OFFERTORY *DOXOLOGY *BENEDICTION. November 18, 2018 COUNTDOWN

Transcription

1 OFFERTORY *DOXOLOGY *CLOSING SONG Shout to the Lord *BENEDICTION November 18, 2018 JOHN CALVIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Natural Bridge Road Bridgeton, Missouri Rev. Dr. John R. Shear, Pastor We are delighted you decided to worship with us. We hope this is only the first of many worship experiences together. Whether or not this is possible, today this is your church, the family of God for you as well as for us. Help us to make you feel at home by joining us after worship for coffee and fellowship. You will find in pew racks, blue prayer cards. These cards should be completed before worship if you have a special prayer request. If you would like a card sent to the person named on the card, please use the back to include a full name and address. Restrooms are located at the beginning of the East-West Hallway in the Educational Section of the church. If you would like to receive the current JCPC news, us. We will add your name to our address list so that you receive our newsletter. COUNTDOWN PRAISE SONG OPENING PRAYER COMMUNITY SHARING CHILDREN S MESSAGE Mr. K. PRAISE SONGS *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Blessed Be Your Name How Deep the Father s Love for Us Prayer request cards will be collected during this praise song. Above All Please stand for the 2 nd praise song. LITANY FOR REMEMBERING One Just as the body is one and has many members, Many And all members, though many are one, so it is with Christ. One For in one Spirit we were baptized into the body, Many And we are made to drink of one Spirit. One Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it, Many So shall we remember this day that we are one with each other in our baptism.

2 THE PRESENTATION ANTHEM Holy Medley THE QUESTIONS *THE PROFESSION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. THE PRAYER OVER THE WATER THE BAPTISM THE ANOINTING THE PRAYER THE PRESENTATION Baptized in Water See Insert PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE AND ROSE RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS Questions of New Members Question of the Congregation Do you as members of the church of Jesus Christ promise to guide and nurture these members by word and deed with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of Christ s church? Congregation Pastor Congregation We do. Let us welcome these new members as they join with us in the ministry and mission of the church. With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you to share with us in the ministry of Christ, for we are all one in Him. SCRIPTURE READING Hebrews 10: Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, Here I am it is written about me in the scroll I have come to do your will, my God. 8 First he said, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, Here I am, I have come to do your will. He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. 17 Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. HYMN #515 SERMON PASTORAL PRAYER Since Jesus Came Into My Heart The Dog Ate My Homework Rev. Dr. John Shear UNISON BLESSING FOR THE OFFERING God of grace, God of love, God of forgiveness, God of hope... we thank you for your grace towards us that in Jesus Christ we find the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of an abundant and an eternal life. That is a game changer for us. Give us the resolve to move forward with our sins both forgiven and forgotten so that we may work diligently for the Kingdom that is now and the Kingdom that is to come. Bless not only these gifts but the work they help support. And accept our gift of time and energy to serve when and where you call us to serve. May Jesus Christ be praised, Amen.

3 PRAYER LIST OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK Church Family with Health Issues add Other Needs Mark Miller, Donna Lindsey, Dulcie Hardy Church Family in a Care Facility Lorene DePauw, Carl & Juanita Riepl Arlene Walters, Ann McVehil, Iva Lee Beswick Relatives and Friends of our Church Family Charles Hoessle A. Hahn s brother-in-law Dani Cusumano M. Kellar s friend Jim Lityma P. Hadggega s son-in-law Bridgett McKee T. Barnum s niece Sue Tyler s Sister Helen Steven Edler H. Edler s Son Ella Furjes Pattonville Student Justin Strong Pattonville Student Samantha Branson R. Cooley s niece Martha Williams R. Kinquist s Mother Bob Buscher M. Buscher s father Luca LoBosco M. Robnett s great-grandson Chris Prather T. Prather s sister Bill Gross C. Lay s dad Nathan Gross C. Lay s brother Ron, Christine, Janet Quick C. Lay s cousins Sunday, November 18 9:00 am Mugs and Muffins for Women, Library Adult Class in Evelyn Evans Room 9:30 am Women s Movie Discussion Group, Library 10:30 am Worship, Kid s Club 12:00 pm Korean Pres. Church Monday, November 19 The Future Begins Today Meeting 7:30 pm Boy Scouts Tuesday, November 20 10:00 am The Future Begins Today Meeting The Future Begins Today Meeting Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Ladue Chapel For prayer requests, contact Marion Elliott: Wednesday, November 21 5:00 pm CA Choir Rehearsal 8:00 pm Korean Pres. Church Thursday, November 22 GOLDTIMERS CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON December 14 Sports Café in Bridgeton PLEASE SIGN UP! Please keep Randy Clark in your prayers as his brother, John Clark passed away last week. December 1 Hanging of the Greens 3pm Please Bring a $20 Gift To Exchange Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 23 THANKSGIVING PROGRAM Presented by Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis & For the Sake of All November 20 7:00pm Ladue Chapel 9450 Clayton Rd Saturday, November 24 7:00 am Weight Watchers in GE Room 9:00 am Men s Bible Study Sunday, November 25 9:00 am Adult Class in Evelyn Evans Room 9:30 am Women s Movie Discussion Group, Library 10:30 am Worship, Kid s Club 12:00 pm Korean Pres. Church

