First Presbyterian Church

Second Sunday After Epiphany

Sunday, 17, 2010 8:30 and 10:00 AM

The Prelude A time to be silent in preparation for worship

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” with “Abide With Me” arr. Bennett

Dana Fall

Welcome and Announcements

Ringing Our Historic Church Bells

*The Opening Hymn #139 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

The Call to Worship (responsive)

Leader: We have been called.

People: Called to be the church.

Leader: We have been given gifts.

People: Many gifts, all for the same purpose.

Leader: To model the new way of being that God has planned for

us all.

People: Then let us together, this hour, worship God

with this same spirit.

The Anthem “Tell it To Jesus” arr. by Hughes

Prayer of Confession (unison)

God, we confess that we wrestle with our own image. We want to be humble, yet pride invades. We want to look good in the eyes of the world. We want what others have. And we want more when we have enough. We become envious when others acquire what we want. We admit frustration when we don’t make as much money as our acquaintances. We question your love for us when we see those we consider equal in position or rank gaining material possessions as we struggle. We pray, O God, for a renewal of mind. Restore a right perspective, that we may be more like Christ. Help us to trust that you know what we need; and that you have the power to provide for us at all times. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hymn #432 “Revive Us, O 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 “Press On” arr. Selah

Piano, vocal - Dana Fall

*Doxology # 812

*Prayer of Dedication (unison)

We present these tithes and offerings, generous God, thanking you for the blessings you have bestowed upon us. We ask your blessings on them, that they may truly serve the needs of the congregation and the community. As you have provided for us, may we provide for the hungry and minister to the poor in spirit. Increase our desire to be a blessing in the world, that we may ever seek to do all we can for the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

Prayer of Illumination

First Reading of Scripture Isaiah 62:1-5 p. 692

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 p. 174

Scripture Reader: Jim Ribby

*The Hymn of Preparation #436 “Freely, Freely“

Second Reading John 2:1-11 p. 93

The Sermon “Abundance” Rev. Shafer

*The Closing Hymn #429 “They’ll Know We Are Christians”

*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 “The Old Rugged Cross” arr. Bennett

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	Dr. 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 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, January 17 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 @ LH 7:00 pm HS Youth @ LH MONDAY, January 18 12:00 pm Newsletter Articles Due 1:00 pm Personnel MT 3:00 pm Confirmation @ LH 5:00 pm Board of Trustees TUESDAY, January 19 9:00 am 1^st Place 4 Health @ LH Exercise 6:00 pm Ecumenical Potluck & Worship & Sacred Heart 7:00 pm Investment Committee 7:00 pm HS Bible Study @LH WEDNESDAY, January 20 6:30 am Breakfast Club @ LH 10:00 am Bible Study 3:30 pm Staff Meeting NO Choir Rehearsal 6:00 pm Sp. Session Meeting THURSDAY, January 21 9:00 am Bulletin Items Due 9:00 am 1^st Place 4 Health @ LH Bible Study FRIDAY, January 22 9:00 am Bulletin Print 12:00 pm Session Packet Print 9:00 am Community Cupboard Del SATURDAY, January 23 7:00 pm Judy VerHage will do a Presentation on China & Romania

SUN., Jan, 24 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 @ LH 7:00 pm HS Youth @ LH MON., Jan. 25 3:00 pm Confirmation @ LH TUE., Jan 26 8:30 am Building Committee 9:00 am 1^st Place 4 Health @ LH Exercise 10:00 am Garden Club 3:00 pm Stephen Ministry 7:00 pm HS Bible Study @LH WED., Jan. 27 6:30 am Breakfast Club @ LH 10:00 am Bible Study 3:30 pm Staff Meeting 4:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Session THU., Jan. 28 9:00 am Bulletin Items Due 9:00 am 1^st Place 4 Health @ LH Bible Study FRI., Jan. 29 9:00 am Bulletin Print 9:00 am Annual Report Due 5:00 pm Alden/White [R] SAT., Jan. 30 3:00 pm Alden/White [W] (FPC) 6:00 pm Praise & Worship @ LH

GREETERS 8:30 Mark & Cindy Hoch

GREETERS 10:00 Pete & Bette Eckardt

USHERS 8:30 Harry & Nell Widman

Jack & Barb White

USHERS 10:00 Dick & Jean Schurch

Rick & Debi Weir

_________________________________________________________________

OUR ACOLYTE TODAY is Raquel Rieck.

CHANCEL FLOWERS are placed by Jim and Carol Goetz in loving memory of their daughter, Julie Patricia Goetz.

THE SINGLE ROSE in the north sanctuary window is placed in celebration of the birth of Anabelle Marie Flowers, daughter of Brett and Molly Flowers. She was born on January 5, 2010, weighed 9 lb. and measured 21 inches. Our congratulations to Anabelle’s parents, big brother Burke, proud grandparents, Larry & Sue Flowers and great-grandmother, Wanda Humphrey.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Mike Parker (husband of Amy Parker)

WE EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHY to Roger Gehrt on the death of his cousin, Walter (Wally) Dust, on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 16, in our sanctuary with Rev. Murray and Rev. Shafer officiating.

