Prelude "Meinem Jesum lass ich nicht" (Chorale and Variations) "I shall not leave my Jesus"...Andreas Hammerschmidt (1658) / J. G.

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1 Ascension Sunday May 8, :15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Cover Symbol No. 2 - The Anchor Explanation of the Cover Symbol The anchor is an ancient Christian symbol for hope. It is derived from Hebrews 6:19: We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul... When combined with a cross it makes plain that Christian hope is in Christ and His redemption. The symbol was frequently used in this sense in the catacombs of ancient Rome. FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Presbyterian Church in America 620 South Shirley Tacoma, Washington Ministers: Robert S. Rayburn, Richard H. DeMass, Steven A. Nicoletti fpc@faithtacoma.org Ascension Sunday May 8, 2016 Upon entering the sanctuary please maintain silence for the sake of the congregation s preparation for worship, and please make sure electronic devices are off or using silent mode. Prelude "Meinem Jesum lass ich nicht" (Chorale and Variations) "I shall not leave my Jesus"...Andreas Hammerschmidt (1658) / J. G. Walther Welcome and Announcements +Silent Prayer Almighty Father, as we believe that our Lord Jesus has ascended into the heavens, so by faith may we ascend where he is, and in heart and mind be with him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. Call to Worship *Hymn of Praise to God A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing No Confession of Sin Lord, for thy tender mercies sake, Lay not our sins to our charge, But forgive that is past,

2 And give us grace to amend our sinful lives, To decline from sin and incline to virtue, That we may walk with a perfect heart Before Thee now and evermore. Amen. Richard Farrant ( ) +Confession of Sin Silent Prayer Corporate Prayer Have mercy upon us, O God, as befits your faithfulness; in keeping with Your abundant compassion, blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly of our iniquity, and purify us of our sin. Fashion a pure heart for us, O God; create in us a steadfast spirit. Do not cast us out of Your presence, or take Your Holy Spirit away from us. Let us again rejoice in Your help; let a vigorous spirit sustain us. Amen. Assurance of Pardon Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2 (ESV) *Confession of Faith Q. How does Christ s ascension to heaven benefit us? A. First, he pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of his Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven a guarantee that Christ our head will take us, his members, to himself in heaven. Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the Spirit's power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand. The Heidelberg Catechism No. 49. *Hymn of Faith in Jesus Christ See, the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph No. 291 Unison Reading of God s Law Acts 1:6-11 (ESV p. 909) Worship of God with Tithes and Offerings "Christ, Thou Art My Light"...Johann Gottfried Walther ( ) Now blessed be the Lord our God, the God of Israel, For he alone does wondrous works in glory that excel. His wide dominion shall extend from sea to utmost sea, And unto earth s remotest bounds his peaceful rule shall be. Yea, all the kings shall bow to him, his rule all nations hail; He will regard the poor man s cry when other helpers fail. And blessed be His glorious Name to all eternity: The whole earth let His glory fill. Amen, so let it be. Tune: McKee/American Spiritual Text: from Psalm 72

3 *Congregational Petitions Scripture Lesson Acts 15:1-21 (ESV p ) Sermon Some Early Presbyterians *Hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns No. 295 *Benediction +Silent Prayer Grant, we beg you, Almighty God, that just as we believe that your only Son our Lord Jesus Christ has ascended into the heavens; so may we also in heart and mind ascend there, and dwell with him continually, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. Postlude There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel s veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there have I, as vile as he, washed all my sins away. Ever since by faith I saw the stream Your flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die. Then in a nobler, sweeter song I ll sing your power to save, When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave. Dear dying Lamb, your precious blood Shall never lose its power, Till all the ransomed church of God be saved to sin no more. William Cowper/John Wykoff *Congregation standing +The congregation is invited to kneel CCLI License # Ascension Sunday May 8 Morning Worship Sunday School & 9:45 am

4 Choir Rehearsal Evening Service Welcome & Announcement Elders Jim Price Paul Darby Congregational Petitions Leaders Mike Lee Craig Morse Nursery Schedule Margo & Kaelene Kelly Rachel Moore Marcia Brodersen & Amy Lewis Wendy, Honor & Lilias Tamminga Coffee/Tea Hosts Ethan & Dolly Larson Patsi Arkin Family Fun Luncheon Church Library Megan & Marilyn Schlaudraff Building Monitors Scott Bennett Kyle Proctor 4:45 pm Nursery Sunday School Combined Nursery Prep for 11:00 Service 9:40 10:50 am Monday May 9 - Better English on Sixth 6:30 8:30 pm Tuesday May 10 - Ladies Bible Study, WIC Room 117 9:30 am 12:00 pm - Samson Society, WIC Room 117 7:00 8:00 pm Wednesday May 11 - Prayer Meeting, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary. Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to his Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God. --John Bunyan High Youth Group 7:00 8:30 pm - Sr. High Youth Group 7:00 8:30 pm -Choristers 7:00 8:15 pm Thursday May 12 - Mothers Encouragement Group, WIC Room 117 9:30 am 12:00 pm - Knitting Friendships, WIC Room 117 1:00 3:00 pm

