First Presbyterian Church
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, September 27, 2009 8:30 and 10:00 AM
The Prelude: A time to be silent in preparation for worship
“Glad Tidings” by Chesterton
Welcome and Announcements
Minute for Missions – Outreach & Stewardship
Ringing Our Historic Church Bells
*The Opening Hymn #45 “Crown Him With Many Crowns” [vs. 1, 3, 4]
The Call to Worship
L: We gather in this place on this day in Jesus’ name.
C: We worship together in Jesus’ name.
L: We sing and pray in Jesus’ name. We give to and for each other and others in Jesus’ name.
C: We reflect and consider in Jesus’ name.
L: We doubt and question, affirm and celebrate in Jesus’ name.
C: And, in the fullness of this hour, we will go from this place this day in Jesus’ name, to live our lives in Jesus’ name in this and all places, on this and every day.
L: May it be so.
C: May it be so.
The Anthem “It Is Well With My Soul” by Courtney
Prayer of Confession (unison) We gather this day to question our assumptions in the light of the name of Jesus, to question our assumptions about others who believe differently, live differently, look different. We question our assumptions about ourselves—who we believe ourselves to be. We question our assumptions about what’s most real in our lives, and we question our assumptions about you, O God. May we live not by what we assume to be, but by what you assure us is. And so, may we live by grace into love and claim the transforming of creation as privilege and responsibility — as our greatest challenge and our deepest joy. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Response 170 “Give Thanks”
Children’s Sermon 8:30 Service Only
Offertory As a tangible expression of our gratitude to God, we joyfully give first of ourselves in service and then in thanksgiving offer our monetary gifts to financially support God's Work at First Presbyterian Church.
Offertory Music “A Heavenly Celebration” by Hayes
*Doxology #814
*Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Illumination
First Reading of Scripture Psalm 19 7-14 [pg. 499 O.T.]
8:30: Rev. Murray
10:00: Charlene Hansen
*The Hymn of Preparation #563 “Open My Eyes That I May See”
Second Reading Mark 9:38-50 [pg. 45 N.T.]
The Sermon “Jesus Sure Can Be Hard on Us” Rev. Shafer
The Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer (using debts and debtors)
*The Closing Hymn #670 “Make Me A Blessing”
*Greeting Each Other In Christian Love
*The Pastoral Benediction
The Postlude “The Royal Banners” by Mansfield
First Presbyterian Church
PROCLAIMING THE WORD IN THE REFORMED TRADITION SINCE 1874
A Congregation of The Presbyterian Church (USA)
404 Spruce Street, Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629
(231) 264-8167 FAX (231) 264-0162
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
Church Email: info@erfpc.org
Website: www.erfpc.org
INTERIM SENIOR PASTOR
The Rev. Harold (Hal) Shafer
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
The Rev. Sandra K. Murray
THE SESSION
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
William (Bill) Clark |
Brenda Corner |
Brandon Darin |
|
Susan Cook |
Melvin (Mel) Matchett |
Peter (Pete) Eckardt |
|
Donald Fedrigon |
Sarah Miller |
John Moore |
|
Sue Flowers |
Nancy Muhlig |
Ramona (Mona) Nelson |
|
Kennie (Ken) May |
Dale Wagner |
Betty Tezak |
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Saundra (Sandy) Blackmore |
Shanna Branding |
Sandra (Sandy) Davids |
|
Margaret (Peggy) Bushnell |
Mary Anne Frey |
Janet (Jan) Johnson |
|
Dianne Hall |
Denise Heeke |
Leonard Orzechowski |
|
Mark Haskell |
Eleanor (Elle) Holdsworth |
Diane Thompson |
|
Jane Lund |
Adam Schuler |
Margaret (Marge) Weitschat |
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Ronnie Blackmore |
James (Jim) Goodall |
Loyal Cobb |
|
Kenneth (Ken) Cook |
Donald (Don) Shurte |
Jane Croftchik |
|
James (Jim) Nothoff |
Peter (Pete) VanDenBerge |
