First Presbyterian Church Founded 1835 Corner of Jefferson and Clinton Streets Marianna, Florida (850) 526-2430 E-Mail: firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT A CELEBRATION OF OUR FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE CROSS OF JESUS SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2007 11:00 A.M. THE CHURCH GATHERS . . . PRELUDE With the first notes of the organ please silently prepare yourself for worship. CHIMING 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 see there the wonder of God’s glorious love, Unison: and the wonder of our own unworthiness of such love. Leader: Come, let us rest in the wonder of God’s glorious love for us, Unison: and know the assurance that glorious love brings to our lives. Leader: Come, let us sing praise to Christ who suffered and died for us to show us God’s glorious love, Unison: and let us greet him who is our sure Redeemer. * HYMN OF PRAISE TO OUR REDEEMER No. 457 Toulon “I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art” CALL TO CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION Gracious God, you have shown your glorious love for us as Jesus died on the cross for us. Through him we know the assurance of your forgiveness. We stand amazed at such wondrous love because we know how hard it is to be forgiving ourselves. So often we prefer to hold grudges, to harbor old resentments, and to refuse to reach out in love and forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Our actions continue to build up walls of separation and hostility. We refuse to seek the new and better relationships you desire for us to know with all people. Forgive us, we pray. Bring us again to stand beneath the cross of Jesus. Help us there to see the example of forgiving love you have given to us in him, and then give us the desire and the strength to follow that example. 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 WITH OUR CHILDREN Suzanne Owens (Children age 5 and under are excused to go downstairs after Children’s Time) PETER REMINDS US OF THE EXAMPLE THAT JESUS HAS GIVEN TO US I Peter 2:18-25 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM: “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” Words by George Matheson and Music by Gordon Young (Children in Kindergarten – 3rd Grade will leave for Children’s Church upstairs) JESUS SEEKS FORGIVENESS FOR THOSE WHO WERE CRUCIFYING HIM Luke 23:32-43 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God SERMON “The Cross of Jesus: The Place of Forgiveness” Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD . . . * THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: from The Study Catechism of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Questions 42-43, 45 Leader: What do we affirm when we say that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate”? Unison: First that our Lord was humiliated, rejected, and abused by the temporal authorities of his day, both religious and political. Christ thus aligned himself with all human beings who are oppressed, tortured, or otherwise shamefully treated by those with worldly power. Second, and even more importantly, that our Lord, though innocent, submitted himself to condemnation by an earthly judge so that through him we ourselves, though guilty, might be acquitted before our heavenly Judge. Leader: What do we affirm when we say that Jesus was “crucified, dead, and buried”? Unison: That when our Lord passed through the door of real human death, he showed us there is no sorrow he has not known, no grief he has not borne, and no price he was unwilling to pay in order to reconcile us to God. Leader: Why did Jesus have to suffer as he did? Unison: Because grace is more abundant – and sin more serious – than we suppose. However cruelly we may treat one another, all sin is primarily against God. God condemns sin, yet never judges apart from grace. In giving Jesus Christ to die for us, God took the burden of our sin into God’s own self to remove it once and for all. The cross in all its severity reveals an abyss of sin swallowed up by the suffering of divine love. * HYMN FOR THE WILL AND STRENGTH TO BE FORGIVING Leoni “God, How Can We Forgive When Bonds of Love are Torn?” (please see the back of the bulletin) THE FELLOWSHIP OF SILENT PRAYER PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY – JuBELLees * 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. * PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING * THE LORD’S PRAYER (Presbyterian Hymnal, page 16 traditional, using ‘debts’ and ‘debtors’) TO GO OUT AND SERVE . . . * HYMN OF ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE ETERNAL LOVE IN THE CROSS OF JESUS No. 543 Eventide “Abide With Me” * 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 our 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 our sanctuary this morning are given to the glory of God by Kerri Loving in memory of her grandmother, Carrie Crews, and her parents, Kehoe and Stella Irwin. Our Prayer Calendar: Mary Larkin (Jesse Olive’s sister, requested by Bud Wierman), Michelle and Kristen (friends of Amanda Morgan), and Nell Martin (Jackie Spivey’s