I believe in God the Father, 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, he descended into hell; dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the from thence he shall come the quick and and buried; the third day he rose again from the right hand of God the Father Almighty to judge the dead. I believe in the the holy catholic the communion the forgiveness the resurrection and the Holy Ghost; church; of saints; of sins; of the body; life everlasting. Amen. First Presbyterian Church April 9, 2017
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 Erika Funk Associate Pastor for Mission efunk@firstpres-charlotte.org Katelyn M. Gordon Associate Pastor for Christian Formation kgordon@firstpres-charlotte.org Katherine C. Kerr Associate Pastor for Congregational 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. Holy Week: The week leading to Easter begins today with Palm Sunday. This week will include events as profound and solemn as the Tenebrae service on Maundy Thursday, as well as activities for children. Thursday, April 13: Tenebrae, 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary Sunday, April 16: Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. in Romare Bearden Park Sunday, April 16: Flowering the Cross. Everyone is invited to bring flowers from your garden to add to the wooden cross that will be outside the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Sunday, April 16: Services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary Sunday, April 16: Preschool Egg Hunt, 10:00 a.m. Meet in the Fellowship Hall Overflow. Butterfly Release, 10:30 a.m., gather near the Fellowship Hall front steps. Youth Sunday & Confirmation Celebration: On April 23, our FPC youth will lead both worship services, and we will celebrate confirmands in 11 a.m. worship. The message will center on this year s formation theme, The Stories We Tell. Through liturgy, ushering, music and preaching, our youth will share what they believe and what it means to live together as a community of faith. learn Through study at every age and stage, we aim to become more Christlike and deepen our relationship with our Lord. Date Change for Men s Bible Study: The March 28 Men s Morning Bible Study has been rescheduled for April 11. Learning to See Gray in a Black-and-White World: Our eighth discussion series with sister church First United Presbyterian, Learning to See Gray in a Black-and-White World, concludes today here at FPC. Lunch in Fellowship Hall Overflow begins at 12:15. The topic is Where Do We Go From Here? Lunch $5. care We aim to provide support, prayer, love and acts of compassion as we seek to draw closer to one another in community. Sparkle for Summer Camps: PW (Presbyterian Women) hosts a jewelry and accessories sale on May 7 to benefit our Summer Camps. Donations of jewelry, scarves and purses will be accepted at the reception desk and at Circle meetings throughout April, as well as on Sundays in the Historical Lobby. Westerly Hills Principal to Speak at PW Birthday Dinner: Westerly Hills Academy Principal, Malacy Williams, will speak at this year s Presbyterian Women Birthday Dinner on Thursday, May 11. Her topic will be The Advantages of Faith/School Partnerships. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception in the courtyard. Register today online on the Now@FPC page on the website. serve We go into the world to seek and serve and walk alongside our family in faith. Summer Camps: Plan to visit the Historic Lobby today to learn more about how you can help fill our Summer Camps buses with children excited about summer enrichment experiences. Upcoming Mission Trips: Eastern North Carolina: Plans are in the works for a trip this fall to assist with clean up following the tragic flooding there. Dates are October 18-22, no experience is needed. All are welcome. Please contact David Burton at bcb@ carolina.rr.com. Merida, Mexico: We will be working on the new kitchen for our partner school. After our successful stewardship campaign this fall we are able to bring electricity and kitchen appliances to the new kitchen several of our church members have helped to build. More details to come, but save the date November 5-10. Contact Martha Eubank at meubank@bellsouth.net
First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte Founded in 1821 Order of Worship Palm Sunday April 9, 2017 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 (9 a.m.) All Glory, Laud, and Honor Johann Sebastian Bach (11:00 a.m) Ride Through Jerusalem arr. Michael Bedford Children s Introduction to Music Choir Words of Welcome Choral Call to Worship Adoration The Reverend Pen Peery William Young The earth is the Lord s and all that dwell therein. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and the King of Glory shall come in. Amen. *Processional Hymn No. 196 All Glory, Laud, and Honor valet will ich dir geben
Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession All: Confession The Reverend Katelyn Gordon Lord, we prefer you ride in majesty. We like the image of you high up on the horse, basking in the adulation of the crowd, disciples in tow. But like those disciples, we confess we tend to turn away when things get difficult. We turn to other sources of strength when faith leads to suffering. We avert our eyes so as not to see the reality of your pain. Forgive us, we pray, and give us courage to follow you, especially this Holy Week as we witness the lengths to which you will go to demonstrate your love. Patrick is the son of Lainey Gilmer. One: In silent prayer, let us confess to God the things we choose not to speak aloud. A time of silence will be kept. Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *Response (Hymn No. 197) ellacombe Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang. To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. Sacrament of Baptism (11 a.m.) Sacrament of Baptism William Patrick Gilmer *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. 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 Matthew 21:1-11 pew Bible pg. 23 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 (11 a.m.) Lo, He Comes! John D. Horman Carol and Kirk Choir Lo, he comes! Sing we Hosanna! Lo, he comes, let us sing to the Lord! Enter his gates with shouts of thanksgiving, into his courts with songs of praise. Come, let us march in glad procession. Loud Hosannas now we raise. Open your heart and welcome the Savior. Join with the song that has no end. This is the day for which we have waited; the coming of our Lord is surely at hand. Lo, he comes! Sing we Hosanna! Lo, he comes, let us sing to the Lord!
