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January 10, 2021

10:00 a.m. Worship

Inviting all generations into a growing life with Jesus Christ

The Gathering Isaiah 43:10, CEB

CALL TO WORSHIP

You are my witnesses, says the Lord,
my servant, whom I chose,
so that you would know and believe me
and understand that I am the one.

Before me no god was formed;
after me there has been no other.
Thank him! Bless his name!

OPENING SONG
Hymn 307 God of Grace and God of Glory

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Confession

CALL TO CONFESSION Pastor Tassie Green

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Lord, we have fallen short of your best for our lives and world.
We have allowed sin to be perpetuated
personally as individuals and structurally as a people.
Forgive the ways we have falsely seen ourselves
as better than and separate from others.
Grant us mercy when we fail to forgive others as you forgive us.
May the Holy Spirit restore us from the inside out.
Empower us to be witnesses for Jesus, in whose name we pray.

Please continue in silent prayer for confession of personal matters.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S PARDON

The Word

WORD IN SONG Hands and Feet
by The Brilliance
For all the strides we’ve made
For all of our blessings
We’ve fallen far away from truth

Turning our face away from this hurting race
We turned our face away from you

We want to be your hands your feet
Without words will let our actions speak

For every broken heart for every widow
For those without shelter from the rain

We lift our eyes to you looking for answers
When we have been called to ease the pain

Here we are
Words can only go so far
Draw us closer to your heart
Bring us back to you

MESSAGE Pastor Kellen Smith

To The Ends of the Earth
Being a Witness

Acts 1:1–11, CEB

Missed a week? Watch past services at firstpreswheaton.org/livestream.

MUSICAL REFLECTION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Pastor Tassie Green

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, for ever.

Amen.

GOOD NEWS AT FIRST PRES

OFFERING
Thank you for giving by text, online, or mailing your gifts into the church office.

The Sending Pastor Kellen Smith

CLOSING SONG
Hymn 314 Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Refrain:
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice. [Refrain]

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come. [Refrain]

BLESSING

Leading Music
Jessica Coffey, vocals
Kedrick Armstrong, Director of Music & Worship Experience

CHURCH LIFE

January 10, 2021

SERMON SERIES

To the Ends of the Earth: The Book of Acts

This six-week series examines the remarkable spread of the church and the kingdom of God from
Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the world. Jesus has commissioned every
one of his followers to be his witness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Despite challenges from
outside and within, the kingdom of God continues to advance. Today, we continue to be his
witnesses and have a vital role in the continuing story of Jesus’ unstoppable kingdom.
This Morning – Witnesses, Holy Spirit, Empowerment, God’s Mission
Acts 1:1-26 (selected verses)
The Holy Spirit empowers God’s people to be witnesses of the good news of Jesus Christ,
beginning in Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth. We can
confidently and courageously be witnesses of Jesus by understanding the power, purpose, and
plan of the mission God has entrusted to each of us.
January 17 The Church, Fellowship, Prayer, Generosity Acts 2:1-47 (selected verses)
January 24 Fear, Temptation, Overcoming, Courage Acts 4:1-5:11 (selected verses)
January 31 Persecution, Risk, Divine Moments Acts 8:1-40 (selected verses)
February 7 Direction, God’s Will, Scriptures Acts 16:1-10
February 14 Witness, Testimony, Influence, Mission Acts 28:1-31 (selected verses)

Adult Education Adult Education: New Year, New Practices

220New Year The First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton Adult Education team
1New Practices eagerly announces that FPCW is joining FIDE (Faith Illumination in
a Digital Environment), an innovative consortium of five Presbyterian
churches participating together in online, faith-formation classes.

We'll continue to offer our own Wednesday evening Adult

Education as we add back in Sunday morning Adult Ed offerings

with the FIDE consortium. FIDE will enable FPCW to join in fascinating, lively, biblical discussions over

zoom, led by area Presbyterian pastors and congregations.

