Welcome to Worship at First Presbyterian Church Neenah, Wisconsin We re delighted that you re here! With the open arms of Christ, we welcome those of every age, ability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity fully into the life of the church. Large print bulletins (with hymns included) are available. Please ask an usher. Hearing Assistance: First Presbyterian has a hearing loop for hearing aid users equipped with T-coils. Brochures explaining this feature are available in the pews. There are also head phones available in the Narthex, (aka the entryway) if you don t have hearing aids. Childcare (infants and toddlers through 2 years old) is available in the nursery located across from the Library. We welcome infants and small children in worship, but if your child needs care or becomes uncomfortable during the service, feel free to leave and return as you wish. Worship bags with activities and Bibles for children are available near the entrances of the Sanctuary. Wee Worship: At the option of their parents, children ages three years through first grade are invited to gather in the Wee Worship room next to the library immediately following the Time for Children at the second service (a teacher will lead them there). Wee Worship provides an environment for young children to learn, experience, and participate in worship in a developmentally appropriate way. When we celebrate a Baptism or Communion, children will rejoin their families in worship right after the sermon so that they can participate. If their parents prefer, children may be taken to the nursery instead of returning to worship. Online Connections: You can learn more about us at www.firstpresneenah.org, and Like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/firstpresneenah, for updates on church activities. Today s Ministers of Welcome: Greeters: Deacon Nolan Knapp and Elder Rick Bubolz. Ushers: Alice and Larry Lewis at the 8:00 a.m. service and Amy and Gary Cebulski, Amy Foster, and Lorenzo Pisan at the 10:15 a.m. service. Coffee hostess: Liz Landig. 1
March 17, 2019 Service for the Lord s Day Second Sunday in Lent 8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. Please prepare quietly for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off. *Those who are able are invited to stand. Prelude Restore in Us, O God arr. Christopher Uehlein Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery Blake Doss, organ arr. Christopher Uehlein Introit Hymn 412 (v. 1) God, Reveal Your Presence ARNSBERG * Call to Worship (From Call to Worship 2018 Office of Theology and Worship Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) God s gifts are as many as the stars, God s grace as endless as the evening sky. Let us worship the Christ who binds us together, the One in whom we place our trust. * Hymn 213 In the Cross of Christ I Glory RATHBUN 2
* Prayer of Confession (From Call to Worship 2018 Office of Theology and Worship Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Holy One, Yours is a story of grace and mercy. Yours is a harvest of righteousness and truth. Yours is a gospel of goodness and sharing. Yours is a love that overflows. Forgive us for the ways we fall short of your call. Convict us for our failings. Enlighten us to your truth. Enliven us for your service. Empower us through your forgiveness. Shower us with your grace. (Silent prayers of confession) * Response Hymn 415 (v. 1 no refrain) Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy RESTORATION * Assurance of Pardon * Response Hymn 415 (refrain only) Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy RESTORATION * The Peace The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Welcome and Invitation to Our Church Life (Please sign and pass the Fellowship Pad.) 3
A Time for Children (Afterwards, 3 year olds thru 1 st graders may follow a teacher to the Wee Worship room.) ( Y Worship is today, 2 nd graders and up may follow a teacher to the Meeting room.) Prayer for Illumination Hymn 692 (v. 2) Spirit, Open My Heart WILD MOUTAIN THYME Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story. In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory. Spirit, open my heart. Scripture Readings Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Pew Bible (OT) p. 12 Psalm 27 (read in unison) Pew Bible (OT) p. 503 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Pew Bible (NT) p. 198 Luke 13:31-35 Pew Bible (NT) p. 77 Response: You are the fount of life, O God: You give us light, and we see. Sermon Mike Dismer * Hymn 821 My Life Flows On HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING Prayers of the People and the Lord s Prayer (Following the words, God, in your mercy, the response is Hear our prayers. ) 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. Sharing of Our Gifts and Offerings Offertory (8:00) Jesus, Refuge of the Weary arr. John Leavitt Blake Doss, piano Offertory (10:15) Ho, All who Thirst Alexander M. Peters Chancel Choir * Offertory Response, Hymn 608 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow PRAISE GOD (Hopson) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever-more praise Triune God, whom we adore. * Prayer of Thanksgiving Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. God of majesty and light, you hold the whole world in your hand. We give you our great 4
