SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 12, 2017 - 11:00 AM

CHIMING of the TRINITY

PRELUDE "Prelude and Toccata on 'Praise to the Lord the Almighty'" arr. J. Wayne Kerr

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTROIT "At the Name of Jesus" Ralph Vaughn Williams Hymn 148

CALL to WORSHIP Liturgist: Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.

People: When we trust in God, we are like a tree planted by water. Liturgist: Our roots of faith go deep and we bear fruit for God.

People: Let us worship God in dependence on his mercy and strength!

HYMN 442 The Church's One Foundation AURELIA

CALL to CONFESSION

PRAYER of CONFESSION (Unison)

God of mercy, we admit to you and each other that we have not always loved you and

our neighbors as fully as you call us to love. We have failed to be good stewards of the

earth entrusted to our care. We have turned away from you and toward our own self-

interest. Help us turn back to you, Lord. Help us to reach toward you as a tree sends

its roots out toward water. (continue in silent prayer)

ASSURANCE of PARDON

Liturgist: Because Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead,

People: sin and death do not have the last word!

Liturgist: Because we are baptized into Christ's death and resurrection,

People: we are forgiven and set free to live for God and neighbor.

RESPONSE Glory Be to the Father (Hymn 579)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

EPISTLE READING James 2: 1-4, 8-9

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM "O God, Who By a Star" American Folk Hymn

arr. Walter Ehret

GOSPEL READING Matthew 18: 1-5

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

SERMON Jesus' Care for the Underdog Rev. Edgar McCall

HYMN 357 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee MARYTON

AFFIRMATION of FAITH The Apostles' Creed (Hymnal, Page 14 Traditional)

PRAYERS of THE PEOPLE and THE LORD'S PRAYER (Hymnal, Page 16)

PRESENTATION of TITHES, OFFERINGS and GIFTS

OFFERTORY "Choral on 'Salvation Unto Us Has Come'" arr. Stephen P. Johnson

RESPONSE Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Hymnal, Page 592)

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.

HYMN 372 Lord, I Want to Be a Christian I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN CHARGE and BENEDICTION

RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again (Hymnal, Page 540, Stanza 1)

God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide, up hold you;

With a Shepherd's care enfold you; God be with you till we meet again.

POSTLUDE "God of Grace and God of Glory" arr. Jacob B. Weber

All who are able, please stand.

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SERVING THIS MONTH: Count Team: Holly Furr/Glenn Simpson Chancel: Betsy Folks Liturgist: Peggy Furr

Greeters: Jane Mahaffey/Mary Jo Yarborough Ushers: Bill Williams/Max Clyburn

A SPECIAL INVITATION! You are encouraged to become a member of our congregation, if you have no

permanent church home. The Session receives new members upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ,

upon their reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or by transfer of their membership from another

congregation. If you are interested in becoming a member of First Presbyterian, please speak to the pastor

following the worship service, indicate this on the Friendship Register, or call the church office.

WE INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND one of our Sunday School classes: 9th-12th grade;

Adult: Friendship Class; Spirit/Passage Class. Come join us as we explore God's Word together!

OUR CHURCH STAFF

Rev. Edgar McCall - Pastor Marsha Roberts - Director of Music and Organist

Susan Lott - Administrative Assistant Philip W. Neely - Treasurer

SESSION

Robert K. Folks, Clerk

Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

James H. Howey, Jr. Ned Gregory, II Holly C. Furr

Vickie L. Jewell Jane R. Mahaffey Elizabeth W. Gregory

H. Glenn Simpson Mary Jo Yarborough William K. Williams

MINISTRY BOARD LEADERS

Christian Formation - Vickie Jewell/Holly C. Furr

Columbarium & Memorial Garden - Jane R. Mahaffey

Congregational Care - Jane R. Mahaffey/Mary Jo Yarborough

Fellowship - Jon & Diane Lochner/Mary Jo Yarborough

Hospitality & Evangelism - Mary Jo Yarborough/Elizabeth W. Gregory

Mission & Outreach - Vickie L. Jewell/Ned Gregory, II

Worship - Elizabeth W. Gregory

SUPPORT COMMITTEES

Pastoral & Staff Relations- James H. Howey, Jr./Ned Gregory, II, William K. Williams

Property Management - James H. Howey, Jr./H. Glenn Simpson

Stewardship and Operational Support - H. Glenn Simpson/Jane R. Mahaffey/William K. Williams

First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street/PO Box 990

Lancaster, South Carolina 29721

www.fpc-lancaster.org

803-283-3329

A Place to Belong. A Place to Serve.

