FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH www.fpcnorfolk.org
Pra•x•is:The Experiment This year we are challenged to participate in an experiment called Pra•x•is, a Greek word meaning “practices.” Our hypothesis is simple; if we commit to five spiritual practices over the next year, our relationships with Jesus Christ and with one another will be radically transformed. The five practices are found in the word Pra•x•is: Pray for the entire world, Read through the entire Word, Add to the community, Invest in the Kingdom, and Send yourself to the nations. The X represents Christ (the Greek letter Chi, or X, is the first letter of Christ and an ancient symbol for Jesus) and reminds us that what we do only finds meaning if Jesus is at the center. If you are seeking purpose or meaning, if you want to know and grow closer to God, or if you want a deeper spiritual life, we invite you to join us this year and take the experiment!
Pastors at First Presbyterian Church: Jim Wood, Senior Pastor - jim@fpcnorfolk.org Valena Hoy, Executive Associate Pastor- valena@fpcnorfolk.org Jim Gates, Associate Pastor of Evangelism- jimgates@fpcnorfolk.org
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH www.fpcnorfolk.org
THIS WEEK AT FIRST
DECEMBER 4, 2011
SEEKING CHRIST: FPC 101- Join us for an an opportunity to meet our staff, learn about our vision as a congregation, and discover what membership means for us. Dinner and childcare are provided. Please register online. www.fpcnorfolk.org Service of Remembrance and Healing - Come to this service tonight at 7:00 pm. to remember together that our Savior, Jesus, comes as light even into our own darkness.! There will be time for prayer, beautiful music and reflection. December 4 at 7:00pm Children’s Christmas Pageant and Family Dinner- Sunday December 18th at 5:00pm. Register on Connection Card or online at www.fpcnorfolk.org Christmas Poinsettias: You may give a poinsettia in honor or in loving memory of someone this Christmas Season. $25/each. Please fill out the Connection Card to request your Christmas Poinsettia.
SHARING HIS LOVE: Send Yourself to the Nations - New Sermon series beginning today. Make a 2% commitment: Commit 2% (7 Days or 168 hours of your year to missions.) Go 2 Blocks! -1 Block Sunday school + 1 Block Worship; please park 2 blocks away to make room for visitors." World AIDS Day/One Day of Pay – Sunday, Dec. 4, we ask you to prayerfully consider giving one day of your pay to support Tree of Lives, FPC’s AIDS ministry in Kenya, as part of the global effort to raise AIDS awareness on World AIDS Day. 100 percent of your donation will provide Kenyan families and individuals suffering from AIDS with life-saving food and medications. (10 hours) Boxes of Love - Each ornament ($60) has a picture of an African child who is part of the Holy Family Center in Kenya. Supported by FPC, the Center serves many precious children who are HIV+. Your gift provides things like: mattresses, blankets, back packs, shoes, socks, jackets and food, enough for a MONTH! Sign up in the Common. (10 hours each box) Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (N.E.S.T)- Dec 21- 28 A Christmas Week Service Opportunity. Sign up to assist in providing dinner and shelter in our church building for the homeless of our community. Visit the Common for more information. *Consider making a NEST Hygiene kit. We also need 90 rolls of Duct tape. (10 hours for each kit and roll of Duct tape) Visitor’s Cross - A handmade cross will be added to the new Pra•x•is cross in The Common each time the Lord blesses us with a first-time visitor. We celebrate that 160 first-time visitors have been with us in worship since 9.11.2011. Please remember to invite your friends to church. “...and day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY 2nd Sunday of Advent!
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DECEMBER 4,2011 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
(Please silence your cell phone.) !
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Organ Prelude-
Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord
Genevan Psalter
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Welcome Call to Worship: Romans 13:11b-12" *Hymn - #1 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Prayer of Confession " God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgement. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the Earth and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world. "
Silent Confession Confessional Response - Gloria Gloria in Excelsis Deo; Gloria in Excelsis Deo Assurance of Pardon: John 3:16-17 *Congregational Response to God’s Grace: ! " "
Gloria Patri
Hymn 579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
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Greeting and Connecting #
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Children through grade 5 are invited to come forward to receive Worship Packets & a RADICOL Kid’s bulletin, designed especially to involve them in worship.
Old Testament Reading: Jonah 3:1-10, Page 860 & 861, O.T., NRSV "" New Testament Reading: John 3:9-21, Page, 94 N.T., NRSV The Preached Word
Send C.O.D.
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Jim Wood
Presentation of our Gifts: Deuteronomy 8:17-18 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
Offertory Anthem "
A Maiden Most Gentle ! !
Andrew Carter!
*Doxology and Prayer of Dedication ! "
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.
The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ " The table of our Lord is at the center of life as a Christian community and stands as an invitation to the fullness of life that God intends for each of us. At the table we celebrate the promises of our baptism, that Christ can be alive in us and we in Him. Our Lord invites all of God’s baptized to His table regardless of age, denominational connection or social status. The choice to commune at this particular table is yours; however, please do not feel obligated.
