First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST June 14, 2015 10:00 a.m. *please stand in body or in spirit GATHERING MUSIC Herzlich tut mich erfreuen Brahms WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Tom Watson CENTERING SILENCE CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive) We come to this place of prayer, for here we can bring our hopes and dreams, our hidden fears and the doubts we wear on our sleeves. We come to this place of grace, for here we learn compassion and joy, and discover how deeply we are loved. We come with these people called the church, to be blessed by the variety of gifts, to live as one for our God. *HYMN *HYMN How Can I Keep From Singing? Hymnal # 821 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Merciful God, you call us to live in mystery, to walk by faith. Yet we long for plans with goals and schedules. You call us to place our trust in you, to live according to your direction. Yet we want life to make sense from a human point of view. You call us to feel the mystery of life, to marvel at the power of your love. Yet it s not easy to accept your promise that everything old has passed away. It s hard to live by faith. Forgive us, Creator of all things visible and invisible, for playing at being divine instead of accepting our humanity. In your holy name we pray. Amen. *ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (responsive) Hear the good news! Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Friends, by the grace of God, know that we are forgiven and be at peace. *RESPONSE God of Compassion in Mercy Befriend Hymnal # 436 (v. 1 only)
A TIME WITH THE CHILDREN PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (unison) Becky Finkle Mighty God, to you belong the mysteries of the universe. You transform shepherds into kings, the smallest seeds into magnificent trees, and hardened hearts into loving ones. Bless us with your life-giving Spirit, re-create us in your image, and shape us to your purposes, through Jesus Christ. Amen. GOSPEL GOSPEL Mark 4: 26-34 N.T. p. 38 ANTHEM Amazing Grace arr. Carter August Lee, trumpet EPISTLE EPISTLE II Corinthians 5: 6-10, 14-17 N.T. p. 181 SERMON SERMON Telling the Difference Tom Watson *HYMN *HYMN Breathe on Me, Breath of God Hymnal # 286 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD S PRAYER RECEPTION OF TITHES & OFFERINGS INVITATION TO SHARE OFFERTORY I Surrender All arr. Keveren *RESPONSE Take My Life Hymnal # 697 (vs. 1, 4) *PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison) Gracious God, in the richness of your grace, you have freely bestowed upon us every spiritual blessing. With praise and grateful hearts, we return to you these offerings of our lives, that they might accomplish what you will according to your love and wisdom. Amen. *HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory Hymnal # 307 (vs. 1-3) *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *RESPONSE God of Grace and God of Glory Hymnal # 307 (v. 4) *POSTLUDE God of Grace Manz
Outdoor Worship & Picnic Next Sunday, June 21 10:00 a.m. Lorraine Park in South St. Paul (Same park as last year) Potluck picnic following worship! hotdogs and drinks provided To get to Lorraine Park from church: (maps at the kiosk) Turn left on Wentworth Ave., then right on 15th Ave. Follow 15th to Southview Blvd, turn left. Follow Southview to 5th Ave. S., turn right. Follow 5th Ave. to 8th St. S., turn left You will see the park on the left. SERVING US TODAY Greeters: Bill & LaVonne Peters Ushers: MaryAnn & Dave Cheyne, Becky Finkle, Peggy Sanchez Acolyte: Lylah Roach Lector: Becky Finkle Coffee Servers: Carol & Chuck Morris The flowers on the chancel this morning are provided by Betty Miller, in memory of Gayle Miller Music Director: Linda Kachelmeier Organist: Jen Bierlein Pastors: Katie Estes, Tom Watson Youth Coordinator: Ruth Buller Church Administrator: Eleta Pierce Prayer Chain Contact: Church Office (651) 451-6223 All graphics 1983-2015 by Communication Resources, Inc., and used with permission
First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul 535 20th Avenue North, South St. Paul, MN 55075 651-451-6223 www.fpcssp.org Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul. We are delighted that you have joined us to worship the Living God. If you are a first time worship guest, we extend a special welcome to you. Know that as our guest, you are invited to participate in any of the programs offered and we do not expect you to contribute when the offering is received. Today, your presence with us is your offering to God. Photos and/or video may be taken during this worship service. FPC-SSP reserves the right to use said photos or video in church publications, including, but not limited to, bulletins, newsletters, the church website, and social media sites. If you prefer not to appear in these photos or video, please talk