FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2577 Wickham Drive Muskegon, Michigan 49441-3182 Phone (231) 759-1275 Fax (231) 759-7825 www.fpcmuskegon.org
The Service for the Lord s Day The 15 th Sunday after Pentecost September 9, 2012 The asterisk ( * ) is an invitation to stand if able. ASSEMBLE IN GOD S NAME GATHERING Revive Us Again John J. Husband, arr. Teresa Wilhelmi WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST PRELUDE Siyahamba/Thuma Mina (Send Me, Jesus) A Marriage of African & American Jazz, arr. Mark Sedio CALL TO WORSHIP (In unison) As we open your Word during this time of worship, O God, let it become so deeply embedded within us that it will ever be present as your strengthening grace in our lives, no matter what crisis may come. Through Christ we pray. Amen. *HYMN OF PRAISE #21 (Sampler) Here in This Place Marty Haugen *CALL TO CONFESSION Leader: Like a nursing mother who cannot forget her child, like a father who welcomes the prodigal son home, so God cannot turn away from us. Though we come, week after week, admitting we have turned from God s ways and have not loved our neighbors as ourselves, God is merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Therefore, knowing we are beloved children of First Presbyterian Church Muskegon, Michigan A Place to Belong Page 2
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In unison) God, we can admit our failings before God and one another in order to be forgiven, receive new life, and begin again. Let us pray together. Lord God, you alone are holy and full of majesty. You deserve our honor and praise. We confess that there are times when we honor and praise you only with our lips. Forgive us when our mouths speak your praise but we do not seek your face daily. Forgive us when our mouths speak your praise but we utter slander or gossip about one of your children. Forgive us when our mouths speak praise but we ignore the injustice in the world. Help us, Holy God, to praise you not only with our voices but with the just actions of our lives, that you may be glorified in all we do. Amen. *ASSURANCE OF PARDON Leader: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer, contribute to the needs of the saints and extend hospitality to strangers. For in so doing you will live the new life promised by the Risen Christ and show forth the love of God in whom abides the assurance, in Jesus Christ you are forgiven! PROCLAIM GOD S WORD A TIME WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH THE FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON Kirk Wahamaki James 1:21-25 [p. 229 NT] Leader: People: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! THE SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON Mark 7:14-23 [p. 42 NT] First Presbyterian Church Muskegon, Michigan A Place to Belong Page 3
SERMON Constructive Hypocrisy? Pastor Jim Rausch *HYMN #7 (Sampler) I Will Come to You David Haas RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS Ginny Swan; Barb and Henry Flores PROFESSION OF FAITH Pastor: All: Pastor: All: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love? I do. Will you be Christ s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love? I will, with God s help. LAYING ON OF HANDS WELCOME Elder: People: Together, let us welcome our newest members. With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you to share with us in the ministry of Christ, for we are all one in Him. RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Lord s Prayer MINUTE FOR MISSION CROP Walk Suzanne Carl OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR SUBSTANCE Registration of Attendance OFFERTORY Variations on Earth and All Stars Robert J. Powell First Presbyterian Church Muskegon, Michigan A Place to Belong Page 4
*PRESENTATION OF GIFTS #32 (Sampler) Glory to God Machu-Pichu Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest! (2X) Glory to God, glory to god, glory to Christ Jesus! (2X) Glory to God, glory to God, glory to the Spirit! (2X) To God be glory forever! (2X) Alleluia, Amen! (6X) *PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Responsively) Leader: People: We can never repay your generosity to us, O God. Receive all that we have to give now and increase our imagination as we reflect on its use. Make our love wider and grander in all that we do, we pray. Amen. GO IN GOD S NAME *HYMN #458 Earth and All Stars Dexter *CHARGE AND BLESSING *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE We Are Singing in the Light of God As we sing, everyone is invited to follow the leaders who will guide us down the stairs (front or back of the sanctuary) to our Church Expo! We are singing, for the Lord is our Light (4X) We are singing, (singing, we are singing) Oh, We are singing for the Lord is our Light. We are singing, (singing, we are singing) Oh, We are singing for the Lord is our Light. English words copyright 1998 by Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted by permission. CCLI# 2014043 First Presbyterian Church Muskegon, Michigan A Place to Belong Page 5
