Lift High the Cross TheVictory is Won A CELEBRATION OF OUR SHARING THE VICTORY OF JESUS IN OUR BAPTISMS EASTER DAY, APRIL 8, 2007 11:00 A.M. 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 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 “Crown Him With Many Crowns” Words by Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring Music by George J. Elvey arranged by Don Wyrtzen * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The Lord is Risen! Unison: He is Risen Indeed! Leader: Come, let us celebrate the victory of Jesus, Unison: the Jesus who died who is now glorified. Leader: He is the King of kings. Unison: He is the Lord of lords. Leader: Come, let us worship His majesty Unison: and rejoice that we share in His victory through our baptisms. * HYMN OF PRAISE FOR EASTER DAY No. 123 Easter Hymn “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” CALL TO CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION We have come to celebrate your victory, O God, as you raised Jesus from the dead. You have shown that your love and power are stronger than all of the forces of sin and evil and death. In our baptisms you invite us to share in the victory of Jesus. Forgive us that we have not always lived as victorious people showing forth your victory. Sin still has a stronghold on our lives. Hatred, apathy, indifference and a lack of compassion so often come easier to our lives than your ways of love. The forces of evil still seem so powerful in this world that frequently we do not feel that we are on the winning side. Bring us again to that empty tomb there to meet the Risen Jesus, and by your Holy Spirit empower again to live as those who share the victory of Jesus. PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION IN SILENCE THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON * THE SUNG RESPONSE OF ASSURANCE FOR EASTER Crucifer Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name. Each newborn servant of the Crucified Bears on the brow the seal of Christ who died Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name 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) PAUL REMINDS US OF OUR BAPTISMS Romans 6:1-11 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM: “Majesty” Words and Music by Jack W. Hayford with choral arrangement by Jack Schrader SERMON “SHARING THE VICTORY OF JESUS IN BAPTISM” Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD . . . * HYMN OF OUR BAPTISMS No. 492 Bunessan “Baptized in Water” PROFESSIONS OF FAITH THE MEMBERS OF THE CONFIRMATION CLASS: Erin Ann Christopher, Emily Bromley Fuqua, Branham Olivia Skipper and Connor Jessica Ward * PROFESSION OF FAITH BY MEMBERS OF THE CONFIRMATION CLASS AND THE CONGREGATION: THE APOSTLES’ CREED Leader: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty? Unison: I believe in God, the Father almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Unison: I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Leader: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? Unison: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. * PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Leader: O holy, almighty, and most gracious God, you reign over all creation. In you alone we find life. By your power we are upheld. People: Your mercy and grace endure forever. Leader: We give you thanks, for in the beginning your Spirit swept across the watery chaos, and order and life were called forth. By your gift of water, you nourish and sustain all living things. People: Great is your faithfulness. Leader: In the water of the flood, you destroyed evil, but gave righteousness a new beginning, by saving Noah and his family, who found favor in your sight. People: Your steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting. Leader: By the pillar of cloud and fire, you led the people of Israel through the water of the sea, our of slavery into freedom. Across the water of the Jordan, you brought your chosen people into the land of your promise. People: Your mercy and grace endure forever. Leader: In the waters of the same Jordan, Jesus was baptized by John, and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By the baptism of his death he has set us free from bondage to sin and death. By his glorious resurrection he has opened the way to eternal life for all who believe in him. People: Great is your faithfulness. Leader: We thank you, O God, for the gift of baptism. In this water we are buried with Christ in his death. From this water we are raised to share in his resurrection, and to walk in newness of life with him as we are reborn by the power of your Holy Spirit. People: Praise and thanks be to you, O God of mercy and grace. Leader: As we claim your love and grace, mercy and forgiveness, and the power of your Spirit for Branham this day in her baptism so we pray that you will remind Erin, Emily, Connor, and all of us, of our baptisms, that we might rejoice together that our sins are washed away, that we have been incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and have the power of your Holy Spirit to enable us to do your will, and to continue forever in the risen life of Christ, to whom, with you, O Father and the Holy Spirit, be all glory and honor, now and forever. People: Amen and Amen! THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM FOR BRANHAM OLIVIA SKIPPER THE CELEBRATION OF OUR OWN BAPTISMS PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION THE DECLARATION OF CO0NFIRMED MEMBERSHIP PRESENTATION OF MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES AND BIBLES WELCOME TO OTHER NEW MEMBERS * HYMN OF WELCOME Dennis Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY * THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE FOR EASTER Lasst uns erfreuen Praise God from whom all blessings come, Praise Jesus Christ, the Risen One, Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God the source of all our gifts; Praise Jesus Christ, here with us now; Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! * PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING * THE LORD’S PRAYER (Presbyterian Hymnal, page 16 traditional, using ‘debts’ and ‘debtors’) TOGOOUTANDSERVE . . . * HYMN OF THE VICTORY OF JESUS No. 104 Hymn to Joy “Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!” * THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE FOR EASTER Crucifer Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, Till all the world adore His sacred name. So shall our song of triumph ever be: Praise to the Crucified for victory. 