To know Christ personally, to mature spiritually, to build community and to show God's love faithfully.

Committed to Christ and His Word

JOHN

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Welcome

ARE YOU NEW HERE?

We especially welcome you and thank you for worshipping with us. We’re excited to be a part of what God is doing in our community and we look forward to getting to know you. If you'd like to know more about us, visit our sycamorepres.com or stop by the Welcome Center in the foyer.

A NOTE FROM OUR SENIOR PASTOR We’re committed to Christ and His Word and strive to love one another. For those who are just becoming interested in Christ, you'll find space to learn and grow without the pressure to be more “spiritual.” We also provide opportunities for those who are experienced and committed to serving Christ and his Kingdom. Join us as we seek:

TO KNOW CHRIST PERSONALLY Faith begins with a personal commitment to Christ,

trusting in Him as Savior and Lord.

TO MATURE SPIRITUALLY Faith grows through commitment to His Word, studying and applying the Scriptures,

transforming every area of life.

TO BUILD COMMUNITY Faith is evident in our love for one another. Jesus said, “By this the world will know you are my

disciples, if you love one another.” This involves commitment beyond Sunday morning to small groups in which we pray and care for one another.

TO SHOW GOD’S LOVE FAITHFULLY Faith is expressed through witness and mercy.

As God’s love is shown for us in Christ, who gave his life for us, we are to show God’s love to others, giving ourselves to share Christ with them,

and serving in our community, our city, and our world.

That others might know Christ personally…

Harry D. Long, Senior Pastor

Large-print worship bulletins are available at the welcome table.

Hearing assistance devices are available at the sound booth.

The mother’s room is available during the services for nursing mothers.

Culto de adoración en español, 11:15 AM, sala tres.

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Service for the Worship of God

February 23, 2020 | 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM

REFLECTION Wind and water do whatever the Lord Jesus tells them to do. Be still. Bear weight. Become wine. Natural laws were made by Christ and alter at his bidding.

The composition of all things was not only created by Christ, but is also held in being moment by moment throughout the whole universe by his will. “He. . . upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). “In Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). Jesus defines reality in the beginning and gives it form every second.

Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, John Piper

WELCOME PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP CALL TO WORSHIP (From Psalm 29)

(Leader) Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

the voice of the Lord is majestic.

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;

the Lord is enthroned as King forever.

The Lord gives strength to his people;

the Lord blesses his people with peace.

You are

encouraged to

prepare for

worship by

quieting

your mind and

heart.

Because we

believe God

initiates with

sinners, we begin

worship

with His Word:

His invitation to

us to gather in

His name.

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HYMN OF PRAISE ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME! #296, verses 1, 3, 5 & 6

We praise our

Triune God for

who He is and

what He does.

CCLI License #338551

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PRAYER OF ADORATION

CONFESSION OF SIN (I PETER 2:1-6)

(Leader) Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit,

hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

(Congregation) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,

so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As you come to him, the living Stone

- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him -

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house

to be a holy priesthood,

offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For in Scripture it says:

"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Silent prayer, confessing our sin.

THE LORD ’S PRAYER (page 19)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Romans 8:1-2)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Jesus leads us

from our sins

into the joy of

His grace.

The reading of

scripture, which

exposes our sin.

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HYMN OF ASSURANCE ACROSS THE LANDS

By Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

We rejoice in

the promise of

forgiveness!

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HYMN OF ASSURANCE BEHOLD OUR GOD By Sovereign Grace Music

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DECLARATION OF FAITH APOSTLE’S 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,

was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell1;

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 quick2 and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;

the holy catholic3 church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING JOHN 6:16-24

SERMON (page 11) SERIES: JOHN: THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE Jesus Walks on Water Pastor Harry Long

PRAYER OF APPLICATION

We boldly

proclaim what

we believe.

During the

11:00 AM sermon,

children ages 4

years through

2nd grade are

invited to Kid’s

Worship. They

will return after

the sermon.

1) he suffered the

wrath of God on

the cross.

2) “quick” means

“living”

3) All Christians

of every

generation.

