Our Mission In common with all churches we seek to:
Worship God
Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures
Develop community
Offer nurture through the pastoral care giving of our members and staff We call people to a life of:
Discipleship
Stewardship
Spiritual development As a faith community we seek to be:
An inviting church
Offering hospitality and
Encouragement to people in search of God. Our Vision We will organize our church as a center for:
Spiritual development
Music and the arts
Urban mission
Ecumenical cooperation
Our Objectives
We have some unique opportunities due to our Germantown location and congregational history. These include:
Providing special programs for children and families in the local community
Building a healthy, diverse congregation
Developing an urban mission
Developing a ministry of music and the arts
Using our building and endowment creatively and responsibly
The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown logo seen on the cover of this bulletin represents the mul-tifaceted life of our energized congregation. The cross on the left symbolizes our Living Lord – the foun-dation upon which we build our faith. The harp in the yellow square represents our rich musical heritage, for we enjoy celebrating the gift of music in worship, workshops, and concerts. It is important for us to share music with our community. The dove symbolizes serving – offering educational and mission oppor-tunities through our many outreach activities. People – active and joy-filled – are represented in the red square on the right. We welcome all people to this church. We are a diverse congregation of many racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are, indeed, alive, spirit-filled, and caring.
The colors are reflective of the beautiful stained glass windows of the church. In fact, the colors of the logo were taken directly from The Christmas Window– “Thy light is come” made by Nicola D’Ascenzo and seen in the southwest corner of the nave.
The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown –
IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK SILENTLY TO GOD. AT THE CLOSE OF THE SERVICE LET US GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH CHEERFULNESS.
PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS TURNED OFF DURING WORSHIP.
September 21, 2014 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM
GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY
Prelude: Six Tone Sketches Camil Van Hulse No. 1 Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Introit: The Call Ralph Vaughan Williams
Arranged by Allen Percival Come my way, my truth, my life: Such a way as gives us breath: such a Truth as ends all strife: such a life as killeth death! Come my light, my feast, my strength; such a Light as shows a feast. Such a feast as mends in length, such a strength as makes his guest. Come my joy, my love, my heart; such a joy as none can move; such a love as none can part; such a heart as joys in love.
†*Call to Worship Psalm 105:1-4 Leader: O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples. People: Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works. Leader: Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. People: Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
†*Hymn 446: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken AUSTRIAN HYMN CONFESSING OUR SINS TO GOD
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (unison)
You asked for my hands, that you might use them for your purpose. I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them, for the work was hard. You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice. I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused. You asked for my eyes to see the pain of pov-erty. I closed them, for I did not want to see. You asked for my life, that you might work through me. I gave a small part, that I might not get too involved. Lord forgive my calculated efforts to serve you – only when it is xxxxx
_____________________ *congregation standing † latecomers may be seated
convenient for me to do so, only in those places where it is safe to do so, only with those who make easy to do so. Father, forgive me, renew me, send me out as a usable instrument, that I might take seriously the mean-ing of your cross. Amen.
Silent Meditation
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God
xx through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained ac–
x cess to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of
xxxx sharing the glory of God. People: Thanks be to God.
†*Congregational Response 485: To God Be the Glory (Verse 1) TO GOD BE THE GLORY To God be the glory, great things He has done!
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And open the life gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory: great things He hath done! †* Sharing the Peace of Christ
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.
(As worshipers, we come from diverse experiences and points of view. We have different racial, educational, and economic backgrounds. Yet we are all one in Christ. We symbolize this as we exchange with one another, by words and gestures, signs of peace and reconciliation such as, “The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.”)
Children in grades five and younger may now leave for their classes PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
Prayer for Illumination Chris Scott, reader
The First Lesson Exodus 16: 2-15 The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole as-sembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my
instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glo-ry of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, be-cause the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses and said, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”
In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”
Leader: God’s Word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. People: Thanks be to God!
Choir: How Lovely are the Messengers Felix Mendelssohn
Based on Romans 10: 15, 18 How lovely are the messengers that preach us the gospel of peace! To all the nations is gone forth the sound of their words. How lovely are the messengers that preach us the gospel of peace!
