Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Podcast

Welcome to the last Sunday of 2020. It's been a year and we ready ourselves for the beginning of the new.

Prelude - "The First Noel" (arr. Fred Bock) - Micah Wright, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#171) "Joy to the World"

Confession and Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Special Music - "Gesu Bambino" by Pietro Yon - Performed by Saousan Jarjour, soprano; Cornel Radulescu, organ

Sermon - "Heart for the Lost" (Galatians 4:4–7) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Offertory - "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's "Messiah"

Prayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Benediction

Closing Hymn - (#205) "Go Tell it On the Mountain"

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! the Lord is come:

Let earth receive her King; 

Let every heart prepare Him room, 

And heaven and nature sing, 

And heaven and nature sing, 

And heaven and heaven and nature sing. 

Joy to the world! the Savior reigns: 

Let men their songs employ; 

While fields and floods, 

Rocks, hills, and plains 

Repeat the sounding joy, 

Repeat the sounding joy, 

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 

No more let sins and sorrows grow, 

Nor thorns infest the ground; 

He comes to make His blessings flow 

Far as the curse is found, 

Far as the curse is found, 

Far as, far as the curse is found. 

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. 

Go Tell it On the Mountain

Go, tell it on the mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

That Jesus Christ is born! 

While shepherds kept their watching 

O'er silent flocks by night, 

Behold throughout the heavens 

There shone a holy light. 

Go, tell it on the mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

That Jesus Christ is born! 

The shepherds feared and trembled 

When lo! Above the earth 

Rang out the angel chorus 

That hailed our Savior's birth. 

Go, tell it on the mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

That Jesus Christ is born! 

Down in a lowly manger 

The humble Christ was born, 

And brought us God's salvation 

That blessed Christmas morn. 

Go, tell it on the mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

That Jesus Christ is born! 

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I pray you all had a merry Christmas this year!

Prelude - "Fantasia on Greensleeves" (Excerpts) by Ralph Vaughan Williams - Micah Wright, piano; Cornel Radulescu, organ

Welcome and Lighting of the Christ Candle by Jason, Malia, Zeke, and Elsie Griffice

Carols of Christmas - (#193) "O Come All Ye Faithful"

Scripture Reading - Luke 2:1–14

Sermon - "Glory to God in the Highest" by Rev. Jason Griffice

Carols of Christmas - (#185) "Away in a Manger"

Prayers for Christmas Eve

Benediction

Carols of Christmas - (#195) "Silent Night, Holy Night"

Closing Remarks

O Come all Ye Faithfull

O come, all ye faithfull, joyful and triumphant, 

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; 

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; 

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

Christ, the Lord. 

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, 

O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; 

Glory to God, all glory in the highest; 

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

Christ, the Lord. 

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning, 

O Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; 

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; 

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him, 

Christ, the Lord. 

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, 

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. 

The stars in the sky all looked down where He lay, 

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. 

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, 

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. 

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, 

and stay by my side until morning is nigh. 

Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask Thee to stay 

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. 

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, 

And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there. 

Silent Night, Holy Night

Silent night, holy night, 

All is calm, all is bright 

Round yon virgin mother and child. 

Holy infant so tender and mild, 

Sleep in heavenly peace, 

Sleep in heavenly peace. 

Silent night, holy night, 

Shepherds quake at the sight. 

Glories stream from heaven afar, 

Heavenly host sing alleluia; 

Christ, the Savior, is born! 

Christ, the Savior, is born! 

Silent night, holy night, 

Son of God, love's pure light 

Radiant beams from Thy holy face, 

With the dawn of redeeming grace, 

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, 

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. 

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Standing in the stead of our annual Christmas Concert is a collection of past recordings chosen by Cornel. We hope to see you on Christmas Eve, either at the 3PM broadcasted or the 7PM unplugged service.

