The First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 3, 2009
10:30 a.m.

Enter the church in silence. Through silence speak to God and let God speak to you.

PREPARATION: The following are the scripture texts for this morning: Acts 4:5-12 (Pew Bible page 887) Peter proclaims a message about Jesus before the council in Jerusalem. Psalm 23 (pages 435-436); 1 John 3:16-24 (page 990-991) God’s love abides in us; therefore, we should love one another in truth John 10:11-18 (pages 872-873) Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who knows his flock.
The sermon this morning is based on Isaiah 6:4-8 and Acts 1:1-10.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Gracious God, in a world of confusing choices and demanding alternatives, give us the wisdom to choose rightly. Show us and then give us courage to walk your way. Give us the confidence we need to be your disciples, to take up your cross daily, to ascend the way that leads to eternal life. For the sake of your Son, our Lord and Savior. Amen

BELL PEAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME
PRELUDE “Variations on ST. COLUMBIA” Crisafulli

INTROIT (Hymn #457) “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art” Toulon
CHOIR: I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
my only trust and Savior of my heart,
who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take.
*ALL: Our hope is in no other save in Thee;
our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
Lord, give us peace, and make us calm and sure,
that in Thy strength we evermore endure.

*OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 23
LEADER: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
PEOPLE: You spread a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
LEADER: You anoint my head with oil, my cup is running over.
PEOPLE: And we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
ALL: Amen!

*HYMN #481 “Praise the Lord, God’s Glories Show” Llanfair

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
LEADER: Our God is a God of justice, waiting to be gracious to you.
PEOPLE: Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
LEADER: In penitence and faith, let us confess our sins to almighty God.
ALL: Faithful Shepherd: You lead us and guide us in the way we should go. You have set before us the way of life, having borne upon yourself our sin and death, so that we might live forever. Yet we have wandered from your fold and strayed from your path; we have chosen to stumble in darkness, rather than walk in the light. By your merciful Spirit, draw us back unto yourself, and set our feet on your sure path, that step by step, and day by day, we may truly glorify your holy name. Amen.

RESPONSE (Hymn #387) “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” Bradbury
CHOIR: Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
in Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
ALL: Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and power to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
LEADER: God “chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love . . .in him we have redemption . . . the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.”
PEOPLE: Let us now choose to receive the freedom of this Easter grace;
ALL: and let us give to God praise and thanksgiving.

*GLORIA PATRI (Hymnal #579) “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.”

(The children are invited to leave for Sonshine Mountain.)

THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 6:4-8

The Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
-2-

EPISTLE READING Acts 1:1-10

This, too, is the Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!

SERMON “Be My Witness” Veeda Javaid

HYMN #525 “Here I Am, Lord” Schutte

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS
OFFERTORY ANTHEM “My Shepherd Is the Lord” Gelineau

*DOXOLOGY (Hymnal #591) “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

RESPONSE (Hymn #521) “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” Finest Wheat
CHOIR: (REFRAIN) You satisfy the hungry heart with gifts of finest wheat;
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
The mystery of Your presence Lord, No mortal tongue can tell.
Whom all the world cannot contain, Comes in our hearts to dwell.
ALL: (REFRAIN)

INVITATION TO THE TABLE
LEADER: Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God! Men and women will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the Kingdom of God. According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took bread and blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. This is our Lord’s table. Our Savior invites all who love him to share the feast which he has prepared.

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LEADER: The Lord be with you.
PEOPLE: And also with you.
LEADER: Lift up your hearts. -3-
PEOPLE: We lift them to the Lord.
LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
LEADER: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, O God, our creator and redeemer. In your wisdom, you made all things and sustain them by your power. You formed us in your image to love and serve you, but we forgot your promises and abandoned your commandments. In your mercy, you did not reject us but still claimed us as your own. When we were slaves in Egypt you freed us and led us through the waters of the sea. You fed us with heavenly food in the wilderness, and satisfied our thirst from desert springs. On the holy mountain you gave us your law to guide us in your way. Through the waters of the Jordan you led us into the land of your promise, and you sustained us in times of trial. You spoke through prophets calling us to turn from our willful ways to new obedience and righteousness. You sent your only Son to be the way to eternal life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with choirs of angels and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:

SANCTUS (Hymnal #581) Sanctuary Choir and Congregation
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
LEADER: You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. He took upon himself the weight of our sin and carried the burden of our guilt. He shared our life in every way, and though tempted, was sinless to the end. Baptized as your own, he went willingly to his death and by your power was raised to new life. In his dying and rising, you gave birth to your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION (Hymnal #582) Sanctuary Choir and Congregation
Dying, You destroyed our death; Rising You restored our life.
Lord, Jesus, come in glory!

