Welcome to Worship at First Presbyterian Church Neenah, Wisconsin We re delighted that you re here! With the open arms of Christ, we welcome persons of every age, ability, race, or ethnicity fully into the life of the church, recognizing and respecting all sexual orientations and gender identities. 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. Childcare (infants and toddlers through 2 years old) is available in the nursery located next to the Fellowship Hall. 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. The audio portion of the second service can be heard in the Chapel, where you and your child are also welcome. Worship Bags and Bibles for Children are available near the entrances of the Chapel and the Sanctuary, as are booster seats to make your child more comfortable. 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: Please learn more about us at our website, www.firstpresneenah.org, and Like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/firstpresneenah, for updates on church activities. New Members being received at the 10:15 a.m. service are: Colyn Bloy and Kristina Price, Denise, Jeff, and Adam Burkett, Carol Fay, Duane Hambleton, Reneé Marks, Charles Stertz, Mary Jane Waite, and June Wamsley. Please join us immediately following the service for cake, coffee and fellowship to meet our new members. Today s Ministers of Welcome: Greeters: Deacon Sandy Hoppe and Elder Bob Merriam. Ushers: Sara Stertz and Art McFarland at 8:00 a.m. and Jack Speech and Dave Struensee at 10:15 a.m. Coffee Hostess: Susan Merriam. 1
October 2, 2016 Service for the Lord s Day World Communion Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. As the prelude begins, please prepare quietly for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off. Prelude Blest Be the Tie That Binds arr. Emma Lou Diemer God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven arr. Michael Burkhardt * Call to Worship (Adapted from a Eucharistic prayer by Brian Wren and Betsy King, in Let All the World, ed. Wendy Robins, USPG, 1990) We come to Christ s table. We bring bread made by many people s work, from a world where a few have plenty while many go hungry. We come to Christ s table. We bring wine made by many people s work, from a world where a few have leisure while many struggle to survive. We bring to Christ s table: our witness against hunger, our cry against injustice, and our hope for a world in which God is fully known and every child is fed. We come to Christ s table. Let us worship God. * Processional Hymn 265 Jesus Shall Reign Where er the Sun DUKE STREET * Prayer of Confession (Adapted from a prayer by Christopher Ellis in Bread of Tomorrow, ed. Janet Morely, Christian Aid, 1992) O God, you are the breath of all creation, and you offer new life in your Son. Forgive us for closed minds that prefer even the pain of the past to the uncertainty of a new way of life. Forgive us our closed eyes that are blind to opportunities of service and love. Forgive us our closed ears, plugged against the cries of the oppressed. Forgive us our closed hearts, which limit our love to ourselves and our own. Forgive us. Free us. Open us to your forgiveness and your transforming love. (Moment for silent prayers of confession) * Congregational Response Hymn 579 Lord, Have Mercy KYRIE ELEISON * Assurance of Pardon 2
* Congregational Response Hymn 628 Praise, I Will Praise You, Lord JE LOUERAI L'ÉTERNEL * The Peace The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. (You are invited to share the Peace greeting with your neighbor saying: The peace of Christ be with you, and the neighbor responding, And also with you. ) Welcome and Invitation to Our Church Life Welcoming New Members (10:15) A Time for Children (10:15) (Following A Time for Children those who are 3 yrs 1 st grade are welcome to follow a teacher to the Wee Worship room.) Prayer for Illumination Scripture Readings Psalm 37:1-9 Jaeseung Chin reading in Korean then in unison (10:15) Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in God, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in God, and God will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to God; trust in God, and God will act. God will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before God, and wait patiently for God; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for our God shall inherit the land. 3
Luke 17:5-10 Pew Bible (NT) p. 80 Response: For the word of God in Scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, Thanks be to God! Sermon Terry Hamilton-Poore * Hymn 505 The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing THE FEAST IS READY (at 10:15 service: Stanza 1, choir, Stanzas 2 & 3, All) Sharing of Our Gifts and Offerings (Please sign and pass the Fellowship Pads, noting other names as they are returned, and greet one another after the service.) Offertory Great Is Thy Faithfulness (8:00) arr. Don Wyrtzen Blake Doss, piano One Faith, One Hope, One Lord (10:15) Chancel Choir Craig Courtney * Offertory Response Hymn 607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD HUNDREDTH 4
