First Presbyterian Church

The Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost

&= nbsp; November 8, 2009 = 8:30 and 10:00 AM

The Prelude: A time to be silent in preparation for worship

“Fellowship Medley” &= nbsp; &nbs= p; arr. by Leatherman

Welcome and Announcements

Ringing Our His= toric Church Bells

*The Opening Hy= mn (insert) &= #8220;This is a Day of New Beginnings”

by Brian Wren

The Call to Wor= ship (responsi= ve)

L: Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

C: Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen s= tand guard in vain.

L: In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for = food to eat

C: The Lord grants sleep to those he loves. They will no= t be put to shame. = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = Based on Psalm 127

The Anthem = “I Saw the Lord”= ;

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Soloist: Debbie Francis

The Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer (using debts and debtors)<= /p>

Children’s Sermon 8:30 Service Only

Offertory As a tangible expression of our gratitude to God, we joyfully give fi= rst of ourselves in service and then in thanksgiving offer our monetary gifts to financially support God's Work at First Presbyterian Church.

Offertory Music= “The Potter’s Hand”<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> &= nbsp; by Zschech<= /o:p>

Carol Sinclair, Karyl Mangus, Sue Calkins,

Betty Tezak, Tom Klingler, Jim Lagowski

*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”

*Prayer of Dedication   (unison)

The widow gave all that she had and it was more than enough because of the spirit of her giving. All that we have and are we give to you and pray that you will accept it as a complete and wholesome offering. We are not attempting to make an impression but to give back with= out any strings what you have abundantly provided to us. Thank you for knowing = our needs and filling each of them with your abundance. In Jesus we pray. Amen.

<= /o:p>

Prayer of Illumination      &= nbsp; Holy Spirit, we ask that you fill us with your word t= his morning, and that by hearing we might obey as you command, that by our obedience we may understand with thanksgiving why you came to be one of us.   We ask this in the = One who lived, died and rose from the grave to be with us forever, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

<= /o:p>

First Reading of Scripture        &= nbsp; Hebrews 9:24-28      pg. 224 N.T.

     8:30: Carol Sinc= lair

10:00: Doug Whi= te

*Hymn of Preparation #744 “Joy of My Desire” <= b>

Second Reading<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'>        &= nbsp;   Mark 12:38-44   = ;            =         &= nbsp;   pg. 49= N.T.

The Sermon                 =    “Thank Worthy”            =         =       Rev. Shafer<= /o:p>

Acknowledging our Service Men and Women

*The Closing Hymn   (insert)    “Lord of the Dance̶= 1;

