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January 31, 2021

10:00 a.m. Worship

Inviting all generations into a growing life with Jesus Christ

The Gathering

CALL TO WORSHIP Romans 8:26, CEB

26 In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we
should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans.

Thank him! Bless his name!
OPENING SONG
Hymn 336 We Gather Together

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
he chastens and hastens his will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

The Confession

CALL TO CONFESSION Pastor Tassie Green

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, we confess that we can be
caught up in the brokenness of our world.
As good as we try to be, we can so easily dismiss
the holy conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Purify our hearts anew today.
Lead us into greater alignment with you, each and every hour.
Teach us not to be perfect, but faithful followers of Jesus,
through whom we pray.

Please continue in silent prayer for confession of personal matters.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S PARDON

The Word

WORD IN SONG “A Simple Song” (from Mass)
by Leonard Bernstien & Stephen Schwartz

Sing God a simple song
Lauda laude
Make it up, as you go along
Lauda laude
Sing, like you like to sing
God loves all simple things
For God, is the simplest of all

I will sing the Lord a new song
To praise him, to bless
him, to bless the Lord
I will sing his praises, while I live
All of my days

Blessed is the man who loves the lord
Blessed is the man who praises him
Lauda lauda laude
And walks in his way

I will lift up my eyes
To the hills from whence comes my help
I will lift my voice to the Lord
Singing lauda laude

For the lord, is my shade
Is the shade upon my right hand
And the sun shall not smite me by day
For the Lord my knight
Blessed is the man who loves the Lord
Lauda lauda laude
And walks in his name

MESSAGE Pastor Kellen Smith

To The Ends of the Earth
Ordinary Expansion

Acts 8:26–40, CEB

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

MUSICAL REFLECTION Fantasie No. 1 for Solo Flute
by Georg Philipp Telemann

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, forever. Amen.

GOOD NEWS AT FIRST PRES

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

The Sending

CLOSING SONG
Hymn 295 Go to the World!

Go to the world! Go into all the earth.
Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth,
baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Go to the world! Go into every place.
Go live the word of God’s redeeming grace.
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Go to the world! Go struggle, bless, and pray;
the nights of tears give way to joyous day.
As servant church, you follow Christ’s own way.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Go to the world! Go as the ones I send,
for I am with you till the age shall end,
when all the hosts of glory cry “Amen!”
Alleluia. Alleluia.

BLESSING Pastor Kellen Smith

Please stay for our annual congregational meeting following the worship service.

Leading Music
Jessica Coffey, vocals | Sarah Harkness, flute | Paul Burgess, piano

Kedrick Armstrong, Director of Music & Worship Experience

CHURCH LIFE

January 31, 2021

This Morning – Ordinary Expansion

Acts 8:26–40, CEB

10:00 a.m. Livestream at:

firstpreswheaton.org/livestream
God’s kingdom begins to spread from Jerusalem
into Samaria and Judea as the church continues to
be witnesses of Jesus. The kingdom advances not by
extraordinarily gifted and talented people, but by
ordinary people who follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

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 earth. 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 are his witnesses and have a vital
role in the continuing story of Jesus’ unstoppable kingdom.

Good news!
Limited in-person worship to resume

Today Sunday, January 31

Sanctuary Reservations

We are pleased to announce that since we have now reached Tier 1, we are accepting some
limited reservations for in-person worship on Sundays, beginning this week, January 31.

• Email or call the church office at 630-668-5147 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. to make a reservation for the upcoming Sunday service.
• Face coverings will be required for everyone over the age of two.
• Social distancing of six feet will be maintained between attendees who are not part of the
same family.
• The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized before and after each service.

Annual Annual Meeting Details
Congregational
Meeting TODAY – January 31, following worship

This Sunday we will gather virtually for the Annual

Meeting of the congregation. The meeting includes
receiving the 2020 annual and financial reports,

electing the Nominating Committee's nominees,

presenting the 2021 budget, and approving pastoral terms of call, among other relevant reports.

The meeting Business Packet is available at firstpreswheaton.org/downloads/2020BusinessPacket.pdf.
If you would like a printed version, there are copies available in the church office.

The digital 2020 Annual Report is available at firstpreswheaton.org/AnnualReport2020. Printed copies are
available in the church office.

How to Vote
Voting is open starting now and during the meeting using the online form at: firstpreswheaton.org/OnlineVoting

There are four motions that require a congregational vote:
• To approve the Congregational Meeting Minutes
• To approve the Congregational Nominating Committee Report Nominees
• To approve Senior Pastor/HOS terms of call (unchanged from 2020)
• To adjourn the meeting when invited by the Moderator

You must be an active church member to vote and will need to include an email address and your name in
the online ballot.

