FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

May 10, 2020 First Presbyterian Church, Bryan, Texas 10:45 a.m. Link to worship videos available at: www.fpcbryan.org

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Give to the Winds Thy Fears FESTAL SONG

WELCOME AND OPENING SENTENCES We welcome you to worship today. In Psalm 90, it is written, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. May your favor be upon us.”

HYMN NO. 32 I Sing the Mighty Power of God ELLACOMBE I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies,

I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day. The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord who filled the earth with food. God formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below but makes thy glories known. And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne,

while all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care, and everywhere that we can be, thou, God, art present there.

WORSHIP NOTES

PREACHER

Rev. Ted Foote

LITURGIST

Rev. Emily K. Béghin Rev. Dr. George E. Klett

MUSICIANS

Michelle Lassiter, pianist David Kipp, Director of Music Ministries

COVER ART

“morning dew on a rose” by okmura_26

Instagram

CHANCEL FLOWERS

Easter arrangements by Nicole & Bill McKinley

AUDIO/VIDEO

Emily K. Béghin

COPYRIGHT LICENSES

Hymns from Glory to God:

The Presbyterian Hymnal CCLI 196019

OneLicense.net A-718836 CVLI 504246321

First Presbyterian Church | 1100 Carter Creek Parkway | Bryan, Texas 77802 PH. 979.823.8073 | FAX. 979.822.7063 | Website: www.fpcbryan.org | Email: office@fpcbryan.org

Find “First Presbyterian Church of Bryan, Texas” on FACEBOOK

A WARM WELCOME!

We are delighted to have you worship with us today.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, MAY 10

ONLINE WORSHIP-To view, visit www.fpcbryan.org 5:45pm Youth (GR 6-12) Sunday Fun Day-DIGITAL (Watch your inbox for details via email!) MONDAY, MAY 11

TUESDAY, MAY 12

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

THURSDAY, MAY 14 FRIDAY, MAY 15 SATURDAY, MAY 16

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, MAY 17

ONLINE WORSHIP-To view, visit www.fpcbryan.org 5:45pm Youth (GR 6-12) Sunday Fun Day-DIGITAL (Watch your inbox for details via email!)

For regularly scheduled meetings/gatherings,

please be in touch with your group’s moderator, leader, coordinator, or facilitator

to determine alternate meeting options/platforms.

PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND CONFESSION Let us pray … Holy and blessed One, never far from your people, but too often unrecognized when we are distracted and preoccupied: create reverent awe within us. Reorient us toward new-life encounters with your love. Encourage and inspire where we are downcast and off-track. Speak to us of your worthy purposes. Enthrall us with your incomparable treasures. In these moments of silence, hear us praying and acknowledging our failings of thought, speech, attitude, and action . . . Eternal One, with the ointment and balm of your Spirit in Jesus Christ, forgive, reconstitute, and strengthen each one whom you have claimed for serving you near and far, in every place and time. Friends, let us hear and share with gladness the blessed news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 288 Spirit of the Living God LIVING GOD Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

SCRIPTURE READING Job 2:1-9 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL PROCLAMATION Not Leaving Our Integrity Behind PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING, INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let us pray . . . O Crafter of Creation and Help of the helpless, on this day recognized across this nation as Mother’s Day, receive our thanks for all people, regardless of gender or age or child-bearing capability, who have nurtured others with love, affirmed others with respect, encouraged others in self-confidence, and taught others toward the expanded horizons of knowledge, insight, skill, compassion, faith, and wisdom. In this and every troubled time, endow us with the vision of those who see beyond each day’s sunset, into every tomorrow where your promises break like the dawn into possibilities of generosity, sacrifice, steadfastness, and gladness. From the communion and spirit of all those who have lived and died before us in their serving you, receive our voices together praying as Jesus taught: 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 NO. 250 In the Bulb There Is a Flower PROMISE In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, and apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

from the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

DISMISSAL AND BLESSING GOING FORTH IN SONG An Irish Blessing Bob Chilcott

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. The sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

+ + + + +

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING

It’s not too late to give to One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Gifts will be received through today. Make your check payable to FPC-Bryan. MEMO: OGHS (please include your giver number, if you know it).

Especially in this time, visit the church website, www.fpcbryan.org, for the newsletter, announcements, worship bulletins, devotionals for children and adults, updates, etc.

Like us on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/FPCBryan and www.facebook.com/ FPC-Bryan-Childrens-Ministry

NEW!!! on Instagram: www.instagram.com.

