10-04-2015 Sunday Morning Bulletin.pub

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The Lord’s Day October 4, 2015 Eight Thirty and Eleven O'clock “And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD his God.” (Micah 5:4) Please switch all communications devices to silent mode. Thank you.

Assurance of Pardon ............................ Lamentations 3:22-25

+Doxology (Hymn 731) ....................................OLD HUNDREDTH

We confess our sins knowing that God’s love free us and grants us hope. God’s Word tells us, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Thanks be to God that he would grant us forgiveness, but even more that he would grant us himself through Jesus Christ!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heav’nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Welcome and Announcements

Affirmation of Faith ... The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 40

+Prelude.................... “Morning Song” ............... Stanley Saxton

Q 105. What is God’s will for you in the sixth commandment? A. I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor—not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds—and I am not to be party to this in others; rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge. I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.

Call to Worship ............................................... Psalm 107:1-3 Minister: Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Amen! Let us worship God!

Choral Introit ................................................ J. Marty Cope “Praise to the Lord”

Sanctuary Choir

Q 106. Does this commandment refer only to murder? A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness. In God’s sight all such are disguised forms of murder.

Give to our God immortal praise; mercy and truth are all his ways: wonders of grace to God belong; repeat his mercies in your song.

*Prayer of Adoration

Prayer of Intercession and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn 363 ........................................................... kremser

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

“We Gather Together”

Corporate Confession of Sin O gracious and loving Father, your majesty is beyond full description, your glory more than our sinful eyes could withstand to see, and your holiness fills the heavens. Yet your mercy pursues us in dark and guilty places, your grace unveils our faces, and your holiness reaches down to where we are, transforming us into instruments of your redeeming love. Forgive us, Lord, our sins, which are many. Purge the love of our favorite sins and grant us strength to stand when we ought and run when we ought. Enflame a single passion for your glory in our lives, through Jesus Christ, Amen.

“Hymn of Mercy”

Sanctuary Choir Gracious Lord, Thy mercy filleth all the earth below; and from heaven’s throne it falleth when to Thee I go. Mercy flowing, swift pursuing like a river strong, sympathizing with my weakness; mercy suff’ring long. Mercy calling with compassion: “Oh, return to Me.” Wounded Hands extended, loving is the plea. How can I refuse Thy mercy? Whither would I flee? From my idol shrine I turn, Lord, reaching up to Thee. Tender mercy of the Savior gently drawing nigh with the blood that cleanseth sinners ready to apply. Gracious Lord, Thy mercy filleth all the earth below; and from heaven’s throne it falleth when to Thee I go. © 2006 Beckenhorst Press. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-716217

Q 107. Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any such way? A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them, to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

*Ascription of Praise (Hymn 3, verse 1) ............... warrington

Choral Anthem ................................................. Dan Forrest

Please complete the black Fellowship Folder and pass down the pew.

Presentation of God’s Tithe and Our Offerings Offertory ....................... “Arietta”...........Christopher Tambling (Four and Five-year olds dismissed to Children’s Church)

Prayer of Illumination Scripture Reading ....... James 2:1-13 ............... Pew Bible p. 1011 Minister: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God!

Sermon ............................................... Dr. Sean Michael Lucas “Genuine Faith Doesn’t Play Favorites”

*Hymn 355 .......................................................... symphony “We Are God’s People”

*Benediction Choral Response *Postlude ............ “Now Let Us Sing with Joy”............... J. S. Bach *Please stand if you are able. +The ushers may seat worshipers. Presiding Minister - Dr. Sean Michael Lucas Assisting Elders - Mr. Andrew Harwell (8:30); Ruling Elder Frank Aderholdt (11:00) Missionary of the Week - Dr. Paul Chinchen, President of African Bible Colleges

