New Life in Christ Church

Transcription

1 New Life in Christ Church A Communion of the Presbyterian Church in America A SERVICE OF WORSHIP of OUR TRIUNE GOD We welcome those visiting today and rejoice that you chose to worship with us! Please fill out the welcome card on the back of the bulletin. Hymn books are in the foyer.

2 ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP January 4, 2015 MEDITATION The Invocation should acknowledge that our worship is in vain if it is not Spirit-inspired. Often, the Invocation will also employ the language of adoration and praise. which is very fitting in light of the vertical, God-focused dimension of this prayer. GREETING and ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL to WORSHIP HYMN But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul. - Deuteronomy 4:29 PRAYER of INVOCATION #100 Holy, Holy, Holy Pastoral Intern Samuel Asirifi-Addo APOSTLES CREED (on screen) I believe in GOD the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. Ursinus chose the Apostles' Creed as the skeletal structure for the section of his catechism dealing with God's grace because the creed so effectively summarizes the basics of the Christian faith that no non-christian could possibly recite it. In this sense, the creed defines what is Christianity and what is not. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried: He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there 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

3 ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP SONGS of PRAISE and WORSHIP (on screen) Open the Eyes of My Heart Creation Sings the Father s Song Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER OFFERING DOXOLOGY GREETING Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav nly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Here With Us - Eric and Sarah Schroeder (Children 3-4 years old may leave for Children s Church - room 134) 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. - Mathew 6:9-13 SCRIPTURE Matthew 7:7-12 SERMON Developing an Active Prayer Life Pastor Sean Whitenack COMMUNION HYMN CELEBRATION of the LORD S SUPPER HYMN #480 Come, For the Feast Is Spread #628 Come, My Soul, They Suit Prepare (vss. #1-4) Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4 BENEDICTION Pastor Sean Whitenack

4 NOTES Lord s Day January 4, 2014 Developing an Active Prayer Life Matthew 7:7-12 Happy New Year! Did you set any goals to begin 2015? What happened to your goals from last year? As you know, the only way we will see our goals accomplished is in consistently taking incremental steps that move us in the right direction. Do you have spiritual resolutions? Do you want to live a life with greater meaning and focus upon God? Jesus Sermon on the Mount challenges us to practical spiritual growth in our daily decisions and interactions. Living it out requires help from God. We need to pray for God s help in our spiritual growth. Sadly, too many people think of prayer as a passive action when Jesus describes it as an active pursuit. Prayer is not merely a wish, but part of an active conversation where God turns us out into the world. In our passage this morning, Jesus shows us what an active prayer life looks like. It includes asking, seeking, and knocking, all with the confidence that God will respond with good things for our lives. What does an active prayer life look like? I. Ask: Active prayer is a constant conversation. A. Jesus life shows us what a regular prayer life looks like (Mark 1:35). B. The Lord s Prayer is a guide for making requests to God (Matthew 6:9-13). C. Effective prayer is asking God for what He wants to cultivate in our lives (Psalm 37:4). D. God s will for us is to do ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. II. Seek: Active prayer searches out God s solutions. A. Seeking is an active focus of energy or effort on a desired aim (Matthew 6:32-33). B. Seeking is the connection point between asking and action. C. Seeking is the response of believing prayer (Mark 11:24). D. Seeking includes searching for God s wisdom in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). E. Seeking includes looking for God s hand in present circumstances. F. True seekers believe that God always answers with good things (Matthew 7:9-12). III. Knock: Active prayer takes steps of faith. A. Knocking is an action that expects a response. B. Jesus prayed that God s will be done and went to the cross, trusting His Father (Luke 22:42). C. We will fail to see answers if we do not take steps of faith. D. Acting by faith always requires courage. How do you believe God will work in your life in 2015? Praise God for being a loving Father to His children!

