The First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
May 17, 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 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 friends to love one another as he had loved them.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Give us the wisdom to know your way. Give us the courage to follow your way. Give us the grace to be content in your way. Amen.

THE GATHERING

INTROIT (Hymn #335) “Though I May Speak” O Waly Waly
CHOIR: Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,
and have not love, my words are vain, as sounding brass and hopeless gain.
*ALL: Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship and are freed.

*OPENING SENTENCES
LEADER: Sing to our God a brand new song, telling an ancient truth, God is love.
PEOPLE: Our lives are a sign of God’s love, made alive in the world.
All that we are and do springs from God’s creative love.
LEADER: Our work shows God’s love to others.
PEOPLE: Our friendship with one another is built on God’s enduring love.
Community is a sign of love at work.
LEADER: Our faith grows from love and shows it back to the world.
PEOPLE: Our worship grows from our love for God,
and happens within God’s encircling love for us.
LEADER: In love and trust, faith and hope, let us worship the source of love.

*HYMN #455 “All Creatures of Our God and King” Lasst Uns Erfreuen
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
LEADER: Our God is a God of justice, waiting to be gracious to you,
yearning to have pity on you.
PEOPLE: Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
LEADER: Let us confess our sins against God and neighbor.
ALL: Loving God, your Son Jesus calls us friends, and commands us to love one another. So often we fail. We confuse loving one another with liking one another. When we cannot like one another, we give up on loving. We smile falsely and speak ill of others. We grieve you with our weak love. O God, have mercy on us. Choose us yet again. Secure in your love, help us to love one another. Amen.

RESPONSE (Hymn #403) “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Converse
CHOIR: What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
ALL: Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge – take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
LEADER: Because of God’s great love for us, our sins are forgiven
and we are friends of Christ.
PEOPLE: Let us be filled with joy, free to love,
gifted to bear fruit worthy of repentance.
LEADER: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven and made new.
ALL: Thanks be to God!

*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 Eric Houghton

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

THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
PSALTER READING Psalm 98

The Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
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ANTHEM “With a Voice of Singing” Shaw

GOSPEL READING John 15:9-17

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

SERMON “Beyond Happiness” Rev. Martin Hager

*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 #376 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Hyfrydol

*BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE (Hymn #107) “Celebrate with Joy and Singing” Evelyn Chapel
ALL: Celebrate with joy and singing, alleluia be our song.
Jesus Christ has risen to save us, praises to our Christ belong.
Through great love has come the victory; life not death, can be our claim.
Let us now declare Christ’s greatness, spread good news,
proclaim Christ’s name.

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*CHARGE
*POSTLUDE “Chromatic Fugue” Pachelbel

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

NEXT SUNDAY, May 24, 2009 will be the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The scripture readings for the day will be: Psalm 1 (Pew Bible page 424); Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 (page 885) Matthias is chosen to replace Judas as a disciple. 1 John 5:9-13 (pages 991-992) God has given us the gift of eternal life in the Son. John 17:6-19 (pages 879-880) Jesus prays for the unity and protection of his disciples.
PRAYER FOR PEACE IN SRI LANKA War in Sri Lanka has trapped thousands on a sandy strip of land. The long-running civil war in Sri Lanka appears to be reaching a climax, but it leaves a picture of desperation where rebels from the ethnic Tamil minority are making their last stand against the government. Stories of suffering have streamed out of the area along with the tens of thousand of civilians who were able to break through the front lines and straggle into overwhelmed hospitals and refugee camps. After months in the combat zone, New York Times reports, patients are exhausted, malnourished and dehydrated. The government has ignored appeals by the United Nations, the USA, and other nations for a cease-fire. Father in Heaven, please bring peace to the troubled land of Sri Lanka. Help both sides listen to the other, and give free passage to those caught in between. Oh, God, hear our prayer for these desperate people. 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, Bob Blocher, Deborah Blocher, Cheryl Small
LITURGIST: Frances Doyle
ACOLYTE: Jonathan G.

