First Presbyterian Church Founded 1835 Corner of Jefferson and Clinton Streets Marianna, Florida (850) 526-2430 Website: www.firstpresmarianna.org E-Mail: firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT A CELEBRATION OF THE CROSS WE TAKE UP IN THE NAME OF JESUS SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. THE CHURCH GATHERS . . . PRELUDE With the first notes of the organ please silently prepare yourself for worship. CHIMING OF THE HOUR WELCOME AND SHARING OF COMMUNITY LIFE INTROIT "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" Words by Elizabeth C. Clephane. Music by Frederick C. Maker * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Come, let us continue our journey of Lent, Unison: that leads us to stand beneath the cross of Jesus. Leader: Come, let us gather in the place, Unison: where the cross has central place, Leader: and let us remember all that this symbol means to us, Unison: and let us give thanks to God for love so amazing, and so divine. Leader: Come, let us remember Jesus who suffered on that cross for us, Unison: and the example he has given to each one of us. Leader: Come, let us seek God's strength to live out that newness of life we have in Jesus Christ, Unison: and so to show forth our gratitude to God for all of God's love for us. * HYMN OF GOD'S PRESENCE AS WE COME TO WORSHIP No. 461 Abbot's Leigh "God Is Here!" CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION In our baptisms, O God, we have claimed that newness of life that you offer to all people in Jesus Christ your Son. Yet so often we have failed to live out that newness of life. We have not been good examples of that new life for the children who have been baptized here. We have wanted to do our own will rather than yours. We have wanted to save and protect our own lives, rather than to give them away in loving service to others following the example of Jesus. Loving and Gracious God, forgive us, we pray. Through the broken bread and the outpoured cup remind us again of the life to which you invite us following the example of Jesus Christ your Son. PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION IN SILENCE SUNG RESPONSE SEEKING GOD'S FORGIVENESS Hamburg When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON * THE SUNG RESPONSE OF ASSURANCE Hamburg Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. TO HEAR AND REFLECT ON GOD'S WORD . . . A TIME FOR OUR CHILDREN Suzanne Owens (Children age 5 and under are excused to go downstairs after our Children's Time) PAUL SPEAKS OF BEING CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST Galatians 2:15-21 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM "Lift High the Cross" Words by George W. Kitchin and Michael R. Newbolt Music by Sydney H. Nicholson, arranged by Robert Lau JESUS INVITES US TO TAKE UP THE CROSS Matthew 16:24-26 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! SERMON "THE CROSS OF JESUS: IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT JESUS" Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD . . . * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (based on words of William Barclay in The Lord's Supper, SCM Press, Ltd. 1967) I come to the Lord's Table in obedience to the invitation and command of Jesus Christ who suffered and died for me. To Jesus I owe the assurance that my sins are forgiven. Through Jesus I have the confidence to call the great Creator God, "Abba, Father." On Jesus alone I depend for grace to overcome all evil and to do the right. On Jesus alone I rely for strength to take up my cross and to follow him. Within this fellowship and with all of his followers of every time and place I will offer to Jesus thanks and praise, and I will strive to maintain the honor of his name upon earth. * HYMN OF FAITH IN JESUS, THE LAMB OF CALVARY No. 383 Olivet "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY * THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE FOR LENT Hamburg Were the whole realm of nature mine That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. TO CELEBRATE THE LORD'S SUPPER . . . * INVITATION TO THE LORD'S TABLE * THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Leader: It is indeed right, and our duty and delight that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you.... joining our voices in their unending praise, saying, Unison: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Power and Might: The whole earth is full of your glory. Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Leader: All glory and blessings are yours.... as we proclaim the assurance of our faith: Unison: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Leader: Gracious God, by your Holy Spirit bless us and these your gifts ...we pray with confidence as Jesus has taught us, Unison: Our Father who art in heaven... (The Lord's Prayer, Presbyterian Hymnal, page 16 traditional, using debts and debtors) COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE (Please hold the elements until all have been served.) PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION TO GO OUT AND SERVE . . . * HYMN OF INVITATION FROM JESUS, THE LORD OF THE DANCE No. 302 Simple Gifts "I Danced in the Morning" * THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE FOR LENT Crucifer Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name. Come, Christians follow where the Savior trod, The Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God. Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name. * POSTLUDE * All who can do so comfortably will stand Pastor: Huw Christopher Director of Music: Lawrence R. Nelson Elder of the month: Peggy Peacock Organist: Stanley Littleton Nursery Attendant: Susie Barber To Our Guests – Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of Marianna. We are glad to have you worship with us today and invite you to join us each Sunday as we worship and study God's word. If you would like more information concerning our church you may fill out one of the pew cards, talk to the ushers or the pastor, or call the church office, 526-2430. Nursery is available for infants and pre-kindergarten children during Sunday morning activities. The flowers gracing the sanctuary today are given by Frankie Stewart and the Owens Family to the glory of God and in honor of the choir director, Larry Nelson; the handbell director, Charlotte Hunter; the organist, Stanley Littleton; and all the musicians who provide the beautiful music for our church. Thanks to Lou Wilkinson for playing the organ for us this morning while Stanley Littleton is away. Our Prayer Calendar: Winston Stuart, Bobby Christmas (requested by Julien Cumming), Alex Christopher, Donald Lee (Dot Carpenter's brother), and Nell Martin (Jackie Spivey's aunt) This morning the Greek Cross is the form of the cross portrayed on the front of our bulletin as we continue our Lenten reflections on the question, "What Does the Cross of Jesus Mean To Me?" You are invited to use this picture of the cross for quiet contemplation during this week as you think about that question. A Children's Church program will not be held this morning so that children may share in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper with their families. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is not served to children in our nursery so if they wish to receive they should remain in the service with their families this morning. Our Lenten Luncheons continue on Tuesday from 12 noon until 12:50 p.m. A soup, sandwich and dessert luncheon will be provided this week by Circle II. Huw Christopher will lead our Lenten studies on the theme, "What Does the Cross of Jesus Mean to Me?" This week our thoughts will be centered on the history and meaning of the Greek Cross which is portrayed on the front of our bulletin this morning. Please consider inviting friends from the community to share in these Lenten luncheons with you. All ladies are invited to participate in one of the Circle meetings tomorrow. The meetings are listed in "this week in the life of the church..." A time of guided quiet reflection on the meaning of the cross this will be available in the parlor each Tuesday from 1 until 1:45 p.m. This week's reflection will be on images of the cross, and what they mean to us. Everyone is invited to share in Sunday School with us each Sunday. Next Sunday the children and young people 2 year old through 12th grade will be studying what it means to be the first part of The Lord's Prayer , based on Matthew 6:1-8. The adults in the parlor will be studying "The Test of Love" based on I John 3:11-24. Upstairs in Room 2 the Adult class will be studying the texts to be used in our Worship Service: Matthew 27:15- 31 and Galatians 6:11-18. In Room 6 Upstairs the Young Adult Class will be continuing their study of "Mix It Up: Faith, Politics and Citizenship" with the theme, "What's the Deal with Separation of Church and State?" based on Romans 13:1-7 and Luke 10:25-37. The Montreat Youth and their parents will be hosting a luncheon next Sunday, March 11, following the worship service. This will be the last luncheon for this school year. All contributions received at the luncheon will be used toward expenses for the trip associated with the group attending the Youth Conference at Montreat, North Carolina this summer. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday night. Daylight savings time begins early this year, on Sunday, March 11. Betty will be out of the office on Thursday and Friday of this week. Huw Christopher will be in and out of the office each of these days. If he does not happen to be in when you call, please leave a message, and he will be back in contact with you when he returns. "What does the Cross of Jesus mean to me?" In order to help everyone to think about this question during Lent small crosses which can be placed in pockets or purses are provided for everyone. Along with the cross is a copy of the poem, "The Cross in my Pocket." These crosses can be picked up from the baskets in the narthex or on the table in the hallway outside the fellowship hall. In separate baskets in both locations are cards containing the words of last Sunday's anthem, "Come and Kneel at the Cross." These may also be used for personal reflection during this week. Each week during Lent we will be featuring the ministry of one of our former pastors or interim pastors by adding information they have shared with us about their ministry here and, if available pictures of he and his family, to the sheets in the fellowship hall. This week information and pictures will be added by the time of our Lenten luncheon about Lewis Bullard. The increase in demand for food from our Food Pantry each week means that we are in need of plastic bags in which to bag the food and bread which is distributed. These may be brought to the church office or left in the food baskets in the narthex or in the hallway outside the fellowship hall. Do you like to bake cookies? Our church will be providing the afternoon snacks for a group of college students that will be spending their Spring Break working as volunteers with Habitat for Humanity building a house in Marianna. The week of March 12-16 we need cookies and drinks for this group. For more information please contact the church office at 526-2430 or by e-mail at firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net. This week in the life of the church . . . Today Confirmation Class meets in the fellowship hall from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. Monday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Circle I meets in the parlor at 10:00 Circle II meets in the fellowship hall at 4:00 The Good News Women meet at 7:00 at the manse Tuesday Lenten Luncheon from 12 noon until 12:50 p.m. in the fellowship hall Lenten Time of Quiet Reflection from 1 until 1:45 p.m. in the parlor. Christian Education Committee in the fellowship hall at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9:00 - 11:00. Volunteers are Mary Ann Gibbs and Bette Giese Choir Practice at 5:15 p.m. JuBELLees practice at 6 p.m. Youth Group at 7 p.m. Friday Ladies Exercise Class 9 a.m. Sunday (11th) Coffee and Juice in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Celebration of the Cross of Jesus as the Source of our Boasting at 11 a.m. Montreat Luncheon at 12 noon Confirmation Class 12:45 p.m.- 2:15 p.m. Have you remembered the First Presbyterian Church in Your Will?