5 Prayers for Those Not Communing Prayer for Those Searching for Truth Lord Jesus, You claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following You as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what You claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who You are. Give me an understanding of You that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that You promise. Amen. Prayer of Belief Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through You I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank You for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that You have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive You as Savior and Lord. Amen. Prayer for Those Struggling with Sin Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in You the fulfillment of all my need, and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on You, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to You, the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. Amen. Prayer of Commitment Lord Jesus, You have called us to follow You in baptism and a life of committed discipleship in Your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with Your people, and live in the fullness of Your Spirit. Amen. Adult Sunday School Classes December- February Bible: Ecclesiastes (fireside room) Christian Living: Parenting (room 100) Christian Doctrine: Church History (room 219) Christian Practice: How To Study the Bible (room 118) General Fund weekly budget $12,211 Last week s General Fund giving $30,819 Year-to-date General Fund is $10,556 ahead of budget. Faith Promise weekly budget ( ) $1,678 Last week s Faith Promise $2,227 Year-to-date Faith Promise is $4,720 ahead of budget. Next Week s Nursery Attendants - 1/11 10:00 am Andrew and Trina Ewing Sarah Worman and Celestia Lorei 6:00 pm George and Nanette Giddens Prayer Chain - If you have a prayer request during the week, you can call the prayer chain. Contact either Krystal Dowell or Kathy Wilson Deacon on call this week: nlicc@nlicc.org Ricardo Perez (787) (Next week: Michael Prevost ) Contact Information Senior Pastor Douglas Kittredge* nlicc@nlicc.org Associate Pastor Sean Whitenack* sean@nlicc.org Pastoral Intern Samuel Asirifi-Addo (919) sammie@nlicc.or Elders: Sam Capitano capitano.jr@verizon.net Dan Deaconson* deacd@verizon.net Chris Garcia* (757) chrisgarcia001@hotmail.com George Giddens* gggiddens@verizon.net Kim Lorei* kimlorei@verizon.net Bob McMichael* rmicah68@aol.com Parker Page* (803) parker.page@gmail.com Larry Plating* lplating@gmail.com Joe Plaia* jplaia@alumni.ufl.edu Bob Rumbaugh rerumbaugh@comcast.net Mark Shigley shigleym@aol.com Jay Storms* (571) bj_storms@comcast.net * denotes currently serving on session FOOD PANTRY IMMEDIATE NEEDS (1/4) All vegetables green beans, corn, potatoes, peas, carrots; spaghetti and sauce and canned meatballs; cereal; canned pineapple, fruit cocktail, and applesauce; white rice; peanut butter and jelly; pancake mix and syrup; soup especially tomato, bean, and chili; tea bags; pickles; boxed mashed potatoes; hamburger helper (not chicken); microwave popcorn; small toiletry items shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and deodorant; face soap.

6 CALENDAR of EVENTS TODAY Celebration of the Lord s Supper 9:00 am Adult and Children s Sunday School Classes 10:00 am Worship Service - Pastor Sean Whitenack preaching 4:00 pm Young Adult Discipleship team 6:00 pm Evening service - Bob Rumbaugh preaching 7:00 pm Senior High OASIS / Junior High Youth 7:00 pm Elder-led Prayer Time with Larry Plating THIS WEEK Monday 12:30 pm Men s Prayer Lunch (Pastor Doug s Office) Tuesday 9:30 am Women s Study: The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis (Karen Melnick leading) 4:00 pm NO Children s Vocal / Handbell Choirs and Drama (see newsletter for schedule) Wednesday 7:00 pm Congregational Day of Prayer and Fasting (room 100) Friday 7:00 pm Session (room 217) / Deacon (room 215) Meetings Saturday 8:30 am New Life in Christ Church hosts the James River Presbytery 10:00 am Central Virginia Justice Initiative (CVJI) meeting (room 219) NEXT SUNDAY 9:00 am Adult and Children s Sunday School Classes 10:00 am Worship Service - Pastor Douglas Kittredge preaching 1:00 pm Young Adult Potluck at the Allisons home 4:30 pm Youth Leaders meeting 6:00 pm Evening service - Sanctity of Human Life 7:00 pm Senior High Youth Discipleship (youth room) / Junior High Youth (room 217) 7:00 pm Elder-led Prayer Time with Joe Plaia FUTURE January 13 Children s Choirs/Handbells/Drama resume January 14 Pioneer Girls/Christian Service (Boys) Brigade resume January 15 9:30 am Women s Bible Study: The True Woman (see Annie Page) January 15 7:00 pm Missions meeting January 17 8:00 am Men s Breakfast (fireside room) January 17 9:30 am Elder/Deacon Day of Prayer January 17 Easter Cantata Rehearsal (10:15 Choir / 12:00 Orchestra) January 17 Dinners in Homes (host a meal or be a guest in a congregation member s home) January 18 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday January 18 6:00 pm New Geneva (Fredericksburg extension) Graduation Ceremony and Reception (sanctuary) January 23 7:30 pm Creation Club (fireside room) January 24 8:30 am Focus Day followed by lunch February 6-7 5th Annual Festival of the Arts February 7 8:30 am Pioneer Girl Father/Daughter Breakfast February 14 9:00 am Women s Breakfast (fireside room) February 21 8:30 am Men s Breakfast (fireside room) Library Hours: Sundays 9-10am and 11:30-noon KOREAN AGAPE CHURCH SERVICES Sunday 7:00 am Prayer (room 203) 1:00 pm Worship (sanctuary) Wednesday 8:00 pm Midweek Service (room 203) Friday 8:00 pm Prayer Service (room 203) Saturday 6:30 pm Young Adults meet (room 203) Daily 6:00 am Prayer (M-S) (room 203)

