25 OCTOBER 2020 - HOPE CHURCH TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
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HOPE CHURCH
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
25
OCTOBER 2020In response to COVID-19, the Hope Church building will remain closed to in-person
gatherings through the end of the 2020 calendar year. This policy will be
consistently reviewed according to developments in treatment and remediation of
the COVID-19 virus.
Hope Church, RCA
Statement of Mission
OUR FAITH Hope Church is called by God and equipped by the Holy Spirit to be a witness
to the unity, reconciliation and justice given in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. These
touchstones drawn from the Belhar Confession give voice to the historic Christian faith in
our time and place.
"If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation! God has reconciled us to
himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation."
II Corinthians 5:17-18
OUR MISSION Hope Church affirms these values to be at the core of our calling:
TO GROW IN FAITH: We seek to grow not only in numbers but, most importantly, in
depth of Christian commitment. We seek to identify and engage each person's particular
gifts and to direct all our gifts in faithfulness to God's Word.
TO PIONEER: Founded as a pioneering congregation, Hope Church is willing to
experiment courageously and to press ahead in new directions. We continue to seek
creativity and excellence in worship, nurture, governance, and outreach.
TO BE OPEN: We celebrate and proclaim God’s welcome of all people. Hope Church is
blessed and strengthened by the rich diversity of background, race, gender, sexual
orientation, culture, gifts, and interests present among and around us.
TO LEAD IN CHRISTIAN ACTION: Hope Church is committed to service, both locally
and worldwide, and we support the work of justice and compassion by all people of good
will. We serve both as a congregation and individually through our daily living.
"There are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, varieties of service but the same Lord,
varieties of working but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is
given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
I Corinthians 12:4-7
Blessings as you worship with us today.
Reformed Church in America
77 W 11th St Holland, Michigan 49423 (616) 392-7947
www.hopechurchrca.org + https://www.facebook.com/hopechurchholland
A proud member of Room for All: the open and affirming movement of the RCA
2HOPE CHURCH
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
REFORMATION SUNDAY
October 25, 2020 ~ 11:00 AM
THE APPROACH TO GOD
PRELUDE Four Settings of Ein' Feste Burg--Cor Kee Wilbur Held
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP You Have Put On Christ
You have put on Christ, in him you have been baptized. Alleluia! Alleluia!
REMEMBERING OUR BAPTISM
There is one body and one Spirit,
just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God of all, who is above all and in all and through all.
Each of us is given grace, Christ’s gift, for building up the body of Christ:
each is given gifts to equip the saints for the work of ministry,
the body of Christ building itself up in love.
One body, one Spirit, one hope;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism. from Ephesians 4
RESPONSE You Have Put On Christ
congregation sings two times
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN Purple #624 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
______________________________________________________
*Congregation to rise in body or spirit;
Bold type indicates congregational response
34
*SALUTATION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION O Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie Guarani ~ Paraguay)
God of infinite grace,
your Spirit moves among us calling us
to faith, to love, to serve, to re-form though your living word.
We are rooted in reformation soil,
but resist the fruit of your reforming Spirit present now among us.
Invited to dream dreams of Christ’s true shalom,
we prefer the familiarity of what we know.
Tugged by Spirit winds of vision swirling around us,
we close the windows our hearts and bolt the doors of our lives.
God of grace, even on us, even here,
pour forth your Spirit breath to make us and all things new.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come.
congregation will repeat O Lord, Have Mercy printed above
WORDS OF ASSURANCE AND GOD’S GUIDE FOR GRATEFUL LIVING
RESPONSE Purple #275 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
stanzas 1,2
56
*THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
THE WORD OF GOD
WORD WITH THE CHILDREN
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which
is opposite Jericho, and the LORD showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, 2all
Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western
Sea, 3the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as
far as Zoar. 4The LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to
Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with
your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.”
5Then Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s
command. 6He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no
one knows his burial place to this day. 7Moses was one hundred twenty years old when
he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. 8The Israelites wept for
Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was
ended.
9Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands
on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the LORD had commanded
Moses. 10Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom
the LORD knew face to face. 11He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that
7the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants
and his entire land, 12and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power
that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE EPISTLE LESSON 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2but
though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know,
we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great
opposition. 3For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, 4but
just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel,
even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5As
you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a
pretext for greed; 6nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others,
7though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among
you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. 8So deeply do we care for you that
we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves,
because you have become very dear to us.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 22:34-46
34When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered
together, 35and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36“Teacher,
which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37He said to him, “’You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is
the greatest and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.’ 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this
question: 42“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The
son of David.” 43He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord,
saying, 44‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under
your feet”’? 45If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” 46No one was able to
give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
PRAYER FOR BLESSING ~ silent meditation
8RESPONSE TO GOD
*CONFESSION OF FAITH from the Belhar Confession 1986, South Africa
We believe in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
who gathers, protects and cares for the Church
by Word and Spirit,
as God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end.