Prelude - "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (arr. Fred Bock) - Micah Wright, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Christmas Traditions of the Past, shared by Patty Earnest

Lighting the Candle of Love and Call to Worship, led by Troy and Pachi Wathen

Hymn of Praise - (#190) "Angels from the Realms of Glory"

Moment for Children & Youth, led by Keri Scroggins

Confession and Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

PCC Choir Christmas Praise - "Ding! Dong! Merrily on High" (arr. Howard Helvey)

PCC Choir Chirstmas Praise - "Still, Still, Still" (arr. Norman Luboff) - Kalea Black, Ashleigh Byrne, Elsie Griffice, 2nd verse

2020-12-20 Sermon - "Of His Kingdom, There Will Be No End" (Luke 1:26–38) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Offertory - "O Holy Night" by Adam/Radulescu - PCC Choir; Madeline Reynolds, soprano; Jay Hernandez, tenor; Michael Ben-Yehuda, tenor; Tom Ringland, bass; Micah Wright, piano; Angelica Prodan, organ

Prayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Benediction

Postlude - "Largo" from Vivaldi's "Winter" - Micah Wright and Cornel Radulescu (piano, four hands)

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Angels, from the realms of glory,

Wing you flight o'er all the earth;

You, who sang creation's story,

Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

CHORUS:

Come and worship, come and worship,

Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds, in the field abiding,

Watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with us in now residing;

Yonder shines the infant light:

[Chorus]

Sages, leave your contemplations;

Brighter visions beam afar;

Seek the great Desire of nations;

You have seen His natal star:

[Chorus]

All creation, join in praising

God the Father, Spirit, Son,

Evermore your voices raising

To the eternal Three in One;

[Chorus]

Ding! dong! Merrily on High

Ding! dong! merrily on high in heav'n the bells are ringing;

Ding! dong! verily the sky is riv'n with angels singing.

Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

E'en so here below, below, let steeple bells be swungen,

and "I-o, i-o, i-o!!" by priests and people sungen.

Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime you matin chime, re ringers!

May you beautifully rime your evetime song, ye singers!

Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!

Gloria! Gloria! Gloria!

Still, Still, Still

Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow.

For all is hushed, the world is sleeping, Holy Star its vigil keeping,

Still, still, still, one can ear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep, 'tis the eve of our Savior's birth.

The night is peaceful all around you, close your eyes, let sleep surround you,

Sleep, sleep, sleep, 'tis the eve of our Savior's birth

Dream, dream, dream of the joyous day to come.

While guardian angels without number watch you as you sweetly slumber.

Dream, dream, dream of the joyous day to come.

O Holy Night!

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees!

O hear the angel voices!

O night divine!

O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night divine!

Led by the light

Our third Sunday of Advent begins with a high intensity rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High". The carols keep coming, interspersed with Scripture readings, lighting the Candle of Joy, and a brief history of our annual Christmas Family Affair.

Entering into Worship - "Angels We Have Heard on High"

First Reading - Isaiah 40:1-5, read by Danny Fehsenfeld

Gathering Carol - "O come, O Come Emmanuel"

Welcome & News of the Church

Lighting of the Candle of Joy - John & Judi Imm

Second Reading - Hebrews 1:1-3, John 3:16, read by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Carols of Christmas - "What Child Is This?"

Third REading - Matthew 1:18-25, read by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Carols of Christmas - "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"

Prayers of Advent, led by Rev. Jason Griffice

Offertory - "Hallelujah" - Matthias Chaidez, violin

Fourth Reading - Luke 2:1-7, read by Michelle Phillips

Carols of Christmas - "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Fifth Reading - Matthew 2:1-12, read by Danny Fehsenfeld

Sermon - "The One Who Calls You is Faithful" (I Thessalonians 5:16-24), by Rev. Jason Griffice

Carols of Christmas - "Joy to the World"

Benediction

Postlude

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The weather is getting colder as we go through the preparations for Christmas, preparations called Advent. Today, we light the second candle of Advent—the Candle of Peace.

Prelude - "Away in a Manger" (arr. Glenda Austin) - Micah Wright, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Christmas Traditions of the Past, led by Kathy Byrne

Lighting the Candle of Peace, led by the Olson Family

Hymn of Praise - (#184) "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Moment for Children & Youth,, led by Keri Scroggins

Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Praise Songs

Sermon - "Baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:1–8) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Offertory - "Holy Spirit", PCC Band

Serving the Sacrament of Communion

Benediction

Singing the Lord's Prayer

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King: 

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, 

God and sinners reconciled!" 

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 

Join the triumphs of the skies; 

With the angelic host proclaim, 

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!" 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King." 

Christ, by highest heaven adored; 

Christ, the everlasting Lord! 

Late in time behold Him come, 

Offspring of the Virgin's womb. 

Veiled in flesh the God-head see; 

Hail th'incarnate Deity, 

Pleased as man with men to dwell, 

Jesus, our Emmanuel. 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King." 

