First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach

October 27, 2019

Sunday Worship

October 27, 2019

We welcome you to worship.

Inspirational Thought For The Week

“‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”

(Alfred Lord Tennyson)

Prelude Fantasie on “Ein feste Burg” Michael Praetorius

Introit Piano Improvisation

Welcome

Ringing of the Bell

Call to Worship (Psalm 105:2,3) Responsively

Leader: “Sing to God; sing praises to the Lord;

Congregation: Dwell on all his wondrous works!

Leader: Give praise to God’s holy name!

Congregation: Let the hearts rejoice of all those seeking the Lord!”

*Hymn of Praise No. 526 Sine Nomine

“For All the Saints”

*Opening Prayer

First Scripture Reading (p. 772) Psalm 137:1-6

Unison Prayer of Confession

Eternal God, forgive us for our lack of faith. Forgive our inability to witness to the

transforming power of your mercy, forgiveness, and love. Help us to realize how much we need

to learn to forgive others, ourselves, and even you. Show us how to be merciful so that we can

appreciate the endless bounds of your mercy. In humility, we seek your forgiveness for our past

sings and whatever transgressions we may have committed against others. We ask these things

in the name of your Son. …

Silent Confession

Assurance of Forgiveness

*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. Amen.”

Minute for the Blessing of the Pets Steve Anderson

Time with the Children Gathering Song1: “This Is the Day That the Lord Has Made”

“This is the day, this is the day,

That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.

I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made,

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made.”

Going Song: “Jesus Loves Me”

“Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to him belong; they are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

Children 3-years-old through Kindergarten are excused for Bible Bunch (Bible Bunch Rm)

Children in grades 1 through 5 are excused for Sunday School (Sunday School Rm)

Prayers of the People

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 sins, as we

forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For

thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.”

The Ministry of The Church (Please sign and pass the red friendship book.)

Offering . . . “Freely we have received, freely let us give.”

Offertory Anthem2 “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” arr. Howard Helvey

“Ev’ry time I feel the spirit moving in my heart I will pray.

Yes, ev’ry time I feel the spirit moving in my heart I will pray.

Upon the mountain, when my Lord spoke out of God’s mouth came fire and smoke.

Looked all around me, it looked so fine, till I asked my Lord if all was mine.

Refrain

Jordan River, chilly and cold, it chills the body but not the soul.

There is but one train upon this track. It runs to heaven and then right back.

Refrain”

*Doxology and Prayer of Dedication

“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.”

* Unison 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.

Special Music “You’ll Never Walk Alone” Richard Rogers

Birgit Fioravante, solist

Second Scripture Reading (p. 1451) 2 Timothy 4:9-22

Message “Moving Forward From Lost Love” Dr. Hood

*Hymn of Dedication No. 276 Faithfulness

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

*Benediction

*Postlude “Trumpet Tune” David Johnson

*The congregation is invited to stand, if able.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Today, in churches all over the world, we celebrate All Saints’ Day. We remember this as the

day we celebrate all those who have gone before us, on to the communion of saints. In our

church, we recognize saints as anyone who has passed away, who has left this place and time and

gone on to be with God. Jesus tells us there are many rooms in the Lord’s House and a room is

prepared for us all. As the church bell from our original Sanctuary rings this morning, let us

remember all those saints who have left us over the past year, as of October 27, 2019.

Walter Anderson Kenneth McPheeters Ron Williams

Margaret Martin Jean Bice Barbara Ritthaler

Eleanor Scholl Cynthia Coher Warren Shifferd

Martha Baker Clem Henderson Irene Gorman

Gerald Marshall Jim Westby C. Adams Moore

Dottie Morrison Jo Garnett Claire Parasiliti

Wm. Montfort Helm Helen Antal Michael Neal

Beth Bergquist

The flowers that beautify the Chancel this morning are given by Suzanne Morris, in loving

memory of her daughter, Cynthia Platt.

Gifts to Church Improvement Fund from Jim and Edna Fisher, in honor of Holly House’s 50th

Anniversary.

