First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

World Communion Sunday October 2, 2016

First Presbyterian Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation

If you would like to talk to a Stephen Minister who cares and will listen, call Janice

Clark at 228-8584 or one of our pastors at 762-6688.

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 mean-

ingful. 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 St. Any Usher (designated with a name

tag) will be glad to answer your questions, help you find your way around, or help you find

ways to connect with the ministries and people in this community of faith.

We offer a nursery for infants and toddlers during the worship services (8:30 -

12:30pm). Children 3 years old through 2nd grade begin in the main service, and then go to

“Worship and Wonder,” a worship experience designed especially for children. 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, children’s worship classrooms,

restrooms, or access ramps.

Please join us at the end of the 11:00am service for cookies and lemonade in the

Orange Street Courtyard.

The flowers in the Narthex are from the wedding of Meredith Taylor Sammons and Taavo

Villem Roos, who were married in the sanctuary on October 1, 2016. They are given in

memory of their grandparents.

Today we celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. We invite all those who trust in

Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to join us in sharing this communion meal.

The percussionist this morning is David Dimuro at the 11:00 am service.

Joining us in worship is Ruth Brown, a mission coworker working at the invitation of the

Presbyterian Church of Congo as a technical advisor to the church's Community Development

program and coalition. The coalition is comprised of 3 programs for at-risk children, 2

programs assisting women; 2 agricultural programs, and 1 program for alleviating childhood

malnutrition. She and her Congolese coworkers help church and community members to

assess community conditions, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs that promote

Christian evangelism, health education, sustainable agriculture, and human rights. Ruth is a

graduate of Davidson College (BA) and Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical

Disease (MPH). She is a member of Ginter Park Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA.

“Shout to the North”

CALL TO WORSHIP Charlie Lee

Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

my God in whom I trust.”

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord their God. - from Psalm 146

WELCOME

INVITATION TO GREET EACH OTHER

“Come, Now is the Time to Worship”

“All Who Are Thirsty”

PRAYER WITH CHILDREN AND OFFERING

[Three year olds through second 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 and Wonder in Room 208.]

PSALM 146 [words inside bulletin]

“One Body”

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 6: 6-8

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Mark 2: 1-12

SERMON Ruth Brown

“Partners in Christ with the Church of Congo”

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

“Remembrance (The Communion Song)”

BLESSING

New L.I.F.E. Service - Oct. 2, 2016 Gilmour Hall 9:00 AM

LEADING IN WORSHIP THIS MORNING:

Ruth Brown, Guest Speaker Charlie Lee, Associate Pastor

Kathy Beach, Interim Associate Pastor John Tabler, Director of Music

Benjamin Horrell, Assistant Director of Jennifer Mueske, New LIFE Worship

Music Leader

Jordan Hathaway, Tenor David Dimuro, Percussion

PRAYER WITH CHILDREN (11:00)

[Three year olds through second 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 and Wonder. Ages 3-K meet in Room 208;

Grades 1 & 2 meet in Room 311.]

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

PSALM 146

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

Do not put your trust in princes,

in mortals, in whom there is no help.

When their breath departs, they return to the earth;

on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord their God,

who made heaven and earth,

the sea, and all that is in them;

who keeps faith forever;

who executes justice for the oppressed;

who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;

the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the strangers;

he upholds the orphan and the widow,

but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON

Micah 6: 6-8

Pew Bible P. 866

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Mark 2: 1-12

Pew Bible P. 36

SERMON Ruth Brown

“Partners in Christ with the Church of Congo”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 762 “When the Poor Ones” EL CAMINO

OFFERING

OFFERTORY ANTHEM (11:00)

"Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ" - Jamaican Folk melody arr. Ellingboe Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy: bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard. Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again. Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one, at his table he set the tone, teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express. Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again. Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt, gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere! Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again. Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

+RESPONSE 609 LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures high and low.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise God, in Jesus fully known:

Creator, Word and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 517

“Here, O Our Lord, We See You” MORECAMBE

+CHARGE & BENEDICTION

CLOSING VOLUNTARY (11:00)

"Improvisation” John Tabler

The “Closing Voluntary” marks the conclusion of the Service of Worship.

If you leave before worship’s conclusion, please do so silently in

consideration of others.

Worship Today at 8:45 am The 8:45 am service will look and sound much like it typically does on a

Sunday morning including musical responses; Kyrie, Gloria Patri and Doxology. The

following hymns will be used: opening hymn No. 721, sermon hymn No. 306, and closing

Hymn No. 822. We thank choral scholar Jordan Hathaway, tenor, for sharing his vocal

selection with us during communion.

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 Sr. High Ensemble

“Listen to the Word That God Has Spoken” LISTEN WELCOME Kathy Beach

[Please pass the friendship register down the row for each person to sign.]

CALL TO WORSHIP

Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God all my life long,

my God in whom I trust.”

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord their God. - from Psalm 146

+HYMN 21

“Many and Great, O God, Are Thy Works” LACQUIPARLE

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O God, you love justice and establish peace on earth. We bring before you the disunity of today's world: the absurd violence and wars that threaten life on this planet; human greed and injustice which breeds hatred and strife. Forgive us for the part we play in sustaining these conditions and we ask that you send your Spirit and renew the face of the earth that we might be compassionate towards the whole human family. - Adapted prayer from Zaire

SILENT PRAYER

RESPONSE 448 AS-SALAAMU LAKUM

Peace of God be with you. Peace of God be with you.

Salaam, salaam. Peace of God be with you.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

+RESPONSE 456 [verse 1; congregation sings bold print words] NENO LAKE MUNGU

Listen, listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting,

offering forgiveness, comfort, and joy.

Jesus gave his mandate: share the good news

that he came to save us and set us free.

Listen, listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting,

offering forgiveness, comfort, and joy.

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

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

Pastor on Call - 762-9622

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the sanctuary. This is greatly appreciated.