PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH Associate Member: United Church of Christ

833 Gravel Pike PO Box 66

Palm PA 18070 215-679-5321

PalmSchwenkfelder@comcast.net www.palmschwenkfelderchurch.com

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PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020

TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY

Mission Statement of PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH:

Our task is to proclaim the Living Word of God, which empowers us to care for

and share with our community and the world.

Vision Statement of PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH:

Serving the glorious God, claimed by Jesus, and inspired by scripture, honoring

our history, with renewed commitment we will reach out to our community and

the world through worship, spirit enriching programs, and outreaching mission.

Chimes

Welcome and Announcements

Prayer

Prelude “Auf das heilige Pfingstfest” Johann Pachelbel

*Call to Worship

The light of God is like a devouring fire.

God’s brightness is too intense for our gaze.

Come up to the mountain of God’s presence.

Wait for God to reveal divine intentions.

We are eyewitnesses to God’s majesty.

We have sensed God’s presence in stories of Jesus.

Look up, and do not be afraid.

Jesus, whom you seek, is transfigured before you.

We will serve our God with fear and trembling.

Happy are those whose refuge is in God.

*Hymn #190 “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”

Call to Confession

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Prayer of Confession

We seek you on the mountaintop, O God, for we fear to face

you where we live. We would rather be dazzled by your

splendor on some Sinai than obey your commands in the

wilderness. We find it easier to worship the wonder-working

Jesus than to follow the Christ, who was obedient unto death.

Merciful God, forgive our shallow ways. Help us to find you

wherever you choose to dwell, and to serve you wherever you

choose to send us. Amen.

Time of Personal Confession Assurance of Pardon Senior Bell Choir “A Song of Love” arr. Julie Turner Scripture Exodus 24:12 – 18 (NRSV p. 62; LP p. 122 – 123)

Matthew 17:1 – 9 (NRSV p. 798; LP p. 1534 – 1535) Children’s Sermon Children’s Church Rosemary Heffner *Hymn (#183 NCH) “Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain”

Jesus, take us to the mountain Where, with Peter, James and John,

We are dazzled by Your glory,

Light as blinding as the sun.

There prepare us for the night

By the vision of that sight.

What do you want us to see there

That Your close companions saw?

Your divinity revealed there

Fills us with the self-same awe.

Clothed in flesh like ours You go,

Matched to meet our deadliest foe.

What do You want us to hear there

That Your dear disciples heard?

Once again the voice from heaven

Says of the incarnate Word:

"Listen, listen ev'ryone;

This is My beloved One!"

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Take us to that other mountain

Where we see You glorified.

Where You shouted, "It is finished!"

Where for all the world You died.

Hear the stunned centurion:

"Truly this was God's own One!"

We who have beheld Your glory,

Risen and ascended Christ,

Cannot help but tell the story,

All that you have sacrificed,

Say with Peter, James, and John:

"You are God's beloved One!"

Sermon “Falling to the Ground”

Senior Choir Anthem “Shine, Jesus, Shine” Graham Kenrick

arr. Jack Schrader

Pastoral Prayer and the 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.

Call to Offering

Offertory “To Seek Within” Gerald Peterson

*Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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*Prayer of Dedication

As the transfigured Christ revealed a life offered for the sake of

us all, receive our offerings for the sake of others. Transform,

O God, money into the hope for justice, time into signs of

service, talents into acts of ministry, and ourselves into

expressions of faithfulness. Amen.

*Hymn #562 “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”

*Benediction

Postlude “Von der Menschwerdung Christi” Johann Pachelbel

*All who are able, please stand.

The bulletins today are sponsored in loving memory of Herbert & Shirley Frey

from Bonnie, Nancy, and Bob.

…Things of Interest to Our Palm Schwenkfelder Family…

This week, please keep in your daily prayers:

Todd Showers, Deb Phluger, Mary Engler, Mary Jane Burianek, Alena Althouse,

Wilmer Schultz, Walt Master, Betty Gerhard, Brian Schwoyer, Jeff Treichler,

Robin Hepler, Paul Boyer, Darlene Jones, Tom Dunn, Evelyn and Jack Bold.

Please also keep in your prayers the men and women serving in the United States

Military. This month from our Schwenkfelder Prayer List we uplift Central

Schwenkfelder Church.

The Deacons ask that you please check the Prayer List and let us know if there are any persons who no longer need to be on it. Also, if you know of someone who needs our prayers, you can submit their name to Dan Ferry in the church office by phone (215-679-5321) or by e-mail (palmadministrator@comcast.net). Remember, in order to respect people's privacy, please be sure you have their permission before submitting their names for the prayer list. February Youth Birthdays

Happy Birthday to…

Andrew Pence (02/04), Samuel Pusey (02/26)

Children’s Church

Children aged Toddler to 4th grade, join us after the children’s sermon for a bible

lesson, snack and activity. Parent pick-up is upstairs in the Children’s Church

Classroom. Parents, please advise the leader if your child has food allergies or

other special needs.

mailto:palmadministrator@comcast.net

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Breakfast Sponsorship Opportunities

Would you like to help sponsor the pancake breakfast? If you or your business

would like to contribute to the cost of running the Community Pancake Breakfast,

you will be recognized on a sponsor sign located on each of the dining tables. If

you are interested, please speak to a member of the committee: Lisa Stitt,

Brian & Renee Shelly, Alex & Joanne Jalowy, or Kevin & Barb Master.