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION CONTINUES

LEADER: Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us, and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ, and with all who are baptized in his name, that we may be one in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.

INSTITUTION AND FRACTURE

RESPONSE (Hymnal #597) Sanctuary Choir

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless God’s holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all God’s benefits.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS (Please partake of the elements as you are served.)

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!
PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise!

ALL: Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Help us to love all your children, to do justice and show mercy, and to live in peace with your whole creation. Guide us through the desert of life, quench our thirst with the living waters, and satisfy our hunger with the bread of heaven. Give us strength to serve you faithfully until the promised day of resurrection, when with the redeemed of all the ages we will feast with you at your table in glory. Amen.

*HYMN #148 “At the Name of Jesus” King’s Weston
*BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE (Hymn #429) “Lord, You Give the Great Commission” Abbot’s Leigh
CHOIR: Lord, you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.”
Lest the church neglect its mission, and the gospel go unheard.
Help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity;
with the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
ALL: Lord, you call us to your service: “In my name baptize and teach.”
That the world may trust your promise, life abundant meant for each,
Give us all new fervor, draw us closer in community;
with the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.

-5-

*CHARGE
*POSTLUDE “Processional” Handel

*The congregation stands. If standing is difficult for you, please feel free to remain seated.

NEXT SUNDAY, May 10, 2009 will be the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Scripture readings will be: Psalm 22:25-31 (Pew Bible Page 435); Acts 8:26-40 (pages 892-893) Philip teaches an Ethiopian eunuch about Jesus and then baptizes him. 1 John 4:7-21 (page 991) God is love, and since God has loved us, we should love one another. John 15:1-8 (page 878) Jesus is the vine, and those who abide in him are the branches.

PRAYER FOR PEACE IN PAKISTAN Christians have joined human rights groups in expressing anxiety over Pakistan’s enforcement of Sharia Law in the Swat Valley, 90 miles from Islamabad. There are hundreds of thousands of Christians in Pakistan and they feel threatened by ongoing attacks and threats against Christians by Islamic militant groups. The National Government of Pakistan maintains that Sharia Law should not transgress the constitution and the people’s basic rights. Meanwhile, the last Roman Catholic high school, which was teaching girls, has already been bombed and destroyed. Presently, there is no female education in the Swat Valley where Islam is the dominant religion. The government is trying to restore peace, but there is great unrest.
Father in heaven, please bring peace to the region of the Swat Valley of Pakistan. Open the eyes of those leading political acts in the name of religion. Guide the government’s decision makers as they try to resolve the conflicts and to protect constitutional rights. Help opposing groups to listen and learn from each other. Bless the girls of Pakistan, and protect them in their time of trial. Amen.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH HOME and are interested in joining First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, please indicate your desire to Pastor ByRoade so we can arrange a gathering of our Session.
WE WELCOME ALL WHO WORSHIP HERE TODAY – Coloring pages for children to use during the worship hour are available from the ushers. Before “THE WORD”, girls and boys PK4 through 5^th grade are invited to attend Sunday school on “Sonshine Mountain”. Our nursery, for infants through age 3, is in the Christian Education Building, downstairs in Room 103. Large print bulletins and large print hymnals are available from the ushers. Hearing devices are also available. Please ask for one at the Sound booth.

PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP
USHERS: Doug Davis, Marion Spengler, Mary Thorne, Frank Thorne
LITURGIST: James Cummings
ACOLYTE: Jonathan G.
ELDERS SERVING COMMUNION: Diana Carsey, Cheryl Small, Doug Davis, Bill Hemme,
Gail Hill, Jamie Poppler, Rebekah Quizhpe, Carol Anne Agnew, Welch Agnew

-6-
SANCTUARY FLOWERS THIS WEEK ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY
Chuck and Bonnie Jones in honor of their parents

TODAY’S OPPORTUNITIES
8:45 a.m. – Worship Café
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School/Fellowship
10:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship
7:00 p.m. – First Sunday Books

OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

Monday (4^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
7:00 p.m. DBF Missions
Tuesday (5^th) 6:30 p.m. Youth
7:00 p.m. Christian Education
7:00 p.m. Mission Outreach
7:30 p.m. Transit (Young Adult Group)
Wednesday (6^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
5:00 p.m. Middle School Youth
6:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner
7:00 p.m. High School Youth
7:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal
7:00 p.m. Video Club
8:00 p.m. Contemporary Music Practice
Thursday (7^th) 7:00 p.m. Congregational Care
7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Friday (8^th) 10:00 a.m. Finance Committee
Saturday (9^th) 10:00 a.m. FIRST-A-THON (Preschool)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OUR GUEST PREACHER THIS MORNING IS VEEDA JAVAID. Veeda is the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. We are blessed to hear about her work and what God is doing in Pakistan. We also welcome Rev. Jim Cummings, minister member of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, who is serving as Ms. Javaid’s escort and our liturgist this morning. Ms. Javaid will be available for a “talk-back” session in Hager Hall this morning immediately following both worship services.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FAMILY DINNER – this week will be a potluck. Bring plenty of food to share!

-7-

COME ONE COME ALL to the First Annual “First-A-Thon”. Come and support our children on Saturday, May 9^th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This event is our effort to aid our Preschool families in this difficult financial time. All proceeds will go to Preschool Scholarships.

CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – MAY 17 The Session of the First Presbyterian Church has called this meeting for the purpose of electing six elders for the class of 2012, one elder to complete the term of an elder for the class of 2011, and three representatives from the congregation to serve on the Congregational Nominating Committee which nominates elders for the class of 2013.

PRAYER REQUESTS the names of people who have requested prayer are listed in italics the first week of their request and any time there are changes in their condition or place of recuperation. A complete listing of the people for whom we need to lift our prayers will also be provided for you in each edition of THE VOICE. (Please call the church office if you have a prayer concern.)

• Sam I. at Manor Care
  
• Jim B. at Mease Dunedin
  
• Marion G. at Morton Plant Rehab
  
• Walter B. at home
  
• Eva M. recovering at home
  
• Sandi G., family friend of Dave and Bobbie E., diagnosed with incurable cancer
  
• Marge B. S. following surgery
  
• Edna-Ann Z. of Virginia, cousin of Frances D., diagnosed with lung cancer
  
• Ann C. under Hospice care
  
• For improved health: Dorothy C., Su R., Charlie R., Martha B., Les M., Betsy P., Bill V., Leona B., Lee S., Sharyn R., Lois K., Dotsie D., Peg H., Betsy K., Tom F., Dee F., Lonnie A.
  
• All of our members who reside in skilled nursing homes
  
• First Presbyterian Church in our desire to be responsible stewards of our talents and finances
  
• Our Missionaries, Rev. Dr. Archibald Woodruff and Linnis Cook, Pastors Jimmi and wife Sandra-Lee Jones at the Lords Bank Community Church, Lords Bank Village, Belize, in Central America
  

-8-

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DUNEDIN
455 SCOTLAND STREET
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA 34698
TELEPHONE: 727-733-2318
WEB SITE: fpcdunedin.org EMAIL: officeadminfpc@tampabay.rr.com

MINISTERS All the Members
PASTOR/HEAD OF STAFF The Rev. Victoria M. Gardner ByRoade
PARISH ASSOCIATE The Rev. Willard N. Doyle
PASTOR EMERITUS The Rev. W. Martin Hager
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ ASSISTANT TO ADMINISTRATOR
Stephen L. Allen
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP LEADER/MINISTRY INTERN
Luke Phillips
YOUNG LIFE CHURCH PARTNER Jeff Iosa
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR Donna Dayock
FINANCIAL SECRETARY Betsi Knapp
CUSTODIAN David Rodman
PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR Cori LoCicero

THE SESSION OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DUNEDIN MODERATOR: Rev. Victoria ByRoade CLERK OF SESSION: John Brockman
	Class of 2009 Carole Anne Agnew Dusty ByRoade Diana Carsey Chris Ehmig Peg Rowe Cheryl Small	Class of 2010 Jim Gibbs Marion Guthrie Rebekah Quizhpe Roberto Sanchez Jim Szatkowski Mary Walthall	Class of 2011 Bob Blocher John Brockman Marge Brown Greg Long Clare McGrane

The Mission of the First Presbyterian Church is to Invite, Share, Celebrate, and Send
the Christian faith by word and deed to the community and world.