praise that in Jesus Christ all people may see your glory. We thank you for revealing Jesus to be your Son, and for claiming our lives in baptism to be his glad disciples. By your Spirit, may peace descend upon us that we may follow him with grateful hearts. Take us and all we have to be useful in your service, God of all nations, in the gracious name of Jesus Christ, now and forever. * Hymn 343 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life GERMANY * Charge and Benediction * Response Hymn 70 What Does the Lord Require of You? MOON first time singing unison on the top line; second and third times lectern side of the church top line, pulpit side the bottom line Postlude (8:00) My Faith Looks Up to Thee arr. Michael Larkin Blake Doss, piano Postlude (10:15) As the Deer Runs to the River arr. Christopher Uehlein Blake Doss, organ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Please join us after worship for coffee and conversation in the Parlor. One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is the single, largest way that Presbyterians join together to share God s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world. On Palm Sunday, April 14 th we will dedicate the 2019 OGHS Offering. Special Offering envelopes are available in each pew look for the OGHS logo or simply write OGHS on the memo line of your check. 5
Applications Now Being Accepted for the Bob Sparks Education Grant. Print your copy of the application by visiting the church website (www.firstpresneenah.org under Christian Education/Forms) or pick one up from the church office. Completed applications must be received by Tuesday, April 30 th to be considered. The Christian Education Committee will review all applications and notify applicants by mail of their status. Contact Gina Struensee (725-4391 or gstruensee@firstpresneenah.org) for more information. Bergstrom College Scholarship Applications Deadline Extended! The John N. Bergstrom College Scholarship is available only to First Presbyterian Church Neenah members planning to attend a technical school, college or university. Print your application from the church website (www.firstpresneenah.org under Christian Education/Forms) or pick one up from the church office. Completed applications must be received by Sunday, March 31 st to be considered. Holy Week Services Palm Sunday, April 14 th 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary Maundy Thursday, April 18 th 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel Good Friday, April 19 th 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel Easter, April 21 st 8:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build Wednesday, May 8 th thru Saturday, August 10 th Location: 1400 Manitowoc Rd. Menasha Habitat will not be assigning dates to specific groups. Visit the online registration site (https://foxcitieshabitat.volunteerhub. com/lp/interfaith/) to view dates, openings, and to register. No experience is necessary to volunteer. Senior Crew members will teach you everything you need to know. 6
THIS WEEK Sunday, March 17 Second Sunday in Lent 8:00 a.m. Worship (Chapel) 9:00 a.m. FaithTime! Kids PreK 5 th Grd. God s Promises to Abram Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Middle School Holy Spirit High School Biblical Interpretation Adults Coffee & Conversation 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir (Sanctuary) 10:15 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) Y Worship 11:30 a.m. Deacons Mtg (Meeting Rm) 5:00 p.m. JOY Fellowship 5:15 p.m. SPY Fellowship 7:00 p.m. Session (Meeting Rm) Monday, March 18 1:30 p.m. Textbook Bible Study (Meeting Rm) 6:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack Mtg (FH) Tuesday, March 19 9:30 a.m. Shalom Circle (Meeting Rm) Overeaters Anonymous (Parlor) 6:30 p.m. Happy Friends (Meeting Rm) Sweet Adeline Chorus Practice (FH) Wednesday, March 20 9:00 a.m. Knitting Circle (Heritage Rm) 5:30 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday Vespers (Chapel) Chancel Choir (Choir Rm) 7:30 p.m. Gratitude & Generosity (Heritage Rm) Thursday, March 21 7:00 p.m. Caregiver Support Group (Parlor) Friday, March 22 7:00 a.m. Men s Fellowship (Parlor) 7:00 p.m. Sweet Adelines Chorus (FH) Sunday, March 24 Third Sunday in Lent 8:00 a.m. Worship (Chapel) 9:00 a.m. FaithTime! Kids and Adults PreK 8 th Grd. Bike Patrol Mission Project High School Loaves Abound Pt. 1 Adults Sexuality & Religion/Judaism with Lowell Louis 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir (Sanctuary) 10:15 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) Monday, March 25 1:30 p.m. Textbook Bible Study (Meeting Rm) 4:00 p.m. Hunger Task Force Mtg (Meeting Rm) Tuesday, March 26 9:30 a.m. Overeaters Anonymous (Parlor) 6:30 p.m. Sweet Adeline Chorus Practice (FH) Wednesday, March 27 9:30 a.m. Book Study (Meeting Rm) 4:30 p.m. Building & Grounds Cmt (Heritage Rm) 5:30 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Wonderful Wednesday Vespers (Chapel) Chancel Choir (Choir Rm) Friday, March 29 7:00 a.m. Men s Fellowship (Parlor) Saturday, March 30 8:30 a.m. St Paul Lutheran Church Council Retreat (Meeting Rm) Saturday, March 23 8:30 a.m. Sweet Adelines Chorus (FH) 10:00 a.m. SPY Fellowship (OS) 10:30 a.m. Community Table at St. Paul Lutheran Cover Photot used under license from Shutterstock.com 7