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January 17, 2021

10:00 a.m. Worship

Inviting all generations into a growing life with Jesus Christ

The Gathering [based on Amos 5]

CALL TO WORSHIP
We are called to seek good and not evil,

that we may live; and so that the Lord,
the God of hosts, will be with us.
We are called to hate evil and love good,
and establish justice.
Let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
We seek to be a people that embodies God’s justice.
By the power of God at work within us, may it be so.
Thank him! Bless his name!
OPENING SONG
Hymn 769 For Everyone Born

For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread,
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead,

Refrain:
and God will delight when we are creators
of justice and joy, compassion and peace:
yes, God will delight when we are creators
of justice, justice and joy!

For woman and man, a place at the table,
revising the roles, deciding the share,
with wisdom and grace, dividing the power,
for woman and man, a system that’s fair, [Refrain]

For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong, [Refrain]

For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free, [Refrain]

The Confession

CALL TO CONFESSION Pastor Tassie Green

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord, your mercies are new every morning.
You greet us with fresh grace and new opportunities,
yet we neglect to embrace what you offer to us.
We try to hide from you and push others away.
Cleanse us from our sin.
Forgive what we have said, how we have acted,
and the ways our lives haven’t reflected your mercy.
Equip us to be your people and your church,
that your goodness and justice would be known through us.
Through Christ we pray.

Please continue in silent prayer for confession of personal matters.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S PARDON

The Word

WORD IN SONG The Medicine
by Terrell Wilson

There’s a sickness here that threatens to divide us
And we’re all afraid to say its name out loud
But, Lord, I know that you can heal us of this virus
So, we need you, we need you right now

There’s a darkness here that’s dangerous and aggressive
It’s getting harder every day to shake its power
But, Lord, I know that you can free us from oppression
So, we need you, we need you right now

Cause we don’t know what to do
So, we turn our eyes to you
We’ve run out of words to say
But if you come and have your way
You can save us from ourselves
Before our wounds hurt someone else
We need you now

What does it mean to have compassion for another?
How can I claim to love a God that I can’t see?
If I can find the will to harm and kill my brother
Cause he neglected to look like me

I can speak the words of men and songs of angels
I can give all my possessions to the poor
But if your love can’t move the mountain of my hatred
Somehow, I missed you, and I need you so much more

MESSAGE Pastor Kellen Smith

To The Ends of the Earth
A Message for a Movement

Acts 2:14-41, CEB

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

TIME OF 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

CLOSING SONG
Hymn 69 I, the Lord of Sea and Sky

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Refrain:
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
(Refrain)

I, the Lord of wind and flame, Pastor Kellen Smith
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
(Refrain)

BLESSING

Leading Music
Kedrick Armstrong, Director of Music & Worship Experience

CHURCH LIFE

January 17, 2021

This Morning – A Message for a Movement
Acts 2:14-41

After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preaches; over three thousand people
respond, the church is born, and God’s kingdom begins to impact Jerusalem. As we
continually devote ourselves to God and one another, God will draw people into his
kingdom.

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.

Adult Adult Education
Education
220New Year
1New Practices

SUNDAY MORNINGS WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

New Year, New Practices New Year, New Practices and
and New Sunday Morning New Reads
Adult Ed Class Option Wednesdays through February 10
Sundays through February 14 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Zoom
8:30-9:25 a.m. on Zoom
Zoom Link: firstpreswheaton.org/AdultEd
Zoom Link: firstpreswheaton.org/AdultEdSun
We will use Jemar Tisby’s book, The Color of These Wednesday-night Zoom chats about
Compromise, to explore the role of the American Rediscover Jesus by Matthew Kelly are led by
church as it pertains to black history. Download Pastor Kellen. Rediscover Jesus is a profound
the Color of Compromise class study guide at invitation to seekdeeply personal answers to our
firstpreswheaton.org/downloads/ColorCompDis.pdf deeply personal questions.

Annual Member & Guest Survey –
Congregational Livestream Worship Service
Meeting
The Worship Planning and Experience Team is
Annual Congregational Meeting continuing to work on improving our engagement
Sunday, January 31, following worship with our members and guests through our livestream
worship experience. We have needed to learn a
Each year in January, we gather for the Annual new technology platform and adopt a new method
Meeting of the congregation. Plan to join your of engagement. In an effort to continually improve
church family virtually as we reflect on what God our livestream worship experience, we would like to
has done through the ministries of First Pres in the hear from you. Please take a few moments to give
past year. A meeting packet and annual report will us your feedback.
be available ahead of the meeting.
Take the survey at: firstpreswheaton.org/Survey1

Labyrinth Prayer Time Presbyterians
in Partnership
Want to experience praying in a whole-body, focused
way? Wish for time to pray for our nation, our families, All churches are invited to
our youth and our world? support the mission of the
PCUSA, our larger church
Sign up at firstpreswheaton.org/labyrinth or contact family. You can help First Pres to fulfill
the office to schedule a 15-minute individual time slot this Per Capita commitment by making a
to walk and pray the labyrinth in the multipurpose contribution of $36.00 for each church
room on Saturday, January 30 or Sunday, January 31. member in your family in addition to your
regular giving. The total contribution for our
church membership in 2021 will be $36,648.
You’re welcome to make your check out to
First Presbyterian Church or contribute online
at firstpreswheaton.org/onlinegiving and note
“Per Capita” in the memo line.

Thank you for your support of the greater church.

Sign up for an hour
of family fun in the
Gymnasium/Ministry Center

Bring your own sports equipment, burn off some energy with your family,
and have fun in our open space! Email or call the office at 630-668-5147

to reserve your one-hour time slot.

Family Open Gym Hours:

Mondays at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (not open Monday, January 18)
Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Fridays at 1:00 p.m., at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Zoom Sunday School and Fellowship
January 17, 24 and 31 at 10:15 a.m.

Virtual Sunday School will be offered on Sunday mornings during the
livestream on January 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.
Sign up at firstpreswheaton.org/SnowDay

by January 20.

Genesis Middle Schoolers

Wednesday, January 20 – Zoom games and XP3 lesson
Wednesday, January 27 – Anti-racism discussion
Sunday, January 31 – Play and Pray, outdoor games and labyrinth
prayer walk

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

High School Sunday, January 17, MLK holiday weekend – NO WF
Ministry
UPCOMING:
Sunday, January 24 – Anti-racism discussion on Zoom
Sunday, January 31 – Prayer walk, labyrinth, and outdoor
stations. Dress warmly to come encounter God anew.

Contact Pastor Tassie at [email protected] with questions.

The Chancel flowers are given in celebration

Chancel of Heather Meissner’s 12th birthday from her family.

F lowers There are several

opportunities for
donating chancel
flowers in 2021.

If you are interested in donating flowers for the
Sanctuary, please contact the church office at
630-668-5147. Flowers may be given in memory
of a loved one or for any special occasion. The cost
is $50.

It’s not too late to If you've been looking for a way to help people
join a Come Alive! in need, here's an opportunity! Schedule your
Zoom Small Group
blood donation appointment today at:
What happens in Come Alive! Small Groups? We
include God in the rhythm of our day as we nurture firstpreswheaton.org/blooddrive
our spirits, mind and body.
Covid-19 antibody testing will be performed on all
With all that we’ve been through this past year, here blood donations as part of the standard testing.
are some things we’ll be doing that are just what is
needed:

• Calming and refreshing spiritual practices
• Loving encouraging community
• Tasty healthy recipes
• Some fun movement

Sign up by emailing the church office at
[email protected] or sign up by
emailing [email protected].

Church Office Hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Office closed on Monday, January 18

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

www.firstpreswheaton.org