The First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 10, 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: 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 THE DAY: Holy God, in love you created us to love. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, you have profoundly proven the depths of your love for us and the whole of your creation. We pray that we will be strengthened by Christ abiding in us that we might begin to live the way of love that he commands. Amen.

THE GATHERING

BELL PEAL

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME

PRELUDE “Variations on HANOVER” Aylward

INTROIT (Borrowed Light) “The Branch that Bends with Clustered Fruit” St. Anne
CHOIR: The branch that bends with clustered fruit still needs the pruner’s blade
to keep it close to vine and root or else its strength will fade.
*ALL: O God, who fills with rain and sun the grapes we press for wine,
cut off the growth our fears have spun and prune us to your vine.

*OPENING SENTENCES
LEADER: Speak to the present, tell future generations:
PEOPLE: Anyone who loves, knows God.
LEADER: We know how to love because God loved us first.
PEOPLE: Anytime we love each other, God is there.
LEADER: We are connected to God by love.
PEOPLE: Anywhere there is love, we live in God’s heart.
LEADER: We need not fear, for love triumphs over fear.
PEOPLE: Any place we see love, we see God.
ALL: Let us worship the God who is love, and who bids us to love each other.

*HYMN #477 “Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim” Hanover

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
LEADER: This is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel,
says the Lord:
PEOPLE: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts,
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
LEADER: I will forgive their evil deeds, and I will remember their sin no more.
In penitence and faith, let us confess our sins to almighty God.
ALL: Risen Christ, you are the vine; apart from you we can do nothing. We live as if this were not true: we entwine ourselves in our own business rather than branching out toward others; because we do not ground ourselves in you, we wither. Lord Jesus, forgive us. Restore us to your abiding love, that we may bear fruit worthy of our calling. (silent confession . . .)
LEADER: In Jesus’ name we pray.
ALL: Amen.

RESPONSE (Sing the Faith #2030) “The First Song of Isaiah” First Song
CHOIR: Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.
ALL: Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
LEADER: The love of God defeated the powers of death and destruction.
Christ is risen!
PEOPLE: Our sins are forgiven, and a new life of wonderful ventures with Jesus lies before us.
LEADER: Praise be to God!
ALL: The Lord’s name be praised!

*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.”

CHILDREN’S SERMON Rev. ByRoade

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

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EPISTLE READING 1 John 4:7-21

The Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM “O Love of God” Harris

GOSPEL READING John 15:1-8

The Gospel of the Lord!
Praise to You, O Christ!

SERMON “Standing on the Promises” Rev. Victoria ByRoade

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God whose love is the source of all life and the desire of our lives, whose love was given a human face in Jesus of Nazareth, whose love was crucified by the evil that waits to enslave us all, and whose love, defeating even death, is our glorious promise of freedom. Therefore, though we are sometimes fearful and full of doubt, in God we trust. And in the name of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves, in the service of others, to seek justice and live in peace. To care for the earth and share the commonwealth of God’s goodness, to live in the freedom of forgiveness, and the power of the spirit of love, and in the company of the faithful, so to be the church, for the glory of God. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT (PCUSA World Mission) Rev. Alfred Schlorholtz

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS
OFFERTORY “Trio on PRAISE TO THE LORD” arr. Harris

*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

*HYMN #366 “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me” St. Catherine

*BENEDICTION

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*RESPONSE (Songs for Celebration) “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” Houston
CHOIR: The lamb is the light of the city of God! Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
ALL: I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

*CHARGE
*POSTLUDE “Fugato on HANOVER” Aylward

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

NEXT SUNDAY, May 17, 2009 will be the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The scripture readings will be: Psalm 98 (pew Bible Page 480); Acts 10:44-48 (page 895) While Peter preaches, the Spirit falls on all the gentiles in Cornelius’ house.1 John 5:1-6 (page 991) Since we believe that Christ is the son of God, we should also love one another as children of God. John 15:9-17 (page 878) Jesus commands his friend to love one another as he had loved them.

