Sunday, October 18, 2015

We Gather to Worship God 

The congregation is asked to use the to of the Pre-Service

Music as a period of silent prayer and preparation. 

   Silent Prayer of Preparation

O God, make us more than we are: more faithful, more loving,

more giving,

more gracious,

more deeply rooted in Your will and way.

In the name of the One in whose image we are made. Amen.  

Pre-Service Music 

Welcome & Announcements 

Prelude “Hard Times Come Again No More” Foster 

*Call to Worship

When we look at the heavens, the work of God’s hands,

the moon and the stars that God has made,

we wonder who we are that God would care for us. The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and all who live in it.

The Lord is good to all, and God’s compassion stretches over all creation.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

we will praise the Lord as long as we live.

 *Opening Prayer

 *Hymn #664 “Morning Has Broken”

 Call to Confession

 Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we have lost our way.

 You teach us to love extravagantly and forgive graciously,

but we add up rights and wrongs.

 You teach us to share what we have and play well with others,

but we clench our fists and keep to ourselves.

 You teach us to walk out in to the light and leave the empty tomb,

but we find it easier to stay in the darkness.

 We did not set out to live like this, but here we are,

made up of good intentions, wounded hearts, and misguided ambitions.

 But you, O God,

are made up of holy wisdom, second chances, and boundless imagination.

 Make us better than we have proven ourselves to be.

Breathe life into us once again.  

Time for Silent Reflection 

Response “Trisagion” Traditional

Holy God.

Holy and mighty.

Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy, have mercy on us. 

Assurance of Forgiveness

Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. 

*Passing of the Peace

The Peace of Christ is with you!

And also with you. 

*Gloria Patri #581 

Anthem “Lay Up Your Treasures in Heaven” Choplin

© 1996 Lorenz Publishing Company (Admin. by Lorenz Corporation) 

Time with the Children

Congregation: God go with you.

Children: God be with you here. 

We Listen for the Word of God 

Prayer for Illumination  

Old Testament Psalm 104:1-5, 14-23 OT page 554

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. 

New Testament 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 NT page 203

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. 

Sermon “Growing Our Faith Through Generosity” John R. Hilley

Time of Reflection 

We Respond to God’s Love 

*Affirmation of Faith—from a Declaration of Faith

Christ calls us to pilgrimage toward the kingdom.  

Jesus announced the coming of God's kingdom

and its hidden presence in the midst of the world's kingdoms.

He taught His disciples to seek God's kingdom first.  

We believe Christ gives us and demands of us

lives in pilgrimage toward God's kingdom.

Like Christ we may enjoy on our journey

all that sustains life and makes it pleasant and beautiful.

No more than Christ are we spared

the darkness, ambiguity, and threat of life in the world.

We are in the world, but not of the world.

Our confidence and hope for ourselves and other people

do not rest in the powers and achievements of this world,

but in the coming and hidden presence of God's kingdom.

Christ calls each of us to a life appropriate to that kingdom:

to serve as He has served us;

to take up our cross,

risking the consequences of faithful discipleship;

to walk by faith, not by sight,

to hope for what we have not seen.  

*Hymn #36 “For the Fruit of All Creation” 

Prayers of the People—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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. 

Offering  

Offertory  

*Doxology #606

*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication 

We Go from Here to Serve 

*Hymn #716 “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” 

*Parting Words 

*Benediction  

Postlude “Hoe-Down” Copland

*Please stand if you are able. 

About Today’s Service & Activities 

Participants In Today’s Service: Pastor: John Hilley; Director of Music: Nate Strasser; Liturgist: Mary Ellen Hofstetter; Musicians: Nate Strasser, EBPC Choir, Matt Combs, and Briana Tyson. 

To Our Members and Guests: Please sign our friendship pad. 

Children’s Worship: Children’s worship helps children ages 3 through 2nd grade explore Bible units through hands on, age appropriate, experiential activities that are designed to engage them while also instilling faith formation. We meet upstairs every Sunday following the Time with Children. Today’s story is about Jacob's Dream - Genesis 28:10-22. (The objective will be to help children find assurance in God's gracious and active presence.) Next week’s story is about Jacob Loving Rachel - Genesis 29:1-4, 28. (Help children know that persistence and patience foster healthy relationships.)  

Upwards is a learning experience for 3rd through 5th graders that alternates weekly between meeting as a group and a clipboard activity. Growing in Grace and Gratitude is this year’s theme. This week will be a clipboard activity in the sanctuary. If you have any questions, ask Kelly McConnell at ebpcyouth@comcast.net.  

Flowers & Fellowship Food Sign-up: Please consider signing up for flowers, fellowship food, or both in the coming months. New sign-up sheets are in the narthex. If you have any questions please contact Regina Montgomery at regina.montgomery@vanderbilt.edu.  

Welcome to East Brentwood

To Our Members: East Brentwood gladly welcomes first-time and returning visitors. By introducing yourself and sharing a warm greeting, you express the hospitality of our congregation. Please share a smile and welcoming word to those around you. 

To Our Guests: We offer education and fellowship opportunities in the mornings and evenings for children, youth and adults. Please see the Calendar of Events for dates and times. Interested in joining East Brentwood? Speak to John Hilley or Ashley Purcell. 

