Fairfax Presbyterian Church

March 9, 2008

Mission-Minded, Small-Group Centered

Prelude Prayer of Notre Dame Boellman
Donna Whited, Organist

Welcome and Community Announcements Jessica Tate
You are encouraged to greet people you don’t know during our welcome. Please print your name in the friendship pad and return it to the end of the pew. If you are visiting, please include your name, address, and phone number.

Introit Look! Here is the Light K Martin
Look! Here is the light that reminds us that Christ shines among us;
For Christ is the light that lightens the whole world,
And Christ is the light that lightens our worship, Yes, . . . (repeat)

The Lighting of the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (responsive) Henry Brinton
L: Out of the depths of our sins and failures, we cry to you, O Lord.
P: Come, Lord God, and forgive us.
L: Out of the depths of our struggles, we cry to you, O Lord.
P: Come, Lord God, and save us.
L: Out of the depths we come to worship you, Lord, and give you praise.
P: Come, Lord God, and give us new life.

* Hymn 85 What Wondrous Love is This Wondrous Love

* Call to Confession
L: What wondrous love you show us, Lord, and yet we turn away. In this fresh experience of confession, we admit our brokenness by confessing our sin as a broken and scattered congregation.

* Prayer of Confession (unison)
Leader: We confess, Great God, that we have turned from your love and pursued the passions of this world.
Women: We have chased wealth and possessions, and envied those who have more than we do.
Men: We have shown coldness to human sorrow, and indifference to the treasures of the Spirit.
Children & Youth: We have cared more for ourselves than our neighbors, and valued achievement over compassion.
Adults: Forgive us, we pray, and heal us.
Leader: Keep us mindful of the one who has carried a heavy cross for our souls, your Son Jesus Christ. Amen. (Time for silent confession.)

* Assurance of Forgiveness
L: As one people of God, answer this question: Who is in a position to condemn us?
P: Only Christ, and Christ lived for us, Christ died for us, Christ rose in glory for us.
L: Hear the good news and believe: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. In Jesus Christ, our broken pieces are made whole.
P: Thanks be to God!
* Response to Our Assurance Gloria Patri #579, The Hymnal
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.
Sacrament of Baptism (8:45)
Calling Forth
Meaning of Baptism
Question to the Parents
Question to the Congregation
Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed (p. 14, The Presbyterian Hymnal)
Thanksgiving over the Water
Act of Baptizing
Welcome
Hymn 492 Baptized in Water (verse 1 only)

Conversation with Children
At 8:45, children in Kindergarten to grade 2 may go to Godly Play in room 243. Storytime is available in room 252 for children age 3 to 5. The nursery (in room 245 for children under 3) is available during all services.

Anthem When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (8:45) arr K McChesney
Joyful Ringers, Kenneth Martin, Director
God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending (11:15) arr R Hillert
Sanctuary Choir, Kenneth Martin, Director; Vanessa Mueller, flute
(The congregation may join on stanzas 1 and 3, #422 in the hymnal)

Prayer for Illumination Mike Britton (8:45); Charles Olwell (11:15)

Scripture Lesson Ezekiel 37:1-14
1The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2He led me all round them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ 4Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath* to enter you, and you shall live. 6I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath* in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.’7So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ 10I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 11Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” 12Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’
L: This is the Word of the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.

Sermon Legos and Bones Henry Brinton

* Hymn 316 Breathe on Me, Breath of God Trentham
(Pass Prayer Cards to the center aisles.)

Morning Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
Reception of New Members and The Sacrament of Baptism (11:15)
Calling Forth
Presentation
Reaffirmation of Faith
Questions to the Congregation
Prayer of Thanksgiving Over the Water
Act of Baptizing
Prayer
Welcome
Hymn 492 Baptized in Water (verse 1 only)

Offering of Christ’s People
Call to Respond
Offertory Ah, Holy Jesus (8:45) arr A Sherman
Minuet Gothique (11:15) Boellman

* Doxology 592 Old Hundredth
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 (unison)
We thank you, Lord, for your healing touch and loving presence. We offer our gifts to you in gratitude and thanks. Through these offerings, bring help and hope and new life to this world you love so much. In Jesus' name, Amen.

