Worship: Participating in worship today are Pastor Mary Beth Anton, Pastor Shannon Weisenfels, and Jeff McDonald. The Sanctuary Flowers are given today in loving memory of Hugh and Jesse Scott Price Gilmour by Bruce and Terry Gilmour and family. “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26 With joy and thanksgiving, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism will be received by Alexandra Louise Merritt, daughter of Summer and Reid Merritt; granddaughter of Kent and Shirlee Alexander and Eddie Ray and Wayne Merritt; niece of Morgan and Leeland Adams; cousin of Sophie and Nolan Adams. Serve: Prayers of Intercession are requested for Cris Kelly, Paul Dowling, Jack Armstrong, Herb Ware, Rose Ann Hughston, Edith Wisehart, Meg Branson, Charlotte Seay, Tim Thompson, Fred Westmoreland, Lynne Ray, Charles Priddy, Carolyn Winkler, Betty Irby, Betty Hawk, Gwen Watson, J J Baskin, Mary Garay, and Judy Warren. Please pray for military personnel deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan): Michael, Casey, Carlos, Megan, Drew McKelwaith, Chris Miles, David Thornhill, Hank Hortenstine, Tom Wolters, Mike Neu, Hunter D. Martin, Damon Darnell, Steven Castellon, Kyle Humphries, Justin Robinson, Capt. Andrew Plucker, Members of 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, Alan Austin, Jr., Jake Dement, Clayton and Jason Slover, Sloan Kelly, Devin Mata, James Evetts Haley, IV, David Bell, Capt. Cam Moury, Adam Weathers, Matthew Welsh, Capt. Michael Moore, Capt. Drew Schildwachter, 1st Lt. Alex Bablich, Lt. Cory Sheeron, Gary Smith, Lt. Chuck Jansen, Lt. Michael Porcelli, Taylor Franklin, and Dr. David Shepherd. Belize Mission Trip, March 7-14: Please pray for our team of 26 children, youth and adults as they build relationships in Belize through various activities. Follow the mission trip through the blog, http://fpcmbelize.blogspot.com/. AWAKE 7:14: March 15-17, Midland Center, 7:00 p.m. each evening with Dr. Jim Denison and special video guest Anne Graham Lotz. Awake 7:14 Prayer Vigil: First Presbyterian Church is participating in a Prayer Vigil for AWAKE 7:14. Please meet at the Midland Center today, Sunday, March 15, from 3:00-5:00 pm and pray for the Lord to move in our hearts, in our city, and in our nation! Invite: Music Intern Collie Rolland will present his junior voice recital this afternoon, Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 p.m. in the Rea Greathouse recital hall at Wagner Noel. The event is free and open to all. Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, March 22, 2015 in the Sanctuary following the 11:00 a.m. services for the purpose of: (1) Electing the 2015 Nominating Ministry, (2) Electing two Elders to fill unexpired terms, (3) Approval of Terms of Call for Pastors Walter Thompson and Shannon Weisenfels, and (4) any matters that may arise from items (1), (2) and (3). Lent Small Group for Young Adults: Join us in Room 228 (upstairs on the walking track in the gym) on Sunday evenings from 7:00-8:00! We will be diving into the book of James and using it as a tool for community-building fellowship. Hope to see you all there!!
Easter Flowers will be displayed in the worship services on Easter Sunday, April 5. Envelopes are available in the pews or you can email Rhondy at
[email protected] if you would like to purchase Easter Lilies in honor or memory of loved ones. Deadline is Sunday, March 22. What is Holding You Back? A new class by Ron Ellison begins April 1 from 12:00-1:00 in the Parlor. Lunch is available from 11:30-12:00 for $5.00. As we strive to grow in Christ, it is normal to have growth pains where we move two steps forward and three steps back. There may be struggles of life patterns that make this growth journey more difficult. In this 8-week class, we will explore eight challenges that can keep us from becoming more like Christ and how to overcome them.