Invitation to The Lord’s Table Words of Institution Prayer of Consecration The Lord’s Prayer [in unison] [sung] Sharing the Elements [Partake of the elements when you are served.] Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Hymn - #5 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" *An Invitation to Christian Discipleship *Benediction and Congregational Response Celtic Alleluia: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
The Red Rose- The roses celebrate the arrival Elisabeth Lucy Loveless, born November, 21. She is the daughter of Diana and Damon Loveless. !
Flowers in the Sanctuary - The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Llyod Martin Gillbert, given by his family.
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
DECEMBER 4, 2011 9:30 a.m. in First Hall
2nd Sunday of Advent
(Please silence your cell phone.)
ENTERING INTO THE WORD Songs of Praise and Prayer:" Greeting & Prayers
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O Come All Ye Faithful, Hosanna
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Children in grades K-2 are dismissed for Worship First. Children through grade 5 are invited to come forward to receive Worship Packets & a RADICOL Kid’s bulletin, designed to involve them in worship. !
Songs:!!
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Gift of Love, Majesty !
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ENCOUNTERING THE WORD "
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Old Testament Reading: Jonah 3:1-10, Page, 860 & 861 O.T., NRSV !
New Testament Reading: John 3:9-21, Page, 94 N.T., NRSV " "
The Preached Word
Send C.O.D.!
ENGAGING THE WORD AND THE WORLD
Jim Wood
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The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
"
The table of our Lord is at the center of life as a Christian community and stands as an invitation to the fullness of life that God intends for each of us. At the table we celebrate the promises of our baptism, that Christ can be alive in us and we in Him. Our Lord invites all of God’s baptized to His table regardless of age, denominational connection or social status. The choice to commune at this particular table is yours; however, please do not feel obligated.
Offering Our Gifts & Prayers: Deuteronomy 8:17-18 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
Benediction and Song of Response:
Gift of Love
The Red Rose- The roses celebrate the arrival Elisabeth Lucy Loveless, born November, 21. She is the daughter of Diana and Damon Loveless.
SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES
DECEMBER 4, 2011
For help finding a class for yourself or your child, please stop by the Welcome Center.
Children and Youth Sunday School Bethlehem Babies Nursery Birth -23 months ~ 8:20 - 12:10 p.m. Check your child in at the Nursery Area. Little Lambs Sunday School 2-4 years old ~ 9:30 & 11 a.m. Check your child in at computers outside the children’s wing. R.A.D.I.C.O.L Sunday School (Raising Awesome Disciples in Christ Our Lord) K-5th grade 9:30 & 11 a.m. Check in at computers outside the children’s wing. Jr. High Sunday School Grades 6-8 ~ 9:30 & 11 a.m. in the Catacombs Sr. High Sunday School Grades 9-12 ~ 9:30 in Youth Director’s Office on Staff Square; 11 a.m. in the Catacombs "
Adult Sunday School 9:30 Basic Bible Class - II Corinthians (Rabbi Room) Seekers Class - The Book of Acts (Part 2) (2nd Floor Conference Room) Covenant Class - Early Church History (The Center for Prayer & Spiritual Growth 2nd floor) Marriage by the Book-God’s perspective on marriage. (The Center for Prayer & Spiritual Growth 2nd floor) 11:05 Alpha Express - Introduction to Christian Theology (Northminster House Parlor) Young Couples Small Group (The Center for Prayer & Spiritual Growth 2nd Floor) Holy Land Group - 2nd & 4th Sundays (The Center for Prayer & Spiritual Growth 2nd Floor) The Four Loves - Study of C.S. Lewis’ book (The Center for Prayer & Spiritual Growth 1st Floor) 20-Something Couples Bible Study -1st & 3rd Sun. (The Center for Prayer & Spiritual Growth 2nd Floor) Young Adults - The Life You’ve Always Wanted (The Center for Prayer & Spiritual Growth 1st Floor) #
In The Common: " Free Bibles in The Loft & Sermon DVDs, free for visitors. # A Special Gift for Visitors: First-time visitors receive a copy of Donald Miller’s book, # # Searching for God Knows What, found on the table in The Common. Program Staff: Andrew Callan, Minister of Administration - andrew@fpcnorfolk.org Lucy Gates, Director of Family & Children’s Ministries - lucy@fpcnorfolk.org Hunter Mackey Johnston, Children’s Ministry Coordinator - hunter@fpcnorfolk.org Kristine Rand, Director of Prayer & Spiritual Growth - kristine@fpcnorfolk.org Josh Whitaker, Director of Youth & Young Adults - josh@fpcnorfolk.org Sheryl Wood, Mission Outreach Coordinator - sheryl@fpcnorfolk.org