BEARING GOD S WORD INTO THE WORLD CHURCH STAFF

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1 *DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION Abundant God: You cause water to flow in desert places. You give wine to flow at a wedding feast, and food to feed five thousand on a grassy mountainside. Your generosity astounds and humbles us. We bow before you in gratitude and awe, asking you to receive what we have brought in response. May these gifts be a pleasing and fragrant offering, for the sake of the world you came to save. We pray in your holy name. Amen. BEARING GOD S WORD INTO THE WORLD 210 S. Wayne Street Milledgeville, GA fpchurch@windstream.net First.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville.GA *HYMN NO. 101 *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Go in peace. AMEN! When I Survey the Wondrous Cross *CHORAL BENEDICTION You Want to Be as Close to Me Hal H. Hopson *POSTLUDE Jesu, Priceless Treasure Johann Gottfried Walther Please join us after worship in the Fellowship Hall for a time of fellowship. The Fellowship Hall is to the right of the front of the Sanctuary. Restrooms are to the left of the front of the Sanctuary. CHURCH STAFF OFFICE HOURS: Pastor, Rev. Susan Balfour, revsebalfour@gmail.com Monday - Thursday Children & Youth, Gloria Burns, gloryb.ce@gmail.com 8:30-4:30 Admin. Asst., Dianna Hendricks, fpchurch@windstream.net Treasurer, Anne Dennis, asdennis@windstream.net Music Director, Jennifer Flory, jennifer.flory@gcsu.edu Organists, Kate Phillips and Jenny Moore Child Care Providers: Charis Andrews, Kathleen Green, Sarah Patrick We seek to glorify God through: Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth, Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice and environmental stewardship.

2 MARCH 13, 2016 FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT PRELUDE Wondrous Love Sarah Douglas CHIMING OF THE HOUR WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS GATHERING AROUND GOD S WORD CHORAL INTROIT I Want to Be as Close to You Hal H. Hopson CALL TO WORSHIP Fidelis Folifac, liturgist Leader: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, Congregation: we were like those who dream. Leader: Then our mouth was filled with laughter and shouts of joy. Congregation: We rejoiced: The Lord has done great things for us. Leader: May those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, Congregation: come home with joy, carrying their sheaves. MORNING PRAYER (unison) Creator God, you have formed us as your own, so whether we are weeping or laughing, dreaming or shouting for joy, we are always coming home to you. For all this and more, we thank you in Jesus name. Amen. *HYMN NO. 361 How Firm a Foundation CALL TO CONFESSION If we ask God to restore us to the way we have been, then we have not asked for as much as God intends to give. God is not content simply to return or restore us to former things. Instead, God seeks to give the gift of resurrection a new and abundant life. With confidence in God s generosity, we confess our sins and seek the new life offered in Jesus Christ. PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Purifying God, we grow comfortable with the way things are in our lives, in the church, and in the world. We do not always welcome the new life you offer in Christ, for you overturn our notions of power and protocol. Sure of our own righteousness, we are critical of others. Wanting to control our assets, we hoard the gifts you give us. Forgive us, we pray, for seeking our gain at the expense of others. Help us bend our lives toward your own life of self-giving and sacrifice. Fill us, our homes and churches, the whole world, with the abundant love of Christ until all are made new. In Christ s name, we pray. Amen. *We invite you to stand. CHORAL RESPONSE I Want to Be as Close to You Hal H. Hopson DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS The apostle Paul reminds us that we do not make ourselves righteous. Our righteousness comes through faith in Christ, who has made us his own. Hear the good news! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. The old life has passed away and a new life has begun. *HYMN No. 579 Gloria Patri THE PEACE Leader: Let us now share the peace which Jesus made possible. Peace be with you. Congregation: And also with you. Leader: Please greet those near to you with the peace of Christ. CHILDREN S TIME Rev. Susan Balfour ANTHEM Jesu, the Very Thought of Thee Eric H. Thiman PROCLAIMING GOD S WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Break open the Scripture through the power of your Spirit, O God. Let your word, read and proclaimed, pour out until its fragrance fills this house and our lives. Then, anointed with your word, send us out to share the good news we have received. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who is with us always. Amen. SCRIPTURE READINGS OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 43:16-21 PSALM Psalm 126 NEW TESTAMENT Philippians 3:4b-14 GOSPEL John 12:1-8 SERMON The Loss in Change Rev. Susan Balfour RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD *HYMN A Prophet Woman Broke a Jar (see insert) *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed Hymnal, page 14 INVITATION TO THE OFFERING As people of the New Creation, let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God. OFFERTORY Sarabande from the Sixth French Suite Johann Sebastian Bach

