November 23, 2025

Pastor Drew Derreth

Finishing Well

WELCOME TO HANOVER VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Our purpose is to become an authentic community that knows Christ and makes His grace and truth known with such power and glory that lives are transformed by the gospel, multiplying worship and praise to God throughout Hanover and the world.

Welcome. We’re glad that you’re with us. We hope you’ll find joyful worship that engages both your heart and mind, as well as genuine friendship and a caring atmosphere. Please take advantage of any of the opportunities offered here. If we can serve you in any way today, simply speak to one of the ushers.

Children are welcome to stay in the service, but if you prefer, quality childcare is provided throughout the service for children from infants to kindergarten aged. Please speak to one of our ushers for locations.

This bulletin will guide you through the service – just start on the next page and continue as the pastor leads. (Moments when you should stand are noted).

As a courtesy to you and those around you, we ask that you please mute cell phones during the worship time.

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 welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

REFLECTIONS

Rolling Stone: So if we’re heading toward this kind of existential dead end in society, what do you think should happen?

Brad Pitt: Hey, man, I don’t have those answers yet. The emphasis now is on success and personal gain. [smiles] I’m sitting in it, and I’m telling you, that’s not it. I’m the guy who’s got everything. I know. But I’m telling you, once you’ve got everything, then you’re just left with yourself. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it doesn’t help you sleep any better, and you don’t wake up any better because of it.

―Brad Pitt interviewed in Rolling Stone

SUNDAY WORSHIP

November 23rd, 2025

Prelude

Call to Worship

Gathering Songs (Please Stand)

See What A Morning

See, what a morning, gloriously bright
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem,
Folded the grave clothes, tomb filled with light
As the angels announce Christ is risen!
See God’s salvation plan, wrought in love,
Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, for He lives:
Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, “Where is He laid?”
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb.
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It’s the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years, speaking life,
Stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound ’til He appears, for He lives,
Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty,
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with power and authority!
And we are raised with Him, death is dead,
Love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him for He lives,
Christ is risen from the dead!
And we shall reign with Him for He lives,
Christ is risen from the dead!

Reason To Praise

When I’m at my end, You’re just getting started
When I hit a wall, You just walk through
When I face a mountain, You are the Maker
So it’s gotta move
When I’m out of faith and You are still faithful
When I’m at my worst and You are still good
In all of my questions, You are the answer
It all points to You

Chorus: ‘Cause You’re the God of the breakthrough
When I’m breaking down
You’ll be working a way through
When there’s no way out
This one thing I know, You’re still on Your throne
So whatever I’m feeling
I’ve still got a reason to praise
Praise, praise

Out of our wrongs, You write our story
And out of the cross come rivers of grace
And out of the grave bursts a revival
No tomb can contain

Chorus

Praise, praise
I’ve still got a reason to praise (x2)

Bridge: When You come around
Dry bones come to life
Deserts to paradise
Stones just start rollin’ away
When You come around
My heart starts to beat again
Lungs stretch to breathe You in
Souls just erupt into praise

Chorus

Praise, praise
I’ve still got a reason to praise (x2)

Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To His feet, thy tribute bring
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven
Who, like me, His praise should sing?
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him
Praise the everlasting King
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him
Praise the everlasting King

Fatherlike, He tends and spares us,
Well, our feeble frame He knows
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him
Widely as His mercy goes
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him
Widely as His mercy goes

Angels, help us to adore Him
Ye behold Him face to face
Sun and moon bow down before Him
Dwellers, all in time and space
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him
Praise with us, the God of grace
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him
Praise with us, the God of grace

Corporate Prayer of Confession

Father, we are not worthy that you should come under the roof of our souls; nevertheless, since you desire to dwell with us, we make bold to draw near. Forgive us for our many sins, too numerous to count. We have failed to love you with our whole heart and we have failed to love those around us. We have been too quick to flee from moments of fear, sadness and struggle, rather than crying out to you and waiting. We have thought it a small thing to know you better through the things we suffer. We have failed to live bold, yet humble, lives of service for your kingdom and world. Let the cross of Your Son be our payment. Let His righteousness be our covering, as we come in faith; for the sake of Jesus our Savior. Amen.

Private Confession

Words of Encouragement

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

1 Peter 3:18

Song of Assurance (Please Stand)

Hosanna

Let the weak say “I am strong.” Let the poor say “I am rich”
Let the blind say “I can see,” it’s what the Lord has done in me.
Let the weak say “I am strong.” Let the poor say “I am rich”
Let the blind say “I can see,” it’s what the Lord has done in me.

Chorus: Hosanna, hosanna to the Lamb that was slain.
Hosanna, hosanna, Jesus died and rose again.
Hosanna, hosanna to the Lamb that was slain.
Hosanna, hosanna, Jesus died and rose again.

Into the river I will wade, there my sins are washed away.
From the heaven’s mercy stream of the Savior’s love for me.
I will rise from waters deep into the saving arms of God.
I will sing salvation songs. Jesus Christ has set me free.

Chorus

Jesus died and rose again, Jesus died and rose again.

Covenant Baptism & Welcome of New Members

Alana Katherine Adams

Announcements & Prayers of the People

Special Music & Offering

Scripture

Genesis 50

Sermon

Finishing Well

Song of Reflection (Please Stand)

Better is One Day

How lovely is Your dwelling place O Lord Almighty
For my soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings.

