210 S. Wayne Street Milledgeville, GA 31061

478-452-9394 www.fpchurch.org

fpchurch@windstream.net

We seek to glorify God through:

Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,

Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice

and environmental stewardship.

BEARING GOD’S WORD INTO THE WORLD *HYMN NO. 426 Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

One: Let your words this week proclaim God’s love. May your hearts’ meditations be

acceptable to God.

All: We will listen for the wisdom God wants us to know. We will seek God’s counsel

each day.

One: God’s hand is outstretched to touch and heal you.

All: How good it is to sense God’s guidance! How exciting it is to follow where Christ

leads! Amen. *CHORAL BENEDICTION Will You Decide Now to Follow Jesus? Anonymous *POSTLUDE Soldiers of Christ, Arise Lani Smith Portions of today’s liturgy are adapted and/or reprinted with permission from Led By Love by Lavon Bayler, ©1996 by

United Church Press.

CHURCH STAFF Interim Pastor, Rev. Martha Starnes, revmstarnes@gmail.com

Children & Youth, Gloria Burns, gloryb.ce@gmail.com

Admin. Asst., Dianna Hendricks, fpchurch@windstream.net

Treasurer, Anne Dennis, asdennis@windstream.net

Music Director, Jennifer Flory, jennifer.flory@gcsu.edu

Organists, Kate Phillips and Jenny Moore

Child Care Providers: Charis Andrews, Amelia Andrews, Kathleen Green

Please join us after worship in the Fellowship Hall for

refreshments and a time of fellowship.

Fellowship Hall is to the right of the front of the Sanctuary.

Restrooms are to the left of the front of the Sanctuary.

September 13, 2015

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

GATHERING AROUND GOD’S WORD

PRELUDE Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake Flor Peeters CHIMING OF THE HOUR WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CHORAL INTROIT I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Anonymous CALL TO WORSHIP Mary Baker, liturgist

One: Come away from dullness and complacency. God is calling us to listen and learn.

All: The heavens are telling the glory of God. The firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.

One: How long will we ignore the wisdom and counsel God offers? Our waywardness

separates us from God.

All: We gather to renew our relationship with God. We seek enlightenment and the

revival of our souls. *HYMN NO. 324 Open My Eyes That I May See *PRAYER OF INVOCATION (unison)

God of all wisdom, renew our sense of awe and wonder as we gather before you. Align us

with truth and righteousness, and help us honestly to seek you. Quiet our scoffing and

awaken our trust, that today’s worship might prepare us for tomorrow’s work. Make your

Word known to us, and stretch out your hand to touch us. Show us the disciplines we need

to stay in touch with you each day; set your stamp and mark upon us. Amen.

PSALM FOR THE DAY Psalm 19:7-10 CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

Most loyal God, we confess our arrogance in turning away from the knowledge you offer

and the relationship with us that you desire. We confess how fickle we sometimes are in our

devotion to you; our attention wanders and our sentiments shift. We say we have faith, but

our works do not show it, as we become more and more complacent. Fill us with an extra

measure of your Spirit, that we may become more constant and consistent disciples of the

living Christ. Amen.

CHORAL RESPONSE Though None Go With Me Anonymous ASSURANCE OF PARDON

One: Words of confession are not enough to break the patterns of complacency and self-

justification that separate us from God.

All: Thankfully, our Creator knows our hearts. If we turn from our undisciplined ways,

a new way is opening up for us.

One: God forgives us and welcomes us as partners in the gospel.

All: In being Christ’s disciples and keeping God’s ordinances, there is unexpected reward.

Thanks be to God!

THE PEACE

Leader: Let us now share the peace which Jesus made possible. …Peace be with you.

Congregation: And also with you.

Leader: Please greet those seated near to you with the peace of Christ.

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

CONVERSATION WITH THE CHILDREN Gloria Burns ANTHEM Will You Come and Follow Me Arr. John Bell PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE READINGS Proverbs 1:20-33 Mark 8:27-38 SERMON Rev. Martha Starnes

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN NO. 419 How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from A Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA)

We trust in the Triune God who, in a broken and fearful world, gives us courage to pray

without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask

idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work

with others for justice, freedom, ad peace.

In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks

and to live holy and joyful lives. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that

nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND OUR 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.

THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY Jesus Calls Us Lani Smith

*DOXOLOGY

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!

Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! *PRAYER OF DEDICATION *We invite you to stand.

S.T.A.R.S.

Our Students That Always Rejoice and Serve group consists of young children 4 yrs

old through 5th grade. Meetings will begin Wednesday, September 16, at 5:15 until

6:30pm. Please Join us for games, Bible stories, prayers, singing and crafts.

PUPPET MINISTRY

Puppets telling the Story will begin Sunday morning September 20, 10:00-10:45am.

Please be on time; we will need all the time to learn new skits. Elementary students

need to be able to read for this group. Middle and High School youth are encouraged

to participate also.

PARTNERS IN FAITH

Our Partners in Faith group will begin next Sunday, September 20, after worship.

