The Riverside Churchin the City of New York

JANUARY 7, 2018EPIPHANY SUNDAY

Healing Prayer is offered the first Sunday of every month immediately following Worship. Two of Riverside’s ministers will be at the front of the Nave to pray for anyone who desires it.

Welcome to the RiveRside chuRch

Worship is at the center of the life of The Riverside Church. As you prepare yourself for Worship, we invite you to reflect quietly on these words:

“Yet I have glimpsed the bright mountain behind the mountain, Knowledge under the leaves, tasted the bitter berries red,

Drunk cold water and clear from an inexhaustible hidden fountain.”

– Kathleen Raine

The LiTurgicaL Year

The Riverside Church follows the liturgical calendar to mark the seasons of our life together. We are currently in the season of Epiphany, as signified by white paraments and clergy stoles, symbolizing joy in the light of Christ’s birth.

if This is Your firsT visiT: Complete a Welcome Card and place it in the offering plate as it passes.

Join us for Fellowship Hour in South Hall Lobby directly after Worship. As you leave the Nave, take a right and follow the hallway past Christ Chapel. Signs and greeters are available to provide direction. You’ll find fair trade coffee from Javesca Coffee, a children’s play area, a greeting area to learn about membership at Riverside, and indoor seating.

A church tour is offered each Sunday after Worship free of charge. Meet in the 1st balcony. Tours also take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. leaving from the Gift Shop. No reservations are necessary.

Assistive hearing devices and large print bulletins are available upon request from an usher.

Interdenominational · Interracial · International · Open · Affirming · Welcoming

GATHERINGWe gather as a community and prepare our hearts to worship God

CARILLONMeditation

Dionisio Lind, Carillonneur

ORGANEternal Purposes1 Olivier Messiaen

LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY Rev. Rachel Johnson

PASSING OF THE PEACE One: The peace of the Lord be with you. All: And also with you.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN 67 Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning Morning Star

CALL TO WORSHIP2 Rev. Bruce Lamb

One: The heavens open. The Spirit descends. All: Jesus emerges from the water.One: And a voice echoes through the blue expanse. All: “This is my child, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”One: Jesus is named. Claimed.All: We come to the water. We remember we are named. Claimed.One: Can it be so? What a thing to be named. Claimed.All: Let us worship the one who names and claims us still.

INVOCATION

All who are able, please stand

P

LISTENINGWe listen for the word of God through song, Scripture, and preaching

ANTHEM This Lit’l Light of Mine Spiritual, arr. Roland CarterO lemme shine; shine, lemme shine! Shine like a morning star. This lit’l light of mine, I’m gon’ let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. O ev’ry where I go, I’m gon’ let it shine. All through the night, I’m gon’ let it shine. O lemme shine; shine, lemme shine! Shine like a morning star. Lemme shine!

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM Rev. Debra Northern & Rev. Jim Keat

Lila Bea Montero

PRAYER FOR THE CANDIDATE

HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Ms. Christian PeeleGenesis 1:1-5(page 1 in the Old Testament)

Leader: The Word of God for the People of God.People: Thanks be to God.

PSALTER LESSON Mr. Derrick Jordan Psalm 29 (page 504 in the Old Testament)

Leader: The Word of God for the People of God.People: Thanks be to God.

HYMN 499Wonder of Wonders, Here Revealed Pentecost

GOSPEL LESSON Ms. Bernita DorchMark 1:4-11 (page 34 in the New Testament)Leader: This is the Gospel of Christ.People: Thanks be to God.

SERMON Rev. JohnsonThin Places...

All who are able, please stand

All who are able, please stand

RESPONDINGWe respond to the hearing of God’s word through confession, offering,

passing the peace, and monthly communion

INVITATION TO GIVE AND SERVE Ms. Peele

OFFERTORY ANTHEM And then shall your light break forth3 Felix MendelssohnAnd then shall your light break forth as the light of morning breaketh: and your health shall speedily spring forth then: and the glory of the Lord ever shall reward you. Lord, our Creator. how excellent Thy Name is in all the nations! Thou fillest heaven with Thy glory. Amen.

AT THE PRESENTATION: THE DOXOLOGY The congregation rises row by row as ushers pass to symbolize offering of our whole selves to God

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;Praise God, all creatures here below;Praise God above, you heavenly host;Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATIONToday we celebrate the work of our Shower Ministry, which provides a safe, private, and sanitary space for those in need of a warm shower and laundry service. This is a ministry that has become a sanctuary and a place of respite for 50-60 unsheltered people each week.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Riverside Pastoral StaffFollowing each petition, please join in the following responses:

Leader: Lord in your mercy, People: Hear our prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Pray in the language or version of your heart.