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: Chuck Morgan 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 to the glory of God by John and Alma Milton in honor of their grandchildren: Deck, Natalee, Tatum, Anna Beth, Virginia and Cooper. Our Prayer Calendar: Sarah Morgan, Will Rountree (requested by JoAnn Rountree), Mary Larkin (Jesse Olive’s sister, requested by Bud Wierman), Michelle and Kristen (friends of Amanda Morgan), and Nell Martin (Jackie Spivey’s aunt). This morning Erin Ann Christopher, Emily Bromley Fuqua, Branham Olivia Skipper and Connor Jessica Ward who have been members of our Confirmation Class this year will be making their Professions of Faith. We appreciate the work of Elders Betty Blighton, LuAnne Law, Johnny Milton and Jennifer Stafford in working as Elder Covenant Partners with these young people. Our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will be received this morning. The insert in the bulletin outlines some of the work which is done through this offering which is divided between the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Self-Development of People program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program. Please use the envelopes in this bulletin for this offering. Checks should be made to the First Presbyterian Church, and designated Easter Offering. Children’s Church will not be held this morning so that our children can join in our Easter celebrations with their families. The Covered Dish Lunch which had been discussed for today will not be held. At our covered dish supper on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. we will conclude our Lenten Reflections on “What Does the Cross of Jesus Mean To Me?” All Men are invited to the Men’s Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the home of Kip Blighton, 4590 Forest Park Drive. Next Sunday the following themes will be studied in our Sunday School beginning at 9:45 a.m. Children and young people 2 year old through 12th grade will be studying the The Great Commission based on Matthew 28:16-20. The adults in the parlor will be studying “Called to be Faithful” based on Revelation 2:8-17. Upstairs in Room 2 the Adult class will be studying the texts to be used in our Worship Service: Acts 5:27-32 and John 20:24-31. Our Young Adult Class will be meeting in Room 6 Upstairs. A church picnic will be held on April 15 at Daffin Lake at 3:30 p.m. The Evangelism and Fellowship Committee will provide fried fish, hushpuppies and hotdogs. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish. To get to Daffin Lake: Highway 90 east to Davenport Road (4.6 miles east of Hopkins Pontiac) and turn right (this is a dirt road), then take the first right and then a left. There will be signs directing you from Highway 90. Our Food Pantry Offering for April will be received next Sunday. During the month of March we served families comprising 474 individuals through our Food Pantry on Wednesday mornings. Our April PALS Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 12 noon in the fellowship hall. The cost of the luncheon will be $5.00. Reservations should be made by noon on Monday, April 16. Reservation cards are available in the baskets in the narthex or on the table in the hallway by the fellowship hall. These may be filled out and placed on the offering plate today or next Sunday or returned to the church office during the week, or you may call (526-2430) or e-mail (firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net) the church office. The program will be First Presbyterian Church History Trivia. The annual Day for Fun Loving Adults at Dogwood Acres will be held on Thursday, April 26 from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. The program will include music and worship, “Generation Bingo,” and a presentation on “Understanding Generations.” Lunch will be served and there will be an opportunity to tour our Presbytery Camp. The cost is $9.00 per person. More information is available from the church office, and from the pink brochures withe PALS luncheon cards. Reservations should be made through the church office. The deadline for reservations is April 17. Appreciation is extended to all who worked on the repainting and the repair work on our church playground on March 31. Special thanks to Jennifer Stafford for coordinating this work. This week in the life of the church . . . Monday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Tuesday Endowment Committee meets at 4 p.m. in the church office. Administration Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. in the church office. Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9:00 -11:00. Volunteers are Jeff Allen and Bob Pitman Choir Practice at 5:15 p.m. JuBELLees practice at 5:45 p.m. Covered Dish Supper at 6:30 p.m. and review of the Lenten crosses 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. Sunday (15th) 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 Victory of Jesus with Lives Centered on God Church Picnic and Fish Fry at 3:30 at Daffin Lake