125 S. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 762-6688

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP

The music of the Opening Voluntary draws us from the outside world into the presence of God. In preparation for worship, you are invited

to use this time for prayerful reflection.

OPENING VOLUNTARY John Tabler “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” Benedetto Marcello

“Aria from Cantata No. 1” Johann Sebastian Bach

George Mayo, trumpet John Tabler, organ

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

[Please pass the friendship register down the row for each person to sign.] MOMENT FOR MISSION Stewardship CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Psalm 99)

The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned; let the earth quake! Let them praise your great and awesome name! O Mighty King! O Lover of Justice! Extol the Lord; worship at his footstool! Extol the Lord at his holy mountain!

+HYMN 32

“I Sing the Mighty Power of God” ELLACOMBE CALL TO CONFESSION

Brothers and Sisters, The scripture says that from out of the cloud came a voice: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased.” And it said, “Listen to him!” And he said, “Repent, for the kingdom of God has come near.” In confession let us turn away from our sin, As we turn toward our God in prayer…

First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

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Transfiguration of the Lord March 3, 2019

For Urgent Pastoral Needs, Please Call - (910) 338-9109

*Please leave a message and the Pastor will return your call.

If you have joys or concerns to share, please call the church office (762-6688).

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the sanctuary.

Leading in Worship: Dan Lewis, Pastor Richard Aylor, Associate Pastor Hannah Vaughan, Parish Associate John Tabler, Director of Music

Benjamin Horrell, Asst. Director of Music We also welcome, Averette Lecturer and guest minister, The Rev. Dr. Theodore J. Wardlaw.

Stephen Ministry Show me the way I should go. Psalm 143:8. “What has caused you to feel lost, confused, and/or frustrated?” Consider asking for help from God, the Cure-giver, or from a Stephen Minister, a Care-giver, by calling one of our pastors, 762-6688 or Janice Clark, 228-8584.

Holy God, mighty and immortal,

you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory

in the face of Jesus Christ, whose compassion illumines the world.

Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ, who renewed our humanity

so that we may share in his divinity, the same Jesus Christ, our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

(from the Revised Common Lectionary)

A Look Ahead March 6 Ash Wednesday Worship Service, 12:15pm*, Chapel (*Due to the Preschool dismissal, please park at the 3rd St. lot or city streets. Lunch will be served immediately after the service in Gilmour Hall. Fee: $5 per person. ) March 7 Men’s Oyster Roast, 5pm, Waldkirch and Saunders

March 10 First Sunday in Lent, Daylight Savings Time Begins - Stephen Ministry Commissioning, 11am Worship Service - First Pres 101 Membership Classes, 10am, Bride’s Room March 16 Destination Dinner, 5:30pm, Cape Fear Country Club (RSVP on the church website or call the office for assistance. Fee: $15 per person.)

Weekly Updates

Men’s Oyster Roast It’s that time again! All men of the church are invited to attend the Men’s Oyster Roast on Thursday, March 7, 2019 from 5-7pm. The fellowship dinner will be held at Waldkirch and Saunders, 2724 Old Wrightsboro Rd. All attendees are asked to register in advance by completing the sign-up sheet on the church website or call the church office for assistance at 910-762-6688. Fee: $20 per person, collected at the door.

Two-Part Averette Lecture (10am and 4pm today) The Averette Lecture is named in honor and in memory of George T. Averette, an Elder of First Presby-terian Church. Fondly remembered for the warm smile and firm handshake that he greeted all members and guests with each Sunday morning, George was also known for the support that he provided to the church school and education program. The Christian Education Committee proposed to name the lecture series for him after his death in March of 1983 and Session unanimously adopted the recommendation. At this year’s Averette lecture, Rev. Dr. Theodore Wardlaw, President of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, will be exploring the theme “Remembering our Story, Hoping our Story.” A native of South Carolina, Ted Wardlaw is a graduate of Presbyterian College. He earned his divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) and earned a Masters of Sacred Theology in American Church History from Yale University Divinity School. He has taught as an adjunct professor of homiletics at both Union and Columbia Seminaries. He has also served on the Board of Visitors at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary and as a member of the Board of Trustees at Union Presbyterian Seminary and Montreat Conference Center.

