M y t h B u s t e r s :

T H E B I B L E I S O U T D A T E D

SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 Missing Jannie

On Monday, September 8th, my friend and colleague Jannie Swart passed away. He had a heart attack while playing Frisbee with seminary students. Jannie was professor of World Mission and Evangelism at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Jannie was just 50, and left behind a wife Mari, and two children, Sune and Janco.

Some of you will remember the great sermon Jannie preached here last spring for our Mission Sunday. It was based on the story in Luke 10 where Jesus sent out seventy-two followers with instructions to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was near. The followers were to build relationships by relying on the hospitality of those they were going to serve.

Jannie grew up in South Africa. As a young man he worked to end apartheid. He later served as pastor of a megachurch, leading it to become multiracial in the post-apartheid world. He then came to the US to earn a PhD at Luther Seminary, and became Director of the Partnership for the Missional Church. Instead of going back to South Africa, he stayed to become pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Oil City, PA. When Jannie started lecturing part time at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the students couldn’t get enough of him. They demanded that the school hire him to teach there full time.

God had uniquely gifted Jannie to be able to see how God was moving in the church in the global west. Mission was no longer a program of the church, but a way of living. Everything believers did, the quality of their lives, the way they pursued both work and play, and especially their relationships with non-believers, was mission. Jannie was unfailingly gracious and encouraging because he could see how God was at work in each of us.

Please pray for Jannie’s family. Please pray for our church, that we may be gifted to understand mission as Jannie did, to see God at work in our midst and join in what God is doing.

TRANSFORMING PITTSBURGH BY AWAKENING A NEW GENERATION

TO LIFE IN CHRIST

WORSHIP SERVICE – 10:45 AM

WE GATHER AROUND THE WORD

Prelude “Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus” Thomas Gieschen First Church News Rev. Tom Hall Time of Welcome

*Responsive Call to Worship: Phil. 2:8-11 Laura Bentley Leader: Jesus, Son of God, humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. People: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, Leader: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, People: and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Leader: Let us worship God! *Hymn # 289 “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”

Unison Prayer of Confession We confess to you, O God, and before our brothers and sisters, the broken state of our lives. We have failed to be your faithful people. We have not heard your voice calling us to repentance and new life. Our ears are full of the sounds of our culture telling us what we need and who we should be. We hear these voices and listen to them, even though we know that what they are calling us to will not satisfy nor will it give us life.

Silent confession

By the power of your gracious Spirit, open our ears and tune our hearts that we may listen to your words of life and respond to them fully. Amen. Assurance of God’s Grace

WE LISTEN FOR THE WORD

Children’s Message Rev. Kay Balderose (Children in preschool-grade 1 are invited to attend Children’s Worship on the 3rd floor balcony at this time. Children are to be picked up immediately after service in the chapel behind the high pulpit.) *Hymn “Christ Be Beside Me”

Prayer for Illumination Scripture Reading – Luke 1:1-4 (p. 723-Bible; p.1587-lg. print Bible) Luke 24:13-32 (749-Bible; p. 1642-lg. print Bible) Leader: The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God Sermon – MythBusters: The Bible Is Outdated Rev. Tom Hall

WE RESPOND TO THE 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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer 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; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Call for the Offering Rev. Kay Balderose Anthem “Bye and Bye with We’ll Understand It Better By and By” Milton Biggham, Lari Goss

Well bye and bye, when I reach that home beyond the sky where the wicked shall cease from troubling and the weary shall be at rest, ev’ry day will be Sunday bye and bye.

When I reach that city, so bright and fair, now all my friends and loved ones to welcome me up there, I’ll put on my long white robe, lay down my heavy load; ev’ry day will be Sunday bye and bye.

By and by, when the morning comes, when all the saints of God are gathering home, we will tell the story how we’ve overcome! *Doxology – Hymn #733 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; alleluia, alleluia! Praise him above, ye heav’nly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! *Prayer of Commitment *Hymn #580 Lead On, O King Eternal”

WE FOLLOW THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*Invitation and Charge Rev. Tom Hall *Benediction *Congregational Response – Hymn #597, vs. 3 – “Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire” Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole. Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship and are freed. Postlude “Allegro from First Trio Sonata in Eb, Movement 1” J. S. Bach

*Please stand as you are able.

