First Presbyterian Church 4511 Sixth Avenue, Kearney, NE 68845

www.fpckearney.org (308) 234-4543

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS

Welcome to First Presbyterian Church! We want you to feel comfortable

and at ease in your surroundings. The following services are available to aid your

comfort in worship. Please inform the ushers of your particular needs.

o Nursery Staff will welcome your infants and toddlers.

o Wireless hearing aids, large-print bulletins, and large-print Bibles

o Children’s bulletins, activity backpacks, and Bibles

Please turn all cell phones and electronic devices to vibrate during the worship service!

Visitors and members are urged to record your presence at worship on the friendship pads

which are in the pews. Please include your address, phone number, email, and any other

information you wish to share with us and acquaint yourself with those sharing the pew.

Media Policy: In this digital age the church takes many pictures and/or recordings of

baptisms, worship services, special events, activities, Sunday School, youth groups, etc.

The First Presbyterian Church USA (FPC) uses these to record, promote, and celebrate

our church ministry through many different venues including, but not limited to, our

church website, social media, publications, etc. FPC understands that some people may

choose not to have their image used and the church wants to respect their wishes.

Therefore, FPC asks that those individuals or families who may prefer NOT to have

images of themselves used by the church to provide the church with a written request,

and the church will honor their wishes.

Anyone wishing to unite with the church, please let the Rev. Price-Gibson know.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! WORSHIP SCHEDULE OFFICE HOURS

9:15 am/9:30 am Adult/Youth Sunday School Monday through Thursday:

10:30 am Worship Service 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Coffee Fellowship following Worship Friday: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm

Minister: Every Member of This Church

Rev. Dr. Stephen Price-Gibson, Pastor Sandy McKirahan, Music Director

Rose Miller, Office Administrator Sharon Rees, Accompanist

Clayton Moyer, Chancel Choir Director Kelsey Cobb & Madison Cobb, Nursery

Angela Wright, Bell Choir Director Connie Moon & Susan Wallace, Organists

Josh Townsend, Website Coordinator Dennis Shultz, Custodian

Web-site: www.fpckearney.org

Should you have a need for pastoral care, please contact

Rev. Stephen Price-Gibson at 308-380-0908 or email spricegibson@hotmail.com.

January 28, 2018 WORSHIP FOR THE LORD’S DAY 10:30 AM

4th Sunday after Epiphany

*Those who are able please stand

Preparation for Worship

“Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been granted in what he ordaineth?”

From “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”, No. 35

--Joachim Meander, 1680, trans. Catherine Wink worth, 1863

PRELUDE “Appassionata” Michael Joy

Gloria Dei Bell Choir

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING Stephen Price-Gibson

CHORAL INTROIT “Holy is the Lord” William Bay

Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP John McKirahan, Liturgist

The God of heaven has made his home on earth,

Christ dwells among us and is one with us.

Come now all who thirst

and drink the water of life.

Come now all who hunger

and be filled with good things.

Come now all who seek

and be warmed by the fire of love.

Let us worship God.

*HYMN “O Day of Rest and Gladness” See Insert

*CONFESSION AND PARDON

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Let us in silence remember our own faults and failings.

(Silence)

In the community of Christ’s Church, and in the presence of God’s people,

I confess to God that I have sinned in thought, word and deed.

I have not loved God, cared for God’s world,

nor loved and respected God’s people.

I accept responsibility and pray for God’s pardon.

May God forgive you, Christ befriend you,

and the Spirit renew and transform you.

Amen.

In the community of Christ’s Church,

and in the presence of God’s people,

I confess to God that I have sinned

in thought, word and deed.

I have not loved God, cared for God’s world,

nor loved and respected God’s people.

I accept responsibility and pray for God’s pardon.

May God forgive you, Christ befriend you,

and the Spirit renew and transform you.

Amen.

Sung Response “Alleluia” No. 586

CHILDREN’S TIME

ANTHEM “I Bring a Heart of Thanks” Pepper Choplin I bring a heart of thanks to You. My voice will raise a song of praise. I bring a heart of thanks to You. My soul will rejoice to sing with boisterous praise. How great is Your love, Your love and Your care, Your care and Your faithfulness, and great, how great my desire to express my heart of thanks. Lord, we come to put our faith in You. Faithful in ev’rything You do, You love what is righteous and is true. The earth is full of Your unfailing love. Thank You, Stephen!

THE WORD

Prayer for Illumination

Let us pray:

God, source of all light,

by your Word give light to our lives. Amen.

First Reading Isaiah 55:10-13

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Psalm (Psalm 149:1-2) “Cantate Domino” Giuseppe Pitoni, c. 1725 Text with translation:

Cantate Domino, cantata, cantata, cantata Domino

Sing to the Lord on high, O sing ye, O sing ye, O sing to God on high,

canticum vovum, laus ejus in ecclesia sanctorum, in ecclesia sanctorum.

