February 4, 2024 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Worship INVITING ALL GENERATIONS INTO A GROWING LIFE WITH JESUS CHRIST of Wheaton FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Wheaton Scout Sunday
2 The Gathering PRELUDE “Clair de Lune” from Suite Bergamasque by Claude Debussy Paul Burgess, Piano WELCOME Pastor Kellen Smith CALL TO WORSHIP Galatians 5:13-14 Leader: 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. People: All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. GREETING ONE ANOTHER HYMN #317 “In Christ There is No East or West”
3 The Confession CALL TO CONFESSION Pastor Kat Hatting PRAYER OF CONFESSION Lord, you bless us in more ways than we know. You came to us personally through Jesus, to serve us in love. We confess that we do not love as he loved or serve as he served. Forgive the parts of our hearts that cling to our own ways, our own understandings. Draw us closer to your heart, overflowing with abundant mercy. By your grace, forgive our sins and bring us into right thinking, speaking, and acting. Help us to live with the compassion of the Father, the mind of Christ, and the wisdom of the Spirit. Through the Triune God we pray. DECLARATION OF GOD’S PARDON SUNDAY SCHOOL DISMISSAL (10:30) Grades 3-5
4 The Offering GOOD NEWS Pastor Kellen Smith MINUTE FOR MISSION Josh Lockard, Scout Troop 23 OFFERING Thank you for giving in-person, by text, online, or mailing your gifts into the church office. MUSICAL OFFERING “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” by Peter Scholtes Arr. Lloyd Larson Parker Ohman, Vocalist Paul Burgess, Piano DOXOLOGY (Hymn 606) PRAYER OF DEDICATION Pastor Kat Hatting
5 The Word MESSAGE Pastor Kellen Smith “Serve in Love” John 13:1-7 The Sacrament HYMN OF PREPARATION #525 “Let Us Break Bread Together” COMMUNION Pastor Kellen Smith and Pastor Kat Hatting The Invitation to the Table Prayer of Thanksgiving 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. Words of Institution Sharing the Meal Communion Song “The Call” by Ralph Vaughan Williams from Five Mystical Songs Parker Ohman, Vocalist Paul Burgess, Piano Prayer After Communion
6 The Sending HYMN #729 “Lord, I Want to Be A Christian” BLESSING Pastor Kellen Smith POSTLUDE Paul Burgess, Piano Missed a week? Watch past services at firstpreswheaton.org/livestream.
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February 4, 2024 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Livestream at 10:30 a.m. firstpreswheaton.org/livestream Communion This Morning – Communion elements will be provided to those worshipping in person. In preparation for receiving communion at home, we encourage you to gather your favorite bread and a small cup of juice in advance of the livestream start time. In the event that you are unable to collect your own elements, just participate as you are able. BLESS: Daily Invitational Practices Sermon Series Through February 11 “Serve in Love” John 13:1-7 God’s way of reaching and restoring the world has always been through blessing. During the new BLESS sermon series, Pastor Kellen will share five invitational practices that comprise the acronym BLESS and are a way to participate in the strategy God gave Abraham to reach the world. “And I will bless you… and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). As we engage these practices daily, we partner with the Holy Spirit to bless those who are far from God, wrestling with faith, or curious about Christ. Each week we’ll explore a new practice — Begin with prayer, Listen with care, Eat together, Serve in love, and Share the story — providing a pathway to equip everyone to make more disciples, become more like Jesus, and engage more in his mission every day. Today is Scout Sunday Scouts from Troop 23 will be serving as greeters and reading scripture at today’s services. – DONUT DAY – Scouts are serving homemade donuts between services in the Rotunda, with trays set out after the second service.
Adult Education The Call to Christian Unity Sundays, February 4-18 at 10:30 a.m. in Stewart Hall Led by Dr. John Armstrong “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one” (John 17:21). For most Christians these words of Jesus seem like an unreachable ideal. How should we understand this prayer offered for all who follow Jesus? What if Jesus really intended for the world to “believe” the gospel on the basis of looking Choir Performance with Gary United Methodist Sunday, February 11 Join us for a very special musical benediction on February 11, as the joint choirs of First Pres Wheaton and Gary UMC conclude our 10:30 a.m. service by presenting “There’s A Stirrin’ in the Water”: a celebration of the African American Spirituals. This special collaboration will feature soloist Dr. Alonza Lawrence from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. at Christians who live in deep unity in a shared relationship with him? Based on his book, Tear Down These Walls, Dr. John Armstrong will share a way of understanding what Jesus desired so that we can begin anew to tear down the many walls of division that keep the world from seeing God’s love in us. Having devoted three decades to the work of Christian unity, Dr. Armstrong’s story and ministry have encouraged many around the world and we will learn how to proactively live in unity across our myriad Christian differences. Lenten Devotionals Copies of this year's Lenten Devotional "Gathered into One" are available in the Rotunda, Narthex and office. "Gathered into One" provides daily devotions for each day from Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection of Our Lord/Vigil of Easter (traditionally known as Holy Saturday). Devotions begin with an evocative image and a brief passage from First Corinthians. Ash Wednesday Service February 14 6:30 p.m. (following the Valentine's Dinner from 5:30-6:30) On Ash Wednesday, our church family will gather to mark the beginning of the sacred season of Lent. During worship, we will receive the imposition of ashes and remember our need for reconciliation with God as we journey toward the cross and empty tomb. Childcare is available.
