Fairfax Presbyterian Church

May 11, 2008

Mission-Minded, Small-Group Centered

Prelude Voluntary in d minor J Stanley
Donna Whited, organist
Morning Has Broken (8:45) arr D Haydn
Flute Trio: Melinda Bauers, Lois Aroian, Vanessa Mueller
Joyful Praise (11:15) H Hopson
Radiant Ringers, Karen Hammond, Director

Welcome and Concerns of the Church 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.

Minute for Tools of Hope and Blanket Sunday Carol Radden

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 brightens our worship.

The Lighting of the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (responsive) Henry Brinton
L: You have called us by name, O Lord, and we are here to worship you.
P: We give you praise and thanks.
L: You have given us the spirit of wisdom and strength.
P: We give you praise and thanks.
L: You have blessed us, Lord, and we look forwardthe coming of your kingdom.
P: Accept our praise and thanks.

* Hymn 150 Come, Christians, Join to Sing Madrid

* Call to Confession
L: As we come to God in worship, we know that we do not deserve to stand before the Lord. Let us admit our sins and shortcomings.

* Prayer of Confession (unison)
Compassionate One, as we come before your holiness, we know that we have fallen short of your expectations. We have not been as loving as you call us to be. We have been too critical of others and too easy on ourselves. We have been too busy doing things, and not busy enough building your kingdom. At times we have taken our families too much for granted. At other times the love you shared in Jesus Christ has been less than unconditional for those closest to us. Forgive us and fill us afresh with your redeeming love. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. (Time for silent confession.)

* Assurance of Forgiveness (responsive)
L: The proof of God's amazing love is this:
P: It is while we still were sinners that Christ died for us.
L: Hear the good news and believe: In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
P: Alleluia! Amen.
* 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.
Conversation with Children Carol Radden
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 Were You There (8:45) arr D Barber
Hymn Medley (11:15) arr Thompson

Prayer for Illumination Carol Radden (8:45); Midge Coward (11:15)

Scripture Lesson Acts 1:6-14
6So when they had come together, they asked Jesus, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’ 12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Sermon A How-To for the Christian Woo Henry Brinton

* Hymn 144 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! Hyfrydol
(Pass Prayer Cards to the center aisles.)

Prayer Concerns

Offering of Christ’s People
Call to Respond
Offertory Introduction and Toccata in G Major W Wallond

* 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)
Blessed are you, O God, Creator of all good things. Through your mercy and grace, you have blessed us with so many amazing gifts. With joy and thanksgiving, we dedicate our offerings and our lives to you again. May our gifts be reflective of your great generosity to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Invitation
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer
The Breaking of the Bread
The Sharing of the Cup
(Please walk to the center of the sanctuary, take a piece of bread, dip it in the cup, and partake.
You may then return to your seat.)
Prayer after Communion

* Hymn For the Easter Season 107 Celebrate With Joy and Singing Evelyn Chapel

* 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.

* Benediction

* Postlude Toccata in Seven J Rutter
*CCLI License #824089

NOTES ON WORSHIP
OUR FLUTE TRIO at 8:45 consists of Melinda Bauers, Lois Aroian and Vanessa Mueller. Radiant Ringers, our handbell choir for beginning ringers, enhances our worship at 11:15. Thanks to Karen Hammond for leading this group again this year. Throughout the Easter season we have been learning a new hymn, Celebrate With Joy and Singing. The music for this hymn was written by Dr. R. Bedford Watkins. The tune is named Evelyn Chapel for the chapel at Illinois Wesleyan University, where Watkins was a professor form 1956 to 1988. Twenty years after retiring, he still serves as an organist at a church in Florida.

TODAY AT FPC
TODAY is Tools of Hope and Blanket Sunday. Your generous donations will help provide sustainable assistance in the form of new water wells, tools and livestock to indigent people around the world.
THE WORSHIP MINISTRY (Serena Mercer and Michelle Coon) wish to heartily thank all who helped with the reception for Michelle Fincher last Sunday. We truly appreciate your efforts and gifts of time, food and funds.
GOD AND COUNTRY will meet at 4 p.m. today in room 110 for scouts and parents working together on a religious medallion.
ENCOUNTER REHEARSAL tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. in the sanctuary.

This Week at FPC
Sunday, May 4
8:45 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
10:00 a.m. Church School, various
10:00 a.m. Session, parlor
11:15 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
12:30 p.m. MLM, 110
12:30 p.m. Larsen Talk, MPR
4:00 p.m. God & Country
4:30 p.m. Carol Choir, 233
5:00 p.m. Carol Choir party, 233
7:00 p.m. Encounter Rehearsal, sanctuary

Monday, May 5
10:00 a.m. Sewing, MPR
7:00 p.m. Encounter Team, 110
7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts, various
7:15 p.m. Radiant Ringers, 232, sanctuary
7:30 p.m. Girl Scouts, 135

Tuesday, May 6
Fairfax City Council Election
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting, 110
10:00 a.m. Ruth Circle, MPR
7:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers, 235, sanctuary

Wednesday, May 7
12:00 p.m. GAM, library
12:30 p.m. FPP Soccer, Quad, FH
7:00 p.m. Companions in Christ, parlor
7:30 p.m. Trustees, 110
7:30 p.m. Scout Committee, 233

Thursday, May 8
1:00 p.m. Book Club, parlor
7:00 p.m. FPP, 110
8:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir, 235, sanctuary

Friday, May 9
11:00 a.m. Basic Bible, parlor
12:00 p.m. Midday Prayer, sanctuary
12:00 p.m. GAM, library
6:00 p.m. Girl Scouts, 135

