SEPTEMBER 12, 2021+ SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST +

ONLINE WORSHIP

* CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP PRELUDE Come, Thou Fount of Every BlessingJohn Wyeth, Robert Robinson

Public Domain Indescribable

Jesse Reeves, Laura Story2004 Laura Stories (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Led by Jeff Hunter, Anders Johnson, Linnea Olfelt, and Brian Ward

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Libby Piotrowski and Jeff Hunter

* CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 116 The Lord has heard my voice and my supplications. He has inclined his ear to me. I will call on him as long as I live. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord has delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. Therefore, I walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Amen.

* CONGREGATIONAL SONG Take My Life Scott Underwood

1995 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Integrity Music)

* INVOCATION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Using sins)

* PASSING OF THE PEACE The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.

READING OF THE SCRIPTURES Chris Rosell, Reader Old Testament Reading Isaiah 50:4-9a New Testament Reading James 3:1-12 * Gospel Reading Mark 8:27-38 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN Blessing of the Backpacks

SPECIAL MUSIC Ubi Caritas Ola Gjeilo

Dominic German

MESSAGE Libby Piotrowski and Jeff Hunter

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

GIVING OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Invitation to Generosity Offertory For the Beauty of the Earth

William Chatterton Dixarr. Sondra K. Tucker

Chancel Bell Choir, Carol Olfelt, Director * Doxology 48 * Prayer of Dedication

* CLOSING HYMN (Insert) All Are WelcomeBrian will sing the first verse, and the congregation will join in on the rest of the hymn.

* BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Give Thanks unto GodEmma Louise Ashford

arr. Michael RyanBrian Ward, Organ

* Please rise in body or in spirit.

Come Thou Fount of Every BlessingJohn Wyeth, Robert Robinson

Fernando Ortega

5

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Permission to print and podcast/stream the music in this service partially obtained from CCLI with licence #2875232.Permission to print and podcast/stream the music in this service partially obtained from One License with license #A-730954.Permission to reprint and stream hymns copyrighted by Covenant Publication obtained from the Evangelical Covenant Church.All rights reserved.

Take My LifeScott Underwood

3

6

10

14

Ho -

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ho -faith -right -brok -

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need.need.need.need.

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whatwhatwhatwhat

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me.me.me.me.

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take

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take

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mind

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take

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Lord.

Blessing of the Backpacks

Children, youth, and all students are invited to come forward, bringing your backpacks with you.

Today, we have before us backpacks to be carried to and from school by the children and youth gathered here. These backpacks will contain work to be done, work that’s been returned, books to be read, and tools to complete homework. Notebooks, pencils, pens, computers, crayons, rulers, scissors, glue sticks, and other items used for school work will find their way in and out of these backpacks. Some days, so much stuff will fill these backpacks that the student may find it difficult to walk. Other days, they will be nearly empty and light. But on each and every day, these backpacks represent work required of the students gathered here. And, as in every aspect of our life, we bring these before God for blessing at this time.

Litany

When it’s the night before going to school, and I’m picking out my clothes and making sure I have all my school supplies…

Jesus is with me.

When I’m waking up and eating a healthy breakfast to start the day…

Jesus is with me.

When I’m on my way to school…

Jesus is with me.

When I meet my teachers and new friends in my class…

Jesus is with me.

When I’m playing with my friends at recess…

Jesus is with me.

When I am struggling with something difficult at school…

Jesus is with me.

When I am feeling left out or alone…

Jesus is with me.

When I’m telling my family about my day at school…

Jesus is with me.

When I’m praying at night and thanking God for my family, my friends, and my school…

Jesus is with me.

Let us pray together:

God of Wisdom, we give you thanks for schools and classrooms and for the teachers and students who fill them each day. We thank you for this new beginning, for new books and new ideas. We thank you for sharpened pencils, pointy crayons, and crisp, blank pages waiting to be filled. We thank you for the gift of making mistakes and trying again. Help us to remember that asking the right questions is often as important as giving the right answers. Today we give you thanks for these your children, and we ask you to bless them with curiosity, understanding, and respect. May their backpacks be a sign to them that they have everything they need to learn and grow this year in school and in Sunday School. May they be guided by your love. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, who as a child in the temple showed his longing to learn about you, and as an adult taught by story and example your great love for us. Amen.

Welcome to North Park Covenant Church online! We’re glad you’re here.

For your prayers this week: Margaret Johnson, Nancy Ebner’s mother, recuperating from a procedure to have a skin lesion removed from her scalp; Dick Lucco, thankful for improved PSA numbers, and continuing treatment for a blood clot in his leg; Kristen Starr and family, mourning the passing of her husband, Dave, after a lengthy illness and time on hospice; Jim Anderson and family, mourning the passing of his wife, Annette; Helen Ferguson, mourning the passing of her son, Lace Ferguson; Herb Hedstrom, undergoing chemo for liver involvement; Eileen Thorpe, undergoing immunother-apy treatments; Connie Speake, home again after a stay in rehab; Terri Njaa’s daughter Kari Hutson, undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer; Roger Nelson’s son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Lisa, and their son, Tyler, recovered from their bouts of COVID-19; Louisiana, suffering loss of life and immense damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida; Afghanistan, where the situation changes daily since the Taliban took control; Haiti and Mexico, suffering the effects of Hurricane Grace; Karawa Central Pharmacy in Congo, rebuilding after a lightning strike hit it

Join us after worship today for our Ministry Fair and Block Party! The ministry fair will be in the south garden, and we hope you’ll come to learn more about the various ministries of North Park Covenant Church and how you might get involved. Simultaneously, the Block Party will take place on the sidewalk along the front of the church. We will have a variety of foods, as well as games and activities for all ages!

gather Resumes Wednesday, September 15! Join us at 5:30 in the south garden for our weekly gather dinner. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, and enjoy a time of fellowship as we eat together. We will have these meals as long as the weather holds and will re-evaluate indoor eating as it gets colder.

