Covenant Presbyterian Church
Butler, Pennsylvania
August 2, 2015
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord…
And we pray that all unity
may one day be restored.
They will know we are Christians
by our love, by our love…
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
by our love.
--PETER SCHOLTES
The Rev. Dr. James E. Swanson, Pastor
Pastor’s Phone: 724-752-8383 / 724-712-1407
Church Office Phone: 724-287-7731
Fax Number: 866-309-2674
Website: http://covenantbutler.org
Order of Worship for the Lord’s Day
August 2, 2015
Ten O’clock, A.M.
Rev. Dr. James E. Swanson, Pastor
Choir Director /Organist: Miss Beverly Antis
Liturgist: Pam Patterson
THIS IS GOD’S HOUSE ~ ALL ARE WELCOME HERE !
To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn
and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all
who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want
fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to
all who will come – this church opens wide her doors and offers
warmest welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince
of Peace and the Light of the world.
PRELUDE
Ever Faithful, Ever Near
Franklin Ritter
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
People:
It is God who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Leader:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
People:
For the Lord is good and his love endures
forever; his faithfulness continues
through all generations.
Leader:
Let us worship our God, whose love is everlasting!
*OPENING HYMN 281
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
PSALM OF THE DAY
Psalm 51: 1-12
CWM RHONDDA
(Pew Bible OT p. 501)
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
CORPORATE PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in unison)
Almighty and most merciful God, we have erred and
strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have left undone
those things which we ought to have done; we have done
those things we ought not to have done; and there is no
health in us.
But thou, O Lord, dost have mercy upon us, miserable
offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their
faults; and restore thou them that are penitent, according
to thy promises declared in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may
henceforth and hereafter live a godly, righteous and sober
life, to the glory of thy most holy name. Amen.
-- Believed to be the prayer most commonly used
in worship services during the 18th & 19th centuries.
A TIME FOR SILENT CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Pastor: Let us not forget. At one time, we were without Christ;
we were the stranger, the outsider, the alien, the one
without a family. But now, in Christ, we have been brought
home to live in God's household of hope and peace.
God's covenant with us is everlasting;
God's steadfast love is forever;
God's forgiveness makes us new and whole.
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: In Jesus, the Christ, we are forgiven!
*GLORIA PATRI 579
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
GLORIA PATRI
The Apostles’ Creed (Traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was
conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and
buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again
from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the
right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he
shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the
communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the
resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*THE GREETINGS OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
SHARING OF JOYS, CONCERNS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRST READING
2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:13a (Pew Bible OT p. 278)
Liturgist:
People:
EPISTLE READING
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Ephesians 4: 1-16
(Pew Bible NT p. 182)
Liturgist: Here ends the second reading.
People: Praise be to you, O Lord.
*GOSPEL READING
John 6: 24-35
(Pew Bible NT p. 93)
Pastor: This is the gospel of our Lord.
People: Glory to you, O Christ.
CONGREGATIONAL CANTICLE:
Hymn 321, vs. 2
SONG 13
Holy Spirit, love divine,
Glow within this heart of mine;
Kindle every high desire;
Perish self in Thy pure fire. —Samuel Longfellow, 1864
SERMON
“ E PLURIBUS UNUM”
Pastor Jim
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER (using debts and debtors)
PRESENTATION OF TITHES, OFFERINGS & GIFTS
OFFERTORY MUSIC
Let Us Break Bread Together
Dale Wood
*THE 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.
*THE UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
O God, we bring our gifts in faithfulness to your call,
beckoning us to a life of sacrifice and love. Now receive
these offerings, and continue to shape us in the likeness of
Christ, our Lord, whose body and blood were given freely
that we might receive eternal life. Amen.
COMMUNION HYMN 521
You Satisfy The Hungry Heart
FINEST WHEAT
THE INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the whole people of God! This is
the Lord’s Table. Our Savior invites anyone who trusts Him to
share the feast which He has prepared.
Pastor:
People:
Pastor:
People:
Pastor:
People:
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE COMMUNION (come forward)
*LITANY FOLLOWING COMMUNION
Pastor: Bless the Lord, O my soul;
People: And all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!
Pastor: Bless the Lord, O my soul;
People: And forget not all His benefits.
Pastor: Let us pray together:
All: Thanks be to you, O God, for this sacrament of bread
and cup; for the joy of pardon, the birth of new hope,
the cleansing of your Holy Spirit, and your peace that
passes all understanding.
