January 31, 2016

Celebration Sunday

Our Mission In common with all churches we seek to:

^Worship God

^Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures

^Develop community

^Offer nurture through the pastoral care giving of our members and staff

We call people to a life of:

^Discipleship

^Stewardship

^Spiritual development

As a faith community we seek to be:

^An inviting church

^Offering hospitality and

^Encouragement to people in search of God.

Our Vision

We will organize our church as a center for:

^Spiritual development

^Music and the arts

^Urban mission

^Ecumenical cooperation

Our Objectives

We have some unique opportunities due to our Germantown location and

congregational history. These include:

^Providing special programs for children and families in the local community

^Building a healthy, diverse congregation

^Developing an urban mission

^Developing a ministry of music and the arts

^Using our building and endowment creatively and responsibly

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown logo seen on the cover of this bulletin represents

the multifaceted life of our energized congregation. The cross on the left symbolizes our Living

Lord – the foundation upon which we build our faith. The harp in the yellow square represents our

rich musical heritage, for we enjoy celebrating the gift of music in worship, workshops, and con-

certs. It is important for us to share music with our community. The dove symbolizes serving –

offering educational and mission opportunities through our many outreach activities. People – ac-

tive and joy-filled – are represented in the red square on the right. We welcome all people to this

church. We are a diverse congregation of many racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic back-

grounds. We are, indeed, alive, spirit-filled, and caring.

The colors are reflective of the beautiful stained glass windows of the church. In fact, the colors

of the logo were taken directly from The Christmas Window– “Thy light is come” made by Nicola

D’Ascenzo and seen in the southwest corner of the nave.

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown –

Alive, Celebrating & Serving the Living Lord!

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In preparation for worship please take the opportunity to speak silently to God. At the close of the service let us greet one an other with cheerfulness.

Please be sure that your cell phone is turned off during worship.

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January 31, 2016 Fourth Sunday After Epiphany Celebration Sunday

ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY

Prelude: Diptyque Charles Tournemire Rich Spotts, guest Organist-Choir Master

A light to lighten the Gentiles, said he, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Welcome and Announcements January Challenge Offering—Lingelbach Leah Hood

† Congregational Introit 420: God of Grace and God of Glory (Verse 1) CWM RHONDDA

God of grace and God of glory,

On thy people pour thy power;

Crown Thine ancient church’s story;

Bring it’s bud to glorious flower,

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

for the facing of this hour,

For the facing of this hour.

†*Call to Worship from Psalm 19

Leader: The heavens are telling the glory of God;

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech,

and night to night declares knowledge.

People: There is no speech, nor are there words;

their voice is not heard;

yet their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

Leader: The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;

the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;

People: The precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eyes;

Leader: But who can detect their errors?

Clear me from hidden faults.

People: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be

acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

†*Hymn 361: How Firm a Foundation FOUNDATION (Please bring your donations for the Food Cupboard and Cents-Ability forward during this hymn.)

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*congregation standing † latecomers may be seated

CONFESSING OUR SINS TO GOD

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession (unison) Psalm 130 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears

be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If you, O LORD, should mark

iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that

you may be revered. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I

hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morn-

ing, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the

LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great

power to redeem. It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Amen.

Silent Meditation Assurance of Pardon

†*Congregational Response 302: I Danced in the Morning (Verse 5) SIMPLE GIFTS

They cut me down and I leap up high;

I am the life that will never, never die;

I’ll live in you if you’ll live in Me;

I Am the Lord of the dance said He.

Dance then wherever you may be;

I Am the Lord of the dance said He.

And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the dance said He.

* Sharing the Peace of Christ Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.

(As worshipers, we come from diverse experiences and points of view. We have differ-ent racial, educational, and economic backgrounds. Yet we are all one in Christ. We symbolize this as we exchange with one another, by words and gestures, signs of peace and reconciliation such as, “The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.”)

