The First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
The Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 27, 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 124 (Pew Bible Page 498); Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 (pages 390-391) Queen Esther secures the safety of the Jewish people from the king. James 5:13-20 (page 983) The prayers of the community are helpful to those who suffer. Mark 9:38-50 (pages 821-822) Jesus teaches his disciples about temptation.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Help us, O God, to respond to all you have given us. Teach us to use the faith you have granted. Mold us into your image. Give us strength to serve others in all we say and all we do. You are our foundation. Our hope is in you. Amen.

THE GATHERING

BELL PEAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME
PRELUDE “Variations on HOLY MANNA” Johansen-Werner

INTROIT (Sing the Faith #2237) “As a Fire is Meant for Burning” Beach Spring
CHOIR: As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame,
so the church is meant for mission, giving glory to God’s name.
Not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bridge of care,
we join hands across the nations, finding neighbors everywhere.
*ALL: We are learners, we are teachers; we are pilgrims on the way.
We are seekers; we are givers; we are vessels made of clay.
By our gentle, loving actions we would show that Christ is light.
In a humble, listening Spirit we would live to God’s delight.

*OPENING SENTENCES
LEADER: Our help is in the strength of God, who created all that is.
PEOPLE: Who are we, that God remembers us?
LEADER: Our blessings come from God, giver of all good gifts.
PEOPLE: Who are we, to be graced by God’s bounty?
LEADER: Our salvation comes from God, light in our darkness.
PEOPLE: Who are we, to be redeemed by God’s love?
LEADER: Our calling as servants and friends comes from God, whose image we reflect.
PEOPLE: Who are we, that God’s Spirit shines out from us?
ALL: All praise to the living God!

*HYMN #268 “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens” Holy Manna
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: God of grace and God of glory, we live in difficult times. We confess that we do not ask for the help of others – to pray for us. We do not seek the wisdom of older people – to advise us. Worst of all, we do not seek your power – to uphold us. In your great mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days. Amen.

RESPONSE (Hymn #347) “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive” Detroit
CHOIR: Forgive our sins as we forgive, You taught us Lord, to pray,
but You alone can grant us peace to live the words we say.
ALL: Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls and bid resentment cease.
Then, bound to all in bonds of love, our lives will spread Your peace.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
LEADER: Recall the words of Scripture, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
PEOPLE: It is Christ who said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.”
LEADER: The proof of the Gospel is this, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
ALL: Let us stand and praise God for such a gift!

*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

(At this time the children may leave for Sonshine Mountain.)

THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
EPISTLE READING James 5:13-20

The Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM “Let all the world in every corner sing” Roberton

GOSPEL READING Mark 9:38-50

This is the Gospel of the Lord!
Praise to You, O Christ!
-2-

SERMON “Stumbling Blocks” Rev. Victoria ByRoade

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS
OFFERTORY “Trio on HYFRYDOL” 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 #427 “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” Blaenhafren
*BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE (Hymn #376) “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Hyfrydol
ALL: Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never, never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing, glory in Thy perfect love.
*CHARGE
*POSTLUDE “Trumpet Corrente” Corelli

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

NEXT SUNDAY, October 4, 2009 will be the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time and World Communion Sunday. The scripture readings will be: Psalm 26 (Pew Bible page 437); Job 1:1; 2:1-10 (pages 392-393) The Lord allows Satan to afflict Job to show his faithfulness. Hebrews 1:1-4;2:5-12 (pages 970-971) God has put all things under Christ, who is superior to the angels. Mark 10:2-16 (page 822) Jesus speaks to the crowd concerning divorce.

-3-

PRAYER FOR PEACE – DEATH PENALTY In all the states of our nation, men and women await their death penalty.  Families who were victims of violent crime watch for appeals and stand up to prevent sentences from being modified to allow clemency.  The prisoner appeals again and again, straining our justice system to the breaking point.  Defense attorneys race the calendar to find evidence to exonerate their client, sometimes because there is evidence, but sometimes through strongly held belief in the person’s innocence, and sometimes because there’s good money in unending legal actions if the client’s family is rich.  From the perspective of society, there are huge costs related to this process and very little justice.  Life-giving God, we pray for all those to be executed around the world, particularly those on death row in the U.S., so many of whom are poor. May they and their families be given strength and hope in the midst of tragedy, and may all people work to defend life and end the death penalty. 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 – Coffee is available in Hager Hall following both services. Coloring pages for children to use during the worship hour are available from the ushers. 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, Paul Burks, Karen McNulty, Helen Fisk
LITURGIST: Paul Chung
ACOLYTE: Jonathan G.