Community Pancake Breakfast

Our next breakfast will be on Saturday, April 18th from 7:30-10:30 am in the

Social Hall. This breakfast will feature pancakes, scrambled eggs, and

Waterman's sausage. Tickets are available on Sundays or by calling the church

office. Volunteers are needed to help in either the kitchen or the dining

room. There is a sign-up sheet located in the narthex.

Lenten Food Drive

The Youth are collecting non-perishable, non-expired food, and/or toiletries for

The Open Link every Sunday until Easter Sunday on April 12th. Please help us to

meet our goal of 400 ITEMS!!! So far, we collected 71 items. Keep those

donations coming! Thank you!

Ash Wednesday Youth Group

The season of Lent is approaching. Youth and families, dive deeper into your

Lenten journey by joining us on Wednesday, February 26th for dinner and an

activity. It begins at 5:30pm; however you may join us anytime between

5:30 & 6:30.

Youth Game Night

Youth and families, join us on Friday, March 13th, from 6:00 – 8:30 pm, for a fun

night of games including Wii, Ping Pong, Foosball, and board games.

Refreshments provided.

Combined Youth Sunday School

Sunday School will be combined for the Youth on March 15th for a special Lenten

journey activity. Please meet in the Social Hall at 9:00am.

Palm Country Day School

Enrollment is open for the 2020 – 2021 school year! At Palm Country Day

School, we offer a loving, nurturing environment that focuses on learning

through play while focusing on key school-readiness skills. Please call or email to

schedule a tour - spots are filling fast! We would love to show you all the amazing

things we are doing at PCDS! 215-679-5045 palmcountryschool@gmail.com

mailto:palmcountryschool@gmail.com

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Don’t Miss Out!!!

On Sunday, March 15th, Palm’s Relay for Life Committee will be selling our

popular “Ham ’n Cheese Quarterpounders.” At $3.50 each, our delicious

sandwiches feature 1/4 pound of Waterman’s chipped ham piled high on a roll

and topped with American cheese. Mustard and mayo packets are included. No

advance orders will be taken, so mark your calendar and be sure to visit our table

in the narthex following worship. Thanks to our sale sponsors, 100% of all

proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Stewardship Report – Giving Through January 2020

Actual Budget Difference

Offering Envelopes $15,424.42 $20,833.33 ($ 5,408.91)

Faith Budget $ 0.00 $ 3,705.08 ($ 3,705.08)

Totals $ 15,424.42 $24,538.41 ($ 9,113.99)

Men of Palm

Next Sunday, February 23rd, the Men of Palm will hold another meeting

regarding the Chicken BBQ. The meeting will be held in the Adult Sunday School

Room following the worship service.

First Monday Meal at Pennsburg UCC—March 2, 2020

The First Monday Meal is a free community meal sponsored by The Open Link

organization. It is held on the first Monday of each month, open to all and hosted

by different churches and organizations in the community. The March meal is

scheduled for March 2nd at 6:00pm, and it is our turn to host the meal. We are

once again planning a ham dinner with all the trimmings. Hopefully the weather

will cooperate this year! We are asking for donations of desserts - the desserts

can be made at home and brought here to Palm Church by 2:00pm on Monday,

March 2nd, or can be brought directly to Pennsburg UCC after 3:00pm on

Monday, March 2nd. Please note that desserts may not be anything that needs

refrigeration. Cakes, brownies, cookies are always good choices. With the fear of

nut allergies, we ask that you not bake anything that contains nuts. If you do

bring an item that contains nuts, please mark the package accordingly. This

event is a community outreach mission and many hands are needed to make the

evening a success. Please consider helping us provide an enjoyable experience

for all. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex. We would love to see your name

on it! Thank you!

Donations of Finger Foods

After the Community Lenten Service to be held at Palm Schwenkfelder Church on

Wednesday, March 18th, we will be serving refreshments. If you would like to

contribute to the selection of delicious treats, please bring your food donations to

the kitchen before the church service. Thank you.

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Raise the Roof Capital Campaign

It has come to the attention of the Board of Trustees that the roof on the

Christian Education building is in need of replacement. Contractors have

surveyed the roof and have determined that a new roof will be needed within the

next 2 to 3 years. In order to raise the funds needed for this project, the Board

has decided to run a capital campaign entitled “Raise the Roof.” The campaign

will begin immediately and run through December 31, 2021 or until the

determined amount of $100,000 is reached. Please prayerfully consider helping

us protect and maintain our facility by donating to this very important campaign.