ASSISTING WITH WORSHIP LAY LEADER: Don Swick GREETERS: Sherman Entrance Larry & Barbara Foster Wickham Entrance Kathy Dickinson USHERS: Mary Seieroe & Bev Spiwak Carol Burling & Jim Thies AFTER WORSHIP HOSPITALITY Chuck Hodson & Roxanne Deibel COUNTERS: Don Correll & Vic Prowant ANNOUNCEMENTS SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 Remember Our Friends in Care Centers: Nan Weatter, Lorraine Priefer, Harold Hines, Kathleen Joy, Mickey Paulsen, Mary Yonker Welcome Guests! We re so glad you joined our church family in worship today. Please join us following the worship service in the Fellowship Hall for our Taste of FPC Expo. If you are interested in further information concerning First Presbyterian Church, please ask an usher for our welcome packet or contact our church office at 759-1275. We will be happy to assist you. PLEASE COME AND EXPERIENCE A TASTE OF FPC, OUR 2012 CHURCH EXPO! Members of councils, committees and special groups will provide insight to the many activities happening throughout FPC and answer any questions you might have. Perhaps you will discover an area that you would like to become involved in such as music, education or mission. Beverages and a taste of many different food items will be available. Join us in the Fellowship Hall following worship. Our next Feeding America mobile food pantry truck is scheduled for Saturday, September 15 th at 8:15 a.m. at First Congregational Church s parking lot, 1201 Jefferson. Men and women are needed to help with the repackaging and distribution of free fresh produce, bread and dairy from this truck. Please sign up on the list posted in the Wickham hallway to help. Plan to work about two hours. Recycled plastic grocery bags are also needed. You may drop them off at the Mission table or volunteers can bring them to the truck on September 15 th. The Hunger Committee thanks you for helping in this way to provide healthy food for our neighbors in need. Contact Julie Ayers if you have questions. The sanctuary flowers this morning have been provided by Lowell and Roxanne Kinney in remembrance of their son, Steve, who passed away 23 years ago. First Presbyterian Church Muskegon, Michigan A Place to Belong Page 6
Today is the day to start signing up to participate in the 33 rd annual Muskegon CROP Hunger Walk on October 7 th. The Hunger Committee will look forward to having 45 or more walkers all ages! sign up, adding their names to the red shoes near the nursery! It s a great day for families to walk together to help support AgeWell Services/Meals on Wheels, Community encompass, Holton Community Center, Mission for Area People (MAP), and the Saturday Breakfast at First Congregational Church in downtown Muskegon. Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the family of Alyce Dempsey. Alyce passed away on Wednesday, August 29 th. A memorial service for Alyce will be held on Saturday, September 15 th at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please extend prayers of sympathy for Margaret Alexander in the loss of her son, Bill. Bill passed away on Tuesday, September 4 th. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 22 nd 11:00 a.m. Jim Waalkes, son of Marty and Lois Waalkes, passed away on Sunday, September 2 nd. Jim was the nephew of Jeanne devette. Please keep the Waalkes family in your prayers. The deadline for the Highland Herald is next Sunday, September 16 th. Please email your articles to office@fpcmuskegon.org or leave them in the file folder marked Newsletter located in the office mailboxes. All materials must be in the office by the deadline in order to be published in this month s issue. Increasing Our Awareness and Love for Those Affected by Serious Mental Illness NEW! The Lakeshore Ministry and Special Needs Support Network is meeting for the first time at a conference Saturday, September 22, from 8:30a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Fellowship Reformed Church, 4200 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI. This new networking group will enjoy a morning listening to nationally recognized keynote speakers and an afternoon of fine tuning support of persons with special needs, their families and equipping their congregations to include all in the body of Christ. Information flyers are available on a bulletin board in the hallway. Take one. Donna Hansen and Jill Vande Zande also plan to attend and will happily provide any information they can if you are interested. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is committed to reaching out to people wrongly exiled by church and society due to stigma and misunderstanding associated with serious mental illness. Read here weekly for facts and statements for raising awareness. People affected by serious mental illness, their loved ones and caregivers are invited to full participation in this church. There are members here who have experienced these unique challenges and are willing to welcome, listen, support and pray. First Presbyterian Church Muskegon, Michigan A Place to Belong Page 7
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 09/09 10:00 am Worship Sun 11:00 am Taste of FPC Expo 1:00 pm Brass Ensemble Rehearsal 5:00 pm Marriage Encounter 09/10 2:30 pm Prayer Shawl Committee Mon 09/11 9:30 am Presbytery Meeting Niles FPC Tue 10:00 am Hunger Committee Meeting 12:30 pm Sarah Circle 5:15 pm Member Care Council Meeting 5:30 pm Joyful Ringers 7:00 pm Choir 09/12 5:30 pm Worship & Music Council Meeting Wed 7:00 pm Finance Council Meeting 7:00 pm Mission Council Meeting 09/13 10:00 am Staff Meeting Thu 5:00 pm O&C Council Meeting 6:45 pm Faith Development Council Meeting 09/14 Fri 09/15 8:15 am Feeding America Food Truck Sat 1:00 pm Alyce Dempsey Memorial Service 09/16 10:00 am Worship Sun 11:00 am Hospitality 11:15 am Church School 12:30 pm Sweet Harmony Rehearsal 1:00 pm Sr. High Youth Group First Presbyterian Church Muskegon, Michigan A Place to Belong Page 8