Keep us in your love, we pray, that we may walk
before you all the days of our lives in the gladness of
the redeemed and in the power of the children of
light. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN 512
Living Word of God Eternal
DU GEIST DES LEBENS
*THE BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Hymn 540, vs. 2, God Be with You Till We Meet Again
RANDOLPH
God be with you till we meet again;
Unseen wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still provide you:
God be with you till we meet again.
—Jeremiah Eames Rankin
*A TIME OF SILENCE
*THE CHARGE AND DISMISSAL
Pastor:
Now may the blessing of God rest on our heads,
and the Truth of God set us free from all dangers,
real and perceived; So that in our labor and in
our leisure, in our rising up and our sitting down,
in hours of joy, or in days of sorrow,
we shall with gladness of heart
commend our lives wholly unto Him
who keeps us from falling.
Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
*THE POSTLUDE
Voluntary in C
William Boyce
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP,
PLEASE JOIN US DOWNSTAIRS FOR FELLOWSHIP
Thanks to Nancy & David Blewett
for our refreshments today.
_________________________________________________________
In The Life of Our Church
_________________________________________________________
New Address:
Betty Anderson is now living in her new apartment in
Johnstown -- and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the
boxes to be unpacked  Other than that, she’s doing
well and sends her warmest greetings!
Betty’s new address is: 350 Market St., Apt. 215
Johnstown, PA 15901-1722
Her cell phone is: 724-602-7253
E Pluribus Unum appears on U.S. coins, currency, and in other
places. What does it mean, and what is the story behind this wellknown U.S. motto?
E Pluribus Unum is Latin for "out of many, one." Sometimes it is
translated more loosely as "one from many," referring to the fact
that the United States was formed into a cohesive single nation
from thirteen smaller colonies joined together.
The motto was first proposed by the U.S. Continental Congress in
1782 for use on the Great Seal of the United States. The immediate
inspiration for the use of this term is generally believed to have
been Gentlemen's Magazine (a men's magazine published in
England in the early 18th century). Every year, Gentlemen's
Magazine would do a special issue, comprised of the best of the
year's articles, and the Latin term "E Pluribus Unum" appeared on
the title page to emphasize that it was in fact "one issue from many
previous issues."
The first use of the motto on coins was in 1795, when it was used on
the Half Eagle ($5.00 gold piece.) The reverse design depicted an
eagle holding a banner in its beak, bearing the motto E PLURIBUS
UNUM. Three years later, in 1798, the same motto appeared on a
silver coin, and thereafter was added to all minted U.S. gold and
silver coins. In 1873, a new law required E Pluribus Unum to
appear on all U.S. coins when new designs were introduced, and the
motto appears on all U.S. coins to this day.
Fun Facts About E Pluribus Unum

Just as the U.S. has thirteen original colonies, E Pluribus
Unum has thirteen letters in it.

The term ex pluribus unum (a minor variation) dates to
ancient times, with Saint Augustine using it in
his Confessions (Book IV.)
E Pluribus Unum still appears on U.S. coins even though it is no
longer the official national motto! That honor was given to In God
We Trust in 1956 by an Act of Congress (36 U.S.C. § 302.)
____________________________________________________
It was a happy accident to find
Covenant's webpage and its current
events, and then the necrology where
my grandparents are listed! I did,
however, find an error.
My grandmother, Dorothy Culp Sutton, (d. January 19,
1999) is listed there as “Selfridge.” I am hoping this can be
corrected in the next update, and thank you for looking into it.
While my family and I attend another Butler church, I still hold
great and wonderful memories of my foundation built at
Covenant as a child, and owe the beginning of my faith walk to
an interim pastor in 1979, the Rev. Darlene Makin.
I wish you well… and many blessings,
Kiersten Sutton Petsinger
____________________________________________________
One In The Spirit !
The apostle Paul (in Ephesians 4:14) warns believers to “grow up.”
Growing up in Christ is a very interesting idea for us. If anything, in
our age of rapid and unedited communication, the winds of opinion
and doctrine fly faster than ever imagined. Poorly researched and
poorly reported “news” stories spin us from one opinion to the next
without time for reflection and good decision making. How do we
slow down enough and build enough trust with one another to
speak the truth in love?
In Ephesians 4:12 we find a simple statement of the purpose of
God’s gifts, as given to believers (not attained or earned by them):
to equip the saints for ministry and “to build up the body of Christ.”
