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April 25, 2021

10:00 a.m. Worship

INVITING ALL GENERATIONS INTO A GROWING LIFE WITH JESUS CHRIST

The Gathering

GREETING & GOOD NEWS Pastor Kellen Smith

MINUTE FOR MISSION Mike Rohl

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: We worship a God of infinite blessings.

People: The Lord’s power and mercy are beyond our comprehension.

Leader: We attune ourselves, mind, body, and spirit,

to the One from whom all blessings flow.

People: In each moment, the Triune God is at work in our lives and worship.

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 Greg Anderson

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, we know that your plans
are to see us thrive as people, as a community.
We seek your blessings for our lives and loved ones.
Despite our best intentions,
we confess that our ways are not always your ways.
We cut corners or put on a good face
in order to achieve our intended outcomes.
We know that we cannot hide from you
and we ask your grace in our search for meaning and fulfillment.
Remove any false ways from us
and help us be our authentic selves as we follow Jesus, in his name we pray.

Please continue in silent prayer for confession of personal matters.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S PARDON

The Word

WORD IN SONG The Lord’s Prayer
by Albert Hay Mallote

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in 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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

MESSAGE Pastor Kellen Smith

What is Your Name? The Life of Jacob
Blessing in Disguise

Genesis 27:1-46, CEB

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

TIME OF REFLECTION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Pastor Greg Anderson

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.

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

The Sending

CLOSING SONG
Hymn #39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not.
As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Refrain: Pastor Kellen Smith
Great is thy faithfulness!
Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning, new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided.
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
(Refrain)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow:
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
(Refrain)

BLESSING

Leading Worship
Jessica Co ey, vocals | Paul Burgess, piano
Kedrick Armstrong, Director of Music & Worship Experience

CHURCH LIFE

April 25, 2021

firstpreswheaton.org/livestream Sermon Series

“What is Your Name?
The Life of Jacob”

Sundays through May 16
10:00 a.m.

Livestream and
limited in-person

Today: “Blessing in Disguise”
Genesis 27:1- 46

During this series, Pastor Kellen will
explore the highs and lows of Jacob
in the book of Genesis. Through
Jacob’s birth, family conflict, and
relationship with God, we see God’s
redemptive plan on the move. God
transforms Jacob from a deceptive
young man into Israel: the one who
wrestles with God.

Limited In-Person Worship

Sanctuary Reservations
We are currently accepting limited reservations for in-person worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

• 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 are required to be worn and remain on throughout the service.
• 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.
• If you are vulnerable or displaying any Covid symptoms, please enjoy livestream at home.

ADULT Adult Education
EDUCATION
Reflecting on the Psalms
with C.S. Lewis

Wednesdays through April 28
7:00 p.m. on Zoom

During these times of crisis and COVID,
the Psalms provide a great platform for
discussion and growth. Join Dr. Greg
Anderson, who will be discussing C.S. Lewis’
“Reflections on the Psalms” as a way of
using the Psalms as a vital resource for
times such as these. Using insights from
Lewis’ only biblical commentary, we will
explore topics such as anger, death, justice,
beauty, and biblical authority.

firstpreswheaton.org/AdultEd

Art and Picnic
on the Lawn
Family Event

Friday, April 30 – 4:00- 6:00 p.m.

Kids Ministry invites you to join us for fun and faith building with art and a picnic on the
church lawn. Bring a blanket and/or chairs and a picnic dinner. You are welcome to come
anytime during the event. We will be creating one large beautiful masterpiece together,
along with individual free form art creations for the kids. Supplies will be provided. All ages
welcome. RSVP helpful, but not required.

Women’s Bible Study Women’s Ministry
Annual Fundraiser
Tuesday, May 4 at 10:00 a.m. Note Cards Still Available
In-person in Stewart Hall
Women’s Ministry is selling beautiful notecards with
Join us for this in-person Bible Study, led by photos of flower blooms – a great way to brighten
Pastor Kellen. someone’s day with a note or to give as a gift in
a set. A set of five cards costs $10 and each
The Elizabeth-Rebecca Circle meeting will follow additional set is $8. Please email or call the church
the Bible Study, from 11:00-11:45 a.m. office at 630-668-5147 to make arrangements.

Thursday, May 6 at 11:30 a.m. in Stewart Hall

Program: Liberation Bound
"If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your

liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."
– Lilla Watson

Join us as we celebrate our connection as women, as Kedrick Armstrong, Director of Music and
Worship Experience, leads an exploration of sacred music through the lens of black female artists.

Honorary Life Membership Award
Installation of 2021-2022 Officers

Your choice of a catered box, individually wrapped lunch, or bring your own brown bag lunch.
The $12 catered lunch gives you your choice of sandwich with fresh fruit. Individually-wrapped
desserts and beverages for all will be available. Register by Monday, May 3. Bring a friend!

We are limited to a maximum of 50 attendees. Please register as soon as possible. All precautions
are in place for social distance and compliance with Illinois Covid 19 guidelines.

Sunday School

Join us for Zoom Sunday School during the livestream at 10:10 a.m. Preschool - 2nd grade is
invited to create a megaphone as the craft for this week as we learn about the Great Commission
(Matthew 28:16-20).

Kids Together

Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. – Join us on Wednesdays for a time of sports and recreation for all
ages. RSVP for supplies and planning is helpful, but not required.

Vacation Bible School: Adventure Island

June 14-18 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Kids Ministry is excited to invite you to join us for this outdoor
VBS adventure. Preliminary RSVP for planning and supplies.

Mentors Needed!

The 2021 confirmation class is in need of committed, faithful church members to serve as
mentors to the youth. Would you be interested in being partnered with an 8th-grade student to
mentor during their confirmation journey (and beyond)? Mentors will connect regularly with the
student and be a positive, encouraging presence in the confirmand's life. They should also be
willing to share their own faith journey with the student. If you are interested in being paired up
with a confirmand, please contact Colleen Powell at [email protected].

Genesis High School Tonight:
Middle Schoolers Ministry 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Join us for Wednesday Outside games and
indoor devo, worship
Genesis in the Gym and small groups

in-person gatherings

at 5:00 p.m!

Roof Replacement Continues

Our roof replacement will encompass the area from the Sanctuary
to the west end of Stewart Hall.

This temporary work may affect building entries and exits
throughout the month.

Thank you for your patience.

Adult Volunteers Needed

“ I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

– Matthew 25:35

Have you considered how you might be called to befriend
refugees in your community? Exodus World Service equips

Christian volunteers to walk beside families who are
rebuilding their lives after fleeing war or persecution.
Exodus provides training and support, you give one hour
per week for three months. You can help a refugee kid with
homework, or practice English conversation with an adult,

all by video/Zoom call.

It’s never been easier to make a difference in
the life of a refugee family! Learn more at

https://exodusworldservice.org/serve-chicago-area/.

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