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Covenant-First Presbyterian ChurchOur mission is to praise the Father, proclaim the Son,and submit to the perfecting power of the Holy SpiritMay 10, 2026 ·10:30 AM WorshipCovenant-First Presbyterian Church · 717 Elm Street · Cincinnati, OH 45202covfirstchurch.org · office@covfirstchurch.org · 513-621-4144

Welcome to Covenant-First Presbyterian ChurchWhether you attend Covenant-First Presbyterian Church on a regular basis or are here for the firsttime, we are glad you are here. Covenant-First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1790, and hasbeen a part of downtown Cincinnati ever since. Our almost 2,000 pound tower bell is from thePaul Revere Foundry in Boston, and first rang from the steeple of one of our earliest buildings.This building was completed in 1875, and the Austin Pipe Organ dates to 1915, with itsapproximately 3,500 pipes. We have traditional worship with Bible-based preaching each week.Our music program is enhanced by our Music Scholar program and we are excited to have themlead in worship most Sundays. If you need help with directions to restrooms, the fellowship hall, or to the lower level nursery, theperson who greeted you this morning will be glad to help you. Children and worship We delight in children, and your children are always welcome to stay with you in worship. However,if you would prefer nursery care for your infants and toddlers, we do have a professionally staffednursery in the lower level. We invite children ages 2 years to 5 years to participate in Junior Church.If your child wants to participate in Junior Church, you may escort them to the lower level duringthe singing of the Doxology. You may then pick your child up following the service from thedownstairs classrooms. Validated Parking Validated parking is available in the 222 W. 7th St. Garage. Validation is done using your car’slicense plate number. Please locate a greeter to complete the validation process which requires yourlicense plate number. Fellowship Time After worship, we invite you to gather with us in Metzger Hall for a reception featuring coffee,treats, and encouraging conversation. Many of us travel from a distance to join together in worshipon Sunday mornings, and we find this weekly fellowship time to be a valuable and enriching timefor us to catch up and meet new people. Please join us! About us If you are interested in learning more about Covenant-First Presbyterian Church, see your morning greeter, help yourself to any of the literature located on the back tables, contact the church office at513-621-4144, or visit our website at covfirstchurch.org.

Service for the Lord’s DayPre-Service Music Symphonie Gothique op. 70, IV. Charles-Marie WidorChristie Lee, Organ Scholar Moderato-Allegro- ModeratoConcerns of the Congregation Rev. Dr. Dan TurisCall to Worship Karen Stine One: Come, insiders and outsiders alike; the God who rewired Peter’s categories still tears downfences and sets a longer, wider table. Handbell Prelude What a Friend We Have in Jesus Becky Bell, Director Ringing of the Revere Tower BellLet the ringing of the bell call our attention away from ourselves and onto the living Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.*Hymn #1 Holy, Holy, Holy *Invocation Karen Stine All: Lord of every nation, you heard Cornelius praying and Peter pondering. Hear usnow. Where our hearts draw lines you have erased, confront us. Where shame hasbuilt walls, comfort us. Let this gathering be a small rehearsal of your future feast:Many peoples, one Christ, one table of grace. *Prayer of Confession Rev. Dr. Dan TurisAll: Holy God, we confess that prejudice still prowls our hearts. We baptize ourpreferences and call them convictions. We confuse “our kind of people” with “yourkind of people.” Like Peter, we have things we instinctively label unclean —cultures, neighborhoods, backgrounds, even parts of our own story. We ignore that,as Tim Keller liked to say, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed… yetmore loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope.” Forgive our proudcomparisons, our fearful distance, and our resistance to your boundary-breakinglove.*Moments of Silent Confession

*Assurance of Pardon Rev. Dr. Dan TurisOne: Hear the good news: In Christ, God has already crossed the deepest boundary—holy Godto sinful humanity. At the cross, Jew and Gentile, near and far, religious and secular, allmeet at the same level ground. Your access to God is not earned by fitting in but given byJesus’ blood. In him, your alienation is answered, your shame is covered, and yourwelcome is secure. The dividing wall of hostility has been demolished. You are forgiven,brought near, and made part of a new humanity whose banner is not ethnicity, butEmmanuel. *Gloria Patri Glory Be to the FatherGlory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, isnow and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Anthem The Gift of Love Arr. Hal HopsonCovenant Choir 1 Corinthians 13Thou I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire, and have not love; my wordsare vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain. Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess, but not be giv’n by love within,the profit soon turns strangely thin. Come, spirit come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guideevery deed. By this we worship, we are freed. Amen.Prayers of the PeopleLord’s Prayer All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will bedone, 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. Forthine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. Call for the Offering (If you would like to give online see the back of the bulletin.)Offertory Virgam Virtutis Tuae (The Rod of Your Strength) Marianna MartinesLea Nayak, Soprano from Dixit Dominus Natalie Sheppard, Mezzo SopranoVirgam virtutis tuae emittet Dominus exSion: dominare in medio inimicorumtuorum. The Lord shall send the rod of your powerout of Zion: Be thou ruler, even in the midstamong thine enemies. Psalm 110:2

*Doxology #572 Praise God from Whom All Blessings FlowAt this time all children are invited to go to Children’s ChurchPraise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication*Hymn #498 Come, All Christians, Be Committed Scripture Lesson Acts 10:1-23At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the ItalianRegiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those inneed and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. Hedistinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at himin fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poorhave come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a mannamed Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by thesea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and adevout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened andsent them to Joppa. 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey andapproaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wantedsomething to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heavenopened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 Itcontained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him,“Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anythingimpure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure thatGod has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back toheaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent byCornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, askingif Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about thevision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and godownstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down and saidto the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 22 The men replied, “We havecome from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected byall the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he couldhear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. Thenext day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.One: This is God’s Word for God’s people. All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon God Breaks Down the Fence Rev. Dr. Dan Turis*Hymn #55 For the Beauty of the Earth *Benediction Postlude Sonata No. 1, mvt. iv Felix Mendelssohn Andrew Hackett, Organist *Those who are able, please stand.* * * * * * * * * * The flowers on the communion table are given to the Glory of Godby Nina Jackson and in celebration of Erika Jackson’s birthday. Happy Mother’s Day to Erika Jackson and Tiffany Jackson.