First Presbyterian Church Neenah, WI
Welcome to Worship at First Presbyterian Church Neenah, Wisconsin We re delighted that you re here! With the open arms of Christ, we welcome persons of every age, ability, race, or ethnicity fully into the life of the church, recognizing and respecting all sexual orientations and gender identities. 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. Childcare (infants and toddlers through 2 years old) is available in the nursery located next to the Fellowship Hall. 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. The audio portion of the second service can be heard in the Chapel, where you and your child are also welcome. Worship Bags and Bibles for Children are available near the entrances of the Chapel and the Sanctuary, as are booster seats to make your child more comfortable. Wee Worship: At the option of their parents, children ages three years through first grade are invited to gather in the Wee Worship room next to the library immediately following the Time for Children at the second service (a teacher will lead them there). Wee Worship provides an environment for young children to learn, experience, and participate in worship in a developmentally appropriate way. When we celebrate a Baptism or Communion, children will rejoin their families in worship right after the sermon so that they can participate. If their parents prefer, children may be taken to the nursery instead of returning to worship. Online Connections: Please learn more about us at our website, www.firstpresneenah.org, and Like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/firstpresneenah, for updates on church activities. We welcome to our pulpit The Rev. Dr. Linda Morgan-Clement. Today s Ministers of Welcome: Greeters: Deacon Andrea Buss and Elder Vicki Morris. Ushers: Faye and Dan Wells at 8:00 a.m. and Heather Miller, Vicki Morris, Liam and Lorenzo Pisan at 10:15 a.m. Coffee Hostess: Margaret Lorenz. Flowers are given by: Cindy Repenn in memory of Charles Repenn. 1
January 22, 2017 Service for the Lord s Day 3rd Sunday after Epiphany As the prelude begins, please prepare quietly for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off. 8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. Prelude Bright and Glorious is the Sky arr. G. Winston Cassler Brightest and Best arr. G. Winston Cassler Introit - Hymn 399 (sung twice) God Welcomes All THEMBA AMEN * Call to Worship (From Call to Worship 2016 Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Sing to our God a new song; Sing to our God, all the earth. We proclaim God s Word, the light in the darkness! The darkness can never overcome it. Let us worship God. * Hymn 401 Gather Us In GATHER US IN * Prayer of Confession Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us a part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from sisters and brothers in Christ. We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another; we allow the past to hold us hostage. In your loving kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from sin. Remind us of the promises you make in baptism so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace. (Moment for silent prayers of confession) 2
* Congregational Response Hymn 578 O Lord, Have Mercy ORÉ PORIAJÚ VEREKÓ * Assurance of Pardon * Congregational Response Hymn 583 Glory to God GLORIA (Taizé) * The Peace The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. (You are invited to share the Peace greeting with your neighbor saying: The peace of Christ be with you, and the neighbor responding, And also with you. ) Welcome and Invitation to Our Church Life Musical Selection Jesus Calls Us O er the Tumult (10:15) arr. Linda Lamb Praise Ringers A Time for Children (10:15) (Following A Time for Children those who are 3 yrs 1 st grade are welcome to follow a teacher to the Wee Worship room.) 3
Prayer for Illumination Scripture Readings 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Pew Bible (NT) p. 166 Psalm 27, Hymn 841 God Is My Strong Salvation WEDLOCK Matthew 4:12-23 Pew Bible (NT) p. 3 Response: For the word of God in Scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, Thanks be to God! Sermon Linda Morgan-Clement * Hymn 317 In Christ There Is No East or West MC KEE *Affirmation of Faith from A Brief Statement of Faith (From Glory to God The Presbyterian Hymnal 2013 Westminster John Knox Press) We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. 4
Prayers of the People and the Lord s Prayer (Following the words, God, in your mercy, the response is Hear our prayers. ) 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. Sharing of Our Gifts and Offerings (Please sign and pass the Fellowship Pads, noting other names as they are returned, and greet one another after the service.) Offertory Meditation on Deo Gracias (8:00) arr. Mark Sedio Heavenly Light (10:15) Chancel Choir Sent from heaven, thy rays were given on great and small to shine. O light Divine! May each soul in sorrow s night see the heavenly light! Thou blessing to all creation, lead us to our salvation! All those whose feet may falter, lead unto the sacred altar! Oh shine from above, Divine Light of love! Show us the way unto our God, we pray! Thou our beacon and guide shalt be! Light Divine, we praise Thee! A. Kopylov, arr. P. Wilhousky * Offertory Response Hymn 144 (Stanza 4) In the Bleak Midwinter CRANHAM 5
Prayer of Thanksgiving Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. God of ocean and river, font and flood, you claim our lives in baptism. Accept all we have and are, O God, in the service of Jesus Christ, and strengthen us in your Spirit to live with grace, love and courage, now and forever. Amen. * Hymn 853 We Are Marching in the Light of God SIYAHAMBA * Charge and Benediction * Congregational Response Hymn 600 Amen Postlude We Are Marching in the Light of God arr. John Behnke * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Those who are able are invited to stand. We invite you to join us for coffee and conversation in the Church Parlor after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services. We welcome to our pulpit The Rev. Dr. Linda Morgan-Clement. Linda is a Presbyterian Minister and the new Dean for Spiritual and Religious Life at Lawrence University. Previously, she was chaplain and director of interfaith campus ministry at The College of Wooster in Ohio. Linda has also served as a parish minister, starting a brand-new congregation. She was born in Hong Kong, and grew up in Oshkosh and Sheboygan. She is a graduate of Carroll University and McCormick Theological Seminary, and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. 6
