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The Service for The Lord’s Day
Sunday Before Thanksgiving
Harvest of Gifts
Christ the King
The Sacrament of Baptism
November 23, 2014
10:30 a.m.
Today is Christ The King Sunday as well as the Sunday before
Thanksgiving. Today we express our Faith that, even though Christ was
rejected and crucified, He rose and ascended and forever reigns with the
Father and the Holy Spirit in glory. Such Faith is a source of profound
thanksgiving because it means no power, no tragic suffering, no evil
force will ever have the last word; the last word will always be the name
of Jesus and a word of grace. Such Faith also means we may look to
Jesus’ life – His humility, His sacrifice, His compassion – for a model of
true leadership and kingship. The Christian’s loyalty is always to Christ
before his or her loyalty to any other claim on one’s life.
November 23, 2014
From the Pastor
CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church! We especially welcome all guests and visitors and invite you
to sign the Friendship Pad with your address, phone number, email address and any other contact information.
We are glad you are here!
Today is Christ The King Sunday and marks the end of the liturgical calendar for the church year. The
liturgical color is White. Next Sunday marks the beginning of a new church year with the Season of Advent
when the liturgical color will be Purple.
Welcome New Members! It was the privilege of the Session to receive into the active membership of
the church this morning Kyle Allison, Carol Mackey, and JoePat and Gail Roop. We will also celebrate the
Sacrament of Baptism for Alex Roop and Henry Roop, sons of JoePat and Gail Roop. Welcome!
Stewardship Season comes to a close today as we receive our Time and Talent Pledge cards on this
Harvest of Gifts Sunday. Time and Talent Pledge cards have been mailed to everyone in our church family and
extra cards are also available in the Gathering Area and Narthex. If you have not returned your card, please do
so as the offering plates are passed near the end of our service when we will dedicate the offering of our time
and talent to the glory of God. Please be sure to complete the back of the card and update individual and
family contact information.
For the last several weeks the Stewardship Committee has invited every individual and family in our
church to make a Financial Pledge to the General Fund Operating Budget for next year. If you have yet to
make your Pledge in response to this year’s Stewardship theme – “first: Giving God our Best!” – please do so
as the offering plate is passed today. Extra Financial Pledge cards and “confidential” envelopes are available in
the Gathering Area, in the pew racks and from any usher.
This morning we invite everyone to participate in our annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox
Ministry through Samaritan’s Purse and as Keepsake Christmas ornaments of our church are available for
purchase in the Gathering Area following Worship.
A Visitor-Inquirer-New Member Class begins December 7 during the Sunday School hour (9:1510:10) for all who have recently joined our church or have interest in inquiring about church membership. The
class will meet for 3 weeks in my office (December 7, 14, and 21).
The Community Thanksgiving Service will be hosted this evening by First United Methodist Church
at 7 p.m. We look forward to this special time to be together as a part of the greater Belmont community.
Everyone is invited.
This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
God’s Grace and Peace to you!
Sam
Special Worship Notes …
•
If you are interested in becoming a member of our church family please speak to one of the elders
standing at the doors following Worship. Elders greeting are Deana Murphy and Laurie Maultsby.
•
A Changing Table and Rocking Chair are available in the Bride’s Room adjacent to the Parlor and
Women’s Rest Room for parents attending Worship with young children.
•
The Harbinger Church Newsletter for this week (November 23) is available in the Gathering Area.
•
The Joys and Concerns of the Church shared during Worship are available in leaflet form in the
Gathering Area as a daily devotional guide that includes The Order for Daily Prayer.
•
Thank you for turning off cell phones during Worship. Please also refrain from taking flash pictures
and using video equipment. CDs and DVDs of Worship ($2 each) are available by contacting the
church office.
Gathering Around the Word
Carillon Voluntary
Kailey Lawing
Welcome and Announcements
10:30 a.m.
Please sign the Ritual of Friendship Pad so those sitting near you may greet you.
Minute for Mission
Exam Care Packages for College Students
Tricia Decker
Prayer Before Worship
The Book of Common Worship, No. 9, p. 19
Bless us, O God, with a reverent sense of your presence, that we may be at peace and may worship
you with all our mind and spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prelude
A Song of Gratitude
Edward Broughton
Chiming of the Trinity
*Opening Sentences
Leader: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
People: Hosanna in the highest!
