Bulletin Archives - Page 21 of 33 - John Calvin Presbyterian Church

Announcements 8-27-23

Posted on Aug 25, 2023 in Announcements |

Announcements Continued:

Books on being Presbyterian: Would you like to get more familiar with the Presbyterian Churches beliefs? Do you have questions about our reformed tradition? Well you’re in luck because this month the Christian Education recommended reading list is all about what it means to be a Presbyterian. This week’s recommendation is: Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers and More Presbyterian Questions, More Presbyterian Answers, Revised edition By Donald K. McKim Presbyterians often have questions about Presbyterian theology and beliefs that are basic to Christian faith itself. Featuring a unique question- and-answer format, More Presbyterian Questions, More Presbyterian Answers is an expansion of the best-selling Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers. It is an accessible and concise treatment that provides a sampling of these questions on important topics and brief but complete answers from a distinguished Presbyterian theologian.

SCHOLARSHIP SINGERS: The Session has approved the funds to hire three university music students as Scholarship Singers. These students will augment the choir and bring new ideas to our music program while receiving training, mentorship, and experience in music ministry. We are exploring grants to help offset the costs, but we also welcome donations from anyone who wishes to support the development of new church professionals. If you’d like to assist financially with this program beyond your existing pledge, please give via your usual method and specify that it is for the Scholarship Singers.

GET INVOLVED IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: We have a great year planned and would love for you to get involved. Here is what we are looking for:

Sunday School teachers for our middle and high School youth which will meet twice a month at 9:30 AM. They will be using the Spice Rack Curriculum: Habits.
Nursery volunteers.
Teachers for our age K- 2nd grade Children’s Church. They will be using a narrative lectionary Curriculum.

Louise will continue to teach the 3rd to 6th grade Children’s Church. While we don’t have younger children in the church yet we still want to be prepared to provide a children’s church and nursery option if we do have families worship with us. Louise will work with those who are interested to come up with a schedule for teaching/volunteering. Please see Louise if you have any questions or use the insert in the bulletin to sign up.

FLOWERS: Flowers today are given by Denis McCrea in memory of his parents, who passed away.

RESTOCK THE CLOSET: The food pantry has been used quite a bit this summer. We are running low on small toiletries, diapers both adult and child sizes and Shelf stable food items. We would love some help restocking or gas and walmart gift cards. See Louise if you have questions.

Order of Worship 8-13-23

Posted on Aug 11, 2023 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

August 13th, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart

Lay Leader: Beverly Ross

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

Please stand, in body or spirit

THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE For the Beauty of the Earth arr. Jon Schmidt

PROCESSIONAL HYMN [GTG#336]“We Gather Together!”

1 We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;

he chastens and hastens his will to make known;

the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.

2 Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;

so from the beginning the fight we were winning;

thou, Lord, was at our side; all glory be thine!

WORDS OF WELCOME

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Ps. 24:1

ONE: The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,

MANY: the world, and those who live in it.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth and till it. Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures. Help us to become instruments of a new creation, founded on the covenant of your love. Amen

HYMN [BLUE #267] [GTG #20]

“All Things Bright and Beautiful”

Refrain: All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful,

the Lord God made them all.

1 Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,

God made their glowing colors; God made their tiny wings. [Refrain]

2 The purple-headed mountain, the river running by,

the sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky: [Refrain]

3 The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,

the ripe fruits in the garden, God made them every one. [Refrain]

4 God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell

how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well. [Refrain]

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [BLUE#272] [GTG#22] “God of The Sparrow”

1 God of the sparrow God of the Whale God of the swirling stars

How does the creature say Awe How does the creature say Praise

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 525 or 555] Psalm 104:24-35

O LORD, how manifold are your works!

In wisdom you have made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

Yonder is the sea, great and wide,

creeping things innumerable are there,

living things both small and great.

There go the ships,

and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

These all look to you

to give them their food in due season;

when you give to them, they gather it up;

when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

When you hide your face, they are dismayed;

when you take away their breath, they die

and return to their dust.

