The Third Sunday in Lent

Transcription

1 The Third Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 8, 2015 First Presbyterian Church 508 West Davis Street Burlington, North Carolina

2 The Third Sunday in Lent Assemble in God s Name Personal Prayer of Preparation Gracious God, whose power is made perfect in weakness, whose wisdom appears as foolishness in this world, we thank you for the scandal of the cross. In Jesus Christ, you overturn all our usual ways of behaving and believing. Raise us to new life as a community so that we may be the body of Christ in and for the world. Amen. Welcome Voluntary: Voluntary on Holy Manna (8:30) setting by Dale Wood (11:00) setting for handbells by Cathy Moklebust Introit(11:00): Rondo Giocoso Carillon Choir Derek K. Hakes Please join in reading aloud those parts of the service printed in bold. Call to Worship The law of the lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, and sweeter than honey. When this symbol (*) precedes an element of the service, please rise in body or spirit. Adoration and Confession *Processional Hymn - No. 14: For the Beauty of the Earth *Call to Confession dix *Corporate Prayer of Confession Merciful God, how fickle we are; we sin against you without even knowing it. Clear us, we pray, of any unknown sin, and save us from willfully ignoring your way. Let your commandments rule and guide us. Forgive us for failing to honor all our relationships

3 with those closest to us and those who are distant neighbors. Help us to speak words of blessing and kindness, rather than words that belittle or destroy. Forgive us for thinking everything depends on our efforts and power, for you are the God who made us, and has brought us into the community of faith. Help us depend on you alone and to rest in your peace. Gracious God, have mercy on us. *Silent Prayer of Confession *Congregational Response: Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive detroit *Assurance of Pardon *Congregational Response: Gloria Patri old scottish chant *Passing the Peace, Love, and Joy of Christ to Others The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Announcements Please take a moment to register your attendance by signing the register of friendship. Moment for Mission: New Orleans Mission Trip Nan Wooten A Time for Children (11:00) Proclaim Go d s Word Prayer for Illumination

4 The Refrain is sung at the direction of the Cantor. Psalm of the Day: Psalm 19 setting by Carl P. Daw, Jr. and Kevin R. Hackett Anthem (11:00): The Heavens Are Telling Ludwig van Beethoven ( ) Matthew Bishop and Corbin McConnell, tenors Chancel Choir The heav ns are telling the Lord s endless glory, Thro all the earth His praise is found. The seas re-echo the marvelous story. Oh all, repeat that glorious sound. The starry host He orders and measures, He fills the morning s golden springs; He wakes the sun from his night curtained slumbers, Oh, all adore the King of Kings. What power and splendor, and wisdom and order, In Nature s mighty plan unrolled! Thro space and time to infinity s border, What wonders vast and manifold. The earth is His, and heav ns o er it bending The Maker in His works behold! He is, and will be, thro ages unending, A God of strength and love untold. Gospel Reading: John 2:13-22 Large Print Pew Bible, page 113 Pew Bible, page 93 The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon: Getting to the Heart of the Matter Peter Thompson

5 Give Thanks to God: God s People Respond *Hymn of Response: You Strode within the Temple, Lord kingsfold *Affirmation of Faith: -Philippians 2:5-11 Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess to the glory of God: Jesus Christ is Lord!

6 Prayers of the People 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. Acts of Giving and Receiving Offering of Tithes and Gifts The singing bell technique (used at the 11:00 worship service) is adapted from the tradition of singing bowls, dating from at least the 10 th to the 12 th centuries. Offertory Anthem: How Can I Keep from Singing? (8:30) setting by Michael Burkhardt (11:00) setting by Arnold B. Sherman (8:30) Nan Wooten and Fredda Payne, altos (11:00) Carillon Choir My life flows on in endless song, above earth s lamentation, I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing, It sounds an echo in my soul; how can I keep from singing? What if my joys and comforts die, I know that truth is living. What though the darkness round me close? Still truth its light is giving. No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock I m clinging. Since Love is Lord of heaven and hearth. How can I keep from singing? I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin, I see the blue above it And day by day this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it. (I lift my eyes unto the hills from whence my help doth come.) The peace from Love makes fresh my heart, a song of hope is springing. All things are mine since truth I ve found. How can I keep from singing? -Quaker Hymn, Robert Lowry ( ) *Congregational Response: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow old hundredth

