First Presbyterian Church

First Sunday of Lent

Sunday, February 21, 2010                    8:30 and 10 a.m.

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

                               “First Arabesque”                                       by Debussy

 

Welcome and Announcements

 

Ringing Our Historic Church Bells

 

*The Opening Hymn #370 “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!”

 

The Call to Worship (responsive)

L:    Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

P:    Worship the Lord with gladness;

L:    Enter his gates with thanksgiving.

P:    Give thanks to our Lord, bless his name.

L:    For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever,

P:    And his faithfulness to all generations.

                                                                                   

The Anthem: “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”                arr. by Schrader

 

Prayer of Confession (unison) Sovereign God, we confess our desire to reshape your world to our own advantage.  The first fruits of our labor grace the altars of our own desires instead of honoring you.  We prefer that you keep your distance from us unless we need you.  We like promises without commands, gifts without responsibilities. O God, we confess our ways don’t work.  Turn us around for true worship and service, as forgiven and forgiving people. Amen

 

Assurance of Pardon 

Hymn  #78  “I Love You, Lord”

 

The Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer

 

Children’s Sermon

 

Offertory As a tangible expression of our gratitude to God, we joyfully offer our monetary gifts to financially support God's work at First Presbyterian Church

Offertory Music “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”   by Powell

*Doxology # 815

 

*Prayer of Dedication (unison) Creator of all, you made each of us in your image so that we would be in relationship with you and with each other. There are so many who have reached out and helped us in our lives. We have a responsibility to reach out and help others who are in need. Thank you for the abilities you have given us to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. Thank you that we have the ability to offer treasures, talents, and time to help others. Amen.

 

Prayer of Illumination 

First Reading of Scripture Romans 10:8b-13                     p.160 N.T.

Scripture Reader: Jim Ribby

*Hymn of Preparation #496 “No One Ever Cared for Me like Jesus”

 

Second Reading               Luke 4:1-13                                      p. 61 N.T.

Sermon                             “Which God?’”                Rev. Shafer

Affirmation of Faith  (unison)  We proclaim this word of faith: If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Christ from the dead, we will be saved! For belief comes from our hearts and leads to our justification, and we testify to that truth with our words — and, indeed, with our very lives! The good news is that anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ need never doubt God’s love. God is eager to receive each one of us, regardless of background. Everyone who calls on God will be saved and richly blessed with the gifts of God’s grace and love.

 

*The Closing Hymn  #676  “O Jesus, I Have Promised”  

 

*Greeting Each Other In Christian Love

(Please respect those not wishing to shake hands during the cold and flu season)

 

*The Pastoral Benediction

 

The Postlude    “Festive Voluntary”                                      by Purcell

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

 

 

DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Pamela Bekkering

 

 

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRY

Gary Bekkering

 

 

THE SESSION

2010

2011

2012

Brenda Corner

Brandon Darin

David Branding

Melvin (Mel) Matchett

Peter (Pete) Eckardt

William Clark

Sarah Miller

John Moore

Susan Cook

Nancy Muhlig

Ramona (Mona) Nelson

Penny Novarro

Dale Wagner

Betty Tezak

John West

 

THE BOARD OF DEACONS

2010

2011

2012

Shanna Branding

Sandra (Sandy) Davids

Saundra Blackmore

Mary Anne Frey

Janet (Jan) Johnson

Dianne Hall

Denise Heeke

Leonard Orzechowski

Mark Haskell

Eleanor (Elle) Holdsworth

Diane Thompson

Phyllis Staley

Adam Schuler

Margaret (Marge) Weitschat

Cathy Weidman

 

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2010

2011

2012

James (Jim) Goodall

Loyal Cobb

Mark Blackmore

Donald (Don) Shurte

Jane Croftchik

Thomas Calkins

Peter (Pete) VanDenBerge

Charlene Hansen

Kenneth Cook

Kenneth (Ken) Weitschat

Jonathan (Jon) Heeke

James (Jim) Mottern

Harry Widman

Richard (Dick) Schurch

David West

 

 

 

PASTOR EMERITUS

The Rev. Dr. Daniel K. Herlein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week’s

Activities

 

 

Next Week’s

Activities

 

TODAY, February 21

  8:00 a.m. Prayer Time

  8:30 a.m.  Worship Service

10:00 a.m.  Sunday School

10:00 a.m. Worship Service

  4:00 p.m. ER Community Choir                   Rehearsal

  5:00 p.m. MS Youth @ LH

  7:00 p.m. HS Youth @ LH

MONDAY, February 22

  3:00 p.m. Confirmation @ LH

TUESDAY, February 23

  8:30 a.m. Building Committee

  9:00 a.m. 1st Place 4 Health @ LH

                       Exercise

10:00 a.m. Garden Club

  3:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry @ LH

WEDNESDAY, February 24

  6:30 a.m. Breakfast Club @ LH

10:00 a.m. Bible Study

  1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting

  4:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

  7:00 p.m. Session

THURSDAY, February 25

  9:00 a.m. Bulletin Items Due

FRIDAY, February 26

  9:00 a.m. Bulletin Print

SATURDAY, February 27

  9:00 a.m. Session Retreat @ LH

 

SUN., Feb. 28

  8:00 a.m. Prayer Time

  8:30 a.m.  Worship Service

10:00 a.m.  Sunday School

10:00 a.m. Worship Service

11:05 a.m. Annual Cong. Meeting

  1:30 p.m. Disciple Bible Study

           NO MS Youth @ LH

  7:00 p.m. HS Youth @ LH

MON., Mar. 1

  3:00 p.m. Confirmation @ LH

  6:30 p.m. Christian Education MT

TUE., Mar. 2

  3:00 p.m. Outreach MT

WED., Mar. 3

  6:30 a.m. Breakfast Club @ LH

10:00 a.m. Bible Study

  1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting

  4:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

  7:00 p.m. Youth MT

THU., Mar. 4

  7:00 a.m.  Men’s Bible Study

  9:00 a.m.  Bulletin Items Due

FRI., Mar. 5

  9:00 a.m. Bulletin Print

  9:00 a.m. Community Cupboard Del

 

