MARCH 12, 2017

WELCOME

Westminster Presbyterian Church is a covenant family of believers called by God to fulfill His purposes here in Laurel, and as a staging ground for worldwide kingdom growth where we seek to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ – to fill the earth with disciples, subdue it redemptively for God’s glory, and worship Him joyfully. We are being redeemed and equipped by the Spirit to build up one another until the Lord returns.

ORDER FOR THE CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC WORSHIP AND HOLY COMMUNION

MARCH 12, 2017

* Congregation Standing

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Lisa Badley

Amazing Grace

RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP* When Moses gathered the people of Israel, God said, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” As we gather here today, let us worship the Lord, who continues to be our God and who still brings us out of the places of our bondage.

-Exodus 20:1-2

INVOCATION AND HYMN OF PRAISE*

Come Thou Almighty King

COME THOU ALMIGHTY KING

PROFESSION OF OUR CHURCH’S FAITH

I am called Christian because by faith I am a member of Christ, and so I share in His anointing.

I am anointed to confess His name, to present myself to Him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for all eternity. We call Him “our Lord” because- not with gold or silver, but with His precious blood- He has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be His very own.

-from Heidelberg Catechism, Q & A’s 32, 34

EPISTLE READING Mr. Wayne Traylor

James 1:9-12

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

HYMN OF DEDICATION

There is a Redeemer

GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

THERE IS A REDEEMER

OFFERTORY Lisa Badley

Our Great Savior

OFFERING PRAYER

SPECIAL MUSIC String Trio

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION AND CHANGE SERMON Rev. Mike Allen

From Fig Leaves to Faith - The Irony of the Gospel Genesis 44

CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN

Lord, You said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Forgive us for our lukewarm love and our disobedience. Lord, You said, “You may ask for anything in my name.” Forgive us when we think we need to solve our own problems. Lord You said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” We confess that our lives are often consumed by worry and anxiety. Lord, You said, “If You remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” Forgive us our barren lives, Lord. Lord, You said, “You must testify, for you have been with me.” We confess, Lord, that we have been too often silent. Lord, You said, “Love each other as I have loved you.” In this and in so many other ways, we confess our need for mercy and grace. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON AND 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.

HOLY COMMUNION

Minister: The peace of the Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Breaking of the Bread and Sharing of the Cup

The center of each bread tray contains gluten-free bread. The outer rings of each cup tray contains wine, the inner rings contain juice. Elements will be served by the elders. Please hold the elements as they will be taken together after all are served.

BENEDICTION

HYMN OF REFLECTION*

Come Thou Almighty King

To Thee, great One in Thee, Eternal praises be, Hence evermore;

Thy sovereign majesty, may we in glory see, And to eternity, love and adore.

From Fig Leaves To Faith “The Irony Of The Gospel”

Genesis 44 Westminster Presbyterian Church

03/12/17

I. The Irony Of The Silver C________v. 2

II. The Irony Of the Torn C__________ v. 13

III. The Irony Of Retributive C____________ v. 16

IV. The Irony Of The “Dead C_________” v. 20

V. The Irony Of Judah’s C_________ v. 33

Sources Consulted:

Accordance Bible Software - ESV - Greek and Hebrew Analysis; ESV Study Bible; Calvin Commentaries; Currid, John D. Evangelical Press Study Commentary - Genesis; Kidner, Derek Tyndale Old Testament Commentary; Pentateuch (2006) Keil, C. F.;

Delitzsch, Franz Commentary on the Old Testament; Boice, James Montgomery - An Expositional Commentary on Genesis; Walton, John H. - NIV Application Commentary; Pink, Arthur - Gleanings In Genesis

Rev. Mike Allen

SERMON NOTES

• There will be no evening service tonight and no Wednesday night activities this week.

• The flowers in the foyer are in memory of John Gatlin by Barbara and Mitzi Gatlin.

• Women’s Bible Study will not meet this week, but will resume next Wednesday.