*Greeting Each Other In Christian Love

*The Pastoral Benediction<= o:p>

The Postlude   “Overture to Rie Meistersinger”         &= nbsp;   by Wag= ner

First Presbyterian Church

PROCLAIMING THE WORD IN THE REFORMED TRADITION SINCE 1874

A Congregation of The Presbyterian Church (USA)<= /o:p>

404 Spruce Street&nb= sp; Elk Rapids, Michigan 4= 9629

(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=

DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION=

Pamela Bekkering

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

Gary Bekkering

THE SESSION

2009

2010

2011

William (Bill)= Clark

Brenda Corner<= o:p>

Brandon Darin<= o:p>

Susan Cook

Melvin (Mel) Matchett

Peter (Pete) E= ckardt

Donald Fedrigo= n

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 Brandin= g

Sandra (Sandy) Davids

Margaret (Pegg= y) Bushnell

Mary Anne Frey=

Janet (Jan) Jo= hnson

Dianne Hall

Denise Heeke

Leonard Orzech= owski

Mark Haskell

Eleanor (Elle) Holdsworth

Diane Thompson=

Jane Lund=

Adam Schuler

Margaret (Marg= e) Weitschat

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2009

2010

2011

Ronnie Blackmo= re

James (Jim) Go= odall

Loyal Cobb

Kenneth (Ken) = Cook

Donald (Don) S= hurte

Jane Croftchik=

James (Jim) No= thoff

Peter (Pete) VanDenBerge

Jonathan (Jon)= Heeke

Christine Schu= ler

Kenneth (Ken) Weitschat

Richard (Dick) Schurch

Beth Serrell

Harry Widman

Gerald Thorley=

PASTOR EMERITUS

The Rev. Dr. Dan= iel K. Herlein

This Week’s

Activities

Next Week’s

Activities

TODAY, November 8

8:00 am   Prayer Time

8:30 am   Worship Service

10:0= 0 am   Sunday School

10:0= 0 am   Worship Service<= /span>

11:05 am = ; Youth Luncheon

11:45 am = ; Elder/Deacon &

  &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Trustee Training

4:00 pm   Community Choir

5:00 pm   MS Youth @ LS

7:00 pm   HS Youth @ LS

MONDAY, November 9<= /span><= /p>
10:00 am = ; P.E.O. Meeting

12:00 pm = ; Newsletter Articles Due

4:00 pm   Computer/Phone Comm= .

5:00 pm   Board of Trustees

TUESDAY, November 1= 0

8:30 am   Building Committee<= o:p>

11:00 am = ; Facilities work/Sanctuary

1:00 pm   Care Team

2:00 pm   Nurture Ministry Te= am

3:00 pm   Stephen Ministry

3:30 pm   Staff Meeting<= /o:p>

WEDNESDAY, November= 11<= /p>
6:30 am   Breakfast Club @ LS

10:00 am = ; Bible Study

3:00 pm   Worship Ministry Te= am

4:30 pm   Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, November = 12

9:00 am   Bulletin Items Due

9:00 am   1^st Plac= e 4 Health

7:00 pm   Women’s Assoc= iation

FRIDAY, November 13

9:00 am   Bulletin Print

9:00 am   Community Cupboard Del

12:00 pm     Session Packet Print=

    7:00 p= m     Movie Night<= /p>

SUN., Nov. 15

8:00 am   Prayer Time

8:30 am    Worship Service

10:0= 0 am    Sunday School

10:0= 0 am   Worship Service<= /span>

4:00 pm   Community Choir

5:00 pm   MS Youth @ LS

6:00 pm   Soup Supper

7:00 pm   Wholeness Service

7:00 pm   HS Youth @ LS

MON., Nov. 16<= /o:p>

TUE., Nov. 17<= /o:p>

3:30 pm   Staff Meeting<= /o:p>

WED., Nov. 18<= /p>
6:30 am   Breakfast Club @ LS

10:00 am = ; Bible Study

4:30 pm   Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm   Session

THU., Nov. 19<= /o:p>

9:00 am    Bulletin Items Due

9:00 am   1^st Plac= e 4 Health

FRI., Nov. 20<= /p>
9:00 am   Bulletin Print

GREETERS 8:30         =          =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;        John & LeRue Werner

GREETERS 10:00        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             Ellie Holdsworth

USHERS 8:30         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             John & Mar= ilyn West

John & Kathy Moore=

USHERS 10:00         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =            Don & Sandy Davids

Myrta Keelan & Karen Ferguson

________________________________________________= _________________

OUR ACOLYTE TODAY is Maddie Brown.

PRAY= ER REQUESTS: Barb Thomas

CHILD CARE facilities are avai= lable in order to keep our services in the spirit of worship. Children who are infants through three years of age are invited. Assisting our Childcare Coordinator, Melissa West, today are Jane Lund, Ruth Allen and Amber Darin.=

CONSTRUCTION IS MOVING QUICKLY ON = THE NURSERY. What an exciting time for our chur= ch family. In an attempt to give= the best possible care for our littlest children the nursery will be closed = on Sunday, November 15. We p= ray the nursery will be ready and we can open on Sunday, November 22. We will also have a special Sunday dedicating the new nursery location. Please watch for further updates in= the bulletin. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this transitional period.

WEDN= ESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will resume= this Wednesday, November 11. We are studying Genesis 12 – 36. The class is= led by Pastor Sandy. This group will meet 10 – 11:30 a.m. in the yellow classroom.