The Second Lesson Matthew 20:1-16 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his man-ager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought
they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Leader: God we thank you for your Word; People: The Story of your grace.
*Hymn 2175: Together We Serve SAN ANSELMO
This Hymn is found in Sing the Faith
Sermon: THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD’S GRACE The Reverend Dr. Randal L. Bremer RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
*Affirmation of Faith: A Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us 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. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long si-lenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Our Gifts and Lives
Offertory: My Lord, What a Mornin’ African-American Spiritual
Arranged by Harry T. Burleigh My Lord, what a morning, My Lord, what a morning, Oh, my Lord, what a morning, when the stars begin to fall. Done quit all my worldly ways, join that heavenly band. My Lord, what a morning, My Lord, what a morning. Oh, my Lord, what a morning, when the stars begin to fall.
*Congregational Response 592: Doxology 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. *Prayer of Dedication
GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME
*Hymn 413: All Who Love and Serve Your City CHARLESTOWN *Charge and Benediction
*Congregational Response 540: God Be with You Till We Meet Again (Verse 2) RANDOLPH God be with you till we meet again;
Unseen wings protecting hide you, Daily manna still provide you: God be with you till we meet again.
*Postlude: Trumpet Voluntary John Stanley
WELCOME: If you are visiting with us today, please sign the Fellowship Pad at the end of your pew. We pray the hour will be meaningful to you and you will come and worship with us again. Everyone is cordially invited to a time of fellowship in the Long-streth Auditorium following the worship service.
IN MEMORIAM
The flowers are given to the glory of God in memory of
H. George Thompson
TODAY'S COFFEE HOUR HOST: Timothy Robinson. Next week's Coffee Hour is open. COFFEE HOUR: Please consider taking a turn. You provide the goodies/munchies of your choice. The Congregational Development and Fellowship Committee provides the Half & Half and juice. A member of the committee will help make the coffee and assist you with setup and cleanup.
SECOND ANNUAL PEACE DAY CONCERT: : : This afternoon Keystone State Boychoir and Philadelphia Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra will present a concert celebrating Peace Day Philly. The concert will begin at 4:00 PM here at First Church. No tickets are required—A free-will offering will be taken.
AS YOUR INTERIM PASTOR, I would like to be informed when a member of FPC in Ger-mantown is hospitalized. Please contact me when you, a friend or a family member is going into the hospital. My cell phone number is (757) 508-6947. Randy Bremer
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, is World Communion Sunday. You are invited to wear your tradi-tional garb to celebrate this internatradi-tional event.
GERMANTOWN AVE CRISIS MINISTRY SET TO REOPEN: The church renovation project to relocate the Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry and improve handicap accessibility to the building is finally complete. On Monday, September 22 the Project Team and a repre-sentative from our builder, AE Reeves, will perform a walk through to ensure that all of the components of the contract have been satisfied. GACM is scheduled to reopen Monday, Sep-tember 29.
A special ‘THANK YOU’ to the entire Property Committee but especially to Duane Horne, Joe Leube and Jim Thompson for serving as members of the GACM Project Team. Thank you to our church staff Jesse Jacobs, Building Superintendent and Eileen Jones, Director of Urban Min-istry and Executive Director of GACM who worked collaboratively to make the transition al-most smooth as silk!
To continue growing this mission of our church we ask that you join in the GACM Fundraising campaign and submit your pledges and make a contribution to underwrite the cost of the move and construction.
GIVING STATEMENTS: In response to many requests the distribution of quarterly giving statements has resumed. The first ones were sent out in July reflecting the first half of 2014. The next one is planned to be sent in October as soon as everything is recorded through the end of September. These statements are sent to everyone who has made any form of contri-bution or commitment. These statements reflect your total giving to our church which includes worship offerings, challenge offerings, special appeals and other contributions. The statements will help you know your status regarding your support commitment made for this year. To all, this statement comes with a big THANK YOU for your faithfulness in supporting God’s work here in Germantown. It also may be a gentle reminder that support by everyone is important as we work together to serve our Lord.