The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Invitation to the Table Great Prayer of Thanksgiving (Adapted from Beauty and Suffering: God s Holy Planet, A Service of Holy Communion for World Communion Sunday, by Ashley Goff) The Lord be with you. And also with you. 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 all creation, of every land and creature, we thank you for how the light came out of darkness, for the division of the waters and dry land, for creating the whole planet up and through the cosmos and calling it good. We thank you for creating us in your image to reflect your goodness, wisdom, and love, for the gift of life, speech, and movement and freedom to live in your Way. Moses revealed your vision in commandments. Your prophets unleashed cries for justice when your planet s beauty and human relationships were violated. Through long generations we have ebbed and flowed with suffering and sorrow, healing and renewal. In the most beautiful and oppressive of times, You still call us beloved. You are full of wonder and awe, O God. Your ways are just and prophetic. With all of creation in all times and places, with our brothers and sisters around your planet we sing to you in one voice: 5
* Hymn 565 Holy, Holy, Holy SANCTUS (Haugen) Holy God, Creator of milk and honey, of wheat and grapes, this table has over time been a symbol of restoration and community, a call to remembrance. And so we remember how Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this to remember me. In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant, sealed in my blood, poured out for all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, to remember me. Draw us into thanksgiving for your holy welcome at this table and the power it gives us to work for justice and peace in your name. 6
We share bread and wine from your global planet, symbolizing both suffering and beauty, and the need for freedom on every continent, in every village, town and city. As we are fed with the bread and cup of community, root us firmly in your vision of justice intended for your One Body. May this taste of your peaceable realm move us to share your welcome with all who live and breathe on your planet. As we drink the cup and consume the bread may your Spirit be with us, enlivening us with courage and hope to join together in the sacred work of restoring your planet and all of humanity to wholeness and peace. Prayers of Intercession and Petition and the Lord s Prayer 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 the Bread and Cup All are welcome at this meal. At the indication of the usher, please come forward to the front to receive the bread and cup. Take a piece of bread from the plate, dip it in the cup and eat. The contents of the ceramic chalice and plate are gluten free. Hymn 527 Eat This Bread (Opt. A) BERTHIER Prayer After Communion Help us to rise from this table where you, the Ruler of the Universe, have served us by your own hand, that we may extend your arms of peace to a world at war. Amen. * Hymn 340 This Is My Song FINLANDIA * Charge and Benediction * Congregational Response Hymn 568 Amen AMEN (Haugen) 7
Postlude Simple Gifts arr. John Carter ***************************** *Those who are able are invited to stand. About Communion: All Christians are welcomed at the Lord s Table at First Presbyterian Church. Children are also welcomed to participate at the discretion of their parents. We invite you to join us for coffee and conversation in the Church Parlor after the 8:00 a.m. service. Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for cake, coffee and conversation after the 10:15 a.m. service to welcome our newest members. If you or a loved one wishes to see one of our pastors, please contact the church office (725-4391) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If it is after normal business hours and you are experiencing a personal or family crisis that needs immediate pastoral care, please contact Interim Pastor Terry Hamilton-Poore on her cell phone (415-686-4799) or Associate Pastor Paul Huxtable on his cell phone (850-7947). We celebrate World Communion Sunday today with a flag procession and the dedication of our Peacemaking Offering. Children and youth, please join Gina Struensee in the narthex of the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. to be part of the flag processional. We have over forty countries represented in our flag procession we hope to see you