Fourth Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 6, 2016 First Presbyterian Church 508 West Davis Street Burlington, North Carolina 27215
Fourth Sunday in Lent Welcome Gathering around the Word This prayer is found in Prayers for Peace. This Lenten devotional contains prayers written and submitted by our very own FPC Elders Classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018! Please join in reading aloud those parts of the service printed in bold. Personal Prayer of Preparation: - from A Prayer for Peace submitted by Nan Wooten, written by David Adam. Circle me, Lord. Keep protection near and danger afar. Circle me, Lord Keep hope within. Keep doubt without. Circle me, Lord. Keep light near and darkness afar. Circle me, Lord. Keep peace within. Keep evil out. Voluntary: (8:30) The peace may be exchanged. (Rubrics) Dan Locklair (b. 1949) (11:00) Celebrate with Ringing Michael Mazzatenta (b. 1963) Carillon Choir Call to Worship: God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. God is good to all, and God s compassion is over all that God has made. All God s works shall give praise to their Creator. We bless and praise you, maker of heaven and earth. When this symbol (*) precedes an element of the service, please rise in body or spirit. *Processional Hymn No. 366: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling *Call to Confession hyfrydol *Corporate Prayer of Confession: Almighty and gracious God, you give us every reason to have confidence in you. Still, we are burdened by questions: Where are you calling us to go? From whence will our help come? How can your promises be fulfilled? Patient God, we confess our fear and lack of faith in you. We admit our confusion and resistance to your teachings. Open our minds, O God, and open our hearts, that we may know you are faithful and trust your gracious care for us.
*Silent Prayer of Confession *Congregational Response: Lord, Have Mercy land of rest *Assurance of Pardon *Congregational Response: Gloria Patri old scottish chant *Passing the Peace, Love, and Joy of Christ to Others The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Announcements Listening for the Word A Time with Children (11:00) Prayer for Illumination Psalm of the Day: Psalm 145 (1-5,8-9) setting by Hal H. Hopson The refrain is sung at the direction of the Cantor Old Testament Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a Large Print Pew Bible, page 12 Pew Bible, page 10 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Anthem (11:00): Wren s Song Anna Laura Page (b. 1943) Carol and Covenant Choirs David Vaughan, piano I see a bird up in the tree, I know he s singing a song for me. Tweedle-deedle-dee, high up in the tree. Thank you, God, for making birds to see. Tweedle-deedle-dee, high up in the tree. Thank you, God, for loving me. I see the lilies of the field soft and white, and my heart is filled. Tweedle-deedle-dee, high up in the tree. Thank you, God, for making flowers to see. Tweedle-deedle-dee, high up in the tree. Thank you, God, for loving me. New Testament Reading: John 3:1-17 Large Print Pew Bible, page 114 Pew Bible, pages 93-94 The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon: Skepticism and Wonder Responding to the Word *Hymn of Response No. 410: God is Calling through the Whisper Dr. Cynthia Rigby w zlobie lezy *Affirmation of Faith - The Belhar Confession (edited) We believe in one holy, universal Christian church, the communion of saints called from the entire human family. We believe Christ's work of reconciliation is made manifest in the church as the community of believers who have been reconciled with God and with one another. We share one faith, have one calling, are of one soul and one mind, have one God, are filled with one Spirit, are baptized with one baptism, eat of one bread and drink of one cup, confess one name, are obedient to one Lord, work for one cause, and share one hope. Together, we come to know the height and the breadth and the depth of the love of Christ; are built up to the stature of Christ, to the new humanity; know and bear one another's burdens, suffering with one another for the sake of righteousness; pray and serve God in this world.