When you send forth your spirit, they are created;

and you renew the face of the ground.

May the glory of the LORD endure for ever;

may the LORD rejoice in his works—

who looks on the earth and it trembles,

who touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

for I rejoice in the LORD.

Let sinners be consumed from the earth,

and let the wicked be no more.

Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Praise the LORD!

[Pew Bible OT #2] Genesis 2:4b-17

In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’

[Pew Bible NT #148 or 158] Romans 8:18-25

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON: “Caring for God’s Creation” Reverend 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 “Creation” from God’s Trombones+D

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 LORDS 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 #473] [GTG#14] “For The Beauty of The Earth”

1 For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth over and around us lies:

Refrain: Lord of all, to thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

2 For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,

hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light: [Refrain]

3 For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,

for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight: [Refrain]

4 For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild: [Refrain]

5 For thyself, best gift divine to the world so freely given;

for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth and joy in heaven: [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 [GTG# 747] “The Lord Now Sends Us Forth”

The Lord now sends us forth with hands to serve and give,

to make of all the earth a better place to live.

The angels are not sent into our world of pain

to do what we were meant to do in Jesus’ name;

that falls to you and me and all who are made free.

Help us, O lord, we pray, to do your will today.

POSTLUDE Invention No. 8 in F J.S. Bach

Announcement 8-13-23

Posted on Aug 11, 2023 in Announcements |

Announcements:

The revised edition has been updated to include recent changes in the new Form of Government and the Confession of Belhar, among others. Ideal for personal and group study in churches, Presbyterian Beliefs includes ten unique case studies and questions for considering how to apply Presbyterian beliefs to church and daily life.

CHOIR IS BACK: Choir rehearsals continue this Sunday. Rehearsals will continue to be on Sundays after services and will finish no later than 1pm every week. We’ll start singing in services again on September 10th, the Sunday after Labor Day weekend. We would love to have you join us. Please see Kelly Cuppett for more information.

SAINTS and POTLUCKS: We are looking at scheduling Saints game potlucks for the noon games in Sept. and October. These events would be very easy with set-up and clean-up being done by those enjoying the game and taking place the day of the game. Those interested in participating would bring a dish to share and then head over to the fellowship hall after church to set up tables, chairs, potluck and watch the game. After the game those involved would clean up. Louise can help set up activities for kids as well. We would love to find a sports enthusiast to head up these events. Please see Louise if you are interested.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: We will be starting adult Sunday school in September. This year the CE Committee would like to try something new. We would like to offer several short classes taught by a variety of people. If you have ever thought about teaching a bible study but didn’t want to make a long term commitment this is for you. Choose a book, a study, or a topic you are interested in teaching and sign up using the insert in the bulletin or speak with Louise.

RESTOCK THE CLOSET:

The food pantry has been used quite a bit recently and we are running low on small Toiletries, and diapers both adult and child sizes. We would love some help restocking. Shelf stable food items are also always appreciated.

Order of Worship 8-06-23

Posted on Aug 3, 2023 in Announcements, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

August 6th, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart

Lay Leader: Mary Antil

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

Please stand, in body or spirit

THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE “Hope, Op. 38 No. 4” Felix Mendelssohn

PROCESSIONAL HYMN [BLUE#411] [GTG#744]

“Arise, Your Light is Come!”

1 Arise, your light is come! the Spirit’s call obey;

show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.

2 Arise, your light is come! Fling wide the prison door;

proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.

3 Arise, your light is come! All you in sorrow born,

bind up the brokenhearted ones and comfort those who mourn.

4 Arise, your light is come! The mountains burst in song!

Rise up like eagles on the wing; God’s power will make us strong.

WORDS OF WELCOME

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Micah 6:8 (MESSAGE)

ONE: God has already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women.

