First Presbyterian Church

Thomaston, Georgia

6th 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.

May 1, 2005                                                                     11:00 a.m.

We Gather To Worship God

Prayer of Preparation: (Silent)

Open our eyes, O God that we may see glorious visions of what you want to accomplish through your people.  Open our ears that we may hear, and open our hearts that we may heed the words that you say.  Let our love for you be made evident by our readiness both to truth and to obey your guidance by the Holy Spirit Amen.

 

Organ Prelude                                                Friedrich W. Zachau

"All Glory Be to God On High”

The Life of the Church                                                                                                                                                                                     Don Timberlake

Introit                         “Come and See”                    Chancel Choir

 

*Affirmation of Faith       Apostles’ Creed              Hymnal pg.  14                      

*Hymn of Praise                                                     Hymnal no.  376

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

 

We Are Renewed By God’s Grace

Confession of Sins

God of hope, you have promised to make all things new, and you have been patient in your desire to restore your world to its original perfection.  You have even shown great forbearance to a belligerent and stubborn humanity.  Forgive our unwillingness to be changed, to be open to others, to make the church a place of refuge for the hurting.  We are sorry for all that spoils the resemblance the church should have to what you have called us to be.  Continue your patience with us, and let us mature in love and faith and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Assurance of Pardon                                            Rev. Joe Blevins

*Gloria Patri                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Hymnal no. 579

Special Time for Small Saints                                                            Rev. Joe Blevins

We Unite In Faith and Concern

                                    Prayer Meditation                                                 Hymnal no. 403

“What A Friend We Have In Jesus”

 

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

Worship of Giving

Organ Offertory    "Prayer of the Morning”        Gerald Peterson      

*     Doxology and Prayer of Dedication                                                   Hymnal no. 592   

We Give Attention to God’s Word

                                    Music Meditation                                                         

 

Scripture Reading:                                 John 20: 1-23

Sermon                             “You Can Be Restored”           Rev. Joe Blevins

 

We Go in Christ’s Name

*Hymn of Dedication                                                           Hymnal no.  383

“My Faith Looks Up To Thee”

*Benediction                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Rev. Joe Blevins

*Organ Postlude          "Recessional"               Edward Broughton           

 

*(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   RON AND EVELYN MYATT

THE ELDER AT THE DOOR IS ED ALVERSON

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

May 1, 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, Kathryn Bowles, Jo Daniel, John and Virginia Ferguson, Norman Gardner, Vee McDonald, Charlie and Martha Jewell Mixon, and Dick Strouss

 

The following is the schedule for meetings the week of May 1 thru May 7, 2005.  Please note all meetings will be at the church unless otherwise indicated.

Sunday

Christian Ed Meeting                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          4:00

Movie Night

Our church will be showing the movie, Hotel Rwanda in our Fellowship Hall tonight 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”

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

Men of the Church                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       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.

 

Tuesday

Birdsong/Jenkins Circle                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     10:00

 

Wednesday

Family Night Supper                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        6:00

Dannis Presley will speak about our Boy Scouts Program.  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.

Thursday

World Day of Prayer (Please see insert)

Mother’s Day Offering

Each May, churches across Georgia celebrate the Mother’s Day Offering, the largest source of funds for benevolent care for the Caring Hands Fund.  The Mother’s Day offering will be collected during the morning worship service on Sunday, May 8.

 

Silver Circle

Silver Circle will go to the Calvin Center-Spring Fling on Wednesday May 11.  The bus will leave from the church at 8:00 a.m. and return around 4:00 p.m.  If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Salter.

 

Ivylyn Girardeau Circle

The Ivylyn Girardeau Circle will meet on Tuesday May 10, at the home of Freddie Davis at Lake Jackson.  The church bus will leave the church at 4:30.  If you will be attending, please contact Shirley Boldenow by May 8 so that she can order the food.

 

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 ____