Sunday | September 20, 2015

EXODUSPreparing a People

“Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Welcome! Bienvenido!

We’re glad you’ve chosen to worship at Third! We look forward to meeting and getting to know you.

Third Church exists to spread the gospel and seek the Shalom of metro Richmond and the world through

a movement of communities and congregations, welcoming people of all cultures to the glory of Jesus Christ.

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GATHERING God gathers us all and calls us by his grace.

Welcome and Announcements

Preparation

Leader: Let’s prepare our hearts to worship the living God, for “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him” (Habakkuk 2:20).People: Amen.

A period of silence is kept.

Call to Worship Psalm 100 Camille Murchie

Leader: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.All: Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.Leader: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.All: For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Opening Prayer Camille Murchie

Songs of Praise “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above” – #50 in the Hymnal “Before the Throne of God Above” (See music on following pages.)

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The cross indicates standing, as you are able. †2

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SING PRAISE TO GOD WHO REIGNS ABOVE

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BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE

CONFESSING God invites us to be honest with him about ourselves.

Confession of Sin All: Lord our God, in our sin we avoid your call. We groan under our burdens and cry out to you. Remember your promises to us and deliver us from judgment. Bind up our wounds and be near us, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Silent Confession

Words of Comfort and Assurance

Leader: May the Lord your God, who knows your sufferings and remembers you, deliver you from sin, and set you in the presence of his glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen!

Song of Assurance “The Steadfast Love of the Lord”

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,His mercies never come to an end.They are new every morning, new every morning.Great is Thy faithfulness O Lord,Great is Thy faithfulness.

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Greeting of Peace †

THANKSGIVING We give to the Lord in gratitude for what he has done for us. Our Offerings Pray for the Richmond Christian Leadership Initiative (RCLI) and Executive Director Tim Holtz as they seek to train young leaders to address the issues of the city from a Christ-centered perspective.

Musical Offering “Sometimes We Wait”8:45 and 11:15 Services (Grassi/arr. Fettke)

Did Moses know when the branches spoke he would be the chosen one?Or did his people know that a cloud of smoke would safely lead them home?Sometimes God will speak thro’ a bush of flames or pillars in the sky.But at times his silence fills our days, leaving us to wonder why.

Sometimes we wait, simply to find sometimes his answers come with time. Not right away, clearly to see; sometimes we never get those parted seasThat lead us from the shore. But there is a place where we rest in his grace, When sometimes we wait on the Lord.

If I had my way, there would come a day with a never-ending dawn.No more mournful sighs in the dark of night, as I wonder where he’s gone.I would never see how his mercy rains beneath a cloudless sky.There would be no need for healing grace to comfort when we cry.

Sometimes we wait, simply to find sometimes his answers come with time.Not right away, clearly to see; sometimes we never get those parted seasThat lead us from the shore. But there is a place where we rest in his grace, When sometimes we wait on the Lord.

Doxology Please stand as we sing to the Lord.

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.

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PROCLAIMINGGod speaks to us through his word.

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading Exodus 2:23-3:15 23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

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12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’

“This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”

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

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Message:

+ A CALLED PEOPLE +Corey Widmer

Notes:

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RESPONDINGWe respond to God’s word.

Song of Response “Now Thank We All Our God” – #374 in the Hymnal

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Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Leader: Heavenly Father, awaken us to your ongoing call in our ordinary lives. Even this week, help us to turn aside to hear your voice, to respond to your demanding call, and to humble ourselves before you as the God of holiness and love. Lord, in your mercy,All: Hear our prayer.

Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, during your ministry you were a sojourner and had no place to lay your head. Come along side those who have been displaced by war and violence, especially those in the Middle East. Protect the most vulnerable and bring down the instigators of oppression and war. Even this week, make your good news known in word and deed, and equip your people there who are laboring in your name. Lord, in your mercy,All: Hear our prayer.

Leader: Holy Spirit, as thousands of people congregate in our city this week for the UCI World Cycling Championship, open our eyes to the nations and visitors among us. Extend your hospitality and peace through your body in Richmond. Grant safety, joy, good weather, and surprising opportunities for your gospel. Even this week, draw people into the holy fire of your love. Lord, in your mercy,All: Hear our prayer.

For what else should we pray?

Members of the congregation may add their own intercessions at this time, ending with, “Lord, in your mercy” and all responding, “Hear our prayer.”

