Reformation Sunday November 1, 2015 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Cover Symbol No. 1 - Holy Trinity Explanation of the Cover Symbol The Shield of the Holy Trinity: Found frequently in stained glass windows of medieval churches, this emblem expresses the Christian doctrine of the triunity of Almighty God. Positively, two affirmations are made about each person of the Godhead. Reading from the center circle outward: God (Deus) is (est) Father (P is for Pater), God is Son (F is for Filius), and God is Holy Spirit (SS is for Spiritus Sanctus). Reading from the outer circles inward: The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Negatively, two affirmations are likewise made about each person of the Godhead. Reading clockwise and counterclockwise from one outer circle to the other two: The Father is not (non est) the Son or the Holy Spirit, the Son is not the Father or the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father or the Son. FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Presbyterian Church in America 620 South Shirley Tacoma, Washington 98465 Ministers: Robert S. Rayburn, Richard H. DeMass, Steven A. Nicoletti 253-752-7601 fpc@faithtacoma.org www.faithtacoma.org Reformation Sunday November 1, 2015 Upon entering the sanctuary please maintain silence for the sake of the congregation s preparation for worship, and please make sure electronic devices are off or using silent mode. Prelude Prelude and Fugue in A Major (BWV 536) J. S. Bach (1685-1750) Welcome and Announcements +Silent Prayer God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! --from Psalm 46 (ESV) Call to Worship Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8 (ESV) *Hymn of Praise to God
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God No. 92 +Confession of Sin Silent Prayer Corporate Prayer Lord God! Eternal and Almighty Father, we acknowledge and confess before your holy majesty, that we are poor sinners, conceived and born in guilt and in corruption, prone to do evil, unable of ourselves to do any good, who, by reason of our depravity, transgress without end your holy commandments. Therefore, we have drawn upon ourselves, by your just sentence, condemnation and death. But, Oh Lord! with heartfelt sorrow we repent and deplore our offenses. We condemn ourselves and our evil ways, with true penitence beseeching that your grace may relieve our distress. Be pleased to have compassion upon us, O most gracious God! Father of all mercies, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And in removing our guilt and our pollution, grant us the daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit, that acknowledging from our inmost hearts our own unrighteousness, we may be touched with sorrow that shall work true repentance, and that Your Spirit, mortifying all sin within us, may produce the fruits of holiness and of righteousness well pleasing in your sight. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --John Calvin s Genevan Service Book Assurance of Pardon The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I Timothy 1:15 (ESV) *Confession of Faith Q. How are you right with God? A. Only by the true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God's commandments and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart. Heidelberg Catechism, No. 60 *Hymn of Faith in Jesus Christ I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art No. 168 Worship of God with Tithes and Offerings Ein' Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott ("A Mighty Fortress...").J. N. Hanff (1663-1771) Now blessed be the Lord our God, the God of Israel, For he alone does wondrous works in glory that excel. And blessed be His glorious Name to all eternity: The whole earth let His glory fill. Amen, so let it be. Psalm 72:18-19 *Congregational Petitions and the Lord s Prayer Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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. Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV) Scripture Lesson Acts 4:23-31 (ESV p. 912) Sermon Christian Courage Offering for the Deacons Fund "Blessed Trinity"... Edward Elgar (1857-1934) The Lord s Supper The general order of communion will be back to front, with the balcony coming first. As the minister begins to serve those distributing the elements, that is your signal to come forward. However, individuals may commune at any time during the distribution of the elements. Wine will be found in the outside tray, grape juice in the inside tray. If you need to be served in your pew, please notify an elder or deacon. Gluten free bread is available upon request. You are welcome to participate in the Lord s Supper if you are a baptized Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, and a faithful member or adherent of this or some other congregation, recognized as belonging to the fellowship of Christian believers. If this does not describe you, we are glad you are here and commend to you this prayer for your use during the time of the Lord s Supper. Jesus, You claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following You as I consider the reasons for doing so. Please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who You are. Give me an understanding of You that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that You promise. Amen. Jesus, precious Jesus, name above all names below. You are holy, You are worthy, Fairest of ten thousand to my soul. Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son. Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul s glory, joy, and crown. Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, Robed in the blooming garb of spring. Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing. Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling starry host. Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast. Beautiful Savior! Lord of all nations! Son of god and son of man.
Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine. Jesus, precious Jesus, name above all names below. You are holy, You are worthy, Fairest of ten thousand to my soul. Words and Music by Joseph M. Martin Hymn Fear Not, O Little Flock No. 566 Reading of Scripture Galatians 3:1-9, 10-14 (ESV p. 973) *Hymn Our God, Our Help in Ages Past No. 30 (Psalm 90) *Benediction +Silent Prayer Almighty God, my entire hope is exclusively in your very great mercy. Grant what you command, and command what you will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Adapted from Augustine s Confessions I have longed for Thy saving health, O Lord; Thy law is my delight, O Lord. O let my soul live and it shall praise Thee, And Thy judgments shall help me. William Byrd/arr. Alfred Whitehead Postlude *Congregation standing +The congregation is invited to kneel CCLI License #751114 Sunday November 1 Morning Worship Sunday School Choir Rehearsal Evening Service Welcome & Announcement Elders Steve O Ban Phil German Congregational Petitions Leaders Jason Van Gilder & 9:45 am 4:30 pm
Robert Schuster Nursery Schedule Mandie, Victoria and Julia Lenzo Dana Isenberger & Tina LeFebvre Beth James & Emma St. John Kathy Hannula & Joan Smith Coffee/Tea Hosts Patsi Arkin Jim & Janie Irwin Patsi Arkin Church Library Volunteer Megan & Marilyn Schlaudraff Building Monitors Paul Darby Nick Heermann Monday November 2 -Better English on Sixth Tuesday November 3 -Ladies Bible Study, WIC Room 117 -Samson Society, WIC Room 117 Nursery Sunday School Combined Nursery Prep for 11:00 Service 9:40-10:50 am 6:30-8:30 pm 9:30 am-12:00 pm 7:00-8:00 pm Wednesday November 4 -Prayer Meeting, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary. The Devil is aware that one hour of close fellowship, hearty converse with God in prayer, is able to pull down what he hath been contriving and building many a year. --John Flavel -Jr. High Youth Group 7:00-8:30 pm -Sr. High Youth Group 7:00-8:30 pm -Treble Choir 7:00-8:15 pm Friday November 6 -Better English on Sixth Language Partner Dinner Saturday November 7 -Messiah Rehearsal -Meghan Johnston Wedding Shower, WIC Room 117 Next Sunday November 8 Morning Worship Sunday School Choir Rehearsal Evening Service 9:00- -1:00 pm & 9:45 am 4:30 pm
Welcome & Announcement Elders Ryan Gross Don Mellott Congregational Petitions Leaders Chad Isenberger Jim Sheridan Nursery Schedule Dolly & Ruthie Larson Jennifer Sullivan & Kathryn Schuster Marcia Brodersen & Becky Wilson Dawn & Haylee Darby Coffee/Tea Hosts Blake & Terri Hurlbut Ray & Carole Weigley Tina LeFebvre Church Library Volunteer Mary Johnson Building Monitors Joe Lethbridge Andrew Milton Nursery Sunday School Combined Nursery Prep for 11:00 Service 9:40-10:50 am Upcoming Events November 15 Family Fun Luncheon November 19 Wedding Shower for Rachel Gary November 26 Thanksgiving Worship Service November 29 First Sunday in Advent December 6 Messiah Presentation This Evening We are still just getting started in James, the New Testament s one book of wisdom. Tonight we take up verses 5-11, which like many passages in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, do not seem obviously connected to anything else in the passage, but are immensely valuable counsel for any and every Christian. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, Adult Sunday School Today All of the adult Sunday School classes, with the exception of the Foundation Class (Room 304), will meet in the Sanctuary for a time of reflection and prayer for our brothers and sisters around the globe led by Elder Dick Hannula. The regular schedule will resume next Sunday, November 8. Diaconate Update Your Faith Presbyterian Diaconate would like to extend our appreciation to the congregation for their generous support of our Diaconal ministries. Over just this past month your contributions have enabled us to send a gift to aid Syrian refugees in Europe, continue to build our partnership with the Naomi, Ruth, and