We believe in one holy, universal Christian Church,
the communion of saints called from the entire human family.
We believe that God has entrusted to the Church
the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ;
that the Church is called to be the salt of the earth
and the light of the world;
that the Church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker;
that the Church is witness both by word and by deed
to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells.
We believe that the Church must witness against
and strive against any form of injustice,
so that justice may roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Jesus is Lord.
To the one and only God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be the honor and the glory for ever and ever.
LIFE OF HOPE
CALL TO PRAYER As a Child Rests
congregation refrain; cantor verses
My God, I am not proud.
I do not look for things too great. (Refrain)
My God, I trust in you.
You care for me, you give me peace. (Refrain)
9PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
Throughout the prayer the following response will be used:
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
. . . ending with the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
OFFERING
Minute for Mission
Offertory Romance Carl Nielsen
*Doxology Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
*Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*or praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
*RECESSIONAL HYMN Purple #818 By Gracious Powers
1011
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Chorale Prelude on St. Anne (O God, Our Help in Ages Past) Heinrich Fleischer
Your Have Put on Christ, words © 1969 International Commission on English in the Liturgy and music by Howard Hughes © 1977
International Commission on English in the Liturgy. O Lord, Have Mercy, (Ore poriaju vereko), music Guarnani melody arr. ©
1996General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik. As A Child Rests (psalm 31) words and music by Christopher Walker ©
1998 C Walker. By Gracious Powers, words by D. Bonhoeffer trans Fred Pratt Green © 1974 Hope Publishing Co. Copyright info -
Romance from Fantasiestück, Op. 2 , (1891) Wilhelm Hansen. All songs listed above are used with permission. All rights reserved.
Reprinted for print and streaming rights underOneLicense.net #A-703252. All other hymn texts /tunes are in the public domain.
Allegretto, Adagio, and [In oude zetting, from oorspronkelijke melodie van M. Luther 1529] from Een Vaste Burg voor orgel by Cor
Kee. Copyright [195-?] by Ars Nova, Goes, Holland: nr. 184 A Mighty Fortress (Ein' feste Burg) from Hymn Preludes for the Autumn
Festivals by Wilbur Held. Copyright 1976 by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Missouri: 97-5360 O God, Our Help in Ages
Past (Chorale Prelude on St. Anne) by Heinrich Fleischer from Wedding Music, part 2. Copyright 1952 by Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis, Missouri; 97-1370
Assisting in worship today are Gordon Wiersma, preacher; Pastor Beth Carroll, Pastor Jill
Russell, liturgists; Carole Hintz, reader; Kevin Rosenau, Scott & Claire Rumpsa, Moment
for Mission; Brian Carder, cantor; Elizabeth West, guest organist; Andrew Bunnell, sound
technician; and Sarah Southard, Oboe.
Pastor Gordon is on vacation this week through Nov. 2. Please hold Gordon and his
family in your prayers for a time of relaxation and enjoyment.
Music Notes - Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) was a Danish composer, violinist, and conductor
best known for his gorgeous, lyrical symphonies and songs. This Romance is from his
Fantasiestücke, Op. 2, or Fantasy pieces. Oboist Sarah Southard teaches oboe and music
classes at Hope College, and plays with the Midland and Holland Symphony orchestras.
Ministry of Prayer
“in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6
Prayer Concerns: As you pray, please remember Jackie Heisler, Phil VanEyl, David
Anderson, Michael Henry, Rae Pearson, Ted Bosch, Dan De Graaf, Dick Noordijk,
Daniel Hawley-Lowry, Barbara Schmitt, Lila Vohlken, Peggy Fitzgerald, and Marjorie
French. Also pray for James Croom (husband of former member, Stephanie Croom),
Brian Knoops (son of Barb & John Knoops), Karen Kools-McLaughlin (daughter of Kathy
& John Kools), Abe Smith (son of Jan Smith), Vicky Schminky (friend of Barb Schmitt),
Doug Kuyers (son of Nancy VandeWater), and Etienne (family of Germaine Pellebon-
Smith).
Sympathy to Gary & Ellen Rizner and their children Caitlin and Ben, at the death of
Gary’s mother, Barbara Rizner, on Sunday, October 18. There was a private family
graveside service on Friday, October 23. We pray for Spirit’s comfort as they give thanks
for Barbara’s life and grieve her death.
