About this Podcast

People Who Follow

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 17:37:09 -0700

January 4, 2009
Epiphany Sunday

There is a votive candle on our altar today to remind us to pray for peace. If you are a guest from another congregation, we invite you to take a peace candle from our congregation as a gift to your church.

Announcements

Prelude                                                As With Gladness Men of Old                         Kocher-Glick

Greeting and Words of Welcome                                                                      Rev. Brenda Sene

*Opening Hymn 188              Christ Is the World’s Light

*Opening Prayer
     God of all time, we praise and adore you
          for breaking into the darkness of this world
with the glorious light of your presence.
A light which made your love
for the world visible in the child born in Bethlehem.
     A light which guided those gift-bearing travelers from afar
to find and worship the Christ-child.
A light which leads us to you,
          now revealed in Jesus Christ.
We pray that you will accept our worship
          for it arises from hearts and minds in awe
          over the enormity of your gift to us of pure love.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Children’s Time
     Hymn 254                                We Three Kings
Children’s Story                   The Epiphany Magi                                   Patti Edwards
     Hymn 254                                We Three Kings

Prayers of the People
     Prayer Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer (Hymnal #895)

Anthem                                                   Go Tell It on the Mountain                   arr. Harry Simeone

Scripture Reading                         Matthew 2:1-12

Hymn 247                      O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

Sermon                                       People Who Follow                            Rev. Brenda Sene

Preparation for the Offering
     Offertory
*Doxology (Hymn 94)
     Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
          praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sacrament of Holy Communion
Hymns            245         The First Noel
                          238         Angels We Have Heard on High
                          219         What Child Is This

Prayer after Communion
Most gracious God, source of all blessing,
we give you thanks for inviting us to share this meal as your family.
Strengthen us to be a blessing to one another and to all people,
glorifying you in everything we do and say,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

*Closing Hymn                  As With Gladness Men of Old
(Tune: For the Beauty of the Earth)
As with gladness, men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most glorious Lord, may we evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed, there to bend the knee before him whom heaven and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare; So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way; and, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.

*Benediction

*Sung Benediction             In the Bleak Midwinter (v. 4)
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Postlude                                        Tidings of Joy                                            Bach-Clokey

Brothers and Sisters

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:37:08 -0700

Order of Worship
December 28, 2008
First Sunday after Christmas Day

There is a votive candle on our altar today to remind us to pray for peace. If you are a guest from another congregation, we invite you to take a peace candle from our congregation as a gift to your church.

Please silence your cell phones.
* indicates to stand as you are able.

Announcements

Prelude                                                                                                                                  Handbell solo

Greeting and Words of Welcome                                            Robin Stewart

*Hymn of Praise 240           Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Opening Prayer
O God our Father, you have brought us again to the glad season
     when we celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant that his Spirit may be born anew in our hearts this day
     and that we may joyfully welcome him to reign over us.
Open our ears that we may hear again the angelic chorus of old.
Open our lips that we, too, may sing with up lifted hearts.
Glory to God in the highest,
     and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Children’s Time
     Hymn 227                           The Friendly Beasts (v. 1-3)
Children’s Story                 The Animals of Christmas
Hymn 227                         The Friendly Beasts (v. 4-6)

Prayers of the People
     Prayer Concerns
Lord’s Prayer (Hymnal #895)

Anthem                              Gesu Bambino              Pietro Yon
Steve Farkas, vocal solo

Scripture Reading                             John 14:6

A Time of Singing
     Hymn 242                           Love Came Down at Christmas
    Hymn 220                       Angels from the Realms of Glory
     Hymn 249                               There’s a Song in the Air

Sermon                                 Brothers and Sisters in Christ                           Robin Stewart

Preparation for the Offering
                Offertory                                                                                               Handbell solo

*Doxology (Hymn 94)
     Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
          praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
     Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
     Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
     Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Closing Hymn 224            Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

*Benediction

*Sung Benediction                       Joy to the World
     He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
          the glories of his righteousness,
         and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
         and wonders, wonders of his love.

Postlude

Christmas Eve

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:19:13 -0700

This service includes favorite Christmas songs by the Wesley Bell choir, Hillcrest Girls choir, organ, piano and flute. These are interspersed with readings from the Christmas story and a sermon by Brenda.

Prelude - bells
Welcome - Brenda
Lighting the Advent wreath
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Reading from Isaiah
Lord of Glory
Gabriel visits Mary
A Light Over Bethlehem
The Angel Visits Joseph
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
Caesar Augutsus’ Decree
Jesus Birth
Angels visit the Shepherds
The Wise Men
Faith and Suffering - Sermon by Brenda
Offertory - Flute solo
Medley of Christmas Carols
Postlude - Piano solo

Vulnerability

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:03:11 -0700

No bulletin.

Gift of Hope

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:44:51 -0700

Order of Worship
December 14, 2008
Third Sunday of Advent

There is a votive candle on our altar today to remind us to pray for peace. If you are a guest from another congregation, we invite you to take a peace candle from our congregation as a gift to your church.