aunt). Lenten Celebrations This Week On Tuesday from 12 noon our Lenten Luncheon of soup, sandwich and dessert luncheon will be provided by Circle 2. Huw Christopher will lead our reflections on the history and meaning of the Celtic Cross, which is portrayed on the front of our bulletin. The guided reflection time on Tuesday from 1 until 1:45 p.m. will be based on the hands of Jesus. (This will be repeated following the covered dish supper) At our covered dish supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday everyone is invited to bring a poem, a story, a hymn, or story about a hymn of the cross or death of Jesus to share. We will be honoring all who have birthdays during the month of March. “What does the Cross of Jesus mean to me?” In the baskets in the narthex and on the table in the hallway are: Small crosses which can be placed in pockets or purses with the poem, “The Cross in my Pocket.” Yellow cards with the words, “Come and Kneel at the Cross” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, blue cards with the words, “Come to the Foot of the Cross,” grey cards with the words, “Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life,” and a salmon card with the words of Charles Wesley’s hymn, “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” These may also be used for personal reflections during the week. Our pastor for the week on our history board in the fellowship hall will be Bill Barron. Information and pictures will be added by the time of our Lenten luncheon. All men are invited to the Men’s Bible Study at Kip Blighton, 4590 Forest Park Drive at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The study will be of lines 73-79 of The Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) The clean-up, painting and repairing of our playgound area will be next Saturday, March 31 beginning at 9 a.m. We need able bodies, a pressure washer and paint brushes. For more information please contact Jennifer Stafford at 482-5025. Next Sunday: Palm Sunday Celebrations Breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Examination of the Confirmation Class by the Session at 9:50 a.m. in office area. Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Children and young people 2 year old through 12th grade will be studying the Palm Sunday story based on Matthew 21:1-11. The adults in the parlor will be studying “Available for Service” based on Revelation 1:4-15. Upstairs in Room 2 the Adult class will be studying the texts to be used in our Worship Service: Luke 19:29-44 and Colossians 1:15-23. In Room 6 Upstairs the Young Adult Class will be continuing their study of “Faith, Politics and Citizenship” with the theme, “Affluenza: Using the World’s Resources” based on Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 104. Worship Service at 11 a.m. Palm Sunday Celebration of the Cross of Jesus as the Place of Peace. The service will include the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper. On Maundy Thursday, April 5 beginning at 6:30 p.m. we will have a prepared meal typical of that which would have been shared by Jesus and his disciples using Cod, Bitter Greens, Fruit, Root Vegetables and Unleavened Bread. As the meal concludes we will then celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper around the tables, and share in a Tenebrae Service of increasing darkness as we trace the events from that Last Supper to the death of Jesus. Reservations for the meal are requested. They may be made by filling out the reservation card in the pew rack and placing it on the offering plate or by calling the church office or e-mail to firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net by noon on Tuesday, April 3. Donation baskets to cover the cost of the supper will be available with any additional funds being donated to the One Great Hour of Sharing Easter Offering. The whole celebration will be designed for families of children first grade and above to share in together. Childcare will be made available for children kindergarten and below if this is requested when making your reservations for the meal. This week in the life of the church . . . Monday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 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. Evangelism and Fellowship Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9:00 -11:00. Volunteers are Hazel Nelson and Bob Pitman Choir Practice at 5:15 p.m. JuBELLees practice at 5:45 p.m. Covered Dish Supper and Recognition of March Birthdays at 6:30 p.m. Youth Group at 7 p.m. Thursday Newsletter Collated at 1 p.m. Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. Friday Ladies Exercise Class 9 a.m. Saturday Workday on Playground beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday (1st) Breakfast in the fellowship hall from 9 until 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Examination of the Confirmation Class by the Session at 9:50 Celebration of the Cross of Jesus as the Place of Peace and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at 11 a.m. Have you remembered the First Presbyterian Church in Your Will? (Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-708810)