If you are unable to access the online voting form and want to place your vote by phone, you may call the
church office at 630-668-5147 before Friday at 4:30 p.m. or during the meeting on Sunday morning.

Questions
If you have a meeting-related question, you may pose it in the online form, by using the livestream chat
feature during the meeting, or by calling the church office.

Quorum
A quorum is required, so please join your church family as we reflect on what God has done through the
ministries of First Pres in the past year.

The meeting will be conducted directly following livestream worship.
firstpreswheaton.org/livestream

The Color of Compromise Today – Labyrinth Prayer Time
Sundays through February 14
8:30-9:25 a.m. on Zoom Want to experience praying in a whole-body, focused
Zoom Link: firstpreswheaton.org/AdultEdSun way? Wish for time to pray for our nation, our families,
Meeting ID: 886 3217 8184 Passcode: 854247 our youth and our world?
Download the class study guide at:
firstpreswheaton.org/downloads/ColorCompDis.pdf Sign up at firstpreswheaton.org/labyrinth or contact
the office to schedule a 15-minute individual time slot
Rediscover Jesus to walk and pray the labyrinth in the multipurpose
Wednesdays through February 10 room on Sunday, January 31.
7:00-8:00 p.m. on Zoom
Zoom Link: firstpreswheaton.org/AdultEd
Meeting ID: 869 4592 5503 Passcode: 8dCeiX

Start Saving Non-Perishable Food Sign up for an hour of family fun
Items Now to Help in the Ministry Center
Our Neighbors in Need
Bring your own sports equipment, burn off
During the week of February 14-21, First Pres will some energy with your family, and have fun
host the Love Your Neighbor Food Drive. We will
be collecting donations of non-perishable food and in our open space!
personal care items as well as monetary donations
to support our local food pantry partners, the To reserve your one-hour time slot, sign up
People’s Resource Center in Wheaton and the online at firstpreswheaton.org/OpenGym, or
Interfaith Food Pantry in Carol Stream. This is a email or call the church office at 630-668-5147.
wonderful opportunity to help the less fortunate in
our community. Share the news of this event with Family Open Gym Hours:
your neighbors and friends!
Mondays – 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Wednesdays – 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Fridays – 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Sunday School and Fellowship
at 10:10 a.m.

With great attendance, fantastic discussions and joyful fellowship,
Zoom Sunday School will continue into February and beyond.
See your family email for Zoom link information.

Genesis Middle Schoolers

TODAY, January 31 – Play and Pray, Outdoor games and walking the
prayer labyrinth to learn about praying with our whole selves

Contact Pastor Tassie at [email protected] with questions.

Genesis and WF:
Check your email for information about the 5-minute devos!

High School WF Happenings
Ministry
TODAY, January 31 – Prayer walk, labyrinth, and outdoor
stations. Dress warmly to come encounter God anew.

Wednesdays through February 10 – Girls/Guys Small Groups on Zoom
No meeting on February 6 – Superbowl Sunday
Sunday, February 14 – Zoom student-led devo with Natalie and Glenna
Sunday, February 21 – Outdoor games at Northside Park
Contact Pastor Tassie at [email protected] with questions.

Chancel The Chancel flowers are given in In loving memory
Flowers of their parents, Raymond and Bernice Lambert and

Gene and Jackie Shaffer, by Dave and Dianne Lambert.

Troops 23’s Presbyterians
“Drive Through in Partnership
Donuts”
Next Week on All churches are invited to
Scout Sunday – support the mission of the
February 7 PCUSA, our larger church
family. You can help First Pres to fulfill
Listen to what our Troop 23 has been up to during this Per Capita commitment by making a
the pandemic and learn how our First Pres community contribution of $36.00 for each church
can support their efforts during the Moment for member in your family in addition to your
Mission portion of the service. regular giving. The total contribution for our
church membership in 2021 will be $36,648.
After the service, the troop will celebrate Scout You’re welcome to make your check out to
Sunday by providing Drive Through Donuts to assist First Presbyterian Church or contribute online
a local business and share information on joining at firstpreswheaton.org/onlinegiving and note
the troop, and backing current Eagle Scout projects, “Per Capita” in the memo line.
as well as passing out food bags to support the First
Pres Love Your Neighbor Food Drive. Thank you for your support of the greater church.

Hope to see you between 11:00 a.m. and
12:00 p.m., snow, rain or shine!

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