"Now you are the Body of Christ , and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

OUR VISION AND MISSION

We, the members of First Presbyterian Church, are disciples of the risen Christ and members of his universal

Body, who are empowered by God’s Spirit to WORSHIP God with joy and thanksgiving; PROCLAIM the

Gospel through word and deed; TEACH the message of God’s love in Christ; SHARE God’s love for all

people by reaching out in hospitality, ministry and mission; WORK together in harmonious unity as a loving

and caring people; and to SERVE one another and others beyond our fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ.

OUR VALUES

The values we cherish to enable us to accomplish our vision and mission are the fruit of God’s Spirit:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH May you feel God's presence, may the message be a blessing in your life,

and may the grace of God go with you and strengthen you for the week ahead. Please come again soon!

FAMILIES TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER THIS WEEK

Robert & Betsy Folks

Holly Furr, Mary Mac & Garren

PASTORAL NEEDS: The Session desires to be informed when members are in

need of pastoral care and support. During office hours, please call the church at 283-3329, in order that an

elder may be notified.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN'S PRAYER MINISTRY

Please come by the Prayer Ministry Table before the worship service and give the name of your prayer

request to our prayer ministry representatives. The names will be provided to our pastor before the pastoral

prayer to be raised to God in corporate prayer. At the Prayer Table cards are available to express our

corporate love and concern. Please stop by each Sunday to sign these cards. Help us in this way to further

our church's ministry of sympathy, witness and service to others in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVES

Today: Cindy Williams/Dele Williams Next Week: Debbie Hinson/Suzanne Harper

Please pray for our members: Tennie Kerr; Louie Belk; Ann Powers; Locketta Stephenson;

Anne McCulloch; Henry Johnson; James Mahaffey; Louise Eller; Celia Featherstone; Ernie Clyburn.

Friends of the church: Susan Lipscomb; Linda Kloepher; Bubber Gregory; Eleanor Tillman; Al Blackmon;

Bruce Hinson; family of Doug Mahaffey; Heather Humphries.

CHURCH ACTIVITES: February 12, 2017 - February 18, 2017

Sunday 9:45 AM Christian Education followed by Worship at 11:00

Monday 7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast

11:00 AM Women's Bible Circle

Tuesday 12 Noon Bulletin Deadline

Wednesday 6:00 PM Jubilant Ringers followed by Choir at 7:15pm

Thursday 6:15 PM NAMI

7:00 PM Session Meeting

BIRTHDAYS: 16 Robert Howey 18 Susan Lott

ATTENDANCE: Feb. 05 Worship- 73 Sunday School- 24 Feb. 06 Men's Prayer Breakfast- 30

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OUR GIVING REPORT

02/05/17 Year To Date

Amount Budgeted $ 3,610.26 $ 21,661.56

Amount Received 4,594.33 20,373.33

Over/(Under) $ 984.07 $ (1,288.23)

Front cover artwork by Nicole Anderson.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY

VISITORS and GUESTS. We are glad you are with us today and we welcome you as our guest.

Please fill out the Friendship Pad you find on the pew seat. Join us again as we worship God.

MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 13th,

beginning just before 7:00am in the Fellowship Hall. See you there! I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living

sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to

this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will

of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12: 1-2

The FPC YOUTH are collecting hygiene items for the Warming Center in Lancaster.

Our homeless population need travel size soap, shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste You may

place your donations in the container on the table outside the church office. Thanks!

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING & BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. Last Sunday following

worship, $391was generously given in support of those in need. Also, thank you for the "presents"

of canned goods received during the Birthday Celebration Tuesday night.

The WOMEN'S BIBLE CIRCLE meets this Monday, February 13th at 11:00am in the

Fellowship Hall. Edgar will lead and teach the lesson entitled "He Trusted in God" which is based

upon the text from Psalm 22: 8. All ladies are welcome!

The next FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON is Wednesday, February 22nd at Noon. The cost is

$4/person. Please sign up outside the church office.

THE 2017 BUDGET . Copies of the 2017 Budget as finally determined by Session at the January

meeting are available for distribution and are on the table outside the church office.

LENTEN SEASON begins with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a season of forty days, not counting

Sundays, which begins March 1st and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon

word lencten, which means spring. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness,

enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry. Lent is a time of repentance,

renewal and preparation for the coming of Easter. This is also a time of self-examination and

reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, we

focus on our relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of

ourselves for the benefit of others.

ASH WEDNESDAY ORGAN CONCERT. First Presbyterian Church and Marsha Roberts

proudly present a Service of Lenten Music on March 1st beginning at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary.

Refreshments will be served following the concert. Tell your friends - this is open to everyone!