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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 3, 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. The Sacrament of The Lord’s SupperWe offer Communion during the worship service on the first Sunday of each month. We welcomeanyone who proclaims Christ as Savior to partake. The Communion table is not restricted toPresbyterians. During the service, the church elders will distribute the elements, while thecongregation remains seated in the pews. 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.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 Improvisation on Ash Grove Andrew Hackett, OrganistConcerns of the Congregation Rev. Dr. Dan TurisCall to Worship Sonja VernonOne: Come limping, come weary; the Jesus who raised Tabitha and lifted Aeneas still dropsresurrection hints into ordinary broken days. Prelude Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 715 J. S. BachAndrew Hackett, Organist 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 #499 The Master Has Come, and He Calls Us *Invocation Sonja VernonAll: Risen Lord, firstfruits of the new creation, we gather with hospital bracelets on oursouls. Some of us ache in body, others in mind or memory. Breathe your quiet “Getup” over our paralysis and despair. Turn this hour into a preview of the day whenyou wipe every tear and death forgets our names. *Prayer of Confession Rev. Dr. Dan TurisAll: Lord of life, we admit we often live as practical atheists in the face of brokenness.We talk about resurrection on Easter but function like death and decay have thefinal word. We grow cynical about healing, both physical and relational. Ourprayers shrink; our hopes calcify. We forget that, as John Calvin wrote, “all the partsof our salvation are comprehended in Christ,” including the promise of restoredbodies and a renewed world. Forgive our unbelief, our resignation, and ourreluctance to bring our sick, our griefs, and our neighborhoods to you. *Moments of Silent Confession

*Assurance of Pardon Rev. Dr. Dan TurisOne: Beloved, the greatest healing has already happened: “You were dead, but God made youalive with Christ.” Your deepest sickness—sin’s guilt and power—has been decisivelyaddressed at the cross. In Jesus, your pardon is signed in blood and sealed by an emptytomb. The smaller healings we crave are appetizers, not the main course; yet even whenthey delay, your forgiveness does not. Today God speaks over you: “In Christ, you areclean, accepted, and bound for resurrection.” Nothing—not disease, not death—cancancel the verdict: Forgiven and forever alive in him. *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, is nowand ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Anthem Guide My Feet Lord Arr. John CarterCovenant ChoirGuide my feet, Lord, while I run this race, ‘cause I don’t want to run this race in vain. Hold my hand, Lord, while I run this race, ‘cause I don’t want to run this race in vain. Stand by me, Lord, while I run this race, ‘cause I don’t want to run this race in vain.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 Climbin’ Up the Mountain Arr. Patsy Ford Simms Andrew Hallam, BaritoneI’m climbin’ up the mountain, children, gotta reach my heavenly home. I’m climbin’ up andworkin’ harder; Lord don’t ever leave me alone. Don’t you see I’m tryin’ to make it each day,even though trials pass my way. I’m gonna keep on climbin’ up the mountain ‘til I make it onhome. Oh, brother, won’t you help me ‘cause the road is rough. The mountain is steep and the goin’gets tough. But when I see him face to face, I’m gonna shout all over the place!Oh, sister, won’t you help me to carry the load over the hard and rocky road? When I arrive,he’ll wipe my tears away. It’s gonna be a happy day.

*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 Scripture Lesson Acts 9:32–43As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eightyears. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.”Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned tothe Lord. 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she wasalways doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and herbody was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciplesheard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widowsstood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had madewhile she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on hisknees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened hereyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then hecalled for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This becameknown all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for sometime with a tanner named Simon.One: This is God’s Word for God’s people. All: Thanks be to God.Sermon Signs of the Kingdom, Whispers of Resurrection Rev. Dr. Dan Turis*Apostles Creed All: I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in JesusChrist his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of theVirgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; hedescended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended intoheaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence heshall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holycatholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrectionof the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Sacrament of The Lord’s SupperWe offer Communion during the worship service on the first Sunday of each month. We welcome anyone whoproclaims Christ as Savior to partake. The Communion table is not restricted to Presbyterians. During the service,church elders will distribute the elements, while the congregation remains seated. The InvitationThe ThanksgivingThe Words of InstitutionThe CommunionWe will share in the body together. You may drink of the cup when desired.The Prayer of Blessing*Hymn #34 God, My King, Thy Might Confessing *Benediction Postlude Organ Sonata no. 2, Op. 65, IV. Fugue Félix Mendelssohn Christie Lee, Organ Scholar *Those who are able, please stand.