POT PIES: Due to popular demand, Fisher's Pot Pies are back! Pre-paid orders will be taken the first three Sundays in October (5th, 12th and 21st) during coffee hour. The pies will be de-livered for distribution by Sunday, October 28. Flyers with the menu choices, description, and prices are on their way and will be available on the literature table as soon as they arrive. If you would like a flyer mailed to you please call the church office at 215-843-8811.
SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE OFFERING
The Presbyterian Peace-making Offering is our Challenge Offering recipi-ent for the month of Sep-tember. Without a doubt, our world is in need of peace. On our streets and in our communities, within our households and in our relationships, within groups and between fac-tions, among nations and
within the whole global community, we need peace. Stark reminders of our need for peace con-front us every day, calling us to act and inviting us to engage in the work and witness of peacemak-ing. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering provides a concrete way for all of us to contribute
to the work of peacemak-ing. A portion of the of-fering goes to the Presby-terian Church (U.S.A.), a portion goes to the Presby-tery of Philadelphia and a portion remains here at The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown. “Peace I Leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)
Our IHN guests will stay with us for two more weeks and will move out on Sunday, October 5. Your help is needed as evening dinner and overnight hosts, and we also need donations of food for breakfast, lunch and snacks. With the exception of the overnight host, most volun-teer commitments last approximately two hours. The overnight host arrives between 8 and 8:30 PM and can leave the building between 7:00 and 7:30 AM.
Pick up an information flyer on the literature table to learn more about this program that has operated since 1991, helping families transition from homelessness to stable housing. First Church has been involved since the beginning! You may also speak with Eileen Jones for more information or to sign up as a volunteer. INH primarily serves homeless families, most of whom are comprised of women and children.
Lack of affordable housing and inadequate housing assistance is a major reason for fami-lies finding themselves homeless. The impact of high housing costs falls disproportionate-ly on extremely low-, very low-income households, especially renters. 84 % of Philadelphi-ans making less than $20,000 in 2013 paid 30 percent or more of their household income on housing costs. 57 % of all renter households spend more than 30 percent on rent and utili-ties. Project Home
Sunday, September 21 8:45 AM 10:00 AM 11:10 AM 11:10 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 4:00 PM Monday, September 22
Tuesday, September 23 6:30 PM Wednesday, September 24 2:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM Thursday, September 25 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:45 PM Friday, September 26 Saturday, September 27 8:15 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Sunday, September 28 8:45 AM 10:00 AM 11:10 AM 11:10 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM
WINDOW ON THE WEEK
Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Worship Service—The Rev. Dr. Randal L. Bremer, preaching Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium
Children’s Choir—Music Room Adult Education
Sunday School
Chancel Choir—Music Room Concert—Peace Day Philly
Reconciliation Committee
Staff Meeting
Keystone State Boychoir
Mission and Outreach Committee
Keystone State Boychoir Gospel Choir
Voices in Bronze
Camping Trip to Hickory Run Camping Trip to Hickory Run Keystone State Boychoir Open Gym
Readers Choice
Camping Trip to Hickory Run
Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Worship Service—The Rev. Dr. Randal L. Bremer, preaching Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium
Children’s Choir—Music Room Adult Education
Chancel Choir—Music Room Deacons’ Meeting
Interim Pastor Director of Adult Education and Community Life
Director of Urban Ministry Director of Music and Communication Director of Christian Education Parish Visitor Facilities Superintendent Administrative Assistant Bookkeeper Sextons
The Reverend Dr. Randal L. Bremer The Reverend Kevin L. Porter Eileen Jones
David C. Daugherty Christian Heyer-Rivera Heidi Mercado-Littles Jesse Jacobs
Jo Ann Brownlee Cindy Osborne
Terry Boyer, Illya (J.R.) Pasture
The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown
35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-843-8811 www.fpcgermantown.org
First Church Staff
Elders 2015
Sherry Archer
Carolyn Ballard-Freeman Madeline Valentine
Madeline Valentine Clerk of Session
2016
Denise Cowie Contina Lundy Lois Nafziger Faith Wolford
2017
Andrew Hood Christopher Scott
Church Officers
Deacons 2015
Sarah Andrews Donald Carlin Ruth Cato Veda Gibbs Evadney Miller
2016
Delores Solomon David Wolford
2017
Randy Clever
