Worship Service 7-9-23
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
July 9th, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Bill Bottomley
Organist: Robert Mouledoux
Please silence all cell phones.
Bold face indicates congregational participation.
✝ Please stand, in body or spirit
THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN
PRELUDE
✝PROCESSIONAL HYMN [GTG#697]
“Take My Life”
1 Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect and use every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself and I will be ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
WORDS OF WELCOME
MINUTE FOR THE CHURCH VBS
CALL TO WORSHIP Luke 6:38
ONE: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap;
MANY: for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of abundance, you have given us more than we could ask for or deserve. You have given us each minute, hour, day, and year. You have given us abilities, passions, talents, and weaknesses. You have given us money, resources, influence, and relationships. You call us to recognize all that we have, and to share it with others. To offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to be your people here and now, this is our spiritual act of worship. In the name of Jesus Christ who gave all for us. Amen.
✝HYMN [*Blue #375] [GTG#711] “Lord of All Good”
1. Lord of all good, our gifts we bring to you;
Use them your holy purpose to fulfill;
Tokens of love and pledges brought anew,
That our whole life is offered to your will.
2. We give our mind to understand your ways;
hands, eyes, and voice to serve your great design;
Heart with the flame of your own love ablaze,
Till for your glory all our powers combine.
3. Father, whose bounty all creation shows;
Christ, by whose willing sacrifice we live;
Spirit, from whom all life in fullness flows,
To you with grateful hearts ourselves we give.
MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
RESPONSE HYMN [Blue #369] [GTG#700]
“I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime!
REPENTANCE
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of grace, love, and communion, we confess that we have failed to love you with all our heart, soul, and mind; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We ignore your commandments, stray from your way, and follow other gods. Have mercy on us. Forgive our sin and raise us to new life that we may serve you faithfully and give honor to your holy name. Amen
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
✝GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581]
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
SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible OT 474 or 501] Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
[Pew Bible NT #173 or 183] 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,
‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures for ever.’
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
[Pew Bible NT #151 or 161] Romans 12:1-8
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
ONE: The Word of the Lord
MANY: Thanks be to God
SERMON “Supporting the Church Through the Giving of Money, Time, and Talents” the Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
✝AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “A Brief Statement of Faith”- Spirit
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.
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 silenced, 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
✝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 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 #514] [GTG#526]
“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
1 Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken; the wine is poured;
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Refrain: Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again;
pass the Word around: loaves abound!
2 Christ is able to make us one; at the table he sets the tone,
teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express. [Refrain]
3 Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) everywhere! [Refrain]
✝PARTING PRAYER
Grant unto us, O God, the fullness of your promises.
where we have been weak, grant us your strength;
where we have been confused, grant us your guidance;
where we have been distraught, grant us your comfort;
where we have been dead, grant us your life.
Apart from you, O Lord, we are nothing,
in and with you we can do all things. Amen.
✝CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
✝RESPONSE[*Blue#432][GTG# 765] “Song of Hope”
May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace; singing, share our joy with all;
Working for a world that’s new, faith-ful when we hear Christ’s Call
POSTLUDE
*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; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Assistant 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.
Announcements 7-9-23
Announcements:
CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY RECOMMENDATIONS: Are you interested in the topic of Church growth, and vitality? Are you concerned about the current trend of membership decline in the world wide church but don’t know what you can do here at JCPC to stem the tide and grow the church? This month we will be highlighting a few books on this crucial topic. We will have five book recommendations which can each be found at the PCUSA webstore or amazon. Many of these books even have discussions topics and questions which would be perfect for a small group study, so grab a few friends and check out the books. Our second book recommendation is: Authentic Congregations By Willam Hopper
Using case studies of authentic congregations–diverse Presbyterian congregations that are responding creatively and effectively in their social contexts–William Hopper draws insights for all congregations desiring more lively worship, service, and witness. He offers wisdom for congregations about how to engage controversial issues and develop faithful ministries in challenging times.
GLASS RECYCLING: Ever wish you could recycle your glass jars instead of tossing them in the trash. Well you are in luck. Kelly and Sam are collecting glass to be recycled by the Glass Half Full, a company that recycles glass to be used as sand in duster relief and coastal restoration. Please make sure all glass is rinsed out with no lids and place it in the bin in the Choir Room.
PRAYER GROUPS: Our prayer groups will continue to meet in July, but before church instead of after. Each group will meet for about 15 min. The group leader will give a short lesson on prayer. Then the group will pray together for a specific area, ministry, or group of people. Sign up to be a leader or participant using the insert in the Bulletin. Place the insert in the offering plate or give it to Louise after the service.
VBS VOLUNTEERS: It’s Summer and that means VBS is right around the corner. We already have 30 kids signed up and hope to get more. As always we can’t do this wonderful program without lots of help. Please use the link, QR code, or insert in the bulletin to sign up to help. We would love to have anyone and everyone that wants to help, even if you can’t volunteer everyday. We are especially looking for group leaders, an adult activity leader (possible only two days), Bible/Story leader, Snacks coordinator and teens to help with the groups. Please use this link https://bit.ly/JCPCVBS23Volunteers or the insert in the Bulletin to sign up to help.
GOODBYE to SAM: Sam Garnett, our organist for the last three years, has been offered a new position. His last Sunday with us will be July 30th. Kelly Cuppett will continue as music staff.
YAV CLOSING WORSHIP, VOLUNTEER CLEANING DAY, WISHLIST: It’s Been a wonderful year but it’s time to say goodbye to our amazing YAV’s. There will be a closing worship service at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, July 25th at 6:00 PM. On July 29th from 9am-noon, please join the YAV’s for a deep clean of the beloved “Big Green House” at 4225 Franklin Ave, New Orleans. All ages of cleaners are welcome! Inside we will clean the floors, appliances, windows, and furniture. Outside we’ll weed, mow, and rake gravel. YAV Site Coordinator Dan Wally Lang will coordinate volunteer signup, supplies, and snacks. RSVP via email at dan@pbysouthla.org. For the coming year NOLA YAV is delighted to welcome three Young Adult Volunteers from Scotland! Because they will be traveling internationally we hope to provide the following household items in gently used or new condition: 3 sets twin Linens/comforter, 3 pillows, 2 bicycles (Medium, large) 3 umbrellas, sunscreen, bug spray, twin memory foam mattress topper, shampoo, and conditioner. Please contact dan@pbysouthla.org if you can provide any of the following items by August 20, 2023.