to one of the ushers. If you have a prayer request, please use the yellow request cards in the pews. Give the card to an usher before worship or during the first hymn so it can be included in our prayers of the people today and passed on to the prayer chain as well. Children of all ages are welcome in our worship service. We also have professional childcare available for infants and children up to 5 years. The nursery is located at the top of the stairs in the upper level of the Education wing and is always available on those days your child may be restless. If you have an infant who begins to cry during the service, feel free to go into the library with your child and continue to hear the service on the speaker. Please join us after the worship service for a time of fellowship in the Commons. Coffee, juice and treats are available for a minimal charge for members and at no cost for guests. Come and connect with old and new friends as we enjoy fellowship together. Today, Sunday, June 14 8:30 a.m. Adult Education 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Monday, June 15 7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous Wednesday, June 17 9:00 a.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Bible Study Thursday, June 18 8:00 a.m. Men s Study Group 7:00 p.m. Mission On The Calendar Friday, June 19 6:30 p.m. Youth/Parent Mission Trip Dinner & Meeting 6:45 p.m. Youth Fellowship 7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous Sunday, June 14 Outdoor Worship/Father s Day 10:00 a.m. Outdoor Worship Service at Lorraine Park 11:00 a.m. All Church Picnic 1:30 p.m. Timber Hills Worship
Scripture: Mark 4: 35-41 Volunteers needed in July for Project Home! For the entire month of July our Fellowship Hall will once again become a homeless shelter through St. Paul Area Council of Churches Project Home. Many of you have volunteered in the past and we are hoping you will return again this year. If you have never volunteered in this way to try it this is a wonderful way to help your community in a very personal and hands-on way. We are also looking for some folks who would like to plan and lead activities for our guests. Stop by the table in the Commons to ask any questions and to sign up. A reminder to Youth going on Mission Trips and their parents that on Friday, June 19, we will be gathering at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and a meeting. Following that meeting, the parents will be excuse and the youth will be tie-dying shirts for the upcoming trips. Outdoor worship, communion and potluck picnic next Sunday, June 21 at Lorraine Park: Come on out and enjoy this wonderful worship opportunity including communion at Lorraine Park in South St. Paul, then stay for the picnic and fellowship afterwards! Bring a dish to share for the picnic. Invite your family, friends and neighbors everyone is welcome! Due to the outdoor worship service, we are switching Scrip Sunday to June 28. You may pick up your purchases on July 5, or in the church office the following week. A congregational meeting has been called for June 28, following the worship service, for the purpose of electing Elders & Deacons. Next Sunday, June 21 Theme: Outdoor Worship/Communion/Father s Day Music: Down by the Riverside No Adult Ed Class Announcements We have sold out of our reserved tickets for the St. Paul Saints ballgame on Monday, June 22, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for this game can still be purchased at the gate on the day of the game or online at Saintsbaseball.com (click on Buy Tickets ). Our next date and time to pack meals at Feed My Starving Children is Monday, June 22, 8:00 9:30 p.m. FMSC is a Christian nonprofit organization committed to feeding God's children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: volunteers hand-pack meals specially formulated for malnourished children, and sent to partners in more than 70 countries to break the cycle of poverty. It is almost time for Camp in a Van, have you registered? This week of games, worship, activities and fun will be here July 6 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. This experience is for kids of preschool age through those who have completed fifth grade, and is not limited to church members! Cost is $40.00 for the whole week. Youth are encouraged to sign up as helpers. Registration forms are available at the display in the Commons. Mark June 28 at 4:00 p.m. on your calendar. We will have a forum and light supper with Tyler and Rochelle Holm, missionaries in Malawi, through the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. Rochelle manages the Mzuzu University Water and Sanitation Centres, which are committed to increasing the availability and sustainable of clean water and improved sanitation in northern Malawi and beyond. Tyler teaches theology at the University of Livingstonia, one of the synod s institutions.