Sing ye a new song, His praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Laetetur Israel in eo, laetetur, laetetur in eo,

Let all of Israel rejoice now, rejoice now, rejoice in Him, rejoice

qui fecit eum, et filii Sion, et filii Sion exsultent,

in Him who made them, and children of Zion, and children of Zion be joyful,

exsultent, exsultent in rege suo, exsultent, exsultent in rege suo.

Be joyful, be joyful and praise God, their King.

Second Reading Mark 1:21-28

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Sermon “IT SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY"

*HYMN “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” No. 415

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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.

Choral Response “Amen” Dresden

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Offertory “Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown” Dale Wood

*Presentation “In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful” No. 654

*Prayer of Dedication

Let us pray:

God of glory,

receive these gifts and the offering of our lives,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PARTING RITE

Liturgist: Today we say farewell to one who is leaving our fellowship.

On August 11, 2011, this congregation called Stephen

to serve with us as pastor. Today that call comes to an end.

Prayer:

Let us pray for the saving presence of our living Lord:

be present, Lord.

In this congregation,

be present, Lord.

In this community,

be present, Lord.

In the homes and hearts of all your people,

be present, Lord.

Pastor: Let us pray for the mercy of the Lord:

For work begun but not completed,

Lord, have mercy.

For expectations not met,

Lord, have mercy.

For wounds not healed,

Lord, have mercy.

For gifts not shared,

Lord, have mercy.

For promises not kept,

Lord, have mercy.

Liturgist: Let us give thanks for our journey together in this place:

For friendships made, for joys celebrated

and for times of nurture and growth,

thanks be to God.

for wounds healed, expectations met,

gifts given and promises kept,

thanks be to God.

For our fellowship in Jesus Christ,

and for the love of God which has sustained us,

thanks be to God.

The Dissolution

Liturgist: Do you, the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church,

release Stephen from service as your pastor?

We do with thanks to God.

Do you, Stephen, recognize and accept the completion

of your ministry with this congregation?

I do with thanks to God.

Let us pray: Loving God, Alpha and Omega,

you are both beginning and end.

Our endings and our beginnings

are rooted in your love.

Whether near or far, we are held close by your love,

and kept safe from any lasting loss.

Let our time together end with your blessing.

Touch all memories with your grace and peace.

Help us to live with courage and gladness

in the future you present us.

In every time and place,

may we offer you our highest and our best,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia! Amen.

Pastor: And now, as pastor and congregation gathered in worship,

let us pray together one last time:

Living God, in Christ you make all things new.

Transform the poverty of our nature

by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives

make known your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen.

Liturgist: With thanks to God for the ministry of this congregation and the

ministry of God’s servant Stephen, and with hope for God’s abiding

grace in the years to come, this pastoral relationship is now

dissolved.

*HYMN “In the Bulb There Is a Flower” No. 250

*BLESSING

*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Great Are You, Lord” Michael W. Smith

*POSTLUDE “The Happy Trumpeter” Gordon Young

We cordially invite you to join us for refreshments and fellowship every Sunday

morning in the Family Life Center following the Worship Service.

Liturgist: John McKirahan

Acolyte: Derrick Nonhof

Greeters/Ushers: KC and Karen Diestler, Kelly Koch, Kent and JoAnn Lilly,

Dirk Shultz, and Barbara Stevenson

Coffee Host(s): All Church Potluck

Organist: Susan Wallace

Chancel Choir Director: Clayton Moyer

Chancel Choir Accompanist: Susan Wallace

Gloria Dei Bell Choir Director: Angela Wright

Sound System Technician: Josh Hofer

Nursery Attendants: Kelsey Cobb and Madison Cobb

The flower bouquets this morning are given by Peggi Jenkins in honor of everyone at

First Presbyterian Church.

SOUPER BOWL COMPETITION January 28 and February 4

We would like to notify people about the Souper Bowl for Mission competition that will

start January 28th and finish February 4th. Fans will be able to donate food or monetary

donations for the team that they want to or think will win the Super Bowl. Donations

may be brought on each of the two Sundays or during the week.

For Our Prayers Our Members:

Vianne Anderson Mary Kulhanek

Arlene Bergstraesser The Family of Donna Larson

The Family of Beverly Kimball Cecil Smith

Our Friends of the Church:

Jim Deupree (brother of Bev Gustafson) Judy Tracy (friend of Mary Kulhanek)

Adam Krause (nephew of Clayton Moyer) Jennifer Weems

Cindy Malone (daughter of Vi Pimper)

Jacob Hartman (friend of Gordon & Mary Jo Morrow)

David & Holly Hild (son & daughter-in-law of Jack & Pat Hild)

David Repsher (son of Marilyn Repsher & Dave Raymond; friends of John & Shirley McCammond)

The Families of Roy tenBensel and Marvin Lorentz (uncles of Rose Miller)

Our Loved Ones In Service To Our Country:

Brian Adams—Army Reece Nicol— Air Force

Danelle Nelson—ANG Ryan Rowher—Army

David Hild—Guard Greg Stevens—Marines

Kristin Lindenstein-Shnell—Air Force Linda Youberg—Navy

Our Presbytery and the Wider Church:

O’Neill First Presbyterian Church Jouman, Erbil Province, Iraq

Marcine Farmer serving Benkelman

Please help our Church office keep our prayer list current.

