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Covenant-First Presbyterian Church • 717 Elm Street • Cincinnati, OH 45202 covfirstchurch.org • office@covfirstchurch.org • 513-621-4144 Covenant-First Presbyterian Church Our mission is to praise the Father, proclaim the Son and submit to the perfecting power of the Holy Spirit. August 31, 2025 • 10:30 AM Worship
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. Parking Validated parking is available in the adjacent garage for all worship services. Please pick up a validation card when you enter the building and present to the parking attendant when exiting the garage. You must exit on Elm street to see the attendant. If you have already registered your car with Metropolis parking, you can simply scan the QR code on the back of the validation card and exit at Elm Street or Eighth Street. The gate will open automatically when you leave. 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 worship on Sunday morn-ings, 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 Clair de lune Louis Vierne Christie Lee, Organ Scholar Concerns of the Congregation Call to Worship Hugh Ralston One: Come, beloved of God, to behold the Lord’s reconciling work. In Christ, fractured loyalties are gathered, and scattered hearts are bound together in peace. Prelude O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde gross, BWV622 J.S. Bach Christie Lee, Organ Scholar 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 #200 The Church’s One Foundation *Invocation Hugh Ralston All: O reconciling God, who in Jesus Christ unites the divided, draw near by your Spirit. As once you gathered tribes under David, now gather us under Christ, our true King. Illumine our worship with your triune glory and redeeming grace. *Prayer of Confession Rev. Dr. Dan Turis All: Merciful Lord, we confess our disordered allegiances and fractured loyalties. Like Abner, we have pursued our own kingdoms, resisting your rightful reign. Pride, rivalry, and distrust mar our fellowship and obscure your reconciling purpose. Forgive us, O Christ, who bore our divisions in your own body. Heal our estrangements, and draw us again into the one communion of your kingdom, where mercy triumphs over judgment, and peace embraces righteousness. *Moments of Silent Confession Service for the Lord’s Day
*Assurance of Pardon One: Hear the good news: As David welcomed Abner in peace, so Christ, the greater King, welcomes sinners into his reconciling embrace. In him, God has broken down dividing walls, making peace through the blood of the cross. To all who repent and trust in Christ, forgiveness is sure, reconciliation accomplished, and communion restored. Beloved, you are no longer enemies but friends, no longer exiles but citizens in the kingdom of the Prince of Peace. *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, Amen. Anthem Holy is the Lord Franz Schubert Covenant Choir Arr. Fred Bock Holy is the Lord, holy is the Father, holy is the Son, holy is the Spirit; blessed three in one. In your hearts enthrone him, there let him subdue all that is not holy, all that is not true. He is God, our Savior, he is Christ the Lord; ever to be worshipped, trusted, and adored. Holy is the Lord. Holy everywhere adored. 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 Sing Unto the Lord Charles Yannerella Covenant Choir Sing unto the Lord, let your heart rejoice and your soul fill with gladness. Sing unto the Lord, let us bless his holy name. Sing unto the lord, let your voice proclaim his excellent greatness. Sing unto the Lord, let us bless his holy name. Fill your hearts with praises and thanksgiving. Let us go before the Lord and bless his name forever. Sing unto the Lord, let your voice proclaim his excellent greatness. Sing unto the Lord, let us bless his holy name.
*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 #207 Blest Be the Tie that Binds Scripture Lesson 2 Samuel 3:6-21 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” 8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him. 12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.” 13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself.” 15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back. 17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the LORD promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’ ” 19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. One: This is God’s Word for God’s people. All: Thanks be to God.
This Week Sunday, August 31 8:45 AM — Choir Rehearsal 9:15 AM — Adult Sunday School 10:30 AM — Worship 11:45 PM — Courtyard Café Monday, September 1 Labor Day; Church office closed Aruna Run Wednesday, September 3 12 Noon — Brown Bag Bible Study Saturday, September 6 7:30 AM — Men’s Bible Study Planning Ahead at CFPC Sunday, September 7 8:45 AM — Choir Rehearsal 9:15 AM — Adult Sunday School 10:30 AM — Worship 11:45 PM — Fellowship Time and Ministry Fair Monday, September 8 6:30 PM — Session Meeting Wednesday, September 10 12 Noon — Brown Bag Bible Study 7 PM — Wednesday Evening Bible Study Saturday, September 13 7:30 AM — Men’s Bible Study 9:30 AM — 3CDC Workday Sermon The Mediator Who Breaks Down Hostility Rev. Dr. Dan Turis *Hymn #499 The Master Has Come *Benediction Postlude Improvisation on Ash Grove Andrew Hackett, Organist *Those who are able, please stand. The flowers on the communion table are given to the glory of God by Pat Beckman in loving memory of Jeff Beckman.
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