December 28, 2014 Preparation for Worship Sunday Service Prelude Amazing to Me Your power, Lord, reaches forever, right past the edges of time. Your mighty hand keeps me from danger with ways so much higher than mine. These are the truths I can count on, but here is the reason I sing. Lord, your grace is amazing, amazing to me. You know me so well, yet your love is so free. It s high as the sky and as deep as the sea. Your grace is amazing to me. Your grace is amazing to me. Just like the storms of the desert rain down a hope for new life, just like the waves on the ocean roll on forever through time, that s how my Father in heaven offers his mercy so free. Words and Music by Danny Davis. A Call to Worship Call to Worship (Leader) Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. (Congregation) Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. Trust in the Lord, and do good; delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. He has put a new song in our mouths, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. (All) Praise the Lord! Adapted from Psalms 111, 40, and 37. Invocation The Welcome of God Worship in Praise Your Grace is Enough Great is your faithfulness, O God of Jacob. You wrestle with the sinner s restless heart. You lead me by still waters into mercy where nothing can keep us apart. So remember your people. Remember your children. Remember your promise, O God. For your grace is enough. Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough for me. Great is your love and justice, God of Jacob. You use the weak to lead the strong. You lead us in the song of heaven s victory and all your people sing along. So remember your people. Remember your children. Remember your promise, O God. For Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough for me. Words and Music by Matt Maher.
Mighty to Save Everyone needs compassion; a love that s never failing. Let mercy fall on me. Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a savior, The hope of nations. (Hope of nations) Savior, he can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save. Forever author of salvation; he rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave. So take me as you find me, all my fears and failures. Fill my life again. I give my life to follow. Everything I believe in, Now I surrender. I surrender. Savior, he can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save. Forever author of salvation; he rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave. Shine your light and let the whole world see; we re singing For the glory of the risen King Jesus. Shine your light and let the whole world see; we re singing For the glory of the risen King. Savior, you can move the mountains. God, you are mighty to save, you are mighty to save. Forever author of salvation; you rose and conquered the grave, Yes, you conquered the grave. Words and Music by Ben Fielding and Rueben Morgan. Jesus Messiah He became sin, who knew no sin that we might become his righteousness. He humbled himself and carried the cross; love so amazing, love so amazing. Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel. The Rescue for sinners, the Ransom from heaven; Jesus Messiah, Lord of all. His body, the bread; his blood, the wine; broken and poured out all for love. The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn; love so amazing, love so amazing. Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel. The Rescue for sinners, the Ransom from heaven; Jesus Messiah, Lord of all. All our hope is in you. All our hope is in you All the glory to you, God, the Light of the world. Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel. The Rescue for sinners, the Ransom from heaven; Jesus Messiah, Lord of all. Words and Music by Daniel Carson, Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves.
Worship in Confession & Repentance Prayer of Corporate Confession O God Most High, Most Glorious The thought of your infinite serenity cheers us, for we are toiling and straining, troubled and distressed, but you are forever at perfect peace. You bring order out of confusion, and our defeats are your victories: We come to you as sinners with cares and sorrows, desiring to leave every concern entirely to you, every sin calling for Christ s precious redeeming blood. Help us, O Lord, for unbelief mars our confidence, sin makes us forget you. Let us live near to the great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, hear his voice, follow his calls. Keep us from deception by causing us to abide in the Truth, from harm by helping us to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Grant us to know that we truly live only when we live for you; Your presence alone can make us holy, devout, strong, and happy. Abide in us, gracious God. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Adapted from Valley of Vision: Resting on God Silent Confession Assurance of Pardon If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Thanks be to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, 21. Hymn of Response #305 Welcome and Announcements Pastoral Prayer Fellowship of the Body of Christ Members and Visitors please register your attendance on the Attendance Register. Children ages 4 - K5 may be dismissed to Worship Center following the pastoral prayer. Arise, My Soul, Arise
Worship in the Preaching & Hearing of the Word Scripture Reading Romans 8:28 (page 944) Sermon Why??? No, Not Why, But Who?!?!?! And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 Giving of Tithes and Offerings What Grace is Mine What grace is mine that he who dwells in endless light called through the night to find my distant soul; and from his scars poured mercy that would plead for me that I might live and in his name be known. So I will go wherever he is calling me. I lose my life to find my life in him. I give my all to gain the hope that never dies; I bow my heart take up my cross and follow him. What grace is mine to know his breath alive in me; beneath his wings my wakened soul may soar. All fear can flee for death s dark night is overcome. My Savior lives and reigns forevermore. Words by Kristyn Getty. Traditional Irish Melody. Celebration of the Lord s Supper The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper This is Christ s body, given for you. This is Christ s blood, shed for the forgiveness of your sins. Hymn of Response #691 Blessing of God s People Postlude Words and Music used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI #123371 It Is Well with My Soul
Why??? No, Not Why, But Who?!?!?! Romans 8:28 December 28, 2014 It s been almost a quarter of a century since I started teaching at Briarwood Christian School and over a third of a century since I began teaching young people. Somewhere in that time frame, I developed a course in biblical ethics within which I do a session on biomedical issues including pro-life matters abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, etc. And within that subject, it was quite appropo to consider the whys and wherefores surrounding the infirm and debilitated since they are many times the victims of these horrific practices. I. Why??? II. No, Not Why, But Who?!?!?! III. Wherefore...
