the holy catholic everlasting. Amen. from thence he shall come he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the

Transcription

1 I believe in God the Father, Maker of heaven and earth And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, he descended into hell; dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the from thence he shall come the quick and and buried; the third day he rose again from the right hand of God the Father Almighty to judge the dead. I believe in the the holy catholic the communion the forgiveness the resurrection and the Holy Ghost; church; of saints; of sins; of the body; life everlasting. Amen. First Presbyterian Church March 19, 2017

2 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 Erika Funk Associate Pastor for Mission efunk@firstpres-charlotte.org Katelyn M. Gordon Associate Pastor for Christian Formation kgordon@firstpres-charlotte.org Katherine C. Kerr Associate Pastor for Congregational 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. Sunday Worship Series: The theme for the worship series through the season of Lent is a journey through the Apostles Creed entitled People of God, What Do You Believe? Wednesday Worship: Luke in Lent: Thorns and Palms. Each Wednesday through April 12, we will look at a different story in Luke and see how it fits into the story of Lent and the story of our lives. Join us on Wednesdays at noon. All are welcome. Youth Sunday & Confirmation Celebration: On April 23, our FPC youth will lead both worship services, and we will celebrate confirmands in 11 a.m. worship. The message will center on this year s formation theme, The Stories We Tell. Through liturgy, ushering, music and preaching, our youth will share what they believe and what it means to live together as a community of faith. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. Medicines needed for Haiti: Our mission team is collecting Tylenol, Advil (no liquid gels), Pepto Bismol and prenatal vitamins. Thermometers and probe covers are also needed. These will go directly to the clinic. Please drop items off this week in the marked box in the hallway behind the sanctuary. Room in the Inn : Sign up now at to help us offer hospitality, warmth and safety for our most vulnerable neighbors. Opportunities are available March 20, 21, 27 and 28 to provide and serve dinner, as well as to stay overnight with our guests. Detailed instructions will be ed to all participants two weeks before they are scheduled to serve. learn Through study at every age and stage, we aim to become more Christlike and deepen our relationship with our Lord. FUPC, FPC Conversation: Learning to See Gray in a Black-and-White World Join members of First Presbyterian Church and our sister church, First United Presbyterian Church, today when we launch this year s discussion series. All sessions meet from 12:15-1:45 p.m., at alternating churches. Lunch is provided for $5. Today s program at FUPC is Understanding Our Perspectives. Sunday Formation Series: Mirroring the weekly sermons during the season of Lent, the Sunday morning series What Do You Believe? will dig deeper into portions of the Apostles Creed. The group meets at 10 a.m. in S203. Children s Musical: Wednesday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m., the Carol and Kirk Choirs will present their annual musical in the Wood Fellowship Hall. This year s musical is David and the Giants. Follow all the action as reported by our sports commentators, cheerleaders, doctors and, of course, David and Goliath (played by a special guest star). Beginning at 5:30 p.m., dinner is available for $8 for adults and $5 for children ages Children under 5 eat free. Prayer Tables on the Lawn: Between now and Easter three picnic tables on the lawn will be covered in cloth so you can write a prayer for yourself or someone else. These prayers will be woven together and used in worship on Youth and Confirmation Sunday, April 23. If you haven t yet visited the tables, you are invited to stop out front today. care We aim to provide support, prayer, love and acts of compassion as we seek to draw closer to one another in community. Save the Date: Set aside September 29-October 1 for this year s annual Congregational Retreat at Montreat, led by the Reverend Dr. Rebeccca Davis. Watch for details this summer. Have you checked out the church s new website? It s the same web address ( but now it s easier to navigate and gathers all news and events on one page. Click on Now@FPC on the home page to check out all the news.

3 First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship Third Sunday in Lent March 19, 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 Fugue in d minor Johann Pachelbel Words of Welcome Choral Call to Worship Adoration The Reverend Pen Peery Christopher Tye O come, ye servants of the Lord, and praise his holy name. From early morn to setting sun, his might on earth proclaim. His laws are just, and glad the heart. He makes his mercies known. Ye people, come and bow before his throne. *Hymn No. 12 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise st. denio