Search for and follow fpcbryantx1867 and/or fpcbryan_youth

Help FPC-Bryan’s YouTube channel achieve 400 subscribers to be eligible for a custom url! 366 to go… On www.youtube.com, search for First Presbyterian Church of Bryan, Texas.

Click ISUBSCRIBEI TODAY!

Our newsletter, The Chimes, continues to be available online, emailed to FPC-Bryan friends, and mailed to local FPC-Bryan members with the printed bulletin and sermon to those without technology.

Until further notice, it will not be mailed to its full distribution list. The deadline for the next issue of the newsletter is NOON, SUNDAY, MAY 17, and will be distributed on WEDNESDAY, MAY 20.

This newsletter will cover news from May 28 thru June 17.

STAY CONNECTED! with others in this community of faith at Church Updates—FPC-Bryan’s online tool for church-related announcements, ways to serve, and current prayer needs. This online tool

is “REAL TIME,” and users receive a weekly reminder email on Thursdays to view new posts. Login and create your password-protected account at https://fpcbtx.churchupdates.org/login.

For more information, contact Karen in the church office, 979.823.8073 or office@fpcbryan.org.

Page 2 Page 3

PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND CONFESSION Let us pray … Holy and blessed One, never far from your people, but too often unrecognized when we are distracted and preoccupied: create reverent awe within us. Reorient us toward new-life encounters with your love. Encourage and inspire where we are downcast and off-track. Speak to us of your worthy purposes. Enthrall us with your incomparable treasures. In these moments of silence, hear us praying and acknowledging our failings of thought, speech, attitude, and action . . . Eternal One, with the ointment and balm of your Spirit in Jesus Christ, forgive, reconstitute, and strengthen each one whom you have claimed for serving you near and far, in every place and time. Friends, let us hear and share with gladness the blessed news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 288 Spirit of the Living God LIVING GOD Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me; mold me; fill me; use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

SCRIPTURE READING Job 2:1-9 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL PROCLAMATION Not Leaving Our Integrity Behind PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING, INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let us pray . . . O Crafter of Creation and Help of the helpless, on this day recognized across this nation as Mother’s Day, receive our thanks for all people, regardless of gender or age or child-bearing capability, who have nurtured others with love, affirmed others with respect, encouraged others in self-confidence, and taught others toward the expanded horizons of knowledge, insight, skill, compassion, faith, and wisdom. In this and every troubled time, endow us with the vision of those who see beyond each day’s sunset, into every tomorrow where your promises break like the dawn into possibilities of generosity, sacrifice, steadfastness, and gladness. From the communion and spirit of all those who have lived and died before us in their serving you, receive our voices together praying as Jesus taught: 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 NO. 250 In the Bulb There Is a Flower PROMISE In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, and apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

from the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

DISMISSAL AND BLESSING GOING FORTH IN SONG An Irish Blessing Bob Chilcott

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. The sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

+ + + + +

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING

It’s not too late to give to One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Gifts will be received through today. Make your check payable to FPC-Bryan. MEMO: OGHS (please include your giver number, if you know it).

Especially in this time, visit the church website, www.fpcbryan.org, for the newsletter, announcements, worship bulletins, devotionals for children and adults, updates, etc.

Like us on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/FPCBryan and www.facebook.com/ FPC-Bryan-Childrens-Ministry

NEW!!! on Instagram: www.instagram.com.

Search for and follow fpcbryantx1867 and/or fpcbryan_youth

Help FPC-Bryan’s YouTube channel achieve 400 subscribers to be eligible for a custom url! 366 to go… On www.youtube.com, search for First Presbyterian Church of Bryan, Texas.

Click ISUBSCRIBEI TODAY!

Our newsletter, The Chimes, continues to be available online, emailed to FPC-Bryan friends, and mailed to local FPC-Bryan members with the printed bulletin and sermon to those without technology.

Until further notice, it will not be mailed to its full distribution list. The deadline for the next issue of the newsletter is NOON, SUNDAY, MAY 17, and will be distributed on WEDNESDAY, MAY 20.

This newsletter will cover news from May 28 thru June 17.

STAY CONNECTED! with others in this community of faith at Church Updates—FPC-Bryan’s online tool for church-related announcements, ways to serve, and current prayer needs. This online tool

is “REAL TIME,” and users receive a weekly reminder email on Thursdays to view new posts. Login and create your password-protected account at https://fpcbtx.churchupdates.org/login.

For more information, contact Karen in the church office, 979.823.8073 or office@fpcbryan.org.