Announcements

Prelude                                                      Our Hope and Expectation                          arr. Paul Manz

Greeting and Words of Welcome                                       Rev. Brenda Sene

*Hymn of Praise 220         Angels from the Realms of Glory

The Advent Candle        O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs. 3)
     O come, O come, great Lord of might,
         who to thy tribe on Sinai’s height
          in ancient time once gave the law
          in cloud and majesty and awe.
     Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

    Loving God, we open ourselves to you,
          trusting that this is how you made us:
     you created us for joy-filled hearts and lives.
     Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained,
     but must be shared.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
     that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

Children’s Time
     Hymn 147               O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (v. 1)
Children’s Story                   The Christmas Star                                       Kari Edwards
Hymn 147            O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (v. 2&3)

Prayers of the People
     Prayer Concerns
Lord’s Prayer (Hymnal #895)
Choral Response

Anthem                                       The Heavens Are Telling the Glory of God                     Marcello

Gospel Reading                                            Luke 1:67-79

Hymn                            Let Us Hope When Hope Seems Hopeless
(tune: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus)

Let us hope when hope seems hopeless, when the dreams we dreamed have died.
     When the morning breaks in brightness, hunger shall be satisfied.
     One who sows the fields with weeping shall retrace the sorrowing way,
     and rejoice in harvest bounty at the breaking of the day.

Faith and hope in love's compassion will survive though knowledge cease,
     though the tongues of joy fall silent, dull the words of prophecies.
     Faith shall see and trust its object; hope shall set its anchor sure;
     love shall bloom in Love eternal, Faith and hope and love endure.

Like a child outgrowing childhood, setting childhood things away,
     we will learn to live in freedom, in the life of God's new day.
     Now we see as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face,
     understand how love's compassion blossoms through amazing Grace.

Epistle Reading                                                I Peter 1:3-5

Sermon                                        The Gifts of Christmas:                  Rev. Brenda Sene
The Gift of Hope

Preparation for the Offering
                Offertory                              Still as the Night                                     Carl Bohm
Ed Brown, viola     Pauline Mickelson, piano

*Doxology (Hymn 94)
     Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
          praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
     Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
     Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
     Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Closing Hymn 246                      Joy to the World

*Benediction

*Sung Benediction          O Little Town of Bethlehem
    O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
     cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
     We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
     O come to us, abide in us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Postlude                    Canticle of Joy                                               J.S. Bach

Patience

Sun, 7 Dec 2008 15:51:14 -0700

December 7, 2008
Second Sunday of Advent

Announcements

Prelude               Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming arr. Joel Raney
Wesley Bell Choir Jan Brown, synthesizer

Greeting and Words of Welcome        Rev. Brenda Sene

*Opening Hymn 206     I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

Lighting of the Advent Candles   O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs. 2)

    O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
      and order all things far and nigh;
      to us the path of knowledge show
           and cause us in her way to go.
     Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Advent Prayer

    Loving God, in this time of preparation and planning,
         we thank you for the hope and peace
              you unfailingly offer us.
Show us the creative power of hope.
     Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
     Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
         that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

Children’s Time
    Hymn                                       Ring, Bells, Ring

         Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come, born a Jew,
              come to make all things new; bear his People’s burden,
                   freely love and pardon:
          Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!
          Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!
          When he comes, when he comes,
               who will make him welcome?

Children’s Story                 The Bells of Christmas Marilyn Taylor
     Hymn                                        Ring, Bells, Ring

         God in time, God in man, this is God’s timeless plan:
               he will come, as a man, born himself of woman,
                    God divinely human:
          Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!
          Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!
          When he comes, when he comes,
               who will make him welcome?

Prayers of the People
    Prayer Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer (Hymnal #895)

Scripture Reading Luke 1:5-25

Anthem    Who on Earth Could Know?       Valerie Mackenzie

Scripture Reading              James 5:7-11

Sermon                                     The Gifts of Christmas: Rev. Brenda Sene
The Gift of Patience

Preparation for the Offering
     Offertory              Pat-a-Pan/Carol of the Birds        arr. Donna Hanna
Wesley Bell Choir

*Doxology (Hymn 94)

    Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
         praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Sacrament of Holy Communion (insert)

*Closing Hymn 213       Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

*Benediction

*Sung Benediction    O Little Town of Bethlehem

     O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
          cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
     We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
     O come to us, abide in us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Postlude                        Pastorale from “Le Prologue de Jesus” arr. Clokey

Anticipation

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:11:21 -0700

Order of Worship
November 30, 2008
First Sunday of Advent

Announcements

Prelude           Carol of Anticipation Lenora Brown

Greeting and Call to Worship       Rev. Brenda Sene

           Make ready a pathway for our God!
            Let us cleanse our hearts and clean out our minds!
            Center yourself in the love of God.
            Let us know that we are his children.
            Focus on the one who comes to love us.
            Let us prepare a place in our hearts and our homes.
            Set the table and light the candles.
            For Christ is coming!