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. 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.

CHORAL AMEN

All who are able, please stand

INVITATION TO THE TABLE Rev. Johnson

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Leader: The Lord be with you.People: And with your spirit.Leader: Lift up your hearts.People: We lift them up unto the Lord.Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

SANCTUS

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION

CALL TO SUPPER One: The body of Christ, broken for you.All: Thanks be to God for the bread of life!One: The blood of Christ, poured out for you.All: Thanks be to God for the cup of blessing!

A gluten-free option for communion bread is available upon request from a communion server.

MUSIC AT COMMUNION

ORGAN Christmas4 Everett TitcombArietta Thomas Kerr

CHOIR Let the Heaven Light Shine on Me Spiritual, arr. Moses HoganLet the light from heaven shine on me, for low is the way to the upperbright world.

HYMN 510Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts Quebec

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION Rev. JohnsonEternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. We pray that we may follow the example of those who have gone before us as we live our lives in faith and hope. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SENDINGWe are sent out into the world to love God and our neighbors

BENEDICTION

RECESSIONAL HYMN 452O Day of God, Draw Nigh St. Michael

POSTLUDE Variations on “Unto Us a Child is Born” David Johnson

All who are able, please stand

Life of our Community

For announcements of programs and events in the church, please pick up the Life of Our Community bulletin located in the back of the pew or outside the Welcome Center. Or visit our website www.trcnyc.org.

Liturgical Resources for Today: 1From The Birth of the Lord 2 https://re-worship.blogspot.ca/search/label/Epiphany%201%20B 3 From Elijah 4 From Two Short Pieces for Organ

Special thanks to our congregational leaders: Mr. Derrick Jordan and Ms. Bernita Dorch

The author of the book of Mark writes that John the Baptist baptizes with water but Jesus baptizes with something else. Follow the path of letters, and each time you come to a capital letter, write that letter down at the bottom of the page to find out what Jesus baptized people with.

Try to find the words from Matthew 2 in the word search below. Words may go diagonal, up OR down and forward OR backward.

CONNECT WITH RIVERSIDE’S PASTORAL & PROGRAM STAFF

TALK WITH THE PREACHERRead Pastor Amy’s blog online at talkwiththepreacher.org. Printed copies are also available in the Welcome Center/Gift Shop.

Pastor Amy is available for conversations with members by appointment. Please email srminister@trcnyc.org or call 212-870-6775 to arrange an appointment.

Parking - 1/7/2018 Parking is available in the garage below the building. Present this bulletin to the attendant before 6:00 p.m. for a reduced rate of $4.00 cash or $5.00 credit card.

The Riverside Church is a member of the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. and the United Church of Christ and cooperates with the Council of Churches in the City of New York, and with the New York State, National, and World Council of Churches.

trcnyc.org

Senior Minister’s OfficeRev. Dr. Amy Butler Senior Minister - abutler@trcnyc.org

Rev. Michael Livingston Senior Executive Minister - mlivingston@trcnyc.org

Rev. Dr. James Forbes Senior Minister Emeritus

CommunicationsRev. Rachel Johnson Executive Minister of Communications - rjohnson@trcnyc.org

Rev. Jim Keat Associate Minister of Digital Strategy & Online Engagement - jkeat@trcnyc.org

Faith FormationRev. Kevin Wright Executive Minister of Programs - kwright@trcnyc.org

Ms. Amanda Meisenheimer, MDiv Associate Minister of Children and Families - mmeisenheimer@trcnyc.org

Rev. Bruce Lamb Interim Associate Minister of Youth and Young Adults - blamb@trcnyc.org

MusicMr. Christopher Johnson Director of Music and Organist - cjohnson@trcnyc.org

Parish CareRev. Debra Northern Minister of Parish Care - dnorthern@trcnyc.org

Rev. Lynn Casteel-HarperAssociate for Parish Care – lharper@trcnyc.org

Social JusticeRev. Bertram Johnson Minister of Justice, Advocacy & Change - bjohnson@trcnyc.org

Stewardship & DevelopmentMs. Christian Peele, MDiv Executive Minister of Institutional Advancement - cpeele@trcnyc.org

Ms. Farley Lord, MTS Associate Minister of Stewardship & Development - flord@trcnyc.org

Rev. Dustin Pickett Associate Minister of Stewardship & Development - dpickett@trcnyc.org

Worship & the ArtsRev. Ellen Robison Minister of Worship & the Arts - erobison@trcnyc.org

Contact Us: To contact the church with general questions, call 212-870-6700 or email communications@trcnyc.org.

For full staff directory visit trcnyc.org/directory