Lift High the Cross The Victory is Won A CELEBRATION OF OUR SHARING THE VICTORY OF JESUS THROUGH RESTING SECURELY IN THE HANDS OF JESUS FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, APRIL 29, 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 "Hail Thee, Festival Day" Original Latin Words by Venantius Honorius Fortunatus Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams * CALL TO WORSHIP based on John 10:27-28 Leader: The Lord is Risen! Unison: He is Risen Indeed! Leader: Come, let us celebrate the victory of Jesus, Unison: and let us rejoice that we share in that victory with him. Leader: Come, let us worship Jesus, our Good Shepherd, Unison: and let us rejoice in his promise always to be with us. Leader: Come, let us celebrate the never failing love of God in Jesus Christ, Unison: and let us rejoice that no one can snatch us from his hands. * HYMN OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RISEN JESUS No. 303 "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" Aberystwyth LITANY OF CONFESSION Leader: Risen Jesus, you have promised always to be with us. Unison: Yet we have not always acknowledged your presence with us. Leader: We have failed to see you so often in the beauty of the world around us (time of silence) our homes and our places of work (time of silence) our places of recreation and relaxation (time of silence) our good times (time of silence) our difficult times (time of silence) the ordinary daily routine of our lives (time of silence) times when other people are hurting us (time of silence) times when other people are caring for us (time of silence) the faces of children, women, men whom we encounter every day (time of silence) Forgive us, Risen and ever-present Jesus, Unison: and help us to know and to celebrate your presence with us at all times. PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION IN SILENCE THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON * THE SUNG RESPONSE OF ASSURANCE FOR EASTER Crucifer Refrain: 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 Refrain: 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) JOHN SPEAKS OF THOSE WHO SHARE THE VICTORY OF JESUS Revelation 7:9-17 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM: "Twenty-Third Psalm An Interpretation" Words and Music by Frances Waterman Children in Kindergarten 3rd Grade will leave for Children's Church upstairs JESUS ASSURES US OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO HIM John 10: 22-30 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! SERMON "SHARING THE VICTORY OF JESUS AS WE REST SECURELY IN THE HANDS OF JESUS" Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD . . . * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Psalm 23:1-6, King James Version The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. * HYMN BASED ON PSALM 23 No. 170 Crimond "The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want" THE FELLOWSHIP OF SILENT PRAYER PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION BASED ON PSALM 23 THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY "Puer Nobis" played by the JuBELLees Michael Praetorius arranged by Venita MacGorman * 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') TO GO OUT AND SERVE . . . * HYMN OF ASSURANCE THROUGH THE VICTORY OF JESUS No. 341 "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine" Assurance * THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE FOR EASTER Crucifer Refrain: 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. Refrain: 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 Jake Gunter in loving memory of his wife, Ann Gunter. Our Prayer Calendar: Charlton Keen and Nell Martin (Jackie Spivey's aunt). A Children's Church program for children Kindergarten through 3rd grade will be held this morning. Following the anthem the children will leave for a special program to be held upstairs in the M and Ms room. Children below Kindergarten age will move to the nursery downstairs following the Time with the Children. 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, "Members of One Body," based on I Corinthians 12:14-27. The adults in the parlor will be studying "Who is Worthy?" based on Revelation 5:1-10. Upstairs in Room 2 the Adult class will be studying the texts to be used in our Worship Service Acts 11:1-18 and John 13:31-35. Our Young Adult Class will be meeting in Room 6, and will be studying, Next Sunday, Breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall from 9 until 9:30 a.m. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be celebrated at our Worship Service next Sunday. If there are those who are unable to attend our Worship Services on a regular basis and who would like to receive communion following our service next Sunday, please be in contact with our church office at 526-2430 by Friday, May 4. Copies of the yellow Evaluation Sheets for our Lenten program are available on the table in the narthex and on the table in the hallway near the fellowship hall. These should be completed and placed on the offering plate today, or returned to Frankie Stewart, the chairperson of our Christian Education Committee. The sympathy of the church is extended to the family of Hassie Flynt, our oldest church member, who died on April 13, 2007. The next PALS luncheon will be on Tuesday, May 15 at 12 noon. The program will be one of handbell duets by Lou Wilkinson and Rachel Christopher. Reservation cards will be available next Sunday. This week in the life of the church . . . Monday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Tuesday Newsletter is collated at 1 p.m. Christian Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9 - 11. Volunteers are Bette Giese and Mary Ann Gibbs M and Ms for children Kindergarten - 5th Grade from 3 until 5 p.m. 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 (6th) Breakfast from 9 until 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. A Celebration of our Sharing the Victory of Jesus through our Love for One Another and a Celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper Have you remembered the First Presbyterian Church in Your Will?