Welcome toGeorgetown Presbyterian Church

Finding God on the Front Porch“The Festival Scrolls ~ A Summer of God’s Hesed”

August 16, 2015

Esther approached and touched the scepter . . . Esther 5:2

Georgetown Presbyterian ChurchAugust 16, 2015 10:00 am Service

Welcome One Another, as Christ Welcomes You Romans 15:7

Welcome and Community Sharing

Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you! People: And also with you!

Let us greet each other in the name of Christ.

Prelude Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Webb

*Morning Prayer

*Introit Humble Thyself (James 4:10) Bob Hudson

The “Megillot” or the Festival Scrolls include the Biblical books of Ruth, Estherand Song of Songs. In Jewish tradition, each of these scrolls is read during aspecific festival time. Ruth is retold during the Festival of Weeks, Esther is read during Purim and Song of Songs is recited during Passover. Each scrollspeaks to us of God’s faithful love (Hesed) through human models of that love. This summer meet us on the “Front Porch” as we join our faith ancestors inthis traditional journey of discovering God and God’s Hesed through thestories of the Megillot.

Behold, Now is the Day of Salvation

2 Corinthians 6:2

*Call to Worship

Leader: We give thanks;People: For the creative acts of God!Leader: We give thanks;People: For the redeeming acts of God!Leader: We give thanks;People: For the ongoing acts of God!Leader: We give thanks;People: For we are the children of God! Unison: Come let us worship the one who creates, redeems and

sustains. Amen.

Hymns of Praise Congregational Choices

During the summer months, we invite the congregation to choose our opening hymns. We will sing one or two verses of two or three hymns each week. You may offer hymn choices from any part of the Hymnal (including seasonal choices) either by speaking up now or by speaking to the music director after worship for future Sundays in August. It is fine to repeat hymns we have recently sung.

First Lesson Philemon 1:17-25 Pew Bible N.T. Page #204

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

Faith Sharing with Families

Pre-school & Elementary children are invited to attend a summer craft class following Faith Sharing.

*Restoring God’s Image in our lives Prayer of Confession

*Call to Confession

Confession is a time of freeing ourselves from the self-made barriers that separate us from God. Having come into God’s presence for worship, we realize how we have failed to do God’s will. But in confessing those failings and accepting God’s forgiveness, our hearts are opened to not

only meeting God in worship, but also to being transformed by God in that worship.

*Unison Confession with Silent Prayer and Meditation

God of Hope,

Forgive me Lord. For I have forgotten the depth of the claim you have upon

me. Forgive me Lord. For I have forgotten that all I have is a gift from you.

Forgive me Lord. For I have forgotten how connected I am to all your

creation. Yes, I have forgotten. I have forgotten that when one stumbles,

you have chosen me to help her up. I have forgotten that when justice fails,

you have chosen me to speak out. I have forgotten that when hate seeks

power, you have chosen me to show the strength of your love. Forgive me

Lord, and grant that I may live your Gospel into all the forgotten places of

this world . .

Silent Personal Prayers and Personal Meditations

Leader: In Christ we pray, Amen People: Amen

*Affirmation of Pardon Believe the Good News!

*Congregational Response Lord, Have Mercy Hymnal #375

Soloist will sing through response once; Congregation will then repeat response.

So We Proclaim; So We Believe

1 Corinthians 15:11

Narrative Lesson Esther 5-7 Selected Verses P e w B i b l e O.T. Page #425

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

Meditation Sleepless in Susa Pastor Williams

Be Doers of the Word; Blessed in the DoingJames 1:22, 25

*Celebration of the Lord's Supper

Hymn of Preparation I Will Glory in the Cross Bill Shinholt, Soloist

Invitation to the Table

Prayer of Thanksgiving & Lord's Prayer (found on the inside back cover of hymnal)

Words of Institution 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Sharing the Bread and Cup In the banquet Hall M.Willliams, 2015

(The Congregation is invited to sing as a continuous chant as all are served.)

All who seek a relationship with Christ are invited to come forward to share this spiritual feast. Inpreparation, examine your faith life, asking God to open your heart to those actions which, through thework of the Holy Spirit, will deepen your intimacy with Christ. Please take a piece of bread from the plateand dip it into the cup, partaking immediately. Gluten free bread has crusts attached. The cup containsunfermented grape juice. An appropriate response to the Elder’s words as you receive the elements is"Amen" which means, "Let it be so." Using one loaf and cup symbolizes our unity in Christ. If comingforward is difficult, you will have the opportunity to be served in the pew. All ages are invited to the table,for none of us fully understand this gift of spiritual nourishment that we have been given. The Pastor willbe available at the antique communion table for those who wish a personal moment of prayer.

Receiving God's Tithes & Our Gifts

As did the first century church, we will receive the offering as a part of our communioncelebration. The offering is not returned to the front of the sanctuary, but is immediately sentfrom our gathering, symbolizing its use in sharing the Gospel with the community around us

Offertory Communion Auber

*Hymn of Dedication God of Grace and God of Glory Hymnal #569 “Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore . . .”

*Benediction

*Congregational Response Iona Community of Scotland

Pastor: Look at your hands, see the touch and the tenderness;

People: God’s own for the world!

Pastor: Look at your feet, see the path and the direction;

People: God’s own for the world!

Pastor: Look at your heart, see the fire and love within;

People: God’s own for the world!