5 Friday May 13 - Covenant High School Spring Concert & Art Show 7:30 pm Saturday May 14 - College & Career Social Gathering, Aown s Home 7:30 pm Pentecost Sunday May 15 Morning Worship Sunday School Choir Rehearsal Evening Service Welcome & Announcement Elders Ryan Gross Jerry Savage Congregational Petitions Leaders John Pulliam Dale Woodard & 9:45 am 4:45 pm Nursery Schedule Dolly & Ruthie Larson Nursery 7 th & 8 th grade girls Sunday School Class Sunday School Evangeline DeGraaf & Laurie O Ban Combined Nursery Miriam Shelden & Christina Sullivan Coffee/Tea Hosts Zach & Katie Raines Margo & Aspen Kelly Robert & Kathy Case Church Library Brandon Welch Building Monitors Colin James Jonathan Nichols Prep for 11:00 Service 9:40 10:50 am Upcoming Events May 16 - Session Meeting, Science Lab, 6:30 pm May 19/20 Presbytery of the Pacific Northwest Meeting at Faith May 21 Men s Breakfast May 21 - ACM Workshop & Piano Recital May 22 FPC Anniversary Sunday May 27 Covenant High School Commencement May 28 Crystal Comis Baby Shower May 30 Church Office Closed (Memorial Day Observed)

6 This Evening Tonight we begin a new series of sermons devoted to A Christian s Doubts, the Christian teachings, the life experiences that from time to time can shake a believer s confidence in the Faith or his or her own faith. True faith, in the Bible, is no easy thing, the life of faith is a life of intellectual and spiritual struggle! The Lord s Supper will be served. The Lord s Supper is observed every Lord s Day at Faith Presbyterian Church alternating between the morning and the evening services. The officers have wanted to retain evening communion not only because all the Lord s Suppers explicitly mentioned in the New Testament were in the evening, but as well to reinforce the importance of Sunday evening worship as a regular part of the observance of the Lord s Day. Adult Sunday School Today We are pleased to have with us Russ Pulliam, Chief Political Columnist and Assistant Editor of The Indianapolis Star, an elder at Second Reformed Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, a congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, and most notably the father of our own John Pulliam. Russ will be interviewed by Bob Case in the sanctuary during the Sunday school hour today. Mother's Day Family Fun Luncheon Today! Happy Mother's Day! If you are a guest visiting today or signed up previously, please join us in DeSoto Hall after the 2nd service (around 12:30pm) for a lovely brunch. You'll enjoy delicious food, happy music, and wonderful fellowship with friends. Please spend the first 15 minutes mingling, getting coffee, tea, or punch, and eating appetizers before finding a seat to begin brunch. A Long Distance Baby Shower for Laura (Cassis) Frick Let's shower our love on Laura Frick! She is expecting a baby boy in June. Currently they live in South Bend, Indiana where her husband is pursuing his Ph.D. at Notre Dame. There will be a box in the narthex if you would like to contribute to the group gift. Ruth Ann will be traveling to be with Laura on May 26. She would like to take a suitcase full of small wrapped gifts to cheer Laura's heart, as she is far from her home. Please give your gifts directly to Bonnie McCoy or Stacie Aown. The Gideons International Next Lord s Day evening we will hear a report from a representative of The Gideons International. Faith Presbyterian Church New Directory You will find the directory pages displayed in the Narthex again today for changes, additions and corrections. Please take a moment to review your information; we want it to be as accurate as possible. Note that birthdays are listed on the last several pages; we work our way through this list, adding new names for prayer each week to our Wednesday prayer meeting handout. You may also contact the church office with directory changes. Men of Faith Spring Breakfast We are pleased to have Dr. C. John "Jack" Collins address us at our annual men's breakfast Saturday May 21st at 8 am. Dr. Collins is a professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He once was an intern here at FPC during his seminary days. He also served on the translation committee for the English Standard Version and will speak to us on that subject. Please sign up in the narthex so we know how much food to buy and prepare. The cost is $8.

