First Presbyterian Church of Naples In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God

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1 First Presbyterian Church of Naples In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. Mark 9: 50 September 30, 2018 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost LITURGY BULLETIN

2 The Prelude Psalm XIX Benedetto Marcello THE TIME OF GATHERING Welcome and Announcements Rev. Rex Childs * Call to Worship Leader: Our help is in the name of the LORD, People: The One who made heaven and earth. Leader: Let God s people declare: People: Blessed be the LORD, our Creator and Redeemer. All: Let us worship God! A TIME FOR PRAISE AND CONFESSION Hymn of Praise #50 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above Mit Freuden Zart 1. Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation, the God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation. My soul with comfort rich he fills, and every grief he gently stills: to God all praise and glory! 2. What God s almighty power has made, in mercy he is keeping; by morning glow or evening shade his eye is never sleeping. And where he rules in kingly might, there all is just and all is right: to God all praise and glory! 3. We sought the Lord in our distress; O God, in mercy hear us. Our Savior saw our helplessness and came with peace to cheer us. For this we thank and praise the Lord, who is by one and all adored: to God all praise and glory! 4. Let all who name Christ s holy name give God the praise and glory. Let all who know his power proclaim aloud the wondrous story. Cast every idol from its throne; the Lord is God, and he alone: to God all praise and glory! Call to Confession Keith Gahagan The grace of God overflows for us through Christ Jesus who came into the world to save sinners. Trusting in God s grace, let us confess our sin together. Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves and we have put stumbling blocks before them. In your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name. A Moment for Silent Confession Congregational response Jesus, We are Here Patrick Matsikenyiri All: Jesus, we are here, Jesus, we are here, Jesus, we are here, We are here for you. * Please stand, if able

3 Declaration of Pardon Leader: Hear the good news! The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! People: Thanks be to God! * Gloria Patri #805 Greatorex 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! Children s Time Rev. Rex Childs THE WORD Prayer for Illumination Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen! First Reading Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 Pew Bible page 396 So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. 2 On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled. 3 Then Queen Esther answered, If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me that is my petition and the lives of my people that is my request. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king. 5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this? 6 Esther said, A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman! Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, Look, the very gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, stands at Haman s house, fifty cubits high. And the king said, Hang him on that. 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the anger of the king abated. 20 Mordecai recorded these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 enjoining them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month, year by year, 22 as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor. Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Response Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying Children Praying Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send your spirit in this place; Lord, listen to your children praying, send us love, send us power, send us grace.

4 Second Reading Mark 9:38-50 Pew Bible page 820 John said to him, Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us. 39 But Jesus said, Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. 42 If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Sermon A Stumbling Block Rev. Rex Childs * Affirmation of Faith (from A Brief Statement of Faith PCUSA 1983) In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal... With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. RESPONSE TO THE WORD Prayers of Thanksgiving 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. Presentation of Tithes and Offerings (Please pass the friendship pad). We worship a generous God, whose son Jesus was both a gift and a great giver. As followers of Christ, we are called to give of our material goods as well as our very selves. May we find our deepest joy in giving. We will now receive the morning offering. The Offertory In This Very Room Ron & Carol Harris In this very room there s quite enough love for one like me, and in this very room there s quite enough joy for one like me, and there s quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom, for Jesus, Lord Jesus is in this very room. In this very room there s quite enough love for all of us, and in this very room there s quite enough joy for all of us, and there s quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom, for Jesus, Lord Jesus is in this very room. In this very room there s quite enough love for all the world, and in this very room there s quite enough joy for all the world, and there s quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom, for Jesus, Lord Jesus is in this very room.

