February 14, 2016

Our Mission In common with all churches we seek to:

^Worship God

^Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures

^Develop community

^Offer nurture through the pastoral care giving of our members and staff

We call people to a life of:

^Discipleship

^Stewardship

^Spiritual development

As a faith community we seek to be:

^An inviting church

^Offering hospitality and

^Encouragement to people in search of God.

Our Vision

We will organize our church as a center for:

^Spiritual development

^Music and the arts

^Urban mission

^Ecumenical cooperation

Our Objectives

We have some unique opportunities due to our Germantown location and

congregational history. These include:

^Providing special programs for children and families in the local community

^Building a healthy, diverse congregation

^Developing an urban mission

^Developing a ministry of music and the arts

^Using our building and endowment creatively and responsibly

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown logo seen on the cover of this bulle-

tin represents the multifaceted life of our energized congregation. The cross on the left

symbolizes our Living Lord – the foundation upon which we build our faith. The harp in

the yellow square represents our rich musical heritage, for we enjoy celebrating the gift of

music in worship, workshops, and concerts. It is important for us to share music with our

community. The dove symbolizes serving – offering educational and mission opportunities

through our many outreach activities. People – active and joy-filled – are represented in the

red square on the right. We welcome all people to this church. We are a diverse congrega-

tion of many racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are, indeed,

alive, spirit-filled, and caring.

The colors are reflective of the beautiful stained glass windows of the church. In

fact, the colors of the logo were taken directly from The Christmas Window– “Thy light is

come” made by Nicola D’Ascenzo and seen in the southwest corner of the nave.

February 14, 2016 First Sunday in Lent Communion

ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM

GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY

Prelude: Largo from “Xerxes” G.F. Handel

Renee Barrick, guest organist

Welcome and Announcements Black History Month ACES Museum

Introit: Lead Me Lord S. S. Wesley

Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; make thy way plain before my face. For it is

thou, Lord, thou Lord only, that makest me dwell in safety.

†*Call to Worship From Psalm 91 Leader: You who live in the shelter of the Most High,

Who abode in the shadow of the Almighty,

People: Will say to the LORD,

“My refuge and my fortress;

My God, in whom I trust.”

Leader: Those who love me, I will deliver;

I will protect those who know my name.

People: When they call to me, I will answer them.

I will rescue them and honor them.

†*Hymn 85: What Wondrous Love is This WONDROUS LOVE

CONFESSING OUR SINS TO GOD

Call to Confession 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. Amen

____________________ *congregation standing † latecomers may be seated

In preparation for worship please take the opportunity to speak silently to God.

At the close of the service let us greet one an other with cheerfulness.

Please be sure that your cell phone is turned off during worship.

Silent Meditation Assurance of Pardon †*Congregational Response

Finish, then, thy new creation; Pure and Spotless let us be; Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise.

†* Sharing the Peace of Christ Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.

(As worshipers, we come from diverse experiences and points of view. We have different

racial, educational, and economic backgrounds. Yet we are all one in Christ. We symbolize

this as we exchange with one another, by words and gestures, signs of peace and reconcilia-

tion such as, “The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.”)

Children in grades five and younger may now leave for their classes.

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

Prayer for Illumination

The Lesson Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Leader: God we thank you for your Word; People: The story of your grace.

Choir: Ave Verum Corpus W.A. Mozart Hail true body, born of the Virgin Mary, who truly suffered, sacrificed on the Cross for man, whose pierced side overflowed with water and blood, be for us a foretaste in the test of death. (Sung in Latin)

Sermon: BREAD OF LIFE The Reverend Randy Bremer

RESPONDING 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, 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 commun-

ion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the

life everlasting. Amen.

Offering of Our Gifts and Lives

Offertory: Be Thou With Me J. S. Bach

*Congregational Response Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

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 Dedication

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

*Communion Hymn 510: Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts QUEBEC

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord our God.

IN MEMORIAM

The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of

Ellen Highsmith

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Leader: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give

you thanks and praise…

...Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the celes-

tial choirs and with all the faithful of every time and place, xx

who forever sing to the glory of your name:

Congregational Response: Sanctus Richard Proulx

Leader: You are holy, O God of Majesty...

...Great is the mystery of faith:

Congregational Response: Memorial Acclamation Richard Proulx

Leader: Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon

these these your gifts of bread and wine…

...Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the

vxvv Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,

vvxxxvv now and forever.