ADULT SUN= DAY SCHOOL CLASS A new adult Sunday school class, “Discovering Spiritual Maturity” starts today, and will continue through December 20, 2009, at 10 a.m. (during the second service).This class focuses on four basic habits that every Christian needs= to develop in order to grow to spiritual maturity. The habits are: (1) Studying the B= ible, (2) Having a daily quiet time with God - prayer, (3) Giving back to God, and (4) Fellowship with God’s family. The class will be led by Pastor San= dy Murray. Please contact Pastor= Sandy (264-8167) for further information.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH CANDLES: T= he Advent Season begins on Sunday, November 29. If your family or group has an int= erest in lighting the Advent Candle on one of the Sundays of Advent or at one of = the three Christmas Eve services, please place your family name or group name by the date of your choice on the Advent Candle Sign-up Sheet which is located= on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.&nbs= p; You may also call the church office at 264-8167.

REMI= NDER: December Newsletter articles are due Monday, No= vember 9.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LOCATIONS

Toddlers (18 – 36 months)

Nursery

Pre-K – Grade 5

Lower Level=

Jr. & Sr. High

LightShack<= /p>

Parenting Class & Adult Education

Fellowship = Hall

FREE FAMILY “MOVIE & POPCORN NIGHTR= 21; NOVEMBER 13: Calling all kids f= rom kindergarten through fifth grade and their parents, Friday the 13^{th
is your lucky day. Bring your popcorn appetite, beanbag toss prowess and
favorite floor pillow or blanket.
Join us in Fellowship Hall for an evening of fun from 7 – 9 p.=
m.
We’ll start with games from 7 to 7:30 to run off excess energy, then =
head
for the popcorn and lemonade stand before finding a comfy spot for watching=
the
movie’ “Because of Winn-Dixie. Sign-up in the Narthex between s=
ervices
today. Kids should plan to bring a parent to the movie.            Fellowship Ministry Team}

&= nbsp;

NEED A GIFT FOR THE PERSON WHO “HAS EVERYTHING”? H= onor a loved one by purchasing a gift card this week or next. Your donations to lo= cal service agencies help those in need, and are a thoughtful way to send Christmas, birthday, and celebratory wishes. Watch for our display in the F= ellowship Hall right across from Coffee Central, or in the Narthex after second servi= ce. The agencies are: Acme Christian Thrift Store, Antrim County Commission on Aging, Eagle Village, Good Samaritan Family Services, and Traverse Health Clinic. The beautiful and colorful beads are also still available in the Fe= llowship Hall.

ON 10 NOVEMBER 2009, the 234th Birthd= ay of the Marine Corps will be celebrated. This year there will be a Birthd= ay Party and Veterans Ball, honoring ALL veterans held at the local AMVETS Post 114 on 10 November. The event will commence at 1800 with a ceremony at 1900, followed by dancing 1930. Tickets are $7.50 each and may be purchased= at the AMVET Post located on Bridge Street. For further information, cont= act Lt Col Sam Pfeiffer USMC (Ret) (231) 264-8487. =

2010= PLEDGE REPORT

Last year comp= ared to this year after 5 weeks:

       &nb= sp;            =     Pledges       &nb= sp;           &nb= sp;    Amount       &nb= sp;   Average pledge

2009       &nb= sp;        153       &nb= sp;          $283,233       &nb= sp; $1851

2010       &nb= sp;        153       &nb= sp;          $300,063       &nb= sp; $1961

Pledges need to support the Draft Budget of $365,000

ECUM= ENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE: This year= , Elk Rapids United Methodist Church will host the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. Please join us on Tu= esday, November 24, at 7:00 p.m. We would like to ask that you to bring non-perish= able food items to this service for the Community Cupboard. Thank you for your donation!<= /o:p>

CONS= TRUCTION HAS STARTED. After the vote to proceed last Sunday, the contractor broke ground at 8 a.m. Monday morning.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> To make room for this work we have= had to relocate some things; the coat racks have been moved to the north door l= obby and the rear door lobby. We are also looking for a couple of standalone coat racks for this winter. The mailboxes have been moved from the old location = at the lower elevator door to the upper level by the door to Fellowship Hall. = The ramp has been relocated from the side of the building to the front door. The flower charts have been moved = to the Fellowship Hall by the name tags.