*Hymn of Praise 196         Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

The Advent Candle 211  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs. 1)

        Loving God, as we enter this Advent season,
              we open all the dark places in our lives and memories
                   to the healing light of Christ.
        Show us the creative power of hope.
        Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
                that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

Infant Dedication for Noah Kingston Martinez Son of Peggy & Louis Martinez, the grandson of Ruth & Mike Oar, the great grandson of Robert Hall

            You have offered Noah
                        to the strong and tender providence of God.
            We rejoice with you and give thanks for the gift of your child.
            We promise, with humility and seriousness,
                        to share in Noah’s nurture and well-being.
            We will support, by our example and words,
                        your efforts to provide a loving and caring home,
                        where trust in God grows and Christ’s way is chosen.
            Our prayers will be with you and for you.
            May our shared life and witness
                        help make your task both joyful and fruitful.

Children’s Time
Hymn 210                    All Earth Is Waiting (v. 1&2)
Children’s Story               What Is Advent?    Patti Edwards
Hymn 210                All Earth Is Waiting (v. 3&4)

Prayers of the People
Prayer Concerns
Vocal Solo We Live in Hope            Sarah Bettinger
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer (Hymnal #895)

Anthem                            Prepare! Allen Pote

Scripture Reading                Isaiah 64:1-9

Sermon                                     The Gifts of Christmas: Rev. Brenda Sene
The Gift of Anticipation

Preparation for the Offering
Offertory             Above All Paul Baloche
Daniel Sene, vocal solo

*Doxology (Hymn 94)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Closing Hymn      Would You Build a Home? (tune of ST. DENIO)    F.R. Garland

            Would you build a home in which God could reside?
            Would you welcome God and invite Love inside?
            Then open your heart and prepare to receive
                        a great affirmation of what you believe.

           “The Lord will be with you. Fear not what will come.
            The Spirit will grace you that you may become
                        the dwelling of Jesus, the Savior and Lord,
                        the Light of the Nations, for ever adored.

            The spirit rejoices and God’s magnified,
                        the commonplace blessed and life’s sanctified:
            the rich and the haughty, dismissed with a wave;
                        the poor and the hungry, God comes now to save.

            So welcome the gospel and humbly profess
                        the prophet’s great wisdom, the faith you confess.
            For love is embodied and born in this child
                        and all you who seek him will be reconciled.

*Benediction

*Sung Benediction O Little Town of Bethlehem

            O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
            Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
            We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
            O come to us, abide in us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Postlude     Lord, Christ, When First You Came to Earth        arr. Robert Glick

Thanksgiving

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:18:30 -0700

No bulletin available.

Service and Sacrifice

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:38:54 -0700

No bulletin is available yet.

Recognizing the Spirit

Sun, 9 Nov 2008 16:48:40 -0700

November 9, 2008
Veterans Day Sunday

There is a votive candle on our altar today to remind us to pray for peace. If you area guest from another congregation, we invite you to take a peace candle from our congregation as a gift to your church.

Please silence your cell phones.
* indicates to stand as you are able.

Announcements

Prelude                                “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” from Suite for Organ                    Philop Baker

Greeting and Words of Welcome                                                                       Rev. Brenda Sene

*Hymn of Praise 103         Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

*Opening Prayer
            O God, keep our whole country under your protection.
            Wipe out sin from this land;
                        lift it up from the depth of sorrow,
O Lord, our shining light.
            Save us from deep grief and misfortune,
                        Lord of all nations.
            Bless us with your wisdom,
                        so that the poor may not be oppressed
                                    and the rich may not be oppressors.
            Make this a nation having no ruler except God,
                        a nation having no authority but that of Love.
            Amen.
                                                            (Toyohiko Kagawa, Japan, 20th cent.)

Children’s Time
Hymn 696                    America the Beautiful
Children’s Story                Veterans Day                                       Patti Edwards
                        Hymn 697                                America

Prayers of the People
                Prayer Concerns
                Pastoral Prayer
                Lord’s Prayer (Hymnal #895)

Anthem                                           “Forever Blest is He” from Jephthah                         G.F. Handel

Scripture Reading                        Judges 11:29-33

*Hymn 153                     Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose

Sermon                                    Lessons from Jephthah:                   Rev. Brenda Sene
Recognizing the Spirit of the Lord

Preparation for the Offering
                Offertory                               El Shaddai                                             Amy Grant
Sarah Bettinger, vocal solo

*Doxology (Hymn 94)
                Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
                                praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
                Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
                Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
                Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Closing Hymn 529               How Firm a Foundation

*Benediction

*Sung Benediction                   This Is My Song                                                 Sebelius
This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;
but other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth’s kingdoms:
Thy kingdom come; on earth thy will be done.
Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,
and hearts united learn to live as one.
O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations;
Myself I give thee; let thy will be done.

Postlude                                            Forth in Battle                                      David Schack