4 The Apostles Creed If you were sitting in worship in the Roman Empire in the mid-three hundreds and witnessing a baptism you would have been invited to join together and say a "creed" formed from a series of baptismal questions. This creed was in Latin and called, Symbolum Apostolicum. We know it today as the Apostles Creed. (Creed is the English word for the Latin word that means symbol). It is a statement of faith, a recitation of what the church believes. At about the same time in Nicaea, a group of church leaders worked on another creed known as the Nicene Creed. Both of these creeds became historical parts of church liturgy. The creeds remained in Latin until a few hundred years ago when the Bible was being translated into Old English. So were the creeds. Many of us who went through confirmation class probably memorized the Apostle's Creed in that Old English Format. Since then, there have been several modern adaptations in a more recent form of English. Today we choose to use the Ecumenical English Version which may sound a bit different than what you memorized. Now there are still a couple of phrases in the creed that cause some concerns. First is the statement about Jesus, descending into hell (in the Old Version) or descending to the dead (Modern Ecumenical version). Here is how that came about. In Judaism, when people died before Jesus, it was believed their spirit descended into "Sheol" which was neither heaven nor hell, but more of a holding place waiting for the Messiah to bring their souls from Sheol to Heaven. Since Jesus was accepted as that Messiah, it would make sense that after his death and before his resurrection, he would go to Sheol and bring those "righteous" souls to heaven. Paul suggests this in Ephesians 4:9 which is slightly different in the Greek version of Paul's letter. A second area of concern is when in the Protestant Church, one says, "I believe in the holy catholic church". The word in Old English for universal or world wide is the word catholic. The church that also bears that name is the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Note, that word Catholic has a capital "C". So as a Protestant you are not claiming to support for the Holy Roman Catholic Church but really for the church of Jesus in the whole world. You may also note that the word "ghost" has been changed to spirit. The word for spirit in Greek is "pneuma" which literally is the same word meaning for spirit in Hebrew, "ruah". Both mean "breath". That is why a disease of the breath has been called pneumonia. Once again, in Old English anything not of the flesh (therefore of the spirit) was called "ghost". Today the word ghost is associated with something scary and so in a modern English word use, ghost has become spirit. The Holy Spirit would also be thought of as the "breath of God". I hope this helps explain and understand why we say the Apostles Creed for a baptism and why we use the English Ecumenical Version. LISTENING SESSIONS The listening session scheduled for this morning November 15, has been cancelled due to the snow. If you have not yet attended a small group listening session and would like to do so, below are the dates that have been added: November 19: 7pm 8pm November 20: 10am 11am and 7pm 8pm THE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN The Presbyterian Women will meet for a luncheon and Bible study Saturday December 1 at 11:30. There is a signup sheet to let us know if you plan to attend. MEN'S BIBLE STUDY The Men's Bible Study, led by Pastor John, will next meet Saturday November 24 at 9:00am in the Evelyn Evans Room. Pastor John designed this study, ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM... BUT THOUSANDS OF DENOMINATIONS which covers how various Christian denominations originated and how/why are they are different. November 24 The Liberal/Conservative Debate December 1 Traditional/Contemporary Debate December 15 The Church around the World (Christmas Traditions)

