FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2A North Hanover Street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013

717.243.4612 ● www.firstprescarlisle.org ● fpcarl@pa.net

ORDER FOR WORSHIP

THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY / THE SUNDAY LAST BEFORE LENT

FEBRUARY 14, 2021

(BOLD indicates Read Together)

GATHERING

PRELUDES

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise -- Innes

GREETING and ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

New Songs of Celebration Render -- Schelat

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

As God spoke, calling light out of darkness,

God’s glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ.

HYMN – “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;

Thy justice like mountains high soaring above

Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Though givest, to both great and small;

In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;

We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,

Then wither and perish; but naught changeth Thee.

Thou reignest in glory, Thou rulest in light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

All praise we would render; O help us to see

‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God our Creator, we confess that we are broken, sinful creatures.

You shine with perfect beauty, but we turn away from your presence.

You blaze with heavenly glory, but we hide our faces from your truth.

Forgive us, God of grace.

Shine in our hearts this day through the light of your Word

so that we may glorify you forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN

(silent confession . . . . )

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

RESPONSE TO PARDON – “Gloria Patri”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN, AMEN.

PROCLAIMING

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Saving God, you are the source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory.

Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live

as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN

FIRST LESSON – II Kings 2:1-12

1 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” 4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered,

“Yes, I know; be silent.” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”

But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10 He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet,

if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11 As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in

a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces

(The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God!)

SECOND LESSON – Mark 9:2-9

2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart,

by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

(The Word of the Lord; Thanks be to God!)

SERMON – Rev. Anthony Lorenz

HYMN – “Sing of God Made Manifest”

Sing of God made manifest in a child robust and blest,

To whose home in Bethlehem where a star had guided them,

Magi came and gifts unbound, signs mysterious and profound:

Myrrh and frankincense and gold grave and God and king foretold.

Sing of God made manifest when at Jordan John confessed,

“I should be baptized by you, but your bidding I will do.”

Then from heaven a double sign—dove-like Spirit, voice divine—

Hailed the true Anointed One: “This is my beloved Son.”

Sing of God made manifest when Christ came as wedding guest

And at Cana gave a sign, turning water into wine;

Further still was love revealed as he taught, forgave, and healed,

Bringing light and life to all who would listen to God’s call.

Sing of God made manifest on the cloud-capped mountain’s crest,

Where the law and prophets waned so that Christ alone remained:

Glimpse of glory, pledge of grace, given as Jesus set his face

Towards the waiting cross and grave, sign of hope that God would save.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED (traditional)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;

he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints;

the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

GIVING THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of grace, we hear your call to generous givingin the way you meet our needs each day,and in the peace you give which passes understanding.Having received so much, we offer all we have,our time, talents and money for your kingdom. Bless these gifts for the work of your church.  AMEN

SENDING

HYMN – “Arise, Your Light Is Come!”

Arise, your lift is come! The Spirit’s call obey;

Show forth the glory of your god, Which shines on you today.

Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door;

Proclaim the captives’ liberty, Good tidings to the poor.

Arise, your light is come! All you in sorrow born,

Bind up the broken-hearted ones And comfort those who mourn.

Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song!

Rise up like eagles on the wing; God’s power will make us strong.

BENEDICTION

CLOSING RESPONSE – “God Be with You Till We Meet Again”

God be with you till we meet again;

Loving counsels guide, uphold you,

with a Shepherd’s care enfold you:

God be with you till we meet again.

POSTLUDE – Allegro – Young

SERVING TODAY:

Worship Assistant: Bill Beck

Reader: Tracy Sommers

Vocalist: Deb Ryerson

Camera: Joe Shane

Recorder: Ray Thomas

THIS WEEK, IN OUR PRAYERS:

* the church at work: the Presbyteries of: Pittsburgh; St. Andrew; Western North Carolina; West Virginia

* the Presbytery of Carlisle: Dickinson, Carlisle; Neal McCulloch, Commissioned Ruling Elder

* the community: Bethel AME (E. Pomfret St.)

* the congregation (at random): Bill & Rita Beck; Rich Pitzer, Beth & Abbey Whitman-Pitzer

THIS WEEK, IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH:

~ Tuesday, 7 PM: Session meets (via Zoom)

~ Wednesday, 7 PM: Ash Wednesday Service (via Zoom; details in Weekly Update)

NEXT SUNDAY . . . . First Sunday in Lent / Lord’s Supper . . . . February 21, 2021

WORSHIP: (recording of service); reminder - please have your Communion elements ready as you begin worship;

Note: Sunday morning worship is recorded at 9:15 AM & posted by Noon on the church website, church Facebook page, and YouTube (“Sunday on the Square”).

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Members of the Congregation, Ministers

The Rev. Anthony D. Lorenz, Pastor

The Rev. Jon A. Black, Pastor Emeritus; Debby Madden, Educator Emerita

Arthur Thompson, Organist; Ron Richcreek, Music Director

Avis Allen, Administrative Secretary; Chuck Adler, Sexton

Church Administrative Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 9-2

Office Phone: (717) 243-4612; Office E-mail: fpcarl@pa.net

Rev. Lorenz’ email: alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net

Rev. Lorenz’ phone number: cell (717) 609-3780

Website: www.firstprescarlisle.org

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