First Presbyterian Church

The Twenty Four= th Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday, Novembe= r 15, 2009 = 8:30 and 10:00 AM

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

“Comfort Medley” <= /span> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; arr. by Leatherman

Welcome and Ann= ouncements

*The Opening Hymn #210 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”<= /o:p>

Ringing Our His= toric Church Bells

The Call to Worship (responsive)

L: My heart exults in the = Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord.

P: There is none holy like= the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.<= /span>

L: He raises up the poor f= rom the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap.

P: He will guard the feet = of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness.

L: The Lord will judge the= ends of the earth.

P: He will give strength t= o his king and exalt the power of his anointed.&n= bsp; = ; = Based on 1 Samuel 2:1-10

The Anthem: “One Fai= th, One Hope, One Lord” = ; by Courtney

Prayer of Confession (unison) Forgive us, Lord, for the mounting fears that p= lague us. We are consumed with thoughts of the unknown, uncertain of the future a= nd terrified of the present. All around us are indications that your creation = is tearing itself apart, and we are scared. But, all the fears that envelop us= are not reflections of your care and protection. We confess that what we know in our hearts does not always translate into how we live our lives. Help us, L= ord, to live lives without fear, trusting only in your strength and mercy. Amen.=

Assurance of Pa= rdon

#581 vs 1 & 2 “T= is So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

Children’s Sermon 8:30 only

The Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer

Offertory—<= /b>As a tangible expression of our gratitude to God, we joyfully offer o= ur monetary gifts to financially support God's Work at First Presbyterian Chur= ch

Offertory Music= “A Picture’s worth a Thousand Words”=      by Fettke

Soloist: De= lphine Welch

*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”<= /o:p>

*Prayer of Dedi= cation

Prayer of Illumination

First Reading of Scripture     Hebrews10:11-25        &= nbsp;    pg. 224 N.T.

Scripture Reade= r: Jim Ribby

*The Hymn of Preparation #384 “Spirit Song”

Second Reading<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'>                =          Mark13:1-8    &nb= sp;            =     pg. 50 N.T.

The Sermon         =           “A New Beginning”        =            Rev. Shafer

*The Closing Hymn #630 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

*Greeting Each Other In Christian Love

*The Pastoral Benediction<= o:p>

The Postlude     “Carillon ToccataR= 21;             =         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

<= /p>
TODAY, November 15<= /span>

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 @ LH

6:00 pm   Soup Supper

7:00 pm   Wholeness Service

7:00 pm   HS Youth @ LH

MONDAY, November 16= <= /p>

TUESDAY, November 1= 7

3:30 pm   Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY, November= 18<= /p>
6:30 am   Breakfast Club @ LS

10:00 am = ; Bible Study

4:30 pm   Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm   Session<= /span>

THURSDAY, November = 19

9:00 am   Bulletin Items Due

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

FRIDAY, November 20

9:00 am   Bulletin Print

<= /p>
SUN., Nov. 22

8:00 am   Prayer Time

8:30 am    Worship Service

10:0= 0 am    Sunday School

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

10:0= 0 am   Prayer Shawl Ministry<= /o:p>

  4:00 pm   Community Choir

5:00 pm   MS Youth @ LH

7:00 pm   HS Youth @ LH

MON., Nov. 23<= /o:p>

TUE., Nov. 24<= /o:p>

8:30 am   Building Committee

9:00 am    Bulletin Item= s Due

9:00 am   Community Cupboard Del

3:30 pm   Staff Meeting

WED., Nov. 25<= /p>
9:00 am   Bulletin Print=

4:30 pm   Choir Rehearsal

THU., Nov. 26<= /o:p>

Thanksgiving Day

Office Closed<= /o:p>

FRI., Nov. 27<= /o:p>

Office Closed<= /p>

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         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;                Jim & Loraine Mottern

GREETERS 10:00         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;  June Whittaker

USHERS 8:30        =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =            Harry & Nell Widman<= /p>
Dick & Charl Gray

USHERS 10:00         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =            Dick & Jean Schurch

Rick & Debi Weir
________________________________________________= _________________

OUR ACOLYTE TODAY is Brittany Clarkson

PRAY= ER REQUESTS: Bea West

NO CHILD CARE is available = today. Assisting our Childcare Coordinator, Melissa West, next week are Katie Atkinson, Julie Plum and Carol Sinclair.

PARI= SH NURSES will be taking blood pre= ssures TODAY between the two services and after the 10:00 service in the library. = Come and get your blood pressure taken!

WEDN= ESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be on November 18. We are finishing= our study of Genesis 12 – 36. The class is led by Pastor Sandy. This group will meet 10 – 11:30 a.m. in the yellow classroom.

THAN= K YOU TO OUR USHERS, GREETERS AND COFFEE CENTRAL HOSTS: We truly appreciate those men and women who vol= unteer to faithfully serve as ushers and greeters for our Sunday morning worship services. Thank you to those who come early for Coffee Central. Your faithfulness to this ministry is greatly appreciated. Please take time to t= hank these men and women for their important service to our church family and remember our Youth who provide these services on the fourth Sunday each mon= th.

