announcements 11-05-23
Announcements:
Advent Devotionals: Even though it’s not even thanksgiving yet now is a great time to get your advent devotional ordered. Here is this week’s suggestion: Three Wise Women: 40 Devotions Celebrating Advent with Mary, Elizabeth and Anna By Dandi Daley Mackall.
You are invited to spend the 40 days of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in the company of Mary the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist, and Anna the prophetess at the temple in Jerusalem.
Anticipate, celebrate, and marvel at Jesus’ birth with Three Wise Women, a richly researched and faith-building new devotional by Dandi Daley Mackall. We don’t hear many details directly from these three women at the heart of the first Christmas, but Scripture, studies in biblical culture, and an open heart that asks “what if” allows readers to experience new revelations for the holy season that will encourage and strengthen you in becoming a wise woman of God.
As bestselling author Dandi Mackall reflects on the events and lives of these Three Wise Women, she encourages you to: Delve deeper into what these real-life women may have experienced. Ponder a new aspect of the journey toward Christ’s birth and beyond through the voices of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna. Meditate on Old and New Testament Scriptures that speak to women’s hearts across generations and cultures. Grow closer to God through insightful devotional readings about Patience, Hope, Faith, Trust, Persistence, Sacrifice, Joy, Grace, Love, Confidence, and more. Reflect on your own life using the daily “Pondering Questions,” as you see the story of Jesus’ birth afresh through the eyes of faithful women. (If you would like to see all the recommendations for this month check out the new reading recommendations tab on our website.)
CHURCH AUCTION COMING UP!! We are planning an online only auction to raise money for the church and we need your donations. We are looking for good quality furniture, vintage items, gift baskets, gifts cards, and other high value items to auction off for the church. Look through your house and see what treasures you are willing to part with. Items need to have a minimum value of $25. Take up to four pictures, send them to Louise (via email) along with a detailed description and we will get it on the website ready for a buyer to find that special item. If your items have any scratches or defects please make sure to snap a picture of that and put it in the description. Items will not be brought to the church until the auction has closed and your items have been purchased. Have questions? Talk with Sue or Louise. Don’t have an item that’s okay. We will be sending the link for the auction and will need you to share it with all your friends, family, and social media outlets.
PLEDGE DRIVE: The Annual Pledge drive is this month. Be on the lookout for your pledge letter and card in the mail. Please send in your pledge card by November 5th, even if you are unable to pledge at this time. As of Friday we have $132,000 pledged. Turn in your pledge card today and help us get to our goal of $225,000.
ANGEL TREE: Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. So grab a tag off the tree on Nov. 12th, shop for your child, and return gifts to the church by Dec. 3rd. You can do this on your own or team up with a friend. We even have elves willing to do the shopping for you if you prefer to make a monetary contribution instead of shopping. More information can be found on the tag and the attached information sheet, when you take one off the tree.
FOOD DRIVE: Thank you to all who participated in the Fall Food Drive. Twenty boxes of food were delivered to Jefferson Presbyterian Food Bank. These items will be distributed to over a hundred families who participate in their food program. This food bank is a USDA approved food distribution site which is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Our donation was much appreciated by the church.
HELPING HANDS: We could use a few hands to help get down the Christmas decorations and set up the Christmas tree on Nov. 19th after the church service.
PLAYSCHOOL HAPPENING AND FUNDRAISERS: See the bulletin board for more information on any of the items bellow.
- Coat drive Nov. 2nd – 17th Drop coats of outside the playschool office
- Kendra Scott fundraiser Nov. 8th and 9th. Shop online and in-store and 20% of your purchase will benefit the playschool. Use code GIVEBACK-EXYTR online or mention it at checkout in-store.
- Nov. 29th Reginelli’s fundraiser. Eat at Reginelli’s between 11:00 am – 9:00 PM and they will donate 10% of your order when you mention the playschool.