there so that they may ALL wave proudly. In the midst of conflict, God spreads a table of peace, justice, and reconciliation. Your support of the Peace & Global Witness Offering helps bring more people to that table. On this World Communion Sunday, we are reminded that God s love can heal even our deepest divisions. Offering envelopes can be found in each pew in the chapel and the sanctuary or use the Online Giving QR code on the back of this bulletin. During this Season of Peace, consider the difference your gift can make. On Sunday, October 9 th, our JOY and SPY youth groups will be participating in the Fox Cities Crop Walk. This community-wide event brings people together with a common mission: helping hungry people at home and abroad. In 2015, our church, through the JOY and SPY youth groups, raised over $900! Twenty-five percent of which supported local food banks, pantries, community gardens, and other hunger fighting initiatives right here in the Fox Valley. The other 75% helps to support the overall ministry of Church World Service, especially grassroots, hunger-fighting development efforts around the world. This year, our goal is to raise $1,000 or more. Both the JOY and SPY youth groups will be collecting donations following each service on Sunday, October 2 nd and Sunday, October 9 th. Or, you can donate online via the FPC Crop Walk page at: https://www.crophungerwalk.org/appletonwi/neenahfirstpres. The First Presbyterian Deacons are collecting non-perishable food items for distribution to struggling local-area families. Please drop off any non-perishable food items in the baskets provided by Friday, November 18 th. Please check expiration dates. 8
Adult Education takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Room #109 (the Meeting Room): Today World Communion Sunday FaithTime for Everyone! [SERVE] On this day we celebrate unity with all across the world regardless of denomination, tradition, or country. Children and youth will learn about hunger around the world and what we can do to help, and then, during worship we will celebrate with a flag procession and dedication of the Peace and Global Witness Offering. Oct 9 Decluttering and Downsizing How to Start [LOVE] Led by: Amy and Gary Cebulski Are you just plain tired of all the stuff in your home? Maybe the kids have grown and moved out on their own and you re tired of taking care of all that space? Looking to declutter an aging parents home? Amy and Gary will provide ideas and resources for donating and reselling. Please bring your ideas to share with the group as well! The 20 th Annual Presbyterian Women Fall Retreat will be held October 14 th and 15 th at Pine Lake Camp. Registration and payment are due by Friday, October 7 th. The very first retreat was led by members of the PWPCT. This year, in honor of this 20 th Annual Retreat, the PWPCT will again take the leadership role at this retreat. The team has an exciting program lined up and hopes to see you there! Check out the Volunteer From the Heart table. The table is located near the Church Office Sunday mornings, 8:45 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Stop by and sign-up to participate in the mission and ministry of our church. The Parish Nurse Office hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Please contact Susan directly to set office, home, hospital or care facility visits (church office 725-4391 or sjares@firstpresneenah.org). There is no charge for the Parish Nurse Health Ministry services. SUNDAY MORNING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 9:00 a.m. 6 th to 8 th Grade Room #B1 (the JOY room under the Fellowship Hall stage) 9:00 a.m. FaithTime for Everyone! The Fellowship Hall 9:20 a.m. Pre-K Room #106 (next to the Nursery) K to 2 nd Grade Room #108 (just off the Fellowship Hall behind the Kitchen) 3 rd to 5 th Grade Room #205 (second floor Art room) 6 th to 8 th Grade Room #B1 (the JOY room under the Fellowship Hall stage) Grades 9 th to 12 th are invited to share their gifts in any of the following ways: singing in the choir, baking for and hosting coffee hour, ushering, serving communion, teaching in Faith Time classes, or attending Adult Christian Education held most Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Meeting room. See Gina Struensee for ways to become involved. Please stop by the information desk in the lobby if you have any questions about educational opportunities or room locations. 9
