Welcome
to Norcross Presbyterian Church
Come as you are. You won’t be a stranger long.
Celebration of Worship - March 29, 2019 @ 11:00am
participate in our online worship service at
facebook.com/norcrosspres/
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship (in unison)
Love for our fellow human beings calls us together, and it is Love right now that is calling us to be physically apart. As we are apart, we find ways to remind each other of our connections to one another. When we gather, even electronically, we are reminded that you, O God, are always with us, and are always connecting us to each other. While we are physically apart, we are together in spirit, and in the Love of God. Let us worship God.
Passing of the Digital Peace
† Hymn #15 (Glory To God Hymnal)
All Creatures of Our God and King
O brother sun with golden beam,
O sister moon with silver gleam,
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!
2. O brother wind with clouds and rain,
You nurture gifts of fruit and grain.
Al le lu ia!A le lu ia!
O sister water, flowing clear,
Make music for your Lord to hear.
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!
3. O brother fire, so warm and bright,
Chase off the shadows of the night
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
Dear mother earth who day by day
Unfolds such blessings on our way
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
4. All who for love of God forgive,
All who in pain or sorrow grieve
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears,
So even in the midst of fears
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
5. And you most gentle sister death,
Waiting to hush our final breath
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom,
Fair is the night that leads us home
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
6. O sisters, brothers, take your part
And worship God with humble heart.
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
All creatures, bless the Father, Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
A time for meditation
Liturgy of the Word
† Prayer for Illumination
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scripture is read, and your word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you have to say to us today. Amen
Scripture Reading
Psalm 56.1-4a
God, have mercy on me because I’m being trampled.
All day long the enemy oppresses me.
2 My attackers trample me all day long
because I have so many enemies.
Exalted one, 3 whenever I’m afraid,
I put my trust in you--
4 in God, whose word I praise.
I trust in God; I won’t be afraid.
Sermon by Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Fry
† Hymn #307 (Glory To God Hymnal)
God of Grace and God of Glory
1. God of grace and god of glory, on thy people pour thy power;
Crown thine ancient church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
2. Lo! The hosts of evil round us, scorn thy Christ assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
3. Cure thy children’s warring madness; bend our pride to thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
4. Save us from weak resignation, to the evils we deplore.
Let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore,
serving thee whom we adore.
Prayers of the People (send in your prayer requests on Facebook Live)
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.
Explanation of Congregational Meeting
(Meeting started last Sunday and is completed today)
Sending
† Hymn #451 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Open My Eyes, That I May See
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou has for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God thy will to see.
Open my eyes illumine me, Spirit divine!
2. Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth thou sendest clear
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God thy will to see.
Open my ears illumine me, Spirit divine!
3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth everywhere.
Open my heart, and let me prepare
Love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God thy will to see.
Open my heart illumine me, Spirit divine!
† Charge and Blessing
Postlude
This Week at NPC
Sunday, March 29, 2020—4th Sunday of Lent
11:00 A.M. NPC Worship Service - online
12:00-1 P.M. Kwang-Ya Bible Study, Covenant Room
1-2:30 P.M. Kwang-Ya Worship, Sanctuary
Monday, March 30, 2020
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
6:30 P.M. CANCELLED - Community YOGA Class
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Counseling Class
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
6:00 P.M CANCELLED - Wednesday Night Activities
8:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Bible Study
Thursday, April 2, 2020
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya English Class
Friday, April 3, 2020
8:30 P.M. Kwang Ya Prayer Meeting
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Announcements
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ONLINE THE WEEK OF MARCH 22 - On Wednesday the 11th of March, your session met and voted to have a congregational meeting online the week of Sunday 22 March. The purpose of that meeting is to have the congregation review and potentially vote on two different contracts. The first contract that we hope to have ready by then will be the sale of our current church facility and property. The second contract we hope to have ready by then will be to purchase our historical downtown facility in an effort to move permanently back to our old home. This Sunday (the 22nd) I will talk for a little bit, showing some pictures of the historical facility. I am happy to share all the details we know as we know them, so long as you understand that this is a work in progress and that we are figuring out some of the details as we go. We are diligently working on getting all of our work done to approve this with Presbytery, as well as have plans for how to do ministry in a new place with different opportunities while becoming financially viable and sustainable. Up to this point, it has been clear that the path for this relocation continues to open up, and I feel clearly led to follow it. We will continue to follow the call and Spirit of God as we undertake this adventure.