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HYMN OF PURPOSE FAIREST LORD JESUS

#170

We sing

because God’s

Word calls us to

respond.

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PRAYER OF PETITION & THANKSGIVING 8:30 JIM BATES 11:00 TREVOR ROBERTS

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (hymnal #644) May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,

That I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.

OFFERING

Please sign and pass the fellowship pad.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

DOXOLOGY (hymnal #731) 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. Amen.

BENEDICTION

CLOSING REFRAIN (hymnal #727)

Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness,

make thy way plain before my face.

For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,

that makes me to dwell in safety.

POSTLUDE

We give thanks

to God and bring

our needs to him.

As recipients of

his grace, we give

back to God a

portion

of what is

already his.

Jesus said, “I give

[all who believe

in Me] eternal

life, and they

shall never

perish; no one

will snatch them

out of my hand.”

John 10:28

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Sermon Notes

SERIES: JOHN THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE

STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples,

which are not recorded in this book. But these are written

that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:30-31

Today: Jesus Walks on Water John 6:16-24

Question: Why did John not mention Peter?

Sermon Notes:

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MISSIONS JOHN AND LYNN LEHN, GREATER EUROPE MISSION (CROATIA) At the beginning of 2020, we ordained two additional men to serve as elders in the church. We are excited about this and are trusting that we will learn quickly how to serve together in an effective way so as to see even greater fruit in and through the ministry of the church in the year ahead. Lynn is facilitating a country-wide “Hope for the Wounded” retreat in March. Be in prayer for the speakers, leaders of small groups, leaders of worship and for all the logistics. Pray that the Lord would give people victory in their lives over the wounds they have experienced in their past that hinder them from growing in their faith.

OUR CONGREGATION KNITTING HIS LOVE and THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE Please pray:

1.That the Pastor Search Committee will be on our knees praying that God will be strengthening us with his Holy Spirit and giving us the proper understanding of His love for us and His church as we seek our new Senior Pastor.

2. Pray that we will know and remember that God can do immeasurable more than we ask or imagine so that we continue to ask boldly for His blessings upon Sycamore.

3. Pray that God's power is at work in us and that His Holy Spirit will guide us to pick the man of God’s choosing.

4. Pray that God be glorified in Jesus Christ and in the congregation of Sycamore throughout all generations.

OUR DENOMINATION COVENANT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

OUR COMMUNITY GOOD NEWS JAIL & PRISON MINISTRY OUR CITY WE PRAY FOR THE COMING OF GOD ’S KINGDOM IN METROPOLITAN RICHMOND: For the enhancement of our common life through the Holy Spirit, and for the resurrection of metropolitan Richmond as a modern metropolitan city of hope for the world.

We pray for the various needs of our

mission partners, congregation,

denomination, community and city.

Petition & Thanksgiving

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SUN Feb. 23

MON 24

TUES

25

WED 26

THU

27

FRI 28

SAT 29

This Week at Sycamore Worship Service Adult Sunday School Servicio de adoración MS Youth Group HS Youth Group Prayer Meeting Men’s Bible Study Men’s Bible Study ESL MS Bible Study Women’s Bible Study Missions Committee Meeting Local Impact Team Meeting HS Discipleship Women’s Bible Study Sanctuary Choir ESL Conversation VIP Luncheon Knitting His Love Sanctuary Open for Prayer (12-6) Knitting His Love Hispanic Youth Bible Study Pastor’s Discipleship Class Men’s Bible Study ESL Bible Study Hispanic Bible Study Handbells

8:30 & 11:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:15 AM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM 12:00 PM 6:00 AM 6:45 AM 9:30 AM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 12:00 PM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 AM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

We encourage our children to glorify God,

to know Him personally and learn how to

live as His beloved sons and daughters. We

welcome all children, and encourage and

support parents as they love and raise them.

We provide a safe, loving, and gospel-filled

environment for families.

Nursery: Care for infants ages 0-3 is

available during all worship services and

the Sunday School hour. Your child will

play and enjoy a lesson and a snack.

Children in Worship: We love and

value having kids in our worship service!

We encourage them to engage in the

service as they are able.