Congregational Response: The Great Amen Richard Proulx

The Lord’s Prayer (unison) 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 Words of Institution

Distribution of the Elements (We will come to the table to receive the elements of bread and wine/juice. Come

forward using the center aisle, consume the elements as you receive them, and

return to your seat by the side aisle. Remember that the cups on the outside ring

of the tray hold grape juice and the cups within the outside ring contain wine.)

Prayer After Communion (unison) Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your

Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the

Sacrament of his body and blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and

grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and sin-

gleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen

GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

*Hymn 80: Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley LONESOME VALLEY

*Charge and Benediction Do not live by bread alone, but by the will of God.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

*Choral Response 585: Threefold Amen McNeil Robinson II

*Postlude: March from “Scipio” G. F. Handel

WELCOME: If you are visiting with us today, please sign the Fellowship Pad at the end

of your pew. We pray the hour will be meaningful to you and you will come and worship

with us again. Everyone is cordially invited to a time of fellowship in the Longstreth Audi-

torium following the worship service.

FEBRUARY CHALLENGE OFFERING: Last year, our Friends of Vernon

Park had a banner year. Many exciting events were held including the Bazaar and Stars Under the Stars

in the area outside the construction zone. In the fall, the beautiful new lighting, as well as the playground

equipment and landscaping, was displayed in the community. Mrs. Ruth Seeley, President of Friends of

Vernon Park, will be with us on Sunday, February 21, 2016 to update our congregation on upcoming

plans and events.

§

COFFEE HOUR: This week’s Coffee Hour host: The Congregational Develop-

ment and Fellowship Committee. Next week’s Coffee Hour host: Annie Kotto. .....And a little child will lead them. What an encouraging sight to see Madison and Kelsi Lundy with their

plastic gloves on in the kitchen assisting with the set up of Coffee Hour last Sunday. The two sisters worked

hard and did an excellent job. They stayed on task and were quite focused. Madison and Kelsi, you both did a

job well done! If you and your child would like an opportunity to serve and/or assist with Coffee Hour,

please see a member of the Congregational Development and Fellowship Committee. More people, young

and old are needed to be involved in this ministry of hospitality of First Church.

BRR! Just in time for the cold weather, the Congregational Development & Fellowship

Committee is once again selling Fisher Pot Pies for a committee fun(d) raiser. Orders will

be taken during coffee hours today and next Sunday. The pies will be delivered Sunday,

February 28, ready for pickup following the worship service. Order forms are available on

the literature table. Thanks in advance for supporting this event!

FROM THE MISSION STUDY COMMITTEE: The bulletin board outside of the

Finney Room shows the steps to selecting our new pastor. Steps 1 and 2 have been com-

pleted and Step 3 is projected to be completed by the end of March. Additional infor-

mation will be supplied as we continue through the process.

RACHEL’S CIRCLE’s next meeting will be on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM

in Jennings.

WE SADLY NOTE THE PASSING OF KEITH ALAN BENJAMIN, son of long-

time member, Mary Benjamin, on February 1, 2016. Friends and family will gather in re-

membrance at McIlvaine Funeral Home at 3711 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129

on Saturday, February 27, 2016 during the hours of 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

REMINDER: The deadline for announcements for the Sunday Bulletin is Wednesday at

noon. Thank you.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS: Memorial flowers for 2016 can be reserved by contacting Joan

Harris at (215) 843-8811, ext. 12 or joan.fpcg@gmail.com.

Philadelphia Sinfonia Concert Gary D. White, Music Director & Conductor

Sunday, February 21, 2016

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown

35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144

Program includes: Russlan & Ludmilla Overture - Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857)

Valse de Concert No. 1, Op. 47 - Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)

The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Paul Dukas (1865-1935)

Concerto Competition Winner (soloist to be announced)

A free will offering will be taken.

NOTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 2016 SESSION MEETING

Nominating Committee Ruling Elders, Lois Nafziger Bethea

and Faith Wolford, agreed to join at-large members, Ernie

Freeman, Mary Lundy, Andrea Overton and Klaas Hoekema-

Boerman, in the nominating process.

Clerk of Session, Madeline Valentine, reported there were 208

members at FPCG as of December 31, 2015.

The vacant organist position will continue to be filled on a

stated supply basis.

Maundy Thursday worship will be a joint Summit/FPCG ser-

vice at Summit Presbyterian Church.

FPCG’s Child Protection Policy staff training is in progress.

Dani Howard is the FPCG compliance officer.

Drew Hood reported that the Mission Study Team is diligent-

ly working to complete its report by the end of March.

The Mission Study survey response deadline has been extend-

ed to February 14 (today).

