First Presbyterian Church

September 22, 2019 10:30 a.m.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prelude Welcome and Church Life Notes

Introit “Behold a New Joy” arr. Malcolm C. Wilson

A Pealing Sound

Call to Worship (from Psalm 57) Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

Congregational Refrain

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

*Hymn “Come and Sing the Praise of the Lord” #389

*Hymn “As the Deer” (additional verses on insert) #626

*Call to Confession

* Prayer of Confession

Lord we confess that though you have filled our lives with good, we still feel a longing within. We do our best to ignore that longing, and we do our best to find that which will distract us from that feeling. It is only when we turn to you, O Lord, that we are truly satisfied and complete; so forgive us when we look to you as a last resort. Help us to turn all of ourselves over to your healing and merciful care. Amen.

(A moment for silent personal prayer of confession)

*Assurance of Pardon One: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. May the God of

mercy, who forgives us all our sins, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life.

All: Amen.

*Choral Response “The Gloria” #581

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! Amen!

*Passing of the Peace One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Time for Small Disciples Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

Anthem “Shout to the Lord" arr. by Purifoy

Chancel Choir

Prayer for Illumination Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 (page 709 OT in the pew Bible) Leader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Is There No Balm?” Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

*Hymn “There Is a Balm in Gilead” #792

*Affirmation of Faith

One: Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. We are God's. We belong to the One who creates all things, in whose image all people are made. We are Christ's. He has loved us, healed us, called us and anointed us with his Spirit. We belong to his death and resurrection and ministry.

All: We are the Spirit's. We belong to the church, the Body of Christ. God gives us the gifts of forgiveness, resurrection, and eternal life, and the gift of participating in the healing of the world by God's grace. As God's beloved, we devote ourselves to God and to God's will, wholly, joyfully and with the help of Christ. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings

Call to the Offering Offertory “Many and Great” arr. Cathy Moklebust

A Pealing Sound

*Choral Response “The Doxology” #606

*Prayer of Dedication

All: God, give us the strength to follow you in faith, and give us the joy of generous hearts that we may make Christ known through the mission and ministry of this church. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer

… “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

*Hymn “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” #837

*Benediction

*Song on the Way “In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful” #654

*Postlude

*You may stand

Thought for the Day: "Spirituality is attention to the life of the Spirit in us. It is

contemplating the unspeakable beauty of our loving God." -Henri Nouwen

Interim Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays Music Director/ Organist: Billy Meredith A Pealing Sound Director: Elder Bea Mooney e-mail: office@fpcdelhi.org Web Site: www.fpcdelhi.org

Liturgist: Elder Linda Malcolm Phone: (607) 746-2155

Fax # (607) 746-2156 4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753

The First Presbyterian Church Delhi, New York

First Presbyterian Church actively exists as the living body of Christ, committed to growing in faithfulness to God, serving the whole human family

and welcoming all people into God’s love. (Our Mission Statement)

SUNDAY September 22

10:00 am Choir Gathers (Chapel) 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee Hour (FH)

MONDAY September 23

Cookie Sale Ends 8:30 am Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing) 9:00 am Kirk Work Day 10:00 am Monday Bridge (NN) 5:30 pm Spiritual Fitness (Manse)

TUESDAY September 24

Office Working Remotely 8:30 am Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing) 5:30 pm Weight Watchers (Chapel)

WEDNESDAY September 25

8:00 am SPARKS (Library) 8:30 am Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing) 12:00 pm Delhi Clergy Association

THURSDAY September 26

8:30 am Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing) 9:00 am Kirk Work Day

FRIDAY September 27

8:30 am Little Inspirations Preschool (CE Wing) 9:00 am – 2:00 pm The Kirk Thrift Shoppe open! 10:30 am “Gentle” Yoga (Chapel)

SATURDAY September 28

9:00 am – 2:00 pm The Kirk Thrift Shoppe open! 11:00 am Out of the Darkness Walk Registration at SUNY Delhi

12:00 pm Out of the Darkness Walk at SUNY Delhi

SUNDAY September 29

Bountiful Giving Sunday 10:00 am Choir Gathers (Chapel) 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee Hour (FH) 6:00 pm Prayer on the Square

RR – Red Room; CR – Conference Room; FH – Fellowship Hall; N-Narthex; BR – Blue Room; Nu – Nursery; NN-New Narthex; Ch – Chapel

September Prayer Focus: Those who live alone or suffer loneliness

First Presbyterian Church

of Delhi, New York Church Life: September 22, 2019

“From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3, NRSV). And so we gather to praise the Lord. Welcome.

Creator God, remind us that even as one season fades, another begins; you are always doing something new and bringing life out of death.

A special welcome is extended to all who are visiting with us this morning. We hope that your worship experience will be meaningful and enjoyable. If you are interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church or becoming a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Lisa Ruth, the Church Office or any Elder.

COFFEE HOUR will be hosted today in the Fellowship Hall by Vicki Noble and Donna Burgin immediately following the Worship Service. EVERYONE is invited to this time of fellowship. Please join us this morning!

