preparing to hear god’s word

PREPARING TO HEAR GOD’S WORD

CHIMES (The congregation is asked to pray for the blessing of God upon this service.)

God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us, the gentleness of your Spirit lead us, and the gifts of your Spirit be our goal and our strength. Amen.

PRELUDE Celebration Michael Keller The Youth Bell Choir

INTROIT Give Thanks GIVE THANKS The Youth Ensemble

†CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 107:1-3 Cole Ajluni, Nick Pazzaglia, Spencer Payne, Henry Jones

†OPENING HYMN, No. 14 For the Beauty of the Earth DIX Accompanied by the Youth Bell Choir

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Emma Day Grantham

RESPONSE God Is Forgiveness Taizé chant Congregation and Choir

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Nalani Snow

†ACT OF PRAISE Gloria Patri MEINEKE

†PASSING OF THE PEACE

THE WORD

A TIME WITH CHILDREN Quintan Ajluni, Elizabeth Knight, Robert Brown Leader: As you depart from us now, the children of God say: Children: God be with you as you stay. Congregation: God be with you as you go.

RESPONSE, No. 839 Blessed Assurance ASSURANCE Congregation and Choir

Children may exit at this time. Parents of children ages 3 years and younger may take their children to the CE building for Extended Session, Room CE 105. There will be no Worship Center today for children K4 through 1st grade.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Daebo Bolen

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 107:17-22 Pew Bible, page 528 ; large print, page 687

(Bibles are located in the racks beneath the pews.)

ANTHEM Peace Like a River/Amen! Traditional spirituals The Youth Ensemble arr. Douglas E. Wagner

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Ephesians 2:1-10 Robert Brown Pew Bible, page 181; large print, page 235

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SERMON A Pilgrimage of Faith Carl Hodgson and Zane Peavy

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

†AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed Emma Day Grantham

†HYMN, No. 817 We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight DUNLAP’S CREEK

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Henry Jones

PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING Offertory All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly HOLY MANNA

arr. Albert Travis/Benjamin Harlan

The Youth Ensemble (The congregation may follow the tune and text on page 509 of Glory to God.)

Even though we try to live outside Your Grace, Your Grace continues.

Thank you for Your Grace, Loving God.

Our goal in life is to make ourselves happy. We do not put the needs of others first. Your Grace continues.


Your word is clear to us, to love our neighbors as ourselves. But still we ignore the sisterhood and brotherhood of all humankind. Your Grace continues.


Our lives would be so simple if only we could fully accept You as Lord of our lives. We continue to try to live without your guidance. Your Grace continues.


We boast about our gifts and the things that we have done even though our gifts and our accomplishments are through Your Grace.


Through Your Grace you have made plans for us and we sometimes ignore those plans for what we want.


You are rich in mercy, and You love us so much that You gave us Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, so that we may have new life through Him. Thank you for Your Grace, Loving God.

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.

Give thanks with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One; Give thanks because we’re given Jesus Christ, the Son.

Stand, as you are able, and greet one another saying: “The peace of Christ be with you.”

Respond by saying: “And also with you.”

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.

(Continue your personal prayer of confession in silence)

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.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

I’ve got peace like a river, in-a my soul. Amen! Amen!

(The congregation may follow the tune and text on page 647 of Glory to God.)

And now let the weak say, “We are strong”; Let the poor say, “We are rich Because of what the Lord has done for us!” Give thanks. Give thanks.

All who hunger, gather gladly; Holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wandering. Here, in truth, we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness, All around us is our food.

Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good. All who hunger, never strangers, Seeker, be a welcome guest. Come from restlessness and roaming. Here, in joy, we keep the feast.

900 Jordan St. Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 318.222.0604 www.fpcshreveport.org

WORSHIP NOTES WE WELCOME FRIENDS AND VISITORS. This church is for anyone who wants to be counted as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and who wants to be included in its worship and work. Thank you for signing your name and address on the attendance pad. There is an information center with material about our church and Presbyterianism in the foyer of the Jordan Street entrance to the sanctuary. CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME IN WORSHIP! Childcare is provided if needed. The Infant and Toddler nursery is found in CE-106 & 108. Our staff provide a loving and safe environment where children can play and explore. Extended Session (CE-103) is designed for 2-3 year olds, who will watch a short video Bible lesson, color, craft, and play. A CRY ROOM is located on the same floor as the sanctuary, behind the gathering area, around the corner and down the hall from the elevators. The cry room is equipped with a speaker and volume control, so you will be able to hear the worship service while there. WORSHIP BAGS are available for children elementary age and younger. Inside each bag a variety of worship aids can be found to help children participate fully in worship, including bookmarks, children’s bulletins, crayons, pencils, and more! Worship Bags can be found in the narthex and at the front entrances of the sanctuary. Please return them at the end of the service. Children’s Bibles are also available for children’s use during worship and can be found at the end of every pew. THE ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING will be received on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. By supporting this offering you are sustaining programs that provide disaster relief, food, clean water, training, and resources to people all over the world. When you give, you’re changing lives.

A Service for the Worship of God Ten Forty-Five O’Clock

March 15, 2015 Fourth Sunday in Lent

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us worship God.

†Doxology, No. 606 OLD HUNDREDTH

†Prayer of Dedication Logan Reeder

†HYMN, No. 700 I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me I’M GONNA LIVE

†CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Russ Wilkinson

†RESPONSE, No. 742 We Will Walk with God SIZOHAMBA NAYE

The Youth Ensemble and Congregation

†POSTLUDE Improvisation Hollice S. Watson

† Worshipers standing if able.

Ushers: Vinnie Peavy, Russ Wilkinson, Ryan Snow, Maddie Gnann, Cole Ajluni, Elizabeth Knight, Henry Jones, Noah Collins Acolytes: Abby Aldrich, Elizabeth Knight

The flowers today are given to the glory of God and in honor of Jacquelyn Brickler Giddens

by her children.

Please join us in the gathering area following the service for a time of fellowship.

We that once were lost and scattered In communion’s love have stood. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good. All who hunger, sing together; Jesus Christ is living bread.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

We will walk with God, my brothers; We will walk with God. We will walk with God, my sisters; We will walk with God. We will go rejoicing till the kingdom has come. We will go rejoicing till the kingdom has come.

A Pilgrimage of Faith

Come from loneliness and longing. Here, in peace, we have been led. Blest are those who from this table Live their days in gratitude. Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

preparing to hear god’s word

Documents