! e m o c Wel F irst P resbyterian C hurch F or C h r i s t in the H eart of C harlotte Order of Worship Congregational Day of Service October 14, 2018 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 Voluntary on Old Hundredth Words of Welcome Healey Willan The Reverend Katherine Kerr Adoration *Call to Worship (from Psalm 90) Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are our God. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let us worship God. *Hymn No. 611 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee hymn to joy
Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. We believe that God put the wiggle in children, and all are welcome in worship regardless of their ability to sit still. If you d like to step out of the sanctuary with your child, please feel free to visit the chapel (to the right of the sanctuary) where the service is streaming. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Confession The Reverend Mary Margaret Porter Holy God, we confess that we are often content with the way things are. The status quo is fine by us, and we are so consumed with work, school, family, and ourselves that we don t ask if it s fine by you. We neglect your vision for communities of welcome when we close our doors and close our eyes. With incredible generosity, you offer us resurrection and new life. By your Spirit, help us to see the possibilities that come from your gracious welcome, and inspire us to be people whose lives invite others to know your justice, love, and grace. In silent prayer, let us confess to God the things we choose not to speak aloud. Assurance of Pardon Friends, believe the good news. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *Response (Hymn No. 441) nettleton Hear the good news of salvation: Jesus died to show God s love. Such great kindness! Such great mercy! Come to us from heaven above. Jesus Christ, how much I love you! Jesus Christ, you save from sin! How I love you! Look upon me. Love me still and cleanse within. Prayer for Illumination Proclamation First Church is a worship education experience for children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. During First Church, children participate in and lead a simplified worship service that follows the same order as our service in the sanctuary. Scripture Luke 24:1-12 pew Bible pg. 90 This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Anthem O God Beyond All Praising arr. Dan Forrest O God beyond all praising, we worship you today and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay; for we can only wonder at every gift you send, at blessings without number and mercies without end. We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word; we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord. For we can only wonder at every gift you send, at blessing without number and mercies without end. For Christ, your gift from heaven, from death has set us free, and we through him are given the final victory. Then hear, O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring, that we who know your favor may serve our king; and whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still, to marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways, and make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise. Time with Children 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. The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9 this morning and streamed live at www.firstpres-charlotte.org. Scripture 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 pew Bible pg. 181 Sermon Fruits of Welcome The Reverend Pen Peery
*Hymn No. 301 Let Us Build a House two oaks first stanza only Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions: all are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place. Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Congregational Day of Service Presentation of Tithes and Offering Response The Reverend Katherine Kerr Offertory Anthem Love Divine, All Loves Excelling arr. Mack Wilberg Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down. Fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art. Visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart. Breathe, O breathe thy loving spirit into every troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; let us find thy promised rest. Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be. End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty. Come, Almighty, to deliver; let us all thy life receive. Suddenly return and never, nevermore thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above; pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love. Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be. Let us see thy great salvation, perfectly restored in thee, changed from glory into glory till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise. Amen! *Doxology (Hymn No. 606) 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. 361 O Christ, the Great Foundation aurelia *Benediction and Commission *Benediction Response Amen danish Postlude Processional William Mathias Please offer prayers for the Eastern North Carolina Mission Trip participants who will be traveling to Kinston to help with hurricane relief efforts. Kenny Archie David Burton Gibbs Ives Beth Rickenbaugh Jim Rickenbaugh Rick Rogers Chuck Williamson The sympathy of the congregation is expressed to Cathy Carter on the death of her father, Linwood Carter. As you exit the sanctuary today, look for the ushers holding baskets and place your 2019 pledge card inside. A time of personal prayer is offered following both services. If you would like to pray with a pastor or 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.
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 Katherine C. Kerr Senior Associate Pastor for Congregational Ministry and Care kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org Charles C. Williamson cwilliamson@firstpres-charlotte.org Rebecca L. Davis rdavis@firstpres-charlotte.org Mary Margaret Porter mporter@firstpres-charlotte.org William P. Young, III Director of Music Ministries wyoung@firstpres-charlotte.org Coming Up @ FPC... We Learn Opportunity Forum: Engage Awareness, Empower Action Wednesdays, October 17, 24 6:00 p.m. First-hand stories of how inequity and racial discrimination affect school students and how we can be a part of changing the opportunity for all children. Justin Perry, professional counselor and chair of OneMeck, will be the guest speaker on the 17th. Book Discussion Sundays, October 21, 28 10:00 a.m. Join us next Sunday in room S202 for a discussion based on the book Color and Character: West Charlotte High and the Struggle Over Educational Equity. Led by former West Charlotte students and leaders. You don t need to read the book to participate. We Serve Westerly Hills Volunteers Needed Thursday, October 18 Westerly Hills Academy Support literacy at Westerly Hills Academy (WHA) with the Bookapaloosa event for students that day and a dinner and presentation for parents that night. Click the link http://bit.ly/whabookapalooza or contact Heather (hherring@firstpres-charlotte.org) or Melissa (mmwalker65@gmail.com) if you are able to help. FPC to Host On the Table CLT Wednesday, October 24 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church joins organizations throughout the area to host On the Table CLT, a community-wide conversation about ways to make the Charlotte area more connected, dynamic and opportunity-rich for all. Sign up now at http://bit.ly/fpcottclt. We Care FPC Fall Fest Sunday, October 21 3:00-5:00 p.m. Bring a friend, a neighbor, a cousin everyone s invited to be part of the fun and fellowship at the annual Fall Fest at FPC. Join us on the front lawn for games, music and a trunk or treat. Costumes are welcome. Find more information on the church website. 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 Today is First Serves, the Congregational Day of Service! See below for locations... Blood Pressure Screenings - Front Lawn Flower Ministry - Courtyard Driveway Heart Tutoring - Session Room, S312 Kitchen Clean Up - Kitchen, Main Floor Lakewood Preschool - Classroom, P206 Meal Ministry - Youth Kitchen, P320 Notes to Missionaries and Students - Frances Browne Dining Room, P212 Organize and Label Closets - Kitchen, Main Floor Polish Silver - Library, P215 Power Wash Equipment - Wood Fellowship Hall Stage, P220 Prayer Ministry - Jesus Room, C307 Rescue Mission - 907 W. 1st Street Rise Against Hunger - Wood Fellowship Hall, P220 Westerly Hills Academy - Session Room, S312
*Hymn No. 611 1 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love! Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee 2 All thy works with joy surround thee; earth and heaven reflect thy rays; stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee. 3 Mortals, join the happy chorus which the morning stars began. Love divine is reigning o er us, joining all in heaven s plan. Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife. Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life. *Hymn No. 361 O Christ, the Great Foundation 1 O Christ, the great foundation on which your people stand to preach your true salvation in every age and land: pour out your Holy Spirit to make us strong and pure, to keep the faith unbroken as long as worlds endure. 2 Baptized in one confession, one church in all the earth, we bear our Lord s impression, the sign of second birth: one holy people gathered in love beyond our own, by grace we were invited; by grace we make you known. 3 Where tyrants hold is tightened, where strong devour the weak, where innocents are frightened, the righteous fear to speak, there let your church awaking attack the powers of sin and, all their ramparts breaking, with you the victory win. 4 This is the moment glorious when he who once was dead shall lead his church victorious, their champion and their head. The Lord of all creation his heavenly kingdom brings: the final consummation, the glory of all things