First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

Service for the Lord’s Day September 3, 2017

125 S. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 762-6688 www.firstonthird.org

TODAY’S SERVICE

Welcome to First Presbyterian Church! We are so glad you are worshipping with us this morning and hope that you find your experience of worship to be uplifting and meaningful. We invite all of our guests to visit our Welcome Center which is located near the central staircase in the building near the door facing Orange Street. Any Usher (designated with a name tag) will be glad to answer your questions and help you find your way around. For help finding ways to connect with the ministries and people in this community of faith, or for information about joining our church, contact Allison Cockrill, Membership Coordinator, at allison@firstonthird.org. We offer a nursery for infants and toddlers during the worship service (9:45am - 11:30am). Children who remain in worship (3rd grade and older) are encouraged to pick up a Kids’ Worship Sheet as they enter the sanctuary. Each child can use this sheet to help follow along in the worship service. Please feel free to ask an usher or greeter if you need wireless audio receivers, large-print bulletins and hymnals, directions to the nursery, chil-dren’s worship classrooms, restrooms, or access ramps. The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Thomas Coleman McCall, Caroleen McCall, and Hoyle & Thomas P. Moore, Jr., parents of Ann & Patrick Moore.

Leading in Worship this morning:

Dan Lewis, Pastor Charlie Lee, Associate Pastor Benjamin Horrell, Asst. Director of Music Martha Hayes, Guest organist

*Please leave your bulletin at the end of the pew to be collected-thank you!

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the sanctuary.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINNING 9/10/2017:

8:45 am Worship - Chapel 9:00 am New LIFE contemporary worship- Gilmour Hall

11:00 am Worship - Sanctuary

Christian Education classes for all ages - 10:00 am

WEEKLY UPDATES Back to three services next week! Sunday, September 10, we resume three worship services, 8:45am in the Chapel, 9:00am New LIFE in Gilmour Hall, and 11:00am in the Sanctuary.

Congregational Meeting September 17 A congregational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 17 at noon, after the 11am service in Gilmour Hall to vote on three items: 1. To approve the sale of the Langdon House 2. To approve a change in the terms of call for Charlie Lee 3. To elect a slate of officers for the Class of 2020

Save the Date Gathering Sunday is Sunday, September 10 and we’ll kickoff the C.E. year.

Thoughts from Stewardship Great things will continue to happen because of your generosity: adult education, youth programs, children's worship...all surrounding our beautiful sanctuary. It's because you care.

Potluck Dinner and Q&A with Dan Lewis Join us for a potluck dinner on Wednesday, September 13 from 6-8pm and get to know Dan. The evening is free, but please let us know if you’re coming. If you have a question for Dan, submit it when you register so he can make sure he’s ready to answer all that he can! The signup form is on the website or you may call the church office.

Worship and Wonder Summer There will be no Worship and Wonder today.

Sunday, September 10 will return us to three services, at 9am and 11am in the Children's Worship Center, Room 208, for ages 3 through kindergarten. Another 11 am story will be told for first and second-graders in the worship center upstairs behind Gilmour Hall, Room 313 (the old "Gallery"). Younger children will be presented stories from Sonja M. Stewart's book, Following Jesus. Older children will follow a series created by Julia Worth.

Stephen Ministry It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:11-12

Stephen Ministry is an important ministry in our church and your support is vital to its success. There are a number of important ways you can help: -First and foremost, pray—for our pastors, our SM leaders and ministers, care receivers, the congregation, and for the SM organization; -Be the eyes and ears of Jesus—look and listen for those in need of care; -Make our church a more caring place—participate and grow in faith, community, and discipleship; -Support Stephen Ministry—in your thoughts, words, and actions; and -Be receptive to Receiving Care –should the need arise.

Open Signups Online (Call the office if you need assistance.) Acolyte Signup Children’s Choir Signup Lewis Family Welcome Events and Meal Train Preschool 2017-2018 School Year February 2018 Women’s Retreat

Scheduling Information Please call the church office or email Lorene Walsh (lorene@firstonthird.org) when you need to reserve a room for your classes or meetings or if you need to make changes to a previously scheduled event.

If you have any joys or concerns to share, please call the church office (762-6688).

Want the ‘Weekly Update’ email? Send a message to amy@firstonthird.org.

OFFERTORY ANTHEM

“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” arr. James Kirkby Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet thy tribute bring; ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing: Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favor to our fathers in distress; praise him still the same for ever, slow to chide and swift to bless: Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness.

Angels, help us to adore him; ye behold him face to face; sun and moon, bow down before him, dwellers all in time and space. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace. Henry Francis Lyte

+DOXOLOGY (606) OLD HUNDRETH

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.

+PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND 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.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 700 “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” I’M GONNA LIVE +CHARGE & BENEDICTION CLOSING VOLUNTARY “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" Edwin Childs

The “Closing Voluntary” marks the end of the Service of Worship. You are welcome to remain in the sanctuary until its conclusion.

+GLORIA PATRI (581) Greatorex Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, Amen.

THE PASSING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! And also with you!

PRAYER WITH CHILDREN [Three year olds through 2nd graders are invited to come forward, place their offering in

the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their teachers for Children’s Worship in Room 208.]

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON Romans 12: 9-21 The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 162

Thanks be to God.

SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 16:21-28 The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 18 Thanks be to God.

SERMON Dan Lewis

“From That Time On”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 726 “Will You Come and Follow Me” KELVINGROVE

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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, was 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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OFFERING

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP

The music of the Opening Voluntary draws us from the outside world into the presence of God. In preparation for worship, you are invited

to use this time for prayerful reflection.

OPENING VOLUNTARY Martha Hayes "Partita on 'Azmon'" (O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing) Paul Bouman WELCOME [Please pass the friendship register down the row for each person to sign.] CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 105)

O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name! Make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him; sing praises to him! Tell of all his wonderful works. Glory in God’s holy name! Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice. Seek the Lord and seek his strength. Seek out his presence continually.

+HYMN 12 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” ST. DENIO CALL TO CONFESSION

Brothers and Sisters, why do we confess our sin? Because all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. But why do we do it together? Because we are a community, a covenant people.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior… (our silent prayers of confession)…

KYRIE Merbecke Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Sisters and Brothers, hear this good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ. And Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone and a new life has begun. Let us all believe this good news! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

[+You are invited to stand. For each hymn, please stand as the last line of the introduction is played.]

Today in worship we are invited to share signs of peace and reconciliation with one another as a response to God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ. This act of worship is a tangible reminder of our unique calling as God’s reconciled children. We are called to be reconciled to one another and to be agents of reconciliation in the world. What a privilege! So take someone’s hand and say, “The peace of Christ be with you” – or reply “and also with you.” And as you do so remember: In this moment, you have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18).