4 Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. The Prayer of Confession was written by the Reverend Anna George Traynham, Associate Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. The sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of the baptism of Elizabeth Ann Arton. The rosebud in the sanctuary celebrates the birth of Logan Gabriel Schall, son of Lindsay and Frank Schall. Rowe is the son of Scott and Ellen Wilson. Elizabeth is the daughter of Michael and Hunter Arton. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession All: Confession The Reverend Katherine Kerr God of grace and mercy, you create a new order for our lives: service before success, faith before knowledge, partnership over independence, the cross over the crown. Forgive us when we fall into the patterns of this world, rejecting your call through our action or inaction. Forgive us, God, and move us to see the world through lens of your great love. Forgive us, God, and grant us peace. One: In silent prayer, let us confess to God the things we choose not to speak aloud. Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. A time of silence will be kept. *Response (Hymn No. 581) gloria patri 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. Sacrament of Baptism (9 a.m.) Sacrament of Baptism William Rowe Wilson (11 a.m.) Elizabeth Ann Arton *Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 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. Prayer for Illumination Proclamation The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at Scripture Colossians 1:15-21 pew Bible pg. 200 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

5 Anthem None Other Lamb Joseph Roff None other lamb; none other name; none other hope in heaven or earth or sea; none other hiding place from guilt and shame, none beside Thee. My faith burns low; my hope burns low; only my heart s desire cries out in me; by the deep thunder of its want and woe cries out to Thee. Lord, Thou art life though I be dead; love s fire Thou art, however cold I be. Nor heaven have I, nor place to lay my head; nor home, but Thee. Amen. Scripture Philippians 2:5-11 pew Bible pg. 197 Sermon I Believe in Jesus Christ The Reverend Pen Peery *Hymn No. 727 Will You Let Me Be Your Servant the servant song Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Haiti Presentation of Tithes and Offering Response The Reverend Katelyn Gordon Offertory Anthem My Eternal King Jane Marshall My God, I love Thee; not because I hope for heaven thereby, nor yet because who love Thee not must die eternally. Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me upon the cross embrace; for me didst bear the nails and spear, and manifold disgrace. Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ, should I not love Thee well? Not for the hope of winning heaven, or escaping hell, not with the hope of gaining aught, not seeking a reward, but as thyself has loved me, O everloving Lord! E en so, I love Thee, and will love, and in thy praise will sing, solely because Thou art my God, and my eternal king. *Doxology 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. 264 At the Name of Jesus king s weston *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response God Be With You Till We Meet Again randolph,en John Postlude Toccata in e minor Johann Pachelbel Please pray for our team members on their mission trips. Cuba: March 15 to March 22 Mary Elizabeth Coley Janet Kavanaugh Elizabeth Little Susi Lovett Jill Olmstead Woods Potts Barbara Williamson Chuck Williamson Haiti: March 23 to March 28 Kent Buzard Sherri Buzard Julie Caldwell Rachel Caldwell Glenna Cook Katherine Kerr Bill Nathan 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.

6 Sunday: Living Faith As part of your Lenten journey this year, you re invited to respond to the Word proclaimed each week in worship by engaging in specific ways of living out your faith. This isn t meant to be another task to complete but rather a way to practice your faith and grow deeper in your relationship with God. Christ led with humility. Follow his example, and help someone without expecting to gain anything in return. i believe. Monday: Scripture Read this scripture silently to yourself and then aloud. If you have nonreaders in your house, try to have two different people read the scripture aloud. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 In this week s scripture we are reminded of Christ s nature and are called to Let this same mind be in you. What characteristics of Christ do you struggle to emulate? Which one could you focus on this week? Tuesday: Word Association Write an acrostic poem with the letters of JESUS CHRIST. For each letter, write an adjective or phrase that begins with the same letter that comes to mind when you think of Jesus. An example might be J = Joyful J E S U S Song for the Week: FPC Lent playlist: Song for the Week: The Summons by John L. Bell Will You Come and Follow Me? by the Santec Orchestra is an instrumental version of the same i believe. song. i believe. This hymn is written as a conversation between Jesus and his followers. Which phrases resonate with you? Use this space to write your thoughts. i believe. C H R I S T

