Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship Third Sunday in Lent March 4, a.m. and 11 a.m. You are invited to use the time before the service to prepare your heart and mind for worship. In consideration of others, please silence your cell phones. Preparation Prelude Sarabande from Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major J. S. Bach John Mooney, cello Words of Welcome Adoration The Reverend Katherine Kerr *Call to Worship Adapted from Psalm 19 One: Come into this sacred space to worship God. All: God s teaching is perfect. God s directions are sure. One: Come into this holy place to worship God. All: God s standards are right. God s commandment is clear. God s judgments are true. One: Come with holy fear to be given life, and made wise, to have your heart stirred and your eyes opened wide. All: Come, let us worship God. *Hymn No. 307 God of Grace and God of Glory cwm rhondda

2 Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. Call to Confession Confession The Reverend Pen Peery The Call to Worship was adapted from a prayer by The Reverend Jeff Shrowder and is used with permission. The rosebud in the sanctuary celebrates the birth of William Ford Goettke, son of Richard and Courtney Goettke. Prayer of Confession All: God of grace and God of mercy, we know that following Jesus is a struggle, for his way leads to the cross. When we have been faithful, strengthen us. When we have disappointed you, forgive us. When we have failed to know the difference, teach us. It is our desire to follow in the ways of Christ. So help us along the path. Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *Response (Hymn No. 215, stanza 1) wondrous love What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul! Prayer for Illumination Proclamation Scripture John 2:13-22 pew Bible pg. 93 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Anthem The Heavens Are Telling Franz Joseph Haydn Molly Johnson, Skip Johnson, and Branden Nicholson, trio The heavens are telling the glory of God, The wonder of his work displays the firmament. Time with Children Children in kindergarten through 2nd grade may leave for First Church. They will return to the sanctuary during the last hymn. Younger children may go to the nursery. The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at Scripture 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 pew Bible pg. 166 Exodus 20:1-7 pew Bible pg. 66 Sermon Strategies for Staying Emancipated Dr. Walter Brueggemann

3 *Hymn No. 39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness faithfulness Response *Affirmation of Faith (From A Declaration of Faith) In Christ God gave us a glimpse of the new creation he has already begun and will surely finish. We do not know when the final day will come. In our time we see only broken and scattered signs that the renewal of all things is under way. We do not yet see the end of cruelty and suffering in the world, the church, or our own lives. The Reverend Katelyn Gordon Cooke The sympathy of the congregation is expressed to Ingrid Johnson and her family on the death of her mother, Anneliese Haemmerlein. But we see Jesus as Lord. As he stands at the center of our history, we are confident he will stand at its end. He will judge all people and nations. Evil will be condemned and rooted out of God s good creation. There will be no more tears or pain. All things will be made new. The fellowship of human beings and God will be perfected. Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Childcare Subsidy for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Teachers Presentation of Tithes and Offering Offertory Anthem Be Thou My Vision arr. Vicente Chavarria 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. Be thou my wisdom and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord. Thou my great father, I thy true son; thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. Riches I heed not, nor man s empty praise; thou mine inheritance, now and always.thou, and thou only first in my heart, high king of heaven, my treasure thou art. 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. *Doxology (Hymn No. 606) old hundredth 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. *Prayer of Dedication 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. Sending Forth *Hymn No. 826 Lift High the Cross crucifer *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Postlude Toccata in e minor Johann Pachelbel A time of personal prayer is offered following both services. If you would like to pray with a pastor and a member of our prayer team, please meet them in the sanctuary overflow area after the 9 a.m. service or in the chapel following the 11 a.m. service. * Please stand if you are able.