7 *Charge and Benediction Go in God s Name *Recessional Hymn - No. 265: Jesus Shall Reign Where er the Sun duke street Ronald L. Shive, D. Min., Pastor Peter Thompson, M. Div., Associate Pastor for Student and Family Ministries Norman Whitney, M. Div., Parish Associate for Pastoral Care J. Patrick Murphy, M.M., Organist-Choirmaster Charlotte Allbright, C.C.E., Church Educator

8 Anno unceme nts Warm And Cordial Welcome is extended to all who worship with us this Sunday. We hope in this service you will encounter the living Christ and experience the warmth of our caring family of faith. Please take a moment to sign our friendship register when it is passed to you. If you are visiting with us and in search of a church home, we invite you to become a part of our church family here at First Presbyterian Church. Please let us know of your interest by way of the friendship register, or by speaking to one of our ministers. Welcome-To-Worship Activity Tote Bags containing worship bulletins, pencils, crayons, children s Bibles, and other activities for preschoolers and elementary children are available on the tree in the narthex located at the main Davis Street entrance. Blue bags are for children 2 nd grade and younger. Red bags are for children 3 rd grade and older. The worship bulletins found in the blue and red tote bags have been specially prepared for each age group. Please return the tote bags to the tree following worship. Chancel Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Dr. Ray McKenzie by his family. Worship Leadership: Katharine Frazier is liturgist today. Lenten Devotions for all ages are now available in the Welcome Center. During the Lenten Season: The musical response to the confession, Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive, is taken from Hymn No During the season of Lent, it is our practice to remove alleluias from worship (they will reappear on Easter Sunday). The Doxology (response to the offering) will be sung to the tune old hundredth. In addition, the Psalm appointed for the day will be sung. These may be responsorial, that is between a cantor and the congregation, choral (sung only by the choir), or metrical, as in the form of a hymn. Finally, during this season, no closing voluntaries will be offered. For Your Convenience hearing devices are available from ushers for use during worship. Radio Broadcast: The eleven o clock service is broadcast each week on both WPCM 920 AM and 95.1 FM. Listen to FPC Worship over the Internet: Whether you are at the beach, in the mountains, or traveling in Italy, you can still listen to the live FPC Burlington worship service. The following link will allow you to listen to the WPCM live broadcast over the internet: On Sunday morning, simply click this link at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. Easter Lilies: Easter lilies for use in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday (April 5) may be ordered as memorial or honorary flowers ($25 each). Please contact the church office to place an order. The deadline to order is March 31, Tuesday Lenten Community Worship Services: During Lent, you are invited to join members of our downtown churches for a Tuesday, noon worship service. The 30 minute worship is followed by lunch, if you are able to stay. Make this a Lenten practice and join others from our community for worship and lunch. On March 10, Elon Community Church will host. The Rev. Phil Meyers, Pastor, First Reformed United Church of Christ, will offer the homily.