Notes on the Service These first thirteen verses of James 2 are challenging: God by his Holy Spirit forces us to consider whether we play favorites within the church. Do we prize the wealthy couple over the lower middle class couple? Do we exclude or discriminate against others based on where their kids go to school? Do we welcome others who are just like us, but ignore others who are not? James commands us not to play favorites, but also tells us why: those whom God has loved and to whom he has shown mercy are likewise to love and show mercy to all, regardless of the size of their bank accounts, the color of their skin, or the choice of education for their kids—or a range of other distinctions and differences we might prize. Because our God is a God of mercy who has redeemed us in Jesus Christ, we come to worship him as a family this morning. God’s Word calls us to worship from Psalm 107—we are the redeemed ones who bask in God’s steadfast love. Let the redeemed, then, say so! Let us rejoice in God’s goodness and praise him. That is why we give him immortal praise—God’s mercy has met us and transformed us in Jesus Christ. But God not only changes us as individuals—he puts us together with this people called church that we might learn how mercy triumphs over judgment. Together as we meet, we behold God’s mercy seat. God dwells with people from every race, with people of humble mind, with the small congregation and the large. And even this morning, we are the few in comparison to the vast multitude that will gather around God’s throne in the last day to worship and praise him! We belong to the people of God this morning. In response to God’s Word, we sing a more recent hymn text, “We are God’s people.” As those genuinely committed to the God who has come to us in Jesus, we belong to God’s people, the chosen of the Lord. We are God’s loved ones, the body of Christ, the temple where the Spirit dwells. And because these things are true, we can never play favorites within the life of the church; we must be those who welcome all, regardless of class or race, regardless of life situation. And that is because we desire for all to hear the Gospel, all to be changed, all to make it to heaven safely. May God make it so! If you would like a copy of today’s sermon, please call the church office (601-268-0303). The entire service, as well as just the sermon, is available on CD. You may also download the sermon only from our website at www.fpcpca.net.

First Presbyterian Church Directory Ministry Staff Dr. Sean Michael Lucas ........................................................... Senior Minister Rev. C. Knox Baird. ............................................ Minister of Missions/Outreach Rev. Ben Griffith ............................................................. Minister of Students Dr. David H. Jussely. ..................................... Minister of Senior Adults/Visitation Mrs. Kathy C. Young .......................................... Director of Children’s Ministry Music Ministry Staff Dr. Larry D. Smith ................................................................. Choir Director Dr. Samuel Porter .......................................................................... Organist Mrs. Loleeta Rhett ......................... Arts and Discipleship Coordinator, Accompanist Mrs. Kerrin Hightower .............................................. Children’s Choir Director Support Staff Mrs. Tracy Ross ..................................................................... Office Manager Mrs. Kala Jones .......................................................................... Bookkeeper Mr. Rodney Gillentine ..................................................... Properties Supervisor Mr. Don Hill .............................................................................. Custodian Mr. Bill Rose .............................................................................. Custodian

2015 SESSIONAL COMMITTEES Worship Committee: Oversees the worship activities of the congregation, especially Sunday services and special worship meetings, and use of the sanctuary. Members are Grant Bennett (Session Chairman), D Palermo (Diaconate representative); Class of 2015 - Mary Abraham, Virginia Morris, Bill Turpin; Class of 2016 - Grant Bennett, Tina Perkins, Robin Blair; Class of 2017 - Mary Ann Scruggs, Louis Young; Class of 2018 - Claudia Powell, J. P. Culpepper, Marion Curry

Christian Education Executive Committee: Coordinates the regular Christian Education activities of

the church for all ages from nursery to adult. Members are Matthew Wiggins (Session Chairman), Drew Middleton (Diaconate representative); Caroline Grubbs (WIC representative); Class of 2015 - Frank Aderholdt; Class of 2016 - Bill Stanway, Rena Elder. Class of 2017 - Matthew Wiggins. Class of 2018 - Rob Jackson Jr.

Congregational Committee: Encourages, plans, and oversees evangelism, outreach, assimilation, and

shepherding for the congregation. Members are Hugh Bolton (Session Chairman), Wade Wicht (Diaconate representative); Class of 2015 - Charles Greer, IV; Class of 2016 - Hugh Bolton. Class of 2017 - Trey Sutton

Missions & Benevolence Committee: Coordinates and encourages involvement with and support of local, national, and international missions and benevolences. Members are Matthew Boyd (Session Chairman), Ron Keller (Diaconate representative); Class of 2015 - Arrington Rhett, Jim Hardy, Carolyn Hardy, B McGraw; Class of 2016 - Joe Washburne, Matthew Boyd. Class of 2017 - Keith Easterling, Molly Blass, Lynn French

Thanks to those serving today: Duty Deacons for October: Dan Didier, Chad Smith, John Kosko, Andrew Harwell, D Palermo, Lee Rouse, Schaeffer Smith, Chris Parsons, Michael Griffin, Gene Smith Ushers for October: Henry Tims, Michael Tims, Tony Claytor, Jackson Benton, Mason Starns, B McGraw, Jeremy Cooper, Buddy Lewis, Andrew Rogers, Rick Maddox

Nursery Volunteers for Today: Abb & Jennifer Payne, Lisa Gunnufsen, Amanda Gunnufsen, Michael & Melanie Tims Nursery Volunteers for October 11: Shea & Bethany McNease, Sam & Erica McHard, Christine & Josh Bellew Greeters for today: Duty Deacons

October 4, 2015