FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY January 28, 2018 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. An early 11th century manuscript illustration of Jesus expelling the demon C. E. Visminas MISSIONS 2018
WELCOME TO FIRST CHURCH We are delighted that you have chosen to worship with us this Epiphany season. Founded in 1821, First Church is the oldest Protestant church in the area and the oldest Methodist church in Florida. This historic church, with four regular Sunday services, has a membership of 3200 and is overflowing with life. If you are visiting, we hope that you will consider becoming a member of our church family. You may join any Sunday by profession of faith or transfer of membership. Come and be a part of what God is doing here in 2018. YEAR OF MISSIONS From 2017 to 2021 we are having a five-year concentration on each of the core visions that guide us at First Church (Christian Worship, Missions & Outreach, Christian Education, Evangelism, and Christian Stewardship). 2017 saw a concentrated focus on Christian Worship. We started with worship because it is at the center of everything we do. 2018 continues our five-year journey with a concentrated focus on Missions & Outreach. As part of the 2018 Year of Missions, we will focus on a different category of missions each month. This focus will be highlighted in each week s bulletin in the new Mission Focus section on the inside right panel. Each monthly focus will also have a related mission project designed to be completed by the entire congregation. We hope everyone can be a part of this year of missions. NURSERY & CHILDREN S BULLETINS Nursery is available this morning for children up to five years old. If you need help locating the nursery, please see an usher or greeter for assistance. Also, children s worship bulletins and crayons are available in the narthex VISITOR / NEW MEMBER CLASS We welcome all visitors and new members that are interested in learning more about First Church to an introductory class that consists of four parts. The class assembles at 9:30am in room PH101 next door in the Perry Home. Today s class, Tour of First Church will walk you through the historic buildings of our campus. Next week the class cycle begins again with Introduction to First Church, a class that gives you an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the history, theology, worship, and membership of this great church. Join us each week. FLOWERS The flowers in the Sanctuary today are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the baptism of Maxwell George Ramsey and Emma Rose Ramsey by their family. Maxwell and Emma are 5th generation de la Rua family. NEXT WEEK at FIRST CHURCH Join us next week here at First Church as we come together to worship God on the Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany. Dr. Wachob will preach for the 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00am worship services here in the Main Sanctuary. The Rev. Brandon Bures will preach for the ICON worship service at 11:00am in Wesley Abbey. Next Sunday s readings: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (UMH 859); 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39.
WELCOME OUR WORSHIP OF GOD 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. *CHORUS He touched me, O he touched me, and O the joy that floods my soul! Something happened and now I know, he touched me and made me whole. PRELUDE DIADEMATA arr. Jerry Westenkuehler Dr. Rick Branch, organ *CHIMING OF THE HOUR *CALL TO WORSHIP Let us give thanks to the Lord with our whole hearts. Let us give thanks in the congregation. Full of honor and majesty are the works of the Lord; God s righteousness endures forever! [Psalm 111 *HYMN No. 88 Maker, in Whom We Live *COLLECT (8) Rev. Brandon Bures, (11) Rev. Ken Autrey Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 11:00 SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM No. 39 Maxwell George Ramsey and Emma Rose Ramsey, children of Jennifer and Charles Ramsey 11:00 HYMN No. 611 Child of Blessing, Child of Promise ANTHEM (8) Alleluia Mozart Heidi Branch, flute; Rick Branch, piano (11) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty arr. Joel Raney Sanctuary Choir MISSION MINUTE: CONNECTIONAL GIVING PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. *GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:21-28 SERMON Dr. Wesley H. Wachob
PASTORAL PRAYER CONFESSION, PARDON, & PEACE No. 12 REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCE Please register your attendance on the registration pad. If you are visiting with us, include your address, telephone number, and email address so that we may welcome you in a more personal way. OFFERTORY (8) Toccata on How Firm a Foundation Betty Sue Shepherd Rick Branch, organ (11) Come to the Table Allen Pote Sanctuary Choir *DOXOLOGY No. 95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow THE GREAT THANKSGIVING You are invited to come forward to the altar to receive the elements of Holy Communion. COMMUNION HYMN No. 375 There Is a Balm in Gilead INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP Anyone who wishes to join the church today, please come forward during the last stanza of the closing hymn. *CLOSING HYMN No. 264 Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit *BENEDICTION *GOING FORTH POSTLUDE Yorkminster Recessional arr. Gordon Young *Stand as you are able HYMN NOTES Maker, in Whom We Live (words by Charles Wesley, 1747; Music by George J. Elvey, 1868) This hymn first appeared under the title To the Trinity in Hymns for those that see and those that have Redemption in the Blood of Jesus Christ, 1747. Charles Wesley is apparently among the first to exploit the Trinitarian form; the first three stanzas are devoted to a person of the Trinity with the final stanza in praise to the undivided Trinity. Wesley also published two collections of hymns to the Trinity in 1746 and 1767. THOSE SERVING TODAY 8:00: GREETERS Colleen Ball, Cissy Martin, Nancy Emery, Jean Jacobson, & Sue Butsch. USH- ERS Parker Chaudron, Watson Aldridge, Ron Anderson, & Sam Morrissette. ACOLYTES Lauren Wheelis, Hayden Brown, & Virginia Hart. COMMUNION STEWARD Rhonda Pippin. 11:00: GREETERS Jean Wallace, Dee Price Williams, & Betty Richardson. USHERS Brent Hough, John Fitzgerald, Tommy Van Matre, & Martin Stewart. ACOLYTES Deion Crews & AJ Luth. COMMUNION STEWARD George Dreading. COMMUNION SERVERS Randy/Phyllis Maygarden, Drexel Wachob,. & George Dreading.