* Hymn 443 O Christ, the Great Foundation Aurelia

* Extroit Now Carry the Light K Martin
Now carry the light that reminds us that Christ goes before us,
For Christ is the light that lightens the whole world,
And Christ is the light that brightens our living. Yes, . . . (repeat)

* Benediction

* Postlude How Firm a Foundation Dunstable
*CCLI License #824089

This Week at FPC

Sunday, March 9
8:45 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
10:00 a.m. Church School, various
11:15 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
12:30 p.m. GAM, MPR
12:30 p.m. Glebe lunch, Whipple home
12:30 p.m. Boy Scouts, 110
12:30 p.m. Youth Fellowship, sanctuary
4:30 p.m. Chapel Choir, 234
4:30 p.m. Carol Choir, 233
6:00 p.m. Young Adult dinner, Auld Shebeen
7:00 p.m. Encounter, sanctuary

Monday, March 10
9:00 a.m. Martha Circle, parlor
7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts, various
7:00 p.m. Encounter, 110
7:15 p.m. Radiant Ringers, 232, sanctuary
7:30 p.m. Girl Scouts, 135

Tuesday, March 11
Octagon, session deadline
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting, 110
10:00 a.m. Rachel Circle, parlor
10:00 a.m. Purly Gators, library
7:00 p.m. All Committee Night, various
7:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers, 235, sanctuary
7:30 p.m. Deacons, MPR

Wednesday, March 12
7:00 p.m. Companions in Christ, parlor
7:30 p.m. Homeless Committee, 110
7:30 p.m. Mary Circle, Larsen home

Thursday, March 13
7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir, 235, sanctuary

Friday, March 14
11:00 a.m. Basic Bible, parlor
12:00 p.m. Midday Prayer, sanctuary

Saturday, March 15
8:00 a.m. Aftercare Prison ministry, MPR
9:00 a.m. Web Team, 110
5:30 p.m. Family Seekers, MPR

Sunday, March 16
Palm Sunday
8:45 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
10:00 a.m. Church School, various
11:15 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
12:30 p.m. Nominating Committee, 110
12:30 p.m. Teen Choir, 235
7:00 p.m. Instrumental Ensemble, sanctuary

Christian Education/Children’s Activities

The Nursery is open Sunday mornings in room 245 for infants from 6 weeks to 3 years of age.
Storytime is held for children ages 3 through 5 during the 8:45 a.m. service and for children ages 3 through 1st grade during the 11:15 a.m. service in room 252. A Storytime caregiver will meet the children outside the sanctuary after the Conversation with Children or you may take your child up.
Godly Play for children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade is held following the Conversation with Children in room 243 during the 8:45 a.m. service.
During the 10 a.m. Sunday School hour, Fairfax Kids will meet as follows:
Ages 3-4 in room 255 * Ages 5-K in room 257 * Grade 1-2 in room 244
Grade 3-4 in room 234 * Grade 5-6 in room 233
Youth Classes
Youth B&B classes meet at 10 a.m. in rooms 229 for both Junior Highs and Senior Highs. Youth Fellowship will gather at the regular time this afternoon (4:30 p.m.)
10 a.m. Adult Christian Education, Winter 2008
Basic Bible. This in-depth look at the week’s lectionary reading is led by Pastor Henry Brinton in the multipurpose room. No previous Bible study experience required!
Lent is traditionally a time when disciples renew their commitment to the disciplines of Christian life. Join Jessica Tate & Cate Rodman for a Lenten exploration of corporate and individual Christian practices that connect us to God and one another.
Parenting Your Teenager. Celebrate with fellow adventurers on the path to raising adolescents. This class will meet in room 134.
Morning Mingle. This casual, drop-in class uses videos and short studies to explore faith and life connections. They’re found in room 135.