Jonathan (Jon) Heeke |
|
Christine Schuler |
Kenneth (Ken) Weitschat |
Richard (Dick) Schurch |
|
Beth Serrell |
Harry Widman |
Gerald Thorley |
PASTOR EMERITUS
The Rev. Dr. Daniel K. Herlein
|
This Week’s Activities |
Next Week’s Activities |
|
TODAY, September 27 8:00 am Prayer Time 8:30 am Worship Service 10:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 5:00 pm MS Youth @ LS 7:00 pm HS Youth @ LS MONDAY, September 28 11:00 am Flewelling Memorial Service TUESDAY, September 29 3:30 pm Staff Meeting WEDNESDAY, September 30 6:30 am Breakfast Club at LS 10:00 am Bible Study 4:30 pm Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY, October 1 7:00 am Men’s Bible Study 9:00 am Bulletin Items Due 9:00 am 1st Place 4 Health FRIDAY, October 2 9:00 am Bulletin Print 9:00 am Community Cupboard Del
|
SUN., Oct. 4 Communion Sunday 8:00 am Prayer Time 8:30 am Worship Service 10:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Service 5:00 pm MS Youth @ LS 7:00 pm HS Youth @ LS MON., Oct. 5 7:00 pm Communication MT TUE., Oct. 6 9:30 am Outreach Ministry Team 3:30 pm Staff Meeting 5:00 pm Christian Education MT 7:00 pm Rev. Younan Shiba Guest Speaker WED., Oct. 7 6:30 am Breakfast Club at LS 10:00 am Bible Study 4:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Youth Ministry Team THU., Oct. 8 9:00 am Bulletin Items Due 9:00 am 1st Place 4 Health FRI., Oct. 9 9:00 am Bulletin Print
|
The Mission Statement of First Presbyterian Church
SHARING, GROWING, AND LIVING OUR FAITH IN CHRIST
This we seek to accomplish by
Introducing Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him;
Deepening the faith and commitment of those who already know Him;
Demonstrating Christ’s way of love in service to the world
GREETERS 8:30 Youth
GREETERS 10:00 Moon Price
USHERS 10:00 Dick & Connie Claar
Ron & Mickey Kuite
_________________________________________________________________
OUR APOLIGIES: If you tried to call into the church this past Monday and Tuesday morning and were unable to get through, our second phone line was down. This has been corrected. Thank you!
PRAYER REQUESTS: Duane Wamsley
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR EDWARD FLEWELLING will be held in our Sanctuary on Monday, September 28 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Murray officiating.
CHILD CARE facilities are available in order to keep our services in the spirit of worship. Children who are infants through three years of age are invited. Assisting Childcare Coordinator Melissa West today are Katie Atkinson and Jim Allen. Scheduled to assist next week is JoEllen Gilreath.
PRAYER FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: Let us pause to thank God for the children and young people of our church. Let us also thank the youth for ushering and greeting on the fourth Sunday of each month.
THE STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY TEAM: Our church takes its mission statement seriously and recognizes that “living our faith in Jesus Christ – demonstrating Christ’s way of love in service to the world” is done through the Stewardship program of our church.
September has been dedicated by the Session as Stewardship month. You will be receiving two letters and a pledge card from the Stewardship Ministry Team. On Sunday, October 4, we will have the dedication of our personal pledges to God’s work. Stewardship is how we serve God in our role as God’s stewards. Stewardship is everything we do after we accept Jesus.
On Sunday, October 4, please remember to return your ‘Sharing in Ministry Form’ to indicate where you would like to volunteer for 2010.
CALLING ALL GIRLS AGES 6 – 12 WHO LIKE TO SING. We will rehearse on Sundays, October 4, 11, and 18, immediately following the 10 a.m. worship service for an anthem to be presented in Sunday, October 25, 2009, at both services. All are welcome! Call Cheryl Knight (264-8899), if you have any questions.
