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to Norcross Presbyterian Church
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Celebration of Worship - August 20, 2017
Celebration of Worship—August 20, 2017
Gathering
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome and Announcements
† Passing of the Peace
Prelude
Call to Worship (responsively)
One: What brings us joy?
All: What slows us down?
One: What gives us hope?
All: What makes us think?
One: What invites us to wonder?
All: What makes us change?
One: Might it have something to do with the Holy?
All: Let us worship God
† Hymn #286 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Breathe on Me, Breath of God
† Response to meditation (hymn # 581—Glory To God Hymnal)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
liturgy of the Word
Prayer for Illumination (unison)
Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voice but your own, that hearing we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
First Reading
Genesis 45.1-15
Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, “Everyone, leave now!” So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. 2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him.
4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. 5 Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. 6 We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. 7 God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. 8 You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.
9 “Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. 10 You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you. 11 I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won’t starve, since the famine will still last five years.’ 12 You and my brother Benjamin have seen with your own eyes that I’m speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about my power in Egypt and about everything you’ve seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. 15 He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.
Second Reading
Matthew 15.21-28
From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, “Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” 23 But he didn’t respond to her at all.
His disciples came and urged him, “Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.”
24 Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”
25 But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.”
26 He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.”
27 She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.”
28 Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.
Third Reading
Galatians 5.1-26
Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again.
Arguments against being circumcised2 Look, I, Paul, am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, having Christ won’t help you. 3 Again I swear to every man who has himself circumcised that he is required to do the whole Law. 4 You people who are trying to be made righteous by the Law have been estranged from Christ. You have fallen away from grace! 5 We eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit by faith. 6 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t matter in Christ Jesus, but faith working through love does matter.
7 You were running well—who stopped you from obeying the truth? 8 This line of reasoning doesn’t come from the one who calls you. 9 A little yeast works through the whole lump of dough. 10 I’m convinced about you in the Lord that you won’t think any other way. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever that may be. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I’m still preaching circumcision, why am I still being harassed? In that case, the offense of the cross would be canceled. 12 I wish that the ones who are upsetting you would castrate themselves!
13 You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. 14 All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour each other, be careful that you don’t get eaten up by each other!
Two different ways of living16 I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. 17 A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do. 18 But if you are being led by the Spirit, you aren’t under the Law. 19 The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, 20 idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, 21 jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other.
Sermon The Path Dr. Matthew M. Fry
† Hymn #100 (Glory To God Hymnal)
My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout
† Affirmation of Faith (unison)
The 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 Father 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 everlasting. Amen.
Pastoral Prayers
Silent Prayer
Corporate Prayer
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.
liturgy of the eucharist
Offering
(At this time, please take a moment to sign and pass the Friendship Register, then pass it back down the aisle so that we may match names with faces. Please in clude your address, email address, and telephone number.)
Offertory
† Doxology # 609 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
† Prayer of Thanksgiving (responsively)
Leader: Let us give thanks to the LORD our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
There are those who would be glad with the crumbs from your table, O God: we have received your gifts in abundance. Make us mindful of those who are needy, as we bring you our tithes and our offerings. Use them to ease the pain of those who are suffering. As we serve others, use us to fulfill your will. Amen.
Sending
† Hymn #611 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
† Charge and Blessing
†Postlude
This Week at NPC
Sunday, August 20, 2017
9:30 A.M. NPC Contemporary Service
11:00 A.M. NPC Worship Service
12:00-1 P.M. Kwang-Ya Bible Study, Covenant Room
1-2:30 P.M. Kwang-Ya Worship, Sanctuary
Monday, August 21, 2017
6:30 P.M. Boy Scouts
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
7:30 P.M. NPC Choir Practice
8:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Bible Study
Thursday, August 24, 2017
6:30 P.M. YOGA Class
Friday, August 25, 2017
8:30 P.M. Kwang Ya Prayer Meeting
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Announcements
NPC Contemporary Service is TODAY, August 20th at 9:30AM. Join us as the NPC Praise Team leads the way. Our own Jan Garland will be giving the message, “What is the Best Question?”
Next Sunday the NPC Youth Group will be leading the Worship Service, inspired by their recent experiences at the Montreat Youth Conference. Our very own Calvin Bernardo has been working hard on the sermon! Please come and support our youth and share their Montreat experience.
TRY YOGA CLASS THIS WEEK! Join Kyle’s YOGA Party every Thursday 6:30PM No experience required. The class is designed for all skill levels. Talk to Kyle for more info!
The NPC Choir is back in action! Rehearsals began last week (Wednesday nights). If you have ever thought about joining the choir, now is the time. All skill/experience levels are welcome. Contact Kyle for more info.
Wednesday Night Dinners and Bible Discussion resumes beginning September 6th. Bring an appetite for good food and a hunger for Good News.
NPC Committee and Session Meetings will be held today, August 20 beginning at 12:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
August Birthdays: Jason Caldwell – 8/20, Kerrie Bernardo – 8/21, Christina Minihan – 8/21, Melissa Oh – 8/31
Gathering
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome and Announcements
† Passing of the Peace
Prelude
Call to Worship (responsively)
One: What brings us joy?
