Welcome to Worship at First Presbyterian Church Neenah, Wisconsin We re delighted that you re here! With the open arms of Christ, we welcome those of every age, ability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity fully into the life of the church. Large print bulletins (with hymns included) are available. Please ask an usher. Hearing Assistance: First Presbyterian has a hearing loop for hearing aid users equipped with T-coils. Brochures explaining this feature are available in the pews. There are also head phones available in the Narthex, (aka the entryway) if you don t have hearing aids. Childcare (infants and toddlers through 2 years old) is available in the nursery located across from the Library. We welcome infants and small children in worship, but if your child needs care or becomes uncomfortable during the service, feel free to leave and return as you wish. Worship bags with activities and Bibles for children are available near the entrances of the Sanctuary. Worship Enrichment: At the option of their parents, children ages three years through first grade may follow a teacher to the Wee Worship room next to the Library immediately after the Time for Children. Worship Enrichment offers time for children to learn stories, games, songs, and crafts based upon familiar Bible lessons. Online Connections: You can learn more about us at www.firstpresneenah.org, and Like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/firstpresneenah, for updates on church activities. Special thank you to Will Volkman for playing the saxophone and Dave Strandberg for playing the trumpet, during our service today. Today s Ministers of Welcome: Greeters: Deacon Andrea Buss and Elder Susan Morrissey. Ushers: Amy Foster, Art McFarland, Lorenzo Pisan, and Ruth Wood. Coffee host: Chris Mings. Please prepare quietly for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off. 2
Service for the Lord s Day August 19, 2018 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 9:00 a.m. Prelude Bagatelle (Op. 126, No. 5) Ludwig van Beethoven Minuet in G Major * Introit, Hymn 626 As the Deer AS THE DEER As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you. You alone are my heart s desire, and I long to worship you. You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart s desire, and I long to worship you. * Call to Worship Give thanks to God, for God is good. God s steadfast love endures forever. Where we see scarcity, God offers abundance: leaven to lift our spirits, and loaves enough to share. Let us worship God. * Hymn All Are Welcome Hans Peterson and Larry Olson 3
* Prayer of Confession Almighty God, you are generous, sharing your creation with an outpouring of love; but we are miserly, hoarding your gifts out of greed and fear. Forgive us for withholding our voices when they could make a difference; for withholding our money when it could fulfill a need; for withholding our compassion when it could heal a wounded heart. Soften and reshape us, O God, in your generous image. Send your Spirit to give us the courage to share, and the faith to believe that, in your Son, giving will not deplete us, but will fill us with new life. Silent Confession * Response Hymn 698 Take, O Take Me as I Am TAKE ME AS I AM Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be; set your seal upon my heart and live in me. * Assurance of Pardon * Response Hymn 649 (Stanza 1) Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound AMAZING GRACE 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. * The Peace The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Welcome and Invitation to Our Church Life (Please sign and pass Fellowship Pads, noting names to greet one another after the service.) A Time for Children (Afterwards, 3-year-olds thru 1 st graders may follow a teacher to Worship Enrichment.) Prayer for Illumination Hymn 692 (Refrain) Spirit, Open My Heart Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living. As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving. Spirit, open my heart. 4 WILD MOUNTAIN THYME Scripture Readings 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 Pew Bible (OT) p. 304 Ephesians 5:15-20 Pew Bible (NT) p. 194 Psalm 111, Hymn 755 Alleluia! Laud and Blessing WEISSE FLAGGEN Mark 8:1-21 Pew Bible (NT) p. 43 Response Hymn 692 (Stanza 2) Spirit, Open My Heart WILD MOUNTAIN THYME Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story. In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory. Spirit, open my heart. Sermon The Yeast of Compassion Terry Hamilton-Poore
* Hymn 505 The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing THE FEAST IS READY Prayers of the People and the Lord s Prayer Sharing Our Gifts and Offerings Offertory Prière à Notre-Dame Léon Boëllmann * Sung Response Hymn 608 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow PRAISE GOD 5
* Prayer of Dedication Giver of all blessings, we thank you for your goodness that has created us, your grace that has sustained us, your discipline that has corrected us, and your love that has redeemed us. Help us to live with generous hearts, serving you with joy and delighting to do your will in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. * Hymn 526 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ LINSTEAD * Charge and Benediction * Sung Response, Hymn 702 (Stanza 1) Christ Be Beside Me BUNESSAN Christ be beside me; Christ be before me; Christ be behind me, King of my heart. Christ be within me; Christ be below me; Christ be above me, never to part. Postlude Trumpet Tune in B-flat Major Mark Shepperd ***************************** *Those who are able are invited to stand. Please join us for coffee and conversation out on the patio (weather permitting). The Women s Outdoor Adventure Group has rescheduled the Kayak/Canoe Trip down the Mecan River to August 24 th. Please email Barb Ramaeker (barbararamaeker@gmail.com) if you are interested in participating! Dinner and a show at the PAC! Join us for one, two, or all three of these matinees at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (PAC) followed by dinner at Pullmans Restaurant. Fiddler on the Roof, 2 pm Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 ($60 due by Oct. 16 th ). Anastasia, 2 pm Sat., Jan. 12, 2019 ($60 due by Nov. 27 th ). The Lion King, 2 pm Sat., Feb. 23, 2019 ($98 due by Nov 14 th ). Cost includes tickets, seats on main floor, and bus transportation departing at 1 pm from the Highlands at Mahler Park. Participants are responsible for their own dinner and beverages. Dinner includes: main dish, beverage, salad, hot rolls, queso dip and chips, cookie/bar, taxes, and tip. A limited menu will be served. To reserve your spot, contact Debbie Griffith (debbiegriffith34@gmail.com or 540-2342). Please make payments to Debbie. The Winnebago Presbyterian Women's group will join with our sisters from IL on Tuesday, August 28 th at 11:15 am at Christine Ann's Abuse Shelter in Oshkosh to serve lunch, help with a craft project, and do some sorting and cleaning. Contact Nancy Siewert (dennis1829@att.net)to participate. 6
THIS WEEK Sunday, August 19 9:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 10:30 a.m. Coffee Talk in the Meeting Room 10:30 a.m. PNC in the Heritage Room 2:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop Meeting Monday, August 20 5:30 p.m. Cub Scout Troop Meeting Tuesday, August 21 1:00 p.m. Partner Bereavement Support Group 5:30 p.m. JOY/SPY Advisor Training Wednesday, August 22 12:15 p.m. Lunchtime Organ Recital Faith Lutheran Church, Appleton, organist Vashni Seitzer 7 Thursday, August 23 5:00 p.m. Yoga 6:30 p.m. Lunchtime Organ Recital First Presbyterian Church, Neenah, organist Mitch Miller Sunday, August 26 9:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 10:30 a.m. Coffee Talk in the Meeting Room SAVE THESE DATES! Rally Day - Sunday, September 9 ROCK the BLOCK - September 20, 21, & 22 Fall Wonderful Wednesdays begin September 26 Adult Mission Trip - Departs October 6 Harvestfest - Saturday, October 20
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