5 * The Doxology All: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below; Praise him above ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. * Prayer of Dedication As we offer our treasure and hearts to you, O God, may they be used to pass on the promise of hope, of peace, of life, and of community to all in need of your gifts and presence in their lives. Amen! GOING FORTH Hymn of Commitment #532 Be Thou My Vision Slane 1. Be thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. 2. Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word, I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou and thou only, first in my heart, high King of heaven, my Treasure thou art. 3. High King of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven s joys, O bright heaven s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. * Commission and Benediction Postlude Toccata Gordon Young Assisting Ushers: Chuck Gomori (head usher), Patricia Collins, Bob Cook, Paul and Helen Corwith, Cynthia Esler, Dorothy Gomori, JoAnn Luster, Jack Tiller, Walter Yang Greeters: Don and Kathy Grandi, Rex and Terri Storter Stephen Minister: Tom Clark Flower Dedication The Chancel flowers are given by George and Ann Goodnight in celebration of their 60th Wedding Anniversary on October 5 and in loving memory of Walter Skip Hosterman, from his wife Tommi and family.

6 David Curry Marion De Lessio Al Diephouse Wendy Evans Joy Frantz Tom Goodrich Tommi Hosterman CONGREGATIONAL CARE Stephen Ministry Stephen Ministry is a program of our congregation that equips lay persons to provide distinctive Christian one-on-one care to those who are experiencing various kinds of life needs and circumstances in our congregation. If you feel the need for someone to hear your problems and/or walk a difficult journey with you, please visit the Stephen Minister table in Spencer Hall or call the church office. Hospital Ministry Will you be hospitalized or know of someone in the congregation who is? Please be sure to let us know so we can offer caring ministry by contacting Sharman Pfaus in the church office. Lunch Bunch Join other FPC single men and women for lunch every Sunday after worship for a fun-filled Dutch-treat lunch at one of Naples' selected restaurants. You will get to know some nice people and enjoy a wonderful meal. Best of all, you are not eating alone. Visit the Welcome Table in Spencer Hall for the time and place. Prayer List Pam McKahan Jane Payne Alice Rich Bob Shuster Pat Shoellhorn Shirley Spengler H. A. Summerfield NEWS & EVENTS Bill Winfield Scott Winfield The U.S. Military Stephen Ministers and care receivers Renovations We continue with the renovation of the ladies Sanctuary restroom located in the hallway off the Narthex. We appreciate your patience as we undergo this process that should last through the first week of October. During the renovation, ladies restrooms are available in the Preschool or in the Jassimedes Room. Congregational Dinner Everyone is invited to our Italian Night Congregational Dinner on Wednesday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. The program will be a sing-a-long with Italian favorites and other oldies. Musical entertainment will be by Dr. Brice Gerlach, Michele Byrd and Duncan Connell. Dinner by Wynn s catering: chicken parmesan, pasta, salad, dessert, and beverage. Cost $21.00 per person. Checks may be made payable to First Presbyterian Church and indicate "Congregational Dinner". Tickets are available in Spencer Hall after the service. Questions? Contact Joanne Slager jjslager493@aol.com or Bill Kearney skearney239@comcast.net. Education Volunteers Needed The Christian Education team will have a meeting immediately following worship on Sunday, October 7 to discuss volunteer needs to support our children and youth programs. There are lots of ways to get involved in this vital ministry of our church! We are all called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and that includes sharing it with the next generation. There are many ways that you can show them God s love, even if you are unable to attend their programs. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Rex Childs for more information. Family Portrait Preschool Fundraiser Now s a great time to update your family portrait, and just in time for the holidays! Hirsch Studio will be here, in the Church courtyard, to take family portraits on Friday, October 26, Saturday, October 27, Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18. Reserve your spot now by visiting preschool. With a donation of $35 (made payable to FPC), each family will receive the photo session as well as a 5x7 print. Additional prints/packages can be purchased. Proceeds from the portrait sessions will benefit the Preschool s Angel Fund scholarship program and the Curriculum Enrichment fund. Flyers with more information are available in Spencer Hall. If you have questions, please contact Ashley Houk or Hirsch Studio at

