First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship October 15, 2017 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. You are invited to use the time before the service to prepare your heart and mind for worship. In consideration of others, please silence your cell phones. Preparation Prelude Fugue in E-flat (St. Anne) Johann Sebastian Bach Words of Welcome The Reverend Pen Peery *Call to Worship Adoration One: We gather in awe, All: standing in the presence of the one who crafted the stars, the mountains, the seas. One: We gather in faith, All: trusting that the one who has held little children holds our lives in the heart of God. One: We gather in need, All: seeking the one who longs for justice to grace each and every person in creation. *Hymn No. 624 I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art toulon Stanzas 1, 3 and 5
Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession All: Confession The Reverend Katherine Kerr God be merciful to me, a sinner in the company of sinners. Too often we hide be neath the veil of religion or trust in the good things we do. Seemingly safe in our pews, we look down on those who are not here, thankful that we are not like them. Yet the truth is, we are. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of the people you call us to be. Cleanse and restore us for the sake of Jesus, our Savior. Amen. One: In silent prayer, let us confess to God the things we choose not to speak aloud. Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. A time of silence will be kept. *Response (Hymn No. 581) gloria patri 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. Charlie is the son of Meredith and Jonathan Schulz. Clara-Margaret is the daughter of Millicent and Rob O Connor. Sacrament of Baptism (9 a.m.) Hymn No. 188 Sacrament of Baptism Edward Charles Schulz (11 a.m.) Clara-Margaret Mary O Connor jesus loves me Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. They are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. *Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayer for Illumination Proclamation The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at www.firstpres-charlotte.org. Scripture Romans 7:14-25 pew Bible pg. 157 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
Offertory Anthem God of Grace arr. Paul Langston God of grace and God of glory on thy people pour thy power. Crown thine ancient church s story; bring her bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom; grant us courage for the facing of this hour. Lo! The hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways! Fears and doubts too long have bound us; free our hearts to work and praise. Grant us wisdom; grant us courage for the living of these days. Set our feet on lofty places; gird our lives that they may be armored with all Christ-like grace in the fight to set men free. Grant us wisdom; grant us courage, that we fail not man nor thee. Amen. The sanctuary flowers are given in honor of the baptism of Clara-Margaret Mary O Connor. Scripture Psalm 90:1-12 pew Bible pg. 547 Sermon Reformation at 500: Control The Reverend Pen Peery *Hymn No. 329 God Is Our Refuge and Strength winchester old Prayers of the People Response Stewardship of Life Eastern North Carolina and Mexico Mission Trips Presentation of Tithes and Offering Offertory Anthem The Reverend Erika Funk Musical Offering by Estrellas del Tejar O Dios, Revélame tu Voluntad (Oh God, Reveal to Me Your Will) Sin Fronteras (Without Borders) *Doxology old hundredth 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 rosebuds in the sanctuary celebrate the births of John Andrew (Johnny) and Wesley Cree (Wes) Walton, sons of Carroll and Gus Walton; Francis Marion (Fox) Kirk, III, son of Martha and Robbie Kirk; and Robert Wilson (Bo)McCrory, son of Lauren and Wilson McCrory. *Prayer of Dedication 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. Sending Forth *Hymn No. 687 Our God, Our Help in Ages Past st. anne Stanzas 1, 3, 5 and 6 *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Amen dresden Postlude Voluntary on St. Anne Healey Willan A time of personal prayer is offered following both services. If you would like to pray with a pastor and a member of our prayer team, please meet them in the sanctuary overflow area after the 9 a.m. service or in the chapel following the 11 a.m. service. * Please stand if you are able.