Saturday, May 10
Glebe Work Day
Sanctuary Choir Party, Kay Home

Sunday, May 11
8:45 a.m. Worship, sanctuary
10:00 a.m. Church School, various
11:15 a.m. Worship, sanctuary

NEWS OF FPC
IMPROVING OUR ORDER FOR WORSHIP. Pentecost is the birthday of the church, when we remember the gift of the Holy Spirit to the apostles (Acts 2:1-21). This Pentecost Sunday, May 11, certain elements of the service will be reordered to enhance our worship. The FPC staff and Worship Ministry want you to know this is not meant to change the feel of our service, but to alter the order of particular elements for the following reasons: We want our children to hear the reading of the scripture.. Scripture is the story of our faith; we want the children to hear these stories and a Conversation rooted in them. To accomplish this, the Conversation with Children will be moved to a point after the Scripture Lesson. We want our service to begin with a call to worship. Currently, the service starts with announcements that pertain to the life of the church rather than the worship of God. We want to begin with a focus on God and later, as a response to the Word heard in the service, focus on our life together. Moving announcements also gives late-comers a chance to hear this news. We want to include an Affirmation of Faith in each service to unite us as one body. Except for baptismal Sundays, when we say the Apostles’ Creed, we rarely stand as one community and affirm what we believe. The inclusion of an Affirmation of Faith will enable us to do this, in words ranging from the ancient Nicene Creed to the modern Brief Statement of Faith. The staff and Worship Ministry will be open to hearing about your experience with this new order for worship.

SERVICE and STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Give your Heart to a Child. Can you set an extra place at your dinner table? Do you have a safe place for a child to sleep? Volunteer Emergency Families For Children needs volunteers willing to provide short term (1-21 days) emergency shelter to children who are victims of abuse or neglect. You choose the age, gender, and length of stay for each placement. Please contact Kym Ludwig at kludwig@vefc.org or call 800-756-6167 for additional information. Visit our website at www.vefc.org.

IF YOU MISSED the opportunity to help with the recent Glebe clean-up, please schedule some time to help on the morning of Sat, May 10, when we will plant annual flowers. If you can dig just a few small holes, you can help make a big impression on our Glebe all summer! Our volunteer forces have been seriously depleted of late, so newcomers are most welcome.

YOUTH NEWS
YOUTH GROUP will not meet this afternoon due to Survivor Weekend. There will be no Youth Group next Sun, May 11 in honor of Mother’s Day. Please join us for the end of the year Grad and Confirmation Party from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Sun, May 18. Please note that our confirmands will be joining the church on Confirmation Sunday, May 18 at the 8:45 a.m. service. Please plant to be there in support of them!

PLEASE CONSIDER signing up as a prayer partner to FPC youth mission trip participants. There is a sign up sheet on the table in the narthex. If you have any question, please contact Nancy Stevens.

THEOLOGY CLUB. This new youth small group is dedicated to studying the roots of
Christianity. What does it mean to be a Christian? What does it mean to believe in God? Any 9th to 12th grade youth is welcome to join us for open discussions on Sun, May 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the parlor. Contact Abbey Giordano or Jessica Tate for more information.

ON THE CALENDAR
CATHERINE LARSEN will host a talk today, Sun, May 4, to share stories and images of her recent medical mission trip to Ghana in West Africa, which was made possible by generous financial and spiritual support from the FPC congregation. Please join her at 12:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room to share refreshments and hear about her trip with Joni and Friends.

UPCOMING GOLDEN AGE Ministry events include lunch and a tour of the new Fairfax City Regional Library on May 18, a review of the Ministry’s activities to date on June 1, and a workshop on Balance and Aging on June 12. For complete details regarding these programs please see the FPC website or the May Octagon. Tickets for the 5-hour Balance and Aging program will go on sale May 4.

LACE UP YOUR RUNNING SHOES! Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to join “Team FPC” for the 2nd Annual Run to End Domestic Violence at Fort Washington National Park in Maryland on Sat, May 17 at 8 a.m. The $20 entry fee benefits a worthy cause – forms are available on the kiosk. Contact Mike Watson.

A BAPTISM CONFERENCE for persons desiring baptism for themselves or their children will be held Tue, May 20 at 6:45 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Please call the church office at 703 273-5300 if you plan to attend.

COMMUNITY EVENTS
LUNCH ‘N LIFE for individuals 50 years old or better will be held at St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax Station at noon on Thur, May 15. The program will include a tour of this historic church. Please call Faye Quesenberry at 703 620-0161 by May 8 for reservations; the cost is $8. For more information or if transportation is needed, please call the office of the Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke at 703 323-4788 or visit www.fairfax-burkesc.org.

Upcoming Messages
May 11 Pentecost & Mothers Day, 8:45 & 11:15 a.m., Catching the Wind, Acts 2:1-21
May 18 8:45 & 11:15 a.m. Sermon by Jessica Tate, Genesis 1:1-2:4a
May 25 9:30 a.m. Encounter! worship, Matthew 6:24-34
June 1 9:30 a.m., Glebe Service, Picnic for 5,000, Matthew 14:13-21
June 8 9:30 a.m., Sermon by Jessica Tate
June 15 9:30 a.m., Ultramarathon Faith, Genesis 12:1-9

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. After the Conversation with Children, please take your child up to room 252. During the 10 a.m. Sunday School hour, Fairfax Kids normally meets 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
There are no Sunday School classes for grades 7 to 12 this morning, Sun, May 4.

10 a.m. Adult Christian Education, Spring 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!
Jessica Tate & Cate Rodman’s class on individual and corporate Christian practices will continue through spring, using the book Christianity for the Rest of Us.
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.

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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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