Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Worship On The Lord’s Day

March 14, 2021 10:00 A.M.

4th Sunday in Lent

Today’s congregation continues strong traditions of:

Living faith through worship, mission, education, and fellowship with the vision of “Reaching Out to Make Disciples”;

Following the path laid out by God through his son, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit;

Sharing the inclusive love of God to all of God’s children and God’s creation;

Exposing the light of Christ to the world through music, words, prayer. and actions.

PRELUDE “The Salley Gardens” (Sometimes a Light Surprises) arr. Joseph Martin Text: William Cowper, alt. Public domain.

Sometimes a light surprises the child of God who sings; it is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings;

When comforts are declining, he grants the soul again a season of clear shining to cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue the theme of God’s salvation and find it ever new;

Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say, “Let the unknown tomorrow bring with it what it may.”

It can bring with it nothing but he will bear us through; who gives the lilies clothing will clothe his people, too; beneath the spreading heavens no creature but is fed;

and he who feeds the ravens will give his children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither their longed-for fruit should bear, Though all the fields should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there,

Yet God the same abiding, his praise shall tune my voice; For while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Give thanks to God. People: God’s goodness and faithful love lasts forever! Leader: When we wander from God’s ways, hungry and thirsty, People: God redeems us and fills us with good things. Leader: From east and west, and north and south, People: let us give thanks and praise for God’s steadfast care! MEDITATION Meditation on “St. Anne” (O God, Our Help in Ages Past) setting, Gordon Young Text: Isaac Watts. Public domain.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

Beneath the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.

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At the Session meeting on February 22 it was approved that we will lift the suspension of in-person worship as of March 21 while resuming all COVID-19 protocols as recommended last June. Thank you for your understanding and God bless you. Stay safe!

Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame, From everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone, Short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all our years away; They fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.

OFFERING OUR BROKENNESS TO GOD

Leader: We have all made mistakes and fallen short of what God intends for us. With confidence in God, our creator and redeemer, let us confess our brokenness and our need for forgiveness. People: Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our failure to be what you created us to be. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. We have followed too much the desires of our own hearts, disregarding the needs of others. We have left undone things we should have done, and done things that have hurt others. By your loving mercy, help us to live in your light and abide in your ways, following in the way of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. (time for silence) Amen. Leader: God’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. Friends, believe the good news, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

RECEIVE GOD’S HEALING AND SHARE GOD’S PEACE

Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. People: And also with you. Please symbolically share the peace of Christ with those around you.

MEDITATION “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Text: Thomas O. Chisholm . Public domain.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow: blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE Isaiah 49:8-13 SCRIPTURE Luke 12:13-34 SERMON “Living Faithfully - Looking Back and Looking Forward” Rev. Charlotte O’Neil ANTHEM “God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me”

Text: Richard Bruxvoort Colligan © 2004 This Here Music, Worldmaking.net. Reprinted under OneLicense A-702458

God, be the love to search and keep me; God, be the prayer to move my voice; God, be the strength to now uphold me:

O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

Bind to myself the Name of Holy, great cloud of witnesses enfold; Prophets, apostles, angels witness:

O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight, flashing of lightning, strength of wind, Depth of the sea to soil of planet:

O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

Walking behind to hem my journey, going ahead to light my way, And from beneath, above, and all ways:

O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

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Christ in the eyes of all who see me, Christ in the ears that hear my voice, Christ in the hearts of all who know me:

O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe in God, who is love and who has given the earth to all people. We believe in Jesus Christ, who came to heal us and to free us from all forms of oppression. We believe in the Spirit of God who works in and through all who are turned toward the truth. We believe in the community of faith which is called to be at the service of all people. We believe in God’s power to transform, fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where justice and peace will flourish. Amen.

SHARING OUR HEARTS WITH GOD 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.

OUR OFFERING TO GOD “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

Text:

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is he: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

BENEDICTION POSTLUDE “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

Worship Leader: Sandy Ferguson, Stefanie Osborne

Flowers are given in celebration of the 66th anniversary of Ken and Judy Pierce (3/20).

The rose on the table last Sunday was in celebration of the life of Pat Ronsheim,

who passed away on March 1, 2021.

The next Celebrations of the Lord’s Supper will be Maundy Thursday, April 1, and Easter Sunday, April 4.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday - March 28 at 10:00 a.m. Palm branches will be available

Maundy Thursday - April 1 at 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Service

Good Friday - April 2 at 12:00-12:30 p.m. Prayer, Music, and Meditation

Easter Sunday - April 4 at 10:00 a.m. with Communion

Guidelines for In-Person Worship as of March 21, 2020 At their meeting on February 22, the Session approved the return to in-person worship on March 21 at 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings. The service will continue to be livestreamed and available later on our Facebook group page.

Anyone who has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher or has had any symptoms of illness will not be allowed to attend worship. Masks are required. Extra masks will be available, but you are encouraged to bring and wear your own mask.