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! 

Hail the Sun of Righteousness! 

Light and life to all He brings, 

Risen with healing in His wings. 

Mild He lays His glory by, 

Born that man no more may die; 

Born to raise the sons of earth, 

Born to give them second birth. 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King!" 

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Today is the first Sunday of Advent and the Hanging of the Greens. Poinsettias and wreaths were placed during the service, decorating the outside of the building, Dick Clark lit the Candle of Hope, and Patti Amelotte led us in carols throughout the service.

Prelude - Selection of Christmas Carols and Irish Tunes - Patti Amelotte, dulcimer

Welcome & News of the Church

Changing of the Pastors' Stoles

Blast from the Past, presented by Marcia Millar

Lighting of the Candle of Hope and Call to Worship, led by Dick Clark

Carols of Advent - (#168) "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

Moment for Children and Youth, led by Keri Scroggins

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Carols of Advent - (#177) "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" and (#169) "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

Sermon - "Strengthen You to the End" (I Corinthians 1:3–9) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Offertory - "Come Before Winger" by Jim Taylor - performed by Patti Amelotte, dulcimer

Pastoral Prayer, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Benediction

Postlude - "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella/Il Est Ne" - performed by Patti Amelotte, dulcimer

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, 

Born to set Thy people free; 

From our fears and sins release us; 

Let us find our rest in Thee. 

Israel's Strength and Consolation, 

Hope of all the earth Thou art; 

Dear Desire of every nation, 

Joy of every longing heart. 

Born Thy people to deliver, 

Born a child and yet a King, 

Born to reign in us forever, 

Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring. 

By Thine own eternal Spirit 

Rule in all our hearts alone; 

By Thine all-sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne. 

Amen 

Good Christian Men, Rejoice

Good Christian men, rejoice 

With heart and soul and voice; 

Give ye heed to what we say: 

News! news! 

Jesus Christ is born today! 

Ox and ass before Him bow, 

And He is in the manger now. 

Christ is born today! 

Christ is born today! 

Good Christian men, rejoice 

With heart and soul and voice; 

Now ye hear of endless bliss: 

Joy! joy! 

Jesus Christ was born for this! 

He has opened heaven's door, 

And man is blessed evermore. 

Christ was born for this! 

Christ was born for this! 

Good Christian men, rejoice 

With hear and soul and voice; 

Now ye need not fear the grave: 

Peace! peace! 

Jesus Christ was born to save! 

Calls you one and calls you all 

To gain His everlasting hall. 

Christ was born to save! 

Christ was born to save! 

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 

O come, O come, Emmanuel, 

And ransom captive Israel, 

That mourns in linely exile here, 

Until the Son of God appear. 

CHORUS: 

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 

Shall come to thee, O Israel! 

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer 

Our spirits by Thine advent here; 

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, 

And death's dark shadows put to flight. 

[CHORUS]

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 ways to go. 

[CHORUS]

O come, Desire of nations, bind 

In one the hearts of all mankind; 

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, 

And be thyself our King of peace. 

[CHORUS]<

Welcome back to week 12 of the drive-in service! (Though, it's technically 11 because of the threat of rain a couple of weeks ago.) Rev. Jason Griffice concludes his sermon series, we have another Blast from the Past, and Brian Cich sings "My Tribute" with Cornel accompanying.

Prelude - "How Big is God" (Arr. Mark Hayes) - Micah Wright, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Blast from the Past, by Karlyna Macey

Call to Worship

Children's Message, led by Keri Scroggins

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Praise Songs

Sermon - "Urgency and Simplicity" (Matthew 25:31–45) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Offertory - "My Tribute" by Crouch/Radulescu - Brian Cich, baritone; Cornel Radulescu, organ

Prayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Benediction

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Come, ye thankful people, come, 

Raise the song of harvest-home; 

All is safely gathered in, 

Ere the winter storms begin: 

God, our Maker, doth provide 

For our wants to be supplied; 

Come to God's own temple, com, 

Raise the song of harvest-home. 

All the world is God's own field, 

Fruit unto His praise to yield; 

Wheat and tares together sown, 

Unto joy or sorrows grown: 

First the blade, and then the ear, 

Then the full corn shall appear; 

Lord of harvest, grant that we 

Wholesome grain and pure may be. 