Loving and leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church 800 W. Texas Midland, Texas 79701 (432) 684-7821 Web Site: www.fpcmid.org Sunday Worship 8:15 a.m. – Sanctuary 9:30 a.m. – Sunday School 11:00 a.m. – Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. – The Bridge in Lynn Hall Senior Pastor Associate Pastor of Christian Nurture and Family Ministry Associate Pastor of Mission and Evangelism Associate Pastor of Administration Youth Program Coordinator Youth Ministry Staff Minister of Music Music Associate Director of Student Ministries and Bridge Music Director of Older Adult Ministry Director of Children’s Ministry Director of Nursery Ministry Director of Recreational Ministry Director of Operations
Steve Schorr Shannon Weisenfels Walter Thompson Mary Beth Anton Becky Holmes Joey Willis Gregory Pysh Rebecca Sawyer Mac McCoy Susie Mauldin Chrissie Mee Taresa Kellogg Scott Kain Jeremy Olive
Additional information and audio and video sermons may be found on our web site: www.fpcmid.org Sermon CDs or DVDs may be ordered by filling out an envelope in the pew or calling the church office. Radio Ministry: KMCM-97 Gold (FM 96.9) at 11:00 a.m. Watch the 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary worship service live at www.fpcmid.org The Good Samaritan by Vincent Van Gogh, 1890
March 15, 2015 8:15 a.m. “The Compassionate Life”
Service for the Lord’s Day March 15, 2015 8:15 a.m. Welcome! We are glad you are here! Loving and Leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ is the mission of FPC. We trust during this time of worship you will sense God’s presence. May the praise, the prayers, the music, and the Word of God give you Joy and confidence during the week ahead! Preparation for Worship Great and good God, Give us pure hearts that we may see you, humble hearts that we may hear you, hearts of love that we may serve you, hearts of faith that we may live in you, reverent hearts that we may worship you, here and in the world out there, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961) Entrance Voluntary
In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit. Amen.
*Response of Praise
Musical Offering *Doxology
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Old Hundreth
As we worship, grant us vision, till Your love’s revealing light, In its height and depth and greatness, dawns upon our quickened sight, Making known the needs and burdens Your compassion bids us bear, Stirring us to tireless striving, Your abundant life to share. Called from worship to Your service, forth in Your dear name we go, To the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show; Hope and health, goodwill and comfort, counsel, aid, and peace we give, That Your servants, Lord, in freedom may Your mercy know and live. *Charge and Benediction
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.
First Scripture Reading Second Scripture Reading
*Opening Sentences of Scripture Micah 6:6,8 With what shall we come before the Holy One, and bow ourselves before God on high? God has shown us what is good. What does the Holy One require of us, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God?
Merciful God, You pardon all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with you, our God.
“The Love of God Comes Close” John Bell and Graham Maule Tristan Davis, baritone
*Response in Song
*Closing Voluntary Luke 10:25-29
Pg. 71
Matthew 25:31-46
Pg. 29
Sermon
“The Compassionate Life”
Pastor Mary Beth Anton
*If able, please stand.
Solo
“Consecration” Tristan Davis, baritone
George Friderick Handel
Worship Note:
The Lord’s Supper Invitation to the Table
Truro
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” When I survey the Wondrous Cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Time with Children
I will take your heart of stone and place a heart within you, A heart of compassion and love.
Ode to Joy
Still Your children wander homeless; still the hungry cry for bread; Still the captives long for freedom; still in grief we mourn our dead. As, O Lord, Your deep compassion healed the sick and freed the soul, Use the love Your Spirit kindles still to save and make us whole.
*Prayer of Thanksgiving
“Return to God” Tristan Davis, baritone
*Confession of Sin
Truro
Offering
“Variations on Robert A. Hobby ’O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing’” Rebecca Sawyer, organ
“Live Into Hope” (Verses 1-3)
Live into hope of captives freed from chains of fear or want or greed. God now proclaims our full release to faith and hope and joy and peace.
Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy; Come seek the tender faithfulness of God.
*Hymn No. 332
“Live Into Hope”
“Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service”
Lord, whose love through humble service bore the weight of human need, Who upon the cross, forsaken, offered mercy’s perfect deed, We Your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone, but heart, Consecrating to Your purpose every gift that You impart.
*Assurance of Pardon
Welcome and Parish Concerns Musical Call to Worship
*Hymn No. 427
Table Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer 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. Words of Institution Breaking of the Bread and Sharing of the Cup We will receive the elements by intinction. Please come forward by the center aisle, take a piece of bread and dip it in the cup. If you prefer, you may take a piece of bread and an individual cup. Please return to your pew by the outside aisle. If someone sitting near you is unable to come forward, please let the servers know, and it will be brought to them where they are seated.
“Toccata on ‘Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow’” Michael Burkhardt
In his book Streams of Living Water, Richard Foster notes that “in our day the Spirit of God is sovereignly bringing together steams of life that have been isolated from one another for a very long time.” These six streams, or “movements,” or “traditions” are rooted in the life of Jesus and describe how God’s Spirit has moved upon individuals and groups of people with a particular mission. During the season of Lent we will delve more deeply into the six “streams” so that we might discover a balanced vision of Christian faith and practice. Some of us have had more experience or practice in a few of the streams, but we have room to grow in other areas. So for the next six weeks we have opportunity to assess our faith and practice and be challenged to grow more Christ-like by learning about and applying the other streams. The six streams are: The Prayer-Filled Life The Virtuous Life The Spirit-Empowered Life
The Compassionate Life The Word-Centered Life The Sacramental Life
Books are available at the Illinois Street Reception Desk for $10.00.