Prayer for Friends Leon, Robin, Evan, Jonathan & Landan Perez James Perkins Stephen & Susie Perkins Mike & Anna Pettit Dani & Andrea Prilla

John & Colleen Prilla Karen Prilla Kelly Prilla Dustin James Regar John & Judy Richter

Happy Birthday John Hayman September 21 Mya Green September 21 Trey McFarland September 21 Esta Brower September 23 Clare Cornelius September 23 John Prilla September 23

Fiona Mahan September 23 Etor Ndinyah September 24 Philip Williams September 25 Carolyn Whitworth September 25 Sonja Strange September 26 Sandra Pack September 27

What’s New This Week

- See our events calendar online at www.fpcp.org -

Sunday, September 21 8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 9:30 am Faith Development Classes 9:30 am Inquirer’s Group 10:45 am Worship Service 12:00 pm Hospitality Hour 12:00 pm Serenity (Room 28) 12:00 pm Glory Singers rehearse

Monday, September 22 10:00 am Ladies’ Bible Study

(Pam Meckler’s) 3:00 pm Youth for Christ (Cellar)

Tuesday, September 23 9:30 am Staff Meeting 12:25 pm Tuesday Boost for Pittsburgh 3:30 pm Youth for Christ (Cellar)

Wednesday, September 24 7:30 am Leadership & Ethics Breakfast 10:30 am Prayer Group (Rm. 17)

Thursday, September 25 12:00 pm Downtown Women’s Bible Study 3:00 pm Café Team Meeting 6:00 pm Jazz Vespers w/Rick Gallagher & Keiko Rush

Sun. September 28 8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 9:30 am Faith Development Classes 9:30 am Inquirer’s Group 10:45 am Worship 12:00 pm Hospitality Hour 12:00 pm Glory Singers rehearse

Announcements Ladies’s Monday Morning Bible Study Women are invited to join the Monday Morning Bible Study! We meet at Pam Meckler’s home in Millvale on Mondays 10:00 am. We are studying the book of Ruth. See Cherie Bowman at 412-221-3461 with questions or for directions. Tuesday Boost for Pittsburgh Has Begun Tuesday Boost has started up again! We have welcomed back Mr. Rick Gallagher to play lovely jazz hymns for us. Plan to join us when you’re in town on Tuesdays at 12:25 pm through 12:55 pm! Thursday Noon Ladies Bible Study This lovely Bible study has resumed meeting at noon on Thursdays here at FPCP in room 17. The book used is “Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul”. Join us! Excursions Corner Sign Up Today at the Visitors’ Center!

October’s Excursion will be a visit to the Allegheny Observatory on October 24. We have reservations for 10 members and friends to explore through a guided tour that lasts from 8pm until about 10 pm. The tour is not recommended for children under the age of seven. The temperature inside is the same as the temperature outdoors. The Observatory is located in Riverview Park on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Serving Spotlight Please pray for Belle Battista, the staff and students of

The Cellar for blessings and leadership in their ministry to

downtown High School students

Inquirers Group begins TODAY When people in the first century became Christians, they joined a local church – a community of believers where they could be taught and encouraged as they grew in their faith. Perhaps you have been visiting First Presbyterian Church for several weeks, and the Spirit of God is urging you to get more involved. We encourage you to participate in the Inquirers Group every Sunday for the next ten weeks. Come learn about our church’s core values and vision for ministry, and the privileges and responsibilities of formal membership. Ask questions you may have about the direction and opportunities here. Attending the discussion will not obligate you to become a member, but by joining FPCP you are demonstrating your desire to unite with us in living out our mission statement to “Transform Pittsburgh by awakening a new generation to life in Christ.” Membership will also allow you to enjoy ministry opportunities and privileges (such as teaching or serving as an officer) that are not available to people who only attend this church. New members will be received into the church body on Sunday, November 23 during worship service.

