FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2577 Wickham Drive Muskegon, Michigan Phone (231) [1]

2 The Service for the Lord s Day The 15 th Sunday after Pentecost September 2, 2018 Boldface type indicates a spoken response. The asterisk (*) is an invitation to stand if able. PRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Who may abide in the presence of God? Ps. 15:1 2 Who may live on God s holy mountain? All those who walk blamelessly and do what is right. All those who speak truth from their heart. *OPENING HYMN #32 I Sing the Mighty Power of God *PRAYER OF CONFESSION With sincere hearts and minds, let us confess our sins before God and the world, trusting in God s mercy to forgive. God of light, we confess that we live in the shadows of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Jas. 1:17 We honor you with our lips, but we have not served you in our hearts. Mark 7:6 We are satisfied with human traditions and norms Mark 7:7 8 and avoid your liberating truth. We have confused meekness with weakness, holiness with social conformity, and anger with righteousness. Jas. 1:19 20 Forgive us, we pray. [2]

3 By the power of your word save us from the prison of our conceit Jas. 1:20 so that we may serve you with sincere hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. *DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS Friends, do not despair: God renews us by the word of truth, Jas. 1:18 that we might become the first fruits of God s creation. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. *RESPONSE TO FORGIVENESS #582 Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me *SHARING OUR GIFT OF PEACE FROM CHRIST A TIME WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH Greg Boughton FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, [p. 42 NT] James 1:17-27 [p. 229 NT] This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! MESSAGE Pastor Jim Rausch SACRAMENT OF THE LORD S SUPPER INVITATION AND GREAT THANKSGIVING HYMN OF APPROACH #498 Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE Please help us prevent the spread of germs. Hold your communion bread so you can dip it without your fingers touching the juice. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION [3]

4 SHARING OUR PRAYERS AND THE LORD S PRAYER OFFERING OFFERTORY *PRESENTATION OF GIFTS #708 We Give Thee but Thine Own (verse 1) *PRAYER OF DEDICATION O God, receive these gifts for the work of your church. With these gifts we dedicate ourselves to live in the truth of your word, and follow your commandments with sincere hearts; through Christ our Lord. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN #39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness *GOD S BLESSING AS WE GO *POSTLUDE ASSISTING WITH WORSHIP Lay Liturgist: Nate Christensen; Acolyte: Nathan Clark; Ushers: Dave & Vella Caruso, Vic & Ellen Prowant; Greeters: Kathy DeCormier, Ara & Dona Demirjian; After Worship Hospitality: Chuck Hodson & Roxanne Deibel; Communion Servers: Ara Demirjian, Bob Hartman, Ron Rop, Dave Caruso & Greg Boughton [4]

5 Questions for Reflection How can we know the difference between human tradition and the commandments of God? How can we know that we serve God from the heart? Household Prayer: Morning Lord Jesus, help me walk blamelessly and do what is right, to speak the truth in love, to avoid gossip and slander, and do good to all I meet, that I may abide in your presence and dwell in fellowship with the Holy Trinity. Amen. Household Prayer: Evening Lord, you have been my light this day. As evening comes, be my light in the darkness. With meekness I welcome the word you have implanted in my heart, and with confidence I claim the power of salvation in Jesus Christ. And let me rest from my labors, confident that in you there is no shadow of fear. Amen. [2]

6 NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES Welcome Guests! We re so glad you joined our church family in worship today. Please join us following the worship service in the chapel for a time of fellowship and refreshments. This morning s flowers have been provided by Ray and Sharon Genter in celebration of their 49 th wedding anniversary. The Blood Pressure Clinic will be held following the worship service in Room 7. A record of your reading can be given to you to take to your doctor if so desired. The Cents-Ability Offering will be received today. Please contribute generously as the bread pans are passed. The Cents-Ability Offering is received the first Sunday of every month. The next meeting of the Prayer Shawl Ministry is Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at 2:00 PM.in the Youth Room. Hope to see you there. Mom's Workout Group will start September 4 th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and every Tuesday following. We need volunteers to spend an hour with the kiddos while the moms work out. If you are interested, please sign up on the events bulletin board. VBS Reunion went well! We had a total of 17 participants including our young helpers. Thank you, volunteers and parents, for all of your help to make this a smooth VBS experience! Looking forward to next year :)- Arisha Fall is coming; Halloween is right around the corner. Collection for the Trunk-Or-Treat event is starting now. If you are interested in donating, please purchase individually wrapped candy and drop them off at the church during office hours. Questions? Contact Arisha. CROP WALK registration begins today in the Wickham Hallway. Please stop by the CROP Walk table and consider participating in this very special event - the Muskegon 39th Annual CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 7 th. We celebrate with Shane and Jessica LeRoux on the birth of their daughter, Colbie Lynn on Friday, August 24 th! [3]

7 Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving A first FPC All-Church-Read Waking Up White is recommended for all church study by the co-moderators of the General Assembly Stop judging by mere appearances, but judge instead correctly. John 7:24 Pastor Jim and our Theology Matters study group selected this book for FPC s very first all-church-read. This book is about one person s experience in realizing the power of race in our national conversation as well as our personal life. It is a powerful introspective that will invite you to consider your own knowledge and feelings about race. The time will include worship themes during September and small discussion groups at that time. See the bulletin board outside the library to sign up for a discussion time either Sunday mornings or during the week. [4]

8 HAPPENING THIS WEEK AT FPC 09/02/18 10:00 am Worship Sunday 11:00 am Hospitality 11:15 am Blood Pressure Clinic 09/03/18 Labor Day Church Office Closed Monday 6:00 pm Youth Group Picnic/Planning 09/04/18 9:30 am Mom s Workout Group Tuesday 2:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry 3:00 pm Member Care Council 7:15 pm Gentle Yoga 09/05/18 1:00 pm Hackley Postpartum Group Wednesday 5:30 pm Worship & Music Council Meeting 7:00 pm Property Council Meeting 09/06/18 10:00 am Chair Yoga Thursday 09/07/18 9:30 am Gentle Yoga Friday 09/08/18 Saturday 09/09/18 8:45 am Book Discussion Sunday 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Hospitality [5]