Order of Worship 07/20/2025
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
July 20th, 2025 Ten Thirty in the morning
Pulpit Supply: The Rev. Dr. Martha J. Robson
Liturgist: Elder Sue Crawford
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
✝ Please stand, in body or spirit
THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN
PRELUDE “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah”
✝PROCESSIONAL HYMN [Blue#84][GTG#213] “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”
1 In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime.
2 When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me; lo, it glows with peace and joy.
3 When the sun of bliss is beaming light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming adds more luster to the day.
4 Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide.
5 In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time;
WORDS OF WELCOME
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP Ephesians 2:19
ONE: In Christ we are no longer strangers;
MANY: we are members of the household of God.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Author of our life and End of our pilgrimage:
Guide us by your Word and Spirit amid all perils and temptations, that we may not wander from your way,
nor stumble in the darkness; but may finish our course in safety,
and come to our eternal rest in you; through the grace and merit
of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
✝HYMN [Blue#343][GTG#761] “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”
1 Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to ministries of grace, we respond with deep commitment fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend,
equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.
2 Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work
and worth, let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer, all God’s people, young and old,
blending human skills together gracious gifts from God unfold.
3 Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission, in a small or global sense,
help us bear each other’s burdens, breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge, said with care,
bring new power and strength for action,
make us colleagues, free and fair.
4 So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life
that surround each person’s sorrow
with a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living, our compassion to increase,
REPENTANCE
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God,
We are pulled in many different directions. We are distracted by the news, quick to point fingers and pass judgment, but reluctant to examine the ways we benefit from the injustice in our world. We are distracted by our fears. We fear the loss of health, safety, and financial security. Instead of proclaiming your abundance, we operate from a mindset of scarcity. We confess that distraction is easier than discipleship. Forgive us. Help us discern and choose the better path for all of your creation as we seek to follow Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
✝GLORIA PATRI [Blue#579[ [GTG581]
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.
THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED
1st SCRIPTURE Colossians 1:15-28
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
2nd SCRIPTURE Luke 10: 38-42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
SERMON “Seeking the Center” Rev. Dr. Martha Robson
RESPONSE
✝AFFIRMATION OF FAITH based on Col. 1:15-20
Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation; in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible. All things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things,
and in him all things hold together. He is head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile all things, whether on earth or in heaven,
by making peace through the blood of his cross. Amen.
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit”
✝ DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.
✝HYMN [Blue#][GTG#702] “Christ Be Beside Me”
1 Christ be beside me; Christ be before me;
Christ be behind me, King of my heart.
Christ be within me; Christ be below me;
Christ be above me, never to part.
2 Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,
Christ all around me, shield in the strife.
Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,
Christ in my rising, Light of my life.
3 Christ be in all hearts thinking about me;
Christ be on all tongues telling of me.
Christ be the vision in eyes that see me;
in ears that hear me Christ ever be.
✝PARTING PRAYER
Heavenly Visitor,
We await your appearance. As Abraham and Sarah received you beside their tent, like Mary and Martha received you in their home, do come among us. Help us to believe your promises and to treasure the mystery of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
✝CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
✝RESPONSE [Blue#365][GTG#830] “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
3 Hence, all fears and sadness! For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in: God, who dearly loves us,
from all trial saves us; gives sweet peace within;
I have borne this worldly scorn;
still in thee lies purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless treasure!
POSTLUDE “Soon and Very Soon”
*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. 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
Randy Martono-Chai – Music Director
Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant
Lauren Crisler – Playschool Director
Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.
For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org
or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on Facebook and Instagram.
Announcements 07/20/2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NO SERVICE 7/27: JCPC will NOT be having service here next week. We will join the Summer Worship series at Lakeview Presbyterian Church on 7/27 at the 10:30a service located at 5914 Canal Blvd. Reverend Alex wants everyone to PLEASE stay after service for a meet and greet with activities that will take about 45 minutes. Refreshments will be served.Please contact the office if you need assistance in obtaining a ride to the service.
PCUSA BOOK STUDY: The next meeting for the NOLA area book study on the book Generations will be held August 24th at 3p. It will be held at Lakeview Presbyterian Church (5914 Canal Blvd). Topic will be Chapter 5: Millennials. We hope to have a virtual option again, so please RSVP and include your interest in that. Please email jennieserra@gmail.com
DIRECTORY UPDATES: Briana will be working to update the directory over the next several weeks. Please fill out the slip on the welcome table in the Narthex and return to the offering plate or leave it in her box outside of her office. Also, make sure to leave an emergency contact on the back of the slip.
MUSIC MINISTRY: Worship committee is now accepting requests for songs or special numbers year-round! If anyone would like for us to sing a certain hymn or hear a particular tune during service, they can submit a request to us. Please fill out the green music request slip in the pews and put it in the offering plate. They are also inviting any fellow musically-inclined members to join our roster and calendar of musicians who’d be interested in offering special numbers for either Offertory or even Prelude. Please speak to Randy before or after service for more information!
CALENDAR:
7/24 PW Game Day 10a
7/27 CHURCH CLOSED! Joint Sunday Worship at Lakeview Presbyterian Church 10:30a
A Message from Our Playschool
Hi parents,
I hope you are having an enjoyable summer with your little ones. The recent flood event in Texas causing the loss of many lives reminds us just how precious life is. It also reminds us that life can change every quickly, and sometimes we are left with many more questions than answers. Right now, this hits very close to home for us at John Calvin. Unfortunately, we have a Playschool family dealing with the heartbreaking loss of their precious little boy. Zander Nettles was in our TTH 2’s this past school year. He was an adorable little boy with a smile that could melt your heart. At the end of June, he was rushed to the hospital, and they discovered he was struggling with restricted Cardiomyopathy. He was air-lifted to Children’s Hospital in Houston where he was scheduled to get a Berlin heart pump and eventually a heart transplant. Not long after arriving in Houston, however, Zander coded unexpectedly and could not be saved. Heaven gained a precious angel, and we are left trying to help his family deal with their grief, pain, and unimaginable loss. We ask for your prayers for Zander and the entire Nettles family and for you to hold your child a little tighter and snuggle a little longer. There are no words that can lighten the loss of a child, but we are hoping we can help lighten some of their unexpected financial burden. With expensive medical bills and now a funeral to pay for, we have decided we will collect cash donations, or you can Venmo Stephanie @Stephanie-Galliano-1 (make sure you put the 1 and see Steph’s face to know it is the right account- QR code below). We will combine all the money we collect and present it to the Nettles family with a card from the entire Playschool family. I know life is forever changed for the Nettles family, but hopefully alleviating a little part of their financial worries and flooding them with prayers will help.
Please enjoy each day with your child and treat each day as a gift. As parents, we live to protect and love our children, but the truth is we are not promised tomorrow. One of my favorite quotes as a parent is “Love them like you’re gonna lose them.” No matter what. By doing so, we will honor Zander and all the beautiful children that have been taken from us far too soon. I have faith that God’s eternal love holds these children in heaven, and he holds us too.
Thank you for your generosity and prayers.