Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 13, 2015

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S DAY In consideration of other worshipers, please turn cell phones and mobile devices off or to silent mode. Thank you.

WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE

MUSIC FOR THE GATHERING OF THE WORSHIPERSLargo George Frederic Handel

(lighting of the candles, Emylia Hallberg, acolyte)As the pastor and acolyte enter the sanctuary, let us pause in thoughtful silence and begin our worship.

OUR LIFE TOGETHER…(During the announcements, please fill out the fellowship pad and pass it back and forth through your

pew in order that we may greet one another by name after worship.)

GATHERING SONG (congregation and choir singing together)

CALL TO WORSHIP: Carolyn Whitehead, Liturgist

One: God, we are here to worship.All: We are here to listen.One: We are here to grow.All: We are here to be known.One: We are here today to know you more fully.

-1-*HYMN No. 174 Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom Madeleine

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION & ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS Liturgist

One: God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Father, Wisdom, Creator, King, Servant, Abba… With every name we give you, God, we understand something new about your nature.

All: And yet we have been guilty too often of being satisfied with too little. We have allowed one name, or a small number, to limit our understanding of you. We confess to our limited imaginations and our unwillingness to explore, change and grow. We confess to being unwilling to grow in our understanding of who you are.

One: Friends, hear these words: God is endless and ageless and we are always invited deeper into the mystery of God’s love. In Christ we are forgiven.

All: Thanks be to God.

*RESPONSE: (congregation and choir singing together)Behold, behold, I make all things new,beginning with you and starting from today.Behold, behold, I make all things new,my promise is true, for I am Christ the way.

*PASSING THE PEACE

WE GROW AS WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

This, this is where children belong, welcomed as part of the worshiping throng.Water, God’s word, bread and cup, prayer and song:This is where children belong. –James Ritchie

Blessing for a New School YearOne: This Sunday we invite all children, teachers and school employees who

have

returned to school to come forward for a blessing. Those of you who have

your hearts full of hopes, uncertainties and dreams for this new year, come

forward, along with those who have also brought their new supplies andbackpacks today.

-2-One: When Jesus was twelve, he went with his parents to Jerusalem. He stayed

in the temple, listening to and asking questions of the teachers there. Will you do your best to listen and learn from the teachers in your school this year? If so, please say: "We will and we ask God to help us!"

Youth: We will and we ask God to help us!One: Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to rely on

what we think we know. If we remember the Lord, the Lord will show us the right way. Will you trust God and look for signs of God’s presence in students, parents, and colleagues as you go through your school day? If so, say, "We will and we ask God to help us."

Teachers: We will and we ask God to help us!

Prayer of ThanksOne: (Lifting a backpack) For all the good things God has provided for us, let us

join in praise and thanksgiving. For pens, pencils, crayons and markers,All: Thanks be to God!One: For notebooks, paper and folders, calculators and student planners,All: Thanks be to God!One: For these special students: in preschool, elementary, junior high or middle

school, in senior high school, college or vocational school; for all their different talents and gifts; and for their insights and commitment to learning,

All: Thanks be to God!One: For these teachers and school administrators; for the energy, passion, care,

and patience they bring to their daily tasks; for their ministry of teaching and shaping future generations.

All: Thanks be to God!

RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 19 Liturgist

One: The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what

God has done.All: Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next.One: They don’t speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice.All: Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world.One: The revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together.

-3-All: The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.One: God’s Word is better than a diamond,All: better than a diamond set between emeralds.One: No doubt about it:

God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.All: Otherwise how will we find our way?One: Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!All: Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart

be pleasing to you, LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

GOSPEL READING: Mark 8:27-38 Page 43 in the pew Bibles (N.T.)

SERMON

*HYMN OF THE DAY No. 693 Though I May Speak Gift of Love

WE GIVE IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Liturgist

PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGSOffertory Anthem - Blue Green Hills of Earth Kim Oler/arr. Carl Strommen

For the earth forever turning, For the skies for ev’ry sea;To our Lord we sing returning home to our blue green hills of earth.

For the mountains, hills, and pastures in this silent majesty;For all life, for all of nature sing we our joyful praise to Thee.

For the earth forever turning, For the skies for ev’ry sea.To our Lord we sing returning home to our blue green hills of earth.

For the sun, for rain and thunder, For the season’s harmony,

For the stars, for all the heavens sing we our joyful praise to Thee.

For the earth forever turning, For the skies for ev’ry sea.To our Lord we sing returning home to our blue green hills of earth.

Home to our blue green hills of earth.