Unless otherwise requested we will keep names on the prayer list for four weeks.

NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY Have you got a new address?

Have you got a new phone number or dropped your land line?

Do you have a new email address? Or want to share your email address! If your answer to any of these questions is “YES”, please call the church office at 234-

4543 or email fpchurch@citlink.net your information for a new church directory.

JANUARY MINISTRY OF COMPASSION The Ministry of Compassion for January 2018 is the Crossroads Center Rescue Mission.

Their needs are paper products, diapers, canned tuna, any non-perishable food item,

laundry soap. Please bring items all during January and place them in the container in the

hallway. Thank you for your generosity. Let us also remember clients and staff in our

prayers. Annabelle Wells, Martha Circle Moderator

BRIGHTEN THE NEW YEAR FOR CASA KIDS The Deacons are launching a January drive for items for children in out of home

placement who are served by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). January

brings after Christmas sales and the children would enjoy small children’s books,

coloring books for all ages, gel pens, glitter pens, colored pencils and crayons. These

should be new. There are about 98 children served by CASA volunteers and your

donations will make a positive difference. Thank you for your generosity.

FLOWER CHART The new 2018 Flower Chart is up on the bulletin board by the church office. Please take

a few moments to sign up to contribute flowers to glorify God’s house on Sunday and to

honor or celebrate your loved ones! A $30 donation to help offset the cost of the 2 flower

bouquets for each Sunday is greatly appreciated.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH Middle School and High School youth will have two meetings in February. The two

dates are February 11th and February 25th after church until 1:00 pm in the youth room.

At these meetings we will eat a light lunch, have learning time and talk about possible

future activities for our group.

COFFEE HOSTS NEEDED Please sign up on the chart by the

Family Life Center doors.

ANNOUNCEMENTS We welcome all visitors to worship this morning. We would like you to learn more

about our church and give us a chance to make you feel at home.

If anyone needs a ride to church on Sundays, please call the church office at 234-4543

so that we may arrange transportation for you.

If you would like a CD recorded copy of the Sunday Worship Service, please call the

church office at 234-4543. You may also listen to the sermon on the church’s website,

www.fpckearney.org.

Weather Cancellation Policy. In the event of a weather cancellation of church services

or activities, you will receive a phone call with specific information. If Kearney Public

School events are cancelled due to inclement weather, church events will also be

cancelled.

Like FPC On Facebook. Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook! You can go to:

https://www.facebook.com/FirstPresKearney or search for First Presbyterian Church,

Kearney, Nebraska.

Mission of Change. Susie Frerichs-Hernandez is the recipient of the Mission of Change

donations collected in January and February. Please keep donating all your coins (not

just dimes). You must include your name with the coin total amount if you want your

donation to be listed on your statement of giving.

Equal Exchange Products. Check out the Equal Exchange Products available in the

church office – Coffee (Regular, Decaf, and Flavored), Tea (Breakfast, Chai, Decaf

Rooibos), and Hot Cocoa. Why not consider giving a gift of Fair Trade products?

Save Best Choice Barcode UPC Labels For Cash. Please save your Best Choice

barcodes (UPC symbol) and bring them to the church where a collection box is located in

the church office. Best Choice products are available at Apple Market or Boogaarts.

Save General Mills Box Tops For Education And Campbell’s Labels For Education.

The Out-Reach Committee would like you to know that the Menaul School in

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is collecting General Mills Box Tops for Education and

Campbell's Labels for Education (UPC product code and Labels for Education coupons).

This program helps them "buy" classroom supplies. Please put your Box Tops and

Campbell’s labels in the Best Choice collection box in the church office.

2018 Offering Envelopes. Your 2018 stewardship envelopes for your pledges are

available in the Narthex. Please contact Rose in the church office if you want a set.

2018 Per Capita. Our per capita is $32.00 per member for 2018. This money goes to

offset the administrative cost for the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly which

supports Presbyterian programs, missions, and ministries.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sunday, January 28 9:15 am Adult Sunday School Classrooms

9:30 am Youth Sunday School Classrooms

10:30 am Worship Service Sanctuary

Following Service All Church Potluck Family Life Center

Monday, January 29 7:00 pm Sisters In Spirit (SIS) Study Group Classroom

Tuesday, January 30 3:30 pm ARC TOPS Class Classroom

Wednesday, January 31 7:30 am Men’s Bible Study Family Life Center

7:00 pm Chancel Choir Practice Sanctuary

8:00 pm Gloria Dei Bell Choir Practice Sanctuary

Thursday, February 1 4:00 pm ARC Cooking Class Kitchen

Sunday, February 4 9:15 am Adult Sunday School Classrooms

9:30 am Youth Sunday School Classrooms

10:30 am Worship Service Sanctuary

Following Service Annual Meeting Sanctuary

Following Meeting ARC Soup Fundraiser Family Life Center

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, February 4

Following 10:30 AM Worship Service