3 Illnesses: Judy degrandcourt, Sandra Balfour s sister, advanced MS Glen Kohlhagen, recovering from injuries due to an accident Amy Smith will have open lung surgery on March 25 at MD Anderson in Texas Glen Miller, Carl & Nancy Miller s brother, stage 4 neck cancer Millie Murphy, recovering from rotator cuff surgery, at home Janice Clark, Sunda Coleman's sister, caring for young grandchildren Jessica Dearman, friend of Marion Robinson, Cancer Sue McRae, Cissy Lane s cousin, stroke Jordyn Miller, Rosemary s great-niece, at home Suzy Smith, Lois Callender s mother, prayers for improved physical & mental health Judy Bledsoe, Tom & Mary Lucik s daughter, recovering from surgery Harry Beck, malignancy, chemotherapy Charles Morgan, Jr., continuing recovery from back surgery Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson s mother, back at home after rehab John Fish, the Baarda s son-in-law, in remission Ted Flynt, Jacqueline Northington s son, cancer Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne s parents, numerous health problems Betty Owens, Joe & Charlotte s sister-in-law, cancer Tom Murphy, Kathy Carroll s brother, colon cancer Roy Pound, Sunda Coleman s father Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman s son Ricky Spear, Vera Bales brother, chemotherapy after colon surgery April McMillan, Jeanene Vinson s granddaughter, in remission Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney failure Marty Flory, Jennifer s mother-in-law, ongoing health issues In Assisted Living: Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom s mother, Green Acres Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns mother, Savannah Court Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385 Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC Reba Vaughan, Pine Gate, 300 Charter Boulevard Apt 109, Macon, GA Others with Limited Mobility: Mary Carlton Martha Chappell Mrs. Gerry Califf Helen Danuser Bob & Eloise Lamb Jo Ann Manley Joe & Charlotte Owens Polly Morrison Gloria Smith Ruth Treptow CHURCH OFFICERS Elders: Marianne Edwards Jan Clark Dave Baarda Sam McChesney Doris Moody Faye Heal Nancy Miller, Clerk Holley Cowan Deacons: Joseph Dean Joel Burns Mary Baker Becky Henderson Irene Tchamna Donna Gautier Alice Tenold Margie Dodd, Moderator Barbara Rowe TODAY 9:45 Bible Study 11:00 Worship 5:00 PW Study 14 Mon 5:30 Stewardship & Finance 15 Tues 9:30 Food Pantry 9:30 Samaritan Ministry 16 Wed. 10:30 VIP S 12:15 Lenten Service 5:15 S.T.A.R.S. 6:30 Pot Luck 7:15 Bible Study 17 Thurs. 2:00 LIR Reading 3:00 LIR Writing 7:00 Choir 19 Sat. 12:00 Prison Family Lunch 2:00 Easter Egg Hunt 20 Sun. 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Puppet Ministry 11:00 Worship - Palm Sunday 12:15 Partners in Faith RADIO MINISTRY WKZR (102.3FM) CHECK OUR WEBSITE For bulletin, newsletters and more. fpchurch.org ONLINE GIVING LIKE us on FACEBOOK First.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville.GA Elder for March is Holley Cowan Deacon for March is Alice Tenold A WALK THROUGH HOLY WEEK This year our Christian Education Committee will offer a little different experience from our normal Easter Egg Hunt. Plan to join us March 19, 2-4:30 pm. We need volunteers, various pieces of fabric, and other crafting supplies. We also need filled plastic eggs and refreshments for our hunt. Please no peanut products or chocolate. Please contact Doris Moody or Gloria Burns if you have any questions or would like to help out. EASTER FELLOWSHIP The congregation invites the community to join us in fellowship outside, around the Floral Cross, after services on Easter Sunday. There will be light refreshments and an activity for the children. If it is raining we will meet in the Fellowship Hall. If you can bring finger foods to share, please let Mary Baker or Margie Dodd know. There will be a table outside to place your food, Easter Sunday, beginning at 9:30am, or you may leave it in the kitchen. Please contact Mary Baker, , mmbaker65@hotmail.com or Margie Dodd, , thirdbrown136@yahoo.com

