Welcome to First Presbyterian Church Of Ocala This Morning’s Thanksgiving Sermon

Welcome to
First Presbyterian Church
Of Ocala
November 23, 2014
This Morning’s Thanksgiving Sermon
Where Are the Nine?
511 S.E. Third Street, Ocala, FL 34471
The Reverend Dr. Raymond Guterman, Pastor
The Reverend Darren Bess, Associate Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Ray C. Ruark, Jr., Pastor Emeritus
Phone: (352) 629-7561
Fax: (352) 629-8066
www.fpcocala.org
FAITHFULLY SERVING CHRIST IN MARION COUNTY AND THE WORLD SINCE 1857 AND STILL GROWING!
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
CHRIST THE KING / REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
November 23, 2014
8:15a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
We Gather with Others in God’s House
The Welcome and Announcements
The Minutes for Mission (8:15) 2015 Giving Tree for Thornwell
Youth Photography Fundraiser
(11:00)
2015 Giving Tree for Thornwell
Youth Photography Fundraiser
Jarl Hagood
Dave Schlenker
Becky Schatt
Dave Schlenker
The Passing of the Peace of Christ
(Thank you, if able, for standing and greeting your neighbors in worship today
with a “Happy Thanksgiving!)
We Prepare Our Hearts and Minds for Worship
The Chiming of the Hour
The Prelude
Amazing Grace
String Ensemble
arr. Duane Funderburk
To meditate upon today during the prelude……
O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; when I have work, help me to
remember the jobless; when I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home
at all; when I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer, and remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency. Bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help
by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.
The Introit
How Can I Keep from Singing
Robert Lowry
Victoria and Alexandra Sexton
The Call to Worship (Unison)
Psalm 103 (Selected)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits. Who forgives all
your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the
Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with
good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The
Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. Bless the Lord,
O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, obedient to His
spoken word. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers that do His will.
Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O
my soul.
*If able, please stand
We Give Praise and Adoration to God
*The Hymn of Praise
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
#551
*The Re-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 communion
of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life
everlasting. Amen.
*The Gloria Patri
#579
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.
(Children sitting with their parents may now join Ms. Jacque Johnson for children’s church.)
The Anthem (11:00)
Anthem of Gratitude
Joseph M. Martin
Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices. Who wondrous things hath done,
in whom our Son rejoices! Who gave this church its birth and blessed it through the years with
countless gifts of love and grace for every tear. For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the
skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies: Christ to Thee we raise this our
hymn of grateful praise. For the wonder of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and vale
and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light: Christ to Thee we raise this our hymn of
grateful praise. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, thank You God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, thank You
God. For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild: Christ to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise! We
give praise! For the church that evermore lifteth holy hands above, offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, thank You God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
thank You God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. We thank You God. Thank You God
We Seek and Share God’s Forgiveness
The Call to Confession
The Prayer of Confession (Unison)
O Giver of all good and perfect gifts, we come before You overwhelmed by
Your generous providence in our lives: for jobs and homes, for friends and
family, for fellowship and laughter, for Word and song. We have often
received these blessings as if we were deserving of them. Forgive such
ungraciousness, Lord. We have also sometimes failed to model Your
generosity. Forgive such miserliness, Lord. Grant us truly thankful hearts for
our blessings; and remind us that we are blessed for only one reason: that we
may be a blessing to others. We pray in Your Son’s Name. Amen.
(A time for silent prayer and confession.)
The Assurance of Pardon
The Response (singing)
We Gather Together
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be Thine!
#559
We all do extol Thee,Thou leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
We Give God His Tithes and our Offerings
The Offertory Prayer (Unison)
We give thanks, Lord Jesus, that through the tithes and offerings we give
back to You through Your church, we have an opportunity to be partners
with You in healing the sick, feeding the poor, in clothing the naked, in
liberating the captives, in teaching the illiterate, and in proclaiming the
message of peace in sharing the Gospel and in proclaiming a message of
hope, faith and love in a world often filled with despair, doubt and hate. Bless
and use the gifts that we give, we pray, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
The Offertory
Blessed Be the Name
String Ensemble
*The Doxology
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.
We Hear God’s Word Proclaimed
The New Testament Scripture
arr. Ed Hogan
#592
Luke 17:11-19 (N. T. Page 80)
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Sermon
Where Are the Nine?