SUNDAY MORNINGS WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
STARTS TODAY
New Year, New Practices and
New Year, New Practices New Reads
and New Sunday Morning Wednesdays, January 13-February 10
Adult Ed Class Option 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Zoom
Sundays, January 10-February 14
8:30-9:55 a.m. on Zoom Zoom Code: firstpreswheaton.org/AdultEd
Zoom Code: firstpreswheaton.org/AdultEdSun These Wednesday-night Zoom chats about Rediscover
We will use Jemar Tisby’s book, The Color of Jesus by Matthew Kelly are led by Pastor Kellen.
Compromise, to explore the role of the American Rediscover Jesus is a profound invitation to seek
church as it pertains to black history. Download deeply personal answers to our deeply personal
the Color of Compromise class study guide at questions.
firstpreswheaton.org/downloads/ColorCompDis.pdf

Labyrinth Prayer Time

Looking for space and time to bring your heart to
God, to focus on listening for God's voice? This winter
as we explore our theme of New Year, New Practices,
we will look at New Prayers.

We will open the Labyrinth for personal prayer time in
the multi-purpose room on:
• Saturday, January 30 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• Sunday January 31 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

For safety, we will allow one person to walk the labyrinth at a time, unless you are family. We provide a safe,
socially-distanced, time slot to walk the prayer Labyrinth and if desired, to pray with a caring leader by
appointment. Register for individual labyrinth time slots, available on the half hour, by calling the church
office at 630-668-5147.

Zoom Sunday School and Fellowship
Starts This Morning at 10:15

Virtual Sunday School will be offered on Sunday mornings during the
livestream on January 10, 17, 24 and 31. Check your family emails for

the Zoom link. Let’s reconnect and build on our spiritual foundation.

SNOJanWuarDy AY Upcoming family event:

Family Event Snow Day

Saturday, January 23 Saturday, January 23
1:00-2:00 p.m.

Kids Ministry is partnering in fun and
faith building for an afternoon of friendly
family competition to beat the winter blues.
RSVP sign up coming soon via email.

Genesis Middle Schoolers

NEW DEVO - “It's Personal”

Let's encounter Jesus for the next 35 days. Take
5 minutes to discover God's word for you today!
Check your email for details.

High School TODAY! Sunday, January 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Ministry ColdFest outdoor games event in the church parking lot. Dress warmly!

Wednesday, January 13, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Guys/Girls kick off Zoom book study

Wednesday, January 13, 8:15 - 8:45 p.m. SALT meeting right after book study

Sunday, January 17, MLK holiday weekend – NO WF

Contact Pastor Tassie at [email protected] with questions.

Come Alive!®

Start off 2021 with a renewed
spirit of love, hope and wellbeing

Come Alive!® is an 8-session online program that
helps us connect our spirits, bodies, minds and
emotional wellbeing. The program is offered to
individuals and small groups, with flexible starting
d  ates to meet your needs.
Experience how a Come Alive! is led over Zoom at
this Zoom Introductory Experience meeting, held on 
Tuesday evening January 12 – 7:00 p.m. CST

Contact Angela Stephenson at
[email protected]

Visit LivingAbundantlyMinistries.org

One-to-One Care If you've been looking for a way to help
is a ministry that people in need, here's an opportunity!
has been active
at First Pres for Schedule your blood donation
appointment today at
over 35 years:
Stephen Ministry firstpreswheaton.org/blooddrive

One-to-One Caregivers are lay people who have been Covid-19 antibody testing will be
fully trained in the Stephen Ministry program and are there performed on all blood donations
to help walk alongside of those experiencing a life crisis.
One-to-One Caregivers are trained in active listening, as part of the standard testing.
confidentiality, boundaries, and being a non-anxious
presence for those going through a crisis. They are
there to listen and to walk with you on your journey of
healing, with God at the center.

To receive care from a One-to-One Caregiver,
please contact Pastor Kellen Smith by emailing
[email protected] or by calling the
church office at 630-668-5147. Please note that the
ministry is not available to minors.

Church Office Hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 715 North Carlton Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630-668-5147
of Wheaton
Email: [email protected]

www.firstpreswheaton.org