Please sign the black Friendship Pad located in the pew and give us an outlet to reach out to you.

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2 We re glad you have chosen to worship with us this morning at First Presbyterian! If you are visiting with us, we hope you ll find this church a place of welcome and spiritual growth. Here are a few things to help you worship fully with us! Please sign the black Friendship Pad located in the pew and give us an outlet to reach out to you. We are Presbyterians. We say debts and debtors in the Lord s Prayer, and we say He descended into hell in the Apostles Creed. The congregation s responses are printed in bold. We usually sit to listen and pray and then we stand to sing. The asterisk invites the congregation to stand. Please use the red hymnal, Glory to God, in the pew rack. You are encouraged to follow the readings and the lyrics as they are printed in this worship guide. Our restrooms are located in the hallway behind the choir loft-both on the left and the right sides. If you need to use the restroom we ask that you do this before worship or exit through the rear of the sanctuary while the congregation is standing. Small children are always welcome in worship, although nursery care is available for children birth-4 years old. The Nursery is located in our Educational Building; one of our ushers would be happy to guide you there. We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion the first Sunday of each month. The Elders will pass plates of bread and trays of unfermented wine to each pew OR you will be invited to the closest station to tear a piece of bread and dip into the communion cup (intinction). Gluten-free bread is available from the ushers at the rear of the sanctuary. First Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the PC(USA) denomination. For more information about our church, call us at or please visit our website,

3 THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 30, 2018 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE Prelude and Fugue in G Major Bach PRAYER OF PREPARATION (For use as you prepare for worship.) Loving God, in whom we live and move and have our being, help us to choose life in you, that we may follow in the way of Jesus and follow the promptings of His Spirit, and witness this day to the hope that is within us by sharing Christ s love in the world. Amen. Please remember to silence all electronic devices. *CALL TO WORSHIP L: Welcome to the shelter of God's love. P: In you, O God, we seek refuge. L: God is a rock of refuge, a safe haven for us. Do not let your hearts be troubled. We are precious in God's sight. P: God is faithful and we can trust in God's steadfast love. *HYMN 415 Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy RESTORATION *INVITATION TO CONFESSION *PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of glory and grace, we admit that though we sing praises to your name in worship, there are times when our actions do not bring praise to you. We confess the times we treat others with harshness or insensitivity. There are times when we judge others or gossip idly, bringing hurt instead of love. Other times we refuse to act with compassion because it would mean going out of our way. Forgive us, God. Help us to praise you not only with our voices but with our living, so that the risen Christ may be glorified. The chorus of the hymn reminds us of the words of the Prodigal Son.

4 *SILENT CONFESSION *ASSURANCE OF PARDON *OUR RESPONSE HYMN 447 We Are Forgiven WE ARE FORGIVEN *SHARING OF GOD S PEACE ANTHEM I Chose Love Mark Miller In the midst of pain, I choose love. In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again, --- I choose love. In the midst of war, I choose peace. In the midst of war, hate and anger keeping score, I will seek the good once more, --- I choose peace. When my world falls down, I will rise. When my world falls down, explanations can t be found, I will climb to holy ground, -- I will rise. In the midst of pain, I choose love. In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain, I await the sun again, --- I choose love. The anthem was written in 2016 in response to the shooting at Emmanuel Church in Charleston, SC. It echoes the words of Dr. M. L. King, Jr: I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.

5 PSALTER Psalm Isaiah 11:6-9 Hymn 378 We Wait the Peaceful Kingdom of God MERLE S TUNE PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION EPISTLE READING Galatians 5:22-25 Pew Bible, page 180 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. GOSPEL READING SERMON *HYMN 753 John 14:15-27 My Peace I Give to You Pew Bible, page 104 Dennis Stamper Make Me a Channel of Your Peace PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (From A Declaration of Faith) The Christian fellowship was not a society of perfect people. The struggle between the old way of life and the new was severe. Yet the Spirit produced among followers of Jesus love, joy, peace, and victories in the battle against evil. We believe the Holy Spirit works today whenever believers grow toward maturity in Christ. As long as we live we struggle with sin, but the Spirit s presence assures us God will complete what he has begun in us. PRAYERS OF GOD S PEOPLE AND THE LORD S PRAYER 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. OFFERING Offertory Meditation The Psalter is Isaiah s vision of the Peaceable Kingdom. Hale The hymn embodies the spiritual understandings of St. Francis.