Meet Our Soloist Birgit Fioravante made her Carnegie Hall debut with the Opera Orchestra of New

York singing Fricka in scenes from Wagner’s Ring Cycle before moving to Florida to raise her

two daughters. She has continued to perform in florida opera, concerts and recitals as well as

appearing on radio and television. She has been a guest soloist with symphony orchestras and

florida opera companies including Florida Grand Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and Harrisburg

Symphony Orchestra. Birgit has turned her passion toward teaching with an active vocal studio

for over twenty years. Many of her students have gone on to build vocal studios and performing

arts ensembles of their own, to grace the stages of florida opera companies and beyond, such as

the Metropolitan Opera and venues world-wide, as far as Moscow and Japan, and to garner Tony

nominations in Broadway productions. Inspired by her experiences encountered on her musical

journey, Birgit created the three-woman opera show Duelling Divas, a hilarious tribute to the art

and personality of the opera diva that toured the country for over five years. Birgit is director of

Opera Fusion, which will be presenting “Amahal and the Night Visitors” by Gian Carlo Menotti

in this Sanctuary this January.

Take Note Today, Sunday, October 27th, we will be collecting the “Pennies from Heaven” Offering.

Don’t forget to bring your 5 cents per meal per person in your household to church so that we

can help feed deserving hungry people.

Join us today, Sunday, October 27th at 4 p.m. under the Portico for the Blessing of the

Pets. Bring your pet to this special service. They must be on a leash or in a carrier, container, or

cage. If your pet can’t make it, bring a photo of him or her. Children’s stuffed animals are

welcome. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Deacons’ Scholarship Fund.

Daylight Savings Time ends next weekend, Saturday, November 2nd. Please remember to

set your clocks back one hour.

Next Sunday, November 3rd, we begin our schedule of two worship services at 9 a.m. and

11 a.m.

Are you interested in joining our church? If so, we would love to see you next Sunday,

November 3rd in the Covered Patio immediately following the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. worship

service. In order to join, no reservations or classes are required for those who have been

previously baptized.

October is one of two months during the year when we collect food staples for the

Community Food Pantry. Any canned products or boxes of non-perishable unopened products

are needed, especially peanut butter, canned meat (tuna, chicken, ham), boxed macaroni and

cheese, boxed pasta, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned soup, canned spaghetti sauce,

canned tomato sauce, bagged or boxed rice, dry beans, and canned beans. Food may be left in

the Narthex during the week or on Sunday mornings. Your gift helps to feed deserving, hungry

people in our community.

Come join your church family as we Putt into Fall next Sunday, November 3rd from 2

p.m. to 4 p.m. at Putt’n Around Delray Beach (350 NE 5th Avenue). This fun multi-

generational event is for anyone who enjoys pizza, mini golf, and being with friends and family.

There is no cost but space is limited to 50 people. Reservations are required and may be made in

the Narthex, on the church website under Upcoming Events, or by calling the church office (561-

276-6338). Everyone who registers will receive one game of mini golf (18 holes), one slice of

pizza, and a soft drink.

You are invited to Faith Conversations: Questions People Ask on Sunday, November 10th

at 6:30 p.m. at Benvenuto Restaurant (1730 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach). This event

will feature Dr. Tom Tewell and Mr. Skip Randolph discussing “Can Retirement be

Purposeful?”. The event is $40 per person and includes dinner. Space is limited. Reservations

may be made in the Narthex, on the church website under Upcoming Events, or by calling the

church office (561-276-6338). Join us for a fun-filled, faith-filled educational evening of Faith

Conversations.

Join us Sunday, November 24th at 6 p.m. for the Hanging of the Greens Dinner in

Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child, and $20 maximum per family. Then, at

7 p.m., join us as we decorate the Sanctuary in preparation for Advent. The Hanging of the

Greens is a special worship service filled with familiar carols and traditions. We will also

decorate the Chrismon Tree. Reservations for the dinner may be made in the Narthex following

the worship service, on our website under Upcoming Events, or by calling the church office

(561-276-6338). If you are unable to attend the dinner, plan to attend the worship service.

We are pleased to announce that we will be sailing aboard AMA Waterways on Melodies of

the Danube for 10 nights including 3 nights in Prague. The AMA Serena will embark October

23, 2020 on this 85 cabin vessel. Dr. Hood will be teaching, Understanding How God Changes

Lives. Please contact Robert Paris (561-276-6338) for further information. A detailed flyer is in

the Narthex.

Stop by the Narthex and purchase Doug Hood’s book Nurture Faith: Five Minutes to

Strengthen Your Walk with Christ for $15. This expanded edition of Heart & Soul: Volume 2

contains 24% new material in a more compact design.