TODAY AT FPC
THE GOLDEN AGE group discuss Tax Tips after the 11:15 service today, Sun, Mar 9, in the multipurpose room. All are invited to join this informative program.
THE GLEBE GUILD spring luncheon will be held today, Sun, Mar 9, following the 11:15 a.m. service at the home of Marty & George Whipple at 11508 Yates Ford Road.
Our first Young Adults Dinner is today, Sun, Mar 9 at 6 p.m. at Auld Shebeen Irish Pub in downtown Fairfax City (3971 Chain Bridge Road).
TODAY, Sun, Mar 9 is the last day to see the altarpiece made by HIV/AIDS patients served by 25:40; it is on display at National Cathedral beginning at 12:45.
TONIGHT, FPC Youth will experience Passion stations during their fellowship. We ask everyone to try their best to arrive promptly at 4:30 p.m.

This Lent, we’re taking a fresh look at the components of worship to experience anew how God moves in the community. In this season of spiritual renewal, enjoy this fresh look at our weekly rituals and deepen your experience of worship. Mar. 16: A Fresh Look at the Call to Worship

A Fresh Look at CONFESSION OF SIN AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON! Each Sunday, near the beginning of our gathering together, we pause to recognize our need for God's grace. The reality of sin pervades our personal and common life and so we confess this reality to God and one another. However, we are called to confess our sin with the reminder that God has already acted toward us in grace and forgiveness. Confident of that grace, we pray our corporate prayer of confession and individual silent prayer. The assurance of God's forgiving grace is then declared to us anew in the name of Jesus Christ and we rejoice that we find ourselves again restored to right relationship with God and one another by singing the Gloria Patri.

NOTES ON WORSHIP
THE FLOWERS in the sanctuary this morning are given by Ron & Carol Radden to the glory of God and in memory of all the victims of HIV/AIDS in Hamburg, South Africa.
JOYFUL RINGERS play two Lenten hymns at 8:45. The anthem alternates between two tunes for When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: “Rockingham,” more familiar in Great Britain, and “Hamburg,” used in the U.S. You can follow the text of this great hymn at #101 in our hymnal. Ah, Holy Jesus, a translation of a German text, is #93. At 11:15, the Sanctuary Choir anthem calls us to fuller commitment of our time, talent and treasure in service to the kingdom of God.

HOLY WEEK AT FPC:
Palm Sunday, March 16, worship at 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. Music by the children of the church and a sermon by the Rev. Jessica Tate.
Maundy Thursday, March 20, worship at 7:30 p.m. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, with a sermon by the Rev. Jessica Tate.
Good Friday, March 21, worship at 7:30 p.m. The crucifixion of Christ is remembered with a dramatic service of silence and lamentation.
Easter Sunday, March 23, Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., led by the Confirmation Class. Easter Breakfast served in Fellowship Hall from 7:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Worship at 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. with music by the Sanctuary Choir and a sermon by the Rev. Henry Brinton.

NEWS OF FPC

BAPTIZED this morning at 8:45 is Owen Keith Flickinger, son of Jason Keith Flickinger and Melissia Jean Imel Flickinger, and brother of Madelyn Jean Flickinger. We welcome Owen’s grandmother, Sondra Imel, uncle Jeffrey Imel, grandfather Michael Flickinger, grandmother Pamela Flickinger, great-grandmother Doris Howard, great-grandfather Gerald Howard, aunt Jodi Flickinger and friends Karen & Bruce Lowe, Jay & Dewi Davidson and Katie, Lauren & Emily Orsi. Baptized at 11:15Ainsley Elise Buice, daughter of Erik Lee Buice and Laura Dent Buice and sister of Noelle Elizabeth Buice. We welcome Ainsley’s grandparents Susan & Dan Dent and Joanne & Jerry Buice, great grandmother Shirley Simpson and sponsors Maria & Jeff Desimoni.

WE ARE DELIGHTED to welcome six new members this morning at 11:15: Erik Lee & Laura Dent Buice, Toby Maria Chieffo-Reidway, Kate Suzanne Chutuape, Moon-Young Goodwin and Rebecca Lee Williams. Please offer them a warm welcome to the Christian community at FPC.

TODAY, John Partridge and Jane Kaftan wish to recognize their parents, Charles & Nancy Partridge, who were married 40 years ago and have set an inspiring example of love, partnership, happiness and adventure ever since. Please join John & Nicole, Jane & Rob and grandchildren Hannah, James, George, Emma & Charlie in wishing them all the best on this special day.