-4-SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

THE GREAT THANKSGIVINGOne: God be with you.All: And also with you.One: Lift up your hearts.All: We lift them up to the Lord.One: Let us give thanks to God.All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.One: Holy God, we praise you.

Let the heavens be joyful,and the earth be glad……We praise you, eternal God,through Christ your Word made flesh,in the holy and life-giving Spirit,now and forever.

All: Amen.

*THE LORD’S PRAYER (“…and forgive us our debts…”)

*BREAKING THE BREAD

SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP(The cup in the center of the communion plates contains gluten free bread.

The middle glasses contain grape juice for those who desire it; the others contain red wine.You may eat and drink as you are ready to do so.)

COMMUNION ANTHEM – In Remembrance Buryl RedIn remembrance of me, eat this bread.In remembrance of me, drink this wine.

In remembrance of me, pray for the time when God’s own will is done.

In remembrance of me, heal the sick.In remembrance of me, feed the poor.In remembrance of me, open the door and let your brother in, let him in.

Take, eat, and be comforted, drink and remember, too,That this is my body and precious blood, shed for you, shed for you.

-5-In remembrance of me, search for truth.In remembrance of me, always love.In remembrance of me, don’t look above, but in your heart, in your heartLook in your heart for God.

Do this in remembrance of me, do this in remembrance of me.In remembrance of me.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Liturgist

WE GO TO SERVE GOD’S WORLD

*CHARGE & BLESSINGBlessing for StudentsBlessing for Teachers and School Employees Blessing for the Whole People of God

*CLOSING HYMN No. 547 Go, My Children, with My Blessing Ar Hydy Nos

*POSTLUDE – Psalm XIX Benedetto Marcello

*Those who are able, please stand

This morning:Ushers: Donna Beal, Sylvia Faust, Stan Gallup, Joanne NelsonGreeters: Oliver Hagel (PL), Rosie Hagel (S)

-6-Next Sunday, September 20, 2015Adult, Youth & Children’s Education 9:30 a.m.Chancel Choir 9:45 a.m.Worship 10:30 a.m. Bob Hagel, preachingChildren’s Church 10:45 a.m.Mission Committee 11:30 a.m.

Website: www.firstpresjamestown.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME everyone, especially our visitors, to our service today. Please sign the pew pads. If you are new to First Presbyterian Church, introduce yourself to the pastor. Prayer request cards are available in the literature racks in the Narthex. If you desire your prayer concern to be shared during worship today, please give your completed card to an usher prior to worship.

THERE IS CHILDCARE available for infants through 2-year-old children in the nursery. The nursery attendants are well-qualified and a vibrating monitor will be given to you in case the nursery attendants need to be in touch with you about your child.

THE FLOWERS ON THE CHANCEL RAIL this morning are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of my parents, Marabel and Ed Turner, by Peggy and John Hallberg and in honor of Grandparents Day by Elizabeth, Emylia and Stephen.

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS WOMEN’S RETREAT. Join us September 25-27 at the Presbyterian House on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. The weekend will start on Friday, September 25 with check-in at 4:00 p.m. and a light supper at 6:00.

The cost for the weekend includes two nights, five meals and a journal. The cost is $100 and you must register by September 20. A check made out to First Presbyterian Church and the registration form can be sent to the church at 509 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown or put in the collection plate. If you have any questions, contact Kate Hagel at 314-566-1392 or kmh6599@gmail.com . Registration forms are available in the Narthex and by the church business office.

TWEEN SUNDAYS MIDWEEK EMAIL. Printed copies of the midweek email are available in the narthex on Sunday mornings. If you know of someone who doesn’t have a computer or email address or has chosen not to receive the email, let them know about the printed copy or maybe even drop one off. Remind your fellow members that they can receive the Wednesday email by sending an email to peggy@firstpresjamestown.com.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:MONDAY 9:30 a.m. Healthy Bones Exercise Class

7:00 p.m. Jamestown Choral SocietyTUESDAY 10:00 a.m. HOPE Chautauqua

12:00 noon Sarah Circle 7:15 p.m. Barbershoppers

WEDNESDAY 9:30 a.m. Healthy Bones Exercise Class 10:15 a.m. Staff Meeting

THURSDAY 12:00 noon Aging & Saging 6:30 p.m. Crèche 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir 7:00 p.m. Society for Creative Anachronism

Sunday, September 20, 2015Liturgist: Janita ByarsAcolyte: Oliver HagelGreeters: Phil Ruslink (PL), Janis Ruslink (S)Ushers: Judy and Paul Bentley, Jetta and Mark Wilson