A progress chart will be posted in the narthex along with update reports in the

bulletin and newsletter. Thank you for your support,

Board of Trustees

Altar Flowers and Bulletins

The new 2020 charts are in the hallway outside of the office, and for this year the

Deacons are once again giving people the option of sponsoring one arrangement

or both arrangements. The cost of one arrangement will remain $25, and the

cost of sponsoring both arrangements will remain at $50. If you would like to

sponsor one arrangement, you need only sign up on one chart, but if you’d like to

sponsor both arrangements, you will need to sign up on both charts for that

particular Sunday. Or if you choose, you may sponsor one arrangement on one

Sunday, and sponsor a separate arrangement on a completely different Sunday.

If you have any questions, please speak to one of our Deacons. Thanks!

Sponsorship opportunities for March and April include the following dates:

Flowers: March 8th (two bouquets); March 22nd (two bouquets);

April 19th (one bouquet)

Bulletins: March 1st, March 8th, April 19th

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Lenten Schedule and Holy Week Schedule

Ash Wednesday February 26th

Palm Schwenkfelder Church at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 4th

Pennsburg UCC at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11th St. Mark’s Lutheran – Pennsburg at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18th

Palm Schwenkfelder Church at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25th

New Goshenhoppen UCC at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 1st

Friedens UCC Sumneytown at 7:00 p.m.

Palm Sunday, April 5th Palm Schwenkfelder Church at 10:15 a.m.

Youth Easter Egg Hunt at 11:30 a.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 9th

Palm Schwenkfelder Church at 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, April 10th Stations of the Cross walk begins at 12:00 p.m. from the following locations:

New Goshenhoppen UCC, Pennsburg UCC, YMCA St. Philip Neri Catholic Life Center

Worship Service at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 1:00 p.m. Fellowship at McDonald’s Following the Worship Service

Youth Lock-In (5th grade and up)

Easter Sunday Sunrise Worship, April 12th Palm Schwenkfelder Church at 7:00 a.m.

Covered-Dish Breakfast Following the Service

9:00 a.m. Sunday School

10:15 a.m. Easter Sunday Communion Worship Service

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This Week at PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH Sunday, February 23 9:00am Sunday School 10:15am Sunday Worship Service 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Numbers 7–8 Mark 4:21–41 Monday, February 24 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Numbers 9–11 Mark 5:1–20 Tuesday, February 25 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Numbers 12–14 Mark 5:21–43 6:30pm Senior Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm Cub Scout Pack 79 Meeting 7:00pm Scouts BSA - Troop Meeting 7:30pm Senior Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, February 26 Ash Wednesday 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Numbers 15–16 Mark 6:1–29 5:30pm Ash Wednesday Youth Group Dinner 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Worship Service @ Palm Thursday, February 27 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Numbers 17–19 Mark 6:30–56 7:00pm Scouts BSA - Board of Review Friday, February 28 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Numbers 20–22 Mark 7:1–13 Saturday, February 29 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

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Sunday, March 1 9:00am Sunday School 10:15am Sunday Worship Service 11:30am Board of Music Ministry Meeting 12:00pm Daily Time of Prayer Wherever You Are

Numbers 23–25 Mark 7:14–37

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Did You Know…?

This is where we list items of interest to members and visitors. If you have

any items to add, please call or email Dan Ferry in the church office. Thank

you.

Did You Know…?

CCTV – We broadcast the Sunday worship service on closed

circuit televisions in both the Nursery and the Adult Sunday

School Room.

LARGE PRINT bulletins are available from an usher. LARGE

PRINT Bibles are also available for use during worship services,

located on the table to the left between the front and back sections

of pews.

Listening devices are available for those who would like them.

Please see an usher to assist you.

A fully accessible restroom is located in the hallway, across from

the office. A baby changing table is there, also.

There are two yellow and green bins at the back of the parking lot

for recycling your office paper and newspaper. The church

benefits from these collections, along with helping the

environment.

In case of an emergency, there is an AED (Automated External

Defibrillator) located in the rear of the sanctuary, in the alcove

where the mailboxes are and where the sound system is kept.

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PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH 833 Gravel Pike

PO Box 66 Palm PA 18070

Office Phone: 215 – 679 – 5321 Fax: 215 – 679 – 2650

Pastor Nick’s Cell Phone: (267) 374 – 5691

Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:15 a.m.

www.palmschwenkfelderchurch.com

Church Administrator E-mail: palmadministrator@comcast.net

Church Office Email: palmschwenkfelder@comcast.net

Pastor’s E-mail: palmpastor@comcast.net

Copyright License Number: 1433223

Serving You at PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH Ministers: All Church Members Pastor: Rev. Nicholas Pence Director of Music: Ed Bieler Senior Bells: Joanne and David Luz Organist: Eric Muhlenberg Church Administrator: J. Daniel Ferry Youth Director: Barbara Master Sexton: Kevin Master 484 – 358 – 1684 Greeter: Kate Pence Ushers: Tom Long, Nicholas Pence, Andrew Pence, Leon Wohlbach Prayer Chain: Nancy Hoffman Words from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America, adapted by The New Century Hymnal. The Call to Worship is reprinted by permission of The United Church Press from Taught by Love by Lavon Bayler. Copyright 1998 by United Church Press. The Prayer of Confession and Prayer of Dedication are both reprinted by permission of United Church Press from When We Gather by James G. Kirk. Copyright 2001 by Geneva Press.