SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

October 23, 2016 - 11:00 AM

CHIMING of the TRINITY

PRELUDE "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" CORONATION

arr. Diane Bish

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTROIT "I Sing the Almighty Power of God" Isaac Watts Hymn 288

CALL to WORSHIP Liturgist: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. People: Therefore we will not fear, even through the uncertainties of life. Liturgist: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who saves and redeems his people.

People: Therefore we will trust in his gracious purposes.

All: We gather to praise our faithful God !

HYMN 288 I Sing the Almighty Power of God ELLACOMBE CALL to CONFESSION

PRAYER of CONFESSION (Unison)

Gracious God, we confess that we do not keep your word before us always and in all

things. Instead, we turn away from your demanding truth and wander toward easier

options. We fail to trust your guidance, and turn to other sources of security besides

you. Forgive our half-hearted faith. Give us your Holy Spirit, so that we may grow in

trust in your goodness and faithfulness. Guide us this day in your paths of justice and

peace. We pray in Jesus’ name. (continue in silent prayer)

ASSURANCE of PARDON

Liturgist: Friends, God promises to forgive us and to put our sins out of God's own mind

and heart. People: So God gives us not just a second chance, but a new beginning.

Liturgist: Believe the good news of the gospel:

People: Our salvation is through the grace of the Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God!

RESPONSE Glory Be to the Father (Hymn 579)

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.

OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus 13: 17-22

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM "Hymn of Promise" Natalie Sleeth

NEW TESTAMENT READING John 14: 18-20, 25-29

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!

SERMON Looking for God's Guidance Rev. Edgar McCall

HYMN 281 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah LCWM RHONDDA

AFFIRMATION of FAITH The Apostles' Creed (Hymnal, Page 14 Traditional)

PRAYERS of THE PEOPLE and THE LORD'S PRAYER (Hymnal, Page 16)

PRESENTATION of TITHES, OFFERINGS and GIFTS

OFFERTORY "In Heavenly Love Abiding" arr. Jerry Westenkuehler

RESPONSE Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Hymnal, Page 592)

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.

HYMN 361 How Firm a Foundation FOUNDATION CHARGE and BENEDICTION

RESPONSE Go to the World! SINE NOMINE

Go to the World! Go into every place. Go live the word of God's redeeming grace.

Go seek God's presence in each time and space. Alleluia! Alleluia!

POSTLUDE Trumpet Tune in G William P. Rowan

All who are able, please stand.

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SERVING THIS MONTH: Count Team: Jim Morton/Jennifer Bryan Greeters: Casey Ballard/Donna Connors

Ushers: Bill Williams/Glenn Simpson/Phill Hinson Liturgist: Caroline Howey Chancel: Karen Neely

A SPECIAL INVITATION! You are encouraged to become a member of our congregation, if you have no

permanent church home. The Session receives new members upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ,

upon their reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or by transfer of their membership from another

congregation. If you are interested in becoming a member of First Presbyterian, please speak to the pastor

following the worship service, indicate this on the Friendship Register, or call the church office.

WE INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND one of our Sunday School classes: 9th-12th grade;

Adult: Friendship Class; Spirit/Passage Class. Come join us as we explore God's Word together!

OUR CHURCH STAFF

Rev. Edgar McCall - Pastor Marsha Roberts - Director of Music and Organist

Susan Lott - Administrative Assistant Philip W. Neely - Treasurer

SESSION

Robert K. Folks, Clerk

Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Class of 2018

Donna C. Connors James H. Howey, Jr. Ned Gregory, II

Suzanne F. Harper Vickie L. Jewell Jane R. Mahaffey

Jamie C. Williams H. Glenn Simpson Mary Jo Yarborough

MINISTRY BOARD LEADERS

Christian Formation - Vickie L. Jewell/Donna C. Connors

Columbarium & Memorial Garden - Jane R. Mahaffey

Congregational Care - Donna C. Connors/Jane R. Mahaffey

Fellowship - Jamie C. Williams/Mary Jo Yarborough

Hospitality & Evangelism - Suzanne F. Harper/Mary Jo Yarborough

Mission & Outreach - Vickie L. Jewell/Ned Gregory, II

Worship - Suzanne F. Harper/Ned Gregory, II

SUPPORT COMMITTEES

Pastoral & Staff Relations- James H. Howey, Jr./Jamie C. Williams

Property Management - James H. Howey, Jr./H. Glenn Simpson

Stewardship and Operational Support - H. Glenn Simpson/Jane R. Mahaffey

First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street/PO Box 990

Lancaster, South Carolina 29721

www.fpc-lancaster.org

803-283-3329

A Place to Belong. A Place to Serve

"Now you are the Body of Christ , and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

OUR VISION AND MISSION

We, the members of First Presbyterian Church, are disciples of the risen Christ and members of his universal

Body, who are empowered by God’s Spirit to WORSHIP God with joy and thanksgiving; PROCLAIM the

Gospel through word and deed; TEACH the message of God’s love in Christ; SHARE God’s love for all

people by reaching out in hospitality, ministry and mission; WORK together in harmonious unity as a loving

and caring people; and to SERVE one another and others beyond our fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ.