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

Prayer for Illumination

The First Lesson Jeremiah 1:4-10 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a proph-et to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a

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boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I

command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says

the LORD.” Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and

the LORD said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I

appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to

destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Leader: God’s Word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path.

People: Thanks be to God!

Choir: One Faith, One Hope, One Lord Craig Courtney One faith, one hope, one Lord, one church for which he died, one voice, one song we

lift in praise to him who was and is and shall be evermore. There is one body, one spir-

it, as you were called to one hope, one Lord, baptism and faith, one God and Father of

all, who is in you all. One faith, one hope, one Lord, one church for which he died, one

voice, one song we lift in praise to him who was and is and shall be evermore. Though we

be many people, diverse with various gifts, we are given to each other for the unity of

faith, that we grow in the knowledge of the Son of God, in the fullness of Christ. One

faith, one hope, one Lord, one church for which he died, one voice, one song we lift in

praise to him who was and is and shall be evermore.

The Second Lesson Luke 4:21-30 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your

hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came

from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”He said to them,

“Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you

will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at

Capernaum.’” And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the

prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the

time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there

was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except

to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the

time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the

Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got

up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their

town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through

the midst of them and went on his way.

Leader: God we thank you for your Word.

People: The Story of your grace.

†*Hymn 440: In Christ There Is No East or West MCKEE

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Sermon: DO CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE SAME GOD? The Reverend Randal L. Bremer

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

*Affirmation of Faith: Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in

Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead,

and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the

dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Fa-

ther Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of

saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life ever-

lasting. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into

temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power

and the glory forever. Amen.

Offering of Our Gifts and Lives Offertory: Diffusa est gratia Charles Tournemire

Rich Spotts, guest Organist-Choir Master Full of grace are thy lips; because God hath blessed thee for ever, and world without end.

*Congregational Response 592: Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

*Hymn 384: O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go ST. MARGARET

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*Benediction

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion,

kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone

has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven

you, so you also must forgive.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God our Father, and the fel-

lowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Congregational Response 585: Threefold Amen McNeil Robinson II

*Postlude: Verrière Charles Tournemire Rich Spotts, guest Organist-Choir Master

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before his presence with a

song. Be ye sure that the Lord he is God. It is he that hath made us and not we ourselves. We are his

people and the sheep of his pasture.

WELCOME: If you are visiting with us today, please sign the Fellowship Pad at the end of

your pew. We pray the hour will be meaningful to you and you will come and worship with

us again. Everyone is cordially invited to a time of fellowship in the Longstreth Auditori-

um following the worship service.

COFFEE HOUR: This week's Coffee Hour host: Women’s Association. Next week's

Coffee Hour host: Open.

OFFERING ENVELOPES: The 2016 offering envelopes for those requesting them are

on a table in the Longstreth Auditorium. Please take yours during the coffee hour today to

save the church the cost of mailing.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS: Thank you for volunteering to provide refreshments

and helping with set-up and clean-up. In order to be able to attend the church service,

please arrive at church by 9:00 AM. A member of the Congregational Development and

Fellowship Committee will be there to make the coffee and assist you with the set-up and

clean-up following coffee hour. Please purchase enough for 70 people. Fruit, pastries,

and cookies are all that is needed. The Half and Half, coffee, tea, and the juice are sup-

plied by the committee. For questions & concerns please contact Mary Lundy at 215-927-

4648. Thanks!

JANUARY CHALLENGE OFFERING: Lingelbach School is a K-8 neighborhood public

school. With a dedicated teaching staff, a new principal with an exciting vision, and committed long-

term community partners, Lingelbach is poised to do great things. But this potential is greatly hin-

dered by the lack of district funding. With an annual 2014-2015 operating budget of $160, simply

meeting the basic needs of the school has proven challenging. Your offering in January will provide

much needed support and bring Lingelbach one step closer to realizing its potential and possibility!