7 Prayer and Praise On behalf of the staff, I praise God for the generous gift the congregation gave to us for Christmas. The unity of the congregation in offering spiritual sacrifice to God throughout the year is a joy to our hearts. - Gratefully, Pastor Doug for the staff. Praise God for Jeremy Greenberg and his ministry at New Life in Christ Church. Pray for him and his family as he starts a new position as Assistant to the Pastor at Evident Grace Fellowship. Praise God for Caroline Pilgrim s ministry at the University of Mary Washington. Praise God that Joseph Owiti was granted a return visa to the United States and returned with Kheri, his teacher, on Friday. Pray for the leadership of the church as we meet to envision what God has for us this year. There will be a church-wide time of prayer on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Focus Day will be held on January 24th; it is a time to praise God for the Lord s provision for our congregation during 2014 and to pray for 2015 goals. Pray for vision and unity. Praise God for Bob Rumbaugh and Mark Shigley who have faithfully served as elders and who rotate off the Session in January. We praise God that Jay Storms was voted back on the Session by the congregation. Pray for the Arts ministries at New Life in Christ Church. The Festival of the Arts is February 6-7. See Jonathan or Veronica Allison to participate. Praise God for the Ministerial Relief Fund offering totaling $1, These funds go to support distressed widows in the PCA. Praise God for the Lord s faithful provision over the past few weeks. Please continue to pray for the Lord to enable us to reduce the budget deficit as we enter Pray for Brooke Peter s stepfather who is recovering from heart surgery Brooke returns to school in Texas this week. Pray for our college students as they return to campus. Pray for Josh Diddams, and Caleb Reed (Marine Corps) and Patrick Oberlin (Air Force) as they are deployed overseas. Pray for Nadine Sparks who is now living at Carriage Hill Rehab Center next to Chancellor s Village. Please consider blessing her with a visit. Announcements and Events New Life will host the James River Presbytery next Saturday morning. If you are willing to provide food for the event, please sign up at We are looking for a few servants to assist with this ministry Saturday. Contact Christine in the office if you can help. The New Year is a great time to build new spiritual habits. Pick up your copy of a Bible reading chart and scripture memory cards for 2015 on the information table. Bulletin folding assistance is needed January 9 and 16. Sign up on tear-off sheet. Prayer Request and Praise Date: This request is for Pastors and Elders only To Sign Up Would like to help in Nursery on Sundays 9:00 am 10:00 am 6:00 pm Would like to be a Greeter Sunday morning Would like to help fold bulletins on Would like to place flowers at the altar on I will provide the flowers myself Occasion: Date: For:_ Name: Phone: (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY) Please turn off or silence your cell phones when entering the Worship Service. Sermons and Bulletins are posted on the church website weekly at:

8 We Are Glad You re Here! Thank you for worshiping with us today. Please let us know of your presence. May God richly bless you! Date First and Last Name First and Last Name Family Members (Children) Street/Apt City/State/Zip Telephone - Residence/Cell _ 1st visit? 2nd visit? 3rd visit? Permanent residence/here until Desire a local church home Home church What brought you to our church? Update directory information Comments Please check appropriate groups: Pre-K/K Grades1-3 Grades4-6 Jr High Sr High Age Over 55 I D LIKE INFORMATION OR INTERESTED IN: Care Group Sunday School Youth Group Missions Young Adult/College New Members Class Women s Ministry Baptism Men s Ministry Call me Music Ministry Appointment with Boys Brigade Pastor or Elder Pioneer Girls Church Membership Would like to be added to church mailing list New Life in Christ Church Sunday Service Times: Adult & Children s Sunday School 9:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Evening Service 6:00 pm Korean Worship Service 1:00 pm Our Address: Burgess Lane Fredericksburg, VA (Behind the Spotsylvania Towne Center Mall) Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday-Friday Ministry Team: Douglas Kittredge, Senior Pastor Sean Whitenack, Associate Pastor Samuel Asirifi-Addo, Church Planting Intern Jonathan Allison, Music Director, Office Administrator Christine Fulcrod, Assistant to Sr. Pastor, Ass t Admin. Veronica Allison, Assistant Music Director Pamela Lopes, Office Assistant, Biblical Counseling, (hopeforchangeva@gmail.com) Marcia Vastine, Bookkeeping Office After Hours Fax nlicc@nlicc.org Visit us at our website for information and times of events. Sermon archives are accessible.