March 6

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~ * Indicates where those who are able may stand. Child care for infants through preschool is available on the second floor. ~ Hearing aids are available, please see an usher.

You may place an order for a CD of the whole service at the Welcome Desk for $3.00 or visit our website to hear the radio sermon podcast.

Music in This Morning’s Worship Service I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also. (I Corinthians 14:15)

This Morning’s Hymns Holy God, We Praise Your Name is based on Te Deum Laudamus, a 4th century hymn presenting a summary of Trinitarian theology. This hymn of praise, creed and supplication calls all creation and all history to join in praise of the Triune God. Creation and eternity itself is found to dwell within the realm of God’s holiness. The text also may serve to remind us of personages present in the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration: All in heaven above adore You... Infinite Your vast domain…Prophets, martyrs and apostles join in this divine worship.

O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair is a medieval Latin hymn translated by John Mason Neale. The text is based on the story of the Transfiguration of Christ. With Peter, James and John, Jesus went up into a high mountain. There his face became radiant and his clothes “became white and dazzling.” There appeared Moses, representing the law which God had given Israel, and Elijah, representing the prophets. The season of Epiphany is framed by biblical scenes in which Jesus is identified by God as Messiah. The first occurrence is at the baptism of Jesus and the second is the Transfiguration of Jesus. On both occasions, God proclaims this is my beloved son. We are called with cherubim and seraphim into that timeless worship which proclaims “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts!”

God of Grace and God of Glory was written by Harry Emerson Fosdick for the dedication of Riverside Church, New York. To be sure, Fosdick faced the time with hopeful enthusiasm but also with humility and even fearful apprehension. Prior to the dedication, he composed this hymn as a prayer for wisdom and courage to face the hour rather than glory in it. Likewise, Jesus and the apostles could have responded to the Transfiguration of Jesus with self-congratulation, excessive pride and spiritual smugness. Indeed, the disciples wish to enshrine the moment. Jesus, however, redirects their attention from the heights of the mountain to the valleys below, valleys in which the gospel of Christ was to be realized not in self aggrandizement but rather in service.

This Morning’s Anthem Have You Not Known? Text: Isaiah 40: 21-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you That the everlasting God Dwells on high in starry splendor? His glory is unspeakable; His power shall never fail. Refrain: They that wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength. They shall mount up as eagles; They shall run and not grow weary; They shall walk and never faint.

Music: K. Lee Scott To whom will God, the LORD, compare? Who can stand his equal? By his word he formed the heavens; By his power he e’er sustains them. Vain rulers perish hopelessly; Strong nations come to naught. Refrain Then why complain, O Israel? Why down-cast O Jacob? Do you think he does not see? Is your way now disregarded? His knowledge is unsearchable, His wisdom strong and sure. Refrain

This Week at First Presbyterian Today 8:00 a.m. Neighborhood Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Childcare 9:30 a.m. Worship Service

10:30 a.m. Congregational Meeting/Luncheon 12:15 p.m. Concert Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. Sunday Night Pipe

Monday, March 7 10:00 a.m. Library Team Meeting 11:30 a.m. Narcotics Anonymous 5:00 p.m. Gerholz Finance Team

5:00 p.m. Choir Officers Team Meeting 7:00 p.m. Women’s Bible Study

Tuesday, March 8 7:00 a.m. Renovaré 8:30 a.m. Staff Devotional Meeting 9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 1:00 p.m. Adult Education Class 4:00 p.m. Congregational Care Team Meeting

4:30 6:00 6:30 6:30

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

MFA Team Meeting Health Council Team Meeting Mawby Chorale Rehearsal Deacon’s Team Meeting

Wednesday, March 9 8:30 a.m. Renovaré 10:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Banner Making Team Meeting 11:30 a.m. Narcotics Anonymous 3:00 p.m. Friends of McFarlane Park (outside event) 4:00 p.m. Grief Support

4:45 5:00 5:15 5:45 6:00 6:30

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

Choir Rehearsal Snack Gathering Children’s Choir Rehearsals Ash Wednesday Dinner Chancel Choir Rehearsal Program Childcare Ash Wednesday Service

Thursday, March 10 9:15 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 11:00 a.m. Sarah Circle 11:30 a.m. Downtown Kiwanis Club

5:00 p.m. Lay Counseling Training 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous

Friday, March 11 11:30 a.m. Narcotics Anonymous Saturday, March 12 8:30 a.m. Men’s Ministry Bible Study 8:30 a.m. Salem Housing

10:00 a.m. Lowell Reid Visitation 11:00 a.m. Lowell Reid Memorial Service

It may be possible for each of us to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible to think too often or too deeply about that of our neighbor to remember that the dullest, most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. ~ C. S. Lewis: The Weight of Glory

Ministers, Members of First Presbyterian Church

Director of Women’s Ministry,

Senior Pastor,

Kim Skaff

John L. Musgrave

Director of Youth Ministry,

Associate Pastor,

Jim Pope

Paul Ytterock

Community Ministry,

Commissioned Lay Pastor,

Lisa Horne

Steve Baillie

Congregational Care Specialist,

Director of Business Administration,

Lee Doll

James B. Hugan

Gerholz Staff Counselor,

Director of Children’s Ministry,

Jerry Walden

Jaime Powell

Parish Nurse,

Director of Gerholz Counseling Center,

Frankie Bonner

Andy Armstrong

Organist,

Director of Music and Fine Arts,

Carl Angelo

Mark Riddles

Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday, March 6, 2011 9:30 a.m. 746 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502 810-234-8673 www.fpcf.org

Prayer for Illumination

The Gathering of the People of God We gather, knowing God is with us. We bring the Bible, Chalice, and Water as visible evidence of God’s self-giving. Call to Meditation and Preparation Prelude

Anthem

The Service of the Word

The Worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Old Testament Reading

Keith Baldwin

Have You Not Heard? Scott Chancel Choir; Paul Morton, baritone The Congregation is asked to sing with the choir on stanza 4 and its refrain

Exodus 24:12-18 (Pew Bibles pg. 68 O.T.)

Psalm 2

John L. Musgrave Ubi Caritas First Brass and organ

Nelhybel

Acolyte: Summer Burkhardt, 4th Grade Silently prepare your hearts for worship at the first note of the prelude. Announcements

Epistle Reading Anthem

*Call to Worship In a dark room, we seek the light of a lamp. In the dark night, we await the light of dawn. When the moon disappears, we watch for the morning star. We seek, we await, we watch for the risen and glorified Christ. *Processional Hymn 460

Holy God, We Praise Your Name

2 Peter 1:16-21 (Pew Bibles pg. 222 N.T.) “Who Will Keep God's Lambs? Cantus Choir DeeAnn Galbreath, director Sheryl Powell, accompanist

arr. Greg Gilpin

Congregational Response: Sermon GROSSER GOTT

*Passing of the Peace of God (You may extend the hand of peace or cross your chest as a sign of blessing.) Offertory Sentence *Doxology

Kyrie (Congregation and Choir)

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 *Offertory Prayer

Lord, have mercy up-on us. Christ, have mercy up-on us. Lord have mer-cy upon us.

*Gloria Patri 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.

John L. Musgrave

*Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed 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 Confession and Corporate Prayer of Confession Steve Baillie Glorious God, it is good to be here with you— in the comfort of this sanctuary, among friends, assured of your grace and love for us. How tempted we are to abide in what feels safe and familiar! How hesitant we are to venture forth into the unknown. As Christ turned his eyes from the mountaintop to the valley, turn our eyes toward places we shudder to go— places where people struggle with brokenness and pain, dark places where we might bear your love and light. Transfigure us, so we might represent your kingdom well. Until the new day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts, sustain us by your presence and your power. Amen. (Silent Confession)

Assurance of God’s Grace: Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Transfigurations

Offertory

(The children may come forward) Children’s Message *Hymn 75

Paul Ytterock O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair

DEO GRACIAS

Let God Arise, Let His Enemies be Scattered (Psalm 68) Pinkham Matthew Thomas, trumpet

Prayers of the People, Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer Those hospitalized this past week: Kelly Beardslee, Stella Holtslander, Robert Johnson and Jack Kallandar Those in the military, world and national leaders, the church, and those distressed by natural and human disasters.

(The children may return to their seats) (Children in the Bible education class may meet Mrs. Powell in the Memorial Parlor)

†Late arrivals may be seated

The Sending *Closing Hymn 420

Gospel Reading

Matthew 17:1-9 (Pew Bibles pgs. 17-18 N.T.)

God of Grace, and God of Glory

CWM RHONDDA

*Benediction and Response Postlude

Now Thank We All Our God

Karg-Elert