Connect with First Presbyterian Church Please join us in the Narthex following the service for Fellowship Hour, our time of

fellowship.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the church campus. Connect to the FPC-Guest or Fellowship Hall

network. The password is fpcguest.

Read Doug Hood’s weekly meditation through our church website (www.firstdelray.com)

under Resources. Don’t forget to subscribe to his meditation so that you do not miss any of the

postings.

For those interested in taking notes during the worship service, a Sermon Notes Page is

available by the west door.

If you are a member of the church and need a blue First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach

parking sticker, stop by the church office during the week.

Members who would like to receive email notification of members’ deaths and memorial

services should contact Nancy Fine (nancyfine@firstdelray.com).

If you would like to receive your Spire Newsletter electronically, please email Nancy Fine

(nancyfine@firstdelray.com), text FPCDELRAYBEACH to 22828 (message and data rates may

apply), or complete the online form on our website (www.firstdelray.com) under Resources.

Church Membership Directory The Pictorial Church Membership Directory is available online for members of the church.

Visit our website (www.firstdelray.com) under Connect for more information.

Sunday Mornings Please turn off your cell phones and electronic devices during the worship service.

Closed Circuit TV is available for viewing the worship service in the Quiet Room.

Children’s Worship Activities and Bibles are at the Children’s Tables in the Covered

Patio for use during worship.

Large Print Bulletins and Hearing Devices are available from the Deacons.

Nursery Care for children from birth through Kindergarten is available from 9:30 a.m. to

11:30 a.m. in the Nursery.

For Our Younger Worshippers Children’s Worship Activities and Bibles are at the Children’s Table in the Covered Patio

for use during worship. Please return the clipboards and Bibles to the table after the service.

Sunday Children’s Programs Nursery Care is available for children under three and is available during the worship service

in the Center for Christian Studies, Room 106. Our Nursery workers are Amanda Tidmore and

Serenity Reeves.

After the Children’s Time in worship, children are dismissed to the Center for Christian

Studies. Children, ages three through Kindergarten, go to Bible Bunch in Room 113 with Alice

Barrett or Iva Branscombe. Children in 1st through 5th grade go to Sunday School in Room 109.

Grace Hood and Liz Landes are the teachers. They are using a PCUSA curriculum called

Awesome Adventures, the Adventure of Paul. If your child is in 6th grade and up, please speak

with Grace Hood (gracehood@firstdelray.com or 561-276-6338, ext. 17) about continuing their

participation in Sunday School as a helper.

Weekly Education Programs The Monday Morning Women’s Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. in the Youth Room. They

are beginning the video study, “The Apocalypse: Controversies and Meaning in Western

History”, by Professor Craig Koester. What are we to make of the book of Revelation, with all

its dramatic events and rich symbolism? Throughout these lectures, Professor Koester focuses on

what John actually wrote in the Apocalypse, what his situation tells us about his meaning, how

that meaning can be applied to our own lives, and how contemporary biblical scholars relate

Revelation to the modern world. For more information, contact Linda Prior (561-276-6338).

The Men’s Fellowship meets on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room. They are

discussing the Nurture Faith from Sunday’s bulletin. For more information, contact John

Schneider (561-276-6338).

The Women’s Discipleship Group meets on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Meeting Room.

All women are invited to attend the study on Growing to be like Christ, Doing Life Together by

Zondervan and Rick Warren.

Bi-Monthly Educational Program First and Last Bible Study is a bible study geared toward the working/studying crowd. They

meet on the first and last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. The

next Bible Study is this Wednesday, October 30th. For more information, contact Rev. Greg

Rapier (gregrapier@firstdelray.com or 561-276-6338, ext. 13).

Monthly Educational Program The Monday Women’s Book Group meets next Monday, November 4th, at 12:30 p.m. in

the Meeting Room. All women are invited to attend the discussion on Varina by Charles

Frazier. Contact Martha Smith (561-276-6338) for more information.

Youth Group We are going to be Puttn’ Into Fall next Sunday, November 3rd from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Reservations are required and spots are filling up fast. Reservations may be made in the Narthex,

on the church website under Upcoming Events, or by calling the church office (561-276-6338).

Everyone who registers will receive one game of mini golf (18 holes), one slice of pizza, and a

soft drink.