ON PALM SUNDAY, March 16, we will gather in the narthex for our Fresh Experience of the Call to Worship. Like the people of Israel entering Jerusalem along with Jesus, we will process into the sanctuary waving palm branches. Please wait to be seated that Sunday until after the Call to Worship.

OUR music on Palm Sunday will include Hosanna Processional and The Liturgy of the Palms, presented by the combined Teen, Chapel and Carol Children’s Choirs. On Easter Sunday, the music will be grand and festive, in keeping with the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. The Sanctuary Choir will present three pieces. The introit, Christ Is Risen, O Be Joyful, will set a tone of joyous praise; the anthem, Bright Easter Morn, tells how the disciples became aware of the significance of the Resurrection; and Fanfare for Easter, our offertory, gives Paul's interpretation of the Resurrection from his First Epistle to the Corinthians. A quintet of professional brass and timpani players will support the choir and provide other music. Join us on Easter Sunday as we worship the Risen Lord. Alleluia!

SERVICE and STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

THE 2008 NOMINATING COMMITTEE needs your help to identify the next leaders of our congregation. We seek FPC members ready to answer God’s call to serve as Elders, Deacons and Trustees. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please fill out the FPC nomination form found on the kiosk in the narthex, or e-mail Lee Phillips.

EASTER FLOWER order forms are on the kiosk. Please put completed forms, with a check made out to FPC and marked Easter flowers on the memo line, in the offering plate, or return them to the church office by Mon, Mar 17. This is a wonderful way to help celebrate Easter at FPC and honor loved ones. You may choose to take your plant home or leave it for the deacons to deliver to shut ins or members who have suffered a recent loss.

BREAD TEAM ambassadors needed: each week, first-time visitors to FPC receive a loaf of home-baked bread, a special way of welcoming them made possible by our volunteer bakers and the “ambassadors” who make the deliveries. Ambassadors deliver only to visitors who live within 2 or 3 miles of their homes and make deliveries only 4 to 6 times a year. We are in particular need of ambassadors in the Vienna area. For more information, contact Esther Bevis or Mary Ann Campbell.

FPC’S ABENDMUSIK concert is Sun, Apr 20 at 7 p.m. The Sanctuary Choir is preparing selected choruses from Handel’s Messiah for this event. Singers should contact Kenneth Martin to find out how they can participate.

THE SEWING GROUP will meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mar 17 to work on projects for the 25:40 mission and adaptive clothing for wounded soldiers. We need your help, for any amount of time you can offer, whether you sew or not. Contact Carol Radden or Lynne Thompson if you are interested in seeing A Story of Love, a video about Hamburg in South Africa and the hope Dr. Carol Baker Hofmeyr is bringing to people there.

YOUTH NEWS

MULCH MADNESS, our spring youth fundraiser, is upon us. Deadline for orders is Sun, Mar 23; forms are available in the narthex. Sat, Mar 29 is the day for pick-up and delivery.

FPC YOUTH, as part of their “Be the Change” 30 Hour Famine for the World Vision campaign, will fast from April 11 to 13 to raise money for starving children around the world. It is their mission to help prevent the deaths of some of the 29,000 children who die from hunger every day. Help by writing a check to FPC with “30 Hour Famine” on the memo line.
ON THE CALENDAR

THE MEETING GROUND event “Lose Weight and Get Strong Through the Ten Commandments of Faith and Fitness,” a book talk and signing with authors Henry Brinton and Vik Khanna, has been re-scheduled to Tue, Mar 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

FPC’S EASTER EGG hunt for children up to age 10 will take place at 10 a.m. Sat, Mar 22. Please donate 24 plastic eggs filled with wrapped candy or stickers by Sun, Mar 16; there will be a collection box in the narthex. Volunteers are needed to help during the hunt as well. Contact Kris Richmond.

YOUNG ADULTS

GMU Students, please join us for a home-cooked meal at Thursday Fellowship Dinners from 7 to 9 p.m. at Saint George’s United Methodist Church (4910 Ox Road). Contact Jessica Tate for more information.

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Fairfax Presbyterian Church - Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-6985
(703) 273-5300 - FAX (703) 591-4246
fpc@fairfaxpresby.com
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