PASTORAL EMERGENCIES On weekends or holidays please call the church office to be directed to the phone number of the pastor on call.

CALENDAR

SARDIS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 6100 SARDIS ROAD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28270

TELEPHONE: 704-366-1854 FAX: 704-364-0063 WWW.SARDIS.ORG

sardis presbyterian church

Worship • Service • Fellowship • Evangelism • Discipleship

No cash for the offering plate? Make a credit card gift online using your mobile device: go to sardis.org and click on “Make a Gift Now,” or click the code at right to go directly to the secure online form.

JANUARY 24, 2016

ELEVEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING

ANNOUNCEMENTS WE THANK Mr. Robert Ivey for being our guest organist today.

TODAY WE WILL RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION, served by our Elders. In the Presbyterian Church (USA) communion is offered “to all who have been baptized, remembering that access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance and love.”

ROOM IN THE INN: Bowling team tonight; Kirby team Wednesday night.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE will be on Sunday, January 31 from 8:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. You may sign up to donate at www.sardis.org. For more information, email Suzanne Fernandez at suzanne@homessoldbysuzanne.com.

NEW HYMNALS: The session has approved the purchase of the new Presbyterian Hymnal, Glory to God, which was released in 2013. This new hymnal has over 850 hymns and songs where we will find the beloved and familiar, as well as some new and challenging hymns. We will be welcoming into our pews Glory to God early this year! Please consider investing in this hymnal that will inspire future generations of members at Sardis. Order forms are available in the Narthex as well as online at www.sardis.org.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 33’s ANNUAL BBQ fundraiser will be February 5 & 6 (Super Bowl weekend). Bulk pounds are $11; plates, sandwiches and Brunswick stew are also available. Contact David Blackley to place orders or to schedule a time to help out: 704.533.1468 or davidblackley@bellsouth.net.

THE SARDIS WOMEN'S RETREAT will be on the weekend of February 26 at the Dogwood Retreat Center in Lake Norman, NC. This year's retreat leader will be Allison Barnhill with Richard Ramsey as the music leader. You may pick up a registration form from the front office or register and pay online at www.sardis.org. The registration deadline is February 7. Questions? Contact Canon Moore at canonmoore@carolina.rr.com.

 

PLEDGE UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 15, 2016: # of pledges = 422 Amount pledged = $1,818,169 Average pledge = $4,308

Thank you for your pledges of financial support for our 2016 Operating Budget. Love is not paid back; it is only passed on. If you have not made a pledge for 2016, please consider making one as a tangible expression of gratitude to God for his grace in Jesus Christ.

We have many activities and ways for everyone to get involved at Sardis! For example: Women’s Circles, Mustard Seed Groups, and a Prayer Shawl Group, just to name a few. Please visit our website at www.sardis.org to find out more, or pick up this month’s issue of The Communicator in the Narthex.

Sunday, January 24 9:00 a.m. Worship Service Fellowship Hall

10:00 a.m. New Member Class Dining Room Sunday School Various Classrooms

11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 4:30 p.m. Youth Choir Admin Choir Room 5:15 p.m. Youth Bell Rehearsal Music Room

Youth Praise Band Upstairs Sanctuary Room 6:00 p.m. Middle School Youth Fellowship Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. Starting Point Bible Study Upstairs Sanctuary Room

Monday, January 25 7:00 p.m. Session meeting 211-212

Tuesday, January 26 9:15 a.m. Yoga Sardis House 4:15 p.m. Tai Chi Sardis House 5:15 p.m. Tai Chi Beginning Class Sardis House

6:30 p.m. HS Take a Break Tuesday Away

Wednesday, January 27 5:00 p.m. LOGOS Fellowship Hall 6:00 p.m. Middle School Sabbath 102-103 6:30 p.m. The Word Bible Study 211-212 7:00 p.m. Brass Rehearsal Sanctuary 7:30 p.m. Coventry Ringers Music Room

Thursday, January 28 10:00 a.m. Exploring the Bible Sardis House

The Year of the Bible Class 211-212 5:30 p.m. Children's Choir Admin Choir Room 6:30 p.m. Throne Together Admin Choir Room 7:00 p.m. Women's Retreat Meeting Dining Room 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Sanctuary

Friday, January 29 9:15 a.m. Yoga Sardis House

DDOO THISTHIS ININ

REMEMBRANCEREMEMBRANCE OFOF MEME..

The Rev. Dr. Jane B. Fobel Associate Pastor The Rev. Katherine B. Harrington Associate Pastor The Rev. Alice A. Johnson Associate Pastor The Rev. Dr. E. Lee Stoffel Pastor Emeritus

The Rev. Jared T. Daugherty Minister of Music Kaitlyn S. Davros Associate Director of Music/Organist Jacob H. Hare Contemporary Worship Leader John B. Nipe Technical Arts Coordinator Adrian D. Martin Director of Youth Ministries Jeff S. Weston Assistant Middle School Youth Director Renda R. Brinson Director of Christian Education Heather T. Eddy Asst. Director of Christian Education Jennifer J. Childers Director of Administration Mark J. Slimer Director of Facilities Sylvia H. Zwick Financial Administrator Robin L. Medlock Executive Assistant to Sr. Pastor Nikki L. Bolton Director of Communications Danelle R. Kime Receptionist/Admin. Assistant Louise C. Lippi Director of Sardis Weekday School J. Alfredo Mendoza Custodian Ricardo J. Mendoza Custodian

