First Presbyterian Church

Christ the King Sunday

November 22, 2009 = 8:30 and 10:00 AM

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

“How Grea= t Thou Art” arr. by Linker

Welcome and Announcements

Ringing Our His= toric Church Bells

Sunday School Kids 10 a.m= . only

*The Opening Hym= n #370 = “Rejoice, = the Lord Is King”

The Call to Worship (responsive)

L: Changeless King Jesus, beginning = and end,

C: Receive us, as we turn to you. Bend your ear to our prayers.

L: Changeless King Jesus, our great = High Priest,

C: Bring our prayers before the Father, in the presence of the Spirit.=

L: Changeless King Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb,

C: Wash us clean, in your redeeming blood.

L: Changeless King Jesus, author and finisher of our faith,

C: Guide us to our eternal home.

L: Changeless King Jesus, victor over death,

C: Come again, and make = your dwelling among us.

The Anthem: “Thanksgiving Canticle”= ; by Hayes

Prayer of Confession (unison) Forgive us, Lord, for all= the times we forget who we are in you. We live and think in limited ways, belie= ving that this world is our only home. We do not remember how Jesus stood without fear before Pilate and claimed that his kingdom did not belong to this worl= d. We confess that because we do not understand your kingdom, we do not eagerly look towards it. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to look beyond this world to see= the kingdom that lies ahead. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon =

Responsive Hymn #724 vs. 1 & 3 “Lead On, O King Eternal”

Children’s Sermon &= nbsp; &nbs= p; 8:30 only

The Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer

Offertory 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= ll Good Gifts” Duet: = Cheryl Knight & Ken Price

*Doxology “#814

*Prayer of Dedication (unison) We are humbled in your presence, Lord. When we take time to reflect on your great- ness, we have no response other than to bow before you. From the beginning you commanded the separation of the sea and land. Animals appeared at your word and our own existence came from your hand. We owe everything that we are to your creativity. With you, there is no beginning or end, and we are safe within = the circle of your sovereignty. Amen.

Prayer of Illumination

First Reading of Scripture        &= nbsp; John = 18: 33-37&nbs= p;       = pg.113 N.T.
Scripture Reade= r: Sarah Miller

*The Hymn of Preparation #435 vs.1 & 4=

“God of Grace a= nd God of Glory”

<= /o:p>

Second Reading<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'>    Revelation 1:4= b-8      &= nbsp;                &= nbsp;   pg. 24= 5 N.T.

The Sermon        =     “The Unchanging King”        =           Rev. Shafer

*The Closing Hymn #104   “O Worship= the King”

*Greeting Each Other In Christian Love

*The Pastoral Benediction<= o:p>

The Postlude “Processional on ‘Lauda Anima= ’”        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; by Hustad

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 22<= /span>

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 @ LS

7:00 pm   HS Youth @ LS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23=

TUESDAY, November 2= 4

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

9:00 am   Bulletin Items Due<= o:p>

3:00 pm   Nurture Ministry Te= am

3:00 pm   Stephen Ministry

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

7:00 pm   Ecumenical Thanksgi= ving

  &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   Service @ ERUMC

7:00 pm   HS Bible Study @ LH=

WEDNESDAY, November= 25<= /p>
9:00 am   Bulletin Print=

4:30 pm   Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, November = 26

<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:i= talic'>Thanksgiving Day

<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:i= talic'>Office Closed

FRIDAY, November 27

Office Closed

<= /p>
SUN., Nov. 29

8:00 am   Prayer Time

8:30 am    Worship Service

       &nbs= p;   NO Sunday School=

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

4:00 pm   Community Choir

       &nbs= p;   NO MS Youth @ LS=

       &nbs= p;   NO HS Youth @ LS=

MON., Nov. 30<= /o:p>

TUE., Dec. 1

9:30 am   Outreach Ministry T= eam

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

WED., Dec. 2= <= /p>
6:30 am   Breakfast Club at LS

2:30 pm   Finance Committee

  4:30 pm   Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm   Youth Ministry Team=

THU., Dec. 3

7:00 am    Men’s Bible Study

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

9:00 am    Bulletin Items Due

5:00 pm   Christmas Tea

7:00 pm   Communication MT

FRI., Dec. 4= <= /p>
9:00 am   Bulletin Print

12:0= 0 pm   Trustee Packet Print

SAT., Dec. 5

10:30 am = ; Grand Re-opening of

  &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;   the Lighthouse

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;                  =             &nb= sp;            = Youth

GREETERS 10:00         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;        Steve and Marge Rybarsyk

USHERS 8:30         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             Youth

USHERS 10:00         =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =         Dick and Connie Claar

Sue Flowers and Linda Sisson=

________________________________________________= _________________

OUR ACOLYTE TODAY is Jacob Fedrigon.

