First Presbyterian Church

July 19, 2015

10:00 a.m.

Blessed with God’s love and grace, we celebrate gifts of diversity. By Jesus

Christ’s example, we welcome, in love, all who rejoice and worship with us.

God’s spirit, given by Christ, flows through us as living water to wash, heal, and satisfy.

As a congregation we become a fountain, sharing this living water with others.

*Please stand, in body or in spirit. Text printed in bold italics to be read in unison.

Prelude Chiming of the Hour Welcome

Introit

Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ our King; Heirs of salvation, trusting the promise, faithfully now God's praises we sing. Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, dead in the tomb with Christ our King; One with his rising, freed and forgiven, thankfully now God's praises we sing. Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ our King; Born of the Spirit, we are God's children; joyfully now God's praises we sing. (hymn 482)

*Call to Worship (from Isaiah 55) All of you who are thirsty, come to the water! Whoever has no money, come, buy food and eat! For the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands! Let us worship God with joyful and exuberant hearts!

*Hymn 14 For the Beauty of the Earth

*Call to Confession

*Prayer of Confession

Dear God, our beginning and our end, you mark us as your own and shower us with blessings throughout our lives. Yet, we are halfhearted in our response to your goodness and grace. We are eager to lend a hand in your name when it is convenient, rather than seeking to be your faithful followers in all circumstances. Forgive our fickleness, O God. Increase our desire to walk in your way, give us the drive to make your justice our aim, and grant us great delight in sharing your love in word and deed; through Christ our Lord we pray.

(time for silent confession)

And let God’s people say: Amen.

*Assurance of Pardon

*The Peace of Christ

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

July 19, 2015 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Sung response (hymn 59, refrain)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; God’s mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is your faithfulness, O Lord, great is your faithfulness.

Anthem Mighty Lord Lotti

Time with the Children Hayley Lynn

Children, second grade and younger, are invited to remain for the rest of the service or go to activity time in the education building.

The Sacrament of Baptism Rhett Carter Royster

Presentation

Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Rhett by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging him to know and follow Christ and to be a faithful member of the church?

We do.

Thanksgiving Over the Water

The Baptism

Welcome *Hymn 486 Child of Blessing, Child of Promise

First Reading Isaiah 55:1-5, 12-13

Second Reading Colossians 3:12-17

Sermon Dear God, Wow! Sharon Youngs

*Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed (traditional version)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Call to Prayer (hymn 824, verse 2)

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God, A place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God. O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, Hold us, who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.

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Prayers of the People - with The Lord’s Prayer (ecumenical version)

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Moment for Mission

Offering of God’s Tithes and Our Gifts

*Doxology (hymn 606)

*Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn 297 In Christ Called to Baptize

*Charge and Blessing

*Sung Response (see inside back cover of hymnal) Irish Blessing

Postlude

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Today’s flowers are given by Anna Robinson to the glory of God and in loving memory of her husband Bill.

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WELCOME GUESTS! We are glad you are here! You are invited to join us for refreshments in the fellowship hall (behind the

sanctuary) following worship. If you would like to know more about First Presbyterian Church, we would

love to share our story with you. Talk with the pastor or give us a call (483-1318). Again, welcome!

Things to know—The nursery is located on the first floor of the Education building.

Hearing assistance units, large print bulletins, and children’s bulletins are available from the ushers.

Sermons available at fpcor.org. For recordings of the worship service, please contact the church office.

WORSHIP NOTES

Today is the third installment of our month-long

series on letters to God. The series includes ex-

cerpts from letters submitted by First Presbyterian

folks. Each letter submitted included an expres-

sion of thanks and gratitude to God, even in diffi-

cult circumstances. That's the focus for today's

"Dear God, Wow!!"

This morning we celebrate the

infant baptism of Rhett Carter

Royster, infant son of Christine

Pietrzak. FPC members Randy

and Tammy Pietrzak are Rhett's

grandparents, and Jennifer is the

proud aunt! Welcome to the

family of God, Rhett!

All children will be invited to stand around the

baptismal font while Sharon fills it for Rhett's

baptism during this morning's service. Don't be

nervous if they get a bit wet. It's a great reminder

of God's abundant love for every child of God.

TODAY’S WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS

Liturgist: Don Spong

Time with Children: Hayley Lynn

Activity Time: Anne Backus, Lily Childs

Sound Guild: Dale Hadden

Ushers: Richard Alexander, Priscilla Campbell,

Irene Darko, Anna Hoppestad, Shirley Knight,

Bonnie Murray, Shirley Sauls, Jim Tonne

Counters: Fred Haywood, Jim Tonne

Flowers: Anna Robinson

Fellowship Hosts: Kate & Walt Porter

Opening/Closing: Anne Backus, Dennis Strickler

Thank you to Teresa Gross for

playing for us today in worship.

Next Sunday, in the fellowship hall immediately

after worship, Sharon will be sharing pictures and

stories from her recent trip to Scotland in general,

and Iona in particular.

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Sign up today:

FPC is responsible for providing the vol-

unteers for the ADFAC school supply day

at Robertsville Middle School on Tuesday,

July 21. If you can help, just add your

name on the form in your bulletin and

place it in the offering plate. Thank you!