*Hymn No. 551
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Sam Warner
Mark 11:9, 10b
ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR
(Please use The Presbyterian Hymnal in the pew rack if you wish.)
1)
Come, ye thankful people, come, Raise the song of harvest home:
All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin;
God, our Maker, doth provide For our wants to be supplied:
Come to God’s own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest home.
2)
All the world is God’s own field, Fruit unto God’s praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear:
Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.
3)
For the Lord our God shall come, And shall take the harvest home;
From each field shall in that day All offenses purge away;
Give the angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast,
But the fruitful ears to store In God’s garner evermore.
4)
Even so, Lord, quickly come To Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin;
There forever purified, In Thy presence to abide:
Come, with all Thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home.
*Lighting of the Candles
*Call to Worship and Invocation
Daria Ragan
*Congregational Response
AZMON
Holy, holy, holy! Lord, God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Prayer of Confession
Daria Ragan
Righteous God, You have crowned Jesus Christ as Lord of all. We confess that we have not
bowed before him, and are slow to acknowledge his rule. We give allegiance to the powers of this
world, and fail to be governed by justice and love. In your mercy, forgive us. Raise us to acclaim
him as ruler of all, that we may be loyal ambassadors, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
(Silent prayers of confession)
Declaration of Pardon
Daria Ragan
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
* Congregational Response
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.
Sealing the Word through Baptism
Alex Roop and Henry Roop
GREETING
Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Daria Ragan
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And lo, I am
with you always to the end of the age.
Hear also the words of the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost when he said:
For the promise is for you, for your children and for all who are far away, everyone the Lord our God calls to him.
PRESENTATION
Ron Barnes
On behalf of the Session, I present Alex and Henry Roop, sons of Joe Pat and Gail Roop, to receive the
Sacrament of Baptism.
PROFESSION OF FAITH
QUESTIONS TO THE PARENTS
QUESTION TO THE PEOPLE
Smitty Hanks
Do you, the members of this congregation, in the name of the whole church of Christ, promise to share
in the Christian nurture of Alex and Henry so that in due time they may confess faith in Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior? Do we?
We do.
*BAPTISMAL PRAYER
Holy God, we praise you that you have given us gracious promises concerning our children, and
that in mercy you call them to yourself and mark them with this sacrament as a pledge of your
faithful love. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this water, and set it apart from a
common purpose to a sacred use. Remind us of the promises given in our own baptism, and
renew our trust in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE BAPTISM
THE BENEDICTION
Sharing before the Word our Joys and Concerns
*Passing the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Children’s Sermon
Robin Russell
Children come forward as we sing Jesus Loves Me.
Afterward Preschoolers go to E108 for PAWS (Preschoolers At Worship Service)
Kindergarteners through 2nd Graders are invited to the Chapel for Children’s Church.
Joys and Concerns of the Church
Please sign the Friendship Pad so those sitting near you may greet you.
Prayers of the People
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Sam Warner
Deana Murphy
The Lord’s Prayer
The Presbyterian Hymnal, p. 16
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.
*Hymn No. 559
We Gather Together
KREMSER
(Please use The Presbyterian Hymnal in the pew rack if you wish.)
1)
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.
2)
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 glo-ry be Thine!
3)
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!
Proclaiming the Word
Unison Prayer for Illumination
Ethan Goodwin
Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept Your Word. Silence in us any voice but Your own,
that, hearing, we may also obey Your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Unison Reading
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Psalm 100
pew Bible OT, p. 552
Large Print pew Bible OT, p. 679
Scripture Reading
Matthew 25:31-46
Kathleen Boyce
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Congregational Response
LIVING GOD
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me; Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me. Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
Sermon
Summing Up with a Final Story
Sam Warner
Responding to the Word
*Affirmation of Faith
The Apostles' Creed
The Presbyterian Hymnal, p. 14
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.
Offertory Anthem
Prayer of Thankful Praise
Hal H. Hopson
Sanctuary Choir
*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.
