FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH www.fpcnorfolk.org SPECIAL PRAYERS THIS WEEK: Kenya Joy Home Creation Care Tip Persecuted Churches Moses, 8 years old Purchase reusable bottles and not bottled water Indonesia FPC Missionaries: Jim & Nancy Yuan, serving in Chongli, Taiwan Rudy & Kate Miller, serving in Kenya FPC Local Missions: Video Jail Ministry Pra x is:the Experiment This year we are challenged to participate in an experiment called Pra x is, a Greek word meaning practices. Our hypothesis is simple; if we commit to five spiritual practices over the next year, our relationships with Jesus Christ and with one another will be radically transformed. The five practices are found in the word Pra x is: Pray for the entire world, Read through the entire Word, Add to the community, Invest in the Kingdom, and Send yourself to the nations. The X represents Christ (the Greek letter Chi, or X, is the first letter of Christ and an ancient symbol for Jesus) and reminds us that what we do only finds meaning if Jesus is at the center. If you are seeking purpose or meaning, if you want to know and grow closer to God, or if you want a deeper spiritual life, we invite you to join us this year and take the experiment! Pastors at First Presbyterian Church: Jim Wood, Senior Pastor - jim@fpcnorfolk.org Valena Hoy, Executive Associate Pastor- valena@fpcnorfolk.org Jim Gates, Associate Pastor of Evangelism- jimgates@fpcnorfolk.org
SEEKING CHRIST: FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH www.fpcnorfolk.org APRIL 1, 2012 FPC 101- Sunday, April 1 from 4-8pm, register online or contact Jim Gates (JimGates@fpcnorfolk.org) Lost Art Show- Lost Art show will continue this Sunday, visit the Center for Prayer today from 4:30-5:00pm. Seniors First Events- Wednesday, April 4 Birthday Lunch at noon in First Hall. RSVP to FPC reception at 625-1697 or on web site by 10:00am April 2. Outer Banks Getaway Thursday, April 12 - leaving FPC by motor coach at 8:00am and returning 4:30pm don t miss! Cost is $59, must RSVP by April 2. Updates from our Session Visit our website at http://www.fpcnorfolk.org/resources/session-updates.html for minutes and recaps from FPC s regular Session meetings. B90X- This week s reading : Daniel 9:1 through Matthew 56. SHARING HIS LOVE: Go 2 Blocks! -1 Block Sunday school +1 Block Worship; please park 2 blocks away to make room for visitors. FPC Job Opportunities- We are currently hiring full and part-time positions. Visit www.fpcnorfolk.org/about-us/ open-positions for more information. Massanetta Springs All Church Mission Camp- Sunday June 17- Tuesday June 19. Contact Sheryl Wood (Sheryl@fpcnorfolk.org) to reserve your spot! Add to the Community- Take the PRA X IS Evangelism challenge and pick up the materials in the Common! NEO Class- Join us in open discussion of our Christian Faith, in this non-threatening environment. Bring a friend from outside the church and enjoy this time of fellowship. Starts April 15 at 5:30pm. Visit www.fpcnorfolk.org. Holy Week Special Events Maundy Thursday Seder Service, April 5th Join us for a worship service and Seder meal in First Hall. Service starts at 6pm (dinner is served as part of worship) and you can register on the Connection Card or online at www.fpcnorfolk.org. Please sign up in advance! Cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child, $25 max per family. Good Friday Worship Service, April 6th Worship starts at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Our choir, accompanied by members of the Virginia Symphony, will present John Rutter s Requiem. This is one of our most powerful services each year don t miss it! Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 7th All children 5th grade and under are invited to our Easter Egg Hunt at the Fred Hewitt Center (intersection of Westover and Botetourt). Starts promptly at 9:30am. Rain location is at the church. Flowering the Cross on Easter Sunday Bring flowers from your yard and help flower the Easter cross in the main parking lot. Photographers will be available all morning to take pictures! First Time Guests -Stop by the Common for a free copy of Donald Miller s Searching for God Knows What Free NIV Bibles- Are available in the Loft for anyone who would like one. Cross in The Common - A handmade cross will be added to the Pra x is cross in The Common each time the Lord blesses us with a first-time guest. We celebrate that 303 first-time visitors have been with us in worship since 9.11.2011. Please remember to invite your friends to church....and day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:47
SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY APRIL 1, 2012 Palm Sunday 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary Today the Chancel Choir will be joined by the 3rd - 5th graders of Creative Kids for Christ. Welcome Call to Worship: Hosanna Liturgy *Hymn - #88 All Glory, Laud, and Honor Prayer of Confession O Lord, who on this day entered the rebellious city that later rejected you: we confess that our wills are as rebellious as Jerusalem's, our faith is often more show than substance, our hearts are in need of cleansing. Have mercy on us Savior of our lives. Help us to lay at your feet all that we have and all that we are, trusting you to forgive what is sinful, to heal what is broken, to welcome our praises and to receive us as your own. Amen. Silent Confession Confessional Response - Kyrie Kyrie eleison; Christe eleison; Kyrie eleison. Translation: Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy. Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 24: 3-6 *Congregational Response to God s Grace: Gloria Patri Hymn 579 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen. Greeting and Connecting Children through grade 5 are invited to come forward to receive Worship Packets & a RADICOL Kid s bulletin, designed especially to involve them in worship.
Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 8: 4-22, Page 251, O.T., NRSV New Testament Reading: John 12: 12-26, Page 106, N.T., NRSV The Preached Word Add to the Community Jim Wood Presentation of our Gifts: John 12: 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Offertory Anthem Sing Out Hosanna! The Chancel Choir will be joined by the Creative Kids for Christ *Doxology and Prayer of Dedication Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below, Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ The table of our Lord is at the center of life as a Christian community and stands as an invitation to the fullness of life that God intends for each of us. At the table we celebrate the promises of our baptism, that Christ can be alive in us and we in Him. Our Lord invites all of God s baptized to His table regardless of age, denominational connection or social status. The choice to commune at this particular table is yours; however, please do not feel obligated. Invitation to The Lord s Table Words of Institution Prayer of Consecration The Lord s Prayer [in unison] [sung] Sharing the Elements [Partake of the elements when you are served.] Communion Music: You Satisfy the Hungry Heart by Robert E. Kreutz Prayer of Thanksgiving *Hymn - #89 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna *An Invitation to Christian Discipleship *Benediction and Congregational Response Amen, Amen, Amen Flowers in the Sanctuary - The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of our son, W. Kirkland Ruffin, by his parents Anne and Willcox Ruffin.
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP APRIL 1, 2012 Palm Sunday 9:30 a.m. in First Hall ENTERING INTO THE WORD Songs of Praise and Prayer: King of Love, Eternal LIfe Has Risen We welcome Micah Harris & the Grace In Motion Dance Troupe to our Contemporary Worship Service this morning. Greeting & Prayers Creative Kids for Christ & Cherub Choir Donkey John & Phyllis Miller Children in grades K-2 are dismissed for Worship First. Children through grade 5 are invited to come forward to receive Worship Packets & a RADICOL Kid s bulletin, designed to involve them in worship. Songs: Power of the Cross, Great I Am ENCOUNTERING THE WORD Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 8: 4-22, Page 251, O.T., NRSV New Testament Reading: John 12: 12-26, Page 106, N.T., NRSV The Preached Word Add to the Community Jim Wood ENGAGING THE WORD AND THE WORLD The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ The table of our Lord is at the center of life as a Christian community and stands as an invitation to the fullness of life that God intends for each of us. At the table we celebrate the promises of our baptism, that Christ can be alive in us and we in Him. Our Lord invites all of God s baptized to His table regardless of age, denominational connection or social status. The choice to commune at this particular table is yours; however, please do not feel obligated. Words of Institution Prayer of Consecration The Lord s Prayer [in unison] [sung] Musical Offering: Thank you for the Cross Sharing the Elements Prayer of Thanksgiving Offering Our Gifts & Prayers: John 12: 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Benediction and Song of Response: Great I Am
SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES APRIL 1, 2012 For help finding a class for yourself or your child, please stop by the Welcome Center. Children and Youth Sunday School Bethlehem Babies Nursery Birth -23 months ~ 8:20-12:10 p.m. Check your child in at the Nursery Area. Little Lambs Sunday School 2-4 years old ~ 9:30 & 11 a.m. Check your child in at computers outside the children s wing. R.A.D.I.C.O.L Sunday School (Raising Awesome Disciples in Christ Our Lord) K-5th grade 9:30 & 11 a.m. Check in at computers outside the children s wing Jr. High Sunday School Grades 6-8 ~ 9:30 & 11 a.m. in the Catacombs Sr. High Sunday School Grades 9-12 ~ 9:30 in Youth Director s Office on Staff Square; 11 a.m. in the Catacombs Adult Sunday School 9:30 Basic Bible Class - Studying the Epistles of Paul (Rabbi Room) B90X- Read or Review the Bible in 90Days (Northminster House) Covenant Class - Isaiah (Northminister House) 11:05 Holy Land Group - 2nd & 4th Sundays (Northminster House) Bible Study -Study of 1 John (Northminster House) B90X- Read or Review the Bible in 90Days (Northminster House) In The Common: Free Bibles in The Loft & Sermon DVDs, free for visitors. A Special Gift for Visitors: First-time visitors receive a copy of Donald Miller s book, Searching for God Knows What, found on the table in The Common. Program Staff: Andrew Callan, Minister of Administration - andrew@fpcnorfolk.org Lucy Gates, Director of Family & Children s Ministries - lucy@fpcnorfolk.org Hunter Mackey Johnston, Children s Ministry Coordinator - hunter@fpcnorfolk.org Kristine Rand, Director of Prayer & Spiritual Growth - kristine@fpcnorfolk.org Josh Whitaker, Director of Youth & Young Adults - josh@fpcnorfolk.org Sheryl Wood, Mission Outreach Coordinator - sheryl@fpcnorfolk.org Annie Blakey, Director of Youth Ministries - annie@fpcnorfolk.org