NPC’s Worship Service is exclusively online this Sunday! As we do our part to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we invite you to participate in Sunday worship with your NPC family online. We are still new at this, but together we can make it work.
There had been a congregational meeting scheduled for this Sunday. After consultation with the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, we have come up with the following procedures for having the necessary discussion and voting for the issues at hand.
Please follow these FOUR SIMPLE STEPS:
Prelude
Call to Worship (in unison)
Love for our fellow human beings calls us together, and it is Love right now that is calling us to be physically apart. As we are apart, we find ways to remind each other of our connections to one another. When we gather, even electronically, we are reminded that you, O God, are always with us, and are always connecting us to each other. While we are physically apart, we are together in spirit, and in the Love of God. Let us worship God.
Passing of the Digital Peace
† Hymn #15 (Glory To God Hymnal)
All Creatures of Our God and King
- All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
O brother sun with golden beam,
O sister moon with silver gleam,
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!
2. O brother wind with clouds and rain,
You nurture gifts of fruit and grain.
Al le lu ia!A le lu ia!
O sister water, flowing clear,
Make music for your Lord to hear.
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!Al le lu ia!
3. O brother fire, so warm and bright,
Chase off the shadows of the night
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
Dear mother earth who day by day
Unfolds such blessings on our way
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
4. All who for love of God forgive,
All who in pain or sorrow grieve
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears,
So even in the midst of fears
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
5. And you most gentle sister death,
Waiting to hush our final breath
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
Since Christ our light has pierced your gloom,
Fair is the night that leads us home
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
6. O sisters, brothers, take your part
And worship God with humble heart.
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
All creatures, bless the Father, Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
Sing praises! Al le lu ia!
Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia! Al le lu ia!
A time for meditation
Liturgy of the Word
† Prayer for Illumination
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scripture is read, and your word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you have to say to us today. Amen
Scripture Reading
Psalm 56.1-4a
God, have mercy on me because I’m being trampled.
All day long the enemy oppresses me.
2 My attackers trample me all day long
because I have so many enemies.
Exalted one, 3 whenever I’m afraid,
I put my trust in you--
4 in God, whose word I praise.
I trust in God; I won’t be afraid.
Sermon by Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Fry
† Hymn #307 (Glory To God Hymnal)
God of Grace and God of Glory
1. God of grace and god of glory, on thy people pour thy power;
Crown thine ancient church’s story; bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
2. Lo! The hosts of evil round us, scorn thy Christ assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
3. Cure thy children’s warring madness; bend our pride to thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
4. Save us from weak resignation, to the evils we deplore.
Let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore,
serving thee whom we adore.
Prayers of the People (send in your prayer requests on Facebook Live)
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.
Explanation of Congregational Meeting
(Meeting started last Sunday and is completed today)
Sending
† Hymn #451 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Open My Eyes, That I May See
1. Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou has for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God thy will to see.
Open my eyes illumine me, Spirit divine!
2. Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth thou sendest clear
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God thy will to see.
Open my ears illumine me, Spirit divine!
3. Open my mouth, and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth everywhere.
Open my heart, and let me prepare
Love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready my God thy will to see.
Open my heart illumine me, Spirit divine!
