Forest Hill Church seeks to be diverse, inclusive and welcoming.

3031 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Hts OH 44118

216-321-2660 Fax: 216-320-1214

Email: office@fhcpresb.org Website: www.fhcpresb.org

Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr., Pastor

Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig, Parish Assoc.

Rev. Lois Annich, Interim Assoc. Pastor

Rachel McDonald, Interim Assoc. Pastor

Anne Wilson, Director of Music

Kate Burleigh, Dir. of Children’s Ministries

Shannon Headen, Dir. of Youth Ministries

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Service of Worship

March 13, 2016 at 11:00 am Welcome! Thank you for joining us today for worship.

If you are visiting, please join us in wearing a name tag so that we might greet you. Our ushers have hearing devices, large print editions of the bulletin,

activity bags for children staying in worship, and directions to our nursery for babies and young children.

Prayer of Preparation Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. Make us always remember your generosity and constantly do your will. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Make us who come from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with authority the spirit of wisdom, that there might be peace and justice in our land. Amen.

Welcome

Prelude “Make a Joyful Noise”

Descant Choir

Greeting Our God with Joy

Call to Worship Elder James Manista Leader: Welcome! The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord. People: Who made heaven and earth. Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made. People: We will rejoice and be glad in it. Leader: Let us worship God.

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* Processional Hymn No. 409 “God is Here!”

*please stand if able

Renewing Our Relationship with God

Litany of Confession Leader: Almighty God, you alone are good and holy. Purify our lives

and make us brave disciples. We do not ask you to keep us safe, but to keep us loyal, so we may serve Jesus Christ, who, tempted in every way as we are, was faithful to you.

People: From lack of reverence for truth and beauty; for going along with mean and ugly things; O God, deliver us.

Leader: From cowardice that dares not face truth; laziness content with half-truth; or arrogance that thinks we know it all; O God, deliver us.

People: From being dull, pompous or rude; from putting down our neighbors; O God, deliver us.

Leader: From being satisfied with the way things are, in church or in the world; from failing to share your indignation about injustice; O God deliver us.

All: O God, forgive us.

Time of Silent Confession

Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) Craig Phillips

Stanzas 1, 3, 4

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Affirming the Good News in Our Lives

Assurance of Pardon

* Response John Bell

Opening Our Hearts to God’s Word

Family Meditation “One Great Hour of Sharing” Pathways children will leave after the Family Meditation

Scripture Lessons Isaiah 58: 1-12

Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.

“Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the

First, all sing in unison. Second, men start, women and children start one measure later.

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thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

Luke 13: 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

After the scriptures: Leader: Hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God’s people. People: Thanks be to God.

* Hymn No. 345 “In an Age of Twisted Values”

Prayer requests to be read during the Prayers of the People may be passed to the ushers during this hymn

Choir sing st. 1

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Sermon Rev. Dr. John C. Lentz, Jr. “For the Healing of This Nation”

Prayers of the People

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; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Ritual of Friendship all are asked to sign

Offering QR code for online giving is on p. 7

Offertory spiritual, arr. William Dawson “Soon-Ah Will Be Done”

* Response Hymn No. 697

* Prayer of Dedication

Going Forth to Live as God’s People

* Closing Hymn No. 339 “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

* Commission and Blessing

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* Choral Benediction

* Passing of the Peace

Postlude J. S. Bach

“Prelude in Fm”

Welcome Visitors! We look forward to greeting you and answering any questions you may have. Visitor welcome bags are available in the foyers and the narthex. Take one home with you! Be sure to visit our website, www.fhcpresb.org, to find a complete list of upcoming events, education programs for all ages, and texts and audio of past sermons.

Congregational Notes Chancel Flowers The flowers today are given by Ellen McChesney in loving memory of Clarence and Marjorie McChesney, and by Jack Prentice in memory of Ricky Prentice. Prayer Concerns this Week Prayers are requested this week for the following: Elaine Dannefer, Grace Glaros, Max Harmon, Mary Hosier, Shelly Jesberger, Mary Lewis, Robert Ruggeri, Robin Richards, Mary Sacha, Jim Seeders, George Sentell, Dorothy Turick, and Debbie Ungemach.

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The Deacons encourage you to stop by the Greeting Card Table in Fellowship Hall before or after worship to sign a card for one or more of our homebound members. We will address and mail the card for you.

