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#323) "Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord, God Almighty"Moment for Children & Youth, presented by Rob ScrogginsConfession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaDoxologyFirst Choral Piece - "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name" (by Tom Fettke) - PCC Choir and Friends; Felix Macovei, pianoSecond Choral Piece - "Revelation 19" (by LaValley & Schrader) - PCC Choir and Friends; Felix Macovei, pianoSermon - "Imitate What is Good" (III John) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeReceiving of the Tithes and OfferingsOffertory - "America the Beautiful" (Ward & Radulescu) - PCC Choir Men's EnsemblePastoral Prayer, led by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerBenedictionHoly! Holy! Holy! Lord, God AlmightyHoly, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy—there is none beside TheePerfect in power, in love and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Amen.

Welcome to our Pentecost Sunday worship service. We had lots of music today, a timely Children's Message, and Micah Wright playing piano during the picnic. Unfortunately, there was too much background noise and conversation heard in the recording to include it in the podcast. Prelude - "Spirit Medley" by Mark Hayes - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome & News of the ChurchChoral Introit - "Holy Spirit, Wind and Fire" by Cornel Radulescu - Covenant Choir; Felix Macovei, pianoCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#318) "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"Moment for Children & Youth, by Keri ScrogginsConfession & Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerSermon - "Here She Comes" (John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertory - "Listen to the Rustle of a Mighty Wind" by Buryl Red - Covenant Choir; Micah Wright, pianoPrayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaMultilingual BenedictionCome Thou Fount of Every BlessingCome, Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above; Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love. This my glad commemoration that 'til now I've safely come; And I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood. O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be! Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee; Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above. Amen

The ground was wet and the sky a bit drippy as the service started. The band played from the Narthex, we had a speaker a chairs in the Fellowship Hall, and the broadcast over the radio continued as usual. Overall, the service went well despite weather unfriendly to electronics. Prelude - "Thout Art Worthy" (arr. Fred Bock) - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#546) "We Are God's People"Moment for Mission, presented by Marcia MillarConfession and Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerPraise SongsSermon - "Be on Your Guard" (II John) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertoryPastoral Prayer, led byRev. Sharon YagerlenerBenedictionWe Are God's PeopleWe are God's people, the chosen of the Lord, Born of His Spirit, established by His Word; Our cornerstone is Christ alone, And strong in Him we stand: O let us live transparently, And walk heart to heart and hand in hand. We are God's loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord, For we have known it, the love of God our poured; Now let us learn how to return The gift of love once given: O let us share each joy and care, And live with a zeal that pleases Heaven. We are the Body of which the Lord is Head, Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead; He wills us be a family Diverse yet truly one: O let us give our gifts to God, And so shall His work on earth be done. We are a Temple, the Spirit's dwelling place, Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God's grace; We die alone, for on its own Each ember loses fire: Yet joined in one the flame burns on To give warmth and light, and to inspire.

Have a great week! Prelude - 'Even So, Lord Jesus Come' (arr. Fred Bock) - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#323) "Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty"Moment for Children and Youth, led by Keri ScrogginsConfession and Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerPraise SongsSermon - "Obedience Rooted in Love" (I John 5:1-5, 13) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertoryPrayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaBenedictionPostludeHoly! Holy! Holy! Lord God AlmightyHoly, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before Thee, Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy—there is none beside Thee Perfect in power, in love and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Amen.

Prelude - "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" (arr. Mark Hayes)Welcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#2) "How Great Thou Art"Moment for Children & Youth, led by Keri ScrogginsConfession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaPraise SongsSermon - "We Love Because God Loved Us First" (I John 4 verses 7-21) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertory - "Revelation 19" by LaValley & Schrader - PCC Choir and Friends; Felix Macovei, pianoInvitation to CommunionServing the Sacrament of CommunionBenedictionSinging the Lord's PrayerHow Great Thou ArtO Lord my God! When I in awesome wonderConsider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughoutThe universe displayed. Chorus: Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, My Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art, How great Thou art! When through the woods And forest glades I wander And hear the birds Sing sweetly in the trees; When I look downFrom lofty mountain grandeurAnd hear the brook And feel the gentle breeze[Chorus]And when I thinkThat God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the cross, My burden gladly bearing, He bled and diedTo take away my sin: [Chorus]

Rev. Jason Griffice continues his series in I John, we get an update about Wycliffe Translators, and a new opportunity for fellowship starts soon. Prelude - "Thout Art Worthy" (Arr. Fred Bock) - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome & News of the ChurchAnnouncement - PCC JamCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#546) "We Are God's People"Moment for Children & YouthConfession & AssuranceMoment for Mission - Underground Christianity Amidst IslamPraise SongsSermon - "From the Beginning" (I John 3:11-24) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertory - "Love Came Down"Pastoral PrayerBenedictionPostludeWe Are God's PeopleWe are God's people, the chosen of the Lord, Born of His Spirit, established by His Word; Our cornerstone is Christ alone, And strong in Him we stand: O let us live transparently, And walk heart to heart and hand in hand. We are God's loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord, For we have known it, the love of God our poured; Now let us learn how to return The gift of love once given: O let us share each joy and care, And live with a zeal that pleases Heaven. We are the Body of which the Lord is Head, Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead; He wills us be a family Diverse yet truly one: O let us give our gifts to God, And so shall His work on earth be done. We are a Temple, the Spirit's dwelling place, Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God's grace; We die alone, for on its own Each ember loses fire: Yet joined in one the flame burns on To give warmth and light, and to inspire.

The winds picked up today before the service began. The band quickly shuffled the instruments inside and Sharon and Amy took shelter inside. The wind was a bit noisy, but work was done to keep it to a minimum. Prelude - "There Is A Fountain" (arr. Mark Hayes) - Micah Wright, pianoWelcome and News of the ChurchPCC History - 60 years of Clown Ministry, presented by Mark LackeyCall to WorshipBirthday SongOpening Hymn - "Trust and Obey"Moment for Children and Youth, led by Keri ScrogginsConfession and Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon YagerlenerPraise SongsSermon - "In Your Corner" (I John 2:1-17) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertory - "Worthy is the Lamb" by Pepper Choplin - PCC Covenant Choir; Felix Macovei, pianoPrayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-SabalaBenedictionTrust and ObeyWhen we walk with the LordIn the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Chorus: Trust and obey, For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obeyNot a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, Not a sigh nor a tear, Can remain while we trust and obey. [Chorus]Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, Btu is blest if we trust and obey. [Chorus]