• Evening Circle will meet this Tuesday, March 14th at 6pm at the church. Our speaker will be Brittany Sherman, Interim Executive Director of Choices Clinic. All WPC ladies are invited to attend, just let the offie know if you plan to do so. Nursery will not be available for this meeting, so please make plans for childcare.

• Luncheon Circle will meet tomorrow at Noon at the home of Jackie Horne, 32 Silver Leaf Ct. Please read chapter 6 in your book.

• Westminster’s Women’s Ministry will be hosting a baby shower for Mary Katherine Morgan and her baby girl on April 5th at 2pm in the Fellowship Room. Mary Katherine is registered at Babies r Us, Patina’s, Target, Southern Antiques, and Pretty Please.

• VBS Volunteers Needed! VBS will be June 5th-9th and we need volunteers for all areas. The registration form is on our Facebook page. Please prayerfully consider how you can help and sign up as soon as possible.

• VBS Registration is now open! Children ages K4 through rising 6th graders are welcome. To register, go to wpclaurel.com and click on the registration link or pick up a physical copy of the registration form in the foyer.

• Father/Son Camping Trip - Mark your calendars for the weekend of April 7th-8th. We are planning an overnight camping trip at Clarkco State Park for our boys K-5 through 6th grade and their fathers. There will be an organizational meeting for fathers who plan to attend next Sunday, March 19th at 5:30pm.

• Donations Requested for Youth Trips: The youth are trying to raise money for summer trips. If you are interested in making a donation, please use the envelope in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate.

• Westminster’s 3rd Annual Crawfish Boil: Mark your calendars now and plan to attend Westminster’s 3rd Annual Crawfish Boil on Saturday, April 29th. More details to come later…

• Choices Clinic of Laurel is hosting a 5k/2mile walk and Fun Day at Gardiner Park on April 1st. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the run or Fun Day, in purchasing or selling BBQ chicken plate tickets, or if you would like copies of the flyer to place in your local business, contact Denise Morgan.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THIS WEEK AT WESTMINSTER

Sunday, March 12 9:00 AM - Sunday School 10:00 AM - Fellowship 10:30 AM - Morning Worship

Monday, March 13 12:00 PM - Luncheon Circle

Tuesday, March 14 6:00 PM - Evening Circle

Wednesday, March 15 7:00 AM - Men’s Bible Study

Thursday, March 16 No Activities Planned

Friday, March 17 No Activities Planned

Saturday, March 18 No Activities Planned

Officers of the Week

Church Staff Rev. Mike Allen, Pastor Lisa Badley, Pianist Jeremy Britt, Youth Director John Carter, Church Facilitator Lisa Corley, Office Manager Rev. Kory Duncan, Associate Pastor Dave Graeser, Music Ministries Director Kristen Graves, Children’s Ministry Director

Instrumentalists

David Bonilla, Violin Shih-Ting Shao, Viola Andrea Restrepo, Cello

March 12-18 March 19-25

Elder: Wayne Traylor Darron Dodd

Deacon: John Tucker Chuck Bell

Elders

Phil Buehler John Carter Darron Dodd Romney Entrekin Wm. Horne, Jr John Lowery Steven Morgan Hardie Perritt Wayne Traylor

Deacons

Chuck Bell Robert Burdette Chase Edwards Mike Ishee Josh Jones Danny Martin Luke Morgan Larkin Simpson Frank Summerville John Tucker

Westminster Officers & Staff:

WELCOME!

If you are a visitor and would like more information about our church, please fill out the contact information below and place in the offering plate as it passes:

Name_____________________________________

Address___________________________________

__________________________________________

Phone Number_____________________________

Children’s Names & Ages____________________

__________________________________________

Add me to the phone & email list.

Prayer Requests

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

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No Wednesday Night Activities

Sunday Morning Nursery Volunteers

March 19th - Randy & Nan Ramsey John & Shelley Piazza

March 26th - Howard & Rebecca Patrick

If you will not be available on the date assigned to you, please make arrangements to swap with somebody on the list.