Bulletins and offering plates will be located in the Narthex and will be attended to by an usher. Until things are safer, there will be no congregational singing, and music will be provided by soloists. We will open the outside doors as much as possible to keep the air circulating; it may be cool in the sanctuary even with the heat on.

You are asked to maintain a safe distance of six feet from others not in your household or family, and seating is marked for physical distancing. Couples and families may sit together as long as they maintain social distance from others.

We encourage you to use no-contact ways to great one another. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available throughout the church. All restrooms are available for use.

After the service is over, you are asked to continue physically distancing yourself from others. There will be no fellowship time in church and you are encouraged to make your visits with others brief and, if possible, outside the building.

At this time there will be no nursery or wee worship classes, and children are encouraged to sit with their families. We will make every effort to include a time for children and young people during the worship service.

Announcements Donate Flowers to Beautify the Sanctuary for Easter

This year Boulevard will be ordering a variety of colorful flowers, namely tulips, calla lilies, mini daffodils, and a few Easter lilies.

We are asking for your support by purchasing flowers in honor or in memory of your loved ones for $9.00 a plant. Please fill out an Easter flower envelope (found in the Narthex), insert your check or cash, and leave it in the offering plate, in the church office, or mail your request to the church office. Donations and requests can be accepted through March 31. Benefactors will be listed in the

Easter Sunday bulletin. Flower pick-up will be on a “first come, first served” basis after the service on Easter Sunday, April 4. March Newsletters can be found by the Northwest doors, on the table in the Lounge, and on the website: www.blvdchurch.org. Adult/Youth Lent Study ~ Sundays, 11:00 am through March 14, then 11:30 a.m. through March 28

The Lent Adult/Teen study is held on Sundays, at 11 a.m. via Zoom. It will move to 11:30 a.m via Zoom for March 21 and 28 when the church will be open for in-person worship. Magrey deVega’s study, Savior: What the Bible says About the Cross, explores why Jesus died on the cross and how it brings us salvation. As Christians, we’re taught that Christ died on the cross to bring us salvation. We know this, but do we understand it? What exactly did Jesus do to save us from our sins? Was the cross really necessary? Could there have been another way? In Savior: What the Bible Says about the Cross, you’ll be introduced to several biblically based ways of understanding Jesus’ death on the cross that may go beyond the explanations you’ve heard before. By exploring the mystery of salvation through the cross, you’ll find a deeper love for God and others while strengthening your commitment to follow Jesus. The class will be a combination of a video and discussion. Contact Steve Hills (stephen.m.hills@gmail.com) or Martha Hills

(marthamhills@mac.com) for an Zoom invite to join the class.

Boulevard Work Day Ian Rennick has scheduled a workday for an outside clean up on Saturday, March 20, in preparation for in-person worship on the 21st. Please gather at 9:30 a.m. Needed tasks (among others) to accomplish: - Raking turf/bed areas for sticks, debris and leaves. - Parking lot clean up. - Flat roof and roof valley cleaning. - Cleaning of large window well on west wall of education wing. - Cutting back perennials. There is an assortment of garden tools at the church but you may want to bring your favorite(s) with you. Another need on the inside of the building is to change the air handler filters. Thanks so much and please mark your calendars so we can have a good turnout. YWCA Family Center Dinner Delivery ~ next Sunday, March 21

We will be delivering dinner to the YWCA Family Center next Sunday. Boulevard provides dinner every two months on the third Sunday of the month for the Center. There are many ways to help. The list of needed items is sent via email a month ahead of time and there will be an online sign-up sheet available for each dinner. We will meet at the church at 4:30 pm on March 21 to carpool to

the Center. Contact Bill Bell (billbellhome@gmail.com or 614-571-8452) for more information. Deadline for Endowment Grant Applications ~ Sunday, March 31 Endowment Grant Applications are now being accepted until March 31, 2021. Anyone can submit an application for Endowment Funds as long as the requested funds are to be used in one of the following three areas: a) property, b) mission , or c) worship/education. Applications are available on the table in the Lounge. Book Club Meeting ~ Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 pm - via Zoom

If you enjoy reading and discussing books, please join the Boulevard Book Club at our Tuesday, March 23 discussion of The Long Petal of the Sea by Isabelle Allende led by Denise Sawatzky. We will meet via Zoom at 7:00 pm. Please contact Kim Welter (kwelter.2010@gmail.com) to be included in the Zoom meeting. All are welcome! Upcoming books for discussion

APRIL: Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky — Led by Kim Welter MAY: The Good Lord Bird by James McBride — Led by Martha Hills Layette Project Helps New Parents in our Community Linda Wilton continues to coordinate the collecting of items for the Layette Project through Church Women United that provides basic baby needs to parents that don’t have the resources to provide for their little ones. You can help by donating supplies for needy families in our local community. This project was originally promoted by Boulevard Presbyterian Women’s Group. Most needed items: • Baby clothing from newborn up to one year, new or gently used.

• Small bottles of lotion, shampoo, powder. • Small containers of wipes.

