When God Laughs November 13, 2016 We welcome you to this time of praise and worship. Feel free to fill out a Welcome Card or a Prayer Concern Card which can be found in the pew racks. Our ushers can guide you to our NURSERY program for children age three years and younger. We also invite families with toddlers or babies to make use of our Parent Corner at the back of the Sanctuary.
Welcome to Worship! Gathering Music Elegy George Thalben-Ball Greeting Call to Worship One: Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. All: We sing our praise with songs of thanksgiving and joy. One: God has done great things for us, filling us with hope. All: God brought us this far, we are not afraid. One: We offer our hearts to God, saying, All: Thank you, God! (Please stand as you are able) Hymn #440 In Christ There is No East or West Prayer of Reconciliation and Affirmation All: God of every blessing, in this anxiety-driven time, it s easy to forget what you have done for us. We get caught up in the whirlwind and forget about the power of your love. We have more than we need yet we anxiously store up more and more. In response to your grace and mercy, help us live generously. As our hearts overflow with your love, teach us to offer mercy to everyone we meet. As you feed us with your joy and hope, empower us to welcome those whose lives are filled with tears and pain. Silent Prayer (for reflection on our own lives) One: In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. All: Amen. *Assurance of God s Grace *Sung Response Alleluia Page 2
Welcome and Announcements (At this time, children 3 years and above are invited to leave for Godly Play.) Musical Offering Athenry Trad. Celtic arr. Steve Baughman Scripture 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Psalm 2 Sermon When God Laughs Pastor Debra Avery 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. Invitation to the Offering Offertory Nenia Wermlandica Lars Egebjer *Response Doxology traditional Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Circling through earth so all my grow; Vanquishing fear so all may give; Widening grace so all may live. *Prayer of Dedication Page 3
*Sending Song We ve Come This Far By Faith We ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, Trusting in the holy word; he s never failed us yet. Oh. Can t turn around, we ve come this far by faith We ve come this far by faith. (repeat several times) Musical Offering Fanfare for the Common Man Aaron Copeland Please be seated to receive the musical offering provided by our Artist in Residence, Jonathan Dimmock. Music Note: Fanfare for the Common Man was written in celebration of the dignity of common folk. Its choice for today reflects not only the dignity, but also the nobility of common folk. At times when we feel that our humanity is mocked, music such as this can help lift us beyond the mundane, and give us the strength and determination to continue to celebrate all that is good in the human spirit. Pastoral Blessing and Sending Each Other with Christ s Peace One: As we go, let us share the blessing of Christ s peace we received today. The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. Please share signs of peace with each other as you leave. Feel free to join us for fellowship time in the Reception Room immediately following worship. PLEASE ASSIST IN RECYCLING by placing used bulletins and inserts in the wire baskets near the usher station as you leave. Page 4
SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2016 Preacher: Pastor Debra Avery Worship Leader: Mark Fithian and Leah Marquez Director of Music Ministry: Daniel Strychacz Worship Accompanist & Artist in Residence: Jonathan Dimmock Lead Usher: Matthew Inadomi Greeters: Barbara Williams Acolytes: Leah Marquez and Arav Manay Music reprinted under OneLicense.net A-721842 Today at First Church Godly Play today - the children will be in a combined class and hear the story of the building of the temple in Jerusalem by Solomon. Working on Worship will be at 11:30 a.m. in Room 2 during the Adult Forum in the Session Room. This is for children four years to fifth grade. Youth Connection meets in Room1 at that same time and the youth will explore the story of Naomi from the Hebrew Scriptures. Adult Forum will meet in the Session Room at 11:30 a.m. we will hold space for conversation about the scripture, the sermon, the events of this week and any thoughts folks might have about caring for neighbors and friends in the wake of the election and in the year to come. First Hispanic Presbyterian Church (1941 High St, Oakland, CA 94601) is holding a prayer vigil to support immigrants in their congregation and in their neighborhood. They are asking for Presbyterians across the San Francisco Presbytery to join them in solidarity. Please let Pastor Debra know if you d like to car pool from the church at 5:30 p.m. Page 5
Next Sunday, NOVEMBER 20, 2016 On November 20, we will be blessed to have Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Jr., Stated Clerk for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in the pulpit. We will celebrate the Reign of Christ in song and receive our pledges in a festive processional. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received 1 Peter 4:10 Upcoming Events Saturday, November 19, at 2 p.m. a service in memory and celebration of life for Rev. Ben Weir at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland with a light reception following. Memorial gifts may be made out to: First Church Oakland Food Ministry, http://www.firstchurchoakland.org/foodministry; San Francisco Theological Seminary, https://sfts.edu/giving/donate/; PCUSA - Disaster Relief for Lebanon/Syria, https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/syria. Condolence cards for Rev. Ben Weir s family may be sent to: John Weir, 830-31st Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121. Please note the Session Meeting has been moved to Wednesday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the Reception room. Women s Circle meets next on Tuesday, November 22 for prayer and lectio divina. Plan to join this circle of women of all ages on the spiritual journey. The Office will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25. First Monday Meditation will be Monday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Session Room. Join Shawn Jones as he leads us in the practice of Christian meditation. Contact Shawn or Pastor Debra with questions. Page 6
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The Week Ahead Sunday, November 13 8:45 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Godly Play, Rooms 1 & 2 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Time, Reception 11:30 a.m. Working on Worship, Rm 2 11:30 a.m. Youth Connection, Rm 1 11:30 a.m. Adult Forum, Session Rm 12:30 p.m. Food Ministry, Kitchen 1:00 p.m. Family birthday, Fellowship Hall 2:00 p.m. The Way of Holiness, Reception Rm 4:00 p.m. Arts Under the Spire Concert, Sanctuary and reception follows Monday, November 14 8:00 a.m. Food Ministry, Kitchen 7:00 p.m. Retreat Committee, Session Tuesday, November 15 10:00 a.m. Food Not Bombs, Kitchen 4:00 p.m. Nova Choir Rehearsal, Reception Wednesday, November 16 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting, Reception Thursday, November 17 10:00 a.m. Food Not Bombs, Kitchen 4:00 p.m. Nova Choir Rehearsal, Reception Saturday, November 19 9:00 a.m. Building & Grounds Work Day 9:00 a.m. Godly Play Training 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service for Ben Weir Sunday, November 20 8:45 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Godly Play, Rooms 1 & 2 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Time, Reception 11:30 p.m. Working on Worship, Rm 2 11:30 p.m. Youth Connection, Rm 1 11:30 a.m. Adult Forum, Session Rm 12:30 p.m. Food Ministry, Kitchen 2:00 p.m. The Way of Holiness, Reception Rm Office Hours Ashley Jackson, Administrative Assistant Monday -Thursday: 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Di Pagel, Director of Facilities and Children & Youth Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Daniel Strychacz, Music Ministry Director By Appointment Wednesday & Sunday afternoon Jonathan Dimmock, Artist in Residence Sunday after Worship Debra Avery, Pastor Drop-In: Mondays 9 to 11 a.m. at SweetBar Café, Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., other times by appointment