Evolving from a rich musical history, EBPC strives for diversity of music in worship. On any given Sunday, worshippers may experience our choir sharing traditional or new hymns, handbells ringing, our praise band ensemble performing contemporary Christian songs, or guest vocalists or musicians sharing southern spirituals, Celtic, bluegrass, classical, shape note, jazz, Americana, soul, or other musical genres.

Our Mission

East Brentwood Presbyterian Church is a community church made up of a loving, welcoming family of believers in honest conversation with God. We seek to emulate the ministry of Jesus through compassionate service, with stimulating and relevant exploration of God’s Word, and by sharing that Word and God’s many blessings with our neighbors in Middle Tennessee and around the world.  

East Brentwood Pres. Church & Preschool

Wednesday Night Dinner

We are now having a weekly Wednesday night dinner! Church members, preschool families, and guests are welcome! Meals are $5 per person, with a $15 max per family. Please RSVP by Monday by going to the church’s website or the e-newsletter so we will know how much food to prepare. Thanks! 

Wednesday night programming Schedule:

(Stay after dinner and join us!)

5:30 Dinner

6:00 Music & Drama Club for Middle & High School

6:08 Middle School Gathering (608)

6:30 Kids' Music & Drama Club

6:30 Adult Learning Circle

7:00 Adult Choir

Announcements

Senior Group Lunch TODAY: If you think you are a senior, then join us. Please bring a dish that will serve eight and stay after church. Lunch will take place in the conference room and gathering place.  

Giving to the church through your will or trust is the most common way to continue your support beyond your lifetime. When your estate is prepared, consider a gift to the church. For more information contact Amy Gallager at amygeoff@gmail.com or (615) 496-4962. 

Kids' Music and Drama Club is off and running with about 20 kids atpractice. It is for children 3 years thru 5th grade and occurs on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7 pm. A new session for middle & high schoolers was added from 6:00-6:30. EBPC Music Director Nate Strasser teaches children about music in a fun and engaging way and is preparing them for the church Christmas pageant! Contact: Nate Strasser, Music Director at EBPC: ebpcmusic@comcast.net.  

Take part in a personal and group study of Brian McLaren’s book, We Make the Road By Walking. You have two opportunities to join us: Wednesday evening at 6:30-7 pm or Sunday morning at 9-9:45 am. To learn more, see our weekly enewsletter or website. 

Youth Group Activities: PYG (Senior High Youth) will not be held  this evening. 608 (Middle School Youth) is this Wednesday at 6:08 pm. They will be “Tackling Tough Questions about God, Others and Me”. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly McConnell, Youth Director, at ebpcyouth@comcast.net. 

Red Cross Blood Drive: The blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, December 20th, at the church from 8:30 – 12:30. Our goal is to have 30 donors. So far, we have eight. As the holiday season approaches, there will, unfortunately, be an increase in the need for blood. Please consider giving. Appointment sheets will be in the narthex every Sunday starting November 1st. More details to follow. Contact: Richard White. 

Calendar Events Coming This Week ~ At a Glance 

Sunday, October 18

9:00 am Adult Education

10:00 am Worship

11:30 am Senior Lunch

Monday, October 19

9:00 am Preschool Closed—Fall Break

11:00 am NO Staff Meeting

Tuesday, October 20

11:00 am Luke 14:12

Wednesday, October 21

5:30 pm Wednesday Night Dinner

6:00 pm Music & Drama Club for Middle & High School

6:08 pm 608 (Middle School Youth)

6:30 pm Kids’ Music & Drama Club

6:30 pm Adult Learning Circle

7:00 pm Choir

Thursday, October 22

6:30 pm Praise Team

Friday, October 23

4:30 pm Youth Depart for NaCoMe Fall Retreat

7:00 pm A Weekend With Brian McLaren

Sunday, October 25

9:00 am Adult Education

10:00 am Worship 

Praise and Prayers

† Prayers for Kelly’s friend Lisa with cancer, who is in the hospital.

† Prayers of thanksgiving for our preschool teachers and staff and for the children who attend.

† Prayers for all who struggle with life's challenges.

† Prayers for Marilyn Johnson, who is at Southerland.

† Continued prayers for recovery and healing for Lily Paris and praise for the progress she has made recently.

† Prayers for Sam, Susan, and Annie Paris as they walk with Lily through this journey.

† Prayers for Carol Dison (Liz Beatty's cousin) and her two-year old granddaughter, Avery. Carol was diagnosed with cervical cancer and needs prayers for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

† Prayers for Jackson Enfinger as he has continued health struggles.

† Prayers for all whose road to recovery seems long.

† Prayers for refugees in Europe.

† Prayers for healing and comfort requested by Leanna Pound (EBPC Nursery) on behalf of Talan Williams, an 8-year-old, who has bone cancer and is undergoing treatment.

† Prayers for caregivers of family members and for the unspoken burdens and worries loved ones are facing.

† Prayers for those affected by the violence in our world. 

If you have a prayer request or celebration that you would like to share, please contact Ralph Comer, Congregational Care moderator

by email: recomer49@aol.com or phone: 615.545.5938.