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 SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007 at 11 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 "Hail Thee, Festival Day for Pentecost" Original Latin Words by Venantius Honorius Fortunatus Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Come, let us celebrate this Festival Day Unison: and rejoice with joy for all that Pentecost means to us. Leader: Come, let us remember and celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, Unison: and rejoice in the Spirit's work in all of God's people. Leader: Come, let us remember and celebrate that when we cry out to God, "Abba!" Father! Unison: it is that Spirit of God bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Leader: Inspired by the Holy Spirit let us come as children to worship the God who made us, Unison: and who has loved us in Jesus Christ. * HYMN FOR PENTECOST No. 130 Laudes Domini "Let Every Christian Pray" CALL TO CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION O God, you have given us the gift of life, and the gift of new life as your children through your Holy Spirit. The Spirit calls us to experience more of what it means to be your children, but we are often reluctant to heed that call. In mercy your Spirit has set us free with forgiveness, yet we cling to self-centered ways, to old prejudices, and to sinful ways of living. Forgive us that we resist the work of your Spirit in our lives. Help us to risk letting go of old patterns of living that we may become more and more the children you would have us to be. By your Spirit encourage us to live into the vision of wholeness, peace and joy that you desire for each one of us and for the whole human family. PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION IN SILENCE THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON * THE RESPONSE No. 579 Gloria Patri 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) JESUS SPEAKS OF THE COMING GIFT OF THE SPIRIT John 14: 15-21 ANTHEM: "Come Down, O Love Divine" Words by Bianco Da Siena, ca. 1367, translated by R.E. Littledale Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, arranged by P.R. Dietterich (Children Kindergarten through 3rd Grade leave for Children's Church upstairs) PAUL SPEAKS OF THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES Romans 8:12-17 SERMON: "WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE CHILDREN OF GOD?" Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD . . . * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: from The Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. * HYMN FOR THE SPIRIT'S PRESENCE AND POWER No. 326 Morecambe "Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart" RECOGNITION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADVISORS WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THE YOUTH CONFERENCE AT MONTREAT PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY * THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE No. 592 Old Hundredth Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. * PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING * THE LORD'S PRAYER (Presbyterian Hymnal, page 16, traditional, using debts and debtors) TO GO OUT AND SERVE . . . * HYMN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT No. 129 Ebenezer "Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us" * THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE FOR PENTECOST No. 322 Living God Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me. * 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 Assistant: 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 Nancy McMullin in memory of her parents, Larry and Margaret McMullin, and in honor and memory of past, present, and future veterans. Our Prayer Calendar: Gayle DiBenedetto, Louise Pumphrey, Charlton Keen, Virginia Schreiber, Mildred Spivey (Larry Spivey's sister-in-law), and Amy Kiss (Syntha Alvarez's half-sister). The insert in the bulletin highlights our Pentecost Offering which will be received today. 40% percent of this offering will be used locally by the Stop-Over House, 10% supports the General Assembly's child advocacy ministries, 25% supports Young Adult Volunteer opportunities and 25% supports the General Assembly's ministries with youth and young adults. Please use the special envelopes in the bulletin for this offering. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the following young people and advisors who will be leaving on Saturday to attend the Montreat Youth Conference: Joshua Blighton, Harrison Fuqua, Sara Jean Hargis, Millie Mathis, Emilyanne Mathis, Elizabeth Mathis, Nicholas Ratzlaff, Jared Roberts, Kara Roberts, Preston Skipper, Alton Stone, Helen-Marie Taylor, Clint Touchton, Jade Wimberly, Amanda Yant, Betty Blighton, Pam Fuqua and Mary Skipper. They will give a report on this conference as they lead worship for Youth Sunday on June 10. The theme of this year's conference is "Turning the Page." Our thoughts and prayers will be with Stephenie Maddox Hill on her Ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and her Installation as Pastor of the Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, South Carolina. The service will be held at the church this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. It will be led by a Commission from the Presbytery of New Harmony. The Rev. Preston S. Shealy will the sermon, and Debbie Shealy will be one of the commissioners. Her address at the church is 1375 Johnson Road, Jefferson, SC 29718, telephone (843)658-3279. All adults are invited to share in one of our Sunday School classes which are offered each week in addition to our classes for all younger ages. The class in the parlor next Sunday will be entitled, "Amos Challenges Injustice," based on Amos 5:10-15, 21-24. Upstairs in Room 2 the class will be using the texts in our Worship Service: John 16:12-15 and Romans 5:1-5. Our Young Adult Class will be meeting in Room 6 Upstairs. Next Sunday breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall from 9 until 9:30 a.m. At our Worship Service the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be celebrated. SummerFest 2007 will be held this year on Tuesday - Thursday, June 26-28, from 5:00 until 7:30 and will include recreation, presentation of the theme through drama, crafts for children and youth, a time of indepth study for adults, supper (covered dish one night and catered the other two nights) and a closing program in the sanctuary. (A nursery for children below 3 years of age will be provided each night from 5:00 until 6:30 so that parents may take part more fully in the program.) Each night will offer an excellent opportunity for members and friends of all ages to enjoy fun, food and fellowship as well as learning how to "Use Our Gifts in the Service of God." Make plans now to attend. This week in the life of the church . . . Monday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Church Office Closed for Memorial Day Tuesday Evangelism and Fellowship Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall Youth Choir meets at 5:30 in the sanctuary Youth Group meets at 6:30 in the sanctuary Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9:00 - 11:00, Volunteers are Betty Brendemuehl and Jeff Allen Choir Practice at 5:15 p.m. JuBELLees bell cleaning party 6:00 Montreat Youth meet at the Blightons' house for a cookout / planning party at 6:30 Thursday Newsletter collated at 1 p.m. Friday Ladies Exercise Class 9 a.m. Saturday Youth Group leave church for Montreat at 7 a.m. Sunday (3rd) Breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall from 9 until 9:30 a.m. Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. A Celebration of our Living as Children of God Filled with the Love and Peace of God, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at 11 a.m. Have you remembered the First Presbyterian Church in Your Will?