Even so, Lord, quickly come 

To Thy final harvest-home; 

Gather Thou Thy people in, 

Free from sorrow, free from sin: 

There forever purified, 

In Thy presence to abide; 

Come, with all Thine angels, come, 

Raise the glorious harvest-home. 

Amen. 

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There was a brief Congregational Meeting following the service today. Our first, and hopefully only, drive-in meeting used ballots to vote for or against those nominated to Elder and Deacon positions as well as to vote on an amendment to the rules which would retroactively allow Session meetings to be held over video conferencing. All nominees were confirmed and all measures were passed unanimously.

Prelude - "Come, Christians Join to Sing" (Arr. Mark Hayes) - Micah Wright, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Blast from the Past, presented by Norrah Andersen

Moment for Mission - Operation Christmas Child, presented by Karlyna Macey

Call to Worship, led by Rev. Tim McCalmont

Opening Hymn - (#349) "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing"

Confession and Assurance

Praise Song - "All the People Said Amen"

2020-11-15 Sermon - "The Prayer" (Matthew 6:9–14) by Rev. Tim McCalmont

Offertory - "No Longer Slaves"

Pastoral Prayer, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Benediction

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise, 

The glories of my God and King, 

The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God, 

Assist me to proclaim, 

To spread through all the earth abroad

The honors of Thy name. 

Jesus! the name that charms our fears, 

That bids our sorrows cease, 

'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 

'Tis life and health and peace. 

He breaks the power of cancelled sin, 

He sets the prisoner free; 

His blood can make the foulest clean, 

His blood availed for me. 

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, 

Your loosened tongues employ; 

Ye blind, behold your Savior come; 

And leap, ye lame, for joy! 

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It's unfortunate that we didn't have equipment prepared for rain, and now the weather has broken our streak of drive-in services. Hopefully everyone stayed safe and warm if there was a need to leave the house this weekend.

Prelude - "Jesus Saves" (arr. Mark Hayes) - Micah Wright, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#21) "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

Children's Message, led by Keri Scroggins

Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Praise Song - "Our God" by Chris Tomlin - PCC Band

Sermon - "Believers Share" (Acts 4:32–35) by Rev. Jason Griffice

Call for the Tithes and Offerings

Offertory - "He Leadeth Me" (arr. Mary McDonald) - PCC Choir

Prayers of the People, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Benediction

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling, 

Joy of heaven to earth come down, 

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, 

All Thy faithful mercies crown. 

Jesus, Thou art all compassion, 

Pure, unbounded love Thou art; 

Visit us with Thy salvation, 

Enter every trembling heart. 

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit 

Into every troubled breast; 

Let us all in Thee inherit, 

Let us find Thy promised rest. 

Take away our bent to sinning, 

Alpha and Omega be; 

End of faith, as its beginning, 

Set our hearts at liberty. 

Finish then Thy new creation, 

Pure and spotless let us be; 

Let us see Thy great salvation 

Perfectly restored in Thee. 

Changed from glory into glory, 

'Til in heaven we take our place, 

'Til we cast our crowns before Thee, 

Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Amen. 

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Welcome back for All Saints' Day and Communion Sunday! This is the time of year when we remember that we are present not in one world, but two. Our presence is the Spiritual world is indelible, yet our perception of it has been (mostly) sealed. However, we are reminded that our dismissal from the Physical world is also a welcoming into the fullness of the Spiritual world and, by definition, a welcoming into the fullness of the presence of God. 

Similarly, there is wealth in the Physical world and there is wealth in the Spiritual world. Those who have great physical wealth may be poor in spiritual wealth and those who are spiritually wealthy may have few physical possessions. Today, we see how, while the Spiritual world may be imperceptible at the moment, it is fully present and often affects the Physical world in unexpected ways. 

Prelude - "Holy, Holy, Holy" (arr. Mark Hayes) - Micah Wright, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#614) "For All the Saints"

Confession, Assurance, and Affirmation, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Remembering the Saints

Praise Song - "Friend of God"

2020-11-01 Sermon - "What I Do Have, I Give You" (Acts 3:1–10) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Praying over the Pledges

Offertory - "Lord I Need You" by Nockels, Carson, Reeves, Stanfill, and Maher

Serving the Sacrament of Communion

Benediction

Singing The Lord's Prayer

For All the Saints

For all the saints who from their labors rest, 

Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, 

Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest: 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might, 

Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; 

  Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light: 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, 

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, 

  singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Amen

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