Black History Month - Minutes for Mission will be presented

during the Sunday worship service. The congregation is en-

couraged to attend a Celebration of Black History Month fea-

turing the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Walton, who is a Professor of

Religion and Society, at the Harvard Divinity School of Har-

vard University . This celebration is presented by the Philadel-

phia Chapter of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus and

will be held at 3:00pm today, February 14th, at Oxford Pres-

byterian Church. A few seats may still be available on the

church van.

The Evangelism Committee is working on developing an in-

formation packet for new members.

FPCG’s architectural plans, some of which are VERY old,

will be scanned into a computerized format.

Lois Nafziger Bethea announced that the staff computer pro-

ject is near completion. This project includes updating com-

puters and printers, setting up electronic faxing, installing a

high speed scanner and new copiers. One of the final steps is

to set up and train the staff on cloud storage for all church

documents.

2015 Financial Report

In 2015 we again faced a year of transition and change. We praise God that for one more year we were able to meet those challenges and continue to car-ry out God’s work here in Germantown. Here are the highlights (subject to audit) of the year from a financial perspective.

Highlights for 2015 include:

Pledges received exceeded the goal by $5,664. Thanks to all!

The carry over reserve from 2014 was not needed so the endowment with-drawals were less than budgeted.

Expenses: Our expenses were less than we budgeted for several reasons – salaries due to variations in staffing levels after the budget was formulated, property savings from a new service contract and heating system updates that restored our ability to use natural gas as the primary source for heating.

Areas for Concern in 2016:

The pledge goal still needs to be met. Please make your 2016 pledges NOW.

We need to improve our emphasis on planned giving and other estate planning items that will enable our endowment to keep pace with our needs. Do you have the church as the beneficiary in your estate documents?

Our stewardship campaign for 2016 has been promising but there are still some faithful members who have not yet pledged. Remember that you can indicate your support by continuing to contribute if your personal status pre-vents a pledge commitment at this time. Please give this your prayerful con-sideration to help ensure that we can carry out our mission both this year and for many years to come.

2015 Budget 2015 Actual Difference

Income $850,550 $786,241 ($61,309)

Expenses $846,614 $781,174 ($65,440)

Net $3,936 $4,902

WINDOW ON THE WEEK

Sunday, February 14 8:45 AM

10:00 AM 11:10 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM

Monday, February 15

6:00 PM

Tuesday, February 16 1:00 PM 7:00 PM

Wednesday, February 17

3:00 PM 6:45 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

Thursday, February 18

6:00 PM 6:30 PM

Friday, February 19

3:30 PM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM

Saturday, February 20

8:15 AM 9:00 AM

Sunday, February 21

8:45 AM 10:00 AM 11:10 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 3:00 PM

Chancel Choir—Sanctuary Worship with Communion-Rev. Randy L. Bremer, preaching Coffee Hour Adult Education—Rev. Randy L. Bremer Sunday School Chancel Choir Presidents’ Day-Church Closed Adult Education—Rev. Randy L. Bremer

CY Choirs Staff Meeting Artist Roundtable

Staff Meeting

Voices in Bronze Property Committee

Communication & Evangelism Committee

Administration & Finance Committee Gospel Choir

Drop-in-Center

Keystone State Boychoir High School Youth Group

Keystone State Boychoir Open Gym

Chancel Choir—Sanctuary Worship—The Rev. Randy L. Bremer, preaching

Coffee Hour

Adult Education—Rev. Randy L. Bremer Sunday School Chancel Choir

Philadelphia Sinfonia Concert

Church Officers

Elders 2016 Denise Cowie Contina Lundy Lois Nafziger-Bethea Faith Wolford Madeline Valentine Clerk of Session

2017 Andrew Hood Christopher Scott

2018 Sherry Archer Carolyn Ballard-Freeman Robert Seed

Deacons 2016 Diane Filter Delores Solomon David Wolford

2017 Randy Clever Linda Farlow Susan Mills Farrington

2018 Don Carlin Vera Harrison Dani Howard

First Church Staff Randal L. Bremer Kevin L. Porter Eileen Jones David C. Daugherty Sara Carter-Blanford Christian Heyer-Rivera Heidi Mercado-Littles Jesse Jacobs Joan Harris Cindy Osborne Terry Boyer, Tanieya Matthews, Robert Patterson

Interim Pastor Director of Adult Education and Community Life

Director of Urban Ministry Director of Music and Communication

Director of the Gospel Choir Director of Christian Education

Parish Visitor Facilities Superintendent Administrative Assistant

Bookkeeper Sextons

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144

Phone 215-843-8811 FAX 888-333-5032 www.fpcgermantown.org

Email: fpcg.germantown@gmail.com