5 GIFTS FOR PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN'S HOME This year we have 100 kids on the list, 50 girls and 50 boys to buy Christmas gifts for the Presbyterian Children's Home. We are asked that we do NOT wrap the gift, simply place the gift in a gift bag as each gift must be opened and inspected prior to giving to the children. JCPC TRIVIA NIGHT CHRISTMAS IN NOVEMBER Friday, November 30 Bridgeton Community Center Doors open at 6:30 Tables are now forming. See Pastor John COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR OF ST LOUIS 12TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT Saturday, December 1 at 4:00pm Kirkwood Baptist Church 211 N. Woodlawn, and Sunday, December 2 at 4:00pm Northside Seventh Day Adventist Church 9001 Lucas and Hunt Rd No charge for admission. A free will offering will be taken for the work of the Community Gospel Choir. Baptized in Water all who purchased tickets for the quilt drawing and who brought and or bought items from the bake sale at the fall festival we say a special Thank You! These two events were successful because of your loyal support. Thanks again! From the John Calvin Presbyterian Women The quilt was won by a Hazelwood resident who also won the quilt 2 years ago! RAFFLE BASKET FOR JCPC YOUTH Basket Valued at $300 Raffle tickets $10 each See the flyer at the Signup Table for items in the basket. Winner will be announced on December 2, 2018.

6 TODAY FOR TOMORROW! In the Greek town of Thessaloniki in the area of Macedonia, the followers of Jesus had formed a church. At first, the church was an exciting place to worship and learn about Jesus. The church was also very active in reaching out to the community. But then some new voices began to be heard in the church. Their message was a prediction that Jesus would return back to earth soon, real soon. Their message continued to grow until a majority of the church was convinced that Jesus would return in their lifetime and so they quit. They stopped giving to the church, they stopped working with the community, they halted trying to bring in new members, they sat around and just waited for Jesus. That s why when the Apostle Paul writes them a letter which we call 1 st Thessalonians, he first reminds them of the great work they have done, but then he encourages them to keep living to please God. Paul asks them to do it, more and more. In 2019 we are going to work diligently to get our church building sold. This will put us in really good financial shape and we are always open to where God will then lead us to our new ministry work. So, we could be like the church was trying to be many centuries ago in this town in Macedonia. We could just sit and wait. But that is never what Jesus called us to do and just as Paul called on this church to do more and more, today we are going to keep doing more and more. We are going to plan exciting, Bible based, spiritually uplifting worship. We are going to continue to do activities that reach out to the community. We are going to support mission work here and there. We are going to continue to live out today, the challenge of the Great Commission. We are going to provide education and fellowship opportunities for all ages and we are going to minister to the various needs of our congregation. We do this today, so we can continue to work tomorrow. Major Change in 2019 Budget As many of you know, we are financing our building through the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program. Right now, we owe approximately $753,000 on our building. Each month, our payment is a combination of interest and principle reduction. We have requested that PILP allow us for 2019 to make interest only payments on our loan. This allows us to save about $27,000 of expense from our budget an expense we would reclaim when we sold the building, but why use existing cash reserves? Importance of Pledge Campaign Our 2018 Budget has pledged income at around $160,000. Our recording secretary reports that we will be very close at the end of 2018 to reaching that pledge goal. It may be 98% or greater. The Session can bring in a balanced and even slightly surplus budget if our pledging for 2019 remains at the $160,000 amount. But let s take a look at some important issues surrounding that. We did lose some giving units in 2018 and so if no one changes their pledge in 2019 then we will fall about $20,000 short of this goal. Increasing your pledge to help bridge that gap will help us create a budget that works for today and helps us get to tomorrow Pledge Campaign On Sunday, November 18 we will begin our 2019 Pledge Campaign. We will be speaking about our campaign for two weeks and we will end the campaign with Pledge Sunday, December 2. Please look at the information we supply to you and give prayerful consideration to your 2019 Pledge. We will be mailing out information which will include a pledge card and pledge envelop to use for Pledge Sunday on December 2. If we have the resources in place today, we can continue doing the will of God for tomorrow. In order for today to take us to tomorrow we simply need the financial resources to keep doing what we do. The Finance Team of our Church and subsequently the Session approved a budget for 2019 that has a small surplus. This is only possible because of action the Session took and good results from our Pledge Campaign. (over)