Adults, children, and youth are invited to join us in sharing the story of Abraham and

Sarah around the tables in the Fellowship Hall. There will be stories to read, discus-

sion points, and pictures to color during the 30 minute session. To Join us, just fill

out the form in today's bulletin and let us know you will be there.

YOUTH GROUP

Middle and High School youth group will kick off September 27, at 12:30pm in the

youth room.

This congregation & our life & ministry together

during this transition time

The Pastor Nominating Committee

Illnesses:

Judy Bledsoe, Tom & Mary Lucik’s daughter, recovering from surgery

Harry Beck, malignancy

Charles Morgan, Jr., continuing recovery from back surgery

Ben Gautier (& Donna)

Vona Wohlenberg, Mary Lucik’s sister, cancer, recovering from surgery

Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson’s mother, back at home after rehab

Cephas & Jean Starnes, Martha's parents

John Fish, the Baarda’s son-in-law, leukemia

Ted Flynt, Jacqueline Northington’s son, cancer

Joseph Callender, Craig’s father, recovering from open heart surgery

Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne’s parents, numerous health problems

Amy Smith, colon cancer, work & disability issues

Joe Owens, continuing recovery from broken back (and Charlotte)

Nancy Selecman, Sue York’s mother

Betty Owens, Joe & Charlotte’s sister-in-law, cancer

Tom Murphy, Kathy Carroll’s brother, colon cancer

Roy Pound, Sunda Coleman’s father

Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son

Ricky Spear, Vera Bales’ brother, chemotherapy after colon surgery

April McMillan, Jeanene Vinson’s granddaughter, in remission

Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney failure

Marty Flory, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, ongoing health issues In Assisted Living:

Jonnie Tenold, Mike Tenold’s mother, Green Acres

Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom’s mother, Green Acres

Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns’ mother, Savannah Court

Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385 Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC 29803

Reba Vaughan, Pine Gate, 300 Charter Boulevard Apt 109, Macon, GA 31210 Others with Limited Mobility: Mary Carlton Martha Chappell Mrs. Gerry Califf

Helen Danuser Bob & Eloise Lamb Jo Ann Manley

Polly Morrison Gloria Smith Chuck & Ruth Treptow Other: Marion Robinson, at Cumberland Island serving as a volunteer camp ground hostess.

OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 - 4:30

478-452-9394

fpchurch@windstream.net

https://www.facebook.com/First.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville.GA

CHECK OUR WEBSITE

For bulletin, newsletters and

additional information. ONLINE GIVING

fpchurch.org

RADIO MINISTRY

WKZR (102.3FM)

TODAY 9:45 Bible Study

11:00 Worship

12:15 Deacons

5:00 PW Study 14 Mon. 5:30 Stewardship & Finance

6:00 Property

15 Tues. 9:30 Food Pantry

9:30 Samaritan’s Ministry

4:30 Worship Committee

16 Wed. 6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

17 Thurs. 6:30 IOBI

7:00 Choir

19 Sat. 12:00 Prison Family Lunch

20 Sun. 9:45 Bible Study

10:00 Puppet Ministry

11:00 Worship

12:00 Partners in Faith

5:30 Session

LISTENING DEVICES AVAILABLE

Listening devices are available in the

Narthex for those needing assistance.

See one of the greeters.

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Bulletin items are due September 15

October newsletter articles due

by noon on September 28

(This is a definite deadline.)

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CHURCH OFFICERS: 2015 2016 2017 Elders: Dave Baarda Marianne Edwards Jan Clark

John Bradley Sam McChesney Doris Moody

Anne Smart Nancy Miller, Clerk Charlie Morgan Deacons: Margie Dodd Joseph Dean Joel Burns

Millie Murphy Becky Henderson Nita Peavy

Bill Werts, Moderator Alice Tenold Irene Tchamna

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will resume meeting in September. The Sunday Evening Group will

meet at 5:00 today, September 13 and on each 2nd Sunday (this is a change) through

May. The Tuesday Morning group will meet again this year on the second Tuesday of the

month for Bible Study at 11:00 and for a covered dish lunch at 12:00. The Bible study

this year is entitled Come to the Waters and is written by Judy Record Fletcher. Please join us for this study of scripture. Rosemary Begemann will be the discussion

leader. Study books are available in the Church Office, the cost is $9, or see Rosemary.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We need volunteers to provide simple snacks and a beverage for our after church

fellowship time. September 20 and all of October except October 4, are currently open,

so please sign up on the sheet posted in the kitchen.

PARTNERS IN FAITH

Please fill out and place in the offering plate or give to Gloria Burns or

Anne Smart.

For Adults: Partners in Faith I (please print your name)

_______________________________________ am willing to

commit to meeting once a month (3rd Sunday of each month) with a

young person to share Bible stories and conversation for the purpose

of sharing our faith and getting to know each other.

For Children and Youth: Partners in Faith

I (please print your name)

_______________________________________ am willing to

commit to meeting once a month (3rd Sunday of each month) with

an Adult to share Bible stories and conversation for the purpose of

sharing our faith and getting to know each other.