7 Wednesday: Embodied Faith The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool, a single path of prayer and meditation leading to a center and returning to the beginning again. Symbolizing our spiritual journey, the inward and outward turns are, unlike a maze, deliberate in design there are no dead ends. As you trace the path of this labyrinth with your finger or with a stylus or marker or some kind, you may choose to contemplate a meditation, a Bible verse, or a prayer. You may also want to walk one of the many labyrinths in the Charlotte area. A complete list, including labyrinths in Belmont, Davidson, Concord, Kannapolis and Rock Hill, is available at Charlotte locations include: Avondale Presbyterian Church, 2821 Park Road Myers Park Baptist, 1931 Selwyn Avenue McCrorey YMCA, 3801 Beatties Ford Road Novant Health Presbyterian Hospital, 200 Hawthorne Lane Sardis Baptist Church, 5811 Sardis Road South Tryon Community Church, 2516 South Tryon Street Wedgewood Baptist, 4800 Wedgewood Drive Thursday: Reflection Reflection on Philippians 2 If I didn t know better, I would think the Apostle Paul was writing directly to us today in the USA, and to Krista Tippett, our Willard Lecturer, whose upcoming talk is entitled The Adventure of Civility: Speaking Across our Differences. Paul, via his friends in Philippi, is encouraging us to make his joy complete by having the same mindset as Christ, not looking just to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. This powerful passage has always been one of my favorites. The picture which Paul paints is so vivid: of the humility of Christ, the Son of God, not using his divine nature to further his own purposes as a human being, but bowing in obedience to his Father and becoming a sacrificial servant for all of us. I believe that our God is using Paul s words to guide us in our relationships with others, even those whose views and policies we don t like. If we try, through our words as well as our actions, to imitate Jesus, we will act humbly, not exhorting ourselves but accepting others also as children of God. With the mindset of Christ Jesus, our conversations will become civil, even if we differ with the opinions. Wardie Martin

8 Friday: Prayer Ever surprising, constantly loving God, We praise you for humbling your majesty and coming among us as a man. Thank you for knowing our physical limitations first hand, for worrying about the sick enough to touch their illness, for hungering on a Galilean hillside enough to multiply the loaves and fishes, for hearing the cries of the outcasts and caring enough to join them at table, eating and laughing together. When we forget to care for the sick, or feed the hungry or touch the outcasts, remind us of you. When we feel distant and confused, unable to know you as we would, come to our tables, and sit with us awhile. Thank you, Jesus, brother, friend, guest, son of God, carpenter, and so much more. Amen. -Sylvia Casberg, Praying the Seasons i believe. Saturday: Statement of Faith A standard part of our weekly worship service is the Affirmation of Faith. Typically, the affirmation comes after the sermon. When we have baptisms, it is included in the celebration of the sacrament. When we stand as a congregation and repeat ancient words together, we are reminded that our faith ties us together as a community. It s good to be part of something bigger than we are. It s also good to spend time reflecting on what we individually believe. Each of us have had different life experiences and different faith journeys. This Lent, we re inviting you to affirm your faith in your own words by writing a Statement of Faith. It may be a little intimidating to put your faith into words. That s understandable since faith is important. That being said, your Statement of Faith is just that yours and there s no need to impress anyone. You can write as much or as little as you like. (As a guideline, we ll suggest that you write at least three sentences for each topic.) Since this activity is cumulative, it may be helpful write in the same place (a journal, a piece of paper, a Word document) each week, so you can see how your Statement of Faith grows during Lent. Our hope is that the other devotional activities during the week will help you think about your beliefs in different ways before you put pen to paper. So, people of God, what do you believe about Jesus Christ?

9 *Hymn No. 12 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise 1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. 2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might: thy justice, like mountains high soaring above; thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love. 3 To all, life thou givest, to both great and small. In all life thou livest, the true life of all. We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree, then wither and perish; but naught changeth thee. 4 Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light. Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight. All praise we would render; O help us to see tis only the splendor of light hideth thee! 3 Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him! Let the amen sound from his people again; gladly for aye we adore him. *Hymn No Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. 2 We are pilgrims on a journey; we re together on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. Will You Let Me Be Your Servant 3 I will hold the Christ-light for you in the nighttime of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. 4 I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow till we ve seen this journey through. 5 When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, born of all we ve known together of Christ s love and agony. 6 Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. *Hymn No At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him King of glory now; tis the Father s pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word. 2 Humbled for a season to receive a name from the lips of sinners unto whom he came, faithfully he bore it spotless to the last, brought it back victorious, when from death he passed; At the Name of Jesus 3 Bore it up triumphant, with its human light, through all ranks of creatures, to the central height, to the throne of Godhead, to the Father s breast, filled it with the glory of that perfect rest. 4 Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again, with his Father s glory o er the earth to reign; for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow, and our hearts confess him King of glory now.