Time with Children (9 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 Matthew 27:11-54 pew Bible pg. 32 We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sermon Crucified, Dead, and Buried The Reverend Pen Peery *Hymn No. 209 My Song Is Love Unknown love unknown Response Affirmation of Faith (9 a.m.) *Apostles Creed Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life New Members (11 a.m.) Hospitality The Reverend Katherine Kerr Offertory Anthem When I Survey the Wondrous Cross arr. Gilbert Martin When I survey the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love, so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all! Amen! *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. 216 Beneath the Cross of Jesus st. christopher *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response God Be With You Till We Meet Again randolph Postlude Have Mercy, God, Holy Ghost J.S. Bach We welcome Jason and Christy Snead and their son Cooper, and Henry and Jenny Ward and their children Maddie, Sadie and Bryce into the full life of First Presbyterian Church. We celebrate their commitment to membership and stewardship to God through this congregation. 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.
Sunday: Living Faith As part of your Lenten journey this year, you re invited to respond to the Word proclaimed each week in worship by engaging in specific ways of living out your faith. This isn t meant to be another task to complete but rather a way to practice your faith and grow deeper in your relationship with God. i believe. We are broken people but Christ loves us and bears the cross for us. Look in the mirror and say aloud, I am a beloved child of God. Monday: Scripture Read this scripture silently to yourself and then aloud. If you have non-readers in your house, try to have two different people read the scripture aloud. 37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you, desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Matthew 23:37-39 In this week s scripture, Christ has arrived in Jerusalem greeted by waving palms and shouts of Hosanna. He continues to teach sharing a few different parables and then looks out over Jerusalem. This week we remember both the celebration in the city and the trial that came shortly after. Listen to Christ s sorrow as he struggles with people who have rejected the truth. He suffers emotionally and later physically. Suffering is not something Christ was spared, and it is not something we are spared. How has suffering or pain shaped you into a more caring compassionate person? Song for the Week: FPC Lent playlist: www.tinyurl.com/fpclent2017 Awake My Soul by Mumford and Sons How do these lyrics reflect the mood of Holy Week? Tuesday: Word Association The events of Holy Week send us on a roller coaster of emotions. As you read the scripture depicting the key events of Jesus final week, what words would you use to describe your emotions around the following events? Crowds cheer Jesus entry to Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11) Jesus angers leaders by throwing vendors out of the temple (Matthew 21:12-46) Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders (Matthew 23-25) Judas accepts a bribe to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16) The Last Supper; Judas betrays Jesus; Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:17-75) Jesus crucifixion (Matthew 27)
Wednesday: Embodied Faith Rend Your Hearts Inspired by Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17 By Lauren Wright Pittman The day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, is all too familiar to us; we are living in it. We must gather; we must assemble; we must unite. We need everyone. Zion s call is to drop everything and to rend not their clothes, but their very hearts. In Lenten seasons we are good at rending our clothes. We are good at tearing apart that which is not that big of a deal to us. We keep our rending at a safe distance. I think the modern-day version of rending clothes is to give up chocolate or cheese or take a break from Twitter, but we are called to rend our very hearts. What would it look like to rend, or to deeply examine, the inner messy corners of ourselves in response to the darkness of the world and our own brokenness? In creating this image, I wanted to show each figure with their arm across their chest clutching their heart in desperate hope. However, as the image took form, I realized their arms looked like hearts beating out of their bodies. It s amazing how sometimes, in our attempt to share our thoughts or ideas, deeper meaning is revealed through our processing, creating, and sharing. Thursday: Reflection Matthew 27:11-54 In the 44 verses of the Passion Passage, Jesus says very little. Why engage or argue with this crowd? Verse 14 remarks, But [Jesus] gave [Pilate] no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Facing such severe charges and darkness of humanity, how could Jesus say so little? Jesus has wisdom to know when an audience is ready to hear a message. This same Jesus spoke in parables which can be difficult to decode without true interest