First Presbyterian Church

Thomaston, Georgia

5th Sunday of Easter

JOE R. BLEVINS, Pastor

 

The purpose of First Presbyterian Church is to 

glorify God in Jesus Christ  through  worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship and service.

 

April 24, 2005                                                                 11:00 a.m.

We Gather To Worship God

Prayer of Preparation: (Silent)

Almighty God, you pour out the spirit of grace and supplication on all who desire it.  Deliver us from cold hearts and wandering thoughts, that with steady minds and burning zeal we may worship you in spirit and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Organ Prelude           "These Holy Mysteries"     Roger C. Wilson             

The Life of the Church                                                                                                                                                                                        Betty Dawkins

Introit                         “Come and See”                    Chancel Choir

“Come and see, I am the way and the truth,” said He. 

“Follow me, come as a child, O come and see”

Kyrie Eleison, Christe, adoramus te.

*Affirmation of Faith       Apostles’ Creed              Hymnal pg.  14                     

*Hymn of Praise    “Great is Thy Faithfulness”    Hymnal no.  276

 

We Are Renewed By God’s Grace

Confession of Sins

Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinfulness, our shortcomings, and our offenses against you.  You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, and in forgetting your love.  Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you.  Forgive our sins, and help us to live in your light, and walk in your ways, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior we pray.  Amen.

 

Assurance of Pardon                                            Dr. Al Simmons

*Gloria Patri                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Hymnal no. 579

Special Time for Small Saints                                                            Dr. Al Simmons

We Unite In Faith and Concern

                                    Prayer Meditation                                                 Hymn no.  2055

“You Are My Hiding Place”

                        Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer                 Hymnal pg. 16

Worship of Giving

Piano Offertory          “Lamentation”                   Gerald Peterson

(Vickie Capel, Pianist)

*     Doxology and Prayer of Dedication                                                   Hymnal no. 592   

We Give Attention to God’s Word

                                    Anthem    “Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God” Carl F. Mueller                                        

(Chancel Choir)

 

Scripture Reading:                                             Genesis 4:1-7

                                                                                                                                                                                                Matthew 20: 1-16

Sermon                                    “God Will Be God”           Dr. Al Simmons

We Go in Christ’s Name

*Hymn of Dedication                                              Hymnal no.  324

“Open My Eyes That I May See”

*Benediction                                                                                                                                                                            Dr. Al Simmons

Organ Postlude                                                                                                     arr. Jim Capel                                               “Lord, Our Lord, Thy Glorious Name”                              

*(Congregation Stands)

(Please note hymns with 3 digits are in the hardback hymnal and

 4 digit numbers are in the small soft cover book)

OUR GREETERS TODAY ARE SKIP AND RUTH PRESLEY

THE ELDER AT THE DOOR IS EVELYN MYATT

We joyfully welcome all who visit with us today.  If you would like to become a member of First Presbyterian, see the pastor or the elder at the door.  If you would like to have someone pray for you or with you, you will find prayer volunteers in the Prayer Room after the service of worship. (The Prayer Room is to the left of the Narthex as you exit the sanctuary)  Have a wonderful Day in the Joy of The Lord!

 

 

Announcements

April 24, 2005

We welcome members and visitors who are worshiping with us this morning.  So that we can have a record of your attendance, please sign the red book located at the end of each pew and pass it on to others on your row. 

Please continue to keep the following individuals and their families in your prayers: Katherine Birdsong, Jo Daniel, John and Virginia Ferguson, Norman Gardner, Charlie and Martha Jewell Mixon, and Dick Strouss.

May Newsletter

Please have all information for the May newsletter in writing to the church office by Monday, April 25.

 

The following is the schedule for meetings the week of April 25 thru April 30 2005.  Please note all meetings will be at the church unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday Evening Bible Study

The Sunday Evening Bible Study will not meet tonight or Sunday May 1.

Sunday

Christian Ed Meeting                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        4:00

Wednesday

Congregational Life Meeting                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         5:00

Family Night Supper                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 6:00

We are delighted to have Elder Ben Miller, Jr. as our speaker.  He will tell us a bit about growing up in this church and then he will talk about his work today as Juvenile Court Judge of Upson County.    The cost is $5.00 per person. Children under 3 will eat free.  The cap per family is $15.00.   If you wish to attend, please complete the form and place it in the offering plate.   You may also call the church office by noon on Tuesday to place or change a reservation.

Tear Off Below For Wednesday Night Supper

***************************************************

Please indicate below the number attending and place in the offering plate. (standing reservations are no longer accepted)

Name:____________________________________________

 

#Adults________        #Children ____

 

Movie Night

Our church will be showing the movie, Hotel Rwanda in our Fellowship Hall on Sunday, May 1st, at 5:30 p.m.  This film chronicles the Rwandan genocide that took place in Rwanda 11 years ago.  At that time Hutu extremists slaughtered almost a million of their Tutsi countrymen with guns and machetes, while the Western World and the Christian church stood by and refused to intervene. Hotel Rwanda, the first mainstream film to approach the subject, tells the story of hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who sheltered more than 1,200 people during the chaos.   The film is rated PG-13 (originally R) and contains violence and disturbing images with brief strong language.  It is not recommended for children.  Our Session has determined that youth under 17 will be admitted only with signed permission from their parents or be accompanied by a parent.  This is an important film for Christians to see because of similar ethnic cleansing atrocities that are occurring in the world today, particularly the genocide that is taking place in Sudan at this moment.  It will challenge your heart to speak up rather than being silent, and to be involved rather than to remain idle when things like this occur in our world. Christianity Today Magazine says that, “If we really had the mind and heart of Christ, this is the movie we would be urging people in our churches to see”

 

Men of the Church

Mark your calendar! Men of the Church will meet on Monday, May 2 at 7:00.  The guest speaker will be Don Peacock.  He will discuss the problems with methamphetamines.    So that we will know how many to prepare for, please sign the sheet located in the Narthex.