6 *OFFERTORY RESPONSE HYMN 643 Now Thank We All Our God *All who are able may stand. *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *HYMN 623 I ve Got Peace Like a River PEACE LIKE A RIVER *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE Kremser Held WORSHIP LEADERS Preacher: Dennis Stamper Liturgist: Kris Malone Director of Music: Dr. Steven Mowery Organist: Dr. Martha Geouge Hill Musicians: The Chancel Choir Choral Scholars: Samantha Miller, Soprano; Hailey Baskin, Alto; Matthew Storie and Dakota Duncan, Tenors; Skyler Villegas and Ian Elkins, Bass PRAYER REQUESTS Mickey Craft, Sean McGinnis, Suzanne Hambrick, Susan Pleasant, Boo Bost, Bob and Susie Abercrombie and the New Hope Presbyterian Church, Gastonia The stanzas of the hymn remind us of the first three sermons in the series. Music & words reprinted with permission CCLI License and by One License A716158

7 MEN S GATHERING Tuesday, October 2, at 8 AM Youth Center Joe Sienkiewicz will lead the discussion of lesson 3, The Virgin Mary. Join us for coffee, fellowship and discussion. WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER, SEPTEMBER 26 TH Menu: Hamburgers and Hot Dogs on the Grill, Pasta Salad, Green Salad, Tater Tots, Cookies & Brownies. Volunteers needed every week! Cost: $7 Adults, $5 Youth, $4 Kindergarten - 5th Grade, FREE under Kindergarten. To R.S.V.P. for dinner and/or volunteer, sign-up on our website: GREATER HICKORY COOPERATIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY October is our month to help restock the food pantry at CCM. Grocery bags are available in the sanctuary, fellowship hall, or at the reception desk. Bring your filled grocery bag to the church and place it in the special marked canister by the elevator on the first floor in the office wing. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING CALLED A meeting of the congregation will be held just prior to worship next Sunday, Oct 7. The purpose of the meeting is to elect elders and at-large members of the Nominating Committee, Class of STEWARDSHIP DINNER Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 6 PM R.S.V.P.: (Regular WNS sign up form) ANNUAL ADULT LIFE CHICKEN PIE SALE Mrs. Pumpkin s Bakery is partnering with Adult Life Programs. 9 Moravian Pies (No Veggies w/gravy Baked In) or 9 Chicken Pot Pie (With Veggies and Gravy) $13 each OR 3 for $36.00 Orders can be placed NOW and may be picked up at FPC Thursday, Nov. 8 or Friday, Nov. 9. To place order: call ALP at , visit their website: facebook@adultlife1983 or order forms at the church office.

8 CHURCH CALENDAR SUNDAY, September 30 Sunday School Chancel Choir Rehearsal Kairos and Sanctuary Worship Services Jr. High Scavenger Hunt MONDAY, Oct. 1 Beginner s Bridge 9:30-11:30 AM Master Bridge 12:30-4:00 P.M. Intercessory Prayer Women s Bible Study / Staff Meeting NetworX Covenant Bible Study Cub Scout Meeting TUESDAY, Oct. 2 Men s Gathering P.W. Coordinating Team Meeting Knitwits & Happy Hookers Meeting New Member Committee Meeting Women s Bible Study Boy Scout Meeting/Personnel Committee Meeting WEDNESDAY, Oct. 3 Beginner s Bridge 9:30-11:30 AM Master Bridge 12:30-4:00 P.M. Wednesday Night Supper Adult Programming/FP3/Handbells/Jr. High WWF/Sr. High Huddle Chancel Choir & Kairos Band Rehearsals THURSDAY, Oct. 4 Art Class/Program Staff Meeting Worship Committee Meeting FRIDAY, Oct. 5 Pilgrimage Reunion SATURDAY, Oct. 6 Jr. High Retreat SUNDAY, Oct. 7 Sunday School Chancel Choir Rehearsal Jr. Highs Home from Retreat One Worship Service in the Sanctuary Budget Hearings LAST WEEK S WORSHIP ATTENDANCE Sanctuary: 210 Kairos: 87 Total: 297 We miss you when you are not here! 9:45 A.M. 10 A.M. 11 A.M. 4 P.M. 9:30 A.M. 10 A.M. 5:30 P.M. 6:30 P.M. 7 P.M. 8 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 12:30 P.M. 5:30 P.M. 6:30 P.M. 7 P.M. 5:30 P.M. 6:15 P.M. 7 P.M. 9:30 A.M. 6 P.M. 7 A.M. 9:45 A.M. 10 A.M. 11 A.M. 5-8 P.M.