SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

January 7, 2018 11:00 AM

CHIMING of the TRINITY

PRELUDE "The Magi" arr. Kenneth Kosche

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTROIT "In the Bleak Midwinter" Gustar T. Holst

CALL to WORSHIP Liturgist: Arise and shine, for your light has come.

People: The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Liturgist: The brightness of God’s light shines on all the nations.

People: All are welcomed to the brightness of God’s day.

HYMN 464 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee HYMN TO JOY

CALL to CONFESSION

PRAYER of CONFESSION (Unison)

God of justice, we confess that we commit sin whenever we remain passive while

others are oppressed or when we ignore the cries of those in need of help. Forgive

us, we pray, for hiding in the darkness of this world. Help us to love more fully

the light of your righteousness made known in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.

(continue in silent prayer)

ASSURANCE of PARDON

Liturgist: Friends, God is for us and not against us.

People: For that reason, God sent the Son into the world,

Liturgist: so that the world might be saved through him.

People: We believe the good news of the Gospel, that in Jesus we are forgiven.

RESPONSE 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.

The Reading from Acts Acts 1:1-8

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

ANTHEM "The Christ-Child's Lullaby" arr. Hal H. Hopson Trad. Scottish Carol

EPISTLE READING 2 Timothy 1: 3-7

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

SERMON Tend the Flame Rev. Edgar Mc Call

HYMN 388 O Jesus, I Have Promised ANGEL'S STORY

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 "At the Name of Jesus'" R. Vaughn Williams

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

INSTALLATION SERVICE of ELDERS in the CLASS of 2020

HYMN 525 Here I Am, Lord HERE I AM, LORD

CHARGE and BENEDICTION

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 "Go Tell It on the Mountain" arr. David Lowe

All who are able, please stand

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SERVING THIS MONTH: Count Team: Jim Morton/Jennifer Bryan Greeters: Vickie Jewell/Holly Furr

Ushers: David Houk/David Ghent Chancel: Suzanne Harper Liturgist: Garren Adamson

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 2017 Class of 2018 Class of 2019

James H. Howey, Jr. Ned Gregory, II Holly C. Furr

Vickie L. Jewell Jane R. Mahaffey Elizabeth W. Gregory

H. Glenn Simpson Mary Jo Yarborough William K. Williams

MINISTRY BOARD LEADERS

Christian Formation - Vickie Jewell/Holly C. Furr

Columbarium & Memorial Garden - Jane R. Mahaffey

Congregational Care - Jane R. Mahaffey/Mary Jo Yarborough

Fellowship - Jon & Diane Lochner/Mary Jo Yarborough

Hospitality & Evangelism - Mary Jo Yarborough/Elizabeth W. Gregory

Mission & Outreach - Vickie L. Jewell/Ned Gregory, II

Worship - Elizabeth W. Gregory

SUPPORT COMMITTEES

Pastoral & Staff Relations- James H. Howey, Jr./Ned Gregory, II, William K. Williams

Property Management - James H. Howey, Jr./H. Glenn Simpson

Stewardship and Operational Support - H. Glenn Simpson/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

Tom Syfan

Dixie Taylor

Fran Thomas

Adele Williams

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: Anne & Caroline Howey Next Week: Carolyn Hardin/Joy Williams

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

James Mahaffey; Celia Featherstone; Cindy Ruh; Adele Williams; Henry Johnson; Bucky Hardin;

Mary Lowe; family of Anne Nims.

Friends of the church: Linda Kloepher; Freda Snipes; Laney Allen; Woody Percival; Bobby Parker, Sr.;

Andy Novinger; Libby Woodruff; Knowlton Foote; Tim Smith; Noni Bohonak; Lewie Pitts.

CHURCH ACTIVITES: January 07, 2018 - January 13, 2018

Sunday 9:45 AM Christian Education

11:00 AM Worship/Installation of 2020 Elders

Monday 7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast

11:00 AM Bible Study Group

Tuesday 12 Noon Bulletin Deadline

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

BIRTHDAYS: 07 Fran Thomas

ATTENDANCE: Dec. 31 Worship - 40 Sunday School- 18 Men's Prayer Breakfast - no meeting

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OUR GIVING REPORT

12/31/17 Year To Date

Amount Budgeted $ 3,610.26 $ 191,344.00

Amount Received 4,117.00 203,659.26

$ 506.74 $ 12,315.26

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.

DURING MORNING WORSHIP, we will give thanks for the elders in the Class of 2017,

Jimbo Howey, Vickie Jewell and Glenn Simpson, all whom have given the church three years of

faithful service, completing their terms in office. We will also hold the installation service for the

newly elected elders in the Class of 2020- Jennifer Bryan, Max Clyburn and David Ghent.

The MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST will hold their next meeting Monday, January 8th, just

before 7:00am in the Fellowship Hall. See you there!

Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that

when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus

hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. John 3: 2-3

The BIBLE STUDY GROUP will meet Monday, January 8th at11:00am in the Georgie

Beckham Memorial Library. We are studying the book of Exodus. All are welcome!

FPC MUSIC MINISTRY. Weekly practices will resume on Wednesday, January 10th with

Jubilant Ringers beginning at 6:00pm and choir following at 7:15pm. Come make a joyful noise!

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING. Next Sunday a congregational meeting will be held

following worship to present the 2018 budget and to vote on the terms of call for the pastor.

The FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON is Wednesday, January 31st at Noon. The cost is $4/person.

Please sign up outside the church office.

The SOUPER BOWL OF CARING is Sunday, February 4th. Churches across the country

participate in this endeavor, in which donations are collected for local support agencies, such as

Hope in Lancaster.

A NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS for Youth and Young Adults is being formed. More details

will be forthcoming.

NOTE OF THANKS. Dear Church Family, We are grateful and thankful to be a part of FPC and

are so appreciative of the generous Christmas gift. We are blessed! Edgar, Marsha & Susan

LOOK FORWARD IN THE NEW YEAR. Ask God to give you light for future challenges.

Pay attention to the feelings that surface. Are you doubtful, cheerful or apprehensive? Are you full

of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance.

Ask him for help and understanding. PRAY FOR HOPE