Deborah, an original rock opera Following worship, and as part of our continuing

celebration of FPC's 70th anniversary, the video

of FPC's 1994 production of "Deborah," an

original rock opera written by mother/son combo

Carolyn and Steve Krause, will be shown in the

fellowship hall. Snacks and drinks will be

provided. All are welcome.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK

July 19-26, 2015

Sun. 7/19 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 a.m. Early Birds class (room 6)

9:14 a.m. Choir rehearsal

10:00 a.m. Worship

11:15 a.m. Deborah-an original rock opera

(fellowship hall)

Mon. 7/20 12:00 p.m. Men’s lunch (Shoney’s)

6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts (room 102)

Tues. 7/21 12:15 p.m. Centering Prayer (sanctuary)

5:30 p.m. AA (room 100)

6:30 p.m. Guitar workshop (choir room)

Wed. 7/22

11:00 a.m. Al-Anon (room 100)

Thurs. 7/23

8:00 a.m. Free Medical Clinic

cooking class (room 102)

3:00 p.m. Tai Chi class (room 102)

Fri. 7/24 7:00 p.m. Chinese Bible study (room 6)

Sat. 7/25

Sun. 7/26 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 a.m. Early Birds class (room 6)

9:14 a.m. Choir rehearsal

10:00 a.m. Worship

11:15 a.m. Sharon’s Scotland trip slide show

(fellowship hall)

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Please submit announcements for the Sunday bulletin to the church office by Wednesday afternoon.

Newsletter submissions for The Banner should be made to the church office or Carolyn Krause

(chkrause23@gmail.com) by the 15th of each month.

Celebrations this week:

Birthdays

7/19 Alex Hoppestad

7/23 Mike Bast

7/23 Bob Clausing

Anniversaries

7/20 Anna & Don Thomas

Remember those who are . . .

in healthcare and

retirement communities:

Oris Bullock, Bob Clausing,

Leslie Cowan, Oakley Crawford,

Anna George Dobbins, Barbara

Dreiss, Lois Lacy, Dick Lord,

Ruth Reeve, Gerry Slaughter

homebound:

Sandra Edwards, Lillian Lafferty

As an act of stewardship and

caring, each adult is encouraged

to have a will.

Make an appointment with your

attorney this week to draw up

your will!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL ADULTS:

9:00 a.m. Early Birds Class (room 6, sanctuary

building). A cup of coffee, meaningful discus-

sion, and a study of the book of Isaiah.

Teachers: Bill Childress and Sue Byrne

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES

Presbyterian Youth Connection

(PYC) is taking a break for the

summer and will resume regular

meetings on Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in the

fellowship hall with the new school year.

Blessing of the backpacks… Please mark Sunday, August 2 for a "Blessing

of the Backpacks" in worship (school begins

the next day here in Oak Ridge). Anyone and

everyone of all ages who carries a backpack

(or something similar) to school (including

students and faculty in post-secondary institu-

tions) are invited to bring your bags for us to

tag with a reminder of our love and prayers for

you through this coming school year.

The opportunity to register

is about to end! Sign up now for Big Tent, a national bi-annual

gathering of Presbyterians. This year it’s right in

our backyard on the Knoxville campus of the

University of Tennessee, July 30-Aug. 1. To vol-

unteer, contact Dana Hendrix in the Presbytery

office (688-5581, ext. 101). For more info, visit

pcusa.org/bigtent.

To donate flowers for worship, please

sign the flower chart on the fellowship

hall bulletin board. Flowers are $35 (checks pay-

able to First Presbyterian Church).

The celebration continues... Take a moment to stop by the par-

lor to see a display of a number of

gifts that the church has received

over the past 70 years. A list on the

table identifies the gifts and their

donors. Please return the list when

you are finished reading it. For

more details about these and other

gifts, please see page 5 of the July

edition of The Banner.

Children and youth, and

adult Sunday school

classes after worship

resume Sept. 13

Sharon Youngs Pastor Anna Thomas Director of Music

Jim Allen Organist Meg Tonne Parish Nurse

Hayley Lynn Director, Children & Youth Adrienne Pyle Office Manager Omer Breeden Sexton Bobbie Peters Nursery

Meghan Cadmus Nursery Brittany King Nursery

P.O. Box 6106 Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (865) 483-1318 fpcor.org

Located at the corner of Lafayette and Oak Ridge Turnpike Church Office Hours: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.—12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church—A PC(USA) Congregation

New bulletin feature...

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS NEXT SUNDAY, AUG. 26

Liturgist: Matt Stone

Time with Children: Gene Ice

Activity Time: Sue Byrne, Kate Fulcher

Sound Guild: Don Spong

Ushers: George Darko, Louise Dunlap, Fred & Sally

Haywood, Carolyn Krause, Dave Mullins, Walt Porter

Counters: Lou Dunlap, Bonne Murray

Flowers: Bonnie & Syd Murray

Fellowship Hosts: Elizabeth & Trygve Myhre

Opening/Closing: Anne Backus, Dennis Strickler