FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Gastonia, North Carolina THE WORSHIP OF GOD May 20, 2018 Day of Pentecost & Graduate Recognition 11:00 A.M. Worship We Gather in God s Presence Carillon Peal Please enter to worship in a spirit of reverence. Words of Welcome and Invitation To Discipleship Handbell Prelude and Silent Meditation Praeludium (Reflection) Rev. Dr. John L. Frye, Jr. Bob Burroughs On this day, the day You have made, may we take time to slow down and gaze at all the goodness around us. Lord, slow our steps that we may enjoy the journey a little longer. May our hearts rejoice at the splendor of all You have given us. May we celebrate this moment and every moment, for they are all a gift from You. Amen. Call to Worship (Responsively) This is the Day of Pentecost. Today life is given to the church. Today we speak in words so that all may understand. Mighty God, blow into our midst like a mighty rushing wind. Fill us with the breath of your presence. Set our hearts on fire with your love. Let us worship God! Processional Hymn #280 Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us Rev. Lauren Sease Vanacore EBENEZER
We Approach God Invitation To Confession Prayer of Confession (Collectively) Powerful God, you have sent forth your Spirit to inspire our lives and fill your church, but our response has been less than spirit-filled. You have called us into new community, but we continue to dwell on old divisions. You have given us words to speak and gifts to share, but we remain silent and reluctant. Release us, we pray, from this spiritual complacency. Ignite within our smoldering hearts the burning flame of your love. Renew within us a right spirit, that we may be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in whose name we pray...(silent confession) Amen. Assurance of Pardon Gloria Patri #581 Glory Be to the Father GREATOREX We Listen to God s Word Anthem O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Spencer Childers, Trumpet) Joel Raney Prayer for Illumination New Testament Lesson Psalm 104:24-35 pew Bible, New Testament pg. 555 Old Testament Lesson Acts 2:1-21 pew Bible, New Testament pg. 119 This is the Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God. Sermon "A Voice for All Flesh, A Language for Every Need Rev. Dr. John L. Frye, Jr.
We Respond to God s Word Affirmation of Faith, The 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, as 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. Recognition of Graduates Miss Ashley Nicole Beaty a graduate of Gaston Day School Greensboro Miss Sally Kate Buckles Chapel Hill Miss Murphy Dobbins Burrell attending Appalachian State University Miss Grace Ann Dent a graduate of Highland School of Technology Greensboro Mr. Kyle Daniel Holland attending North Caroline State University Miss Sydney Marie Craig attending University of South Carolina Miss Elizabeth Wrightson Efird a graduate of Gaston Day School Chapel Hill Mr. Dickson Reid Jentsch a graduate of Gaston Day School attending The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina Prayers of the People 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. Presentation of Our Gifts Handbell Offertory (Narrator, Mary Lauren Keeney) The Spirit in Our Midst Doxology Prayer of Thanksgiving Sandra Eithun Old Hundreth
We Bear God s Word into the World Hymn of Discipleship #279 Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove Charge Choral Benediction (Please Be Seated) In My Father's House: A Prayer for our Graduates In my Father s house are many dwellings, And if i go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, So that where I am you also may be. Organ Postlude Postlude on EBENEZER ST. AGNES PHILIP STOPFORD Gordon Young If you are able, please stand. Leading worship today are: Rev. Dr. John L. Frye, Jr., Senior Minister; Rev. Lauren Sease Vanacore, Associate Minister; Bethany Jennings, Director of Music Ministries; David Jennings, Organist; Sanctuary Choir; Sanctuary Ringers; Spencer Childers, Trumpet; Mary Lauren Keeney, Narrator Anthem Text Let us sing to the Lord a new Song, Filled with joy and endless praise; To our maker God, and King, a song of love and grace. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace! My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread thro' all the earth abroad the honors of your name. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease, 'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, he sets the prisoner free; his blood can make the foulest clean; his blood availed for me. Let us sing to the Lord a new song! Hear him ye deaf; his praise; ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Savior come; and leap, ye lame, for joy! My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, To spread throughout all the earth abroad, The honors of thy name! Let us sing to the Lord a new song!