Pastor Raymond Guterman
We Depart to Live and Love as Christian Disciples
*The Hymn of Dedication
Now Thank We All Our God
#555
*The Charge and Benediction
*The Choral Response (11:00) The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Peter Lutkin
*The Postlude
Chorale-Fantasy: Now Thank We All Our God Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Serving Our Lord Today at First Presbyterian Church of Ocala
Greeters/Ushers 8:15 a.m. Paul and Bettie Haupt and H.J. and MaryBeth Rivers
Greeters
11:00 a.m. Gene and Dee Owen
Ushers
11:00 a.m. John Reiss, Captain; Savannah Bennett, Bill Bowen, Hank Fleming,
Joe Fleming, Mikey Kelly, Bob Timmer, Roxanne Schwaller and Ted Waln

TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to all who worship with us today! We are delighted that you are here with
us and especially welcome all newcomers. Thank you for signing and passing the Friendship
Pad on the pews. If you’re new today, please give us your address and phone number. If
you are looking for a new church home, we trust that the service today will be a blessing to
you and that you will continue to worship and serve the Lord with us! New members are
received into our church by either transfer from a previous church or by profession or
reaffirmation of faith. Inquirers’ Luncheons are held every other month on Sundays from
noon to 2:00 p.m. in which newcomers can learn more about Christianity, the Presbyterian
Church and membership at First Presbyterian Church of Ocala. Please speak with one of
our pastors after the service if you have questions or pastoral concerns, and again, welcome
to our First family of faith!
Large print hymnals and hearing aids are available for your convenience from the
ushers. If any hearing aid does not work, please see an usher for a replacement.
Parents, please be sure to get today’s worship bulletin for your children with activities for
them on the ushers’ table in the narthex. Ask an usher for information.
Our last Inquirers’ Luncheon for 2014 is today! If you have been worshiping with
us and would like to learn more about our church, please join us at noon for a
complimentary luncheon in Fellowship Hall.
If you haven’t turned in your 2015 Estimate of Giving card, please
dedicate it to the Glory of God by placing it in an offering plate today. Extras are
available in the Narthex of the Sanctuary and in the back of Fellowship Hall. Each
estimate that we receive will make a huge impact toward accomplishing our
exciting 2015 mission and ministry goals! So far, a majority of our estimates for the new
year are increases!
Welcome to our Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service – this Wednesday,
November 26 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Matthews Lutheran Church (3453 N.E. Silver
Springs Road, Ocala).
We Remember This Week in Prayer
Janice Schafer and Doris Steinhardt (Emeritus East), Dan Hallenbeck, Marguerite Faulkner Sounder,
David Owen (Gene and Dee Owen’s son), J. R. Blackwell (Mary Kauffman’s nephew), Joan Kilgallen (the Blagus’ friend),
Shirley Cochran, Jamii Fuseler (the Pickards’ niece), Carl Jackson (Veta Jackson’s son), Tineke (Grietje Lewis’ sister),
Gera Fleming, Lucille Griggs, Evelyn Longo, Andy and Debi Boyer (Fran Gilchrist’s son-in-law and daughter),
Sue Murphy, Maria Myers (Hampton Manor), Karen Raynor on the death of her great-grandson,
Erik and Karen Reiss (the Reiss’ son and daughter-in-law),
our 2014 Stewardship season and our men and women serving in the armed forces and their families.
It’s time to order 2014 Poinsettias - Please consider purchasing one or more in honor of or in
memory of a family member, a loved one or a friend. Complete the form below and place it in an
offering plate TODAY or bring it to the church office this week. The cost is $10 each.
The deadline for ordering is Monday, December 1!
Order placed by___________________________________________________________
 In honor of
 in memory of _____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Number of plants ordered ________
Amount enclosed $___________
(Make checks payable to FPC and earmark: Poinsettia)
KidsKram Christmas Craft Extravaganza - Monday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. in
Fellowship Hall. This evening is full of crafting and creating as we kick-off the Christmas
season in a very EXTRAORDINARY way! Spend time with your child, making memories of
creating special crafts that will adorn your home this season, while snacking on hot
chocolate and classic Christmas goodies. There is no cost – but you MUST pre-register
your child(ren) for the event. Contact Ms. Jacque by calling the church office (629-7561)
or email her at mrsjacque@fpcocala.org.
Christmas Hope – Did you see the beautiful Christmas giving tree when you walked in
today? We will be spreading Christmas Hope to the Thornwell Home for
Children this year. Thornwell, located in South Carolina, is a Presbyterian Home for
Children, some of whom live there temporarily and others permanently. We have two trees
set up – one in Fellowship Hall and the other in the Narthex of our Sanctuary, with gift
requests. December 7th is our deadline for all gifts to be brought in to the church
office. Thornwell is one of our church’s benevolences.
Young Adults Luncheon – Sunday, December 7! We’ll meet at the Bedenbaughs’
home (1026 SE 9th Avenue) at 12:30 p.m. Bring a side dish to share. Speak with
Director of Music and Youth & Young Adult Ministries David Bedenbaugh (282-7318) if you
plan to attend.
Interfaith Emergency Services is in urgent need of the following items: Canned
vegetables and fruit, canned beans, peanut butter, jelly or jam (plastic containers preferred),
spaghetti sauce, pasta and rice, macaroni and cheese, cereal and oatmeal, canned soup,
canned meats (tuna, chicken), coffee or tea. Interfaith’s food pantry is extremely low
right now; and as they are getting into the holiday season and colder months, there is an
increase in clients. Currently Interfaith is providing food for over 400 families a
week, and they have started decreasing the amount of food provided, because there’s just
not enough to meet the need. Thanks for placing your donations in the Narthex or at the
back of Fellowship Hall on Sundays or bring them to the church office during the
week or contact Interfaith directly ( 629-8868) to arrange for a pickup.