Boaz ministry that provides transitional housing to families in Pierce County, and extend financial assistance to two of our Faith families with health and financial concerns. So again, we thank you for allowing us to minister to others in the name of Christ on your behalf. Wedding Shower for Meghan Johnston This Saturday Ladies of Faith, we will gather this Saturday, November 7th at 11 a.m. in the WIC room to shower Meghan with love as she prepares for her upcoming marriage. Meghan became a Christian through the ministry of our youth group during her high school years and was baptized here at Faith. She is currently away at college and worships with us when she is at home. There will be a box in the narthex if you want to contribute to the group gift. Meghan is registered at Target and Macy s. Please plan to join us! CHS Madrigal Feast Tickets Available Now You are invited to attend the Madrigal Feast and Dessert Auction on Friday, December 11 th at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for a medieval evening of music, theatrics and food all to support the Covenant High School scholarship fund. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased after services in the narthex Sunday mornings and evenings, or from the school office (253-759-9570). Tickets are also available for purchase on-line at chstacoma.org. The event will be held in DeSoto hall. Purchase your tickets soon as there is limited seating. Sign-up s Today for 'Sunday Dinner at the Rayburn's' Family Fun Luncheon Fill out your sign-up sheet and put it in the box in the Narthex today or next week and plan to attend this fun event! Enjoy a delicious Rayburn meal, happy fellowship, and fun entertainment. Sign up to set a table or entertain us during the variety show. Luncheon is Sunday, November 15th after the 2nd service. Sacred Road Christmas Gifts It s time again to begin collecting gifts for the Hope Fellowship Christmas service at Sacred Road Ministries on the Yakama Indian Reservation. The list is similar to last year: Hello Kitty gifts for the girls and Super Hero gifts for the boys. For the junior and senior high we are collecting cash donations for customdesigned Youth Group sweatshirts. Another option is to donate Wal-Mart gift cards in any denomination. The girls and boys gifts may be placed, unwrapped, in the box in the narthex. Cash donations and Wal- Mart gift cards should be given to Sean or Margo Kelly or to Phil or Evelyn German. The deadline to donate is Sunday, November 22. Interested in Theological Study? Plans are underway to offer in our area seminary level courses in biblical, systematic, and practical theology in connection with Covenant Theological Seminary. The seminary will issue graduate level credit for courses completed in exchange for tuition paid. This initiative is being sponsored by the Metro Northwest Church Planting Network, a consortium of a number of our presbytery churches. Before firm plans can be made and dates set we are looking to identify interested students. While the initiative has in view men who may be interested in the pastoral ministry, the courses will be open as well to interested lay men and women. If you have interest in enrolling in such courses would you please advise the church office? We will then forward your contact information to those organizing the project. Thanksgiving Day Service and Offering Our Thanksgiving Day service is on November 26 th at 10:00 am and will last for one hour. It is a service of hymns, testimonies, and the Lord s Supper. We will take our annual Thanksgiving Day offering for our own Presbyterian Church in America Mercy Ministries, through the Mission to North America Committee. Come prepared to offer your own public thanksgivings to the Lord and to rejoice with others in theirs.