and effort and at times instructed healed people to keep his miracles a secret. The crowd in this Matthew passage was spiraling downward. Any anxious effort of a well-worded argument or passionate plea would be effort wasted. When Jesus does speak in the Passion Passage, it is to his Father in Heaven, and it is raw, honest i and believe. open, to an i believe. audience who can handle it: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It is a relief to remember from Jesus s lead that the i believe. burden is not always on us to speak, argue and prove our points. It is a relief that our ability to convince others does not change what is True. It is not always the right time to engage, but it s always the right time to be in communication with God. Truth is beyond argument. By the end of the passage, with Jesus saying almost nothing, God wins. The curtain of the temple is torn, the earth shakes, the rocks split. Truly this man was God s Son! -Emily Elliott
Friday: Prayer This day let all stand still in silence, in sorrow. Sun and moon be still. Earth be still. Still the waters. Still the wind. Let the ground gape in stunned lamentation. Let it weep as it receives what it thinks it will not give up. Let it groan as it gathers the One who was thought forever stilled. Saturday: Statement of Faith* During the days leading up to Jesus crucifixion, the disciples faith was tested. The twelve men who had been with him throughout his ministry and had even witnessed miracles found their faith faltering. Judas would turn Jesus over to the authorities soon after the Last Supper, and Peter would deny knowing Jesus not once but three times. Faith, it seems, is not a static thing. As part of our Lenten disciplines this year, we ve been writing personal statements of faith, and we continue that practice as we enter Holy Week. Since this activity is cumulative, it may be helpful to write in the same place (a journal, a piece of paper, a Word document) each week, so you can see how your statement of faith grows during Lent. Our hope is that the other devotional activities during the week will help you think about your beliefs in different ways before you put pen to paper. People of God, what do you believe about sin and suffering? What do you believe about the resurrection? *If you are willing to share your statement of faith with the church, please email it to StatementsofFaith@firstpres-charlotte.org or place a hard copy in the basket in the Historic Lobby next Sunday. You can share your statement anonymously or include your name; please let us know your preference in your email or on your hard copy. i believe. Time be still. Watch and wait. Still. -Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace
Hymn No. 196 All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring! 1 Thou art the King of Israel, thou David s royal Son, who in the Lord s name comest, the King and blessed One. [Refrain] All Glory, Laud, and Honor 2 The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went; our praise and prayers and anthems before thee we present. [Refrain] 3 To thee, before thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise; to thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. [Refrain] 4 Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring, who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King! [Refrain] *Hymn No. 197 1 Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang. To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. Hosanna, Loud Hosanna 2 From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud; the Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait. 3 Hosanna in the highest! That ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer; the Lord of heaven, our King. O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice, and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice. *Hymn No. 209 1 My song is love unknown, my Savior s love to me, love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be. O who am I that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh, and die? 2 He came from heaven s throne salvation to bestow; the world that was his own would not its Savior know. But O my Friend, my Friend indeed, who at my need his life did spend! My Song Is Love Unknown 3 Sometimes we strew his way, and his sweet praises sing, resounding all the day hosannas to our King. Then Crucify! is all our breath, and for his death we thirst and cry. 4 Unheeding, we will have our dear Lord made away, a murderer to save, the prince of life to slay. Yet steadfast he to suffering goes, that he his foes from thence might free. 5 Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine: never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine. This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend. *Hymn No. 216 Beneath the Cross of Jesus 1 Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day. 2 Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess: the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness. 3 I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain or loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.