MANY: It’s quite simple. Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously- take God seriously.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of the oppressed. You call us to righteousness in our relationships, to treat you, our friends, our family, and complete strangers well. You call us to justice, to be fair in our practices, and to treat everyone with equity. You call us to humility, not thinking of ourselves as better than others. You call us to work in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment. Help us to lives lives worthy of your gospel. In the name of Jesus Chirst, our Lord. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE #563] [GTG #339]

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”

1 Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring,

ring with the harmonies of liberty.

Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies;

let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us;

sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

let us march on, till victory is won.

2 Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod,

felt in the days when hope unborn had died.

Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet

come to the place for which our parents sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered;

we have come, treading our path

through the blood of the slaughtered,

out of the gloomy past, till now we stand at last

where the white gleam of our bright star has cast.

3 God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,

thou who has brought us thus far on the way;

thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,

keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee;

lest, our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee;

shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand,

true to our God, true to our native land.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#749]

“Come!, Live in the Light!”

1 Come!, live in the light!

Shine with the joy and the love of the Lord!

We are called to be light for the kingdom,

to live in the freedom of the city of God.

We are called to act with justice; we are called to love tenderly;

we are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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 NT 53 or 57] Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said,

‘My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

[Pew Bible OT #816 or 866] Micah 6:1 – 7:7

Hear what the Lord says:

Rise, plead your case before the mountains,

and let the hills hear your voice.

Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord,

and you enduring foundations of the earth;

for the Lord has a controversy with his people,

and he will contend with Israel.

‘O my people, what have I done to you?

In what have I wearied you? Answer me!

For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,

and redeemed you from the house of slavery;

and I sent before you Moses,

Aaron, and Miriam.

O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,

what Balaam son of Beor answered him,

and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,

that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.’

‘With what shall I come before the Lord,

and bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,

with calves a year old?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

The voice of the Lord cries to the city

(it is sound wisdom to fear your name):

Hear, O tribe and assembly of the city!

Can I forget the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked,

and the scant measure that is accursed?

Can I tolerate wicked scales

and a bag of dishonest weights?

Your wealthy are full of violence;

your inhabitants speak lies,

with tongues of deceit in their mouths.

Therefore I have begun to strike you down,

making you desolate because of your sins.

You shall eat, but not be satisfied,

and there shall be a gnawing hunger within you;

you shall put away, but not save,

and what you save, I will hand over to the sword.

You shall sow, but not reap;

you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil;

you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine.

For you have kept the statutes of Omri

and all the works of the house of Ahab,

and you have followed their counsels.

Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of hissing;

so you shall bear the scorn of my people.

Woe is me! For I have become like one who,

after the summer fruit has been gathered,

after the vintage has been gleaned,

finds no cluster to eat;

there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger.

The faithful have disappeared from the land,

and there is no one left who is upright;

they all lie in wait for blood,

and they hunt each other with nets.

Their hands are skilled to do evil;

the official and the judge ask for a bribe,

and the powerful dictate what they desire;

thus they pervert justice.

The best of them is like a brier,

the most upright of them a thorn hedge.

The day of their sentinels, of their punishment, has come;

now their confusion is at hand.

Put no trust in a friend,

have no confidence in a loved one;

guard the doors of your mouth

from her who lies in your embrace;

for the son treats the father with contempt,

the daughter rises up against her mother,

the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

your enemies are members of your own household.

But as for me, I will look to the Lord,

I will wait for the God of my salvation;

my God will hear me.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON “Working in the World for Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Human Fulfillment” Reverend Ochart

RESPONSE

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “A Brief Statement of Faith”- Jesus

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

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 “Hanna’s Song” Spoken Word

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.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

ONE: The Lord be with you.

MANY: And also with you.

ONE: Lift up your hearts.

MANY: We lift them to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

MANY: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

ONE: …Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:

MANY: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

ONE: … Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

MANY: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory…

ONE: … The gifts of God for the people of God.

MANY: Thanks be to God.

HYMN [*BLUE #525] [GTG#69] “Here I Am, Lord”

1 Im the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

R: Here I am Lord, is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them. They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? (refrain)

3 I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? (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 [GTG# 747] “The Lord Now Sends Us Forth”

The Lord now sends us forth with hands to serve and give,

to make of all the earth a better place to live.

