First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship January 14, 2018 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 Prelude in G Felix Mendelssohn Words of Welcome Adoration The Reverend Pen Peery *Call to Worship Adapted from Psalm 139 One: O Lord, you have searched me and known me. All: You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. One: Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. All: You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. *Hymn No. 267 Come, Christians, Join to Sing madrid
Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. Baptism enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God s redeeming grace offered to all people. PC(USA) Book of Order, W-2.3006 We celebrate God s love for Nathan Henderson and Megan Leo and their commitment to their faith as they receive the Sacrament of Baptism this morning. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Confession The Reverend Katelyn Gordon Cooke All: You call us to listen for a still, small voice, and yet we do not hear. We are so easily distracted by other voices: voices that keep us wanting more; voices that draw our attention away from our neighbors; voices that compete for our allegiance to you. Forgive our frenetic pace, and help us to rest in your grace and mercy. Help us to rest, to be still, and to open ourselves to a word from you. 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. Sacrament of Baptism (9 a.m.) Sacrament of Baptism Nathan William Henderson Margaret Sarah Leo *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 Scripture 1 Samuel 3:1-20 pew Bible pg. 246 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at www.firstpres-charlotte.org. Anthem Pilgrims Hymn Stephen Paulus Even before we call on your name to ask you, O God, when we seek for the words to glorify you, you hear our prayer. Unceasing love, O unceasing love surpassing all we know. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Even with darkness sealing us in, we breathe your name. And through all the days that follow so fast, we trust in you. Endless your grace, O endless your grace, beyond all mortal dream, both now and forever, and unto ages and ages. Amen.
Time with Children (11 a.m.) Children in kindergarten through 2nd grade may leave for First Church. They will return to the sanctuary during the last hymn. Younger children may go to the nursery. Scripture John 1:35-46 pew Bible pg. 92 Sermon Come and See... The Reverend Pen Peery *Hymn No. 720 Jesus Calls Us galilee Response The sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of the seventy-fifth wedding anniversary of Harry and Ruby Bryant by Harry Jr., Holly, Brick, Elizabeth, Josh, Frances, Emily, Charles, Bo and Reid. Affirmation of Faith (11 a.m.) *Apostles Creed Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Willard Lecture Presentation of Tithes and Offering The Reverend Erika Funk We are grateful to Jim Twyne for playing the organ and to Kelly Potts for directing the choir today. Offertory Anthem The Call Z. Randall Stroope Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life; such a Way, as gives us breath, such a Truth, as ends all strife, such a Life, as killeth death. Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength; such a Light, as shows a feast, such a Feast, as mends in length, such a Strength as makes His guest. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart; such a Joy, as none can move, such a Love, as none can part, such a Heart, as joys in love. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart; Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life. *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. *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. 69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky here i am *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Postlude Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Johann Walther 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 chapel following the 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 Katelyn Gordon Cooke Associate Pastor for Christian Formation kcooke@firstpres-charlotte.org Erika Funk Associate Pastor for Mission efunk@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. Global Mission Sunday January 28 10 a.m., Wood Fellowship Hall The Reverend Dr. Carlos Ham-Stanard, president of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Matanzas, Cuba will be our guest preacher for both services. Make your reservation online for brunch to learn more about our developing partnership in Cuba. learn Through study at every age and stage, we aim to become more Christlike and deepen our relationship with our Lord. Opportunity Forum January 17 6:00-7:30 p.m., Sanctuary Dr. John A. Perkins, author and international speaker, will speak on improving opportunity and inequality in Charlotte s inner city neighborhoods. Dr. Perkins is well known for his work around racial reconciliation, leadership, and community development. January 24 6:15-7:45 p.m. Wood Fellowship Hall Stephen Smith, Executive Director of Freedom Communities, will speak on affordable housing in West Charlotte. Programs are free and reservations are not required; childcare is provided by reservation only on the website. Youth Fundraiser February 25 9:30-11 a.m. Wood Fellowship Hall Mark your calendars now for the Congregational Breakfast to support the Youth Ministry mission fund. Tickets available for purchase online, or in Wood Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings. Willard Lecture 2018 March 4 5 p.m., Sanctuary One of the most influential Bible interpreters of the 21st century and author of more than 100 books, The Reverend Dr. Walter Brueggemann will present Economics of Compassion. Purchase tickets online or in Wood Fellowship Hall today. care We aim to provide support, prayer, love and acts of compassion as we seek to draw closer to one another in community. Stephen Ministry A new Stephen Ministry training class begins in February. If you are interested in learning more about this lay caregiving ministry, please contact The Reverend Katherine Kerr, kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org. Lunch & Learn: Taking Care of Your Health January 17 12:45-1:30 p.m., Frances Browne Join Parish Nurse Kristin Foster for the the first program in the series, Weight Management. Come just for the program or purchase lunch and bring it to eat during the presentation. Lunch is available for $8, cash or check. Softball and Fellowship Want to have fun playing softball while having fellowship with other churches in our area? FPC is exploring putting together a team to join the South Charlotte Church Softball league this spring. Games will run from June through August on Monday and Friday evenings. All levels of experience are welcome, so don t worry if you haven t picked up a glove in years. Contact Josh Humphrey (jwhumphr@gmail.com) for information. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. Room in the Inn The 2017-18 season for Room in the Inn is underway. FPC opens its doors to our neighbors in need on Monday and Tuesday nights to offer hospitality, warm beds, and food. Sign up online on the Now@FPC page.
*Hymn No. 267 1 Come, Christians, join to sing loud praise to Christ our King; Let all, with heart and voice, before His throne rejoice; praise is His gracious choice: Come, Christians, Join to Sing 2 Come, lift your hearts on high; let praises fill the sky; He is our Guide and Friend; to us He ll condescend; His love shall never end: 3 Praise yet our Christ again; life shall not end the strain; On heaven s blissful shore His goodness we ll adore, singing forevermore, *Hymn No. 720 Jesus Calls Us 1 Jesus calls us; o er the tumult of our life s wild, restless sea; day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, Christian, follow me. Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world s golden store, from each idol that would keep us, saying, Christian, love me more. 2 In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, still He calls, in cares and pleasures, Christian, love me more than these. Jesus calls us-- by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear Thy call; give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love Thee best of all. *Hymn No. 69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky 1 I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. 2 I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. (Refrain) 3 I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. (Refrain)