First Presbyterian Church For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte

First
Presbyterian
Church
Charlotte, North Carolina
Organized 1821
October 19, 2014
Volume 43, No. 42
For Christ in the Heart of Charlotte
Order of Worship
October 19, 2014
Commitment Sunday
9:00 am and 11:00 am
Let the people engage in silent meditation and prayer upon entering the sanctuary.
Please be sure to silence your cell phones.
Preparation
Prelude
“Now Thank We All Our God” arr. Paul Manz
Welcome and Announcements
Adoration
*Call to Worship One:This is the day that the Lord has made;
All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
*Hymn No. 367 “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
st. george’s windsor
Confession
Call to Confession
Reverend Katelyn M. Gordon
Prayer of Confession
One:The Good Shepherd calls to us.
All: We know our shepherd’s voice but fail to heed it.
One: Merciful God, to walk paths of righteousness and enjoy life abundant, we must follow you in trust and obedience.
All: Though you beckon us, we go our own way. Though you defend us, we are filled with fear.
One:You spread a table before us. Our cup overflows.
All: We judge those with whom we are seated. We worry there will not be enough.
One:In your mercy, forgive us, Lord. Take us by the hand, and guide us in your ways.
All: Help us rest in your company, and there learn to be grateful and generous.
Assurance of Pardon
Friends, believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
*Response (Hymn No. 441)
nettleton
Hear the good news of salvation: Jesus died to show God’s love. Such great kindness! Such great mercy! Come to us from heaven above. Jesus Christ,
how much I love You! Jesus Christ, You save from sin! How I love You!
Look upon me. Love me still and cleanse within.
All the sins I have committed to my Savior now I bring. I bow down with
tears of anguish; Christ forgives and so I sing: Jesus Christ, how much I love You! Jesus Christ, You save from sin! How I love You! Look upon me.
Love me still and cleanse within.
Sacrament of Baptism (11 am) (All children are invited forward for the baptism)
*Apostles’ Creed (11 am)
Mary Laurel Warfield
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.
Proclamation
F
irst Scripture Reading
Acts 1:6-11
One: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
pew Bible pg. 118
Anthem (9 am)
“Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands” arr. Sue Ellen Page
Child’s Intro Choir
Jesus’ hands were kind hands, doing good for all. Healing pain and sickness, blessing children small. Washing tired feet and saving those who fall, Jesus’ hands were kind hands, doing good to all. Take my hands, Lord Jesus. Let them work for you. Make them strong and gentle, kind in all I do. Let me watch you,
Jesus ‘til I’m gentle too; ‘til my hands are kind hands, quick to work for you.
(9 am - at the conclusion of the anthem, children may leave for First Church)
Anthem (11 am)
“Ain’ a That Good News?”
arr. Mark Patterson
Carol and Kirk Choirs
I’ve got good news, my Lord! I got a crown up in-a that kingdom, ain’ a that good news? I’m gonna lay down this world. Gonna shoulder up my cross. Gonna take it home to my Jesus. Ain’ a that good news? I got a robe up in that kingdom.
Ain’ a that good news? I’m gonna lay down this world. Gonna shoulder up my cross. Gonna take it home to my Jesus. Ain’ a that good news?
(11 am - at the conclusion of the anthem, children may leave for First Church)
Second Scripture Reading
Acts 2:42-47
pew Bible pg. 120
Sermon “What it Looks Like to be Engaged” Reverend Pendleton B. Peery
*Hymn No. 36
“For the Fruit of All Creation”
*Apostles’ Creed (9 am)
ar hyd y nos
Reverend Katherine C. Kerr
Dedication
Prayers of the People
Stewardship of Life
Presentation of Tithes and Offering
Offertory Anthem
“Look At the World”
John Rutter
Look at the world, ev’rything all around us: look at the world, and marvel ev’ry day. Look at the world: so many joys and wonders, so many miracles along our way. Praise to thee, O Lord, for all creation, give us joyful hearts, that we may
see: all the gifts we share, and ev’ry blessing, all things come of thee. Look at the earth bringing forth fruit and flower; look at the sky, the sunshine and the rain; look at the hills, look at the trees and mountains, valley and flowing river, field
and plain. Think of the spring,think of the warmth of summer bringing the harvest before the winter’s cold. Ev’rything grows, ev’rything has a season, till
it is gathered to the Father’s fold. Ev’ry good gift, all we need and cherish comes from the Lord in token of his love; we are his hands, stewards of all his bounty;
his is the earth, and his the heav’ns above.
*Doxology (Hymn No. 606) 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.
*Prayer of Dedication and The 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.
*Litany of Dedication
Sending Forth
One: For the joy we have been given to live out in faith,
All: Thanks be to God.
One: For the hope in which we live through Christ’s death and resurrection,
All: Thanks be to God.
One: At great expense, God grants us new life and offers us everything.
All: In response we freely and wholeheartedly yield ourselves into your hands, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
*Hymn No. 14
“For the Beauty of the Earth”
dix
(During the hymn, the congregation is asked to bring pledge cards forward and place them
on the communion table as an act of dedication.)
*Charge and Benediction
*Benediction Response (9 am)
“Amen”
danish
*Benediction Response (11 am)
“Farewell, Good Friends!” Carol and Kirk Choirs
*Postlude
“Now Thank We All Our God”
shalom, chaverim
arr. Sigfrid Karg-Elert
__________________________
* For all who are able, please stand.
The 11 am service will be televised over WSOC-TV, channel 9, this morning and streamed live at
www.firstpres-charlotte.org. The sermon is available on the church’s website by audio download and podcast.
We extend a warm welcome to all those who visit with us today. We hope
you will find the worship service meaningful and will worship with us often. Please be sure to visit our website at www.firstpres-charlotte.org
The sacrament of baptism will be administered to Mary Laurel Warfield,
daughter of Scott and Catherine Warfield, during the 11 am service.
The sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Milly Warfield and for her grandparents, Tom and Carolyn Duncan and Bob and Laurie Warfield, by Scott and Catherine Warfield.
The sympathy of the congregation is expressed to Yvonne Nadler and
her family on the recent death of her daughter, Claire Gary Hunsucker.
First church is a worship education experience for K-3rd graders and any interested 4th or 5th graders.
Who We Are
We are a family of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord,
seeking to understand and follow His teachings.
We bring our diverse social, political and theological perspectives
to be woven together in community.
We seek to glorify Christ in the heart of Charlotte
through our worship, fellowship, witness and service.
We welcome all to join us in our journey of faith,
trusting God to change us, our community and our world.
Pendleton B. Peery
Senior Pastor
ppeery@firstpres-charlotte.org
Erika Funk
Katherine C. Kerr
Associate Pastor for
Associate Pastor for Mission
Congregational Care
efunk@firstpres-charlotte.org
kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org
Charles C. Williamson
Katelyn M. Gordon
Parish Associate
Associate Pastor for
cwilliamson@firstpres-charlotte.org
Christian Formation
kgordon@firstpres-charlotte.org
William P. Young, III
Director of Music Ministries
wyoung@firstpres-charlotte.org