SANCTUARY FLOWERS THIS WEEK ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY
Carol and George Moore in memory of Carol’s parents, Marsh and Helen Gilleland

THE ROSE IS GIVEN IN HONOR OF THE BIRTH OF
Dax Frazer, son of Drew and Stacy Frazer, grandson of Alan and Linda Frazer,
born in Louisville, CO on May 5
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TODAY’S OPPORTUNITIES
8:45 a.m. – Worship Café
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School/Fellowship
10:00 a.m. – Congregational Meeting
10:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship

OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

Monday (18^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
Tuesday (19^th) 2:00 p.m. Koinonia
7:00 p.m. Session
7:30 p.m. Transit (Young Adult Group)
Wednesday (20^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
5:00 p.m. Middle School Youth
6:00 p.m. Dinner (Youth cooks – tacos)
7:00 p.m. High School Youth
7:00 p.m. Video Club
8:00 p.m. Contemporary Music Practice
Thursday (21^st) 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Friday (22^nd) 12:00 p.m. Growth Team
7:30 p.m. Coffeehouse

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FAMILY DINNER – this week the youth will cook and the menu will be tacos. 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! (NOTE: This will be the last Wednesday night dinner until the fall.)

JOIN US WEDNESDAY NIGHT at 6 p.m. for a taco dinner and a special presentation on Belize in anticipation of the Youth mission trip this summer. Everyone is invited! Proceeds benefit the Youth group.

3 CENTS A MEAL will be collected today. Thank you for sharing your abundance with others as Jesus has challenged all of us to do. If each member at FPC gave 3 cents a meal for one year, their individual contribution would be $32.85 – what a positive impact that would be for helping others! Make this part of your overall mission support.

SESSION MEMBERS please remember to pick up the Session Docket in your mailbox. Session meets Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m.

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FIRST SUMMER BOOKS Sunday, June 7, An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor; Sunday, July 12, Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits by Michael Harter SJ, Editor (book available in church library and at online booksellers); Sunday, August 9, The God We Never Knew by Marcus Borg. Come join this open conversation about spirituality and faith. Discussion leaders: Marty Hager, Richard Closson, Joe Carey

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE ROME! Join us for Vacation Bible School as we discover what it was like to be one of the very first Christians and live in Rome during Bible times. We will visit the apostle Paul who is under house arrest, sneak to the cave where the underground church meets, and take part in games. The adventure will take place from June 8 – 12, 9:00 a.m. until 12 Noon. Ages pre-school through 5^th grade.

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.

RELAY FOR LIFE DIME BOTTLES – Stop by our table next Sunday in East Hager Hall between services to pick up your water bottle to start saving dimes for the 2010 Relay for Life. This year our team saved $1,022 in change, that’s nearly _ of the money we raised in total! Saving change is painless, fun, and most certainly adds up. So come get your bottle and get started for next year. Let’s see if we can hit $2,000 for 2010.

KOINONIA Do you want to buy Park Place? Need a “Get Out of Jail Free Card”? Utilities are always a good investment. If you enjoyed playing Monopoly, you will REALLY enjoy our Koinonia book review this Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m. Kathy Smuz, Reference Librarian from the Dunedin Public Library, will review Monopoly: The World’s Most Famous Game – And How It Got That Way by Philip E. Orbanes. This will be our last Koinonia until September. Bring your Monopoly money and let’s play!

EXCITING NEWS FROM SESSION - On Wednesday night, May 13^th, at a specially called Session meeting Luke Phillips, our contemporary worship leader was approved as an Inquirer in the process toward ordination. The Rev. Mary McKey, Associate Executive for Nurture and Education came to tell us what it means to be a congregation of care as we walk this journey with Luke. What exciting news this is for Luke and for First Church!

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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.)

• John and Jackie K., parents of Tina Marie Fisher, facing health issues
  
• The Transfiguration Faith Community of St. Petersburg, a new church development in the Presbytery of Tampa Bay
  
• Luke Phillips, our contemporary worship leader, as he begins the process toward ordination
  
• 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
  
• Eva M. recovering at home
  
• Sandi G., family friend of Dave and Bobbie E., diagnosed with incurable cancer
  
• 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.