Please, no large economy sizes of bottles or wipes. (All items are placed in a single paper bag for the new parents and large bottles take up space for other needed items.)

Church Women United in Columbus and Franklin County is a Christian interdenominational movement that was formed in 1915. It has continued to address the many needs of women and children and provided a voice for the voiceless. Among the group’s first initiatives was a layette project, still active today, collecting items for newborns in need to be distributed through Columbus Public Health.

Bring your items to church and drop them off in the basket in the Narthex or contact Linda Wilton at 614-486-4233. Thank you for your generosity. Donate Winter Clothing and Bedding

Boulevard continues to accept donations of winter clothing, coats, and bedding of all types - gently used or new. Pillows must be NEW. Please ensure that all donations are clean, and clothing must have working zippers, all buttons, and no stains. Please DO NOT bring spring or summer clothing at this time. Collections can be placed in the container in the Narthex. Donations can also be placed in a tub located on the Hamilton's front porch at 1350 Arlington Avenue, Columbus. Until the next rummage sale, donated clothing and bedding will be donated to the WESTSIDE FREE STORE

MINISTRIES. Every donated item provides warmth for someone.

Boulevard Presbyterian Church 1235 Northwest Boulevard, Grandview Heights, OH 43212

614-486-0267 Fax: 614-486-2342 Email: office@blvdchurch.org / website: www.blvdchurch.org

Staff Interim Pastor: Rev. Charlotte O’Neil Music Coordinator: Mary Ann Stephens Office Manager: Carol Fry Preschool Administrator: Mikie Bowles

CALENDAR Sunday, March 14

4th Sunday in Lent 10:00 am Worship: Online only (Live on Facebook) 11:00 am Adult/Youth Zoom Lent Study 11:30 am Children’s Zoom Class Monday, March 15 6:30 pm Scouts BSA: Fellowship Hall Tuesday, March 16 7:30 pm AA Meeting: Fellowship Hall Wednesday, March 17

St. Patrick’s Day 9:30 am Quilters: Room 111 5:00 pm Sanctuary open for Meditation 7:30 pm NA Meeting: Fellowship Hall Thursday, March 18 7:30 pm GA Meeting: Fellowship Hall Friday, March 19 11:30 am Sanctuary open for Meditation Sunday, March 21

5th Sunday in Lent 10:00 am Worship: Sanctuary In-person and live-streamed on Facebook 11:30 am Adult/Youth Zoom Lent Study 11:30 am Children’s Zoom Class 4:30 pm YWCA Dinner Delivery

Please call the church office at 614-486-0267 to include someone on this Prayer List.

Prayers for Joy and Concern Jack ‒ hospitalized with COVID, pneumonia, and other medical issues Grace Parks ‒ shingles Denise Sawatzky ‒ health concerns Denise Sawatzky’s mother and father, Louise and Roy ‒ health concerns Sue Harvey ‒ recovering from hip replacement surgery Spencer Schalip ‒ recovery from stroke (his third) (Charmaine Hamilton’s brother) Amelia Hamilton ‒ diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia (Charmaine and Mike Hamilton’s granddaughter) Mike Keller ‒ radiation for prostate cancer (Bonnie Grimm’s brother-in-law) Michael Frase ‒ Crohn’s disease is in remission Tim Parks ‒ Parkinson’s disease (Jim Parks’ son and Grace Parks’ brother) Maggie Evans ‒ cancer (family friend of the Hamilton’s) Dan Hooley ‒ heart issues Levi Hooley ‒ ear issues Pat Rieve ‒ needs kidney transplant Terry McFadden ‒ Grafton Correctional Judy McMahon ‒ to regain strength Cathy Mills ‒ Brooksdale Assisted Living (Carol McFadden’s friend) Jerry Braun ‒ cancer (Mike McKinney’s brother-in-law) Tim McLane ‒ continuing health issues (Mikie Bowles’ brother) Mark Nelson ‒ for healing, comfort, and peace (Mikie’s Bowles son-in-law) Prayers for Our Special Care List Barbara Frautschi ‒ Westminster Thurber Evelyn Hannaway ‒ Friendship Village of Dublin Norma Kibbey ‒ Westminster Thurber Assisted Living Britta and Norman Knapp ‒ at home Paul McCalla ‒ Westminster-Thurber Assisted Living Betty Sikking ‒ at home

Support Boulevard When You Shop at Kroger Swipe your Plus Card and Boulevard earns a percentage of your total! We currently only have 8-10 households regularly taking advantage of this opportunity to easily support Boulevard’s many important missions. Sign up online at: https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow/ Use Your Amazon Purchases to Benefit Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Boulevard is registered with Amazon Smile as a charitable organization. That means Boulevard receives a 0.5% charitable donation based on the price of all eligible purchases made through Boulevard’s link on Amazon Smile. You can use the link at the bottom of Boulevard’s webpage (blvdchurch.org): Support Boulevard Presbyterian

Church / Shop at smile.amazon.com or google Amazon Smile to support Boulevard in your shopping. And now you can donate from the Amazon app!