STAFF

Susan W. Chowning Parish Aide

The Rev. Dr. David G. McKechnie Interim Pastor

Δ AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We declare that Jesus is Lord. His resurrection is a decisive victory over the power that deforms and destroys human life. His lordship is hidden. The world appears to be dominated by people and systems that do not acknowledge his rule. But His lordship is real. It demands our loyalty and sets us free from the fear of all lesser lords who threaten us. We maintain that ultimate sovereignty now belongs to Jesus Christ in every sphere of life. Jesus is Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS AND OURSELVES The Rev. Dr. Jane B. Fobel THE PRESENTATION OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

Both members and visitors are asked to sign as the register is passed. Please place your Prayer Request Cards in the offering plate.

THE OFFERTORY Last Words of David Thompson

He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Alleluia. Amen.

Sanctuary Choir THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Invitation to the Lord’s Table Prayer of Consecration Words of Institution Sharing of the Bread and the Cup Prayer of Thanksgiving ∆ THE LORD’S PRAYER Albert Hay Malotte

(Choir and Congregation sings) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

∆ BENEDICTION AND CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE “Go with Us, Lord” Tallis Canon

Go with us, Lord, and guide the way Through this and every coming day, That in Your Spirit strong and true Our lives may be our gift to You.

Please be seated as the postlude brings our worship experience to a close.

POSTLUDE Variation on "Nettleton" Young

∆ Standing for those able  

THE CHIMES PRELUDE Kings of the Orient Bock ∆ CALL TO WORSHIP The Rev. Dr. David G. McKechnie

Pastor: The mercy of the Lord is infinite. People: O God, let your wisdom slip into our minds, Pastor: let your grace revitalize our lives, People: let your justice permeate our actions, Pastor: and your peace govern our relationships. People: In this hour, may we go in worship where your

Spirit would have us go. Pastor: Thank you, Lord! People: The Lord’s name be praised!

∆ HYMN OF PRAISE #356 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Nettleton

PRAYER OF PRAISE The Rev. Alice A. Johnson PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty God, from the ends of the earth you have gathered us around Christ’s Holy Table. Forgive our separate ways. Forgive everything that keeps us apart. O God, have mercy on your church, troubled and divided. Renew in us true unity of purpose; that we may break bread together, and, with one voice, praise Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION ASSURANCE OF PARDON Leader: Friends, believe the good news. People: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Δ RESPONSE

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.

THE LIFE OF SARDIS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Welcome and Announcements MINISTRY OF MUSIC Everyone Who Longs for the Boundless Love of God Sanctuary Choir OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Exodus 4:1-17 Page 51 ∆ HYMN OF INSPIRATION #316 Breathe on Me, Breath of God Trentham

Children first grade and younger are excused to the Narthex during the hymn.

SERMON LESSON Numbers 21:4-9 Page 139 SERMON Snake-Bit! Missionaries: Brazil–Tim & Marta Carriker; Israel-Palestine—Kate Taber;

Peru—Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson; Congo– Larry & Inge Sthreshley

WELCOME TO WORSHIP Please remember to turn off all cell phones in the Sanctuary.

THANK YOU for joining with us to worship God. Whether in the 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship or the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship, we seek to offer our very best back to God. We approach worship with a sense of anticipation—that God’s grace in Jesus Christ will be a source of joy for us. Grace is God’s unconditional love for those who don’t deserve it. Please explore our Christian Education options for all ages at 10:00 a.m. Our prayer is that this community of faith will be a buoyant source of strength for you. PLEASE SIGN the Friendship Register as it is passed. Feel free to take any of the materials in the Friendship Register to better acquaint yourself with the activities of Sardis Presbyterian Church. CHILDCARE FOR INFANTS through four-year-olds is available during worship in the Preschool building. Children first grade and younger are excused during the Hymn of Inspiration, met by adults in the Narthex (main entrance to Sanctuary), and escorted to the Preschool building, room 5. Children in second grade and above are encouraged to worship with their families. CHILDREN’S WORSHIP BAGS are available on racks in the hall on the parking lot side of the sanctuary building (near the Historical Room) and the Narthex. Please return the bags to the designated basket by the rack. Any papers or disposables that are in the bag may go with the children; bookmarks, pencils, crayons, etc. are to be returned to the bag. COPIES OF THE Sardis Church newsletter, The Communicator, are available in the Narthex and on the website, www.sardis.org. HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES with disposable ear coverings are available. Please speak with an usher and they will provide one for you. LARGE PRINT BULLETINS are available. Please see an usher for assistance. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY is provided in the main body of the Sanctuary, on the side aisles on the seventh pew, and in the transept area. A handicap unisex bathroom is located near the Historical Room. CDs & DVDs of the 11:00 worship service are available. Contact the church office for details. Audio sermons are available online at www.sardis.org. 

THE CORPORATE WORSHIP OF GOD