7 Just a Reminder about Parking Please do not park on the south side of South 8 th Street. Also, please do not park where the curb is painted yellow. Thank you. (Revision Add, Remove, Move, Substitute) (ADD Middle School) Writing Camp, August 8-12 Main point, claim, thesis, etc.: (Substitute Also bold Main point-etc..) You can improve your writing...and have fun doing so! Evidence 1: Research indicates that writing more essays, poems and stories makes any writer better. Evidence 2: Experience reveals that doing something well increases enjoyment of that something. Evidence 3: Intuition says you (REMOVE) can't help but have (ADD) will have fun writing with someone who creates bulletin announcements this goofy. Conclusion: Attending the Faith Writing Camp, 9 AM-1 PM, August 8-12 would be a great way (ADD for students entering 6 th -9 th grades) to spend 20 hours this summer. And at only $10, that's 50 cents an hour, so sign up soon with Andrew Milton. Adult Sunday School The Women of Faith Class I (WIC Room 117) We are reading Sensei, by Russell Hitt. This fascinating biography is about Irene Webster-Smith, an Irish woman born in 1888, who became a missionary to Japan, rescuing prostitutes and geisha girls and leading them to Christ. Join us in the WIC room if you d like to read and discuss this book together. The Women of Faith Class II (School Office) We are studying together the book of Luke. Please note we will meet in the school office today. The Word of Faith Class (Sanctuary) Russ Pulliam, Chief Political Columnist and Assistant Editor for The Indianapolis Star, will be interviewed by Bob Case. High School Sunday School (Room 301) The high school class continues in its series on a Christian understanding of gender and sexual identity. Please note that they will meet in room 301 today. Better English on Sixth ESL Sunday School (Room 304) This class led by Tim Bentson and Andrew Milton is going through What Christians Believe, an ESL Bible study by J. Wesley Eby. Music Ministry: Choristers Our Choristers ensemble provides musical training for treble voices (young students with reading skills) under the direction of Mrs. Melissa McMillan. They rehearse on Wednesdays, 7:00-8:15 p.m. and present music in worship periodically. For more information, contact Melissa McMillan. Music Ministry: "Improving Accompanist Skills" for Piano Students ACM is hosting a piano accompanist workshop and masterclass with two experienced church and concert musicians, Maddie Lee and Sydney Jarrard, on Saturday, May 21, 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. Registration required: acmusicians.org. Cost: $15, includes lunch and recital by Sydney Jarrard. Registration deadline: May 10. Music Ministry: Free Recital with Sydney Jarrard, piano Make Saturday, May 21, 2:00 p.m., an artistic afternoon for you, your family, and friends. Sydney Jarrard, daughter of former FPC members, Jamie and Rebecca Jarrard, will play a piano recital in the sanctuary. Sydney is an excellent musician, dedicated church musician, and student at the University of North Carolina (Greensboro). The recital is free and open to the public. Donation accepted at the door for the Alliance of Christian Musicians.

8 Music Ministry: Summer Singing Camp Registration will soon be open for the ACM Children's (ages 5 +) Summer Singing Camp directed by Melissa McMillan, July 11-15, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at FPC. Sonia King from Pilgrim Bible Church will assist in the camp s leadership. The camp will conclude with a final concert on Friday, July 15, 7:00 p.m. Register online at acmusicians.org. College & Career Group Our college & career group meets at the Aown s home on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month: once for a social gathering and once for a small-group-style gathering. Our current upcoming schedule is: May 28: Small Group Gathering, 7:30 pm June 11: Social Gathering, 7:30 pm For more information, and to receive last minute updates and announcements, please contact Pastor Nicoletti to be added to our Facebook group or list. Men of Faith, Morning Prayer Meetings There are opportunities to meet with fellow Men of Faith for prayer each week: Wednesday morning with Phil Perkins: We meet at Treos Cafe in Old Town Tacoma, 2312 North 30 th at 6:00 am. This meeting, which originated six years ago has continuously focused on the Psalms. Thursday morning with Thom Wilson at 6:30 am at the church. We are reading and praying through Ian Hamilton's book The Faith Shaped Life. Nursing Mothers In addition to the nursery rooms, Room #117 the Women In the Church room, is open and available for your convenience during all Worship Services. The service can be seen and heard in the WIC room. God's Breadbasket Ministry The purpose of God s Breadbasket is to provide meals for those families needing extra help due to illness, death in the family, or the arrival of newborns. If you know of a need, please contact Kathy Haass, Alisha Bennett or the church office. More participants are needed. If you would like to serve in this ministry (usually no more than one or two times per year) please contact Kathy or Alisha to be added to the roster. Thank you! Women to Women Ministry There is a ministry of mentoring by women to women here at Faith. If you would like to meet with a woman for this purpose, you may contact Debbie Mellott and she will put you in touch with one of the women providing this ministry. Hearing Assistance If you would like a device to help with hearing the worship service, please see a Deacon in the Narthex.