First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship Second Sunday in Lent February 25, 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 Chaconne in f minor Johann Pachelbel Words of Welcome Choral Call to Worship Adoration The Reverend Katherine Kerr arnsberg God, reveal your presence; gladly we adore you, and with awe appear before you. Holy is your temple; all within keep silence; humbly bow with deepest reverence. You alone now we own as our God and Savior. Praise your name forever. *Hymn No. 49 The God of Abraham Praise leoni
Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. Call to Confession Confession Call to Prayer (choir sings first, then congregation joins) The Reverend Erika Funk The sympathy of the congregation is expressed to Anne Wilson and her family on the death of her brother, Bill Kelbaugh, and to Bryan and Frasier Ives and their families on the death of their stepmother, Carolyn Ives. Prayer of Confession All: Merciful God, forgive us when we view the world as if we are in the center of it, and forgive us again when we expect others to share that perspective. Remind us, as people who are generally accustomed to getting our way, that our role as Christ s disciples is to follow. And when Jesus asks us to take up our cross, help us lay aside the other things we would rather carry so that we can be about your purpose. Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *Response (Hymn No. 215, stanza 1) wondrous love What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul! Sacrament of Baptism (9 a.m.) Sacrament of Baptism Bhavini Ashwin Shah Aashna Shah Anshu Shah *Apostles Creed (9 a.m.) 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. The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9, this morning and streamed live at www.firstpres-charlotte.org. 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. Prayer for Illumination Proclamation Scripture Genesis 17:1-7, 15-17 pew Bible pg. 13 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
Musical Offering Come, Christians Join to Sing arr. Trevor Cook Knox Handbell Ringers 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 Mark 8:31-38 pew Bible pg. 44 Sermon The Promise of Taking Up Your Cross The Reverend Pen Peery *Hymn No. 175 Seek Ye First lafferty *Affirmation of Faith (11 a.m.) Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1 Response The Reverend Katherine Kerr One: What is your only comfort in life and in death? All: That I belong - in body and soul, in life and in death - not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. We welcome Loudon Emswiler and Bhavini Shah, Kelly Gambrell, Chris and Christine Kearse, Caitlin Klein, Jeff and Terri McNeill, Susan Orsbon, Matt and Megan Osborne, Trevor and Ruth Runberg, Robert and Kelly St. Louis, and Jonathan and Katie Stafford into the full life of First Presbyterian Church. We celebrate their commitment to God through membership and stewardship in this congregation. Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life New Members (11 a.m.) Presentation of Tithes and Offering Offertory Anthem When I Survey the Wondrous Cross arr. Gilbert Martin *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. 63 The Lord Is God azmon *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Amen danish Postlude Fugue in g minor Johann Sebastian Bach 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. The Promises of Lent March 4 The Promise of Emancipation March 11 The Promise of Eternal Life March 18 The Promise of Belonging March 25 Palm Sunday March 29 Maundy Thursday (7:30 p.m.) Easter Lilies Remember or honor a loved one by purchasing an Easter Lily for the sanctuary. Visit http://bit.ly/fpclily2018 to purchase online or mail a check for $13 to Diane Maye, PO Box 1008, Huntersville, NC 28070. learn Through study at every age and stage, we aim to become more Christlike and deepen our relationship with our Lord. ABCs First: United in Education Sundays, March 4-25 12:15-1:45 p.m. For this year s joint series with First United Presbyterian Church, we will focus our collective thinking on early childhood education. The series alternates between churches and begins at FUPC. Lunch is provided for $5. Reservations are not required except for childcare, which will be offered at FPC on March 11 and 25. Visit the website for details and reservations. 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 God, Neighbor, Money: The Economics of Compassion. Purchase tickets online on the Now@FPC page. care We aim to provide support, prayer, love and acts of compassion as we seek to draw closer to one another in community. Annual Presbyterian Women Retreat April 27-29 Kanuga Conference Center Experience a weekend of rest, renewal, and spiritual growth. Dr. Frances Taylor Gench, Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA and author of Encounters with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of John, will lead the retreat. Visit http://bit.ly/fpcpwretreat to register! Presbyterian Women Benevolence Funds The Presbyterian Women Benevolence Review Committee is accepting applications through March 16 for its annual Benevolence Awards. Grants will be disbursed in May. The committee focuses on awarding funds to agencies working to break cycles of poverty; illiteracy and inferior education; and violence and crime particularly as these issues impact women and children. Contact Linda Henley (lhenley@cchrealtors.com, 704-621-8694) with nominations or questions. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. Moving Ministry March 10 9 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. In Loving Memory of Walter Scott, III December 31, 1936 - February 21, 2018 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, says the Spirit. Revelation 14:13
*Hymn No. 49 1 The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above; Ancient of Everlasting Days, and God of Love; Jehovah, great I AM! by earth and heaven confessed; I bow and bless the sacred name forever blest. 2 The great I AM has sworn; I on this oath depend. I shall, on eagle wings upborne, to heaven ascend. I shall behold God s face; I shall God s power adore, and sing the wonders of God s grace forevermore. The God of Abraham Praise 3 The heavenly land I see, with peace and plenty blest; a land of sacred liberty, and endless rest. There milk and honey flow, and oil and wine abound, and trees of life forever grow with mercy crowned. 4 The God who reigns on high the great archangels sing, and Holy, holy, holy! cry Almighty King! Who was, and is, the same, and evermore shall be: Jehovah, Lord, the great I AM, we worship thee! *Hymn No. 175 Seek Ye First 1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. 2 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened unto you. 3 You shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. *Hymn No. 63 The Lord Is God 1 The Lord is God, the Lord alone! Give honor, thanks, and praise to God, the maker of all things and giver of our days. 2 With all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and might, O people, love the Lord your God, the source of truth and light. 3 At night or day, at home, away, together and apart, O children, take these holy words and keep them in your heart. 4 The Lord is God, the Lord alone! Give honor, thanks, and praise to God, the maker of all things and giver of our days.