CHAN= CEL FLOWERS are placed by Glen and = Joyce Simmons in celebration of their 60^th wedding anniversary. Congratulations Glen and Joyce!

CHAN= CEL FLOWERS are placed by Jack, Glo= ria, Bob and Betty Wheeler in loving memory of Viola & O.T. Wheeler.

PRAY= ER REQUESTS: Eunice Winters, Helen= Swoffer, Bea West, Bazel Shaw and Shelby Hawkins

CHILD CARE facilities are avai= lable in order to keep our services in the spirit of worship. Children who are infants through t= hree years of age are invited. Assisting our Childcare Coordinator, Melissa West= , today are Katie Atkinson, Julie Plum and Carol Sinclair. Schedul= ed to assist next week are Jennifer Haskell, Carol Sinclair and Jim Allen.

PRAY= ER 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 e= ach month.

OUR NEW WEBMASTER: We are proud to announce that Terry Miller will= be our new webmaster. Check the website, www.erfpc.org, regularly. Thanks = to Jim Ducharme for his faithful service in this position.

Communication Ministry Team

ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE - This year, Elk Rapids United Methodist Church wi= ll host the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service.&= nbsp; Please join us this coming Tuesday, November 24, at 7 p.m. We would = like to ask that you to bring non-perishable food items to this service for the Community Cupboard. Thank you for your donation!

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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LOCATIONS

Toddlers (18 – 36 months)

Nursery Low= er Level

Pre-K – Grade 5

Lower Level=

Jr. & Sr. High

LightShack<= /p>

Parenting Class

Fellowship = Hall

Adult Education

Fellowship = Hall

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 receiver= s of these beautiful shawls will know that they are wrapping themselves in praye= rs and love.

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER CORRECTIONS: Printed on the front page of the December Newsl= etter stated that you could read “exciting news about our church expansion = on page 9,” instead it is on page 10. I apologize if this caused any confusion. My apologies also to Beth Serrell for leaving her name off the l= ist of outgoing Trustees. Thank you, Beth, for your faithful service.         Sandy Lake

CHRISTMAS AT EAGLE VILLAGE<= /b> - Our church is invited to attend the Christmas= Walk at Eagle Village on Thursday, December 17.= This is a very moving experience.&n= bsp; If you’ve never been, this is a wonderful occasion to visit The Village. The chapel service b= egins at 3:45p.m., followed by a reception and then delivery of Christmas bags to= one of the residential homes. For= many of these children, this is their only Christmas present. Departure time from Elk Rapids wou= ld be 1:30 p.m. with return about 9 p.m. If we have enough attending, we will take the church van. Please RSVP t= o the church office or to Peggy Bushnell (322-4926) by Sunday, December 6.

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!!

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 $1= 5. 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.=

DISCOVERING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP   Have you been attending the church for awhile and wondering about church membership? For some o= f us it is the first thing we do – we join the church. For others it may take awhile to d= ecide to join the church. Some of u= s have never been involved in a church and we don’t know what to do or what = to expect.

We will have a single, three-hour class on Church Membership Exploration on Saturday, December 12, 9 a.m. 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 p.m. New Members will be presented to t= he congregation on Sunday, December 20 at either the 8:30 or 10 a.m. 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).

YOUR 2010 GIVING ENVELOPES are ready to be picked up! They are on the table= in the Fellowship Hall, in alphabetical order. PLEASE, help the church save postage by take your envelopes home today.

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.=

CALLING ALL COFFEE CENTRAL FRIENDS= : Do you enjoy coffee, a donut and warm conversat= ion 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 Fello= wship Hall. The coffee and donuts are provided. Vi Patchen will tell you everythi= ng else you need to know. Thank you for your willingness to serve.<= /span>

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

GRAND

RE-OPENING

Today

Stop by and see the

New Nursery Location!

Lower Level of the church

Infants – 3 years of age are welcome<= /o:p>

Nursery available for

8:30 and 10 a.m. services

Melissa is always looking for volunteers to spen= d an hour with our little ones.

Drop by and sign up for a week or two=

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 Low= er Level
Pre-K – Grade 5	Lower Level=
Jr. & Sr. High	LightShack<= /p>
Parenting Class	Fellowship = Hall
Adult Education	Fellowship = Hall