We are glad you are with us today! We welcome all to First Presbyterian Church as we worship together, knowing that each of us is a beloved part of the body of Christ. Our Pastors Pendleton B. Peery Senior Pastor ppeery@firstpres-charlotte.org Erika Funk Associate Pastor for Mission efunk@firstpres-charlotte.org Katelyn M. Gordon Associate Pastor for Christian Formation kgordon@firstpres-charlotte.org Katherine C. Kerr Senior Associate Pastor for Congregational Ministry and Care kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org Charles C. Williamson Parish Associate cwilliamson@firstpres-charlotte.org William P. Young, III Director of Music Ministries wyoung@firstpres-charlotte.org Are you interested in joining our church? Contact Lucy Caldwell Membership Coordinator lcaldwell@firstpres-charlotte.org Pastor on call If you have a pastoral emergency outside of regular church hours, dial 704.927.0256 for the on-call voicemail. Your call will be returned promptly. 200 West Trade Street Charlotte, NC 28202 www.firstpres-charlotte.org 704.332.5123 News and Announcements worship We worship in ways that speak of God s majesty, mystery and love. Reformation Worship Series This sermon series begins today and continues through October 29, as we recognize the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. October 22 Priesthood of All Believers, The Reverend Katherine Kerr preaching (Exodus 19:1-6 and 1 Peter 2:4-10) October 29 Always Being Reformed, The Reverend Pen Peery preaching (Acts 8:26-40 and John 15:1-8) Bless Our Teachers On Sunday, October 29, during the 11 a.m. service, we will offer a blessing for teachers, including teachers from our partner schools, Westerly Hills Academy, Lakewood Preschool and the Bilingual Preschool, as well as those from the FPC schools and our members in the teaching profession. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. The Fall Fest is Next Sunday! Come and be with our uptown neighbors and friends as we celebrate life together next Sunday from 4-6 pm. Hear the Little Big String Band, enjoy a docent tour of the Fresco, nosh on goodies from food trucks such as The Dumpling Lady and Two Chicks and a Truck, bring bread and canned pasta to our Loaves and Fishes food pantry, get treats at Trunk or Treat and pet some critters at our petting zoo. There is something for everyone! Invite your friends! Check out the event page on Facebook. Habitat Build First Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity and the Center City Church Partners continue work building two houses for families in Charlotte, and you re invited to help. Build dates continue through November 18. Details and the link to sign up are on the Now@FPC page on the website. learn Through study at every age and stage, we aim to become more Christlike and deepen our relationship with our Lord. Opportunity Forum: Lunch & Learn The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force Report identified education as a key strategy for improving opportunities for upward mobility in Charlotte. Please join us on Sunday, October 29 at 12 pm in the Wood Fellowship Hall to hear Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox speak on Cultivating a Community Committed to Education. RSVP online at www.bit.ly/ ClaytonWilcoxFPC. FPC Youth Sixth through twelfth graders are invited to register now for Presbyterian Youth Connection (PYC). Fees cover all Sunday night youth program meals and activites. Visit http://bit.ly/fpcpyc2017 to register online. care We aim to provide support, prayer, love and acts of compassion as we seek to draw closer to one another in community. Understanding Mental Illness First, Covenant, and Myers Park Presbyterian Churches will co-host this four-week series at Covenant church. Dinner is available at 5:30 p.m. for $7. Please call 704.333.9071 for a dinner reservation. Childcare is available. October 25: One Woman s Story about Living with Mental Illness, Beth Purdy November 1: Mental Illness as a Disease of the Brain, Kevin Marra, MD November 8: The Need for Early Mental Illness Detection in Adolescents and Teens, Dr. Bradley Reddick November 15: Navigating Mental Health Care in Charlotte, Martha Whitecotton Flower Ministry The last offering from the Flower Ministry for 2017 will be after the 11 a.m. service today. Flowers from the sanctuary will be used to make smaller arrangements. You are invited to take one to share with anyone whose day will be brightened knowing our congregation is thinking of them.
*Hymn No. 624 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art Stanzas 1, 3 and 5 1 I greet thee, who my sure Redeemer art, my only trust and Savior of my heart, who pain didst undergo for my poor sake; I pray thee from our hearts all cares to take. 5 Our hope is in no other save in thee; our faith is built upon thy promise free; Lord, give us peace, and make us calm and sure, that in thy strength we evermore endure. 3 Thou art the life, by which alone we live, and all our substance and our strength receive; sustain us by thy faith and by thy power, and give us strength in every trying hour. *Hymn No. 329 God is Our Refuge and Our Strength 1 God is our refuge and our strength, our ever-present aid, and therefore, though the earth be moved, we will not be afraid; 2 Though hills amid the seas be cast, though foaming waters roar, yea, though the mighty billows shake the mountains on the shore. 3 Where God abides a river flows; that city will rejoice. But nations fear and kingdoms shake before God s thundering voice. 4 Since God is in the midst of it, the city walls shall stand, secure and safe with God s sure help, when trouble is at hand. *Hymn No. 687 1 Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home: 2 Beneath the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure. 3 Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same. Our God, Our Help in Ages Past 4 A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun. 5 Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all our years away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day. 6 Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while life shall last, and our eternal home.