4 We are glad you are with us today! We welcome all to First Presbyterian Church as we worship together, knowing that each of us is a beloved part of the body of Christ. Our Pastors Pendleton B. Peery Senior Pastor ppeery@firstpres-charlotte.org Katelyn Gordon Cooke Associate Pastor for Christian Formation kcooke@firstpres-charlotte.org Erika Funk Associate Pastor for Mission efunk@firstpres-charlotte.org Katherine C. Kerr Senior Associate Pastor for Congregational Ministry and Care kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org Charles C. Williamson Parish Associate cwilliamson@firstpres-charlotte.org William P. Young, III Director of Music Ministries wyoung@firstpres-charlotte.org Are you interested in joining our church? Contact Lucy Caldwell Membership Coordinator lcaldwell@firstpres-charlotte.org Pastor on call If you have a pastoral emergency outside of regular church hours, dial for the on-call voic . Your call will be returned promptly. 200 West Trade Street Charlotte, NC News and Announcements worship We worship in ways that speak of God s majesty, mystery and love. The Promises of Lent March 11 The Promise of Eternal Life March 18 The Promise of Belonging March 25 Palm Sunday March 29 Maundy Thursday (7:30 p.m.) Easter Lilies Remember or honor a loved one by purchasing an Easter Lily for the sanctuary. Visit to purchase online or mail a check for $13 to Diane Maye, PO Box 1008, Huntersville, NC learn Through study at every age and stage, we aim to become more Christlike and deepen our relationship with our Lord. ABCs First: United in Education Sundays, March :15-1:45 p.m. Begins TODAY at First United Presbyterian Church. Please join us for this series which will focus on early childhood education. Lunch is provided for $5. Reservations are not required except for childcare, which will be offered at FPC on March 11 and 25. Visit the website for details and reservations. High School Senior Recognition Sunday March a.m., Sanctuary Join us to celebrate our Senior Class of 2018! We ll offer a special blessing to our seniors during worship and then senior youth and their families will gather for a luncheon and slideshow in Wood Fellowship Hall. Senior families should visit the website to RSVP for the luncheon. FPC Young Adults Lunch Today Meet in the driveway after 11 a.m. worship. All are welcome. care We aim to provide support, prayer, love and acts of compassion as we seek to draw closer to one another in community. Annual Presbyterian Women Retreat April Kanuga Conference Center Experience a weekend of rest, renewal, and spiritual growth. Dr. Frances Taylor Gench, Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA and author of Encounters with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of John, will lead the retreat. Visit to register! Presbyterian Women Benevolence Funds The Presbyterian Women Benevolence Review Committee is accepting applications through March 16 for its annual Benevolence Awards. Grants will be disbursed in May. The committee focuses on awarding funds to agencies working to break cycles of poverty; illiteracy and inferior education; and violence and crime particularly as these issues impact women and children. Contact Linda Henley (lhenley@cchrealtors.com, ) with nominations or questions. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. Moving Ministry March 10 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Three hours of your time can help someone transitioning from homelessness into a safe and comfortable home. Eight slots are available on this Ministry Team, which delivers furniture from the Crisis Assistance Furniture Bank. This is a great service and fellowship opportunity for middle school age youth through adult. Sign up online at In Loving Memory of Charles A. Lassiter February 20, March 1, 2018 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, says the Spirit. Revelation 14:13

5 *Hymn No God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power; crown thine ancient church s story; bring its bud to glorious flower. for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour. 2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways! From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise. for the living of these days, for the living of these days. God of Grace and God of Glory 3 Cure thy children s warring madness; bend our pride to thy control; shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. lest we miss thy kingdom s goal, lest we miss thy kingdom s goal. 4 Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore. Let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore. serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore. *Hymn No. 39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness 1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not. As thou hast been thou forever wilt be. Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me! 2 Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. (Refrain) 3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow: blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (Refrain) *Hymn No. 826 Lift High the Cross Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. 1 Come, Christians, follow where our Savior trod, the Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God. (Refrain) 3 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, your death has brought us life eternally. (Refrain) 4 So shall our song of triumph ever be: praise to the Crucified for victory. (Refrain) 2 All newborn servants of the Crucified bear on their brow the seal of Christ who died. (Refrain)