Volunteers are needed for Salvation Army Bell Ringing, especially Friday and
Saturday, December 12 and 13, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Publix in Churchill
Square. Please call Gera Fleming (629-6065) to sign up!
This Week’s Daily Bible Readings
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
November 23
November 24
November 25
God’s Word: Sending Us Forth With a Thankful Heart
Wednesday
November 26
Thursday
Psalm 96
November 27
Friday
Psalm 97
November 28
Saturday
Psalm 98
November 29
Psalm 99
Psalm 65
Psalm 66
Psalm 67
This Week’s Calendar
November 23 – November 29
SUN
November 23
8:15 a.m. – Noon
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
11:15 a.m. - Noon
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
10:40 a.m.
MON
TUES
WED
Noon
1:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
November 24
5:30 p.m.
November 25
5:30 p.m.
November 26
4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Nursery: newborns – 3 year olds - Nursery
Children’s Church: KidsKram (3 years – 5th Grade) – Room 26
Children’s Church: KidsKram (3 years – 5th Grade) – Room 26
Adult Christian Education:
Science and Religion - Nita Williams - Parlor
Christians Through the Ages - The Crusades – Beth Whelan – Room 1,
Education Building
The Blakely Class – Sustaining Hope – David Arango-Palencia /Jean Morse –
Room 2, Education Building
The Thoughtful Christian - Discussion on current events from a Biblical and
Christian perspective - Kent Adams and Dana Counts – Fellowship Hall
Inquirers Luncheon – Fellowship Hall
Session Meeting – Fellowship Hall
Youth Band Practice
Kaleo Youth Service – Youth Lounge & Café (Rooms 20-22) Ed. Building
String Ensemble Rehearsal - 3224 SE 13th Street (Helen Lawton, 694-2280)
Cross & Crowns Rehearsal – Fellowship Hall
Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room – Newcomers are always welcome!
Handbells Practice – Bell Tower
Community Thanksgiving Service - St. Matthews Lutheran Church
(3453 NE Silver Springs Road)
THURSDAY & FRIDAY
November 27 & 28
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THANKSGIVING
Please note - There’ll be NO Wednesday night Family Night Supper or children
and youth activities this Wednesday, November 26th!
The VIPs (Very Important Presbyterians) will meet next on Thursday,
December 4 in Fellowship Hall. The meeting starts at 11:30 with lunch and program
following at noon. Our own Jo Ann Brandt will ring handbells for Christmas. The
cost is only $6. Be sure to make your reservation on the Friendship Pad today or call the
church office (629-7561) on or before Tuesday, December 2 . Please request gluten free
if needed and don’t forget to bring paper goods to donate to Interfaith and
Christmas gifts for residents at Avante Assisted Living.
CHURCH-WIDE 2014 CHRISTMAS “POTLUCK” DINNER
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Come join us for an evening of good food, music, fellowship and Christmas cheer!. Dinner begins at 5:30
p.m. Meat, bread and beverages will be provided. There is no charge for the dinner. We are
dividing the potluck dishes as follows – if your last name begins with A-H please bring vegetables or a
casserole; I-P please bring a dessert; Q-Z please bring a salad (tossed, congealed or fruit).
For reservations, designate on the Friendship Pad, put this form in the offering plate, call the Church
Office (629-7561) or email to fpcocala.org. Reservation deadline is Tuesday, December 15!
CHURCH-WIDE CHRISTMAS POTLUCK DINNER – RESERVATION FORM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013
Name:___________________________________________________Phone:_______________
Number attending: ________ adults
_______children
Dish to bring:____________________
Historical Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS) presents a Christmas Candlelight
Tour – Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. FPC is included
in this historical tour! For more information call HOPS (351-1861) or visit
www.historicocala.org.
A Sacred Journey To The Holy Land, Israel with Pastor Don Mossa has been
scheduled for April 20th through May 1st, 2015. Anyone who is interested and would
like more information, please contact Pastor Mossa at 508-688-7414. Come walk
where Jesus walked, prayed, died and rose again for us!
It’s that time of year again! Please consider calling the church and letting us help you
retrieve your seasonal items from your attic. We only need a couple of days’ notice and will
be happy to help you. Remember – Don’t climb the ladder… Call and we’ll come no
matter!” Call Pastor Darren (629-7561) for assistance.
Get connected! Visit us online at www.fpcocala.org for more information and news about
what’s happening at FPC. You can also access Facebook right from our website!
Are you on our e-mail list? FPC sends noteworthy information and updates right to your
inbox. E-mail the church office at fpcocala@fpcocala.org to get on our e-mail list.
Like us on Facebook! Search for FPC Ocala, FL to find our page. Click the like button
to connect.
Our Church mission is to worship God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are called to serve and to demonstrate God’s message of love to all.