The angels are not sent into our world of pain

to do what we were meant to do in Jesus’ name;

that falls to you and me and all who are made free.

Help us, O lord, we pray, to do your will today.

POSTLUDE

“Galante, Op. 5 No. 1” Enrique Granados

Announcements 8-06-23

Posted on Aug 3, 2023 in Announcements |

Announcements:

Books on being Presbyterian: Would you like to get more familiar with the Presbyterian Churches beliefs? Do you have questions about our reformed tradition? Well you’re in luck because this month the Christian Education recommended reading list is all about what it means to be a Presbyterian. We are bringing you a list of four books that can help deepen your understanding of what it means to be a Presbyterian. This week’s recommendation is: The Presbyterian Handbook, Revised Edition: By Donald K. McKim. The Presbyterian Handbook, Revised Edition provides historical and up to date theological information about Presbyterian beliefs alongside fun-filled facts and practical tips on being a churchgoing follower of Jesus Christ. Complete with illustrations, the book presents a wonderful combination of vast truths, complex details, and bits of humor about Presbyterian understanding of the Christian life. This unique and incredibly handy resource is perfect for Presbyterian youth, adults, students, families, and all those interested in learning about much of what encompasses life in the church.

CHOIR IS COMING BACK: Choir rehearsals start this Sunday. Rehearsals will continue to be on Sundays after services and will finish no later than 1pm every week. We’ll start singing in services again on September 10th, the Sunday after Labor Day weekend. We would love to have you join us. Please see Kelly Cuppett for more information.

SAINTS and POTLUCKS: We are looking at scheduling Saints game potlucks for the noon games in Sept. and October. These events would be very easy with set-up and clean-up being done by those enjoying the game and taking place the day of the game. Those interested in participating would bring a dish to share and then head over to the fellowship hall after church to set up tables, chairs and potluck. After the game those involved would clean up. Louise can help set up activities for kids as well. We would love to find a sports enthusiast to head up these events. Please see Louise if you are interested.

Order of Worship 7-30-23

Posted on Jul 29, 2023 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

July 30th, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart

Lay Leader: Sharon Fortin

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

Please stand, in body or spirit

THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE “Trumpet Processional in G” David German

PROCESSIONAL HYMN [BLUE# 420] [GTG#307]

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

1 God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power;

crown thine ancient church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.

2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us, scorn thy Christ, assail thy ways!

From the fears that long have bound us

free our hearts to faith and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage

for the living of these days, for the living of these days.

3 Cure thy children’s waring madness; bend our pride to thy control;

shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal, lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.

4 Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.

Let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore.

WORDS OF WELCOME

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

ONE: In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself.

MANY: So we are ambassadors of Christ.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of exiles, you do not call us to be conformed to this present age, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. You call us to live out the gospel in our lives, bringing every aspect in line with your righteousness and grace. Help us to be ambassadors of your reconciling love in a world deeply divided. Amen.

HYMN [GTG 767]

“Together We Serve”

1 Together we serve, united by love,

inviting God’s world to the glorious feast.

We work and we pray through sorrow and joy,

extending God’s love to the last and the least.

2 We seek to become a beacon of hope,

a lamp for the heart and a light for the feet.

We learn, year by year, to let love shine through

until we see Christ in each person we meet.

3 We welcome the scarred, the wealthy, the poor,

the busy, the lonely, and all who need care.

We offer a home to those who will come,

our hands quick to help, our hearts ready to dare.

4 Together, by grace, we witness and work,

remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong.

Together we serve in Spirit and truth,

remembering love is the strength of our song.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [Blue #356] [GTG#475]

“Come Thou Fount”

1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing;

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above;

praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

mount of God’s unchanging love!.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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 475 or 502] Psalm 24

Of David. A Psalm.