TODAY S LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES First Lesson: Deuteronomy 18:15-20. In addressing the people of Israel, Moses predicts the coming of the prophet/messiah; false prophets will die. Psalm: 111. The writer calls the people of God who gives them food and has sent redemption to them. Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. In pointing out that food, in itself, has no spiritual value, Paul stresses love over knowledge in use of Christian liberty. Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:21-28. In the synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus demonstrates the power of a new teaching by casting out a demon. DAILY READINGS The daily readings expand the range of biblical reading in worship and personal devotion by providing daily citations for a three-year cycle. These readings complement the Sunday readings: Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect on and digest what they heard in worship. Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead. Psalm Old Test. New Test. MONDAY 35:1-10 Numbers 22:1-21 Acts 21:17-26 TUESDAY 35:1-10 Numbers 22:22-28 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 WEDNESDAY 35:1-10 Jeremiah 29:1-14 Mark 5:1-20 THURSDAY 147:1-11, 20c Proverbs 12:10-21 Galatians 5:2-15 FRIDAY 147:1-11, 20c Job 36:1-23 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 SATURDAY 147:1-11, 20c Isaiah 46:1-13 Matthew 12:9-14 MISSION FOCUS (NEW SECTION FOR 2018!) Each month this year we will focus as a congregation on a different category of missions and outreach. This section will show that focus along with any other relevant information. In addition, this section will show a congregational call to action that relates to the monthly focus. JANUARY FOCUS: Connectional Giving (Apportionments) The main way we support the ministries of the church is through our apportioned funds, a method of giving that proportionally allocates the church-wide budget to conferences and local churches. Together, through our connected congregations, we accomplish what no single church, district or annual conference ever could hope to do alone. The insert to this morning s bulletin shows all the ministries supported by our connectional giving. CALL TO ACTION: This first month is simple... Tithe. Our gifts are what pay our apportionments. Also, if you haven t filled out an Estimate of Giving Card for 2018, we are still accepting them. NOTES
ANNOUNCEMENTS WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES Join us this Wednesday between 5:00 and 6:00pm in The Wright Place for a delicious meal and good fellowship. This week s menu will be Lasagna, Greek Salad, Parmesan Toast, and Cake Variety. Please make your reservations in the registration pads, by calling the church office (432-1434), or online. After dinner, at 6:00pm, join in with one of our Winter Session classes. Check out the new and ongoing classes in our Winter Session Course Catalog. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday nights. SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4 Next Sunday, February 4, is Souper Bowl Sunday. You can help make a difference in our community by bringing in non-perishable food items for Manna Food Pantries. Food will be collected by our youth in front of the Main Sanctuary and Wesley Abbey before each of the services next week. SATURDAY MORNING WITH FRIENDS FEBRUARY 10 The United Methodist Women invite everyone to their 3rd Annual Saturday Morning with Friends on February 10 here at First Church. The event will be in The Wright Place and Henry Roberts Activity Center. Come and experience an enjoyable morning fundraiser and breakfast with a program from the Carol Burnett of Christian entertainment Kay DeKalb Smith. Tickets are available in the Church Office on Sunday mornings from 9:00 11:00am and on Monday Thursday from 9:00am 4:00pm. This is a great way to support local missions. WOMEN S RETREAT FEBRUARY 23 24 First Church invites all women to be a part of this year s Women s Retreat on February 23 and 24 at the Embassy Suites in Destin. Our special guest for the weekend will be Heather Thompson Day and our theme is Being an Authentic Christian in a Phony World. This is a great twenty-four hour get away, a chance to fellowship with other church friends, a chance to focus on your Christian walk, a chance to relax and hear God speak to you, a chance to breathe. It is truly a retreat. We ll gather on a Friday night for a brief session, then have a dinner on the town. On Saturday, we ll begin with a fellowship breakfast, have a morning session, a special lunch together, and an afternoon session. Registration forms are online and in the Church Office. If you have more questions, please call Lisa Bond, Lacey Adair, or Mici Kuba. FEBRUARY MISSIONS FOCUS: HUNGER-RELATED MISSIONS Next month, as we continue in our Year of Missions, we will focus on hungerrelated missions. First Church runs or supports a number of ministries that provide food for those in need, i.e. the Kids Feeding Program, Serving the Hungry Ministry, Ruth s Kitchen, Pastoral Care Ministries, Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries, Loaves and Fishes, and Manna Food Pantries. In February we will all have an opportunity to be involved with and/or donate towards these ministries. See the Souper Bowl Sunday ad above for a start. YEAR OF MISSIONS KICK-OFF PRESENTATION WATCH ONLINE If you were unable to attend the Year of Missions Kick-Off on January 10, the presentation used during that program is available for you to watch online at fumcpensacola.com. This 20-minute presentation provides a great overview of our 2018 Year of Missions and many of the events, activities, and initiatives happening in the coming months. Check it out! 6 E. Wright St. Pensacola, FL 32501 850.432.1434 fumcpensacola.com