7 MISSION NEWS Cuba Partnership Please keep Craig and Andie Goodrich, Bill Crawford, Jim Kier and Pat Nordbrock in your prayers during their visit with the Central Presbyterian Church in Matanzas, Cuba. Our presbytery has been invited by theirs to explore church-to-church partnership opportunities. The five FPCN members are part of a 28 member delegation representing eight southwest Florida churches. Habitat for Humanity Work Day Put on your work clothes and spend a morning helping to provide affordable homes for families in Collier County on Tuesday, October 16 from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. There are jobs for every willing volunteer, you do not need to have specific carpentry or construction skills to participate. Sign up in Spencer Hall today Questions? Contact Jim Kier at jkier1947@gmail.com. Grace Place Literacy Day Join us on Saturday, October 20 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for this enjoyable morning centering around reading and literacy. Join our group as we help children select books they can take home for their very own! Sign up in Spencer Hall at the Missions table. Questions? Pat Nordbrock at or patnordbrock@gmail.com. Book Collection for Grace Place You can give the gift of books to the children at Grace Place. They are especially in need of new or gentlyused books of the sturdy board-type page kind for pre and early readers. Books up to grade 6 reading levels would also be appreciated. The books will be distributed on Saturday, October 20 at Grace Place during their Fall Literacy Day. Donations may be placed in the bin in Spencer Hall, with our thanks! Mision Peniel Work Afternoon Ride the church bus to Immokalee on Friday, October 26 from 1 p.m.-7 p.m. to help serve a hot meal to the farmworkers in this mission of Peace River Presbytery, as well as sorting clothes and distributing groceries. Sign up in Spencer Hall. Questions? Cleve Cleveland at carleton_cleveland@hotmail.com. ADULT EDUCATION Men s Morning Fellowship All men of the congregation are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 3 at 8 a.m. in Spencer Hall. The topic will be Men and Music led by Rev. Rex Childs. Questions? Contact Bill Kearney or skearney239@comcast.net. PW Gathering We invite all women friends to join us for lunch at our first Gathering of the season on Wednesday, October 10 at noon in Spencer Hall. The program will be the introduction to our Bible Study, God s Promises. Study books are available for $10 in Spencer Hall. Menu: Caesar salad with baked chicken, cranberry muffins, and apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Luncheon reservations ($7) can be made at the PW table in Spencer Hall. Questions? Janet Root, PW Moderator Women of the Way Fall Bible Study We begin a new 6-week study of the Letter of James on Thursdays, October 11 - November 15, 9:15-11 a.m. in Spencer Hall. ALL church women are invited to participate and explore this message of encouragement to early Christians packed with practical advice and wisdom for everyday living. Come enjoy warm fellowship and small group discussion as we learn and grow together. Sign-up begins in Spencer Hall on Sunday, September 30 or by calling the church office. For more information contact Andie Goodrich (andie.goodrich@gmail.com) or Pat Nordbrock (patnordbrock@gmail.com). Wednesday s at First Join us for the Fall session of Wednesday s at First. We will focus on our church missions both locally and internationally. Please join us for dinner ($10) and program in Spencer Hall. Register in Spencer Hall beginning next week or call the church office. Topics to be included: October 10 Miguel Estrada from Mision Peniel, October 17 Lisa Leftkow from Habitat for Humanity October 24 Fall Festival, October 31 Cuba Partnership Presentation, November 7 Bob Mirakian from Grace Place, November 14 Congregational Dinner: Italian Night dinner and entertainment ($21).

STAFF Phone: 239.262.1311 Ext. E-mail Ministers Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor 235 craigg@fpcnaples.org Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor 227 rexc@fpcnaples.org Music Dr.

8 STAFF Phone: Ext. Ministers Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor 235 Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor 227 Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries 239 Christian Education Ashley Hancock, Christian Education Assistant 212 Office Anna Focht, Director of Finance 242 Nickie Hannula, Administrative Assistant 237 Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator 213 Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager 236 Facilities Lisa Ethier, Custodian 216 Eduardo Martinez, Maintenance 215 Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities 228 Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director 209 Liz Psota, Preschool Administrative Assistant 238 First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street S Naples, FL

First Presbyterian Church of Naples In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God

First Presbyterian Church of Naples In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God Liturgist June 3, 2018 Second Sunday after Pentecost 9:30 a.m. The Prelude Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Diane Bish