125 S. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 762-6688

www.firstonthird.org

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP

The music of the Opening Voluntary draws us from the outside world into the presence of God. In preparation for worship, you are invited

to use this time for prayerful reflection.

OPENING VOLUNTARY John Tabler “Sonata for Organ Op. 65, No. 6” Felix Mendelssohn Our Father Which Art in Heaven WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

[Please pass the friendship register down the row for each person to sign.]

CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 124) If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— let Israel now say— If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When our enemies attacked us, Then they would have swallowed us up alive, When their anger was kindled against us; Then the flood would have swept us away, The torrent would have gone over us; Then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

+HYMN 667

“When Morning Gilds the Skies” LAUDES DOMINI

First Presbyterian Church Growing in Faith and Love

WEEKLY UPDATES

Forum Sunday School Class All are welcome to attend a presentation in Room 101 this morning, Sunday, September 30th at 10am of, “Travels to Jordan”, narrated by Becky Jones. Harrelson Center Truckloads of supplies continue to arrive at the Harrelson Center. Volunteers are needed at their offices on North 4th Street between 12pm-2pm to unload, sort, and deliver supplies to distribution points around the city and surrounding counties. Volunteers are also needed during the same time at the distribution warehouse at 921 Princess St. Donations of requested supplies may be dropped off at the church (in the parlor off Orange Street entrance) or carried directly to the ware-house. For additional information, including the most updated list of needed supplies and volun-teer opportunities, please visit the Harrelson Center website or their Facebook page. Rise Against Hunger

On Sunday, October 7th, our church will pack over 10,000 meals to be distrib-uted to those in need. Please consider volunteering by assisting for one hour, either for set up at 9am in the gym, attending one of the meal packing ses-sions at 10am or 12pm, or remaining after the 12pm meal packing session to assist with clean up.

Youth Sunday School resumes today, Sunday, September 30th. Our Youth Group Kickoff has been moved to Sunday, October 14th, 5:30-7pm. Before kickoff, we have service opportunity on Octo-ber 7th with our church at Rise Against Hunger packing rice and bean meals in the church gym 12-1:30pm with Youth lunch together immediately following in Youth space until 2pm. At 6:30pm, that same day (Oct. 7th), all Youth and families are invited to Pine Valley Methodist Church for a free Christian Illusionist show. Small group leaders will be reaching out to their groups early Octo-ber to make fall plans for monthly gathering in addition to weekly Sunday Youth Groups starting October 14th. We pray you are safe and secure and look forward to getting everyone back to school and to our FPC Youth community! Stephen Ministry

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. Psalm 125:1. “The secret to consistency is to trust in God, because he never changes. He cannot be shaken by the changes in our world and he endures forever.” When ideas and changes in the world shake you, consider asking for a Ste-phen Minister who will listen carefully and prayerfully to your frustrations and concerns.

You may ask for a Stephen Minister by calling one of the pastors, 762-6688 or Janice Clark, 228-8584.

Family Promise (Interfaith) Each year, the Family Promise Ministry of First Presbyterian Church serves in collaboration with several local congregations, to provide accommodations and meals to homeless families of New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. The ministry is actively searching for a lead coordinator to partner with the Community Service Committee in 2019 and 2020 to organize four weeks of family visits for each year. For more information and to learn how the program impacts families in transition, please contact Mickey Southerland (mickjogger2@gmail.com). Save the Dates

October 3 - Children’s Choir, 4:45pm, Rooms 208, 303, Choir Room Fellowship@First Dinner, 5:30pm, Boney Hall

October 7 - World Communion Day - Communion will be served at all services Rise Against Hunger, 9am-12pm, Church Gym

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Service for the Lord’s Day September 30, 2018

Pastor on Call - (910) 338-9109

*Please leave a message and the Pastor will return your call.

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the sanctuary.

Leading in Worship this morning:

Dan Lewis, Pastor Richard Aylor, Associate Pastor

Hannah Vaughan, Parish Associate John Tabler, Director of Music

Benjamin Horrell, Asst. Director of Music Jen Mueske, Contemporary Worship Leader

Stewardship Spotlight – Step Up Wilmington

Because of your generosity, lives are being changed for the better...Jesus told us to support the needy. Your annual gift to First Presbyterian church goes to help cover the costs of Step Up Wilmington, formerly Hometown Hires. If someone with a difficult past decides they want to turn their life around finding employment can feel almost impossible. The training at Step Up Wilmington is designed to teach the skills that employers are looking for and turn the im-possible into hope and pride. A true second chance. Than you FPC members for helping

those that want to help themselves.

Remember… Good stewards make great things happen!

Contemporary Worship Gilmour Hall 9:00 AM “The Way” WELCOME OPENING PRAYER AND PASSING OF THE PEACE The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. “Hungry” “Here I Am To Worship” TIME WITH THE YOUNG CHURCH [Three year olds through second graders are invited to come forward, place their offering in the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their teachers for Children’s Worship in Room 205.] COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE REFLECTION AND OFFERING FIRST LESSON James 5: 13-20 SECOND LESSON Mark 9: 38-41 SERMON Dan Lewis

“Powerful and Effective” “Cornerstone” BLESSING

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST LESSON James 5: 13-20

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible PP. 231-232 Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON Mark 9: 38-41

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible P. 45 Thanks be to God.

SERMON Dan Lewis “Powerful and Effective”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 465 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” CONVERSE

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OFFERING

CALL TO CONFESSION Brothers and Sisters, why do we confess our sin? Because all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. But why do we do it together? Because we are a community, a covenant people.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done And by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our Whole heart, mind, and strength; We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, Help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, So that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, To the glory of your holy name… SILENT PRAYER KYRIE MERBECKE Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Hear this good news:

Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ. And Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone and a new life has begun. Let us all believe this good news!

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

+GLORIA PATRI (581) GREATOREX 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.

PASSING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! And also with you!

TIME WITH THE YOUNG CHURCH [Three year olds through second graders are invited to come forward, place their offering in the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their teachers for Children’s Worship. Ages 3 - K meet in Room 208; Grades 1 & 2 meet in Room 311.]

OFFERTORY ANTHEM “How Lovely are the Messengers from St. Paul” -Felix Mendelssohn How lovely are the messengers that preach us the gospel of peace. To all the nations is gone forth the sound of their words. Throughout all the lands their glad tidings. Romans 10:15

+DOXOLOGY (606) 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 THANKSGIVING AND 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.

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 804 “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart!” MARION

+CHARGE & BENEDICTION CLOSING VOLUNTARY

“Prelude on Song 24 Op. 105, No. 4” Charles Villiers Stanford

If you leave before worship’s conclusion, please do so silently in consideration of others. Please refrain from photography and videography

during the worship service.

[+You are invited to stand. For each hymn, please stand as the last line of the introduction is played.]