Prayers of the People 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. Offering of Tithes and Gifts Offertory Anthem: (8:30) I Will Sing New Songs Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) Patty Philipps, soprano I will sing new songs of gladness, I will sing Jehovah s praises upon a ten-stringed psaltery. Every day will I extol Thee, and will bless Thy holy name, I will bless Thy holy name. Great is God and great His mercy; who shall tell of all His greatness? Who shall His power declare? My song shall be of praise and honor, and of Thy glorious acts, Thy works are wonderful, past our knowing. Yea, all shall tell of Thy great kindness, and of Thy wondrous might, and my voice shall proclaim aloud Thy glory. (11:00) Fairest Lord Jesus setting by Lloyd Larson (b. 1954) Text and tune found at Hymn No. 630 Carillon Choir *Congregational Response: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow old hundredth Bearing the Word into the World *Charge and Benediction *Recessional Hymn No. 826: Lift High the Cross crucifer
Announcements A Warm And Cordial Welcome is extended to all who worship with us this Sunday. We hope in this service you will encounter the living Christ and experience the warmth of our caring family of faith. Please take a moment to sign our friendship register when it is passed to you. If you are visiting with us and in search of a church home, we invite you to become a part of our church family here at First Presbyterian Church. Please let us know of your interest by way of the friendship register, or by speaking to one of our ministers. Large Print Hymns: Copies of today s hymns (large print) are available in the Narthex. Chancel Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Alex Holt by his sister, Mary Lib and nieces, Holt and Bickie. Bulletin Cover: Tree of Life, Mosaic by Irina Charny. The Tree of Life is a sacred symbol of peace between the nations in many faiths and cultures around the world. In Revelation 22, it is found in the New Heaven and New Earth, where peace will endure forever. Lenten Devotionals: Pick up your Lenten Devotional Prayers for Peace in the Welcome Center. Prayers have been written and submitted by our very own FPC Elders Classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018! A Children s Lenten Calendar is also available in Welcome Center. Spring Symposium: Our guest preacher and speaker today is Rev. Dr. Cynthia Rigby, Professor at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Dr. Rigby is preaching at both worship services and leading lectures, at 9:45 a.m. in Calvin Hall and 7:00 p.m. in the Witherspoon Room. Dr. Rigby s special area of interest is setting Reformed theologies in conversation with theologies of liberation, particularly feminist theologies. She is the author of more than thirty articles and book chapters including: The Promotion of Social Righteousness (Witherspoon Press, 2010). Celebration Reception: All are invited to a Celebration Reception for the Rev. Peter Thompson on Sunday, March 13. Join us as we express our deep appreciation to Peter for his ministry with us. The celebration is to be in Calvin Hall following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. All who wish to participate in a gift of appreciation to Peter, may make a donation by Friday, March 11. (Payable to First Presbyterian Church, Attention: LaRae Bolick, Designation: Peter s Gift ) Sunday, March 13 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Dona Nobis Pacem: Grant Us Peace a service of scripture & music This worship service will explore what scripture has to say about peace and how composers have illuminated God s word. Readings from the Old and New Testaments will alternate with anthems by Eleanor Daley, Tomas de Victoria, Herbert Howells, Randall Stroope and others. An offering to support the Music Fund will be received. Children s Musical: Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 20 at 5:30pm in Calvin Hall! Our Carol and Covenant Choirs will present The Puzzling Parables by Albert Zabel and Trilby Jordan. This great and entertaining musical tells the story of a Sunday School Class learning about three of Jesus parables and their creative way of understanding God s word. Come and learn along with Mr. Townsend, Jingle, Sean, Heather, Molly and a host of other children! Find the Alleluia! During the Lenten Workshop, children created Alleluia Crosses that they hid around the church campus. We hide Alleluia during Lent because it is a joyful word and we are in a penitential season. If you find the Alleluia, we encourage you to sign it and hide it. The children will search for the Alleluia on Easter and will be excited to see your signature.