Young Adults First and Last Bible Study is a bible study geared toward the working/studying crowd. They

meet on the first and last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. The

next Bible Study is this Wednesday, October 30th. For more information, contact Rev. Greg

Rapier (gregrapier@firstdelray.com or 561-276-6338, ext. 13).

Music The Chancel Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings at 10:15 a.m. to prepare for the worship

service and on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. Don Cannarozzi is available

for those who may be a little shy about becoming part of this ministry. You can speak with him after

service, or contact Don Cannarozzi (dcannaro@hotmail.com), to set up a time to meet.

Westminster Ringers (for adults and high school youth) is on Thursdays in the Bell

Room from 6:30 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. Contact Jim Poch (561-276-6338, ext. 24 or

jimpoch@firstdelray.com) for more information.

Holly House Holly House Workshops for women meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30

a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Holly House. If you enjoy crafting, sewing, needlework, jewelry

making, floral design, or making items for the coastal home, you are invited to bring a friend,

enjoy the camaraderie, and make products to be sold at the Holiday Gift Shoppe. For more

information, contact Cindy Pemberton (561-276-6338).

The Holiday Gift Shoppe at Holly House is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings

from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition to traditional wreaths, trees, and decorations; sailboat,

seashore, and tennis enthusiasts will find fun items. Halloween and Fall items are on display.

Since the workshops continue, there are new items being created. Stop by frequently. For more

information, contact Cindy Pemberton (561-276-6338).

Holly House is in need of Christmas ornaments and Christmas Trees no taller than 4 feet.

These items can be dropped off directly to Holly House. Please hold all Rummage Sale items

until January.

Pennies from Heaven Help us support the battle against hunger and poverty at home and away through our Pennies

from Heaven Offering. Collect 5 cents per family member per meal each day. All monies

collected is donated on a quarterly basis to local, regional, and national food programs. We

collected $354.36 from the September Offering. Since September 2012, we have collected

$41,785.92. Our next collection is today, Sunday, October 27th.

Mission Opportunity We are making Hygiene Kits for The Caring Kitchen. If you have unopened travel size items

that you would like to donate, please put them in the collection basket in the Narthex.

Financial Considerations There is a very convenient way to donate online to First Presbyterian Church of Delray

Beach through the Presbyterian Mission Exchange which is part of the 200+ year old

Presbyterian Foundation and transfers your donation promptly. Visit the church website

(www.firstdelray.com) under Give for more information.

On December 18, 2015, the President signed legislation indefinitely extending the charitable

IRA rollover provision enabling IRA owners ages 70½ or older to make a direct, tax-free

transfer to First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach or the charity of their choice. Certain

limitations apply so consult your tax adviser.

Membership Are you interested in joining our church? If so, we would love to see you next Sunday,

November 3rd in the Covered Patio immediately following the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. worship

service. In order to join, no reservations or classes are required for those who have been

previously baptized.

Invite a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker, or business associate to worship with

us. Share your faith and love for Christ’s Church with others.

Hospitalization If you or a family member are hospitalized, please notify the church office (561-276-6338).

Even if you give the name of the church upon admission, the hospital will not notify us.

Prayer Ministry Team The Prayer Ministry Team is taking a break. However, prayer requests that come through

our worship services or through the church office are still distributed by the church office to the

prayer ministry team for individual prayer. Each request is treated with respect, confidentiality,

and caring.

Prayer Concern Cards are in the pews. If you have a specific prayer concern, please

complete a card and place it in the offering plate or mail it to the church office. Concerns are

forwarded to members of the Prayer Ministry Team and pastoral staff.

Special Prayer List as of October 22nd Please keep our members and friends in your thoughts and prayers this week.

The following is a meditation written by Doug Hood’s son,

Nathanael Hood, MA, New York University.

Surrender

READ: Psalm 46:10 (Common English Bible)

“That’s enough! Now know that I am God!”

MEDITATE:

Martin Luther was, to put it mildly, a busy man. Born of respectable middle class means, his

parents instilled in him a dogged Teutonic work ethic that saw him beginning his college

education at the University of Erfurt at only seventeen years old. Once there, he blitzed through a

wearying curriculum of law (which dissatisfied him), philosophy (which frustrated him), and

theology (which electrified him). After a near death experience during a lightning storm in 1505

where he promised Saint Anna he’d become a monk in exchange for his life, he abandoned his

secular studies to enter an Augustinian monastery. Within two years he was ordained. In three,

he was teaching theology in Wittenberg. In four, he’d earned two more bachelor’s degrees with a

Doctor of Theology following in seven. In just a decade, this tireless young man became a

provincial vicar charged with overseeing eleven monasteries in eastern Germany.