Worship Bulletins for children are,

available in the foyer on Sunday

mornings: one for children ages 3-6

and one for children ages 7-12.

Kid’s Worship for children ages 4

years to 2nd grade, during the sermon in

the 11:00 AM service. This ministry

teaches children how to worship in

church through age-appropriate lessons

and activities. We start worship

together, and just before the sermon you

are welcome to take your child(ren) to

room 15. They will be escorted back to

the sanctuary after the sermon.

YOUTH MINISTRY

Our Youth Ministry desires to see High

School (HS) and Middle School (MS)

students grow in their personal relationship

with God by journeying with them toward

spiritual maturity in a gospel-centered

community.

Both MS (grades 6-8) and HS (grades 9-12)

students meet at different times for Youth

Group, a time to fellowship and dive

deeper into understanding who God is and

who we are.

Additionally, there are weekly opportunities

throughout the year for Small Group Bible

study.

THROUGH THE ROOF

Through the Roof exists to love and serve

Jesus Christ by breaking down barriers so

that children with special needs and their

families can know Jesus and fully

participate in the body of Christ. We will

do what it takes to get them "through the

roof" to meet Jesus.

TTR provides buddies to attend Sunday

School or special events with your child,

and every Sunday, Room 24 is our Sensory

Room, a quiet place to relax and

decompress in a sensory-friendly

environment.

Growing Together

"...in Christ we, though many, form

one body, and each member belongs to

all the others." Romans 12:5

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WOMEN’S MINISTRY The Women’s Ministry seeks to enable all women, regardless of age and stage of life, to understand and grow in their relationship with Christ, to find ways to fulfill Christ’s purpose in their lives, to reach beyond themselves to minister to others, and to develop a vision for sharing Christ. Join us for bible studies and the Annual Retreat.

MEN’S MINISTRY Our men’s ministry seeks to build relationships among men so they can encourage one another spiritually, as the Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Join us for bible studies and our Annual Retreat.

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY-VIPS If you are like us, there are a few things you want in life: to celebrate blessings, to share your experiences and insights, to do something worthwhile with your time and experience, and for others to know the joy of the gospel. Does this represent you? The VIPs at Sycamore offer you a host of opportunities to share, learn, and grow in God’s grace.

SMALL GROUPS

Small Groups are a primary way we are intentional about life together. Groups meet regularly to pray, study and share joys, sorrows, and struggles.

HISPANIC MINISTRY This Ministry is a loving and welcoming community that gathers for fellowship and worship in Spanish as a part of the Body of Christ at Sycamore. We worship on Sunday at 11:15 AM in room 3.

MINISTERIO ESPAÑOL Este Ministerio es una comunidad cariñosa y acogedora que se reune para adorar y tener compañerismo en Español como parte del cuerpo de Cristo de Sycamore. Nos reunimos para adorar el Domingo a las 11:15 AM en la sala 3.

For more information on any of these and more of our ministries,

visit www.sycamorepres.com.

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THANKS TO THOSE SERVING THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23)

8:30 Nursery 9:50 Nursery 11:00 Nursery Kid’s Worship

Susan Antoline Dan Schantz Caleigh Schantz

Amish Ray Manisha Ray

Babies: Cathy Whitehead Fatima Albaadani Toddlers: Mary Virginia Shefferly Scott Shefferly Holly Higley

Becky Boone Emily Ellinghausen

8:30 Ushers 11:00 Ushers

Wayne Mathewson John Vick Darryl Glass Jimmy Cox Steve Jenkins

Bob Maddox Duncan Cooke Jim Mathay Lee Harris

Serve

SERVING NEXT SUNDAY (MARCH 1)

8:30 Nursery 9:50 Nursery 11:00 Nursery Kid’s Worship

Lisa Gabriel Fatima Albaadani

Irene Brown Fatima Albaadani

Babies: Jennifer Kruger Melissa Prior Toddlers: Emily Iniguez Linda Cooke Reagan Kruger

Barbara Corwin Ethan Clarke

8:30 Ushers 11:00 Ushers

Chip Naughton Stephen Evelyn Amish Ray Bernard Warthan

Chuck Young Steve O’Brien Dale Moore

This is the schedule as posted online. Changes and substitutions may not be reflected.