Calendar March 6-11 Sunday, March 6 8:30 a.m. Worship Service Williams Chapel 9:15 a.m. Welcome Center Opens 9:45 a.m. Learning to Use My Bible Room 229 9:45 a.m. Sunday School All Ages 9:45 a.m. Guest Lecturer, Cynthia Rigby Calvin Hall 10:00 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Choir Room and Sanctuary 10:45 a.m. Session meets for prayer Board Room 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 4:30 p.m. Carol and Covenant Choir Rehearsal Calvin Hall 4:30 p.m. Personnel Committee Meeting Room 203 5:00 p.m. Companions in Christ Room 229 5:00 p.m. Middle School Youth Group Room 404 6:00 p.m. Just Be Room 406 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Class Meets Room 407 6:30 p.m. High School Youth Group Room 406 Monday, March 7 10:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women s Coordinating Council Meets Witherspoon Room 2:00 p.m. Furniture Ministry Meets Witherspoon Room 5:00 p.m. Local Mission s Committee Meeting Room 203 5:00 p.m. Playschool Committee Meeting Witherspoon Room Tuesday, March 8 6:45 a.m. Tuesday Morning Men s Bible Study Witherspoon Room 7:30 a.m. Youth Dough Devotions Biscuitville (S. Church Street) 8:00 a.m. HVAC Planning Meeting Room 203 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Noon Book Club Witherspoon Room 6:00 p.m. Tuesday Night Trivia The Blend 7:00 p.m. BSA Boy Scout Troop 17 Garrison Joyner Activities Building 8:00 p.m. UKirk at Elon University Numen Lumen Pavilion Wednesday, March 9 7:00 a.m. Youth Dough Devotions Skid s (Elon) 8:00 a.m. Meditation Group Room 201 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study Witherspoon Room 5:00 p.m. CDC Board Meeting Witherspoon Room 5:30 p.m. Companions in Christ Room 203 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 10 6:45 a.m. Thursday Morning Bible Study - Witherspoon Room 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry 5:30 p.m. Capital Campaign Meeting Room 203 5:30 p.m. Carillon Choir Rehearsal Saturday, March 11 9:00 a.m. Furniture Ministry Workday Minister on Call: March 4-6 Peter Thompson (269-7270)
Holy Week: Sunday, March 20 - Sunday, March 27 Palm Sunday Processional Sanctuary Sunday, March 20 All are invited to gather on the plaza in front of the sanctuary twenty minutes before each worship service. Scripture reading, blessing of the palms, and ringing bells will draw us into worship and celebrate Christ s entry into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae Service 7:00 p.m. (Sanctuary) Thursday, March 24 On this night, we remember and celebrate the final supper Jesus shared with his disciples. This service will close with tenebrae, meaning shadows, an ancient tradition in which light fades into darkness. Easter Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Sunday, March 27 On this day celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we join with the community of believers in every time and place as the Gospel is proclaimed, the Sacrament of the Lord s Supper is shared, and hymns and anthems are sung, accompanied by brass, timpani and organ. Easter Sunday Flowering the Cross: Bring fresh flowers of the season on March 27 to flower the cross which will be planted in the Davis Street lawn. Easter Sunday Annual Butterfly Release: Sunday, March 27 The Children s Ministry Committee will host the annual Butterfly Release in the Mary Helen Long Garden between the Sanctuary and Williams Chapel. Children are invited to join us at 9:45 a.m. in Room 222 for crafts followed by an Egg Hunt. Parents are asked to pick up their children promptly at 10:30 a.m. and join us for the Butterfly Release at 10:40 a.m., weather permitting. All are invited to join us as we celebrate the Resurrection through the symbolism of the butterfly. Ronald L. Shive, D. Min., Pastor Peter Thompson, M. Div., Associate Pastor for Student and Family Ministries Lindsay Conrad, M. Div., Associate Pastor for Young Adults, Missions, and Congregational Care Norman Whitney, M. Div., Parish Associate for Pastoral Care J. Patrick Murphy, M. Mus., Organist-Choirmaster Charlotte Allbright, C.C.E., Church Educator The eleven o clock service is broadcast each week on both WPCM 920 AM and 95.1 FM. www.fpcburlington.org 336.228.1703