OUR VALUES

The values we cherish to enable us to accomplish our vision and mission are the fruit of God’s Spirit:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH May you feel God's presence, may the message be a blessing in your life,

and may the grace of God go with you and strengthen you for the week ahead. Please come again soon!

FAMILIES TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER THIS WEEK

Garren Adamson

Mary Mac Adamson

Holly Furr

PASTORAL NEEDS: The Session desires to be informed when members and friends of the church are in

need of pastoral care and support. During office hours, please call the church office at (803) 283-3329, in

order that the elder under whose care the person or family is assigned may be notified.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN'S PRAYER MINISTRY

Please come by the Prayer Ministry Table before the worship service and give the name of your prayer

request to our prayer ministry representatives. The names will be provided to our pastor before the pastoral

prayer to be raised to God in corporate prayer. At the Prayer Table cards are available to express our

corporate love and concern to those remembered in prayer. Please stop by each Sunday on your way into

church to sign these cards. Help us in this way to further our church's ministry of sympathy, witness and

service to others in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE

Today: Suzanne Harper Next Week: Anne & Caroline Howey

Please pray for our members: Darrell & Peggy Bell; Tennie Kerr; Louie Belk; Ann Powers;

Locketta Stephenson; Henry Johnson; James Mahaffey; Louise Eller.

Friends of the church: Starr Todd; Susan Lipscomb; Clara Rothrock; Alice Steele; Terry Clyburn;

Mary Cameron McCall; Linda Kloepher; Jimmy Hercheck; Sandy Carpenter; Debbie Willis;

Teresa Canterbury Willis; Mike Hilliard; Sonya Monts.

CHURCH ACTIVITES: October 23, 2016 - October 29, 2016

Sunday 9:45 AM Christian Education followed by Worship at 11:00am

Monday 7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast

Tuesday 12 Noon Bulletin Deadline

Wednesday 12 Noon Fellowship Luncheon

6:00 PM Jubilant Ringers followed by Choir at 7:15pm

BIRTHDAYS: 25 Edgar McCall 29 Celia Featherstone

ATTENDANCE: Oct. 16 Worship - 45 Sunday School - 20 Oct. 17 Men's Prayer Breakfast - 31

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OUR GIVING REPORT

10/16/16 Year To Date

Amount Budgeted $ 3,144.96 $ 132,088.32

Amount Received 1,790.00 142,113.78

Over/(Under) $ (1,354.96) $ 10,025.46

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY

VISITORS and GUESTS. We are glad you are with us today and we welcome you as our guest.

Please fill out the Friendship Pad you find on the pew seat. Join us again as we worship God.

WEE WORSHIP ACTIVITY BAGS for children are available in a basket on a table in the

narthex. Please return the bags to the basket after worship.

The FLOWERS are placed in the sanctuary to the Glory of God and in loving memory of my

wife, Ruth by Max Clyburn.

The MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST meets each week with the next meeting being held on

Monday, October 24th beginning just before 7:00am in the Fellowship Hall. See you there! I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Luke 14:18

HOPE IN LANCASTER. Our congregation is asked to support HOPE in October. Monetary

donations and "unexpired", nonperishable food items are welcomed. Items needed include: canned

goods (meat/tuna/chicken/beans/cream soups/tomatoes), mayonnaise and pasta. Please place all

food items in the wooden box located inside the back entrance of the church. Thanks!

Our FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON is this Wednesday, October 26th at Noon. The cost is

$4/person. Please sign up outside the church office.

STEWARDSHIP. Our annual stewardship luncheon and celebration will be held next Sunday,

October 30th in the Fellowship Hall following worship. The theme for 2017 Stewardship is

"In what ways do we experience God working through First Presbyterian Church?" The meal will

be catered. Please make plans to attend the luncheon to celebrate the mission and ministries of our

congregation and to learn how you can help our congregation to move forward in service to Christ.

ALL SAINTS DAY. On Sunday, November 6th, we will celebrate an All Saints Day service.

All Saints Day is November 1th and is a time to celebrate the resurrection and give thanks for

those who have entered the Church Triumphant since last November. During our All Saints Day

service this year, we will celebrate the lives of the church members who have entered God’s glory –

Mildred Haile, Nell Carter and Margaret Marshall. Each name will be read, a bell will be rung

and a candle lit to celebrate their lives and our hope for life eternal.

FELLOWSHIP DINNER. Plan to participate in next month’s CHILI CHALLENGE. Chili

Masters are needed for the Chili Challenge during our Fellowship Dinner Tuesday, November

15th beginning at 6:00pm. Sign up outside the church office to be the next FPC Chili Champion!

Proceeds from your ballot voting to choose a Chili Champion will benefit Hope in Lancaster.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoebox collection will begin soon. Plastic containers are

available on a table in the office hallway along with suggestions on filling a shoebox. The deadline

for returning your filled shoebox to the church is November 15th. See Vickie Jewell or Ned

Gregory for more information. Need help filling a Shoebox? The FPC Youth will offer their

service of shopping, filling and wrapping shoeboxes Sunday afternoon, November 6th.

NEW MEMBER. As a congregation we welcome Mary Lou Rhodes into our church family.

Please pray for God's blessing on Mary Lou in her journey of faith. Welcome!