Pastor: This is God’s world,

Unison: And we will serve God in it. Amen!

Postlude The Lord Bless You & Keep You Hymnal #749

ALL ARE INVITED TO OUR MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP GATHERING IN

TUNNELL FELLOWSHIP HALL FOLLOWING THE SERVICE.

BULLETIN COVER: “Ahasuerus and Esther” by Leela Ganin, The Koren Illustrated FiveMegillot, Koren Publishing, Jerusalem, 2009.

WE WELCOME BILL SHINHOLT as our soloist this morning. Bill is a member of Eastgate

Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian Church in America). I Will Glory in the Cross was

written by Dottie Rambo, 1978, ©John T. Benson Publishing Co. Inc.

THE IONA COMMUNITY (Summer Benediction Response), located on the Isle of Iona,Scotland, is a dispersed Christian ecumenical community working for peace and socialjustice, the rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship.

Community News ~ August 16, 2015

WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU ARE HERE! Our Greeters are Carol Ann and Lidle Stone. Our Worship Leader is Rev. Tom Marsden. Please register your attendance in the RedPads. Guests are invited to include contact information if desired. For information aboutjoining our fellowship, please speak with the pastor or call the church office at 856-6842.

PRAYER REQUEST FORMS ARE LOCATED IN THE ATTENDANCE PADS. You may placerequest forms in the offering plate or give them to the pastor or drop by the office.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS will be limited through August. Please call ahead beforecoming. If you leave a message, we will return your call as soon as we are able.

ADD TO OUR FRONT PORCH - share a favorite item from your porch or sitting room withour porch this summer. At summer’s end (September 3) return the item to your porch asa reminder that God meets you there as well as in our sanctuary.

OUR UPCOMING WORSHIP GUEST SOLOISTS INCLUDE: Barb Logan, Possum PointPlayers (8/23), Tara Wisely, Possum Point Players (8/30), and Dan Tabler, UnitedMethodist Church (9/6)

THE CANDLES ON THE ANTIQUE COMMUNION TABLE are lit in memory and honor ofthose who have suffered in acts of terrorism and hate, with the prayer that Christ willsoon lead us to that day when all creation will know God’s justice and security.

CHOIR REHEARSAL BEGINS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 AT 7:00 PM. The choirTH

ministry needs YOU! If you are willing to make a Joyful Noise, join us!

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATING AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES:(*Celebrating 50+ years)

27 Tom & Judy Marsden (1967) 28 Howard & Kelly Abbott (1954)*29 Asher & Rukhsana Gulab

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATING AUGUST BIRTHDAYS: 6 Cheryle Choudhary 7 Cathy Martin 17 Sarapheen Mall21 Linda Williams 21 Sumbal Gulab 25 Robert Chudakewich26 Abigail Gulab 29 Jason Berry

THE PRESBYTERY OF NEW CASTLE will be meeting at GPC on Tuesday, September

22 . Elder Betty Kasperski is organizing our arrangements. Please see the sign up sheetsnd

on the table outside the sanctuary and indicate where you can help.

Children’s Craft this Week: Esther Choudhary ~ Next Week: Peggy Hallowell

~~ HOUSEHOLD PRAYER FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 16, 2015 ~~Join us in community prayer from your home each morning and evening.

Morning Prayer: Let me rise in your courage O Lord, that I may be your light thisday. In Christ I pray, Amen.

Evening Prayer: Let me rest in your mercy, O Lord, that I may know your peacethis night. In Christ I pray, Amen.

Georgetown Presbyterian ChurchChartered January 27, 1860

203 North Bedford Street; P.O. Box 46 Georgetown, DE 19947

Office: 856-6842 / Pastor’s Cell: 302-344-1912 or from a cell phone call **pastor (star,star, p-a-s-t-o-r)

Office E-mail: Office@georgetownpres.com

Facebook page: Facebook.com/GeorgetownPres ~ for Current happenings and photos~~You do not need to be a member of Facebook to read our Facebook page.~~

Copyright reprints authorized under OneLicense.net License #A-718752 and CCLI license #11225174

Worship Leaders and Staff

The Reverend Michael Williams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PastorMrs. Linda C. Wolfe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of MusicMrs. Sallie Horner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co-Director of MusicThe GPC Chancel Choir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Music MinistryElder Betty Kasperski. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harrison House Sussex-West MinistryMr. William Taylor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk of SessionMr. Lee Turek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TreasurerMrs. Beth Garvilla.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Church OfficeMr. Mark Amendt .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Building ServiceMs. Jennine Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ministry Candidate New Castle Presbytery

Session Elders and Commissioned Deacons

Elders serve on the Session for 3 year terms; Deacons are Commissioned for Specific Ministries yearly.

Class of 2015: Carolyn Green, Bob Gulab, Peggy Hallowell, Lidle Stone, Bill Taylor.Class of 2016: Melissa Barron, Jim Martin, Lee Turek, VacancyClass of 2017: Lucy Buchanan, Reginald Johnson, Sara Davis, Sharon Lawrence.

Deacons: Candy Abbott (Prayer), Dora George (Hospitality), Vicki Moore (Worship),Beth Smith (Prayer), Carol Ann Stone (Bereavement), Linda Williams (Mission)

THE MISSION OF GEORGETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IS TO LEAD PEOPLE TO

A DEEP AND CONTINUING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AS WE SEEK TO BECOME

MORE CHRIST-LIKE OURSELVES.