PRAYER FOR PEACE This is Mother’s Day, a day to celebrate all the women in our lives, our mothers and our grandmothers especially. Over many centuries, societies have depended on the women in their midst to bring the broader family together to sort out problems and resolve disputes. We pray, in the words written in 1870 by Julia Ward Howe: “As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace.”

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, Frank Thorne, Mary Thorne
LITURGIST: Skippy Boynton
ACOLYTE: Jonathan G.

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SANCTUARY FLOWERS THIS WEEK ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY
Jamie and Tina Webb in honor of their families

TODAY’S OPPORTUNITIES
8:45 a.m. – Worship Café
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School/Fellowship
10:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship
11:45 a.m. – Membership, Growth and Development Committee

OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

Monday (11^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
7:30 p.m. Sarah Circle
Tuesday (12^th) 1:00 p.m. Esther Circle
3:30 p.m. Preschool Meeting
7:00 p.m. Property Committee
7:00 p.m. Worship Committee
7:30 p.m. Planning and Personnel Committee
7:30 p.m. Transit (Young Adult Group)
Wednesday (13^th) VOICE DEADLINE for June/July articles
10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
5:00 p.m. Middle School Youth
6:00 p.m. Family Night 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 (14^th) 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FAMILY DINNER – this week the meal will be meat loaf and mashed potatoes. The cost is $6.50 per adult; $4.00 12-18; $3.00 2-12; $18.00 max per family with children under 12. We eat at 6:15, so please come a little early to pay. Sign up today on the Friendship Register!

LET’S BE NICE TO OUR USHERS The original intent of the two pews in the back of the sanctuary was to allow a place for the ushers to sit and be a part of the worship service while also being available to assist others. Over the years, those pews have become very popular. Beginning today, you will notice reserved signs. Please allow seating for two ushers on each side of the sanctuary.

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CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – MAY 17 at 10:00 a.m. 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.

MISSIONARY TO PAKISTAN & NEPAL Prof. Al Schlorholtz gives us our Stewardship Thought today. Rev. Al and Peggy Schlorholtz served as Presbyterian missionaries from 1954 until 1989. AL taught English, Sociology and Biblical Studies, and served as Chaplain, at Forman Christian College, Lahore, until their transfer to Nepal in 1978. They retired to Palm Harbor in 1989. Al now lives in Mease Manor and walks to church on Sundays.

CHOIR CAMP – June 8 – 12, 2009 for children in grades 1 through 6 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. The children will learn about hymns by performing a musical based on the Palm Sunday hymn “St. Theodulph”. The children will also write a hymn to be sung at the worship service on Sunday, June 14. (To participate in Choir Camp, children must be present for the worship service on June 14 at 10:30 a.m.) Cost is $10.00 per child/$15.00 max per family. Registration forms are available in the church office. See Stephen Allen for more information.

WE’RE GOING TO CHIP (Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project) this coming Friday, May 15. Can you prepare a cold dish for delivery to our homeless friends? Please sign up for meat, salad, fruit or cookies at the CHIP table in Hager Hall after the service. If we all do a little, we can make a lot of difference!

WORSHIP SERVICE AVAILABLE ONLINE Remember that is there is a worship service you miss or if there is one you would like to experience again, that our worship services are available on our website. Also, if you don’t have access to the web, there are CDs of the services available for check-out in the library.

THE FLOWERS GIVEN OUT BY THE CHILDREN this morning were provided by Kathy Esposito in loving memory of her mother Bernice Kersten.

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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.)

• Our Missionaries, Rev. Dr. Archibald Woodruff and Linnis Cook, as they begin their retirement
  
• Marion G. at home
  
• Jim B. at Mease Continuing Care
  
• Don J. recovering from diverticulitis in London, Ont., Canada
  
• Bill and Marian J., parents of Garry J., both experiencing heart problems
  
• Theresa A. recovering at home from surgery
  
• Sam I. at Manor Care
  
• 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: Walter B., 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
  

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.