SUNDAY SCHOOL LOCATIONS
|
Toddlers (18 – 36 months) |
Nursery |
|
Pre-K – Grade 5 |
Lower Level |
|
Jr. & Sr. High |
LightShack |
|
Parenting Class |
Fellowship Hall |
|
Adult Education |
Fellowship Hall |
THE MEN’S FELLOWSHIP BIBLE STUDY AND BREAKFAST will meet this coming Thursday, October 1. We meet in the library (on the first Thursday of each month) at 7:00 AM for a brief Bible Study, after which those who wish to do so will gather at T.J. Charlie’s for a quick breakfast and time of fellowship. Advance reading materials are located on the table near the library. Men of all ages are welcome to come and join us as we learn, grow, and fellowship together.
THE OWNERS OF PEARL’S RESTAURANT have generously established a program called HELP EVERYONE EAT. The first Thursday of each month, 5% of their total sales will be donated to the Elk Rapids Community Cupboard. Please take advantage of this opportunity to support the Community Cupboard and enjoy an excellent meal. Let all of your friends know of this generous program provided by Pearl’s.
THESE DAYS DEVOTIONAL BOOKLET: Free copies of this quarterly publication are available on the library table.
PRAYER SHAWL KNITTERS are invited to knit in the library on the fourth Sunday of the month during the 10 a.m. service. Shawl kits will be available for purchase ($9 and $12) or bring the one you are working on. The receivers of these beautiful shawls will know that they are wrapping themselves in prayers and love.
PRESBYTERY POINT FALL WORK CAMP - OCTOBER 5-11, 2009: We are looking for volunteers to be part of the team to repair, clean and get the camp ready for the winter months. If you have a special project that you would like to oversee please let the camp know. Registration forms are available on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall or call Angie at Presbytery Point, (906) 869-0925.
THE NURTURE MINISTRY TEAM would like to announce that October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Here is your chance to say thank you to our wonderful pastors for all that they do and have done for our church family. You may want to send a card, stop by and treat a pastor to lunch, drop off a treat at church or simply stop and say thank you. God has blessed us with loving, caring pastors and October is the time designated to let our pastors know how much we appreciate their devotion.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ELK RAPIDS
WHAT IS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES?
TRUSTEES ARE SUPPORTERS:
Although the Board of Trustees is the legal corporation of the church, it has a relatively short history as supporters of the church mission. The Board was established in 2001 by the Session, or Ruling Elders to conduct the “business” side of church operations.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Although the Board meets on a monthly basis, much of the work it does happens within its committees. Each committee has a specific purpose, which is reviewed annually. These committees are:
1) AUDIT: Perform an annual review of all financial records to assure compliance with church policies and procedures.
2) COMPUTER AND TELEPHONE: Assist staff and members in acquisition, use, maintenance and security of all computers, software, telephone, and communications equipment.
3) FACILITIES: Oversee and care for the physical assets of the church, and determine the needs or resources required for replacement, maintenance, or upgrading all buildings and grounds. With the Director of Operations it also supervises the Custodian and Sexton.
4) FINANCE: Oversee all church financial operations, internal controls, checks and balances, prepare an annual draft budget for the Trustees and Session, and oversee the work of the Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, and volunteer Tellers.
5) INVESTMENT: Effectively invest and monitor the financial assets owned by the church, and safeguard these during market fluctuations.
6) RISK MANAGEMENT: Oversee the bidding, evaluation, awarding, and communicating of all insurance policies related to the protection of physical and financial assets of the Church, its members, its volunteers, and its employees.
7) TRUSTEE NOMINATION COMMITTEE: Working with the Session, select possible candidates to serve on the Board of Trustees and allow them to share their gifts and talents with the Congregation. Most terms of service are for three years, unless a vacancy is being filled.
SMALL GROUP SIGN-UP
~Today
~In the Narthex
~After the Service
If you’ve thought about being part of a Small Group or have questions about just what these Small Groups are all about, visit the “Small Groups” table in the narthex after the service.
We have brochures listing all the Groups currently meeting in our church along with contact information for each group. We would love to take your name to join a Small Group, give you a brochure, or just answer any questions you may have.
If interested, please visit us at the table, fill out this form, and we’ll talk to you about what Group is available that best fits you!
__________________________________________________
Name: ___________________________________________
Phone #: __________________________________________
E-Mail: __________________________________________