Ocean House and T-Shirt Drive Ocean House, a Community Service Mission supported by the church, is a psychosocial rehabilita-tion center which helps clients in the Wilmington area who face the challenges of a chronic mental illness. Professional psychosocial assistance provided to clients includes medication management, counseling, independent living training, and job coaching. Many members attend Ocean House daily and receive the positive supportive assistance so vital in reducing the isolation common to mental illness. The members of Ocean House have learned to crochet and are making beautiful, practical rag rugs as a fund raiser to support their member activities and lunch program. Should you have any new or used T-shirts that you wish to donate to the project, please place them into the labeled con-tainer in the Gathering Place where donations will be collected through April. Clean shirts of all styles, designs, and sizes, even if they are torn, are accepted.

Health and Wellness In response to the recent heart health lecture given by members Ashley Garner and Lance Lewis, the FPC Health and Wellness Committee would like to start a support group for members interested in pursuing a whole foods and plant based diet and lifestyle. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email weezie.davenport@gmail.com for additional information.

Youth Tonight, Middle School and High School Youth will meet at Cardinal Lanes (3907 Shipyard Blvd) from 5:30-7pm. Students are asked to bring money for dinner/snacks; the church will cover bowling fees. A few seats remain for the summer mission trip to the Cross in Charlotte, July 28-August 2. Registration is open on the church website. Fee: $395 per person, $100 deposit. Follow us on Instagram: FirstOnThirdYouth

Ash Wednesday Service and Luncheon A worship service will be held in the Chapel on Ash Wednesday, March 6th at 12:15pm. Immediately following the service, a lunch with soup and bread be served in Gilmour Hall. A donation of $5 per person is requested and will be collected at the door.

FIRST LESSON 2 Kings 2: 1-12 The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible PP. 332-333 Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON Mark 9: 2-9

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 44 Thanks be to God.

SERMON The Rev. Dr. Theodore J. Wardlaw

“From the Past, A Future”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 738 “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” MARYTON

+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 Pi-late, 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.

OFFERING OFFERTORY ANTHEM

"The Secret of Christ" Richard Shephard For a long time I have held my peace, but now will I speak, I will lead the blind in a way they know, not in paths that they have not known. I will guide them, I will turn their darkness into light, and I will not forsake them. And he showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God; and on ei-ther side of the river was there a tree of life, and the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations. Help us, Lord, to persevere in prayer with minds awake and thankful hearts, that we may share the secret of Christ with those we meet on our earthly pilgrimage, following in the steps of Jesus, our Master and our friend. Amen.

The Pilgrim Prayer – Derrick Walters

+DOXOLOGY (606) OLD HUNDREDTH 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.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of compassion, In Jesus Christ you reveal the light of your glory. But we turn away, distracted by our own plans. We confess that we speak when we should listen and Act when we should wait. Forgive our aimless ambitions. Grant us wisdom to live in your light and To follow in the way of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, In whose name we offer these prayers…

SILENT PRAYER KYRIE MERBECKE

Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Friends, according to Matthew The disciples fell to the ground, and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, Get up and do not be afraid.” Let us all believe this good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

+GLORIA PATRI (581) GREATOREX 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

The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! And also with you!

TIME WITH THE YOUNG CHURCH [Three year olds through second graders are invited to come forward, place their offering in the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their teachers for Chil-dren’s Worship. Preschool ages meet in Room 208; Grades K - 2 meet in Room 311.]

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

+PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND 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 debts, as we forgive our debt-ors; 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 SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 213 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” RATHBUN

+CHARGE & BENEDICTION CLOSING VOLUNTARY

"Toccata on In the Cross of Christ I Glory" David Cherwien

If you leave before worship’s conclusion, please do so silently in

consideration of others. Please refrain from photography and videography during the worship service.

TODAY’S SERVICE

We are glad you are worshipping with us this morning and hope that

you find your experience of worship to be uplifting and meaningful. Any Usher (designated with a name tag) will be glad to answer your questions and help you find your way around. If you need wireless audio receivers, large print bulletins and hymnals, directions to classrooms, restrooms or access ramps, please notify an Usher.

We offer a nursery for infants and toddlers during the worship services (8:30am-12:30pm). Children 3 years old through 2nd grade begin in the main service and then go to “Worship and Wonder”, a worship experience designed especially for children which is offered during the 9am and 11am worship services. Children who remain in worship (3rd grade and older) are encouraged to pick up a Kids’ Worship Sheet to help follow along in the service. For help finding ways to connect with the ministries and people in this community of faith, or for information about joining the church, please send a message to Membership Coordinator, Allison Cockrill, by emailing, allison@firstonthird.org.

The flowers in the Chancel are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Henderson and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Cameron by their family.

[+You are invited to stand. For each hymn, please stand as the last line of the introduction is played.]