SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

Second Sunday of Easter

April 8, 2018 11:00 AM

CHIMING of the HOLY TRINITY

PRELUDE "Crown Him with Many Crowns" George J. Elvey, 1868 arr. Jerry Westenkuehler

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTROIT "Because You Live, O Christ" Dutch melody, 17th cent.

CALL to WORSHIP

Liturgist: The Lord is risen!

People: The Lord is risen indeed!

Liturgist: Alleluia! Celebrate God in this sacred space!

People: Celebrate God in all places under heaven!

Liturgist: Give praise for God’s mighty deeds!

People: Give praise for God’s resurrecting power!

HYMN 151 Crown Him with Many Crowns DIADEMATA

CALL to CONFESSION

PRAYER of CONFESSION (Unison)

Holy God, our Deliverer, we confess that we are too reluctant to speak and to live

according to your truth. We grow comfortable with the way things are, passively

condoning injustice. We see ourselves as ‘insiders,’ excluding those we consider

‘outsiders.’ Forgive us, O God, for being timid disciples. Empty us of fear and

shame, and fill us with love that is humble and patient and kind. We pray in the

name of the risen Lord, our Savior Jesus. (continue in silent prayer)

ASSURANCE of PARDON

Liturgist: When Christ comes to reign, People: He will put every enemy under his feet.

Liturgist: And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

People: As we await that glorious day, we rejoice in the good news of the gospel:

All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!

RESPONSE to GOD'S FORGIVENESS 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 Psalm 103: 1-5, 10-14

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

ANTHEM "Easter Proclamation" Antonio Vilvaldi (1678-1741)

GOSPEL READING John 21: 15-19

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

SERMON Power to Forgive and to Follow Rev. Edgar McCall

HYMN 119 The Strife Is O'er VICTORY

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 "Trio on 'Judas Maccabeus'" arr. Dennis Janzer

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.

PRAYER of DEDICATION

HYMN (see insert) Trust and Obey

CHARGE and BLESSING

RESPONSE God Be with You Till We Meet Again (Hymnal, Page 540, Stanza 1)

God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide, up hold you;

With a Shepherd's care enfold you; God be with you till we meet again.

POSTLUDE "Lift High the Cross" arr. John Behnke

Congregational responses are printed in bold. All who are able, please stand.

++++++++++++++++++++++

SERVING THIS MONTH: Count Team: Jim Morton/Jennifer Bryan Greeters: Jane Mahaffey/Dave & Janet Houk

Ushers: Jimbo Howey/Casey Ballard Chancel: Karen Neely Liturgist: Caroline Howey

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

Holly C. Furr, Clerk

Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020

Ned Gregory, II Holly C. Furr Jennifer L. Bryan

Jane R. Mahaffey Elizabeth W. Gregory H. Max Clyburn

Mary Jo Yarborough William K. Williams David A. Ghent

MINISTRY BOARD LEADERS

Christian Formation - H. Max Clyburn/Holly C. Furr

Columbarium & Memorial Garden - Jane R. Mahaffey

Congregational Care - Jane R. Mahaffey/Mary Jo Yarborough

Fellowship - Jon & Diane Lochner/Mary Jo Yarborough

Mission & Outreach - Jennifer L. Bryan/David A. Ghent/Ned Gregory, II

Worship - Elizabeth W. Gregory

SUPPORT COMMITTEES Pastoral & Staff Relations- Ned Gregory, II/William K. Williams

Property Management - H. Max Clyburn

Stewardship and Operational Support - Jane R. Mahaffey/William K. Williams

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

John, Beth, Kate & Evan Muse

Phil & Karen Neely

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, so 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 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: Carolyn Hardin/Joy Williams Next Week: Jamie Williams/Donna Connors

Please pray for our members: Louie Belk; Ann Powers; Locketta Stephenson; Louise Eller; Lois Rao;

James & Martha Jo Mahaffey; Celia Featherstone; Adele Williams; Henry Johnson; Bucky Hardin;

Vickie Jewell; Andy Harper; Angie Elsberry; Helen Hegler; Steve Dettweiler.

Friends of the church: Freda Snipes; Andy Novinger; Libby Woodruff; Tim Smith; Marge Campbell;

Pete Stanton; Chuck Player; Tom Mardis; Heather Francis; Harriett Garris; Norman Anderson;

Wanda Taylor; Victoria Gaskin; Jeff Mosier.

CHURCH ACTIVITES: April 08, 2018 - April 14, 2018

Sunday 9:45 AM Christian Education

11:00 AM Worship

Monday 7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast

11:00 AM Bible Study Group

7:00 PM Finance Meeting

Tuesday 12 Noon Bulletin Deadline

Wednesday Music Ministry 6pm Jubilant Ringers followed by Choir at 7:15pm

BIRTHDAYS: 12 Bucky Hardin 14 Mary Lou Rhodes

ATTENDANCE: April 01 Sunrise - 57 11am - 98 Sunday School- 11 Men's Prayer Breakfast - 25

_____________________________________________________

OUR GIVING REPORT

04/01/18 Year To Date

Amount Budgeted $ 3,894.00 $ 50,622.00

Amount Received 4,714.00 55,255.66

$ 820.00 $ 4,633.66

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 MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST meets each Monday. The next meeting is April 9th, just

before 7:00am in the Fellowship Hall. See you there! But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23

The BIBLE STUDY GROUP meets Monday, April 9th at11:00am in the Georgie Beckham

Memorial Library. The study is Lesson 8, "Wilderness: A New and Dangerous Life" which focuses

on the text from Exodus, Chapters15: 22 - 18: 27. All are welcome!

CHURCH DIRECTORY. We are in the process of compiling a new congregational directory

complete with address, phone contact and email. If you prefer to NOT have some part of your

contact information shared, please notify the church office before April 9th.

Our FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON is Wednesday, April 25th at Noon. The cost is $4/person.

Please sign up outside the church office. We extend a special thank you to Suzanne Harper and

all the dedicated and talented ladies that make this wonderfully delicious meal that warms our

hearts, souls and especially our stomachs possible. Thanks!

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING offering was received during worship on Easter.

As a congregation, you generously gave $578 to support the Presbyterian Mission Agencies.

PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD is a ministry which works to renovate the neighborhood in the

Clinton Elementary attendance area. We were blessed to hear about this ministry at our St.

Patrick’s Day Fellowship dinner. The next workday is Saturday, April 21 from 9:00am-12 noon.

Those interested in serving can meet at the church at 8:45am and caravan to the worksite.

God comes to us in free and undeserved favor in the person of Jesus Christ who lived,

died and rose for us that we might belong to Him and serve Christ in this world. Following

Jesus, Presbyterians are engaged in life and seek thoughtful solutions to the challenges of

our time. As Christ’s disciples, we seek to continue His mission of teaching the truth,

feeding the hungry, healing the broken and welcoming all. God sends the Holy Spirit to

dwell within us, giving us the energy, intelligence, imagination and love to be Christ’s

faithful and devoted disciples. Glorious and willing Servants of God!