opportunities for service, study & fellowship Medication Take Back Event One of the big issues in the opioid epidemic is diversion, or the pilfering of prescribed pain killers from home medicine cabinets. We ask you to gather your out-of-date and no-longerneeded medications opioids and other medications, both pills and fl uids and bring them to church on May 20, where a police officer will collect and safely discard them following Drug Enforcement Agency rules. A drop off station will be set up in the atrium outside of the Fellowship Hall from 8:30 until 10:15, then another station open in the Gallery from 10:30--11:00. An officer from the Gastonia Police Department will be there to receive meds. This will reduce the risk of opioid misuse and, by not flushing medications, will help protect our waterways. Thank you. Henderlite Class Breakfast All current and potential Henderlite Class members are invited to breakfast at the PAD on Sunday, July 29. Hope to see all of our members there. FAITH & FICTION Join this discussion and care group on Sunday, June 3, at 5:00 p.m. at Covenant Village. We will be discussing Emory s Gift by W. Bruce Cameron. Hostesses will be Teresa Morris and Jean Hileman. SEEKERS CLASS BREAKFAST Current and potential members of the Seekers Class are invited to a breakfast in the Parlor on Sunday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m. FPC s Blood Drive: June 4, 2:30-6:30 p.m. Come give the gift of life if you are eligible. Honor A Loved One With A Card Supporting Working Women In Guatemala New cards are here! For a suggested donation of $10 you are sending funds to help women get business training, start a business, and support their families. Get yours from the Presbyterian Women (Gloria Hickson and others) or the Reception Desk. This Week s Activities (See www.fpcgastonia.org for a full list of activities) Sunday 9:00 a.m. Thrive 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Children s Ministry Meeting 5:30 p.m. Youth End of Year Event 6:00 p.m. Session Meeting Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 5:30 p.m. Missions Meeting Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Sewing Ministry Noon Prayer Lunch 1:00 p.m. Mail Newsletter 5:35 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Thursday 8:30 a.m. Yoga 10:00 a.m. Backpack Program
opportunities for service, study & fellowship Upcoming Wednesday Prayer Lunch Menu: Come enjoy!!! May 23: Chicken salad croissants, pasta salad, chips, blueberry jello salad, tea and water. Vacation Bible Spectacular Plan to be here for Hero Central: Discover Your Strength in God, June 10-13, 5:30-8:15 p.m. Dinner is provided for campers and volunteers. Volunteers are needed and are encouraged to attend an orientation on Sunday, June 3rd following the 11:00 a.m. worship. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Jill Kimbirl or email jkimbirl@fpcgastonia.org. See Jill Kimbirl or Lisa Dent with questions or to offer your time. HELP HOST FAMILY PROMISE June 3-10 here at FPC Volunteers are needed to serve as evening, weekend, and overnight hosts, to provide meals and to help setup and clean up. Find our signup list at www.fpcgastonia.org. RoadRunners Join the next adventure on June 13, leaving at 9:00 a.m. to visit the Slightly Different Daylily Nursery near Shelby, followed by lunch at Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge. Sign up at the Reception Desk for your spot on the bus. KINGS MOUNTAIN TRIP: Join the RoadRunners when they travel to Kings Mountain on Friday evening, July 13th to see the play Liberty Mountain at the Joy Performance Center. The play was written by Bob Inman and tells the story of the fight for independence and the impact of the Battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War. The ticket cost is $20.00, payable with your reservation. We will stop for dinner at the Cherokee Grill in Kings Mountain payable on your own (one block from the performance center) prior to the play. Sign up at the Reception Desk by June 20th to make your reservation. Two buses will leave the parking lot at 5:00 p.m. Gaston Regional Children s Choir Camp 2018 FPC will be hosting this year s camp from July 16-19, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The price for registration between now and June 18 is $75.00 and goes up to $100 per camper after June 18. Parish Nurse Ministry Events FaithHealth Gaston: Volunteers are needed to make a reassuring phone call, prepare and/or deliver a meal, run an errand to the grocery store or pharmacy, transport someone to a doctor s appointment, and/or make someone s home safer by helping with handyman service. If interested, call Robin Burgess at 704-834-2756. Health Education Awareness Lunch: Senior TLC: A Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Wednesday, June 13, 2018 in the FPC Fellowship Hall. Program is free and open to the community. Lunch is available for $6.00. RSVP for the meal by Monday, June 11. End of Life Wishes: Gaston Hospice offers 2 Advance Directive clinics every month. Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will documents are explained, completed, and notarized at no charge. No appointment needed: 1st Thursdays 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and 3rd Thursdays 4:00 5:30 p.m.