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Sunday School To deepen our understanding of Scripture

and our love for God through thoughtful

and engaging studies of God’s word.

Nursery room C/D

Nursery room B

Nursery room A

Room 13

Room 12

Room 10

Room 15

Room 24

Room 4

Room 2

*as of Sept 2019

0-1 years

*2-3 years

*4-5 years

Grades 1-2

Grades 3-4

Grade 5

Kid’s Worship

Sensory Room

Middle School

High School

CHILDREN - 9:50 AM on Sunday.

Kid's Sunday School teaches that it is the gospel,

not good behavior, that changes everything.

Includes time of worship & music for all classes.

YOUTH - 10:00 AM on Sunday.

Middle School students (grades 6-8) and High

School students (grades 9-12) meet to study God's

word and be encouraged to grow in their faith.

ADULT - 10:00 AM on Sunday

- Learning to Love the Psalms

Learn to love some of the greatest treasures the

Lord has given through a study of their themes,

structure, and beauty.

Room 3

- Parenting

The purpose of parenting, our calling as

parents, and the fuel for our journey as

parents.

Room 25

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DEADLINE FOR MALAGA, SPAIN TRIP IS TODAY This short-term Missions trip will be July 1-12, 2020. The team will primarily work with Serge missionaries to put on a Kid’s English Camp for the Malaga community. We hope to reach at least 50 kids, most from non-Christian backgrounds, who would like to grow in their English speaking skills. For more information contact Evan and Shannon Earley ASAP. (shannonearley@outlook.com / 804-245-1931) ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES STARTING MARCH 1ST

Philippians taught by Ambrose Winfree and Jim Shefferly

The Lord’s Prayer taught by Jim Bates and Dennie Pritchard

Inquirers Class taught by Harry Long

Highlights

February offering goal: $94,010

Feb offering (as of 2/16/20): $55.822 60%

Financial Information

Current fiscal year: April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020

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Spiritual Care

If you'd like to speak to someone about what it means to know Jesus Christ or you have a

spiritual need or question, please speak to one of our elders. The primary responsibilities

of our elders are oversight, shepherding, and spiritual care for the community at

Sycamore. If you are interested in speaking with a trained counsellor, we support Wellspring

Christian Counselling. You can contact them at www.wellspringrva.com or 804-306-0504.

PRAY WITH US

Fill out the prayer card from this bulletin and drop it in the offering plate.

To sign up for our church-wide prayer chain, go to sycamorepres.com and click on

Community, then click Prayer.

Our church staff meets weekly to pray over requests and praises.

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 for ever. Amen.

PRAYER OF BELIEF

Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life.

But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in heaven for me.

Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and save me.

I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You for my salvation.

I accept the free gift of eternal life. Amen.

Harry D. Long, Senior Pastor Marty Cates, Associate Pastor of Family & Youth Ministries Ambrose Winfree, Assistant Pastor of Hispanic Ministry Becky Boone, Director of Kid ’s Ministry Michael Breakall, Director of Worship Christine Bates, Assistant Director of Youth & Discipleship Evan Maddox, Assistant Director of Youth & Outreach Sandra Learned, Administrative Team Leader Kate Maguire, Administrative Assistant Margarita Wallace, Administrative Assistant

STAFF

Dave Antoline* Jim Bates* Rob Cross* Brian Kaman Glenn Kurtz Peter Martin Rob Nettles* Dave Prior*

Dennie Pritchard* Amish Ray Stephen Righter* Trevor Roberts Phil Rohrer* Jim Shefferly Jim Ulmer Gene Whitehead

*active session

ELDERS

Tyler Burgess Jim Hankins Pat Murphy Kevin Newman

Steve O’Brien Scott Shefferly Frank Stokes John Vick

DEACONS

Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Mon-Fri Phone: 804-794-0238

510 Coalfield Road Midlothian, VA 23114 sycamorepres.com

A congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)pcanet.org

Announcement, Newsletter, and Ministry Moment Requests (by 12:00 PM on Wednesday) office@sycamorepres.com