SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 | 11:00 AM WORSHIP*Congregation, please stand if you are able.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Canto De Esperanza (Song of Hope)” - Argentine Folk Song; arranged by Susan T. (Nelson) Sylvester

Chancel Ringers Handbell Choir & InstrumentalistsCALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Who are you? People: I am a child of God.Leader: Who are we?People: We are children of God, the family of faith.Leader: What does it mean to be children of God? People: We belong to God who loves us and calls us to love one another.Leader: Let us worship God together .

*HYMN NO. 20 (VS. 1, 2 & 4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .“All Things Bright and Beautiful” - ROYAL OAK

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Eternal God, we confess that we have too often acted as if we can earn your love and have forgotten your free gift of grace. Forgive us when we forget that we are your children and find our identity in the messages of our culture rather than your Word. Help us to live as your heirs, children who belong to you, in this world and the next. Grand us your grace, through Christ we pray. Amen. (Please continue with silent prayers of confession.)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Leader: Hear the good news! God has forgiven each one of us and calls us to take part in the drama of redeeming love . People: Praise God, who accepts and uses our very human lives in the unfolding story of salvation and new life!

SPECIAL MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Amazing Grace” - arr. Dianne BishNoreen O’Reilly-Hancheck, soprano

SCRIPTURE LESSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalm 78:1-8

SERMON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Teach Your Children Well”Rev. Dr. John C. Brearley

ANTHEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “How Firm a Foundation” - Paul E. Koch Chancel Choir

*DOXOLOGY: HYMN NO. 606 . . . . . “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” - OLD HUNDREDTH

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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. 418 (VS. 1 & 3) . . . . . . . . . . “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” - SOFTLY AND TENDERLY

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “God of Our Fathers (National Hymn)” - by George W. Warren James Canty, trumpet; Skip Yingling, organ

(Please remain seated for Postlude)

TODAY AT FPC

PASTORAL CONCERNS Please remember these church members in your prayers:

ASSISTING TODAY

FPC MUSIC& SOUND

HANDBELL CHOIR

INSTRUMENTALISTS

USHERS AMBASSADORS

HOME: Paul Kaufman & Sherrie Neely

OUR SINCERE CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TOKatharine Harsha upon the death of her fatherLynda Berkey upon the death of her mother

PENDING MEMORIAL SERVICES IN OUR SANCTUARY Wilma Sturm - Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 2:00 PM

Bob Hurley – Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM

Rev . Dr . John C . Brearley, Rev . Dr . Charles D . Elliott, Rev . Judith L . Cettei

Director of FPC Chancel Choir | Dr . Tim KochDirector of Music Ministries | Skip YinglingOrganist | Skip Yingling // Jody Boykin | Sound Tech

Carol Day, Ken Kraft, Sue Kraft, Bob Moore, Sarabeth Richardson, Julie Schexnayder, Carol Shughart, Mary Gene Singleton, & Skip Yingling (director)

James Canty, trumpet; Dr . Tim Koch, percussion; DeLaine Mann, keyboard; Jack Thompson, percussion; and Robby Warner, guitar

Tom Nace, Henry Harrison, Paul Niles, Bob Moore, B .J . Thomas B .J . Thomas, Gloria Dupree

HOLD THAT THOUGHT... Task Force Update

As our society seeks to relax Covid-19 restrictions, let me share a word about the work of our Task Force . We knew when the pandemic began in March of last year that it was time to shut down our church activities immediately . A public health crisis grabbed our attention, and we responded appropriately . We also sensed, from the beginning, that re-opening our doors and returning to normal routines would be a more challenging process . To date much progress has been made!

We have resumed three of our four worship services, with the promise of having the 8:30 Sunday morning offering back by late summer! Bibles and hymnals will be moved back into the sanctuary by month end . We hope that by Rally Day in August, classes for all ages will be able to meet as well . At a recent meeting, the Task Force relaxed guidelines on many gatherings, including less social distance for members and musicians in worship,

ADULT EDUCATION HOURHOLD THAT THOUGHT... Task Force Update

as well as bringing food back with certain precautions . Two of the larger remaining challenges are: (1) How to blend in person and online studies, and (2) Under what circumstances to relax the wearing of masks in larger gatherings .

Soon, we hope and pray, you will see CDC guidelines that signal a new normal for the church . I can assure you that the seven dedicated members of the Task Force are as eager for this transition as anyone . Their goal is to make sure we return in reasonable and responsible ways . Steps are now being taken to move us in that direction . Look for more progress to follow!

Peace,

John

Vacation Bible SchoolHAVE YOU SIGNED YOUR CHILD UP YET?

Join us this summer as we go to Adventure Island to Seek God’s Great Light! In order to gather in-person, Vacation Bible School will be split into two weeks for summer of 2021 . Sessions are 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM . Registration is on our website so sign up today!

PRESCHOOL June 14-17

This week is for children aged 3 and 4 years (children must have turned 3 by August 2020 to participate) . Kindergarten students

from the Growing Tree Class of 2021 are invited to participate in this week’s VBS .

ELEMENTARY June 21-24

This week is for children aged Kindergarten through 5th Grades .

UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2021

CHURCH OFFICE: 843-448-4496

2021 YOUTH RETREATS

REGISTRATION NOW OPENfor our youth summer trips!

Sign up on our website or the ChurchLife App!

CROSS MISSION High & Middle School

July 5-9 Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Charlotte, North Carolina

MONTREAT High School July 25-31

Montreat, North Carolina

FPC ANNUAL GOLF OUTING Our Fourth Annual Jim Davis Memorial Golf Outing will be Saturday morning, August 28th! We welcome all FPC golfers and guests of all talent levels. More details to come in the future. If you have any questions, please call Jim Bernaski at 484-597-1586.

10 AT 1O’S UPDATE Starting in June, our 10 at 10 Devotions will go from 3 per week to 1 per week. Look out for our minister/musician videos on Wednesdays at 10 AM.

FPC BIBLE STUDY CLASS UPDATES The Old Testament 201 class will not meet Thursday, May 13th. Class will resume on May 20 with the study of 1 Kings.

The Loosely Lectionary Bible Study will not meet Wednesday, May 19th.

WEAR RED - SUNDAY, MAY 23 Don’t forget, May 23rd is Pentecost Sunday so please wear red!

CELEBRATION SUNDAY

ADULT & YOUTH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We are in need of adults and youth (6th grade and up) who are willing and able to serve as Group Leaders and Station Activity assistants! Group leaders travel with children to each activity station. Station assistants stay in one station and assist children and leaders as needed.

Can’t help every day but would still like to help at VBS? You can serve as a floater volunteer and we will plug you in as needed on the days you are able to help. Contact Macy Cottom if you are interested in helping out at VBS! mcottom@mbfpc.com 843-946-6037

SIGN UP FOR OUR VBS SESSIONS ONLINE OR THE APP!

Join us Sunday, May 23rd at our 9:00 and 11:00 AM services for YOUTH SUNDAY!

The Youth will lead worship in our sanctuary for both services and it is also Graduation Sunday for our seniors. We will not have

The Gathering on May 23rd.