Lift High the Cross The Victory is Won A CELEBRATION OF OUR SHARING THE VICTORY OF JESUS THROUGH OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, MAY 6, 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 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 remember God's love seen in the life and death of Jesus, Unison: and let us celebrate his victory that confirms that love for us. Leader: Come, let us celebrate that love that knows no end, Unison: and let us rejoice that Jesus is our ever-present Friend. * HYMN OF PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER No. 517 "We Come as Guests Invited" Wie Lieblich Ist Der Maien CALL TO CONFESSION based on the Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Leader: In sovereign love God created the world good People: and makes everyone equally in God's image Leader: male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God's commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God's condemnation. PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION IN SILENCE THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON Leader: Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. People: In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Leader: Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. People: Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Leader: Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, People: like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, Leader: God is faithful still. * 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. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, Your death has brought us life eternally. Refrain 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 RESPONDS TO THE VISION OF GOD Acts 11:1-18 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM: "Anthem of Fellowship" Words and Music by Jay Althouse JESUS GIVES HIS NEW COMMANDMENT John 13:31-35 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! SERMON "SHARING THE VICTORY OF JESUS THROUGH OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER" Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD . . . * HYMN OF AFFIRMATION Scholtes "They'll Know We Are Christians" (Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-708810) THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS * 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! 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 that we should give you thanks and praise......to pray as Jesus taught us saying, 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 THE VICTORY OF JESUS No. 495 Engelberg "We Know That Christ Is Raised" * 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 * POSTLUDE * All who can do so comfortably will stand Pastor: Huw Christopher Director of Music: Lawrence R. Nelson Elder of the month: Albert Milton 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 Louise Hoy and Daun and Christine Crews in memory of Jesse Hoy. Our Prayer Calendar: Louise Pumphrey, Alyne Pitman, Ekaette (one of the orphans under Joy Gilbert's care) and Charlton Keen. A Children's Church program for children Kindergarten through 3rd grade will not be held this morning in order that children may share in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper with their families. Children below Kindergarten age will move to the nursery downstairs following the Time with the Children. 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. All ladies are invited to attend one of the Circle Meetings which will be held at the following times and places tomorrow. Circle I will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the parlor followed by a salad luncheon in the fellowship hall. Circle II will meet at 5:00 p.m. at the home of Joy Lewis for a covered dish supper. Alex and Joy will provide the grilled chicken and drinks. Other members are asked to bring a covered dish and/or dessert (and your spouse or significant other). The Good News Women will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Sandra Daffin. The Presbytery of Florida will meet on Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Chipley. Elder Jake Gunter will be attending to represent our Church Session. All Men are invited to the Men's Bible Study of the topic, "Man in Friendship with God based on I Samuel 17:1-51 and Psalm 23 at the home of Kip Blighton, 4590 Forest Park Drive on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. 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, "Love," based on I Corinthians 13. The adults in the parlor will be study "Provision for the Redeemed," based on Revelation 7:1-3, 9-10 and 13-17. Upstairs in Room 2 the Adult class will be studying the texts to be used in our Worship Service: Revelation 21:1-7 and John 14:23-29. Our Young Adult Class will be meeting in Room 6. The May offering for our Food Pantry will be received next Sunday. During the month of April our food pantry on Wednesday mornings served 154 families, which included 443 individuals. The next PALS luncheon will be held on Tuesday, May 15 at 12 noon in the fellowship hall. Following lunch Rachel Christopher and Lou Wilkinson will present a program of handbell duet music of some familiar and favorite hymns of the church. Reservations for the meal which will cost $5.00 per person should be made by noon on Monday, May 14. Reservations may be made by filling out one of the green cards which will be available in the baskets in the narthex or on the table in the hallway by the fellowship hall today or next Sunday, and placing them on the offering plate, or by calling the church office at 526-2430 or e-mail to firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net. Host families are needed to ensure the success of the upcoming Progressive Dinner on May 19. A minimum of six homes are needed to provide appetizers and entrees. Desserts will be served at the home of John and Alma Milton. If you are interested in hosting a group of diners at your home please contact the church office (526-2430) or Kip Blighton (209-1445). The sympathy of the church is extended to Julien Cumming in the death of his cousin, Helen Jones of Tallahassee who died on April 30 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 Circle I meets in the parlor at 10:00 Circle II meets at the home of Alex and Joy Lewis at 5:00 The Good News Women meet at the home of Sandra Daffin at 7:00 Tuesday Presbytery of Florida in Chipley at 9 a.m. Administration Committee at 5:15 p.m. in the church office Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9 - 11. Volunteers are Jeanne Boyenton and Hazel Nelson Choir Practice at 5:15 p.m. JuBELLees practice at 5:45 p.m. Covered Dish Supper at 6:30 p.m. Youth Group at 7 p.m. Thursday Men's Bible Study Group at 6:30 p.m. Friday Ladies Exercise Class 9 a.m. Sunday (13th) Coffee and Juice in fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. A Celebration of our Sharing the Victory of Jesus with Trouble Free Hearts at 11 a.m. Have you remembered the First Presbyterian Church in Your Will?