Chorus: Better is one day in Your courts,
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts, than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts, better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts, than thousands elsewhere
Than thousands elsewhere

One thing I ask and I would seek, to see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
One thing I ask and I would seek, to see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells

Chorus

Bridge: My heart and flesh cry out for You The living God,
Your Spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen, come once again to me
I will draw near to You, I will draw near to You

Chorus

Benediction

Parting Song of Praise

Better is One Day

WORSHIP MUSICIANS

Jessi Stauffer- piano, vocals

SCRIPTURE

Genesis 50

1 Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. 2 Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, 3 taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. 4 When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, 5 ‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.'”6 Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.”

7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt— 8 besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. 9 Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company.

10 When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. 11 When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim. 12 So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: 13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. 14 After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. 24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” 26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

NOTES

COMMUNITY & CHURCH LIFE

Parking on Sundays

We’re glad you’re here today! There is a map available on our website (www.hanovervalley.org), highlighting available local parking. There’s plenty and it’s all less than a block away. There is also a parking lot, especially for guests, next to our building outside the Railroad Street Entrance. All public, metered, on-street parking is free on Sundays.

Live Stream & Bulletin Instructions

You can access the livestream from the front page of hanovervalley.org or through youtube.com/user/HanoverValley. If you would like to access the weekly bulletin electronically, you can find the weekly bulletin on the church’s home page, in the middle just below the banner. It’s available as a mobile-friendly version you can view on your phone or as a full PDF that you can download.

Sunday Morning Childcare

We have childcare for children up to the age of four during our 10:00am worship service. The nursery has recently been renovated to provide more space and will be cleaned thoroughly each week.

Catechism Class

Catechesim class is from 9:00-9:45am, we offer a class discussing the Westminster Shorter Catechism for students in 1st-5th grades. This class is taught by Noah Trask. This class meets in the 1-3 grade class room.

Pre-K & K Sunday School Class

Starting from 9:00-9:45am we have a class for students in Pre-K and K (ages 3-5). This class will be taught by Becky Derreth and Sarah Schwarz and meets in the 3-K Sunday School room.

Ladies Bible Study

The ladies have begin a new Bible study “Life Lessons from James” by Max Lucado. We will meet every other Saturday in the church dock room at 10:00 a.m. All women are invited.

Operation Christmas Child

It’s time again to fill a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child. A shoe box filled with items that children around the world would love, is the bridge that local pastors use to reach families with the light of the gospel. We have provided shoe boxes located in the hallway by the kitchen, that you can use to provide this precious gift. The national collection week will be November 17-24.

Prayer Gathering

We are meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month @ 6:30 pm at the church. We would love to have you join us! Please contact Gary Harrity for more information at (717) 630-2771.

Youth Group & Kids Group

Youth group (6-8pm) and kids Group (6-7:30pm) meet on Sunday evenings. Youth group is for students 6th-12th grade and kids group is for students in 1st-5th grade. Kids group is currently coordinated by Angela Brewer while youth group is coordinated by Noah Trask.

Young Adult Group

On Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm we offer a small group for young adults between the ages of 18 and 30. See Noah Trask for meeting locations and more information.

Mercy Ministry- Winter Care Packages

This holiday season, we would like to invite you to either donate and or volunteer to help make life saving Winter Care Packages for those experiencing homelessness. Life threatening hypothermia can set in between 32°- 50°. The care packages will include: thermal socks, mylar emergency blankets, hats, gloves, protein bars, water, first aid kits, a note of encouragement and a small amount of toiletries. On the donation bin there is a breakdown of each item to donate, Write your name next to the item you would like to donate/ or if you are interested in volunteering to pack the bags. Please contact Sarah Trask with any questions at office@hanovervalley.org

Mingle and Jingle

Get ready to celebrate the season with friends, food, and festive fun! On December 12th from 6 PM- 9 PM. Come enjoy an evening full of laughter, good company, and holiday cheer! You may choose to take part in the: Cookie Competition – Bring your best batch and see if your cookies take the crown! 🥣 Soup Competition – Warm hearts and tummies with your favorite homemade soup! 🥣 Gift raffle: Bring a wrapped “favorite thing” ($5 or less) — something you love that someone else might enjoy too! Bring your festive spirit, appetite, and holiday joy — it’s time to Mingle & Jingle!

Attention musicians and singers: we would love to have your help serving our community at the Christmas Eve service. If you’d like to help please email Jessi at jessi@hanovervalley.com. Practices will be on Tuesday evenings at 7pm at the church.

PRAYERS

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for Debbie Trask’s sister, Susan Baker, she was diagnosed with advanced colon and liver cancer. She has started chemotherapy.
Donna Rosselet is having knee surgery. Please pray for a smooth and quick recovery.
Please pray for Tom Simon and his family. Tom has started palliative chemo treatments. Prayers for the whole family would be appreciated, especially for Tom and Linda.
Pray that Andrew Hauser will continue to remain clear of any rejection of his new organs and for safety as he travels to and from Pittsburgh for his tests.
Pray that we would recognize God’s hand in our lives and the lives around us.
Ann Kerrison, a friend of Debbie Stapf, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Pray for Ann and her family as they navigate this challenging time, both physically and emotionally. Please pray for strength and healing while she is on chemo, which is making her very sick.
Please pray that Debbie Stapf’s doctors can find the right medication to work for her as she continues to live with Parkinsons.
Please pray for Melissa Anderson Casper as she begins testing to see if she is eligible for a kidney and pancreas transplant. Then she can be placed on the list of those waiting for a transplant.

We want to share your concerns and praises. If you have something to include here please contact Sarah Trask; Call or text 443-277-0110 or email office@hanovervalley.org. Nothing is included here without express permission.