First Presbyterian Church                        Thomaston, Georgia

Joe R. Blevins, Pastor                                September 18, 2005

 

GATHERING

 

   Gathering Music                         2088 2016                                             

   Opening Scripture                      1st John 4: 7-8

 *Opening Prayer                         (Responsive)

Leader:      May the love of Christ be with you as we

                     gather now for worship!

People:      And may the love of Christ be with you

                     also in this service of praise!

Leader:      Let our worship go beyond these walls in

                     our caring for all we meet in need.

People:      Let our hearts celebrate Christ as we serve

                     the Lord with gladness!

Leader:      Let all we do for others bring glory and

                     honor to Christ’s name!

ALL:             Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Leader:      Merciful God, in Your love You have

                     called us together to worship and serve You.

                      Bind us together in Your love,

                     that we may honor You with our songs and prayers.

                       In Christ’s we pray.  Amen.

 

 Hymn of Praise               Love Divine, All Loves Excelling         376

                                                     (Hymn tune – Beecher)

 Children’s Moment                                  

PROCLAMATION

 

 First Reading                     Leviticus 19: 15-18 

 Music Meditation             "We Sing of Your Glory'                 2011                                       

                                                (Duet)

 

Second Reading               Romans 12: 9-10

Sermon                                     Love Sincerely                     Pastor  Blevins

RESPONSE

Hymn of Response                The Summons                          2130

                                        (Stanzas 1,2 – choir; Stanzas 3-5 All)

Prayers and Confession         (Responsive)

Loving God, You have called us to love and care

for one another.

Yet, we tend  to focus mainly on our own selves

and often our love is superficial.

We pass by those in our own midst who need our

friendship and affection.

We ignore the voices of those who call out for

our attention.

We forget that we are the Body of Christ and

should care for others even as You care for us.

Forgive us, Lord, and help us make a difference in by showing Your love in sincere ways.

The pastor continues the prayer)

In the name of Jesus who taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on

earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Offering of Gifts and Self

    Choral  Offertory                                                Natalie Sleeth     "Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet"

*   Doxology and Prayer of Dedication                            592

*The Apostles’  Creed                                                             14

*Closing Hymn   They’ll Know We are Christians By Our Love    2223         

*Benediction and Response   Here I Am”   (Refrain only)       525         

*Postlude

 

 *Standing, if you are able   (3 digit hymns are in the hardback hymnal; 4 digit hymns are  in  the soft cover  book

 

 

 

Announcements

September 18, 2005

Our Greeters today are:   Jo Daniel and Margie Daniel

The Elder at the door is: Mark Davis

 

The flowers in the sanctuary this morning are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Francis and Sarah Oxford. 

 

Please continue to keep the following individuals and their families in your prayers:  Bessie Andrews, Katherine Birdsong, Jo Daniel, Norman Gardner, Charlie and Martha Jewell Mixon, Dick Strouss, Sylvia Tucker (Bessie Andrews niece), Dick Waggoner and Bob Williams (Barbara Richards’ brother-in-law).

 

Congratulations

The rosebud on the table this morning is in celebration of the birth of Brook Elizabeth Wallace who was born on September 1, 2005.  Her parents are Jennifer and Mike Wallace and she is the granddaughter of Tom and Linda Reese.

In Sympathy

The congregation extends its Christian sympathy to James McCune and his family on the passing of James’ brother, Billy McCune, who joined the church triumphant on Tuesday, September 6, 2005.

 

The congregation extends its Christian sympathy to Wanda Richards and her family on the passing of Wanda’s brother, Clyde Shearon, who joined the church triumphant on Thursday, September 8, 2005.

 

The congregation extends its Christian sympathy to Scott Blackstock and his family on the passing of Scott’s mother, Kathryn Blackstock, who joined the church triumphant on Sunday, September 11, 2005.

 

Help for Hurricane Victims

The Witness and Outreach Committee is collecting cases of water for the Katrina Hurricane victims in the Gulf Region.  If you would like to help out, please bring your cases to the Fellowship Hall and we will see that they get to the drop-off site which is now located at the Wal-Mart shopping Center.  Please – cases of water only!

 

The Upson County Ministerial Association has begun a community wide effort to help those who are suffering as a result of Hurricane Katrina.  All churches in Upson County are encouraged to support this effort.   

The following items are needed

Diapers, baby wipes, pre-mixed baby formula, band-aids, baby aspirin,

canned foods, canned fruits, canned vegetable and water in cases.

(No clothes or furniture please)

 

Drop Off Points

Wal-Mart Shopping Center at trailer

Hours:  Monday-Friday 1:00-8:00

Saturday 9:00-8:00

 

New Hope Baptist Church

1165 Hannah’s Mill Road

648-6521

Hours:  Monday-Friday 6:00-8:00

Saturday 10:00-6:00

 

The following is the schedule for meetings the week of September 18 thru September 24, 2005.  Please note all meetings will be at the church unless otherwise indicated.

 

   Sunday                     

   Sunday Evening Bible Study    6:30

 

   Monday

   Session                                   6:30

 

Wednesday

Family Night Supper                  6:00

For dinner we will have Reuben sandwiches, potato soup and dessert.  Wear your Green!  Rev. Joe Blevins will share with us the concepts of small groups.  We are preparing the food in house this next quarter and need to have the number of people attending by noon on Monday for our ladies to prepare correctly.  There are sign up slips in the pew racks or you may call the church office before noon on Monday.  The cost will be $5.00 per person with a $15.00 family cap.  Children under three are free.  If you would like to help with any of the items below, please call Sara at 646-5022. 

 

Chancel Choir                     7:00