Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Christ the King/Thanksgiving Sunday November 23, 2014
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S DAY
In consideration of other worshipers, please turn cell phones and mobile devices off or to silent mode. Thank you.
WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR THE GATHERING OF THE WORSHIPERS
Thanks Be to Thee George Frederic Handel
(lighting of the candles, Hope Marshall)
As the pastor and acolyte enter the sanctuary, let us pause in thoughtful silence and begin our worship.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER…
(During the announcements, please fill out the fellowship pad and pass it back and forth through your pew in order that we may greet one another by name after worship.)
-The Robert and Barbara Josephson First Presbyterian Scholarship – Kimberly Lindquist
GATHERING SONG Let Us be Bread
(silent moments of meditation and preparation for worship)
-1-
CALL TO WORSHIP: Catherine Willard, Liturgist
One: Where do we find God?
All: I look up to the mountains. My strength comes from God who made
heaven and earth and mountains.
One: Where do we find God?
All: Incredible! Wonderful! Holy! This is God’s House. This is the gate of
heaven.
One: Where do we find God?
All: The King will say, “Whenever you did one of these things to someone
overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.”
Let us worship God.
*HYMN - No. 261 God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us O Quanta Qualia
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION Liturgist
One: We find it easier to plot our walk with Christ amidst stained glass and
music and fellowship with those like us.
All: To walk with those bitter in disillusionment, pained, in need of comfort
and healing aid, we find tough and distressing. We pose questions and
excuses to justify avoiding the call of Christ to live and serve as Jesus
modeled.
One: When we come to Sanctuary seeking escape from the challenges in this
world--
All: When we use feeling helpless to avoid serving the needs of others --
When we can do little more than feel pity for those who are lost and
hurt --
When we feel the guilt of falling short of the call of the Christ --
Grace us with the power of forgiving, that beyond easing our
discomfort, enables us to be the channels of those resources of love
that are the stuff of kingdom on earth; we pray,
*RESPONSE (choir and congregation singing) Maryton
O Master, let me walk with Thee in lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.
-2-
*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS
*RESPONSE (choir and congregation singing) Maryton
In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future’s broadening way;
In peace that only Thou canst give, with Thee, O Master let me live.
*PASSING THE PEACE
WE GROW AS WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD
MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN
(There is Christmas Children’s Message Rehearsal this morning. Nursery care is available for our youngest children.)
READING: Matthew 25:31 - 45 Page 29 in the pew Bibles (N.T.)
*HYMN - No. 311 We Meet You, O Christ Normandy
SERMON The Reverend Donald Ray
“And Your Point Is, Matthew?”
ANTHEM - A Touching Place John L. Bell and Graham Maule
Christ’s is the world in which we move, Christ’s are the folk we’re summoned to love,
Christ’s is the voice which calls us to care, and Christ is the one who meets us here.
To the lost Christ shows his face, to the unloved he gives his embrace;
To those who cry in pain or disgrace, Christ makes, with his friends, a touching place.
Feel for the people we most avoid, strange or bereaved or never employed;
Feel for the women, and feel for the men who fear that their living is all in vain. Refrain
Feel for the parents who’ve lost their child, feel for the women whom men have defiled,
Feel for the baby for whom there’s no breast, and feel for the weary who find no rest. Refrain
Feel for the lives by life confused, riddled with doubt, in loving abused;
Feel for the lonely heart, conscious of sin, which longs to be pure but fears to begin. Refrain
-3-
WE GIVE IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Liturgist
One: For strength to live up to the call of Jesus to serve others, we come for the
inspiration and challenge of worship.
All: Here in the atmosphere of beauty and harmony, we rejoice in the blessing of
life filled with your Spirit.
One: When our hearts are weighted with the helplessness of feeling pity for those who
suffer--
All: fill us with compassion that moves us in prayer and care that shares love and
the means we have in Christ to minister to those in need.
One: When we feel sadness for those grieving--
All: bring us to their side in quiet comfort.
One: When we feel despair for the future of this world and one and all in it--
All: Inspire us with hope, given substance by the faith that your Spirit yet moves
in and through us, that we may abound in hope making a difference where
we live.
One: For the needs we face daily--
All: Give us the spirit of love to care and the power and commitment to care and
give; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offertory Anthem – Bless This House May H. Brahe/arr. Joseph M. Martin
Bless this house, O Lord, we pray. Make it safe by night and day.
Bless these walls, so firm and stout, keeping want and trouble out.
Bless the roof and chimneys tall. Let Thy peace lie over all.
Bless this door that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, letting in God’s heav’nly light.
Bless the hearth a blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer.
Bless the folk who dwell within. Keep them pure and free from sin.
Bless us all that we may be fit, O Lord, to dwell with Thee.
Bless us all that one day we may dwell, O Lord, with Thee. Amen.
-4-
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you.
All: and also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: It is right and good and a joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to
you, O God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and
breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away and our love failed,
your love remained steadfast.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise
your name and join their unending hymn:
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.
One: Holy are you, and blessed is your son Jesus, the Christ. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
And so, in remembrance of all you offered in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves
in praise and thanksgiving, living in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we
proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Jesus died, Christ has risen, the Christ is always with us.
One: Pour out your Spirit on us gathered here . . .
OUR LORD’S PRAYER Alfred Hay Malotte
(choir and congregation singing - music may be found in the front of the hymnal)
SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
(The cup in the center of the communion plates contain gluten-free bread; the middle
glasses contain grape juice for those who desire it; the others contain red wine. You may eat
and drink as you are ready to do so.)