Grab a cup of coffee and join us behind the gigantic wood doors in the circle of chairs near the stage in the chapel area, Sundays, Sept 14 – Nov 23, 9:30 – 10:25 a.m. Jazz Vespers- Join Us! A new season of Jazz Vespers begins THIS Thursday, September 25th, with lovely piano music by our friend, Rick Gallagher! In addition, we’ll enjoy the violin music of Keiko Rush. Start-up time will be 6:00 pm this year. Plan to join us! Gently Used Sheets Please continue to bring in your gently-used sheets for inclusion in our packets for Voice of the Martyrs. See Elisabeth Long. The Voice of the Martyrs The Voice of the Martyrs is currently partnering with more than 30,000 workers on the front lines of hostile and restricted nations worldwide. These men and women, ranging in age from their 20’s to their 80’s, work diligently to advance God’s kingdom. In some of their countries the consequences of being discovered are severe, but they persevere in service to God, even bringing their persecutors to Christ! They ask for our prayers and are worthy of our support. Now you can “adopt” one of these workers committing to pray for them daily. When you sign up to adopt one of these front-line workers, you are committing to pray faithfully for that worker for one year. After your year ends, you will have the option of adopting another front-line worker for another year. The VOM also invites you to make a monthly gift to help equip these front-line workers by sending Bibles and other Christian literature for training and distribution – even bicycles, motorcycles and horses for transportation! To sign up online, go to www.vombooks.com/July2014, or phone 1-800-747-0085. FPCP Youth Katie Brown has organized some great Youth activities! Oct. 5 is free admission to the Carnegie Science Center through Pittsburgh’s RADical days! Bring money for food & parking. The group leaves after church for the Science Center; the adventure ends at 5:00 pm. Teens ONLY on October 12 for a scavenger hunt organized by Diana Mermon of the Beaver-Butler Presbytery. Meet at FPCP; the event begins at 2:30 pm. FREE snacks. The activity ends at 5:00 pm. The RSVP is important for this one, because Diana needs a count for the snacks. See Katie Brown today!

First Church Staff

SENIOR PASTOR Tom Hall thall@fpcp.org ASSOCIATE PASTOR Kay Balderose kbalderose@fpcp.org STUDENT PASTOR Laura Bentley lbentley@fpcp.org MUSIC DIRECTOR Anne Smith asmith@fpcp.org DIRECTOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES Katie Brown kbrown@fpcp.org

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Barbara Friend bfriend@fpcp.org COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT Diane Wuycheck dwuycheck@fpcp.org BOOKKEEPER Marlaena Cochran mcocran@fpcp.org WEDDING COORDINATOR Megan McFarland mmcfarland@fpcp.org MINISTERIAL ASSISTANT Mary Jane Snyder mjsnyder@fpcp.org

DIRECTOR OF FAITH DEVELOPMENT Jana Hall jhall@fpcp.org ART DIRECTOR Thad Bobula tbobula@fpcp.org PIPER IN RESIDENCE George Balderose george@bagpiping.org CATERER Michael Isaac 412-232-0292 MAINTENANCE STAFF Larry Murray Robert DeVere

Church Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 412-471-3436, www.fpcp.org. For pastoral emergencies after office hours, please call 412-913-7010. The Sanctuary is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The deadline for receiving information for the bulletin is 12 days prior to the date of the bulletin’s issue.

Bulletins: If you would like to receive your weekly bulletin via e-mail, please contact Mary Jane Snyder at mjsnyder@fpcp.org, or call 412-471-3436. Want more FPCP news during the week? Watch for your FPCP newsletter via e-mail! The e-newsletter provides project updates and photos, news between bulletins, and ways to get involved! Not on our e-mail list? Just send a message to mjsnyder@fpc.org. Deadline for submitting news: Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. Music sung at First Presbyterian Church is reprinted by permission of CCLI License #3071786. Quality Nursery Care is on the ground floor during Sunday school and worship. Interested in a tour? Inquire w/ushers or guides at the Welcome Desk either before or after the service to arrange a tour. Today’s sermon will be available on our web site on Monday: www.fpcp.org Sunday School/Faith Development offers a variety of educational classes to encourage thoughtful discussion for adults, youth, and children. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Interested in membership, or learning about the church’s beliefs? Let us know: 412-471-3436, or mjsnyder@fpcp.org. Visit the Inquirer’s Group on Sundays, beginning in September, (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) around a chapel table. Hearing Devices, large-print Bibles, and children’s bulletins are available from our ushers. Cell Phones: Please turn your cell phones to vibrate during worship.

Sunday Services:

Sunday School – 9:30 am Worship – 10:45 am

Join us at noon for Hospitality Hour! Coffee & cookies

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Need Validated Parking? Sundays only, get your parking ticket stamped at the FPCP Welcome Center in the Narthex (front lobby). See the person in the payment booth at Mellon Square or Smithfield Street garage to pay $1 for parking.