Return to flip book view
Covenant-First Presbyterian Church • 717 Elm Street • Cincinnati, OH 45202 covfirstchurch.org • office@covfirstchurch.org • 513-621-4144 Covenant-First Presbyterian Church February 8, 2026 • 10:30 AM Worship Our mission is to praise the Father, proclaim the Son and submit to the perfecting power of the Holy Spirit.
Welcome to Covenant-First Presbyterian Church Whether you attend Covenant-First Presbyterian Church on a regular basis or are here for the first time, we are glad you are here. Covenant-First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1790, and has been a part of downtown Cincinnati ever since. Our almost 2,000 pound tower bell is from the Paul 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 its approximately 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 them lead in worship most Sundays. If you need help with directions to restrooms, the fellowship hall, or to the lower level nursery, the person 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 staffed nursery 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 during the singing of the Doxology. You may then pick your child up following the service from the downstairs classrooms. Validated Parking Validated parking is available in the 222 W. 7th St. Garage. Validation is done using your car’s license plate num-ber. Please locate a greeter to compete the validation process which requires your license plate number. Fellowship Time After worship, we invite you to gather with us in Metzger Hall for a reception featuring coffee, treats, and encour-aging conversation. Many of us travel from a distance to join together in worship on Sunday mornings, and we find this weekly fellowship time to be a valuable and enriching time for 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 at 513-621-4144, or visit our website at covfirstchurch.org.
Pre-Service Music Organ Symphony No.9, 'Gothic' Charles-Marie Widor Christie Lee, Organ Scholar II Andante sostenuto Concerns of the Congregation Rev. Dr. Dan Turis Call to Worship Robert Sullivan One: People of Pentecost’s King, come listen again: Scripture sings, Christ is crucified and risen, and the Spirit still cuts hearts to life. Prelude Suite du Premier Ton Louis-Nicolas Clérambault Christie Lee, Organ Scholar I. Grand plein jeu Ringing of the Revere Tower Bell Let the ringing of the bell call our attention away from ourselves and onto the living Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. *Hymn #7 Praise Ye the Father *Invocation Robert Sullivan All: Living God, who speaks through ancient prophets and present preaching, open our ears to Peter’s Christ and our hearts to Peter’s call. Let the Scriptures burn within us, not as information but revelation. May the same Spirit who empowered that first sermon make this gathering a place where Jesus is clearly seen and joyfully received. *Prayer of Confession Rev. Dr. Turis All: God of truth and grace, we confess that we often like sermons as background music, not as your living voice. You give us a gospel that is beautifully simple— Christ crucified and risen—yet we complicate it, soften it, or hide it. We fear being cut to the heart, so we keep your Word at arm’s length. Our minds wander while you address us. We prefer “nice advice” to saving news. Forgive our dullness, our selective hearing, and our reluctance to repent. *Moments of Silent Confession *Assurance of Pardon One: Hear Peter’s promise echoed to you: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The crucified Jesus whom our sin nailed to the cross has been raised and made both Lord and Christ. For all who turn to him, there is full forgiveness, real Spirit-gift, and a fresh start. The God who pierced hearts at Pentecost now comforts yours: In Christ, your sins are forgiven, your guilt is washed away, and you are welcomed into his new people. Service for the Lord’s Day
*Gloria Patri #575 Glory Be to the Father Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Anthem Shout to the Lord Arr. Daniel Smith Covenant Choir; Juan Vasque, pianist My Jesus, my Saviour Lord, there is none like you. All of my days I want to praise the wonders of your mighty love. My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength. Let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship you. Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing power and majesty, praise to the king. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name. I sing for joy at the work of your hands forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in you. Prayers of the People Lord’s Prayer All: 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. Call for the Offering (If you would like to give online see the back of the bulletin.) Offertory Amazing Grace Arr. Arthur Frackenpohl Suzanne Smith, Clarinet *Doxology #572 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow At this time all children are invited to go to Children’s Church Praise 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 #187 Breathe on Me, Breath of God Scripture Lessons Acts 2:14–41 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is (Continued on page 5)
what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. One: This is God’s Word for God’s people. All: Thanks be to God. Sermon The Sermon that Started the World Rev. Dr. Dan Turis
*Hymn #324 Be Still My Soul *Benediction Postlude Fantasia, from Fantasia and fugue in G minor BWV 542 J.S. Bach Christie Lee, Organ Scholar *Those who are able, please stand. * * * * * * * * * Mark your calendars: Our annual Congregational Meeting is set for Sunday, March 1, im-mediately following the morning worship service. We'll elect elders, deacons, and the con-gregational representatives to the Nominating Committee, and also vote to approve Rev. Dr. Turis' 2026 Terms of Call. Be sure to be in worship and to stay a little while afterwards for this annual meeting.
7
8
9