Now gathering our prayers into one, let us pray boldly as our Savior has taught us:

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 debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer Needs

For HealthMary Ann Hancock, James Hildebrand, Lou Hanscom, Gene Cox, Carol Holt, Gipsie Rodrigues, Celeste Reynolds, Gretchen Gravely, Betty and Joe Cox, Pam Rambo, Mary Howard, Jared Armistead

For Comfort Deaths – Annhorner Truitt (sister-in-law, 9/7), Brenda Wiltshire (brother, 8/31), Kathie Cox (mother, 8/31), Jane Gallion (8/20), Kay Martine (husband, 8/18), Britten Parker (father, 8/16), Mason and Jean Robinson, Stephen Robinson and Danita Harper (son and brother, Greg Robinson, 8/7)

For Metro RichmondWe pray for schools and educational institutions of metropolitan Richmond: for all universities, colleges, seminaries, trade, technical, graduate and professional schools; for the students, faculty and staff of these institutions.

For our Nation and the World For New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, and Nigeria.

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SENDINGGod sends us into the world as his witnesses.

Song of Commission “In Christ Alone”

In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song.This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe.This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.‘Til on that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.For every sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain.Then, bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again.And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death; this is the power of Christ in me.From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand.‘Til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

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SERVICE NOTESToday’s flowers are given in honor of our mission partner the Richmond Christian Leadership Initiative (RCLI) and Executive Director Tim Holtz.

The BannersThe ten banners hanging in the Sanctuary represent ten messages from our new series on Exodus. It is not just the spoken word but the creative, visual word that tells us of God’s love and faithfulness. See if you can guess which banner goes with which story! Many thanks to the wonderful team of Third artists who put them together: Mark Sprinkle, Holly Smith, Kathy Ames and Sarah Hale.

The Cross, the Font, the Table, the BookWhat we display reveals what we care about and what constitutes our identity as God’s people. As we explore what it means to be the people of God, we have positioned these four symbols prominently to remind us of God’s faithfulness and where we find life, hope and our identity. The cross speaks of Jesus’ atoning death, the font speaks of the new life he gives us through baptism, the table speaks of our resurrected Savior who continues to gather us around his table of grace, and the Bible speaks of our source of authority and comfort as God speaks through his living word even today.

Commission

Leader: Sisters and brothers, as you move out into ordinary life, listen for the call of God! He has joined us to his holy mission to extend his grace and peace to every creature under heaven. Remember that the only thing that qualifies you is that the God of the Burning Bush, the God of Holy Fire, goes with you. Heed his call and do not be afraid.All: To our God and Father be glory forever and ever, Amen! (Philippians 4:20) Benediction

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Help Missions Multiply a Gift for Refugee Relief

You've seen the images. The Middle East refugee crisis unfolding in Europe has brought shocking images into our homes. The reality is that most of the refugees, primarily Syrian and Iraqi, have not made it out of the Middle East. They have become the humanitarian burden of nearby countries--- Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Many have left homes behind and settled in other areas of their own country (known as internally displaced persons or IDPs). Reports indicate there are 3.5 million internally displaced persons within Iraq and 7.6 million displaced citizens within Syria. Besides those displaced within the country, nearly 4.5million Iraqis and Syrians are refugees in nearby countries. For Syria, that means more than 50% of the population has left their homes.

Third Church is partnering with Presbyterian churches and organizations inside Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon to help. The mission committee is sending $10,000 of emergency funds for refugee and IDP relief. But more is needed. So, we invite you to multiply this gift amount. Our goal is to send $30,000 to these partners to care for neighbors -- Christian, Muslim and Yazidi -- who have fled to safer ground in their own country or across a nearby border.

Gifts sent to these partners are being used to build bread bakeries and drill wells in Yazidi camps in northern Iraq, repair houses and churches destroyed in the fighting in Syria, provide heating oil to get through long cold winters, provide food and medicine to fragile populations driven out of their villages by ISIS, provide schooling to Syrian refugee children, and provide solar powered Bibles and Bible studies in the camp on the Syria/Jordan border to help share the good news of Jesus.

Make your gift by sending a check to the church office designated Refugee Relief, or go to www.thirdrva.org/generosity to make a secure on-line gift, designating it for Refugee Relief. Or, make an immediate gift (not during the sermon!) by scanning the QR code below with your smart device.

Through all these efforts, Christ is glorified and his name made known. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NIV

QR code for giving:

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NEWS The Muslim World prayer and care group meets tomorrow night, September 21. Those who would like to discuss Chapter 3 of the book “Christian, Muslim, Friend” by David Shenk should arrive at 6:00 p.m. The prayer time is from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Join us at the home of Laurie Chalifoux, 10801 Whitaker Woods Road, Richmond (740-1199).

The Asia prayer and care group meets on Monday, September 28. Join us from 7:00-8:30 p.m. This group is led by Bob Metcalf and meets in the home of Dave and Judy Skove, 10809 N. Bank Rd, Richmond (741-5441).