Wednesday evenings at The Table include a catered, buffet-style meal, available starting at 5:30 p.m., with delicious adult and kid-friendly options. We’ll celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, sing together, and have a brief teaching each week. There will be activities for children, high chairs available, and a Toddler Corner for kids 2 and under. Cost: $10/adult, $5/ages 3-12 ($30 household maximum) Pay at the door (cash or via QR code upon arrival) RSVP by today, February 4 for the February 7 “The Table” at firstpreswheaton.org/TheTableFebruary7 or by contacting the church office by email or leaving a phone message at 630-668-5147. Join us at The Table, our midweek refreshment for all generations, on Wednesday, February 7 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Activities will include: • Light refreshments, iced tea and lemonade • Crafts • Create your own signature candy mix • Dance floor • Heart-filled photo booth Register your family at firstpreswheaton.org/Tea or by scanning the code. We would love to have you as our guests at this charming event! Friday, February 9 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Stewart Hall You're invited to join us for a sweet Family Valentine’s Tea. We will have activities that everyone in your family will adore! Valentine’s Tea Valentine’s Dinner Wednesday, February 14 5:30-6:30 p.m. Join your church family for a themed Valentine’s Day Dinner. We will enjoy uplifting fellowship, a delicious meal, and a blessed atmosphere. Invite your friends and family to join us for this special meal. The dinner will precede our Ash Wednesday service at 6:30. All ages are welcome to participate and attend the service that follows. RSVP at firstpreswheaton.org/ValentinesDinner by Sunday, February 11.
Sunday School is held during the 10:30 service and is available to children who are 3 years old through 5th grade. • Preschool: Preschool children meet in LL102 at 10:30 a.m. • Kindergarten-2nd Grade: Children meet in LL105 at 10:30 a.m. • 3rd-5th Grade: Children will attend the 10:30 church service with their parents and be dismissed to Sunday School before the sermon. Pick up is in LL107 following the service. High School Ministry WHEATON FP Genesis Middle School Ministry: Genesis meets on Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Attic. WF High School Ministry: WF meets on Sundays from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Women’s Ministry Annual Bake Sale Sunday, February 11 Between services in the Rotunda Women’s Ministry will be hosting their annual bake sale on Super Bowl Sunday. Please stop by to stock up on treats for the game, sweets for Valentine’s Day, and to support Women’s Ministry! If you have baked goods to contribute to the sale, please drop them off in the kitchen before 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 10. Home Communion If you are unable to attend worship in person because of health or mobility issues, we would love to serve you communion in your home. Please contact the church office to make arrangements for a home communion visit! Office Volunteer Opportunity We are in need of an Office Volunteer to lend a hand in the church office on Wednesday mornings from 8:30-12:30 p.m. Volunteers work in four hour shifts with only one (1) shift per week. Responsibilities include: answering phones, updating church calendar, proofreading materials, greeting visitors, responding to office emails, etc. It is a rewarding way to get involved with the church! If you are interested, please contact Debbie Veal at [email protected] or call the church office at 630-668-5147.
Church Office Hours Monday through Thursday – 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Friday – 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon ____________________ The First Pres calendar of events is available online at: firstpreswheaton.org/calendar. 715 North Carlton Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187 Phone: 630-668-5147 Email: [email protected] www.firstpreswheaton.org Prayers for our Church Family Welcome to this week’s opportunity to pray in community Chancel Flowers The Chancel flowers are given in honor of Scout Sunday by Boy Scout Troop 23. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Wheaton of Wheaton Presbyterians in Partnership – Per Capita All churches are invited to support the mission of the PC(USA), our larger church family. You can help First Pres to fulfill this Per Capita commitment by making a contribution of $36.50 for each church member in your family in addition to your regular giving. Last year’s fully funded per capita commitment to the Chicago Presbytery was $35,770. That amount will increase this year to $36,646. You’re welcome to make your check out to First Presbyterian Church and note “Per Capita” in the memo line, or contribute online and select the Per Capita fund from the drop down menu. Thank you for your support of the greater church. 2023 Giving Statements Giving Statements for 2023 were emailed on January 21. If you do not see your statement in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If your email address is not on file with the church, your statement will be mailed this week. Please contact the church office if you would like to provide your email address for future mailings. Contact Beth Spiegel at [email protected] with questions. • Healing for Chris Willems, nephew of Betty Joseph, who recently had a bone marrow transplant • Comfort for Laurie Harrington, whose brother, JD (Jack) Benz, passed away • Peace for Tom Fleming whose father, Michael Fleming, passed away this week • Support for Angela Stephenson, whose brother, Joel, has entered hospice care • Strength for Beth Stremel, who is recovering from knee surgery