Page 2 Page 3

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

THE SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

May 10, 2020 First Presbyterian Church, Bryan, Texas 10:45 a.m. Link to worship videos available at: www.fpcbryan.org

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Give to the Winds Thy Fears FESTAL SONG

WELCOME AND OPENING SENTENCES We welcome you to worship today. In Psalm 90, it is written, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. May your favor be upon us.”

HYMN NO. 32 I Sing the Mighty Power of God ELLACOMBE I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies,

I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day. The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord who filled the earth with food. God formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below but makes thy glories known. And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne,

while all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care, and everywhere that we can be, thou, God, art present there.

WORSHIP NOTES

PREACHER

Rev. Ted Foote

LITURGIST

Rev. Emily K. Béghin Rev. Dr. George E. Klett

MUSICIANS

Michelle Lassiter, pianist David Kipp, Director of Music Ministries

COVER ART

“morning dew on a rose” by okmura_26

Instagram

CHANCEL FLOWERS

Easter arrangements by Nicole & Bill McKinley

AUDIO/VIDEO

Emily K. Béghin

COPYRIGHT LICENSES

Hymns from Glory to God:

The Presbyterian Hymnal CCLI 196019

OneLicense.net A-718836 CVLI 504246321

First Presbyterian Church | 1100 Carter Creek Parkway | Bryan, Texas 77802 PH. 979.823.8073 | FAX. 979.822.7063 | Website: www.fpcbryan.org | Email: office@fpcbryan.org

Find “First Presbyterian Church of Bryan, Texas” on FACEBOOK

A WARM WELCOME!

We are delighted to have you worship with us today.

THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, MAY 10

ONLINE WORSHIP-To view, visit www.fpcbryan.org 5:45pm Youth (GR 6-12) Sunday Fun Day-DIGITAL (Watch your inbox for details via email!) MONDAY, MAY 11

TUESDAY, MAY 12

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

THURSDAY, MAY 14 FRIDAY, MAY 15 SATURDAY, MAY 16

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, MAY 17

ONLINE WORSHIP-To view, visit www.fpcbryan.org 5:45pm Youth (GR 6-12) Sunday Fun Day-DIGITAL (Watch your inbox for details via email!)

For regularly scheduled meetings/gatherings,

please be in touch with your group’s moderator, leader, coordinator, or facilitator

to determine alternate meeting options/platforms.

Not Leaving Our Integrity Behind Job 2:1-9 May 10, 2020 Ted V. Foote, Jr. First Presbyterian Church, Bryan, Texas In the current historical period of the COVID-19 virus and economic crises, I’m wondering if – when we mostly move beyond the challenges and losses which are a part of this – we might do well not to leave behind three elements of who we are. So, today, we explore not leaving behind our integrity. Next week we will consider not leaving behind our “brokenness,” and the next week we’ll consider not leaving behind our “well being.” You may logically ask, “Why would anyone in her/his right mind leave behind integrity?” Perhaps most people would not do that when carefully thinking, but it is possible – when assessing what’s developing around us – to forget integrity as a worthy value. In the ancient literary masterpiece known as “Job,” God does not forget the importance of integrity, mentioning it at chapter 2, verse 3. Then Job’s wife mentions integrity at chapter 2, verse 9. Then – after hearing God and his spouse both mention integrity – Job himself mentions integrity at chapter 27, verse 5, and at chapter 31, verse 6.

The King James Version of the English Bible from 1611 has blessed Western civilization with many gifts, but the translation of the Greek word at James 5:11 is not one of those gifts. From the King James, that verse reads: “You have heard of the patience of Job.” So, since 1611, from that translation, people have commended “the patience of Job” as a desirable quality. Since “patience” mostly implies “waiting calmly with folded hands and normal blood pressure” the English word “patience” is far from the best translation of the Greek word, “hupomonay.” Literally meaning “by or beneath each one,” more broadly, it means “strength from steadfastness” and “strength from perseverance.” Job was not patient in terms of “waiting calmly with folded hands and normal blood pressure.” He agonized in the ash heap, vigorously engaged in prayer and dialog – steadfastly / perseveringly. He was demonstrating “hupomonay” (1) by praying and agonizing in the ash heap, (2) by conducting intense and extended arguments with those who wanted him to receive and swallow without protest what they judged to be his somehow deserved punishment from God, and (3) by holding out for an intense argument directly with God. Any doubt that Job was demonstrating “hupomonay”? So, it’s likely the King James translators’ choice of “patience” tends to under-express “hupomonay” as “sustained strength given from God.”