This past week the contractor has accomplished t= he following:

·      =    Poured the footings and constructed foundation wall

·      =    The tempora= ry ramp has been built at the front door

·      =    Work starte= d in the lower level to accommodate the relocated nursery

·      =    The constru= ction divider was started in the Narthex to separate the construction from the ch= urch operations

This coming week:=

·  &n= bsp;      The contractor will complete his work on the lower level to accommoda= te the nursery

·  &n= bsp;      The existing nursery will be vacated to allow construction work in th= at area

·  &n= bsp;      Volunteers will begin the task of readying the new nursery for use

·  &n= bsp;      The temporary wall in the Narthex will be completed to separate the construction from the church operations

·  &n= bsp;      Walls will start up on the new addition

All of this is very ex= citing to watch but it is also offering many challenges to maintain operations whi= le the work continues. We will do our best but PLEASE bear with us and be pati= ent and flexible during the construction period. If you have any questions please c= all the office and we will try to help the best we can. Thank you for your supp= ort and understanding.

BUDGET REPORT AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2009<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>

INCOME THROUGH OCTOBER…………= 230;……………..$349,116

EXPENSES THROUGH OCTOBER……………..…………= ;$340,254

BUDGET THROUGH OCTOBER……………..…...……= 230;$361,666

<= /p>

PICTURE DIRECTORIES ARE AVAILABLE = IN THE CHURCH OFFICE Monday through Fr= iday 9a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also purchase directories for $5 in the office. A current phone list from the directory is available on the table in the nart= hex. The cover of the 2009 pictorial directory is a photograph of our library windows which were created by Paul Welch. The photo was then pixilated with photos of the congregation.

REMINDER ELDER, DEACON AND TRUSTEE TRAINI= NG will be held after the youth luncheon today in Fellowship Hall.<= /span>

FLU GUIDELINES:   The Worship Ministry Team has approved the Guidelines for Flu prevention as listed in the today’s bulletin insert. To help impl= ement these guidelines, donations of boxes of tissue and/or bottles of hand sanit= izer are being accepted (or donations of money to purchase these items). You can leave either of these in t= he office or in the box near the Welcome Table. Thanks!

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

Active Duty

Please keep these men and women in your prayers

Brooks Ba= nwell

U.S. MARINE CORPS

Lt. Cmdr. William Bushnell

U.S. NAVY

Anthony E= von

MARINE CORPS=

Sgt. Nicholas Gerfen

ARMY

Robert J. Hasenauer III

NAVY

Jon David Hedin

U.S. NAVY

Sgt. Brandon Johnson

ARMY

LCPL. Michael Kuite=

MARINES

Cpl. Randall McCommas

MARINES

Col. James Murray

AIR FORCE

Lt. Kristina Oliver=

NAVY

Morgan Weir<= /p>
NAVY

Sgt. Matthew West

ARMY

Michael West=

ARMY

Jeffrey A. White

U.S. COAST GUARD

Michael E. White

U.S. COAST GUARD

Veterans in Our Church Family<= /span>

D= avid Bartel

A= RMY

<= o:p>

D= onald R. Bellinger

N= AVY

<= o:p>

D= avid E. Bellingham

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

G= ary Blackmore

A= RMY

<= o:p>

R= obert Brugger

A= RMY

<= o:p>

L= loyd E. Butler

N= AVY

<= o:p>

R= obert Cameron

N= AVY

<= o:p>

R= obert Charlton

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

S= tanley F. Chilson

N= AVY SEABEES

<= o:p>

D= ick Claar

A= RMY RESERVE

<= o:p>

L= oyal Cobb

A= RMY

<= o:p>

T= homas D. Cole

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

G= erald D. Corey

N= AVY

<= o:p>

G= regory J. Croftchik

A= RMY

<= o:p>

F= rederick Davis

A= RMY

<= o:p>

J= ames Dowd

N= AVY

<= o:p>

J= ames Ducharme

N= AVY

<= o:p>

W= alter Dust

A= RMY

<= o:p>

P= eter Eckardt

N= ATIONAL GUARD

<= o:p>

D= aniel Ernst

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

W= illiam Fahl

A= RMY

<= o:p>

G= ary Fangboner

N= ATIONAL GUARD

<= o:p>

Nilah Farmer

N= AVY

<= o:p>

J= oseph Fisher

A= RMY

<= o:p>

O= mer Foret

A= RMY

<= o:p>

D= onald W. Garrett

N= AVY

<= o:p>

R= ichard Gibbs

A= RMY

<= o:p>

J= ames Goetz

A= RMY

<= o:p>

M= arshall Haskell

A= RMY

<= o:p>

L= ee Hawkins, M.D.

