First Presbyterian Church August 18, 2019 9:30 a.m.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine that we may be saved.”

Psalm 80:19

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prelude

Welcome and Church Life Notes

Call to Worship (from the Psalter) Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

*Hymn “Spirit Open My Heart” #692

*Hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #39

*Call to Confession

* Prayer of Confession

Lord, we know that we try your divine patience over and over again. You tell us to walk in your ways, but we continue to wander the paths we choose. You call us to worship you and you alone, but we have many gods in this world. Forgive our disobedience, we pray. In your mercy, save us from our sin, that we might follow the Light of Christ into the world and bring glory to you. Amen.

(A moment for silent personal prayer of confession)

*Assurance of Pardon One: By Christ’s work, we are reconciled and united with God and with one

another. Thanks be to God for the Good News.

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.

*Choral Response “Glory to God” #582

*Passing of the Peace One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Time for Small Disciples Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

Prayer for Illumination Draw us close, Holy Spirit, as the Scriptures are read and the Word is proclaimed. Let the word of faith be on our lips and in our hearts, and let all other words slip away. May there be one voice we hear today — your voice, the voice of truth and grace. Amen.

Isaiah 5:1-7 (page 634 OT in the pew Bible) Leader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “The Fruit of the Vine” Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

*Hymn “Guide My Feet” #741

*Affirmation of Faith One: We belong to God, eternal and infinite, Creator of all things and all that is to come.

All: We follow Christ, who comes to us from God and reveals God to us. He heals people and transforms lives, and calls us to join in his ministry. He was crucified, died, and was raised again by God, and reigns over all Creation; and he bids us to die and rise with him in the service of the healing of the world.

One: We are moved by the Holy Spirit, together with the communion of saints, as members of the Body of Christ, God's holy universal church.

All: We are confident in the forgiveness of sin, the power of resurrection and the reality of eternal life. In all things it is our desire to follow Christ, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, for God's glory. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings

Call to the Offering

Offertory

*Choral Response “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #608

*Prayer of Dedication God, give us the strength to follow you in faith, and give us the joy of generous hearts that we may make Christ known through the mission and ministry of this church. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer …” forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

*Hymn “The Lord Is God” #63

*Benediction

*Song on the Way “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” (verse 2) #541

*Postlude

*You may stand

August Prayer Focus: Marriages and family relationships.

Thought for the Day: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live

forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Interim Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays Music Director/ Organist: Billy Meredith e-mail: office@fpcdelhi.org Web Site: www.fpcdelhi.org

Liturgist: Elder Edward Furgol Phone: (607) 746-2155

Fax # (607) 746-2156 4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753

The First Presbyterian Church Delhi, New York

First Presbyterian Church actively exists as the living body of Christ, committed to growing in faithfulness to God, serving the whole human family

and welcoming all people into God’s love. (Our Mission Statement)

SUNDAY August 18

9:30 am Worship (Chapel) 10:30 am Mission Nepal Sunday (FH)

MONDAY August 19

9:00 am Kirk Work Day 5:00 pm A Pealing Sound Rehearsal (Chapel and Sanctuary) 5:30 pm Spiritual Fitness at the Manse 6:45 pm Music, Worship and Sacraments Committee (Library)

TUESDAY August 20

5:30 pm Weight Watchers (Chapel)

WEDNESDAY August 21

1:00 pm Ladies Lunch at Crossroads Café 4:30 pm A Pealing Sound Rehearsal (Chapel and Sanctuary) 5:30 pm Community Orchestra (Chapel) 6:30 pm Trustees Meeting (Library)

THURSDAY August 22

9:00 am Kirk Work Day

FRIDAY August 23

9:00 am – 2:00 pm The Kirk Thrift Shoppe open! 10:30 am “Gentle” Yoga (Chapel)

SATURDAY August 24

9:00 am – 2:00 pm The Kirk Thrift Shoppe open! 10:00 am – A Pealing Sound Rehearsal (Chapel and Sanctuary) 11:00 am – Celebration of Life for Jeff Perkins (Sanctuary) with lunch to follow in Fellowship Hall

SUNDAY August 25

8:45 am A Pealing Sound Rehearsal (Chapel and Sanctuary) 9:30 am Worship (Chapel) 6:00 pm Prayer on the Square

RR – Red Room; CR – Conference Room; FH – Fellowship Hall; N-Narthex; BR – Blue Room; Nu – Nursery; NN-New Narthex; Ch – Chapel

First Presbyterian Church

of Delhi, New York Church Life: August 18, 2019

On this summer day, we come to praise God and receive his word for us, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Creator of meteor showers and rain showers, forests and lakes, dandelions and gladiolas; of frogs, fish, flamingos, foxes and

fireflies: thank you for summer. We rejoice in your marvelous works!

A special welcome is extended to all who are visiting with us this morning. We hope that your worship experience will be meaningful and enjoyable. If you are interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church or becoming a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Lisa Ruth, the Church Office or any Elder.