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First Presbyterian Church Neenah Presents Ernest Shackleton s The Endurance Friday, October 21 st Lunch served at noon/program follows First Presbyterian Church 200 Church St., Neenah in the Fellowship Hall ALL ARE WELCOME Cost is $7.00 and includes a lunch of beef stew, assorted breads, waldorf salad, lemon meringue pie, and beverages. (Homemade and served by the Church Ladies. ) You must register by Friday, October 14 th to attend Contact the church office at 920-725-4391 to register Rochelle Pennington Rochelle Pennington will narrate the harrowing and miraculous story of Polar Explorer Ernest Shackleton s ten month experience aboard the ice-moored Endurance and the 850 mile lifeboat trek to the closest outpost. This is truly the voyage that defined heroism! SPONSORED BY THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEENAH FRIENDS GROUP AND PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN. The Endurance exhibition was developed by the American Museum of Natural History with generous underwriting support from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Cullman, 3rd. Images by Frank Hurley from the collections of The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), the Scott Polar Research Center, and the State Library of New South Wales. 11
This Week Sunday, October 2 - Communion - New Members Received - Noisy Offering - Peace & Global Witness Offering Received - World Communion Sunday 8:00 a.m. Worship in the Chapel 9:00 a.m. Session 9:00 a.m. Faith Time for Everyone! 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir 10:15 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 1:45 p.m. Women s Outdoor Adventure Group 3:45 p.m. 6:30 p.m. SPY Apple Picking at Star Orchard 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. JOY Fellowship Monday, October 3 5:30 p.m. SPRC Mtg 7:00 p.m. Elder/Deacon Gathering Tuesday, October 4 Wednesday, October 5 10:00 a.m. Friendship Circle 12:30 p.m. Open Assisted Computer Lab 6:30 p.m. Happy Friends 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee Mtg Thursday, October 6 9:00 a.m. Knitting Circle 5:00 p.m. Worship Committee Mtg 6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir 8:30 a.m. Retired Men s Breakfast 5:00 p.m. Yoga 6:00 p.m. Jubiloso Quartet 6:30 p.m. Christian Education Committee Mtg 7:00 p.m. Praise Ringers 12
Sunday, October 9 - Baptisms - CROP Walk 8:00 a.m. Worship in the Chapel 9:00 a.m. Adult Christian Education 9:00 a.m. Faith Time 9:00 a.m. Sit & Knit 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir 10:15 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 12:15 p.m. 2:45 p.m. JOY/SPY CROP Walk 7:00 p.m. Session Mtg Pastoral Care: Because of HIPAA laws and privacy regulations, the church does not always hear about hospitalizations of our members. If you or family members experience a hospitalization, illness, or other need for pastoral care, please call the church office so that the pastors and parish nurse may be alerted. 13
Learn about Christian faith through worship and study. We praise and honor God through music, providing musical education for all age groups. We create an educational environment for all to learn and grow in faith. We welcome new viewpoints into our discussions of faith through challenging sermons and by being open and honest as a congregation. Love our neighbors as Jesus taught. We invite and welcome persons of any age, ability, race or ethnicity fully into the life of the church, recognizing and respecting all sexual orientations and gender identities. We nourish a sense of community and belonging through a range of weekly group activities for all ages. We organize support for church members in times of need and celebrate together in times of joy. Serve God by serving others. We strive to make a tangible, positive impact worldwide through regular service projects and yearly mission trips for youth and adults. We commit our time, talents, and financial resources to the life of the church and toward the wellbeing of the community. We cherish ongoing traditions in the church while exploring new ways to show gratitude and generosity. 14
All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net, License A-716949 First Presbyterian Church 200 Church Street Neenah, WI 54956 (920) 725-4391 E-mail: firstpresneenah@firstpresneenah.org Interim Pastor: Terry Hamilton-Poore Associate Pastor: Paul Huxtable Director of Christian Education: Gina Struensee Director of Music: Stephen Sieck Organist: Blake Doss Office Administration Coordinator: Cindy Kreis Office Assistant: Michelle Weber Parish Nurse: Susan Jares Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel 10:15 a.m. in the Nave Nursery care available during both services Visit our website: www.firstpresneenah.org Finance and HR Coordinator: Laurie Stafford Facilities Maintenance Coordinator: Mick Horswill Housekeeper: Emily Buksyk Handbell Program Coordinator: Paul McKlveen Faith Time Music Director : David Pecsi Youth Handbell Choir: Tanya Schroeder Nursery Care Givers: Lauren Jares, Michelle Lewis and Nikki Van Herwynen 15