All: What slows us down?
One: What gives us hope?
All: What makes us think?
One: What invites us to wonder?
All: What makes us change?
One: Might it have something to do with the Holy?
All: Let us worship God
† Hymn #286 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Breathe on Me, Breath of God
† Response to meditation (hymn # 581—Glory To God Hymnal)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
liturgy of the Word
Prayer for Illumination (unison)
Prepare our hearts, O God, to accept your Word. Silence in us any voice but your own, that hearing we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
First Reading
Genesis 45.1-15
Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, “Everyone, leave now!” So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. 2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him.
4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. 5 Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. 6 We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. 7 God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. 8 You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.
9 “Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. 10 You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you. 11 I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won’t starve, since the famine will still last five years.’ 12 You and my brother Benjamin have seen with your own eyes that I’m speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about my power in Egypt and about everything you’ve seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. 15 He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.
Second Reading
Matthew 15.21-28
From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, “Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” 23 But he didn’t respond to her at all.
His disciples came and urged him, “Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.”
24 Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.”
25 But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.”
26 He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.”
27 She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.”
28 Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.
Third Reading
Galatians 5.1-26
Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again.
Arguments against being circumcised2 Look, I, Paul, am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, having Christ won’t help you. 3 Again I swear to every man who has himself circumcised that he is required to do the whole Law. 4 You people who are trying to be made righteous by the Law have been estranged from Christ. You have fallen away from grace! 5 We eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit by faith. 6 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t matter in Christ Jesus, but faith working through love does matter.
7 You were running well—who stopped you from obeying the truth? 8 This line of reasoning doesn’t come from the one who calls you. 9 A little yeast works through the whole lump of dough. 10 I’m convinced about you in the Lord that you won’t think any other way. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever that may be. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I’m still preaching circumcision, why am I still being harassed? In that case, the offense of the cross would be canceled. 12 I wish that the ones who are upsetting you would castrate themselves!
13 You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. 14 All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour each other, be careful that you don’t get eaten up by each other!
Two different ways of living16 I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. 17 A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do. 18 But if you are being led by the Spirit, you aren’t under the Law. 19 The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, 20 idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, 21 jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other.
Sermon The Path Dr. Matthew M. Fry
† Hymn #100 (Glory To God Hymnal)
My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout
† Affirmation of Faith (unison)
The 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 Father 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 everlasting. Amen.
Pastoral Prayers
Silent Prayer
Corporate Prayer
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.
liturgy of the eucharist
Offering
(At this time, please take a moment to sign and pass the Friendship Register, then pass it back down the aisle so that we may match names with faces. Please in clude your address, email address, and telephone number.)
Offertory
† Doxology # 609 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
† Prayer of Thanksgiving (responsively)
Leader: Let us give thanks to the LORD our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
There are those who would be glad with the crumbs from your table, O God: we have received your gifts in abundance. Make us mindful of those who are needy, as we bring you our tithes and our offerings. Use them to ease the pain of those who are suffering. As we serve others, use us to fulfill your will. Amen.
Sending
† Hymn #611 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
† Charge and Blessing
†Postlude
This Week at NPC
Sunday, August 20, 2017
9:30 A.M. NPC Contemporary Service
11:00 A.M. NPC Worship Service
12:00-1 P.M. Kwang-Ya Bible Study, Covenant Room
1-2:30 P.M. Kwang-Ya Worship, Sanctuary
Monday, August 21, 2017
6:30 P.M. Boy Scouts
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
7:30 P.M. NPC Choir Practice
8:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Bible Study
Thursday, August 24, 2017
6:30 P.M. YOGA Class
Friday, August 25, 2017
8:30 P.M. Kwang Ya Prayer Meeting
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Announcements
NPC Contemporary Service is TODAY, August 20th at 9:30AM. Join us as the NPC Praise Team leads the way. Our own Jan Garland will be giving the message, “What is the Best Question?”
Next Sunday the NPC Youth Group will be leading the Worship Service, inspired by their recent experiences at the Montreat Youth Conference. Our very own Calvin Bernardo has been working hard on the sermon! Please come and support our youth and share their Montreat experience.
TRY YOGA CLASS THIS WEEK! Join Kyle’s YOGA Party every Thursday 6:30PM No experience required. The class is designed for all skill levels. Talk to Kyle for more info!
The NPC Choir is back in action! Rehearsals began last week (Wednesday nights). If you have ever thought about joining the choir, now is the time. All skill/experience levels are welcome. Contact Kyle for more info.
Wednesday Night Dinners and Bible Discussion resumes beginning September 6th. Bring an appetite for good food and a hunger for Good News.
NPC Committee and Session Meetings will be held today, August 20 beginning at 12:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
August Birthdays: Jason Caldwell – 8/20, Kerrie Bernardo – 8/21, Christina Minihan – 8/21, Melissa Oh – 8/31