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,

the world, and those who live in it;

for he has founded it on the seas,

and established it on the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

And who shall stand in his holy place?

Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,

who do not lift up their souls to what is false,

and do not swear deceitfully.

They will receive blessing from the Lord,

and vindication from the God of their salvation.

Such is the company of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Selah

Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is the King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory.

Selah

[Pew Bible NT #687 or 731] Jeremiah 29:1-14

These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah, and the queen mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the artisans, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem. The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It said: Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the Lord.

For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

[Pew Bible NT #151 or 161] Romans 12:1-2, 9-21

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…

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON “Living Responsibly in the Personal, Family, Vocational, Political, Cultural, and Social Relationships of Life” Reverend Ochart

RESPONSE

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “A Brief Statement of Faith”- God

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments. We violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still.

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 “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”

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

HYMN [*BLUE 333] [GTG#175] “Seek Ye First”

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

And it’s righteousness

And all these things shall be added unto you

Allelu Alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you

Seek and you shall find

Knock and it shall be opened unto you

Allelu Alleluia

You shall not live by bread alone, but by every word

That proceeds from the mouth of God. Allelu Alleluia

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” English then Spanish

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

¡Dios de la esperanza, danos gozo y paz!

Al mundo en crisis, habla tu verdad.

Dios de la justicia, mándanos tu luz,

Luz y esperanza en la oscuridad.

Oremos por la paz, cantemos de tu amor,

luchemos por la paz, fieles a ti, Señor.

POSTLUDE “This Little Light of Mine”

Announcements 7-30-23

Posted on Jul 29, 2023 in Announcements |

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:Ten Essential Strategies for Becoming a Multiracial Congregation by Jacqueline J. Lewis And John Janka: How do churches build immunity from racial and ethnic tensions that threaten to divide rather than unite congregations?

Jacqui Lewis and John Janka believe that the answer lies in the development of multiracial, multicultural communities of faith. Born of the authors’ work with The Middle Project, an institute that prepares ethical leaders for a more just society, this book is a collection of wisdom and best practices. Here you will find lessons, questions for conversation, and spaces for journaling.

In welcoming communities of faith where everyone is accepted just as they are, we can lead the way toward racial reconciliation and dismantle the prejudices that segregate our houses of worship.

WORK DAY: Do you have a favorite hymn you would like us to sing in worship? Let us know using the insert and it just might be included in worship in the future.

FAVORITE HYMN: Do you have a favorite hymn you would like us to sing in worship? Let us know using the insert and it just might be included in worship in the future.

BIRTHDAYS: Jeff Ferguson 7/31, Janet Capiton 8/2, Randall Antill 8/2

SAINTS and POTLUCKS: We are looking at scheduling Saints game potlucks for the noon games in Sept. and October. These events would be very easy with set-up and clean-up being done by those enjoying the game and taking place the day of the game. Those interested in participating would bring a dish to share and then head over to the fellowship hall after church to set up tables, chairs and potluck. After the game those involved would clean up. Louise can help set up activities for kids as well. We would love to find a sports enthusiast to head up these events. Please see Louise if you are interested.

Order of Worship 07-23-23

Posted on Jul 22, 2023 in Bulletin, Orders of Worship |

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

July 23rd, 2023 Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: Rev. Aaron Ochart

Guest Preacher: Caroline Kothari

Please silence all cell phones.

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

Please stand, in body or spirit

THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE Beside the Still Waters by Gwyneth Walker

PROCESSIONAL HYMN [BLUE# 377] [GTG#721]

“Lord You Have Come to the Lakeshore”

1 Lord, you have come to the lakeshore

looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;

you only asked me to follow humbly.

Chorus: O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,

and while smiling have spoken my name;

now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;

by your side I will seek other seas.

3 You need my hands, full of caring

through my labors to give others rest,

and constant love that keeps on loving. (Chorus)

WORDS OF WELCOME

ADORATION

CALL TO WORSHIP Matthew 25

ONE: I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

MANY: I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of the poor, you see the suffering of your children, and provide for them through the hands of your children. You call us as servants, always ready to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, free the captive and enslaved, bind up the brokenhearted, and visit those confined. You so identify with the needs of your children that when we serve them, we are serving you. Help us to respond to your ongoing activity in the world through our service to others. Amen.