WE WELCOME YOU and hope you are blessed as we magnify and worship God today. Please sign the pew register so we can know of your visit and have an opportunity to get to know you. If today is your first time visiting our church, consider picking up a visitor s information packet and gift in the the back of the sanctuary. NAMETAGS Nametags help us get to know one another. Please help us with this by wearing one. If you would like a nametag, fill out the request form on the round table in the Parlor and drop it in a nametag basket by any exit. Your nametag will be placed on the board in the Parlor. PASTOR S CLASS If you are new to our church or have questions about a sermon or anything related to the Bible or Christianity, consider joining our pastor in the library (room across the hallway from the piano side entrance to the sanctuary) during the Sunday School hour. This class will not meet this month but resumes Sunday, January 4. OUR MISSION OF THE WEEK is the Alabama Church Planting Network (ACPN). ACPN partners with three Alabama PCA presbyteries as well as churches from other groups to establish new churches around our state. They are currently involved with 12 mission churches. Al Baker is the Director. NEW CURRICULUM FOR ADULT SUNDAY COMMUNITIES The new curriculum for adult Sunday communities begins Sunday, January 4. Information about the new course offerings can be picked up in the Parlor or Welcome Center. Announcements THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Wednesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 1. THE JANUARY ISSUE of the Saltshaker, our monthly newsletter, is available. You can pick up a copy in the Parlor or Welcome Center. WEDNESDAY NIGHTS @ AVPC resume on January 7. If you are not in a small group and would like to join one, sign up on the website. If you had standing dinner reservations from last semester, they are still standing. To make a dinner reservation, visit the website or call the church office. WTW BIBLE STUDY/SUNDAY STUDY OPTION Ladies, we hope you ll join our study this winter/spring as we study the books of Colossians and Philemon together. We meet on Wednesdays, beginning January 14, 9:00-11:00 a.m., in the Parlor. Two alternative groups will meet during the week. One will meet on Mondays, beginning January 12, 3:00-4:45 p.m., at Wendy Allison s home (4612 S. Lakeridge Drive). Another will meet on Sunday evenings, beginning January 18, 5:00-6:30 p.m in the Parlor Basement Room. Childcare will be provided for the Wednesday and Sunday sessions. WTW RETREAT Ladies, start the new year in community as you refresh, refill, and renew at the annual Winter Retreat, January 30-31, at Children s Harbor Lodge on Lake Martin. Registration forms are available in the Parlor. Cost is $60; make checks payable to AVPC. You must register by January 25. Scholarships are available. Contact Wendy Allison (wendy.allison83@gmail.com) for more information. 12/21/14 Receipts Year-To-Date Receipts Year-To-Date Requirements Over(Under) Budget General Fund $24,810 $973,830 $983,997 ($10,167) Faith Promise $9,500 $246,772 $258,585 ($11,813) Altadena Park $31,000 $71,160
Sunday (December 28) 10:45 a.m. Worship Service - Rob Richey preaching on Romans 8:28 Monday 10:00 a.m. Sr. High - Depart for Winter Retreat Wednesday 9:00 a.m. New Year s Eve - Church Office Closed Thursday 9:00 a.m. New Year s Day - Church Office Closed Calendar Sunday (January 4) 8:15 a.m. Worship Service - Steve preaching on Daniel 1:1-21 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service - Steve preaching on Daniel 1:1-21 4:00 p.m. Youth - Team Lab 4:30 p.m. Missions Committee Meeting 5:00 p.m. Youth Group - Jr. & Sr. High Michael Chick Clint Cvacho Tim English Bob Ketchum Elders Jamie Lumpkin Cal Martin Karl Poythress AVPC Officers Danny Wachs Greg Waldrip John Wimberly Ralph Anderson Zac Campbell Larry Church John Franklin Deacons Steve Klose Scott Lavendol Tom McCallum George McCurdy Darren Popwell Ed Taylor Ed Wofford AVPC Staff Bradford E. Allison - Senior Pastor Stephen Whitner - Associate Pastor, Worship Corbett Heimburger - Associate Pastor, Mercy Anthony Brogan - Youth Pastor Betty Carter - Children s Director Nancy Klose - Administrator Jimmie Campbell - Bookkeeper Linda Oliver - Girls Discipleship Diana Lloyd - Nursery Director Ron Kim - Facilities Manager Jameson Overton - Organist Karen Marlar - Worship Administrative Assistant Amy Jackson - Administrative Assistant Carol Apol & Ricky Klose - Sound Ministry Directors Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church, PCA 4660 caldwell mill road.birmingham.al.35243 p.205.967.0680 www.avpc.org