-5-
Communion Music
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come George J. Elvey/arr. Tedd Smith and Don Hustad
(Lucille Miller, piano)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
WE GO TO SERVE GOD’S WORLD
*HYMN - No. 418 God, Bless Your Church with Strength Ich Halte Treulich Still
*BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE – Come, Ye Thankful People, Come St. George’s Windsor
*POSTLUDE – Now Thank We All Our God J.S. Bach
*Those who are able, please stand
This Sunday – November 23
Liturgist: Catherine Willard
Acolyte: Hope Marshall
Ushers/Greeters: Brian Kushmaul, Deborah Moore Kushmaul, Mark Naeser, Barb Potter
Church School Teachers: The Kushmauls
Next Sunday- November 30
Liturgist: Mark Naeser
Acolyte: Oliver Hagel
Ushers: Craig Butler, Max Hagel, Jetta Wilson, Mark Wilson
Greeter: Barb Potter
Church School Teacher: Peggy Hallberg
-6-
Sunday, November 30, 2014 – 1st Sunday of Advent
Angel Ringers 9:00 a.m.
Children/Adult Ed 9:30 a.m.
Chancel Choir 9:45 a.m.
Worship 10:30 a.m.
Bob Hagel, preaching
Children’s Church 10:45 a.m.
Website: www.firstpresjamestown.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE WELCOME everyone, especially our visitors, to our service today. Please sign the pew pads. If you are new to First Presbyterian Church, introduce yourself to the pastor. Prayer request cards are available in the literature racks in the Narthex. If you desire your prayer concern to be shared during worship today with the congregation, please give your completed card to an usher prior to worship. Remember, our worship services are broadcast on Access Channel 19 on Time Warner Cable, everyday at 10:30 a.m. There is also live streaming of Sunday service which can be reached via our website. The bulletin for that Sunday is also put on the worship page of www.firstpresjamestown.com
THERE IS CHILDCARE available for infants through 2-year-old children in the nursery. The nursery attendants are well-qualified and a vibrating monitor will be given to you in case the nursery attendants need to be in touch with you about your child.
THE FLOWERS ON THE CHANCEL RAIL this morning are given to the Glory of God and in commemoration of Christ the King Sunday.
A HARVEST PIE RECEPTION is being held right after worship in the Sandra J. Merwin Fellowship Hall for us to enjoy the fruits of God’s harvest.
IF YOU WOULD like your picture taken for our Picture Wall, please see Janita Byars after worship today.
ADVENT BOOK STUDY. Ladies, join us Tuesday evenings during this Advent Season (starting Dec 2nd) for a women's study to get us centered and ready for Christmas. We will gather at members' homes and share food, wine, and spiritual wisdom. The first meeting will be at Sue Kellogg's house (1371 Winch Rd, Lakewood) on December 2, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Bring something to share! We will be using the book Simply Wait: Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent by Pamela Hawkins. You can purchase your own book, or let Kate know and we will order one for you. Please email Kate () if you have any questions.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
MONDAY 9:30 a.m. Healthy Bones Exercise Class
TUESDAY 6:30 p.m. Painters’ Workshop
7:15 p.m. Barbershoppers
THURSDAY Happy Thanksgiving – Offices & ACP Closed
FRIDAY Offices & ACP Closed
A CHILDREN’S PLACE is once again selling RADA products to raise money for the day care center. Orders will be taken today in the Cloister or in the church business office from ‘til November 24. RADA knives, kitchen utensils, candles, special soup, dip and sauce mixes have proven to be a very popular way for ACP to help raise monies that support our mission of providing for our community by providing a safe and comfortable place for its children. Please support our day care center children during this fundraiser. Thank you.
JOIN THE CROWD #Giving Tuesday. On December 2, 2014, (after Black Friday and Cyber Monday) the world comes together to give. Join in and participate. One way is by using the 2014 PRESBYTERIAN GIVING CATALOG that is now available in the literature racks in the Narthex. Each of the special gifts listed in the catalog exemplifies the work carried out by ministries supported by the Presbyterian Church’s four Special Offerings through the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Your extra donation can purchase a mule or a family of chickens, a rainwater catchment system or a sand dam, bunk beds for children or fishing boats. Donations can be made by mail, online or by phone.
THE FLOWER COMMITTEE invites you to join them as they “Deck the Halls” of First Pres on Wednesday, December 3. They will start at 2:00 p.m. It is great time and in the end our church building will be beautifully decorated for the holiday season. You don’t need to have a special talent, just a willingness to participate. Come join the fun! (If you have a pair of wire cutters and can bring them that would be a great help.)
DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR: Keep Saturday, December 20 at 4:00 p.m. open on your holiday schedule. Serendipity will be gifting the community will a concert here in our sanctuary. Several members of our congregation make up this wonderfull female vocal group and you won’t want to miss “Love Came Down at Christmas.” Admission is free and a portion of the free will offering will be donated to Community Helping Hands.
SHOWER OF BLESSINGS! Our stewardship season is on its way! If you weren’t able to turn in your pledge card one of the last two Sundays, please either send to the church business office via snail mail or place it in the offering plate during worship. The church budget meeting will be held on December 2nd so it is very important that we have pledges counted so Session can develop their planning for 2015. What you commit to God’s work here at First Pres will decide the future of our congregation. Only through your giving can we continue to generously reach out in the name of Jesus Christ and expand our ministry.