Please remember these homebound members in your prayers: Bill Currie, Marge Drollinger, Betty Farnfield, Emma Jane Gibbs, Iris Gilbert, Ron Klein, Emelia McGuire, Joyce Peters, Jack Quinn, Margie & Dwight Stauffer, Elaine Tapié, Lorian Thomas. Thank you to head usher Roger Heineman and today’s ushers. Please contact the church office if you are interested in joining an usher team.

Announcements

TODAY Three-Choir Concert

“Songs from American Poets” will be the theme of a collaborative concert to be presented in our sanctuary today at 3:00 pm. The Singers’ Club of Cleveland, Forest Hill’s Chancel Choir, and the Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word will each perform settings of poems written by Americans, including Walt Whitman, e. e. cummings, and Emily Dickinson. The Singers’ Club is a male chorus whose history goes back to 1891. (Forest Hill’s Don Grube has been a member since 1977.) The Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word is a group of Cleveland African-American young men who study the art of performance poetry, adding mime, movement and song. They made a widely-publicized visit to France last summer. An offering will be received, to be divided between Forest Hill Church Friends of Music and the Distinguished Gentlemen. A reception will follow the concert.

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THIS WEEK Bible and Bagels

Bible and Bagels meets Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 am in the Jin Room. All are welcome! The lessons this week are Luke 19: 28-40 and Ps. 118:1-2, 19-29.

NEXT SUNDAY There are no Adult Education classes on March 20, 27 or April 3.

Adult Education will resume on April 10 with “Faith Matters: Keeping It Real,” a series led by Rev. Lois Annich.

Labre Project Warm, gently-used clothing and accessories – coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, blankets for men, women and children – are appreciated for the Labre Project in East Cleveland. Please leave donations in the bin in Fellowship Hall.

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Social Groups and Circles

Iris Circle (all women of the church) Iris Circle will meet at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Tuesday, March 15 for a tour. Meet at the church at 10:30; the tour is at 11 am. RSVP to Barb Hansen (bjhansen47@gmail.com) or Cathy Ghiandoni (ghiandoni.c@gmail.com) if you plan to attend.

Hilltoppers (retired) The Hilltoppers will be treated to a travelogue by Dave Neff of Panatanal, an area of rainforest in southern Brazil, on Friday, March 18 at 1 pm.

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Care Group The Eden Care Group is responsible for meeting members’ needs during March. Please call the church office to report an illness, hospitalization, family emergency, birth or death. Information will then be passed on to the Care Group leaders.

Members of this month’s Care Group are: Kathy Carr, Deacon leader Doris Allen Nathan & Lane Baldwin Mary Ball Dave & Chris Bell Kathy & Bruce Carr Jane & Derek Duncan & family Jeff Dyck & Lara Troyer & family Julie Lafferty Ely Kris & Bill Fay Carrie Fister Tim & Leigh Henderson Bob & Pat Jeffreys

Sue & Scott Lafferty Carol Leslie Steve Marunowski & Peg Weissbrod Clayton & Julie Minder Ron Polderman & Carol Smith Lorraine Ranchod Elizabeth Shaw Jeff & Anne Smith Quentin Smith & Sylvia Herd Tammy Steele Elaine Tapié Elaine Turley Paul & Katie Weissbrod

Spring Training Is Here!

The Forest Hill softball team is searching for new players to join the team for the 2016 season. All members and visitors over 16 who are interested may contact Jason Hidek (Jason.hidek@att.net, 440-264-3296). The season starts the end of April; games are played Sunday afternoons and evenings.

Youth News Every Sunday: Mid and Sr High classes meet from 9:30 – 10:30 am. Today: Sine Nomine Choir will rehearse in the chapel after worship.

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The Lessons Next Sunday: Palms – Luke 19: 28-40 and Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29 Passion – Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 31: 9-16; Philippians 2: 5-11; Luke 22:14 – 23:56. Set aside time each day for prayer and study. As you read the lessons for the week, consider how they settle or challenge you? What image or word catches your attention? Keep notes of your observations in a journal.