N= AVY

<= o:p>

W= illiam C. Holsinger

A= RMY & COAST GUARD

<= o:p>

S= tanley B. Holzhauer

N= AVY AMPHIBIOUS FORCES

<= o:p>

J= ohn Howlett

A= RMY

<= o:p>

R= alph Hunt

A= RMY

<= o:p>

D= avid Hutchinson

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

V= ern Kinner

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

G= eorge R. Knight

M= ARINES

<= o:p>

J= ack Koch

A= RMY

<= o:p>

D= uane Kundinger

A= RMY

<= o:p>

G= eorge Landon

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

W= illiam A. Larson

M= ARINES

<= o:p>

W= illiam A. Letsche

A= RMY

<= o:p>

J= ames Lund

M= ARINES

<= o:p>

J= ames May

A= RMY

<= o:p>

T= erry Miller

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

E= arl A. Morrison

N= AVY

<= o:p>

R= obert Morrison, D.D.S

N= AVY

<= o:p>

J= ames Mottern

A= IR FORCE RESERVES

<= o:p>

D= onald Mullen

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

L= arry Munsey

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

E= dson Murray

N= AVY

<= o:p>

R= ev. Sandra Murray

A= RMY

<= o:p>

L= eonard Orzechowski

A= RMY

<= o:p>

S= amuel Pfeiffer, Jr.

M= ARINE CORPS

<= o:p>

D= avid J. Piper

N= ATIONAL GUARD

<= o:p>

P= hilip Pomber

A= RMY

<= o:p>

H= arry M. Potter

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

D= ennis Prebee

A= RMY

<= o:p>

K= enneth R. Price

A= RMY

<= o:p>

E= rnest Quigel

A= RMY

<= o:p>

G= eorge E. Riddell

N= AVY & NAVAL RESERVES

<= o:p>

L= ouis H. Sanford

N= AVY

<= o:p>

H= enry Schantz

N= AVY

<= o:p>

R= ichard Schurch

A= RMY

<= o:p>

J= ack Sisson

N= AVY

<= o:p>

C= ecil S. Smith

A= RMY

<= o:p>

T= om Stokes

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

H= arold Swoffer

N= AVY

<= o:p>

W= illiam S. Telford

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

D= avid Templin

N= AVY

<= o:p>

C= harles Thomas

M= ARINES

<= o:p>

G= erald R. Thorley

A= RMY

<= o:p>

M= aurice B. Townsend

A= RMY

<= o:p>

Ed Weede

M= ARINES

<= o:p>

R= ick Weir

N= AVY

<= o:p>

K= enneth Weitschat

N= AVY

<= o:p>

D= avid West

N= AVY & MARINES

<= o:p>

J= ohn West, Jr.

N= AVY

<= o:p>

J= ack Wheeler

N= AVY

<= o:p>

H= arry Widman

A= RMY

<= o:p>

A= rthur Wilkes

A= IR FORCE

<= o:p>

2009	2010	2011
William (Bill)= Clark	Brenda Corner<= o:p>	Brandon Darin<= o:p>
Susan Cook	Melvin (Mel) Matchett	Peter (Pete) E= ckardt
Donald Fedrigo= n	Sarah Miller	John Moore
Sue Flowers	Nancy Muhlig	Ramona (Mona) = Nelson
Kennie (Ken) May	Dale Wagner	Betty Tezak

Toddlers (18 – 36 months)	Nursery
Pre-K – Grade 5	Lower Level=
Jr. & Sr. High	LightShack<= /p>
Parenting Class & Adult Education	Fellowship = Hall