† Charge and Blessing
Postlude
This Week at NPC
Sunday, March 29, 2020—4th Sunday of Lent
11:00 A.M. NPC Worship Service - online
12:00-1 P.M. Kwang-Ya Bible Study, Covenant Room
1-2:30 P.M. Kwang-Ya Worship, Sanctuary
Monday, March 30, 2020
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
6:30 P.M. CANCELLED - Community YOGA Class
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Counseling Class
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
6:00 P.M CANCELLED - Wednesday Night Activities
8:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Bible Study
Thursday, April 2, 2020
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya English Class
Friday, April 3, 2020
8:30 P.M. Kwang Ya Prayer Meeting
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Announcements
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ONLINE THE WEEK OF MARCH 22 - On Wednesday the 11th of March, your session met and voted to have a congregational meeting online the week of Sunday 22 March. The purpose of that meeting is to have the congregation review and potentially vote on two different contracts. The first contract that we hope to have ready by then will be the sale of our current church facility and property. The second contract we hope to have ready by then will be to purchase our historical downtown facility in an effort to move permanently back to our old home. This Sunday (the 22nd) I will talk for a little bit, showing some pictures of the historical facility. I am happy to share all the details we know as we know them, so long as you understand that this is a work in progress and that we are figuring out some of the details as we go. We are diligently working on getting all of our work done to approve this with Presbytery, as well as have plans for how to do ministry in a new place with different opportunities while becoming financially viable and sustainable. Up to this point, it has been clear that the path for this relocation continues to open up, and I feel clearly led to follow it. We will continue to follow the call and Spirit of God as we undertake this adventure.
NPC’s Worship Service is exclusively online this Sunday! As we do our part to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we invite you to participate in Sunday worship with your NPC family online. We are still new at this, but together we can make it work.
There had been a congregational meeting scheduled for this Sunday. After consultation with the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, we have come up with the following procedures for having the necessary discussion and voting for the issues at hand.
Please follow these FOUR SIMPLE STEPS:
- PARTICIPATE IN THE ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE THIS SUNDAY. On March 22 at 11:00am, go to the NPC facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/norcrosspres/) on either your computer or smart phone and watch the live video stream of our worship service. Matt will conduct the service. Lenard will play the hymns and a couple of hardy souls will be there to lead in the singing. Matt will be giving detailed instructions on how we will be conducting our online congregational meeting. So please tune in if you can, or watch the saved video of the service later at your convenience. If you want to follow along, the order of worship with the words to the hymns and the scripture reading is also available online at http://www.norcrosspresbyterian.org/weekly-bulletin1.html
- JOIN THE ONLINE DISCUSSION FOR THE ISSUES TO BE VOTED ON BY THE CONGREGATION. If you are an active member of Norcross Presbyterian Church, you are urged to participate in these VERY IMPORTANT DECISIONS facing our church. You can do this by joining the Norcross Presbyterian Church Relocation Discussion. We are limiting access to this discussion group to active members only. You will receive an email this weekend inviting you to join the group. Simply follow the instructions in the email in order to join the facebook discussion group. Then you will be able to post questions and comments about the discussion topics. If you do not use Facebook, you are invited to bring your comments and questions before the congregation by calling Matt Fry or Jason Bernardo at the church office (770)448-7744. They will be happy to either address your concerns or post your questions/comments to the discussion for you.
- VOTE ON THE ISSUES BROUGHT BEFORE THE CONGREGATION. This is the most important step. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdmrtdOhqYx1kINwWEBQQEzYrQhmnjyvDEVtQlYGvv7U7CpdQ/viewform
- CONTINUE TO SEND YOUR OFFERINGS TO NPC. Even though we are not meeting at the church for these few weeks, NPC continues to meet its financial obligations for fixed expenses and community outreach. We cannot do it without your continued support. Please continue to make your weekly or monthly contributions to NPC. You have several options.
- Simply mail a check to the church payable to Norcross Presbyterian Church
- Instruct your bank’s existing online bill pay service to send a check to Norcross Presbyterian Church, 3324 Medlock Bridge Road, Norcross GA 30092
- Make an online donation using a credit card by visiting: https://checkout.square.site/pay/641afe791fcd4f93a5ed135f4eb6b53b Please note that Square (the online payment service) charges a small fee for their services which will be deducted by them from your online donation.