On Saturday, September 18, we will hold a Virtual Prayer Vigil, from 7 am through 9 pm. Those who wish to pray for our church, community, country, and world are invited to sign up for a half-hour slot (or more!). To sign up, please click here.

Also on Saturday, September 18, join us for a Pet Blessing! Those with furry, feathery, or fishy friends are invited to bring them to the south garden at 10 am for a time of blessing. Dog biscuits and coffee will be provided.

On Sunday, September 19, we will commission our lay leaders during worship. If you will be teaching Sunday School this year, we hope you can be in church on the 19th so we can recognize you!

The North Park Community Market is now accepting P-EBT and Link cards. The remaining dates for the market are September 19 and October 17. For more information on the market, click here.

Continue Heartwalking the Neighborhood with us! See this week’s location at the right. Thank you for praying for our community!

The North Park Readers will resume their book discussions via Zoom on Tuesday, September 28, at 7 pm. This month’s selection is Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. We would be pleased to have you join us for this conversation. If you are not already on our email list, contact Jan Olson at janice.olson65@gmail.com to be added to the list.

A combined memorial service will be held for Craig and Dotty Anderson on Saturday, October 9, at 11 am at Bethesda Covenant Church (2101 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104). Memorials may be directed to the Benevolent fund at Covenant Living, 9215 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33324.

Registration is now open for fall 2021 adult and family retreats at Covenant Point Bible Camp:- Silent Directed Retreat: September 24-28 (Two 2-Night Options OR a 4-Night Option)- Women’s Retreat: October 1-3- Christmas Camp: December 27 - January 1 (For All Families, Friends, or Individuals) Their Winter 2022 Retreat schedule will be posted this fall. Stay tuned!

The text and translation for today’s special music are as follows:

Ubi CaritasOla Gjeilo

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.

Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum.

Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Amen.

Where charity and love are, God is there.The love of Christ has gathered us together.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.Let us revere and love the living God.

And from a sincere heart let us love one another. Amen.

Monday, September 13 9:15 am Monday Morning Women’s Bible Study (via Zoom) 10:30 am Staff Meeting (South Garden) 6:30 pm Geezerball (Gym)

Tuesday, September 14 4:15 pm Chicago Children’s Choir Rehearsal (Parlors)

Wednesday, September 15 5:30 pm gather Meal (South Garden)

Thursday, September 16 4:15 pm Chicago Children’s Choir Rehearsal (Parlors) 6:30 pm Chancel Handbell Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary Side Balcony)

Saturday, September 18 7 am-9 pm Virtual Prayer Vigil (Location of Your Choice) 8 am Geezerball (Gym) 10 am Pet Blessing (South Garden) 10:30 am Epworth Basketball (Gym)

Sunday, September 19 9 am Sunday School for All Ages (Various Rooms) 9:15 am Adult Formation (Large Conference Room) 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:45 am Outdoor Coffee Hour (on Sidewalk along Christiana) 7 pm High-school Youth Group (The Attic Youth Room) 7 pm AA Meeting (Parlors)

Church Calendar This Week The calendar is available online at www.npcovenant.org/calendar and is updated as changes occur.

We welcome all people to begin or deepen their relationship with Christ through worship and study. We invite all believers to fully participate in the life and ministry of our church as members, leaders,

and lay staff. We celebrate the gifts and presence of diverse Christians among us—whether those differences be race, ethnicity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability,

or socioeconomic status. We are blessed by our diversity and are unified in Christ.

Jeff Hunter, Co-pastorjhunter@npcovenant.org, ext. 525

Christine Olfelt, Minister of Christian Formationchristineolfelt@npcovenant.org, ext. 545

Dominic German, Chancel Choir Directordgerman@npcovenant.org

Fran Fostey, Bookkeeperoperations@npcovenant.org, ext. 505

Libby Piotrowski, Co-pastorlpiotrowski@npcovenant.org, ext. 515

Brian Ward, Music Ministry Coordinator/Organistbward@npcovenant.org

Carol Olfelt, Chancel Handbell Choir Directorcolfelt@npcovenant.org

Ann-Marie O. Frisk, Church Administratorafrisk@npcovenant.org, ext. 500

Church Staff

To reach both Jeff and Libby, please use copastors@npcovenant.org or ext. 510.

Christian Schuetz, Custodiancschuetz@npcovenant.org

North Park Church Cooperative Preschool www.nppreschool.com • (773) 463-0055, ext. 520 • www.npcovenant.org/npccp

Becky Edwards, Administrative DirectorLyndsey Wellner, Head Teacher/Educational Director

Jennifer Glazier, Assistant Teacher

The North Park Friendship Center 2711 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60625

www.friendshipcenterchicago.org • (773) 907-6388 • npfc@friendshipcenterchicago.org Ross Outten, Director of Development

N o r t h P a r k C o v e n a n t C h u r c h5250 North Christiana Avenue • Chic ago, Illinois 60625npcc@npcovenant.org • (773) 463-0055 • www.npcovenant.org

Missionaries We Support Paul and Sheryl Noren, Congo

James and Rachel Ventress, Alaska Eugenio and Pia Restrepo, Latin America

Peter and Anna Kim, East AsiaJohn and Letha Kerl, Field Representatives in Europe