THE FLOWERS today are from the wedding of Michelle Schmitt and Brett Fritts who were united in marriage here at First Presbyterian Church yesterday. Congratulations Michelle and Brett!

The TRUSTEES responsible for counting today are Tom Little and Brian Sprague. The Trustees responsible for counting on September 29 are Jackie Clark and Tom Leo.

Monday evening Spiritual Fitness each week at the manse at 5:30. All are welcome – join anytime!

Looking ahead - Mark your calendars!

Worship – 10:30 am Sanctuary – September 22 Spunkmeyer Cookie Sale Orders Due – September 23 Out of the Darkness Walk – 11:00 am registration at SUNY Delhi- September 28 Worship – 10:30 am Sanctuary – September 29 Trustees Work Day – October 5 – Church-wide Deacons Meeting - 9:00 am - October 6 in the FPC Library Worship at United Ministry – 10:00 am – October 6 - World Communion Sunday Joint Service Canstruction for Community Harvest – 1:00 pm on the Square – October 6 Worship – 10:30 am Sanctuary – October 13 Ladies Lunch – 1:00 pm at Crossroads Cafe – October 16 Worship – 10:30 am Sanctuary – October 20

Next Sunday is a Bountiful Giving Sunday! Offerings of sustaining food will be given to the Delhi Food Bank. “for I was hungry and you gave me food … ” Matthew 25:35a 2019 Flower sign up is on the bulletin board across from the office. If you would like to offer flowers for worship on a Sunday, please sign up on the poster or give the church office a call. Thank you!

The SPARKS Bible Study Fellowship meets each Wednesday morning at 8 am in the church library. All are welcome as we study Simplicity and Silence. Books are available in the church office. A new Study – “Living Deeply – A Study in the Parables” begins in October.

MISSION FOCUS – Out of the Darkness Walk Walk Date: 09/28/2019 Walk Location: SUNY Delhi Campus - Delhi, NY Check-in/Registration Time: 11:00 am Opening Ceremony/Walk: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm The FPC youth group will be participating in the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention on Sunday September 28th at SUNY Delhi. Please consider a donation to the walkers for this worthy cause. Checks can be made payable to FPC with Out of the Darkness noted on the check. Thank you for your support.

During September, the First Presbyterian Church will be holding an Otis Spunkmeyer cookie sale to raise funds for our fuel to heat the church this winter. Please sign up with an Elder, Trustee or in the church office to purchase cookies. Thanks for your support. The sale will conclude on September 23rd,

2019. They will be delivered in October on a date to be announced.

The Kirk Thrift Shoppe needs your help! Willing workers are needed Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 - 2. Any time you can offer in service will be greatly appreciated! The Kirk is in need of clean, unprinted packing paper. It may be dropped off in the donation bins.

Our church will be welcoming donations for both the Christmas Bazaar (after October 1) and The Kirk. You are welcome to drop items off at Fellowship Hall but please clearly mark items as to whether they are meant for the Bazaar or The Kirk Thrift Shoppe! Any donations left prior to October 1 will be used for the Kirk Thrift Shoppe. Thank you for your donations for both events!

The September - October Courier is available online and for pick up throughout the church.

Ladies Lunch at Crossroads is the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm. Please join us Wednesday, October 16.

Anyone wishing to host coffee hour this fall, please contact Janet Maxwell. There are still several dates open! My family, GOD, and pie are all I need! The Youth are asking for donations of specific food items for the Canstruction event on the square on October 6. A very specific list of items (28 oz Bush's baked beans, Tuna Fish, Pudding mix, Jiffy Pie Crust, 15 oz Canned pumpkin) needed is on display in the new narthex. Please check out the list and sign up if you feel God calling you to help out for this mission event to benefit our local food bank. Please drop off all donations by September 30.

Thoughts on Giving: “No servant can serve two masters. He will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth).” (Luke 16:13) Is money a “god” that you put before God? Giving money to support the Church and other charity is a pillar of our faith, just like attending worship every Sunday and participating in congregational ministry. Giving money frees us from being a slave to money. It increases our dependence on God and our trust that God will provide all that we need.

Stewardship Prayer: That we recognize everything we have is a gift from God, including our money, and to generously share our wealth to support the mission of our Church, locally and around the world.

The Per Capita amount for 2019 has been set at $39.05 per member.

Attendance week of 9-15-19 50

The amount needed each week The amount given week of 9-15-19

$3,912.00 $1,588.00

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 9-15-19 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 9-15-19

Kirk Receipts week of 9-8 to 9-14-19 Mission giving week of 9-15-19 Mission giving YTD as of 9-15-19

$144,744.00 $71,841.86

$3,651.00

$551.20 $55.00

$4,028.00

Apportionment Needed 2019 Apportionment received YTD as of 9-15-19

$7,107.10 $2,183.35

The Youth Group is also collecting bottles and cans to raise money for a mission trip. Donations can be dropped off at the first press church or Julia Ward's house (13 Delaware Ave).