12Hope Church Households: During the course of the year we hold every Hope Church
household in prayer. We invite you to pray with us this week for the families of Smith
(Rick & Deb); Sneller (Mark & Ann); Snow (Rita); Spidahl (Andrew & Kallie); Steeby
(Cory & Lise, Clara, Caleb, Lydia); Stegeman (Steven & Ruth); Stempfly (Lou & Joyce).
Prayers for People of Faith: The Baha’i faith traces its roots to Tehran, Iran. Their
central theme is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its
unification in one global society.” Those who practice the Baha’i faith are deeply
committed to justice and peace.
Prayers for Justice and Peace: Pray for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS
Foundation. This international agency was founded in 1988 and seeks to prevent
pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and
prevention and treatment programs.
Hope Church Health Care & Mental Health Workers: Ben Killilea, Celaine Bouma-
Prediger, Peter Hoekman, Tom Mullens, Ann McKnight, John Beyer, John Koch, Scott
Parrott, Moira Gargano, Allison Davelaar, Cindi Veldheer DeYoung, David Blauw, Anna
Blauw, Anne Baker, Cecily Lozada, Kelly Hanley, Arlan Branderhorst, Nancee
Branderhorst, Tammi Griswold, Jason VanderLugt, Jim Dumerauf.
Please contact the church office if you would like to add a name to this list.
Prayer Link Prayer Requests If you would like to receive prayer requests through Prayer
Link emails, you can sign up at this link: https://tinyurl.com/prayersignuplink. You can send
prayer requests to the church office or to any of the pastors. This is a great way for us to be
sharing things we are longing for, worried about, or need in this time. These requests do not
need to be reserved for hospitalization or life threatening illnesses.
Electronic Stewardship Campaign ~ Hope Church 2021: The 2021 Budget process is
underway, and our Stewardship campaign is shifting to an electronic response form that that
the S&F Ministry believes will be a simple and convenient way for all to respond. Please
review the draft of the 2021 budget; you can view it at https://tinyurl.com/2021hopebudget
You can indicate your giving commitment on the Electronic Stewardship Form by going to
https://tinyurl.com/pledgeform2021 Please respond by Sunday, November 8, which will be
our Stewardship Sunday.
13Online donation link added to Hope Church website: The Stewardship & Finance Ministry
has established an online giving option through the Hope Church website. The primary
intention of this link is for people who connect with Hope Church through our Facebook and
webpage offerings, and the S&F ministry has worked to ensure that it is a secure way that
people can choose to provide financial support. This is the message that will appear on the
Hope Church webpage: Donations to Hope Church support the many aspects of ministry
within our congregation and with our community. If you wish to make a donation using the
link, we are deeply grateful for your generosity and pledge to you that your support will be
put to good use. All that we do as a congregation is grounded in gratitude to God and is an
expression of God’s grace through compassion and justice. Thank you for sharing with us in
that ministry.
Advent Wreath Litany Readers: Hope Church needs 4 households to come into the
sanctuary to record reading the litany and lighting the advent candles. The pastors will
coordinate a time to record once a household signs up! The videos will then be used during
the services on the four Sundays of Advent. To sign up go to
https://tinyurl.com/adventreaders
Early Worship will resume via Zoom at 8:30am on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each
month thru December. This will be a simple worship time of prayer, scripture and
communion which the Pastors will lead from the Chapel. To join go to
https://tinyurl.com/earlyworshiplink Passcode: 12345
Adult Education is happening via Zoom at 9:40am on Sunday and will continue weekly
through the Fall. To join go to https://tinyurl.com/hopeadulteducation
October 25-November 22: Combining virtues upheld by Greek philosophers, Jewish Wisdom
writers, and Christians, Deirdre (Dede) Johnston will help us explore how various character-
building virtues can guide us in cultivating Christian civility and interacting in life-enhancing
ways with others with whom we may disagree.
November 1: Loving Ourselves in Order to Love Others
November 8: Temperance in Conflict, Fortitude in Justice
November 15: Wisdom to Question, Faith in Uncertainty
November 22: Hope to Reconcile and Liberality to Act
#HungerFreeThanksgiving: Community Action House Holiday Helping Food Boxes
Hope Church households are needed to create a Thanksgiving food box at their home and
drop it off at Community Action House by Friday, November 20. To sign up go
to https://tinyurl.com/holidayfoodbox Our goal is 50 boxes from Hope Church households!
The packing list and donation information are available on the sign up. Or you can make a
financial donation to CAH for fresh food using this link and clicking on the Give
Now button https://www.communityactionhouse.org/foodbox or by mailing a check
to Community Action House, 345 W 14th St, Holland, MI 49423. Thank you!
