First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship October 22, 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 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Johann Christoph Bach Johann Walther Words of Welcome Adoration The Reverend Katherine Kerr *Call to Worship One: Come, people of God! Let us sing the praises of the one who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light! All: For once we were not a people at all, but now we are God s people! One: Let us worship God. *Hymn No. 645 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above mit freuden zart
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 Erika Funk Merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have of fended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults and restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. 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. Prayer for Illumination Proclamation Scripture is one of the primary ways we learn about who God is and how God wants us to live. For the past month, FPC 3 rd graders have participated in a class to learn about the Bible: what s in it, how to read it, why it s important to us as people of faith. We celebrate with these 3 rd graders as they continue to grow in their faith and their relationship with God. Scripture Exodus 19:1-6 pew Bible pg. 65 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Anthem (11 a.m.) Somebody s Knockin arr. Ken Berg Carol and Kirk Choirs Somebody s knockin at your door. Somebody s prayin for your soul. Somebody s singin Hallelu! Oh, sinner, why don t you answer? Somebody s knockin at your door. Time with Children Third Grade Bible Presentation (11 a.m.) Children in kindergarten and above are encouraged to remain in worship. Younger children may go to the nursery. The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at www.firstpres-charlotte.org. Scripture 1 Peter 2:4-10 pew Bible pg. 233 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon The Reverend Katherine Kerr Reformation at 500: The Priesthood of All Believers *Hymn No. 727 Will You Let Me Be Your Servant the servant song *Affirmation of Faith The Reverend Katelyn Gordon 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. Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Loaves and Fishes Presentation of Tithes and Offering Response Diane Carey Offertory Anthem Glorious Everlasting M. Thomas Cousins Glorious, everlasting, I will praise Thee, O Lord among the people; I will sing unto Thee among the nations. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above the earth. *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. *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. 81 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken austrian hymn *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Amen danish Postlude We Believe in One True God Johann Sebastian Bach There, where you and they are - you, all of you, are the ministry of the Word. This does not mean that you are competent to deal with God for yourself. It means rather that you are competent and responsible to deal with God with and for the neighbor. -Carlyle Marney Part of our offering today goes to the Ten-Cents-A- Meal program, a hunger relief and at-risk youth ministry of the Presbytery of Charlotte. Children and families will pass baskets after the offering plates to collect this offering. 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 continues through next week as we recognize the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. 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 educators in our congregation, our partner schools, Westerly Hills Academy, Lakewood Preschool and the Bilingual Preschool, and FPC schools. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. Cuba Mission Team Learn more about the Cuba mission team during the Passages Sunday School class on November 12 or the Good Samaritan class on November 19. Or contact Elizabeth Little at 252.723.8653 or via email at eliz. little@gmail.com. Moving Ministry Three hours of your time on Saturday, November 11, can help someone transitioning from homelessness into a safe and comfortable home. Eight slots are available on this Ministry Team, which delivers furniture from the Crisis Assistance Furniture Bank.This is a great service and fellowship opportunity for middle school age youth through adult. Sign up online at http://bit.ly/movingministry. Habitat Build This year s Habitat for Humanity build for two families in Charlotte concludes in November and there are still opportunities to help. 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 http://bit.ly/claytonwilcoxfpc. 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. 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 Motherless Moms Support Group Motherless Moms is a support group for women grieving the loss of their mothers as they are raising children. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at noon in the Frances Browne Dining Room for conversation and support. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch. For more information, please contact Katherine Kerr (kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org).
*Hymn No. 645 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above 1 Sing praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation, the God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation. With healing balm my soul is filled, and every faithless murmur stilled: 2 What God s almighty power has made God s gracious mercy keepeth; by morning glow or evening shade God s watchful eye ne er sleepeth. Within the kingdom of God s might, lo! all is just and all is right: *Hymn No. 727 1 Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. 2 We are pilgrims on a journey; we re together on the road. We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. 3 I will hold the Christ-light for you in the nighttime of your fear. I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. Will You Let Me Be Your Servant 3 The Lord is never far away, but, through all grief distressing, an ever-present help and stay, our peace and joy and blessing, as with a mother s tender hand God gently leads the chosen band: 4 Thus all my toilsome way along I sing aloud thy praises, that all may hear the grateful song my voice unwearied raises. Be joyful in the Lord, my heart; both soul and body, take your part: 4 I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow till we ve seen this journey through. 5 When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, born of all we ve known together of Christ s love and agony. 6 Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. *Hymn No. 81 1 Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God. God, whose word cannot be broken, formed thee for a blest abode. On the rock of ages founded, what can shake thy sure repose? With salvation s walls surrounded, thou may st smile at all thy foes. Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken 3 See, the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love, well supply thy sons and daughters and all fear of want remove. Who can faint while such a river ever flows, their thirst to_assuage? Grace, so like the Lord the giver, never fails from age to age. 2 Round each habitation hovering, see the cloud and fire appear for a glory and a covering, showing that the Lord in near. Thus deriving from their banner light by night and shade by day, safe they feed upon the manna which God gives them when they pray.