Wednesdays at Third – Come to Third this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. for the Wednesday fellowship opportunities. Visit our website, pick up a copy of the Third Press, or see the “Fall Season” pamphlet (located in the media racks) to read about all the wonderful study options, serving opportunities, and ways to be with your community.

Arabic Student Homework Tutors Needed – The homework tutoring for the Arabic children is starting September 16, and more students than ever are asking for help. Would you consider working with a child to help them succeed in school? The program is on Wednesday nights from 6:45-7:45 p.m. and is flexible – come every week, or when it works in your schedule. Please email Andi Redmond (andi.redmond6@gmail.com) if you are able to help.

Care and Cards – Have you ever received a card telling you that people at Third are praying for you? If so, it was most likely sent from a member of the Care and Cards team. This team meets together once a month to write messages that share love and prayers among our church family. In order to keep these cards being sent out to those who need prayer, we’re asking for more people to consider joining us. Meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month at 12:30 p.m. in Room 209, and is a time of fellowship and prayer. If you have questions, call or email Denise Woodson (745-4248/denise.woodson@smarthinking.com) or Judy Duarte (278-8779/judithduarte@verizon.net).

Families, children and students – Be sure to visit the Children’s library (on the hallway leading to the student ministry area). Come in for back-to-school reading, check out a video and read a book or a magazine. We have all the VeggieTales and Superbook series and many more good family films. We also have some great missionary biographies.

EVENTSFor more information on classes, events and ministries, come to the Fellowship Hall from9:45-11:30 a.m., visit our website or find more information at kiosks throughout the building.

The Makers Series: Sojourn – September 25, 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall The Makers Series is a place to hear “Makers” discuss their history and practice as artists and believers, based on a unifying theme. This edition’s theme is Sojourn, or the idea that even while wandering through different places, we are always being sent. Much like the story of Exodus, even though we may know we live in a place that is temporary, we still engage, invest, and create. Join our panel of Makers, Ansel Olson, Rebekah White, and Marly Youmans, for their stories of sojourning this month. More details on the website.

Third’s playground group is back this fall! Mark your calendars for the following dates: September 25, October 9, October 30, November 6, November 20, and December 11. Parents/caregivers of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers meet on the playground at 10 a.m. for a time of play, fellowship, and community. If it’s raining, we’ll meet in the Little Lambs Class. Contact Jessica Thompson (jessicawthompson@gmail.com) to join the email list.

Caritas – October 10-16 Third is hosting homeless families and providing lodging and meals for 7 nights in October. We are looking for small groups and volunteers to help us serve these families. You can volunteer to serve and prepare food, stay overnight with the families, take clothes home to do laundry, and setup or cleanup the beds and supplies. To sign up to volunteer or learn more, visit the Fellowship Hall, Steeple Corridor, or go to www.thirdrva.org/news-events/caritas-oct-10-17.

Newcomers Class – October 11, 16-17 Interested in learning more about Third or would you like to consider membership? Join us in our next Newcomers Class where you will learn about Third’s vision for worship, discipleship, community, serving and outreach. Childcare is provided with a reservation. Sign up online at www.thirdrva.org /membership or contact Beth Nichols (bethn@thirdrva.org or 282-4645, ext. 124).

Welcome Coffee – September 27 from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.If you’re new to Third, we’d like to invite you to our monthly Welcome Coffee in the Parlor. It’s a time to meet a few people and learn about Third’s vision, what we believe, and how to get involved.

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SUNDAY ADULT DISCIPLESHIPSundays at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday morning discipleship classes From10:00 -11:00 a.m., our discipleship classes are back in full swing. Please visit our website, pick up a copy of the Third Press, or see the “Fall Season” pamphlet (located in the media racks) to read about all the wonderful study options, serving opportunities, and ways to be with your community.

STUDENT MINISTRY Sundays at 10:00 a.m. - Grades 7 - 12

Starting this morning! This school year we will be using a 26 week curriculum that covers half of the Heidelberg Catechism, with the second half being covered next year. We’ll also be teaching lessons based around certain holidays as well as lessons that apply to specific growth in faith for our kids.

Sunday Evening Ministry 600 Forest Ave., Fellowship Hall and Basement7:00-8:30 p.m. For all students in 7th-12th grade

For more information on upcoming student ministry events and how you can get involved, contact Rick Hutton (rickh@thirdrva.org) or Andrea Woie (andreaw@thirdrva.org).

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY - SUNDAY MORNINGWe welcome you to Third and want you to know that your children are precious to us! Our staff of both professional childcare workers and volunteers are here to serve your family in a safe, loving and Christ-centered environment.

Nursery is provided for the 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday services. Sunday School is at 10:00 a.m. Child care is available for all children aged Kindergarten and younger. 1st grade and above attend worship with their parents. For details on all Sunday school class offerings, pick up the Fall Class brochure found near the doors.