FHC Staff Emails

Rev. Dr. John Lentz Jr. Pastor pastorlentz@fhcpresb.org Rev. Lois Annich Interim Assoc. Pastor pastorannich@fhcpresb.org Rachel McDonald Interim Assoc. Pastor RachelM@fhcpresb.org Anne Wilson Music annew@fhcpresb.org Shannon Headen Youth shannon@fhcpresb.org Kate Burleigh Children kateb@fhcpresb.org Lynda Bernays Administration office@fhcpresb.org Becky Austin Finance beckya@fhcpresb.org Peg Weissbrod Outreach webeditor@fhcpresb.org Stavros Gazis Custodial office@fhcpresb.org

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Holy Week and Easter at Forest Hill Church

Palm Sunday: March 20 Children and any others who wish to process with palms will meet in South Hall before the service. Maundy Thursday: March 24 We will serve dinner at 6:30 pm. There will be a Tenebrae service (service of darkness) at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary. Good Friday: March 25 We will join the Community Ecumenical Service (12 – 3 pm) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at Fairmount and Coventry in Cleveland Hts. A series of meditations will be presented by pastors from St. Paul’s and other area churches; you may come and go as you wish. Saturday, March 26 Come to the Easter Vigil, which will begin on the front steps of the church at 7:30 pm. If you would like to receive the sacrament of baptism at this service, please see one of the pastors or contact the church office. Easter: March 27 Worship in the Chapel, 9 am and in the Sanctuary, 11 am. Communion will be celebrated at both services. At 10 am children from preK-grade 5 are invited to an Easter egg hunt in the CE wing.

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Calendar: March 13 - 20, 2016 Sunday, March 13: 5 Lent 9:15 Child care begins 9:30 Descant Choir (gr. 1-5) Youth Education (gr. 6-12) Adult Education 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Chancel Choir Continental Breakfast 11:00 Worship Children’s Worship class 11:15 Pathways to the Promise Land (gr 1-5) 12:15 Fellowship and Coffee Hour Sine Nomine Choir 3:00 Concert: Three Choirs Sing All-American Tunes Reception following 5:00 Faith Leader Living Prayer class Monday, March 14 6:00 pm Progress not Perfection (AA) 5:00 pm Board of Election Set-up 7:00 pm Al Anon Race Core Team mtg 7:30 pm Borton Group Boy Scout Troop #403 Tuesday, March 15: Primary Election 6:30 am – 7:30 pm: Polls open 11:00 am Iris Circle to CMA 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion exercise class 7:00 pm Ministry of Stewardship mtg Wednesday, March 16 7:30 am Bible and Bagels 12:30 pm Wednesday Women’s AA Continued in next column

Weds., cont 12:00 pm Hilltop Garden Club 5:30 pm Tablesetters 6-7 pm Drop-in Supper 7:00 pm Worship 7:30 pm Personnel committee mtg Thursday, March 17 5:00 pm Fitness Fusion exercise class 6:20 pm Voices in Bronze 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Friday, March 18 7:00 am TOWER deadline 10:00 am Al Anon 1:00 pm Hilltoppers program 6:30 pm Discernment Committee Saturday, March 19 8:00 am Men’s Group 9:00 am Discernment Committee Sunday, March 20: Palm Sunday 9:15 Child care begins 9:30 Descant Choir (gr. 1-5) Youth Education (gr. 6-12) Adult Education 10:15 Descant Choir activity 10:30 Chancel Choir Continental Breakfast 11:00 Worship Children’s Worship class Pathways to the Promise Land (gr 1-5) 12:15 Fellowship and Coffee Hour 5:00 Faith Leader

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Exploring Membership Class -- April 9th and 10th Have you been wondering how Forest Hill Church fits into your Spiritual Journey? Join us as we explore what the Forest Hill Church community has to offer. Learn more about the church in a relaxed and casual small group setting, with the Pastor and other church members. Saturday, April 9, 9:00 am – noon and Sunday April 10, 9:00 – 10:30 am

Bodwell Hall (in the lower education wing.) Food and beverages provided; Childcare available upon request. Please RSVP via email: office@fhcpresb.org or phone: (216) 321-2660. Just say you'd like to sign up for the Exploring Membership Class.

Cover image: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / albund

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Easter Lilies It’s time to order Easter lilies. Please use the online form given in the Wednesday email news, contact the office with the following information, or use this and leave it in the offering:

Your name__________________________________________ In honor of, in memory of, in thanksgiving for or in celebration for… (circle one) …who or what?____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ How many lilies (they are $7.50 each)?_____________ Will you ___ leave them to be distributed or ___ take yours home? Use this QR code to access the Easter Lily order form online