This offering provides valuable financial support to men and women who are training for ministry leadership among the many people groups who are largely unreached by the Presbyterian Church in America. Through the Thanksgiving Offering supported by PCA churches and individual members, you have the opportunity to invest in future leaders of the denomination and the opportunity to provide valuable resources for the advancement of the Gospel. Please make your checks payable to Faith Presbyterian Church. Music Notes The musical prelude for today's Evening Worship begins at 5:40 p.m. Music will include 17th and 18th century variations on the tune commonly sung to that Reformation staple, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." Special thanks to Jonathan Feucht for playing the beautiful prelude for today's morning worship. Special thanks to all who gave yet another lovely presentation of Elijah selections on October 18's evening prelude. The choir and soloists (Heidi Bone, Daniel Roberts and Nico Roberts) brought the biblical narrative alive with power and beauty. Thank you too, to Florence Rayburn and Maddie Lee under whose leadership on podium and piano the full performance of this Mendelssohn masterwork will become a reality on Sunday evening, April 24, 2016. (At that time, Courtney Dey and Ross Hauck will also be soloists, and Evangeline Wykoff will accompany at FPC's newly renovated organ.) Choristers our choir of young treble voices, continues to rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. under Melissa McMillan's direction. We thank her as well as Marie Seifert for her assistance and Amy Lawty for her piano accompaniment. Choristers will next sing in worship on November 22, 5:40 p.m. evening prelude. Messiah choir gets underway on Saturday, November 7, preparing for a December 6 concert. Singers experienced in singing Messiah are encouraged to participate. Music readers who will commit to learning their parts, including younger musicians, are welcome to participate, too. Of course, faithful attendance to all the rehearsals is expected. Rehearsal schedule is posted on acmusicians.org. Please register, so we can have your music notebook ready for you. The Christmas portion of G. F. Handel's masterwork, Messiah, will be presented at FPC on the second Sunday of Advent, December 6, 6:00 p.m. Soloists are Dia Murphy, Margaret Eby, Ross Hauck and Daniel Roberts. A string ensemble will accompany the soloists. Invite your friends and neighbors for a festive evening of music honoring our Lord Jesus Christ! ACM Recital Competition is an annual scholarship event for young Christian musicians on April 2, 2016. Parents and students (ages 8-19) are encouraged to begin preparing for this now. The purse of prizes for a dozen winners is $2,000. For more information, visit acmusicians.org. College & Career Group Our college & career group meets twice a month: once for a social gathering and once for a small-groupstyle gathering. Our current upcoming schedule is: November 7: Social Gathering (7:00 pm) November 21: Small Group Gathering (7:30 pm) For more information, and to receive last minute updates and announcements, please contact Pastor Nicoletti to be added to our Facebook group or email list. Mothers Encouragement Group
Calling for all hardworking moms of young children who might be interested in a three-hour break every couple of weeks--"is the Pope Catholic?!!" We have begun our third year of meeting together on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (excepting the two holiday months) for conversation, sharing (all kinds of stuff), snacks and a hot beverage of your choice. Babysitting is provided for babies and toddlers. We meet in the lovely downstairs WIC room, sit in comfy chairs, bring knitting if you so desire and generally commiserate with and enjoy one another. We are currently discussing the book Perfecting Ourselves to Death by Dr. Richard Winter, which promises to provide us with much food for thought and discussion, our own Rachel Nicoletti leading. If you've never been to one of our meetings talk to someone who has, or just come and find out--all moms are welcome, whether you're struggling or not! (Wrap up by noon.) We want to be in the business of encouraging you in the important, relentless work of raising your children to love our God. Need more information and/or incentive to come? Contact Dawn Darby or Florence Rayburn. Men of Faith, Morning Prayer Meetings There are opportunities to meet with fellow Men of Faith for prayer each week: Wednesday mornings with Phil Perkins: We meet at Treos Cafe in Old Town Tacoma, 2312 North 30 th at 6:00 am. This meeting, which originated six years ago has continuously focused on the Psalms. Thursday morning with Thom Wilson at 6:30 am at the church. We are reading and praying through Joshua and Judges. Nursing Mothers In addition to the nursery rooms, Room #117 the Women In the Church room, is open and available for your convenience during all Worship Services. The service can be seen and heard in the WIC room. God's Breadbasket Ministry The purpose of God s Breadbasket is to provide meals for those families in need due to illness, death in the family, or the arrival of newborns. If you know of a need, please contact Kathy Haass or Alisha Bennett or the church office. Next up to provide a meal are: Lyndsay Funches, Kathy Hannula, Dolly Larson, Kris Pappuleas, Dorothy Proctor, Miriam Shelden, Becky Wilson, Tamara Woodard, Patsi Arkin, Ruth Bechtel, Kathy Case, Evelyn German, Suzan Gross and Janet Jack. Ladies, if you would like to participate in this ministry, please contact Kathy or Alisha to be added to the roster. Thank you! Women to Women Ministry There is now a ministry of mentoring by women to women here at Faith. If you would like to meet with a woman for this purpose, you may contact Debbie Mellott and she will put you in touch with one of the women providing this ministry. Hearing Assistance If you would like a device to help with hearing the worship service, please see a Deacon in the Narthex.