All gifts are given for the sake of the increase of the whole.
Rivalries, competition, judgmental evaluations are precluded.
We do not have to look very far to see the destructive power of
factionalism. Within faith groups, within nations and between
nations, lack of concern for building up the body results in suicide
bombers in the midst of a congregation at prayer, refugees on boats
being thrust out to sea by the countries they are trying to reach for
sanctuary, an explosion of rage in Baltimore or Ferguson, Missouri.
What might it look like if we lived lives worthy of the One who gave
himself to and for us? Imagine that.
____________________________________________
A Prayer for Peace
O God, Source of Life, Instiller of Peace. . .
help Your children, anguished and confused,
to understand the futility of hatred and violence
and grant them the ability to stretch across
political, religious and national boundaries
to confront horror and fear, misinformation and untruth.
With every fiber of our being, we beg you, O God,
to help us not to fail nor falter. Amen.
____________________________________________
This Thursday evening,
August 6th at 7:00 pm
Our
Covenant-supported
mission
partners, Eric and Becky Hinderliter (Lithuania) are home on leave
this summer and they will be visiting us here in Butler at Covenant
Church!
Eric and Rebecca Hinderliter have been serving at LCC International University (formerly Lithuania Christian College) in
Klaipe'da, Lithuania, since 2001. The school was founded in 1991 in
the wake of communism’s collapse in Eastern Europe. Canadian
and U.S. foundations, together with Lithuanian Christians, founded
the school as an English-language institute.
Today LCC is a fully accredited liberal arts school with a distinct
Christian emphasis. It seeks to prepare students for leadership roles
in the post-Soviet region.
For its first 10 years LCC served students predominately from
Lithuania. The school focus is now well beyond that. Starting in
2004, LCC broadened its reach to post-Soviet countries to the east.
About half the students now come from Albania, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine. At LCC, Eric
teaches economics, sociology and theology. Becky teaches
accounting.
Country context
Unlike most mission assignments that focus on a specific ethnic
group or a specific country, the setting of LCC is international.
Russian is the predominant first language and seven other
languages are spoken. The students’ faith backgrounds are also
diverse. Students from Lithuania and western Ukraine tend to be
Catholic and those from Russia and Belarus are mostly Orthodox.
The faculty comes from Lithuania, Latvia, Canada, the United
Sates and several other countries.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the door opened for
Christian missions in this formerly closed region. LCC is a result of
this openness, and it strives to strengthen civil society and the
church. The post-Soviet countries all instituted market economies,
although there is now some movement toward more authoritarian,
state-controlled economies. The gap between the rich and poor has
widened dramatically since 1991. Ethnic and nationalist tensions,
repressed in the Soviet times, have exploded. The newly
independent states need ethical leaders who understand how to
develop democratic political traditions and foster the rebirth of
civil society. Further, the church needs faithful, biblicallygrounded leaders with a concern for reconciliation, tolerance, and
social justice.
Not all LCC students are Christians, so LCC strives to help them
experience what a faithful Christian life might be like. They are
invited to consider the call to faith and to examine their own
worldviews in light of the gospel.
About Eric and Becky Hinderliter
Eric and Becky focus on building relationships as a key part of the
teaching/learning process. They have been blessed by visits from
U.S. Presbyterians who have come to Lithuania to teach, work and
to visit with them in Klaipe'da. They also enjoy visits from former
students who share their stories of marriage and family, job
success, and church involvement.
Prior to their mission service Eric served in leadership roles for
several nonprofit and local governments, and Becky was an
administrator in a state agency in Pennsylvania. They were active
at Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
where they continue to be members. It was there they began to
discern a possible call into cross-cultural mission service.
The Hinderliters bring to LCC the academic credentials that are
needed to serve their students well and that help LCC maintain
accreditation. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree at Allegheny College
in Meadville, PA, and a master’s degree and a doctorate at Brown
University in Providence, Rhode Island. In addition he earned a
master's degree in faith-based development from Eastern College
in 2000. Becky received a bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. from
Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA.
The Hinderliters have been busy meeting with Presbyterian
congregations and Presbyteries since they arrived in the USA on
May 7, 2015. They’ll return to Lithuania on August 19.
Come and meet Eric & Becky
this Thursday evening
7 pm in the Assembly Room
with Refreshments to follow
-- open to the public ~ invite neighbors & friends --