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                                                                                 Mary Foster

GREETERS 10:00                                                                              Nikii Brown

USHERS 8:30                                                                      Harry & Nell Widman

Gary & Beth Serrell

USHERS 10:00                                                                      Dick & Jean Schurch

Rick & Debi Weir

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OUR ACOLYTE TODAY is AJ Anderson

 

PRAYER REQUESTS: Middle School Youth attending Spring Hill

 

WE EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHY Pete and Bette Eckardt on the death of Bette’s mother, Doris Harrison, also a member of our church, on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Memorial service will be held in the Upper Peninsula later in the spring.

 

CHILD CARE facilities are available to keep our services in the spirit of worship.  Infants and children through three years of age are invited. Kaitlin Eberle and Amy Russell are assisting our Childcare Coordinator, Melissa West, today. Katie & Andy Atkinson, JoEllen Gilreath and Natalie Myers are scheduled to assist next week.

 

THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS, GREETERS, COFFEE CENTRAL HOSTS, AND TELLERS: We truly appreciate those men and women who volunteer to faithfully serve as ushers and greeters for our Sunday morning worship services. Thank you to those who come early for Coffee Central. Also, to the tellers who come in every Monday morning to count.  Your faithfulness to this ministry is greatly appreciated. Please take time to thank 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 month.

 

SESSION COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Your Session packet for February has been placed in your mailbox located near Fellowship Hall.

 

ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING WILL BE HELD NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010, at 11:05a.m., immediately following the second service. The purpose of this meeting will be (1) act on the Recommendation of Session with respect to the Associate Pastor’s 2010 Terms of Call; (2) approve changes to the wording in the by-laws regarding terms of Elders, Deacons and Trustees; (3) to receive the Session approved 2010 Annual Budget; and (4) to receive the 2009 Annual Report as printed with additions and/or corrections. We must have a quorum to conduct this important business. Members are asked to be present. Non-members are welcome to attend and observe. Copies of the Annual Report are available for your review.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LOCATIONS

Toddlers (18 – 36 months)

Nursery Lower Level

Pre-K – Grade 5

Lower Level

Jr. & Sr. High

Lighthouse

Parenting Class

Fellowship Hall

Adult Education

Fellowship Hall

 

 

PARISH NURSES will be taking blood pressures TODAY between the two services and after the 10 a.m. service in the library. Come and get your blood pressure taken!

 

THANK YOU: I will be eternally grateful to our church family for your prayers, love and support for my wife Debbie Morrow. She deeply appreciated all you did for her/us.                                           Jim Lagowski

 

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.

 

CATERED LENTEN DINNER ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 – Come celebrate Holy Season at our traditional catered Lenten dinner on *Wednesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.* Chef Jon Heeke and crew are preparing a scrumptious meal of ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls and dessert – all for $8/person. Be sure to sign up and buy your tickets in the Narthex today and February 28, or March 7, for this wonderful fellowship event that no one wants to miss! (Sorry, no tickets will be sold at the door.)

 

LOOSE CHANGE SUNDAY: All money placed in the container located in the Narthex during the month of February will be given to Acme Christian Thrift Store (ACTS). Thank you for your support of this project.

 

WELCOMING VISITORS: One of the goals of the Worship Ministry Team is 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. You, too, can help by making a special effort to greet anyone you do not know before, during or after our church service.    

Thanks, the Worship Ministry Team

STEPHEN MINISTERS CARE - When was the last time someone really listened to you?  We're talking about that undistracted, full attention kind of listening.  That's one of the ways Stephen Ministers care for others. We need more Stephen Ministers to care for those who are making that long journey through the valley of a life crisis.  Will you consider serving in this way?  For more information, please contact Pastor Sandy, 264-8167, Connie Clark, 264-5977, Charlene Hansen, 499-9702, Sue Johnson, (342-2666 cell) or Pam Shuler, 599-2480.

 

USHER OPPORTUNITIES: There are still a few open slots for ushers from now through April.  Check out the schedule on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.  If interested, fill in your name or give me a call.  Even if you've never ushered, we'd love to have you consider serving our church in this way.  If you have any questions, please contact Judy Matchett (264-6377). Thanks!!

 

THE PRESBYTERIAN POINT CAMP BOARD is looking for new members.  They specifically would like someone interested in fund development and a person to be treasurer. If you have an interest in either one of these positions or want to know more about what is involved, please contact Karen Richards at kar@miuplink.com  or phone 906-376-2446.

 

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

 

A NOTE OF THANKS AND A GENTLE REMINDER: Thank you for remembering that the expenses of our 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 return. Your faithfulness is important and very much appreciated.

 

LENTEN BOOKLETS: There are Lenten booklets available in the Narthex. Please take one to help you prepare for this very special season.

 

RAINBOW BOOK STORE: For all of you who shop at Rainbow Book Store, the church has been notified that they will be closing in the very near future.

 

 

 

Are you hungry?

We hope so…

 

The youth are serving a hot meal

TODAY

after the second service, 11:15am)

 

MENU

Hot Baked Potato

Butter, Sour Cream and Cheese will be available

 

Pot of Chili

Of course you can put this on your potato or eat it alone and use the toppings that are available

 

Coffee, milk and lemonade will be available.

 

 

COST

$5.00/person or $20.00/family

 

Proceeds from this fundraiser is to help

the youth go on their winter retreats.