*The Unison Prayer of Dedication
Pam Lee
O God, we give ourselves completely to You. We are not our own, but all that we are and all
that we have and all that we give begins and ends with You. Assign us to our place in Your
creation. Give us the work You would have us do. And use the time and talents we offer this
morning as visible signs of Your invisible love and grace that is always with us.
O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we dedicate this offering and the offering of ourselves to Your
Glory. Amen.
Bearing and Following the Word Into the World
*Hymn 555
Now Thank We All Our God
NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT
(Please use The Presbyterian Hymnal in the pew rack if you wish.)
1)
Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, In whom this world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers’ arms, Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
2)
O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in God’s grace, And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
3)
All praise and thanks to God, Who reigns in highest heaven,
To Father and to Son And Spirit now be given.
The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore,
The God who was, and is, And shall be evermore.
*Extinguishing the Candles
*Benediction
Sam Warner
*Chiming of the Trinity
*Postlude
Thanksgiving
*Carillon Voluntary
Mary McFarland
______________________________________
*Please stand as you are able.
CCLI License #15869
Gordon Young
Church Announcements
Announcements
MIDWEEK MEN’S FELLOWSHIP GROUP continues this
Wednesday, November 26 at Caravan Coffee (7:15-7:45 a.m.) for those
interested in a short time of study and fellowship on the way to work.
EXAM CARE PACKAGES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS will
be available for pickup for your student from Women’s Fellowship in
the Gathering Area today after Worship. If you are unable to do so,
please contact Tricia Decker tdecker@carolina.rr.com
A COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE will be held this
evening at First United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. We will gather
with other churches of the area for prayer and song as we give thanks
for our many gifts. Please come and join us as an opportunity to pray
with others in our community.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES can be picked
up today after Worship in the Gathering Area.
DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS will begin on
Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 p.m. We need many volunteers to help
decorate 4 Christmas trees, put ribbons on wreaths and hang the
wreaths, etc.
If you are available and would like to help
decorate the church, please come to the Sanctuary at 2:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS The Worship Committee would like to
give the congregation an opportunity to order a poinsettia in honor
and/or in memory of a loved one. The poinsettia will be placed in the
church on December 23 and can be picked up after the Christmas Eve
services. The cost is $12 each and orders will be taken through
Monday, December 15. Forms are located in the church office, the
church entrance and you can download from the church website at
Poinsettia Order Form or place an order on the church website.
rd
THE CHRISTMAS POST OFFICE which is sponsored by the
children of Kids Central will be open for you each Sunday morning
beginning November 30 at 9:00 am. You may send members of our
congregation addressed Christmas cards without a stamp for 25 cents
each. The children will deliver those cards to individuals while they
are here at church, or will later deliver to their local address. All
proceeds from the "Christmas Post Office" will go to Operation
Christmas Child.
TODAY'S VOLUNTEERS
Morning Prayer:
Acolytes:
Elder Greeters:
Sound System/Video:
Volunteer Greeters:
Ushers:
Volunteer Ushers:
Children’s Church:
Infant Nursery:
Toddler I & II:
PAWS:
Patrick Lane
Ethan Lee, Masie Lee
Laurie Maultsby, Deana Murphy
David W. Cloninger
Bill & Beth Campbell
Deacon Class of 2014
Justin Amos, Eleanor Grass
Jennifer Cheshire, Marcia Rauch
DJ & Lori Cipriano
Brad & Christina Moose
Jason & Megan Price
This Week at …
First Presbyterian Church
Committee Meetings are highlighted
