First Presbyterian Church

A Faith That Works in Real Life!

First Presbyterian Church

154 South McIntosh Street

Elberton, Georgia

 

 

 

Morning Worship

March 7, 2010

3rd Sunday of Lent

Communion Sunday

 

 

 

The Gathering

 

Words of Preparation

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.  

 

- Isaiah 55:8

 

Welcome and Concerns of the Church

 

Prelude

 

The Call to Worship (Psalm 63) Myong Kim

 

Leader: O Lord, you are the compassionate God.

People:  Your mercy and steadfast love extend to all peoples of the earth.

Leader: You are the living water and the bread of life.

People:  You quench the thirst of our souls and satisfy the hunger of our hearts.

All: Let us praise the Lord!

 

 

* Opening Hymn  All the Way My Savior Leads Me WH 474

 

Pastoral Prayer Rev. Mike Woods

 

Anthem Choir

 

Call to Confession

 

Prayer of Confession (in unison) Myong Kim

 

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. 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, in whose name we pray. Amen.

 

Kyrie Eleison (sung in unison) willan

 

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

 

Assurance of Forgiveness

 

*Response in Song Glory Be to the Father gloria patri

 

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.

 

Passing of the Peace

Leader: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us celebrate our forgiveness by exchanging signs of peace and forgiving one another. The peace of Christ be with you.

People: And also with you.

(Worshippers may greet one another in the spirit of God’s peace.)

 

Interlude

 

The Word

 

Prayer of Illumination

 

Reading of the Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 55: 1-9   nrsv

 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. 4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. 5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

Moment of Meditation

 

Reading from the Epistles 1 Cor. 10:1-13 nrsv

  I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. 6 Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play." 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. 10 And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

 

Moment of Meditation

 

Reading from the Gospel Luke 13:1-9 nrsv

 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them-- do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." 6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' 8 He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

   

 Leader: This is the Word of our Lord,

 People: Thanks be to God.

 

Sermon The God of Our Minds Rev. Mike Woods

 

Responding To the Word

 

* Responsive Hymn  Just When I Need Him Most WH 160

 

Presentation of Tithes & Offerings

 

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Table

 invitation to the lord’s table

 prayer of great 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.

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 …

 …who forever sing to the glory of your name:

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. 

Leader:  You are holy, O God of majesty….

Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen. Great is the mystery of faith.

People: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Leader: Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us…. Amen.

 the lord’s prayer

 breaking of the bread

 communion

 prayer after communion

 

Affirmation Of Faith  From 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 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.   

 

* Closing Hymn God Will Take Care of You WH 90

 

* Benediction Rev. Mike Woods

 

* Choral Response    All The Way My Savior Leads Me (1st verse) WH 474

 

Postlude

 

The Church gathered in worship now scatters to BE THE CHURCH in the world, witnessing and celebrating the Christian life wherever we are!

 

WELCOME TO ALL WHO WORSHIP. This congregation is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is actively engaged in worship, education, and mission to enlarge awareness of the goodness of God and to share in the compassion of God wherever needed. There is a place for all in the life of this church family.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

FRIENDSHIP PADS: Welcome to First Presbyterian Church. Whether you are a member or a first time visitor, we would like a record of your attendance. Please take the time to fill out the maroon attendance pad found at the ends of each pew.

 

SALVATION ARMY FOOD BANK: We continue to collect dry and canned foods for The Elbert County Salvation Army’s Food Bank. Please place any donations in the marked boxes at the front of the sanctuary.

 

CHOIR PRACTICE: Every Wednesday night at 7:30 pm.

 

SOUP SUPPERS: Join us every Wednesday night at 6 pm through Easter, for soup and singing in the Fellowship Hall.  

 

OUR NURSERY IS NOW OPEN and available for your children from infants to four years of age. Ms. Julia Suk is our nursery attendant.

 

REVIVAL: Pastor Woods will be preaching at the Easter revival at Hall Grove Baptist Church, Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 7 PM. The church is located at 2582 Deep Creek Rd., Bowman, GA.

 

STATED SESSION MEETING: Monday, March 8, 2010 at 12 noon in the Fellowship Hall.

 

COMMUNION WILL BE CELEBRATED during this morning’s worship. The Lord’s Table is open to all who respond to Christ’s invitation to discipleship regardless of church membership or denominational affiliation.

 

219th GENERAL ASSEMBLY will meet July 3-10, 2010 in Minneapolis. This bulletin contains an insert briefly describing the business that will be discussed and decided at the assembly. One of those matters pertains to revising the Form of Government in the Book of Order. Information about the proposed changes can be found at www.pcusa.org/formofgovernment or a hard copy of the proposed changes is available in the church office.

 

23rd ANNUAL GATHERING of the Northeast Georgia Presbyterian Women will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Madison Presbyterian Church. Please make your reservations for lunch and/or child care by March 15 with Sally Boardman at 706-342-1776.

 

HAITI AND CHILE RELIEF: Thanks to all of you who gave to the Haiti relief efforts of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Thus far we have raised $240 in Elberton and over $450,000 nationwide. PDA is also responding to the massive earthquake in Chile which killed hundreds and left millions homeless. You may give to either effort by making your check payable to First Presbyterian Church of Elberton, and indicate that it is for relief in Haiti or Chile.

 

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE SUNDAY:  31

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: _________

 

 

SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDS

 

Please remember the following in your prayers this week: The People of Haiti and Chile; Perry Adams; Fred and Mary Ann Auld; Caroline Bell; Alvin Christian; Lawton Daugherty; Corbin Dewberry; Kathy Durkee; Kevin Fendley; Joyce Grimes; Zachary Griffith, grandson of Patsy Griffith; John Hancock, nephew of Martha Jones; Keith Higgingbotham, nephew of Michael Cooper; Marcia Jenkins; Eleanor Lingle; Will Marion, brother of Joyce Grimes; Aldine McLeod; Caitlin Peppers; Crystal Phillips, sister of April Brown; Matthew Randall; Joe Ray, friend of Michael Cooper; Billy Roberts; Elaine and Jr. Rudder, sister and brother in law of Peggy Joslyn; Lena Sassi; Tabitha Shreeve, a newborn member of Madelyn Harrison’s family; Helen Turner.

 

Ministers: All Members of the Congregation

Pastor: Rev. Mike Woods

Parish Associate: Rev. Peter Yuh

Church Secretary: Charlotte Higginbotham

Director of Music: Grace Shim

Choir Director: Kay Legg

Nursery Attendants: Julia Suk

 

The Session

Elders (Term Expiration) Ministry

Chester Almond (2011) Building

Patsy Griffith (2010) Congregational Care, Recording Sec.

Charlotte Higginbotham (2012) Clerk of Session

Harold Jones, Jr. (2010) Treasurer, Stewardship

Ken Legg (2012) Grounds

Mike Woods (Moderator) Pastor, Worship

 

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 185, Elberton, GA 30635

Street Address:  154 South McIntosh Street

Office Telephone: 706-283-3741

Pastor’s Cell: 404-578-5485

Manse:  706-283-5322

Email Address:  fpce@elberton.net

Website Address: www.elbertonpresbyterian.org



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