SANCTUARY FLOWERS THIS WEEK ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY
Mary Louise O’Malley and family in loving memory of Bill O’Malley
Paul Stone and Peggy George in memory 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
11:30 a.m. – Membership/Development
11:30 a.m. – First Friends Bounce-a-thon

-4-
OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

Monday (28^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
7:00 p.m. Financial Peace University
Tuesday (29^th) 7:30 p.m. Transit (Young Adult Group)
Wednesday (30^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
6:00 p.m. Family Night Dinner
7:00 p.m. Bible study – Doyle
7:00 p.m. Video Club
8:00 p.m. Worship Café Rehearsal
Thursday (1^st) 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Friday (2^nd) 11:45 a.m. First Friday Conversations

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR PRESCHOOL FAMLIES- Today is preschool Sunday. Please take time to meet our preschool families after church. Join us, too, for the BOUNCE-A-THON in the parking lot today. There will be food, games and a bouncy house- Does it get any better? All proceeds will go toward the scholarship fund for our preschool.

WEDNESDAY FAMILY NIGHT DINNER – this week the Youth will cook baked ziti. 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 gather at 6:00 p.m. (to pay) and eat following the blessing at 6:15. Sign up today on the friendship register!

FIRST SUNDAY BOOKS DISCUSSION October 4 from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. in the church library. HANDS OF MY FATHER: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents and the Language of Love by Myron Uhlberg. Growing up in the deaf and hearing worlds, Ulhberg’s memoir is less about the challenges of communication and more about the love that bound his family together. Honest, humorous, thoughtful autobiography about growing up in a unique household. Discussion leader: Nancy Christy. The book is available in the church library and the Pinellas County library system.

FIRST FRIDAY CONVERSATIONS - MAYOR DAVE EGGERS – October 2, 11:45 a.m. Hager Hall – Bring a brown bag lunch and join Dunedin’s Mayor in a discussion about Dunedin’s growth, while preserving our community’s charm. Call the church office (733-2318) to make your reservation! Newcomers welcome – bring a friend!

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS - Experiencing God. Begins October 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room. Facilitator: Jynx Bailey. This is an introductory class for you to see if the study is the right fit for you.

REACH OUT WITH LOVE Next Sunday, in celebration of World Peace, First Church is “Reaching Out with Love” to hold our 2009 Mission Fair from 8:00 to noon in Hager Hall.  Please plan to browse the exhibits and think about how you can contribute to the work of at least one mission with either your time or your money.  Your gift can be given in honor of a friend or family member, and HONOR CARDS will be available for you at the Fair.  Please make a point of coming to the Fair and find a service that inspires you.  We look forward to seeing you there!

FACEBOOK- It’s not just for kids anymore! Wed., October 7, 7-8pm -First Presbyterian Church, Hager Hall Luke Phillips and Kati Corbett will demo facebook and lead a discussion about how it works, how to set up safeguards, how to monitor, and how this technology might expand communication options in our faith community. Join us for a FREE POTLUCK DINNER at 6pm. bring a dish to share. Bring a friend ~ Newcomers Always Welcome

YOU ARE INVITED- to Young Life of Pinellas County’s biggest event of the year- the Annual FUNdraising Young Life Banquet. This fun filled night will allow you to see and hear about the ministry of Young Life and how it impacts teenagers our area. The date is Monday, October 12, 2009 at 6:50 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Main Auditorium in Pinellas Park. Space is limited.  If you would like to attend, please RSVP by Oct. 1 to Jeff Iosa or Luke Philips.

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.)

• Sandi G., family friend of Dave and Bobbie E., following surgery
  
• Anne T., mother of Betsi L-K., following cancer treatment
  
• Don H., father of Donna D., beginning chemotherapy
  
• Margaret C. under hospice care at Barrington Terrace
  
• Thelma P. recuperating at home following knee surgery
  
• Jean J. recuperating at Morton Plant rehab
  
• John E., nephew of David and Bobbie E., following an injury in Afghanistan
  
• Paul K. recovering from cancer surgery
  
• Fran I., mother of Jeff I., being treated for cancer
  
• John K., father of Tina Marie F., facing health issues
  
• Edna-Ann Z. of Virginia, cousin of Frances D., diagnosed with lung cancer
  
• For improved health: Marion G., Jim B., Su R., Charlie R., Millie R., Martha B., Betsy P., Bill V., Sharyn R., Lois K., Dotsie D., Peg H., Dee F., Karolina N., Walter B., Dave D., Eva M.
  
• All our members who reside in skilled nursing homes
  
• 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
  
• First Presbyterian Church in our desire to be responsible stewards of our talents and finance
  

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.