The rest of his story is one many of us are more familiar with. The Ninety-five Theses nailed to

the church door. Justification by faith alone. Excommunication by Pope Leo X. Cross-

examination at Worms. Flight to Wartburg Castle. Translation of the the New Testament into

German vernacular. Peasant revolts and uprisings. The break with Catholicism, the founding of

Lutherism, the birth of Protestantism. And through it all Luther maintained a steady, prolific

output of catechisms, commentaries, pamphlets, treatises, masses, hymns, books, and sermons.

By the end of his life he’d accumulated over 100 folio volumes of original writings. And all this

while fleeing various authorities, both papal and secular, as the Turks ravaged Hungary and

Austria, waves of plague swept England, and the Holy Roman Emperor’s own troops sacked

Rome. The world was turning itself to ashes.

During his whirlwind life, Luther found himself time and again facing the darkest corners of

doubt, sorrow, and exhaustion. According to various sources, Luther repeatedly turned towards

the forty-sixth Psalm for comfort and respite. Stories go that he would ask his close friend and

fellow reformer Philip Melanchthon to sing it with him: “Come, Philip, let us sing the forty-sixth

Psalm.” Such was his love for the Psalm that opened with the triumphant declaration “God is our

refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble” that he officially set it to music

to write one of the greatest hymns in Christendom: “A Might Fortress Is Our God.”

But it’s in the tenth verse that the psalmist’s triumphant bombast gets tempered by a

proclamation from God, telling them to be quiet, be still, and know that God is God. This is a

psalm for boasting in the strength of the Almighty, but it’s also a command for one of the hardest

things man can do: surrender oneself. There comes a moment in the depths of adversity where

one must remove oneself from trying to control the forces of fate and simply trust in our creator.

To do otherwise would be to lose ourselves to our own neuroses and anxieties. It’s only in this

quiet and stillness that we find our center, and it’s there—much like Moses in the desert, Elijah

in the cave, or Paul on the road to Damascus—that we can finally find and know God. And it

was in this emptiness inspired by reading the forty-sixth Psalm the night before his incendiary

refusal to recant his beliefs at the Diet of Worms that Martin Luther found the courage to face his

accusers and make one of the bravest stands in the history of Christendom: “I cannot and will not

recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me.

Amen.”

RESPOND:

1. How has this scripture or meditation spoken to you? Pray: “What would you have me

hear, O Lord?”

2. What one specific act do you intend to take, an attitude to change, a person to see, or

prayer to pray? Pray: “What would you have me do, O Lord?”

PRAY:

Surrender is so difficult, O Lord. It is comfortable to be in control. Grant me courage today to

surrender my life and future to your care. Amen.

This Week: October 27th through October 31st

Sunday, October 27th

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Nursery Care – Nursery

9:30 a.m. Chancel Choir – Choir Room

10 a.m. Worship Service – Sanctuary

10 a.m. Bible Bunch Sunday School – Bible Bunch Room

10 a.m. Sunday School (1st – 5th grades) – Sunday School Room

11 a.m. Fellowship Hour – Narthex

11 a.m. Israel Trip Informal Meeting – Fellowship Hall

4 p.m. Blessing of the Pets – Portico

Monday, October 28th

10 a.m. Monday Morning Women’s Bible Study

Tuesday, October 29th

9:30 a.m. Holly House Workshop – Holly House

10 a.m. Holiday Gift Shoppe – Holly House

10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting – Senior Pastor’s Study

Wednesday, October 30th

6:30 p.m. First and Last: A Bible Study – Meeting Room

Thursday, October 31st

8:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship – Meeting Room

9:30 a.m. Holly House Workshop – Holly House

10 a.m. Holiday Gift Shoppe – Holly House

10 a.m. Women’s Discipleship Group – Meeting Room

6:30 p.m. Westminster Ringers – Bell Room

7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1Words: Psalm 118:24; adapt by Les Garrett, 1967; Music: Les Garrett, © 1967, 1980 Scripture in Song. All rights reserved. Reprint under ONE LICENSE #A729972. 2© Copyright 2000 by Beckenhorst Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprint under ONE LICENSE #A729972.