Children ages 2 through 6th grade are taught by teams of volunteers who use the Tru curriculum by David C. Cook. This curriculum empowers the family to be the primary spiritual teacher and includes a weekly parent page emailed to families. The parent page previews the following Sunday’s lesson, has a memory verse and blessing for the family to use the week before the children will learn the lesson in Sunday school.

If you would like to receive the weekly parent email, contact Tracie Meadows (TracieM@thirdrva.org) or Kathy White (KathyW@thirdrva.org) with your child’s name and age or grade.

A Wiggle Room is available if you prefer to have your child with you but he or she is a little too active or noisy to be in the service. The service is streamed into Room 124 so you can hear the sermon while you nurse or play with your baby/toddler. Room 124 is located in the connecting hall across from the Toddler Room 105 leading to the Student Ministry area.

Please let us know if we can help familiarize you with all that is available at Third for your children. Contact Kathy White (kathyw@thirdrva.org) or Tracie Meadows (traciem@thirdrva.org).

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THIS WEEK AT THIRDSunday, September 209:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Weekly refreshments – Fellowship Hall4:00 p.m. AA – Rooms 213/2157:00 p.m. Student Ministry Gathering – Fellowship Hall and Basement 7:30 p.m. Christian Arabic Church Worship – Sanctuary

Monday, September 217:00 p.m. Kingdom Knitters – Parlor 7:00 p.m. Muslim World Care and Prayer Group – at the home of Laurie Chalifoux7:00 p.m. Trustees meeting – Multipurpose Room, 500 Forest Avenue

Tuesday, September 229:00 a.m. Kingdom Knitters – Parlor 9:15 a.m. Weekly Women’s Group – 2139:30 a.m. Weekly Morning Mothers Together – Fellowship Hall 12:00 p.m. The Book Group – Bonhoeffer Room, 500 Forest Avenue 6:20 p.m. Session dinner – Kitchen, 500 Forest Avenue7:00 p.m. Session meeting – Multipurpose Room, 500 Forest Avenue

Wednesday, September 23 6:30 p.m. Reconnect: Wednesdays at Third - Various Rooms, 600 Forest Avenue 7:00 p.m. Combined choir rehearsal – Choir Room 7:00 p.m. Praise band rehearsal – Sanctuary Thursday, September 247:00 p.m. Needle’s Eye Young Professionals Grp. – Multipurpose Room, 500 Forest Avenue

Friday, September 259:00 a.m. Emotional Eating Group – Knox Room, 500 Forest Avenue

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Budget Update

Year-to-date giving through August 2015 is $1,533,000, which represents 55% of our annual giving plan with four months left in the year. In 2014, we collected 44% of our giving during the September to December period so through God’s grace and provision, our full year giving plan of $2,772,000 still looks within reach! Year-to-date expenses through August 2015 are $1,850,000, with approximately 32% of our spending directed towards missional/benevolence partners and activities.

We continue to trail year-to-date budgeted giving by $85,000 – the same shortfall that existed when we entered the “dog days of summer”. December has historically been our biggest giving month with close to 20% of annual giving in that month alone. Please consider either additional giving or an acceleration of your planned year-end giving to help minimize the budgetary shortfall. While we trust God to fully meet our annual needs this year just as he has in the past, consistent giving would be a wonderful blessing.

So we give praise for God’s grace, provision and generosity and invite you to pray that our financial gifts will empower Third’s ministry and mission at Forest Avenue, in Richmond and around the world. Your gifts have Kingdom impact.

2015 Giving Plan $2,772,000

YTD Expenses $1,850,000 →

Budgeted YTD Giving $1,618,000← YTD Giving ← $1533,000←

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A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians

804-282-4645 500 Forest Ave.Richmond, VA 23229www.thirdrva.org

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIRD

Welcome to Third! Visit www.thirdrva.org to learn more about the community and how you can connect. Worship preparation, sermon reflection notes, and sermon audio are posted weekly. You can also watch the sermon live on the “This Sunday” page. If you’d like to join a small group , find out how you can become a member , or find ways to serve, please contact Beth Nichols at bethn@thirdrva.org. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for community updates.

JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP TODAY!

Our services are at 8:45 a.m.,10:00 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. on Sundays in the Sanctuary. Join us for a short time of communion and prayer every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. in Room 101. From 9:45-11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings, stop by for a time of fellowship and refreshments, including Blanchard’s coffee, in the Fellowship Hall.

Sanctuary

FellowshipHall

Forest Ave

Playground

Classrooms(Upstairs

& Downstairs)

WorshipServices

Rm 101

Parlor

Student Ministry Area

Courtyard