HYMN [*BLUE 343] [GTG 761]

“Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”

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.

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.

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.

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,

messengers of faith, thus giving hope and confidence and peace.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

RESPONSE HYMN [GTG#727]

“Will You Let Me Be Your Servant”

Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?

Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

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 647 or 688] Isaiah 58:6-11

Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of injustice,

to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover them,

and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your healing shall spring up quickly;

your vindicator shall go before you,

the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

If you remove the yoke from among you,

the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,

if you offer your food to the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,

then your light shall rise in the darkness

and your gloom be like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually,

and satisfy your needs in parched places,

and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters never fail.

[Pew Bible NT #27 or 29] Matthew 25:31-46

‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON Responding to God’s Activity in the World Through Service to Others” Caroline Kothari

RESPONSE

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “A Brief Statement of Faith”- Spirit

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 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah J. Hughes, arr. V. Labenske

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

HYMN [*BLUE339] [GTG#450]

“Be Thou My Vision”

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

though my best thought, by day or by night,

waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;

I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;

thou my soul’s shelter and thou my high tower;

raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;

thou mine inheritance, now and always;

thou and thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

may I reach heaven’s joy, O bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

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

¡Dios de la esperanza, danos gozo y paz!

Al mundo en crisis, habla tu verdad.

Dios de la justicia, mándanos tu luz,

Luz y esperanza en la oscuridad.

Oremos por la paz, cantemos de tu amor,

luchemos por la paz, fieles a ti, Señor.

POSTLUDE

Toccata in e

Pachelbel

ANNOUNCEMENTS 7-23-23

Posted on Jul 22, 2023 in Announcements |

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:Neighborhood Church Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission by Krin Van Tatenhove Rob Mueller: How can we embody the values of love, grace, and justice? As faith communities, how can our collective embodiment of these values shine even brighter?

The answers to these questions must always unfold right here, right now, exactly where God has planted us. Neighborhood Church acts as a resource to inspire churches to become a vibrant and engaging community partner with the families and neighborhoods living around them. Congregational decline continues across all mainline denominations. Van Tatenhove and Mueller believe that, parish by parish, we can reverse this trend. They dare to have an audacious hope for local congregations not only as signs of God’s kingdom but as life-giving institutions that anchor their neighborhoods. Drawing on their combined sixty years of parish experience, wisdom from Asset-Based Community Development, and compelling case stories, Van Tatenhove and Mueller do more than just call us to incarnational ministry. They give practical, essential tools.

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 group will continue to meet in July before worship at 10:10 AM. 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.

FAVORITE HYMN: Do you have a favorite hymn you would like us to sing in worship? Let us know using the insert and it just might be included in worship in the future.

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.

Announcements 7-16-23

Posted on Jul 16, 2023 in Announcements |

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:Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice By Joan S. Gray: Is your church a rowboat church or a sailboat church?

Rowboat churches depend largely on human effort. When church budgets shrink and membership declines, rowboat churches frantically row harder against a current, often frustrated and disappointed at their efforts. Sailboat churches, on the other hand, take up the oars, hoist sails, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them.

Arguing that churches should be “sailboats,” Joan S. Gray encourages readers to shift concern from the many daily, practical concerns of their local church to fresh ideas that can be found using the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The book includes forty days of sailing prayers, quotes from Scripture, brief reflection questions, and an extensive bibliography that is arranged by theme. Perfect for groups to read together, this book will help leaders reframe their church’s mission and practice with the Holy Spirit as their guide.

GOODBYE to SAM: Sam Garnett, our Music Director and 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.

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.

FAVORITE HYMN: Do you have a favorite hymn you would like us to sing in worship? Let us know using the insert and it just might be included in worship in the future.

. 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