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BRR! Just in time for the cold weather the Congregational Development & Fellowship

Committee is once again selling Fisher Pot Pies for a committee fun(d) raiser. Orders will

be taken during coffee hours today, February 7, 14, and 21. The pies will be deliv-

ered Sunday, February 28, ready for pickup following the worship service. Order forms

may be available on the literature table today. Thanks in advance for supporting this event!

FROM THE LEAD THE WAY BEYOND TEAM: The bulletin board outside of the

Finney Room shows the steps to selecting our new pastor. Steps 1 and 2 have been com-

pleted and Step 3 is projected to be completed by the end of March. Additional infor-

mation will be supplied as we continue through the process.

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper will be held

at First Church on February 10, 2016 at 6:00 PM.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR POLLY MONTAIGNE: Due to the inclement weather

last Sunday, the memorial service for Polly Montaigne has been postponed to the Spring;

date to be announced.

REMINDER: The deadline for announcements for the Sunday Bulletin is Wednesday at

noon. Thank you.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS: Memorial flowers for 2016 can be reserved by contacting Joan

Harris at (215) 843-8811, ext. 12 or joan.fpcg@gmail.com.

If you are interested to know more about the books Pastor Bremer was using,

they are:

Miroslav Volf, Allah, A Christian Response, Harper One, c. 2011

Timothy C. Tennent, Christianity at the Religious Roundtable, Baker Academic, c. 2002

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Philadelphia Sinfonia Concert Gary D. White, Music Director & Conductor

Sunday, February 21, 2016

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown 35 West Chelten Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144

Program includes:

Russlan & Ludmilla Overture - Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857)

Valse de Concert No. 1, Op. 47 - Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)

The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Paul Dukas (1865-1935)

Concerto Competition Winner (soloist to be announced)

A free will offering will be taken.

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NOTES

Chancel Choir Worship Service —The Reverend Randall Bremer Preaching Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium Sunday School Adult Education—Reverend Randall L. Bremer Deacons’ Meeting Classic Townes Adult Education—Reverend Randall Bremer CY Choirs Staff Meeting FPCG Staff Meeting Keystone State Boychoir Session Keystone State Boychoir Gospel Choir Drop-in-Center Keystone State Boychoir—Small Ensembles Elementary School Youth Group Keystone State Boychoir Congregational Development & Fellowship Committee Open Gym Chancel Choir Worship Service —The Reverend Randall Bremer Preaching Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium Sunday School Adult Education—Reverend Randall L. Bremer Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, January 31 9:15 AM

10:00 AM 11:10 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM

Monday, February 1

9:30 AM 6:00 PM

Tuesday, February 2

1:00 PM

Wednesday, February 3 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM

Thursday, February 4

6:00 PM 6:30 PM

Friday, February 5

3:30 PM 5:00 PM 6:30 PM

Saturday, February 6

8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM

Sunday, February 7

9:15 AM 10:00 AM 11:10 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM 11:30 AM

WINDOW ON THE WEEK

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The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144

Phone 215-843-8811 FAX 888-333-5032 www.fpcgermantown.org

First Church Staff

Elders 2016 Denise Cowie Contina Lundy Lois Nafziger-Bethea Faith Wolford Madeline Valentine Clerk of Session

2017 Andrew Hood Christopher Scott

2018 Sherry Archer Carolyn Ballard-Freeman Robert Seed

Church Officers

Deacons 2016 Diane Filter Delores Solomon David Wolford

2017 Randy Clever Linda Farlow Susan Mills Farrington

2018 Don Carlin Vera Harrison Dani Howard

Randal L. Bremer Kevin L. Porter Eileen Jones Sara Carter-Blanford Christian Heyer-Rivera Heidi Mercado-Littles Jesse Jacobs Joan Harris Cindy Osborne Terry Boyer, Tanieya Matthews, Robert Patterson

Interim Pastor Director of Adult Education and Community Life

Director of Urban Ministry Director of the Gospel Choir

Director of Christian Education Parish Visitor

Facilities Superintendent Administrative Assistant

Bookkeeper Sextons

Seminarian