The Parish Nurse Office hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Please contact Susan directly to set office, home, hospital or care facility visits (church office 725-4391 or sjares@firstpresneenah.org). There is no charge for the Parish Nurse Health Ministry services. The New Member/Inquirer s Class is for those interested in joining the church or simply finding out more about First Presbyterian Church and what we believe. The last session of this class for prospective members and inquirers will meet TODAY January 22nd, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the youth room (#206) upstairs at the end of the hallway. Please join us. The Young Adult Fellowship group will gather at the home of Sara and Chuck Stertz (303 North Drew St., Appleton) Tuesday, January 31 st, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Street parking is available or you may use the Methodist Church parking lot just across the street from the Stertz home. Meatballs and BBQ little smokies will be provided by Sara and Chuck. Please bring a dish to share. To ensure a variety we ask that you use the following guide: A-H (Salad); I-R (Main Dish); and S-Z (Dessert). Childcare is available. To sign up for the group and/or childcare please contact Pastor Paul Huxtable (phuxtable@firstpresneenah.org). Hey Parents, need a night out ahead of Valentine s Day a time to dine, shop, or catch a movie? We ll take the kids for you at no charge! Friday, February 10 th, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. is Parents Night Out! Stay for a quick 15-minute introduction to other parents, and then go have fun! Please RSVP with the number of children attending and their ages to Gina Struensee (text to 915-8636 or gstruensee@firstpresneenah.org) by Monday, February 6 th. The Progressive Dinner has become a treasured annual event at First Presbyterian and we encourage you to Save the Date of Saturday, March 4th for another toe-tapping good time. If you are interested in being a dinner host home or assisting in the meal preparation, please contact the church office (725-4391) and they will pass along the information to one of us on the Membership Team to get in touch with you. 7
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SUNDAY MORNING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES 8:30 a.m. Joyful Noise Handbells The Choir room (6 th Grade & up) 9:00 a.m. FaithTime The Fellowship Hall PreK to 5 th Grade 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Belhar The newest addition to our Book of Confessions Part II Led by: Sara Stertz The Confession of Belhar is a powerful confession of faith that emerged in South Africa during the years of Apartheid. It is named for the city in South Africa where it was first adopted. Written in a setting where racial separation made it impossible for brothers and sisters in Christ to worship or come to the Lord s Table together, it focuses on three themes: Unity, Reconciliation, and Justice. Churches around the globe have recognized the power and theological insight of Belhar as an expression of Scriptural truth for their own contexts. Jan 29 Belhar The newest addition to our Book of Confessions Part III Led by: Sam Hamilton-Poore 9:20 a.m. Pre-K Room #106 (next to the Nursery) K to 2 nd Grade Room #108 (just off the Fellowship Hall behind the Kitchen) 3 rd to 5 th Grade Room #205 (second floor Art room) 6 th to 8 th Grade Room #B1 (the JOY room under the Fellowship Hall stage) 11:15 a.m. Sunday Bible Study Meeting Room Grades 9 th to 12 th are invited to share their gifts in any of the following ways: singing in the choir, baking for and hosting coffee hour, ushering, serving communion, teaching in Faith Time classes, or attending Adult Christian Education held most Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Meeting room. See Gina Struensee for ways to become involved. Please stop by the information desk in the lobby if you have any questions about educational opportunities or room locations. 9
This Week Sunday, January 22 - Guest Preacher - Linda Morgan-Clement 8:00 a.m. Worship in the Chapel 8:30 a.m. Joyful Noise Handbells 9:00 a.m. Adult Christian Education 9:00 a.m. New Member/Inquirer Class 9:00 a.m. FaithTime 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir 10:15 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Sunday Bible Study Tuesday, January 24 10:00 a.m. Friendship Circle Wednesday, January 25 9:30 a.m. Book Study 6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Thursday, January 26 5:00 p.m. Yoga 6:00 p.m. Jubiloso Quartet 7:00 p.m. Praise Ringers Friday, January 27 6:30 a.m. Men s Fellowship Saturday, January 28 10:00 a.m. Mary Gilbert Visitation in the Parlor 11:00 a.m. Mary Gilbert Memorial Service in the Chapel Sunday, January 29 - New Members Received 8:00 a.m. Worship in the Chapel 8:30 a.m. Joyful Noise Handbells 9:00 a.m. Adult Christian Education 9:00 a.m. FaithTime 9:00 a.m. Special Session Meeting 9:15 a.m. Chancel Choir 10:15 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. JOY Fellowship 5:15 p.m. SPY Fellowship 10
Pastoral Care: Because of HIPAA laws and privacy regulations, the church does not always hear about hospitalizations of our members. If you or family members experience a hospitalization, illness, or other need for pastoral care, please call the church office so that the pastors and parish nurse may be alerted. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net, License A-716949 First Presbyterian Church 200 Church Street Neenah, WI 54956 (920) 725-4391 E-mail: firstpresneenah@firstpresneenah.org Interim Pastor: Terry Hamilton-Poore Associate Pastor: Paul Huxtable Director of Christian Education: Gina Struensee Director of Music: Stephen Sieck Organist: Blake Doss Office Administration Coordinator: Cindy Kreis Office Assistant: Michelle Weber Parish Nurse: Susan Jares Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel 10:15 a.m. in the Nave Nursery care available during both services Visit our website: www.firstpresneenah.org Finance and HR Coordinator: Laurie Stafford Facilities Maintenance Coordinator: Mick Horswill Housekeeper: Emily Buksyk Handbell Program Coordinator: Paul McKlveen Faith Time Music Director: David Pecsi Youth Handbell Choir: Tanya Schroeder Nursery Care Givers: Lauren Jares, Michelle Lewis, and Nikki Van Herwynen 11