Back to the actual Book of Job. The Hebrew word translated to English as “integrity” is “tammim,” which means “integrity as completeness.” Phrased another way: “A person alive has integrity from the beginning.” Phrased still another way: “God doesn’t make trash!” So when the Satan character, and Job’s wife, and Job’s three friends, and later the “know-it-all-character” Elihu show up to argue that Job must have some sin in his life of which he has not repented – therefore God is punishing him, Job says, “Not necessarily! Even God has said that I have integrity.” Unwilling to repent, therefore, of some unrealized sin, Job argues with his wife, with his friends, and with the know-it-all passer-by, before he argues face-to-face with God – all from the basis of the integrity God gave him at the start of life, which God sustains within him still.

“Job” is an ancient literary work which shows evidence of editing by possibly several editors across hundreds of years. Job is not descended from the Jewish faith tradition and is said to be from Uz, somewhere in eastern Syria or western Iraq; yet his story is included in the Hebrew Scriptures, and Job’s deeply personal faith-argument is an argument against at least one strong element of Jewish religious tradition. So when Job argues adamantly that misfortune and personal disaster are not necessarily God’s punishment for unconfessed sin, his story is surprisingly included in the Hebrew Scriptures as a legitimate – even if minority – theological interpretation

of God and God’s people. The argument can be made that Jesus is a Job-ian character. While himself Jewish by religious background, Jesus is rejected by religious authorities because, like Job, Jesus argues that God’s goal is a restoration of the whole life/ the life with integrity which God gives to each human being in love, regardless of background, status, religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Period. And Jesus was made to suffer for the integrity he lived, taught, and shared.

This second Sunday in May is designated in the United States as Mother’s Day. Let’s move toward the conclusion of this consideration of Job with a summary of the lives of two women who were married but had no children, and who, like Job, through-thick-and-thin never left behind either the steadfastness of God underneath their daily lives or the integrity from God at the heart of their serving.

Margaret Chase Smith was a Caucasian Republican from Maine who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1940 to 1948. She was a successful advocate of women in the Armed Services through her work on the House Naval Affairs Committee. She was an anti-Communist, but 18 months after she was elected to the U.S. Senate, she turned on fellow Republican Senator Joe McCarthy for his demagogic efforts to ruin persons’ lives through naming them as Communist affiliates without producing evidence. While only a first term Senator, on June 1, 1950, she delivered a speech entitled “A Declaration of Conscience,” in which she named “The Four Horsemen of Calumny” (or “intentional misrepresentation”) as “Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear.” If these go unopposed, she said, they destroy democracy. Six Republican colleagues endorsed her speech, 35 were silent. Joe McCarthy would serve four more years before the U.S. Senate had the courage to censure him. Senator Smith said clearly: Threats demanding conformity are threats against democracy. The antidote is steadfast engagement with integrity.

Daisy Bates was a Negro-American Democrat from Arkansas, a civil rights community advocate, and an African-American community newspaper co-owner. She was a “force of nature” in 1957 supporting and strategizing for the safety of “The Little Rock Central Nine,” who were the first African-American students to attend the previously segregated high school. Daisy Bates faced and engaged the hatred and violence of bigotry and racism. From her youngest years, she had reason to “hate back” against both personal and institutional racism, but grew beyond that through the encouragement of her father. In her memoir, she pays tribute to the fairly small number of white supporters of integration during the Little Rock de-segregation efforts, describing the agony she felt for the immeasurable costs they incurred personally and with their families: (1) a high ranking police officer; (2) a Presbyterian pastor; (3) an advertising executive who was a civic leader. They and their families experienced insults, ridicule, threats of violence, job loss, even suicide. [“The Long Shadow of Little Rock,” 1962/1986; pgs.179-213]

Job, Jesus, Margaret Chase Smith, Daisy Bates, and others – facing opposition, resentment, even violence – engaged the religious, political, and community cultures of their day with steadfastness and integrity from God. Job had children who all died in a storm-disaster. Jesus, Margaret Chase Smith, and Daisy Bates had no children; but don’t we know that we are their sons and daughters, their grandchildren and nieces and nephews, heirs of the gifts they shared through their lives? May mothers and grandmothers and all others say of us through the COVID-19 pandemic and longer: “Those First Presbyterian disciples of Jesus – from God’s steadfastness and integrity – shared life for love, dignity, and equity – as God stood by and guided them!” Integrity? It’s always been God’s gift to each person. Why would you ever leave integrity behind? – All honor and praise be to God.