4 ... A Prophet-Woman Broke a Jar Questions for Reflection John 12:1 8 draws our attention to three people: Mary, Judas, and Jesus. It is easy enough to identify Mary as the good disciple and Judas as the bad disciple not only in this story but also in the larger story of Jesus life and death. We can (and do) make this judgment: Mary is accepted and affirmed, while Judas is rejected. But is this the judgment that the other person in the story would make? As one commentator puts it,... if Jesus came to save the lost, surely there is no one in the gospel story who is more lost than the one who betrays Jesus.... If the Good Shepherd can and does go to any length to save a lost sheep, is Judas beyond the saving grasp of the Good Shepherd? This is not a question with an easy answer. As this story ushers you into Holy Week, consider how the cross, the grace of Christ, speaks to this story and to your own life story, which like most life stories may not be a simple either/or example of faithfulness, but a both/and mix of faithfulness and unfaithfulness. Household Prayer: Morning Merciful God, as I begin this day, place in me a spirit of generosity so that I may freely share love, joy, and encouragement with those I encounter. Keep me from quick judgments so that I leave room for your grace in my life and in the lives of others. Make me your faithful disciple in my words and in my actions, as well as in the thoughts of my heart; in Jesus name. Amen. Continued on next page... Household Prayer: Evening All through the day, Lord Jesus, you have been present. As I settle into the routines of home and evening, I long to be at home in my relationship with you. Help me to put aside the cares of the day and the worries of tomorrow in order to fully enjoy the peace of your presence now. I pray that your peace will also be with those I know who have special need of your care tonight, and I pray for those who lie down this night without the safety of home or bed, without enough food or resources. Bring your light into the surrounding darkness so that all of us may sleep in the security of your love. Amen.

5 IN LIEU OF AN EASTER LILY YOUR NAME: IN MEMORY OF IN HONOR OF Samaritan Ministry FPC Food Pantry If you would like to donate to more than one ministry, then please put the dollar amount in each box above to designate where you would like the money to go, thank you. Place the form along with your check in the offering plate or mail to the Church Office. If you have any questions, please call Dianna at the office, IN LIEU OF EASTER LILIES In lieu of an Easter Lily this year; we will be donating to two very needed ministries in our church. Your continued support and generosity to the Samaritan Ministry and the FPC Food Pantry is greatly appreciated, and for many of you, that is where your heart leads you; and for that, we are very grateful. So, this year, in lieu of an Easter Lily, you may choose one of these ministries to donate $20 and put it in memory of or in honor of someone dear to your heart. There is a form below and there will also be a forms available in the bulletins March 20 and 27. When filling out your form, please check which ministry you would like your donation to go to. The choices are as follows: 1) Samaritan Ministry -assists folk in the local community with utility bills (lights, water or gas). 2) FPC Food Pantry - our pantry currently feeds as few as 6, and as many as 27 families a week. We give out food every Tuesday. Thank you for all you do to assist the ministries of our church. Many blessings to each of you and your families at this Season of Easter and always. IN LIEU OF EASTER LILIES In lieu of an Easter Lily this year; we will be donating to two very needed ministries in our church. Your continued support and generosity to the Samaritan Ministry and the FPC Food Pantry is greatly appreciated, and for many of you, that is where your heart leads you; and for that, we are very grateful. So, this year, in lieu of an Easter Lily, you may choose one of these ministries to donate $20 and put it in memory of or in honor of someone dear to your heart. There is a form below and there will also be a forms available in the bulletins March 20 and 27. When filling out your form, please check which ministry you would like your donation to go to. The choices are as follows: 1) Samaritan Ministry -assists folk in the local community with utility bills (lights, water or gas). 2) FPC Food Pantry - our pantry currently feeds as few as 6, and as many as 27 families a week. We give out food every Tuesday. Thank you for all you do to assist the ministries of our church. Many blessings to each of you and your families at this Season of Easter and always. IN LIEU OF AN EASTER LILY YOUR NAME: IN MEMORY OF IN HONOR OF Samaritan Ministry FPC Food Pantry If you would like to donate to more than one ministry, then please put the dollar amount in each box above to designate where you would like the money to go, thank you. Place the form along with your check in the offering plate or mail to the Church Office. If you have any questions, please call Dianna at the office,