WE ALSO EXTEND OUR CONDOLENCES Mark & Ronnie Blackmore and family on the death of Ronnie’s step-father, Aaron Fournier, on January 11, 2010. Funeral services were held downstate. Please keep The Blackmore family in your prayers.

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 our Childcare Coordinator, Melissa West, today are Kaitlin Eberle and Amy Russell. Scheduled to assist next week are Katie Atkinson and Jim Allen.

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: Come and study the stories of Joseph from Genesis each Wednesday morning, through March 10, 2010. This class will meet downstairs in the yellow classroom at 10 a.m. and will be led by Pastor Sandy. Everyone is welcome!

PARISH NURSES will be taking blood pressures TODAY between the two services and after the 10:00 service in the library. Come and get your blood pressure taken!

REMINDER: February Newsletter articles are due Monday, January 18 by noon.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LOCATIONS

Toddlers (18 – 36 months)	Nursery Lower Level
Pre-K – Grade 5	Lower Level
Jr. & Sr. High	Lighthouse
Parenting Class & Adult Education	Fellowship Hall

THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS, GREETERS AND COFFEE CENTRAL HOSTS: 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. 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.

TRUSTEE AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The January Trustee packets have been placed in your mailbox located near the elevator.

ECUMENICAL POTLUCK & WORSHIP SERVICE: The Elk Rapids Churches invite you to join them for the Annual Ecumenical Potluck and Worship Service for, “the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” The service this year is at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 19, at 6 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass and join your friends and neighbors for a wonderful opportunity of fellowship and worship.

NEW ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS: Join us for an opportunity to discover your spiritual gifts. “Discovering God’s Vision for your Life” starts next Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The class will be led by Pastor Sandy. For further information, please contact Pastor Sandy.

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

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

PARENTING SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS: “Effective Parenting in a Defective World,” led by Nancy Gribi. The class is held at 10 a.m. and located in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome!

FREE MOVIE NIGHT FOR GROWNUPS – Saturday, February 6, 2010:

Mesdames et messieurs, Welcome to an evening of French frolic and fellowship fun when we celebrate the art of French cooking! We’ll begin our culinary delight by creating and sampling our own French hors d’oeuvres. And then we’ll enjoy the film, “Julie & Julia.” Free admission, but please sign up on the signup sheet in the Narthex between services so we can estimate the quantity of ingredients for our pre-movie fantastique gastronomique extraordinaire! See you at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. 

Fellowship Ministry Team

JUDY VERHAGE TO ENLIGHTEN US ON LIFE IN CHINA AND ROMANIA - Save the evening -- Saturday, January 23, 2010, Fellowship Hall -- for a remarkable "first hand" look at life in modern-day China and Romania. Judy, a member of First Presbyterian Church, has served for 5 years teaching spoken English to Chinese youth. Previously, she worked with school children in Romania. Back home for just a short break, she has graciously agreed to enlighten us about living and working in a small town east of Beijing. What is everyday life really like there, and in Romania? Please join us in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, January 23 for a delightful evening with Judy's presentation, refreshments and interactive discussion -- starting at 7 p.m. It promises to be an evening you won't want to miss! Bring a friend or neighbor for this evening of fellowship and fun. Fellowship Ministry Team

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) is responding to the Haiti earthquake through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and its partners. Presbyterian World Mission is gathering information on the safety and status of our mission personnel and ecumenical partners in the area. For updates on the earthquake and the church’s response, please visit PDA. Initial reports indicate a large number of casualties and widespread damage especially in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

You, too, can be part of God’s answer to prayer for those affected by this disaster. Information on the situation and prayers and worship resources are available through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Funds from One Great Hour of Sharing are already helping with the initial response. You can give to the ongoing relief through PDA account number DR000064. Gifts can also be made by phone at (800) 872-3283 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST) and checks can be mailed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

Special Praise & Worship Event

When: Saturday, January 30

Time: 6:00-7:00pm

Where: Lighthouse

The Praise Band from Glen Lake Community Reformed Church will be here to lead us praise songs.

Come for a short inspirational message and a time to fellowship with one another as we praise and worship our Lord.

Next week….

Information and details on the

Superbowl Party Packs!

We know how quickly your New Year calendars can fill up. Please make these important dates in

your calendar.

Milestone Sunday: April 11, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. The Milestones program is an opportunity for the church to partner with families to provide instruction that promotes spiritual growth. We celebrate as children learn age appropriate steps in their faith walk with the Lord. Milestones are for children four years old through the fifth grade.

Children’s Ministry Sunday: April 18

All children that participated in a Milestone program will be recognized and celebrated during church services on Sunday, April 18. There will be no Sunday School.

Vacation Bible School Week

Get ready to set sail on the “High Seas Adventure,” to explore the mighty love of God. Vacation Bible School will be held during the week of June 21-25. Families, children, and volunteers please mark this special week on your calendar!