CALENDAR
11/6 – 9:00 AM – Bible Time with 3’s in their classrooms
1:00 PM – Staff Meeting
6:30 PM Christian Education Meeting
11/7 – 9:15 AM – Bible Time for PK 5 and TK in Sanctuary
11/8 – 6:00 PM – Worship Committee Meeting
7:00 PM – Christmas Cantata Rehearsal
11/9 – 10:00 AM – Game Day
11/12 – 9:15 AM – Adult Bible Study, Fellowship time for youth and kids
10:30 AM – Worship
Order of Worship 10-29-23
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Twenty Second Sunday After Pentecost
October 29th, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: Aaron Ochart
Lay Leader: Briana Mayfield
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
Please stand, in body or spirit
THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN
OPENING WORSHIP [GTG#726]
“Will You Come and Follow Me”
1 “Will you come and follow me is I but call your name?
will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown; will you let my name be known;
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?”
3 “Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?”
5 Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and foot-steps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
“I Danced in the Morning” [*BLUE#302] [GTG#157]
1 I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth.
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain: Dance then wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
2 I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
but they would not dance, and they would not follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John.
They came with me and the dance went on.(refrain)
3 I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame.
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and left me there on the cross to die. (refrain)
5 They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that will never never die.
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. (refrain)
WORDS OF WELCOME
MINUTE FOR MISSION Linda Lowry
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP Ps. 90:1–2
ONE: The Lord is our eternal dwelling place;
MANY: from age to age, the Lord is our God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy One of Israel, King David worked hard to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel so that the people could honor you in your house of worship. Receive our praise in this house of worship, as we rejoice in your presence. Amen.
WORSHIP
“How Great Is Our God”
1 The splendor of our King, clothed in majesty;
let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice.
God wraps themself in light, and darkness tries to hide’
It trembles at their voice, trembles at their voice.
Refrain: How great is our God! Sing with me, “How great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great, is our God!
2 Age to age God stands, and time is in their hands;
Beginning and the end, beginning and the end.
The Godhead three in one, Father, Spirit, Son,
the Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb. (Refrain)
Bridge: Name above all names, worthy of all praise;
My heart will sing, how great is our God! (Refrain)
“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever”
Over the mountains and the sea, your river runs with love for me,
and I will open up my heart and let the healer set me free.
I’m happy to be in the truth, and I will daily lift my hands,
for I will always sing of when your love came down.
Refrain: I could sing of your love forever (4x)
Bridge: Oh I feel like dancing, it’s foolishness I know
but when the world has seen the light,
they will dance with joy like we’re dancing now (Refrain)
THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED
SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible OT 551 or 583] Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible OT 267 or 279] 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
SERMON: “Undignified” Rev. Ochart
RESPONSE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “Confession of 1967”
God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of [hu]man’s life: social and cultural, economic and political, scientific and technological, individual and corporate. It includes [hu]man’s natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin. It is the will of God that [God’s] purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from [God’s] creation… With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God. “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY “Undignified”
DOXOLOGY [*BLUE#592] [GTG#606]
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 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.
CLOSING WORSHIP “Heart of Worship”
1 When the Music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come.
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth, that will bless your heart.
Pre chorus: I’ll bring you more than a song,
for a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear;
you’re looking into my heart.
Chorus: I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
and it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,
when it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.
2 King of endless worth, no one could express how much you deserve.
Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is yours, every single breath.
Pre chorus: I’ll bring you more than a song,
for a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear;
you’re looking into my heart.
Chorus: I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
and it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,
when it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.
“Seek Ye First” [*BLUE #333][GTG#175]
1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness,
and all these things Shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia!
2 Ask, and it shall be give unto you; seek and you shall find;
knock and the door will be opened unto you. Allelu, alleluia!
3 You shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God. Allelu, alleluia!
Chorus: I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
and it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it,
when it’s all about you, all about you, Jesus.
PARTING PRAYER
O come to me, O servant Lord, pour water in your bowl, and wash my feet. I am bold to ask this because of my longing for fellowship with you. Wash my feet, then, and be my companion. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
RESPONSE [GTG# 406] “We Are Standing On Holy Ground”
We are standing on holy ground
And I know there are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
We are standing in his presence On holy ground
*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.
Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Kelly Cuppett, Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service.
The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.
|
STAFF |
Church Office 504.888.1375
Playschool Office 504.888.1378
The Rev. Aaron Ochart – Head of Staff
Louise Ochart – Christian Education Leader
Kelly Cuppett – Music Director
Lauren Crisler – Playschool Director
Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.
For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org
or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements 10-29-23
Announcements:
MATTHEW 25: Tuesdays in October we will be presenting another program on the Matthew 25 initiative. Join us for this wonderful program at 12:30 PM in the Library. After the program you are welcome to join us in making sandwiches for Program of Hope. More information to come so mark your calendar now.
BOOKS ON GRATITUDE: As Fall approaches, our thoughts begin to turn to the upcoming Holidays. As we start to prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving and Christmas this is the perfect time to reflect on Gratitude. How do we live a life of Gratitude for what God has done for us? As Christians our gratitude goes beyond a list of things we are thankful for and turns our hearts to action. The first three books recommended by Christian Education Director for this month will help us to learn to live a life of Gratitude and the last two books will help us to understand that being thankful leads to action to give back to God through our time, tallents, and tithe. This week’s book is Christian Wallet: Spending, Giving, and Living with a Conscience by Mike Slaughter
Every Christian knows that we are called to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. But what about our wallet? We are asked to open it every Sunday when the offering basket comes by and are told that giving is a way of being a “good steward,” but what about spending money at a restaurant or grocery store? Best-selling author Mike Slaughter offers a comprehensive look at how Christians use their money in The Christian Wallet. Slaughter explores today’s culture of consumerism and the impact of what we buy, asking difficult questions about morality and money.The Christian Wallet helps Christians grapple with important questions about stewardship: how we spend, how we live, how we save, how we give, and what it all means. Questions for individual or group study are included with each chapter. For a more in-depth study, a Stewardship Study Guide is available as a free download.
PLEDGE DRIVE: The Annual Pledge drive is this month. Be on the lookout for your pledge letter and card in the mail. Please send in your pledge card by November 5th, even if you are unable to pledge at this time. So far 85,000 has been pledged.
CANTATA REHEARSAL: While Christmas still seems far off, rehearsals for the Christmas Canta are just around the corner. We will be starting Wednesday evening rehearsals in November. Talk to Kelly for more information.
HELP NEEDED: Deborah Nolan is looking for people to sign a petition to help keep the day care that she works at open. She is very passionate about the work this daycare does in and for the community. If you would like more information or to sign the petition see Deborah after worship.
CHURCH AUCTION COMING UP!! We are planning an online only auction to raise money for the church and we need your donations. We are looking for good quality furniture, vintage items, gift baskets, gifts cards, and other high value items to auction off for the church. Look through your house and see what treasures you are willing to part with. Items need to have a minimum value of $25. Take up to four pictures, send them to Louise (via email) along with a detailed description and we will get it on the website ready for a buyer to find that special item. If your items have any scratches or defects please make sure to snap a picture of that and put it in the description. Items will not be brought to the church until the auction has closed and your items have been purchased. Have questions? Talk with Sue or Louise. Don’t have an item that’s okay. We will be sending the link for the auction and will need you to share it with all your friends, family, and social media outlets.
FOOD DRIVE: Thank you to all who participated in the Fall Food Drive. Twenty boxes of food were delivered to Jefferson Presbyterian Food Bank. These items will be distributed to over a hundred families who participate in their food program. This food bank is a USDA approved food distribution site which is open on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Our donation was much appreciated by the church.
CALENDAR
10/30 – 1:00 PM – Staff Meeting
10/31 – 9:30 AM – Bible Time PreK 4 and TK in the Sanctuary
12:30 PM – Mathew 25
11/1 – 6:00 PM – Cantata Rehearsal Starts
11/2 – 10:00 AM – PW Council Meeting
11/3 – OFFICE CLOSED
11/5 – 9:15 AM – Adult Sunday School, Fellowship Time for Elementary,
and Youth Sunday School
10:30 AM – Worship with Children’s Church available