Sunday, November 23
Sunday Before Thanksgiving
Harvest of Gifts / Christ the King
Sacrament of Baptism
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School
Children/Youth Breakfast (F. Hall)
9:30 a.m. Children/Youth Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Called Session Meeting (Parlor)
10:30 a.m. Worship
4:00 p.m. Handbells (Choir Room)
5:00 p.m. Crown Financial Study Class (Chapel)
Middle School Youth (Ford House)
High School Choir (Choir Room)
6:00 p.m. Combined Youth Supper (Fellowship Hall)
7:00 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service
(First United Methodist Church - Belmont)
Monday, November 24
6:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 62 (Scout Hut)
Youth Committee (Library)
Tuesday, November 25
9:00 a.m. PW Community Circle (Parlor)
10:30 a.m. Children’s Ministry (Library)
5:30 p.m. Let Me Run Advisory Board (Library)
6:00 p.m. Daisy/Brownie Troop 2200 (F. Hall)
7:00 p.m. Toastmasters (Conference Room)
Stephen Ministry Supervision (Multipurpose)
8:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry Cont. Ed. (Multipurpose)
Wednesday, November 26
7:15 a.m. Men’s Midweek Fellowship (Caravan)
9:15 a.m. Weekday School Chapel (Sanctuary)
7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous (Scout Hut)
Food Addicts Anonymous (Chapel)
Thursday, November 27 (Church Office Closed)
THANKSGIVING DAY
Friday, November 28 (Church Office Closed)
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Saturday, November 29
7:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast (Ford House)
Church Staff
The Rev. Samuel P. Warner (swarner@fpc-belmont.org), Pastor
The Rev. Daria L. Ragan (dragan@fpc-belmont.org), Associate Pastor
Suzanne M. Fairbairn (suzanne@fpc-belmont.org), Director of Music and Organist
Robin H. Russell (rrussell@fpc-belmont.org), Director of Christian Education
Cindy Hammer (chammer@fpc-belmont.org), Weekday School Director
Heather Moore (hmoore@fpc-belmont.org), Weekday School Assistant Director
Sherri Smith (ssmith@fpc-belmont.org), Office Administrator
Jeannie Sigmon (jsigmon@fpc-belmont.org), Financial Administrator
Ken Dole (kdole@fpc-belmont.org), Building Superintendent
Catherine S. P. Carstarphen, Presbyterian Psychological Services Counselor
The Rev. Kent Tilley, Presbyterian Psychological Services Counselor
Debbie King, Housekeeper
*Paid Nursery Caregivers are provided through Charlotte Care Services
Officers of the Church
THE SESSION
Samuel P. Warner, Moderator
Jim Stallings, Treasurer
Daria L. Ragan, Vice-Moderator
Marty Barnes, Records Clerk
Ron Barnes, Clerk of Session
David W. Cloninger, Assistant Clerk
Class of 2014
Carissa Burns, Commitment-Fin./WDS
David A. Cloninger, Property
Tad Hixson, Coordinating/Planning
Margaret Packard, Education/P&A
Jeff Rhyne, Commitment & Finance
Mary Randall Rhyne, Worship
Class of 2015
Jay Carpenter, Stewardship
Harold Fite, Missions & Denom. Relations
Donna Grant, Fellowship
Ann B. Green, Coordinating/Planning
Laurie Maultsby, Personnel & Admin.
Lissa McMeeken, Missions-Denom. Rel.
Class of 2016
Wayne Baird, Stewardship
Susan Bowen, Fellowship
Summer Cline, Personnel & Admin. (P&A)
Smitty Hanks, Property
Deana Murphy, Weekday School/P&A
Chris VanderMeer, Worship
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
Andy Stalder (Class of 2014), Moderator
Sally Dunn (Class of 2016), Secretary
Class of 2014
Mary Austin, Congregational Care
Jeff Biggerstaff, Greeting & Ushering
Dana Frady, New Members
Patrick Lane, Commitment & Finance
Donita Stewart, Congregational Care
Kim Watson, Congregational Care
Katherine Boiter (Class of 2015), Vice-Moderator
Patrick Lane (Class of 2014), Assistant Treasurer
Class of 2015
Patricia Burke, Congregational Care
Andy Cheshire, Outreach
John Kines, Greeting & Ushering
David Minnich, Outreach
Megan Price, Weekday School
Doyle Wilkins, Outreach
Class of 2016
Nancy Bosch, New Members
Jo Ann Evans, Congregational Care
Jeff Meadows, Greeting & Ushering
Griffin Keel, Outreach
Brad Kimbirl, New Members
April Nixon, New Members
THE CORPORATION
Tad Hixson, President
Ann Brittian Green, Vice-President
Jim Stallings, Treasurer
First Presbyterian Church
102 South Central Avenue
Post Office Box 1
Belmont, NC 28012
www.fpc-belmont.org
(704) 825-3357
Ron Barnes, Secretary