The FLOWERS today are given by Harry and Betty Bell in honor of their 24th wedding anniversary.

Please join us immediately after worship today as we celebrate Nepal Sunday with a time of coffee, food, fellowship, photos and information. This event will take place in Fellowship Hall.

The TRUSTEES responsible for counting today are Sarah Philion and Art Maxwell. The Trustees responsible for counting on August 25 are Tom Little and Brian Sprague.

Next Sunday is a Bountiful Giving Sunday! Offerings of sustaining food will be given to the Delhi Food Bank. “for I was hungry and you gave me food … ” Matthew 25:35a Ladies Lunch at Crossroads is the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm. Please join us Wednesday, August 21.

Monday evening Spiritual Fitness will resume on August 19 at 5:30.

Looking ahead - Mark your calendars!

Summer Schedule through September 1 with worship in the chapel at 9:30 am Ladies Lunch at Crossroads Café – 1:00 pm, August 21 Jeff Perkins Memorial Service – 11:00 am, August 24 Worship – 9:30 am FPC Chapel – August 25 Prayer on the Square – 6:30 pm – August 25

The manse phone (607-746-3171) is now in use in case of emergency. Calling or texting Pastor Lisa’s cell phone is the best way to reach her. Pastor Lisa will be out of the office August 12 - August 16. Please contact the church office or our Elders and Deacons for assistance during this time.

Mission Focus - Over the next several months the mission committee will focus our giving on Village Hope Partnership. We hope to reach our goal of sponsorship of a village which costs approximately $3000.00. We have now collected a total of

[amount to be announced] toward that goal. The mission committee has agreed to match congregational donations up to $700.00. Village Hope Partnership is committed to improving life for people in villages where key resources do not exist.

The SPARKS Bible Study Fellowship will not meet during the summer but will resume in the fall and meet each Wednesday at 8:00 am. All are encouraged to join in Pastor Lisa’s Spiritual Fitness Training on Monday evenings.

The Kirk Thrift Shoppe needs your help! Willing workers are needed Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 - 2. Contact Nancy Lee or Betty Bell to offer some of your time so the great success of the Kirk Thrift Shoppe can continue. Any time you can offer in service will be greatly appreciated!

The Kirk is in need of clean, unprinted packing paper. It may be dropped off in the donation bins.

Thoughts on Giving: “Do you think I have come to give you peace on Earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)

Living a stewardship lifestyle means stepping out of our comfort zone when needed. Many of us like to play it safe, not cause waves, stay in the middle of the road. In today’s world we are called to be informed and take a stance for life, marriage and religious liberty.

Stewardship Prayer: That we have the courage to step out of our comfort zone and stand up for life, marriage and religious liberty.

The Per Capita amount for 2019 has been set at $39.05 per member.

Attendance week of 8-11-19 43

The amount needed each week The amount given week of 8-11-19

$3,912.00 $1,680.00

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 8-11-19 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 8-11-19

Kirk Receipts week of 8-4 to 8-10-19 Mission giving week of 8-11-19 Mission giving YTD as of 8-11-19

$125,184.00 $62,640.86

$2,978.00

$541.14 $66.00

$3,339.00

Apportionment Needed 2019 Apportionment received YTD as of 8-11-19

$7,107.10 $2,113.35

**Newsletter Deadline** Newsletter articles are due in the office on Monday, August 26 in order to be placed in the September - October Courier. Thank you to those who have already submitted articles, it is greatly appreciated.

SUMMER WORSHIP - We have begun Summer Hours at First Pres. Worship through September 1 will begin at 9:30 and will take place in the Chapel. On September 8 we will return to our 10:30 worship time in the Sanctuary.

The First Presbyterian Church of Delhi is heading the School Supply project for the Delhi Community. There is a basket outside the First Presbyterian Church Office for school supply donations. Thank you for your help with this important local mission! If you have any questions, please call the First Presbyterian church office at 607-746-2155. A list of items needed may be obtained in the church office and is located on bulletin boards throughout the church. Checks should be made payable to “First Presbyterian Church” with ‘school supplies’ on the memo line and may be dropped off in the church office or mailed to First Presbyterian Church, 4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY 13753. Please submit all donations by Monday, August 26 so they can be

sorted and distributed. Special needs this year include: 1” and 2” durable binders, plastic page protectors, and underwear (panties and briefs) for the elementary children. For girl's underwear, the following sizes are needed: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16. For boy's briefs or boxer briefs, the following sizes are needed: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 or boys small, medium, large and extra-large. Cash donations will be used to purchase these items.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also ... run with

perseverance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, NRSV). Inspired by this, Paul

Hammer writes in The Word Among Us: “In the Bible, faith is never a matter simply for

an isolated individual. It involves a community of persons that stretches back into the

past, embraces people in the present and anticipates a fellowship in the future. Faith

involves a ‘cloud of witnesses’ to God’s continuing faithfulness.