9 Spring Symposium March 15: Dr. Thomas G. Long, the Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, will preach at both worship services and present lectures at 9:45 a.m. Surely Goodness and Mercy: The Many Moods of the Psalms and again at 7:00 p.m. Worshiping in the Whirlwind: How Worship is Changing for Good and for Ill. FPC Youth: All Middle School students are invited to join us this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. for Stop Hunger Now. We will meet here at FPC and then travel to Graham Presbyterian. We will return to FPC around 4:30 p.m. All High School students are invited to join us tonight from 6-8 p.m. for Follow the Voice. (Please bring $3 for dinner) FPC Youth Golf Tournament: Register now as a player, team, sponsor or virtual caddie using the QR Code to the right. You may also visit or contact Peter Thompson to register. The tournament will be held on Saturday, March 28 at Indian Valley Golf Course with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. All players and sponsors welcome. Carol and Covenant Choirs Spring Music Service: Our Carol and Covenant Choirs will present a Spring Music Service on Sunday afternoon, March 22 at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Our Choirs will share Stories of Jesus through song, drama, scripture, and movement. Most of the liturgy for this service has been written by the Covenant Choir during the winter semester of rehearsals. We hope you will bring family and friends as we share in the Stories of Jesus. Tutors Needed Elon s Village Project: Through a partnership with Elon University, First Presbyterian Church is again seeking former and current educators to help tutor in Elon s Village Project. The Village Project is an outreach program that helps struggling readers and their families in Alamance County. It consists of (7) 2 hour tutoring sessions for children grades K-8. This year, we begin on April 1. Tutoring takes place the following six Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. next door at The Burlington School. Training will be provided for each volunteer tutor in Elon s downtown building located at 217 E. Davis St. If you are able to participate or if you have questions, please call Madelyn Pastrana, the Program Coordinator at Lenten Scavenger Hunt: The children and families have hidden Alleluia crosses around the church campus as part of their Lenten workshop. Removing Alleluias from liturgy, songs, and prayers is a historical practice of the church to aid worshipers in understanding that Lent is a penitential season, a time of repentance, self-examination, confession and study. The joyful nature of Alleluia should therefore be reserved for Easter. Please help the children continue to learn about the historical practices of the church, and current practices of church family, by keeping the Alleluia hidden. If you find one of the crosses that was hidden, we encourage you to read it, sign it, and replace it or find a new hiding place for it. Thank you! Mission Trip To New Orleans: This August will mark the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. While much progress has been made, there is much work left to be done. In 2013, one in eight homes in New Orleans was still blighted. There will be a meeting to learn more about the continuing need in New Orleans and to plan the trip on Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. in Room 228. Christina Drake, a Project Homecoming worksite manager since 2007, will share the work that Project Homecoming is doing Flower Donations: There are several Sundays open in the month of April (12,19,26). If you would like to donate the flowers for the worship service in honor of or in memory of a loved one please contact Chancel Guild chair Martha Bradberry (martha.bradberry@lfg.com) or Kathleen Seagroves in the church office (kseagroves@fpcburlington.org ). Cost is $120, and checks should be made payable to the church.

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11 Calendar March 8-14 Sunday, March 8 8:30 a.m. Worship in Williams Chapel 9:15 a.m. Welcome Center Opens 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages 9:45 a.m. The Complete Stories of Flannery O Connor - Room 402 9:45 a.m. Lenten Workshop - Witherspoon Room 10:00 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary 10:45 a.m. Session meets for prayer 11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 2:30 p.m. Middle School Youth Group 4:30 p.m. Carol and Covenant Choirs Rehearse 5:00 p.m. High School Youth Group and Dinner 6:00 p.m. Presbyterian Women s Circle #1 - John Knox Room Monday, March 9 10:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women s Circle #2 - The home of Maggie Churchill 10:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women s Circle #3 - The home of Lou Knight 12:30 p.m. The Enneagram as a Path for Spiritual Development - Room 402 2:00 p.m. Furniture Ministry Convenes - Room 122 Tuesday, March 10 6:45 a.m. Tuesday Morning Men s Bible Study - Witherspoon Room 7:00 a.m. Dough Devotions - Biscuitville (S. Church St.) 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 10:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women s Circle #4 - John Knox Room Noon Tuesday Lenten Community Worship and Luncheon Elon Community Christian Church Noon Book Club - Room 122 7:00 p.m. BSA Boy Scout Troop 17 - Garrison Joyner Activities Building 7:00 p.m. Presbyterian Women s Circle #5 - John Knox Room 7:00 p.m. Partners in Mission Committee Meeting - Room 122 Wednesday, March 11 7:00 a.m. Dough Devotions - Skid s (Elon) 8:15 a.m. Meditation Group - Room :00 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study - Witherspoon Room 5:15 p.m. CDC Board Meeting - Room 203 6:00 p.m. Local Missions Committee Meeting - Room 122 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 12 6:45 a.m. Thursday Morning Bible Study - Witherspoon Room 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry 5:30 p.m. Carillon Choir Rehearsal Friday, March 13 8:00 a.m. Playschool Consignment Sale Saturday, March 14 8:00 a.m. Playschool Consignment Sale 9:00 a.m. Furniture Ministry Workday Minister on Call: March 6-8 Norman Whitney ( )