14Haiti Foundation Against Poverty Virtual Event: Mark your calendar for the evening of
Tuesday, October 27th. At 7:00PM (sorry, you have to cook for yourselves this year) we will
email you a full program with the event links and details! You will be just one click away from
a video of some of your favorite faces in Haiti, Gift of Hope shopping with exclusive discounts,
and a live Q&A session with the Neptunes! We are preparing an empowering evening to
connect you with our ongoing work in Haiti! You won’t want to miss it! Register for this event
at haitipoverty.org/events. Since we will not be doing our usual advent sale of Gift of Hope
products this will be an opportunity to shop early.
The Story of Plastic Viewing and Discussion: Plastic waste is emerging as a huge global
problem. Plastic fibers are entering the food chain. Plastic trash clogs vast stretches of the
ocean. Fossil fuel, which is driving climate change, is the raw material for plastics. What to
do? Start with learning more. You're invited to an online viewing of the film The Story of
Plastic. Register for the link and watch the film on your own schedule between October 16-
27. Register at https://tinyurl.com/plasticstory Then join us for a panel discussion and
community conversation on Zoom October 27th.
Men’s Breakfast meeting over Zoom – Join us! The men’s breakfast group continues to
meet (without breakfast) on Zoom from 7 to 8 AM on Wednesdays. Participants provide their
own copies. Join the meeting at https://tinyurl.com/hopemensbreakfast
Centering Prayer Group will meet via Zoom on Thursday afternoons at 4:30-5:15 pm. There
will be no meeting on October 29. This group is for anyone interested in learning about this
silent meditation from the Christian tradition. Whether you are new to Centering Prayer or
have been practicing it for a while, you are welcome. This group is guided by Kim Mulder, a
spiritual director. Email kim@withheartforward.com with any questions. To join go to
https://tinyurl.com/centeringprayergroup, passcode 013471.
Wednesday evenings in October - zoom discussion of “How to Be an Anti-Racist” by
Ibram X. Kendi – 6:45PM-8:00PM
In the midst of urgent calls for racial justice in our community and nation, as individuals and
a faith community we are seeking paths of learning and advocacy, repentance and
restoration, in order to be active participants in doing justice. This book provides insight for
understanding racism and guidance for undoing racist structures within and around us. Join
the meeting by going to https://tinyurl.com/anti-racistbookmeeting.
• October 28: Ch.14-Ch.18
Together we can benefit from the questions and convictions we all bring to this anti-racism
work.
15Visit with the Pastors The pastors are interested in meeting with anyone who would like to
meet! The meetings will be either on the phone or over zoom, or as the weather allows, they
will be in person outdoors either at the Hope Church memorial garden or at your home. You
can sign up at www.tinyurl.com/pastormeetingrequest and the pastors will be in touch to
schedule a time to get together.
Bible Study Pastor Beth is leading a Bible Study via Zoom every other Wednesday from 3-
4. To join, just access the Zoom link https://tinyurl.com/hopezoombiblestudy The meeting
dates and Gospel passages are listed below! Meeting ID: 875 3637 1589, Password:
306658
October 28 - Matthew 22:34-46 & Matthew 23:1-12
November 11 - Matthew 5:1-12 & Matthew 25:14-30
November 25 - Matthew 25:31-46 & Mark 13:24-37
Holding Hope Mental Health Support Group The Holding Hope mental health support
group is now being offered every Tuesday from noon-1:30pm. Please email the office at
office@hopechurchrca.org if you are interested.
Wednesday Morning Prayers
The pastors are offering an opportunity for people to join with them for morning prayer on
Wednesdays at 8:30am via Zoom. This contemplative time of prayer will include space to
offer aloud your own prayers for the coming day and for the life of the world.
Hope Church Parish Nurse Availability: Our Parish Nurse, Ginger Clark RN is available
by email: gclark@hopechurchrca.org, or phone: office 616-392-7947 or cell 616-648-1046.
She is available for medical questions, resources, equipment needs, BP checks or emotional
support. An outdoor visit at your home or on the church grounds is also available.
Creation Care Ministry - Recycling Request
Keep saving those pens, markers, and mechanical pencils and corks! There will be recycling
receptacles in the vestibule quarterly. The vestibule will be open Monday - Thursday 9am -
3pm. You can drop off these recycling items on November 2-5, February 1-4, May 3-6
#StayHomeFightHunger Community Action House Food Boxes
Volunteers are needed to create a food box at their home and drop it off at Community Action
House. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/hopefoodbox Thank you!
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