First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship Sixth Sunday of Easter May 6, 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 Allegro in C Thomas Arne Voluntary on Nicaea Healey Willan Words of Welcome Adoration Choral Call to Worship Williams/ed. Young This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Amen. *Hymn No. 1 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! nicaea
Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. We believe that God put the wiggle in children, and all are welcome in worship regardless of their ability to sit still. If you d like to step out of the sanctuary with your child, please feel free to visit the chapel (to the right of the sanctuary) where the service is streaming. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Confession The Reverend Erika Funk All: Life-giving God, we say that your word is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path. However, we confess that many times we walk a path illuminated by sources that are not your light. We are often guided by fear, ambition, competition, insecurity, and the need to be right. Forgive us for following the wrong things. Steer us back into your path. We ask it through Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. 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. *Response (Hymn No. 245, stanza 3) llanfair Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia! Jesus died, our souls to save, Alleluia! Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia! Prayer for Illumination Proclamation Scripture Acts 6:8-7:1 pew Bible pg. 124 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Anthem Amazing Grace arr. John Rutter Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace. When we ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we ve no less days to sing God s praise than when we d first begun. Time with Children 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 Acts 7 (selected verses) pew Bible pg. 124 The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at www.firstpres-charlotte.org. Sermon Living By the Story The Reverend Pen Peery *Hymn No. 441 Hear the Good News of Salvation nettleton
Response *Affirmation of Faith (from the Confession of 1967) The Reverend Katherine Kerr The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church s mission. His human life involves the church in the common life of all people. His service to men and women commits the church to work for every form of human well-being. His suffering makes the church sensitive to all human suffering so that it sees the face of Christ in the faces of persons in every kind of need. His crucifixion discloses to the church God s judgment on the inhumanity that marks human relations, and the awful consequences of the church s own complicity in injustice. In the power of the risen Christ and the hope of his coming, the church sees the promise of God s renewal of human life in society and of God s victory over all wrong. Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Commissioning of Stephen Ministers (11 a.m.) Presentation of Tithes and Offering Offertory With What Shall I Come Before the Lord? John Ness Beck With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, shall I come before Him with yearling calves? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give Him my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man; He has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? The sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of the marriage of Katie Buzard and Austin Kennedy on May 5, 2018. Stephen Ministers being commissioned today are Jennifer Fadel, Ron Hankins, Gail Henderson-Belsito, and Patty Witherington. *Doxology (Hymn No. 606) 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. 363 Rejoice, the Lord Is King! darwall s 148th Congregational Meeting (11 a.m.) *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Amen Peter Lutkin Postlude Fugue in C Dietrich Buxtehude Congregational Meeting A Church Officer Nominating Committee will be elected at the Congregational Meeting today. Nominees for the this committee are Elders Scott Angel, Marc Gustafson, and Sara Pressly; Deacons Julia McLean and Bill Stevenson; and Hal Clarke, Blair Donald, Dick Lupo, and Ashley McMillan from the congregation at large. 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 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. Sermon Series for May Living Unafraid in a Scary World The Reverend Pen Peery preaching unless otherwise noted. May 13 - Acts 9:36-43 May 20 - Acts 2:1-13 (The Reverend Erika Funk) May 27 - Acts 28:23-30 (one service at 11:00 a.m.) Summer Worship Schedule May 27 - September 2 We will begin our summer worship schedule on Sunday, May 27, with one service at 11:00 a.m. The 9:00 a.m. service will resume on Sunday, September 9. Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise Music Sunday June 3 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary Join us after worship for our second annual Food Truck Lunch on the lawn. learn Through study at every age and stage, we aim to become more Christlike and deepen our relationship with our Lord. Bible & Beverage Men s Ministry Tuesday, May 8 8:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Join the Reverend Pen Peery and other men for this new opportunity for discussion and fellowship at Resident Culture Brewing, 2101 Central Avenue, 8-9:30 p.m. All men are invited. 2018 VBS: Rolling River Rampage June 25-28, 2018 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Registration for this year s Vacation Bible School is now open for children ages 5 (must be age 5 by June 1, 2018) through completed 5th grade. Sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/fpc-vbs2018. The cost is $15/child. Please considering helping out for a few hours each morning at VBS. Contact Tammy Winchip, Director of Children s Ministry (twinchip@firstprescharlotte.org) for more info. FPC Young Adults Lunch Today Meet in the church driveway immediately following 11 a.m. worship. All are welcome. care We aim to provide support, prayer, love and acts of compassion as we seek to draw closer to one another in community. Sparkle to Support Summer Camps TODAY 3:00-5:00 p.m. Presbyterian Women is hosting a jewelry party to support BELL and Camp Grier at the home of Mary Margaret Porter, 1910 Beverly Drive. Helpers Needed for Lemonade on the Lawn Sundays, May 27 - September 2 12:00 p.m. Summer is right around the corner, and that means it s time for Lemonade on the Lawn. Each week a different family or group serves the lemonade. Sign up online. Contact Mandy Rencher (MandyRencher@hotmail.com, 704-718-2348) with questions. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. Men s Shelter Sandwich Delivery Sundays, May - July 11:30 a.m. We need volunteers to deliver the boxed sandwiches on Sundays by 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are also welcome to help distribute the sandwiches and have lunch with the men. Sign up online under Tickets & Signups on the website. Moving Ministry Saturday, May 12 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Three hours of your time 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. Officer Nominations Your help is needed in the process to select church officers to serve on the Session and the Diaconate from 2019 to 2021. Forms for making your recommendations are available on the Now@FPC page on the website and on the information table in the Historical Lobby.
*Hymn No. 1 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty 1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! 2 Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. 3 Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinfulness thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity. 4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity! *Hymn No. 441 Hear the Good News of Salvation 1 Hear the good news of salvation: Jesus died to show God s love. Such great kindness! Such great mercy! Come to us from heaven above. Jesus Christ, how much I love you! Jesus Christ, you save from sin! How I love you! Look upon me. Love me still and cleanse within. 2 All the sins I have committed, to my Savior now I bring. I bow down with tears of anguish; Christ forgives and so I sing: Jesus Christ, how much I love you! Jesus Christ, you save from sin! How I love you! Look upon me. Love me still and cleanse within. *Hymn No. 363 Rejoice, the Lord Is King! 1 Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, and triumph evermore. 2 Our Savior, Jesus, reigns, the God of truth and love; when he had purged our stains, he took his seat above. 3 His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o er earth and heaven; the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given. Descant: 4 Rejoice in glorious hope! For Christ, the Judge, shall come and gather all the saints to their eternal home. 4 Rejoice in glorious hope! For Christ, the Judge, shall come and gather all the saints to their eternal home.