Welcome

Welcome to the Reformed Church of Port Ewen this morning. We are glad that you are here with us. Whether you’ve been worshipping here for a long time or you’re entering the doors of our church for the first time today it is our hope that you’ll experience a kind welcome, a sense of genuine community, and the grace and truth that the Christian Church has celebrated for centuries.

APPROACH TO GOD

Prelude

Passing of the Peace

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

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship Isaiah 63:1-3

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Song of Praise “In Christ Alone”

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Call to Confession Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful Father, we confess that we are sinners in need of your redeeming love. You have called us to follow your way, but we have strayed from the narrow path of holy, sacrificial love. This morning some of us find our feet on paths of self-sufficiency and pride; others of us find our feet on paths of self-loathing and hatred; others of us on paths marked by hatred of others, of bitterness, cynicism, of greed and endless selfish pleasure, of deceit and deception. The paths, other than your own, which we have trod are legion. Forgive us for forsaking your way. We praise you that in Jesus Christ you have left the ninety-nine to find each one of us, to rescue us from our waywardness, to restore us to the narrow way of life and love in Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness Isaiah 53:6

Call to New Obedience Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction and there are many who find it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Gloria Patri

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WORD OF GOD

Prayer for Illumination Scripture Lessons

First Reading Gospel Reading: Mark 2:1-12

Jesus Heals a Paralytic 2 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” 12 And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Sermon

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Sermon Notes & Drawings

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Confession of the Faith: The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

RESPONSE TO GOD

Prayers of the People & 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

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Hymn of Sending “I Surrender All”

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Benediction

Doxology Worship & Rejoice, #34

Postlude

Worship Participants: Linda Bresnahan McCarthy, organist & choir director Rev. Kevin Slusher, preaching

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Prayer List

World — The Coronavirus, governments, scientists and public health officials around the world

responding to the crisis, all those who put themselves at risk to care for the sick (church family);

An end to the coronavirus, A solution for the refugee crisis around the world, esp. Syria (K.

Lamb); for all the homeless (Phyllis & Janet Hutton).

Nation — President Joseph R. Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris; Governor Andrew

Cuomo; U.S. Senators Gillibrand and Schumer; U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado;

Repentance for racism, prayers for justice and resolution to racial tension.

Church Worldwide — Persecuted Church (China, Nigeria, North Korea).

RCA — Middle Collegiate Church (East Village), Oman Protestant Church and Bode Family,

Al-Amanda Center. Mid-Hudson Classis — Rev. Sara Appleyard-Pekich mourning the death

of her mother due to Covid-19; Rev. Eric Titus.

Petitions of healing, protection, and deliverance — Dan Latoff (E. McSpirit); Jane

Barsumian, on the death of her partner, Peter (R. Falatyn); all those who suffer, especially those

with depression (A. & J. Hadley); Family and victims of the shooting in Kingston (B. Lalor);

Danielle Wolf, Cindy Raftery (P. Van Aken); Bill Loughlin (K. & M. Kinsch); Ellen Lynch

(Phyllis & Janet Hutton); Beirut, Lebanon (S. Scherry); Mary Van Deusen, Cheri Van Deusen,

Family on Salem Street who lost house in fire, Rick “Ricky” Whittaker, all those diagnosed with

Covid, those who are facing eviction, unemployed, and/or underemployed, Bea Hogan (Church

Family); Nancy Brinckerhoff, Gail Berger, Neil Shah (Glenn Knickerbocker); Fred Rhoda, all

essential workers and those who’ve lost their jobs (Rhoda family); Charles Barnett III, LeeAnne

Hunlock, Taylor Block, Fred Rhoda (Bresnahan-McCarthy family); Kelly Tiedemann, Mary Van

Deusen (C. Van Deusen); Blake Parker (Stickley family).

Homebound/nursing homes/institutions — Pauline Wyre, Verna Allen, Lucille Van

Steenburgh, Bea Hogan, Martha Koelli, Marie Klippel.

Grieving — Family & friends of: Tony Turck, Shirley Marello, Barb Mast, Barbara Lamb, Dan

Terpening, & Terry Davis, Sr.

Praise & Thanksgiving — Rev. Eric Titus has retired from St. John’s in Red Hook and

continues his recovery at home (J. Nolting).

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General Announcements Pastoral Care—Pastor Kevin has official hours in his study every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. if you are in need of counsel and care. Pastor Kevin is also in his study at various times throughout the week and encourages you to stop by and say hello! Friday is Pastor Kevin’s Sabbath and he will not be in the office. You can also contact Cheri, the office administrator or Pastor Kevin to set up an appointment when necessary. Contact Information: Church: 331-2782, Home: 383-1274, and in an emergency Cellphone: 517-398-0986. Email: kevin.slusher@rcpe.info.

COVID-19 Policies and Procedures — Please check our website, www.rcpe.info, for latest updates and information.

Offering Envelopes for 2021 are here! Please contact the office to arrange for pick-up or shipment to your home!

Please let the office know if you would like us to send you a hard copy of the bulletin each week.

Deacons’ Announcements Online Giving — it is now available! On the homepage of our website, www.rcpe.info, in the bottom righthand corner is a button “GIVE”. Click on it and follow the instructions. You can also give to our mission of the month here as well. Just choose “Mission of the Month” instead of “General Offering” on the drop-down menu! If you have any questions, let us know.

Faith Formation Wednesday Bible Study — Bible study is currently held via Zoom on Wednesdays at 1 PM. The Zoom link is sent out on Wednesday morning. We are in Acts 24 this week! We’d love to have you join us!

Elders Deacons Linda Bresnahan-McCarthy (687-9664) Bonnie Lalor (339-7278)

Kathy Kinsch (338-6378) Peg Rhoda (338-9291) Colleen Sutton (389-1445) Raymond Wells (338-2915)

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http://www.rcpe.info/

The Reformed Church of Port Ewen

160 Salem Street | P. O. Box 580

Port Ewen, NY 12466

(845) 331-2782 | rcpe.info

Linda Bresnahan-McCarthy Organist & Choir Director

Rev. Kevin Slusher

Pastor kevin.slusher@rcpe.info

Cheri Van Deusen Office Administrator

office@rcpe.info

About the Reformed Church of Port Ewen:

Our Mission Statement

We, the people of the Reformed Church of Port Ewen believe that God, through the Son Jesus Christ, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, is calling us to be a servant church in the world. We believe the purpose of our congregation, through its ministry and program, is to raise up before all people the Lord Jesus Christ as our example and our hope by actions of worship and praise,

by continuing Christian education, by opportunities and joys of church and community fellowship, and the sacrificial Christ-like deeds we call mission. Our aim and goal is to become

a missionary congregation and not a self-serving institution.

THE REFORMED CHURCH

OF PORT EWEN

Sunday Worship January 24, 2021

10:00 A.M. Third Sunday of Epiphany

mailto:kevin.slusher@rcpe.infomailto:office@rcpe.info