RULI= NG ELDERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS: T= he November Session packets and Ministry Teams reports have been placed in your mailbox located near the elevator.

PRAY= ER 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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LOCATIONS

Toddlers (18 – 36 months)

Nursery

Pre-K – Grade 5

Lower Level=

Jr. & Sr. High

LightShack<= /p>

Parenting Class

Fellowship = Hall

Adult Education

Fellowship = Hall

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH CANDLES: The 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.

CALLING ALL COFFEE CENTRAL FRIENDS= : Do you enjoy coffee, donut and warm conversatio= n in Fellowship Hall between services on Sunday mornings? We’re looking for just a couple more volunteers who would be willing to host a coffee hour between now and the end of the year. (And of course, we welcome lots of volunteers for 2010, too.) Just sign up on the signup sheet posted in Fellowship Hall. The coffee and donuts are provided. Vi Patchen will tell y= ou everything else you need to know. Thank you for your willingness to serve.<= o:p>

THE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS = TEA is an event you won’t want to miss! It is a lovely way to start the Christmas Season. The tea will be held on Thursday, December 3 at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The cost for this event is $15. Tickets will be on sale today or you may contact Nell Widman at 264-5948. If you are interested in helping decorate a table or help in preparing food, please contact Jennifer Haskell at 599-2946 or torchmj@torchlake.com.=

WORSHIP MINSTRY TEAM is asking for donations of boxes of tissue and/= or bottles of hand sanitizer. They are also accepting donations of money to purchase these items. You can= leave either of these in the office or in the box near the Welcome Table. Thanks!

CONTINUOUS, ONGOING, YOUTH FUND RAISER: You can donate your returnable (only) bottles a= nd cans to help fund scholarships for mission trips and retreats for our Youth= .<= /span>

DISCOVE= RING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP   Have you been attending the church for awhile and wondering about church membership? For some of us it is the first thing we do – we join the church. For others it may take awhile to decide to join the church. Some of us have never been involved in a church and we don’t k= now what to do or what to expect.

We will have a single, three-hour class on Church Membership Exploration on Saturday, December 12, 9 AM to Noon to explore the church membership with Pastor Hal and Pastor Sandy. = Then on Wednesday evening, December 16, those who wish to become members after taking the class, will meet with Session at 7:30 pm. New Members will be presented to t= he congregation on Sunday, December 20 at either the 8:30 or 10:00 am service.=

Pre-registration is required since advance reading will need to be completed in preparation = for the class. If you are interes= ted in this opportunity, please check the membership interest box on the attendance register during the worship service -OR- contact the church office (264-816= 7).

SOUND TECHNICIANS NEEDED: W= e are looking for persons interested in being trained to work the sound board for Worship services on Sunday mornings. You to not have to have prior experience= to do this! Nor is there an age requirement—high school students and on up are encouraged to consider this. You will be trained. If you feel called to this ministr= y, please talk to either Nancy Muhlig (264-9434) or Judy Matchett (264-6377) or give your name to the office.   Thanks!!

A NOTE OF THANKS AND A GENTLE REMI= NDER: Thank you for remembering that the expenses of o= ur church continue even when you cannot be present for worship on a particular Sunday. Thank you for keeping this is mind before you leave or when you ret= urn. Your faithfulness is important and very much appreciated.=

WELCOMING VISITORS: One of the goals of the Worship Ministry Team i= s to make guests at our worship services feel welcome. With that in mind, we have placed name tags in the red attendance books for anyone without a name tag = to fill in and wear. We are also reserving the last two pews in the Sanctuary = for people who arrive late so they do not have to search for a seat. You, too, = can help by making a special effort to greet anyone you do not know before, dur= ing or after our church service.        =             &nb= sp;            Thanks, the Worship Ministry= Team=



In the Narthex = you will find a table

filled with emp= ty shoeboxes.

Please pick one= up, fill it and return it to church.

If you have a s= hoebox at home, fill that and bring it. There are extra brochures to tell you what to fill a shoebox with and how to label it.

Please remember= to pray for the child that will be receiving your shoebox.

On Saturday, No= vember 21, the Youth will take the shoeboxes to the distribution site in Traverse = City and help pack the shoeboxes into large shipping boxes and load them on a se= mi trailer.

We are asking y= ou to please return your filled shoeboxes by November 15. We will have a special presentatio= n and prayer on Sunday, November 15. We will pray for the receiver that the Lord may work through them.<= /span>

We know this ye= ar has been financially difficult for many. We are still a country that has more than many. If you can still find it in your h= eart to help fill a box for a child in a third world country, the child who rece= ives that gift will feel God’s love through your giving. Prayerfully consider this wonderful opportunity to help.

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	Fellowship = Hall
Adult Education	Fellowship = Hall