The First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
The Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 24, 2008
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); Exodus1:8-2:10 (page 43) The Egyptians oppress the Israelites; Moses is born. Romans 12:1-8 (page 922) Do not be conformed to this world, but transformed. Matthew 16:12-20 (page 798) Jesus tells Peter that he will become the rock of the church.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY: O Jesus of Nazareth, who do we say that you are? A prophet? A teacher? A healer? A performer of miracles? You are all these, and beyond all these. You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, eternal One. You are the Lord. Guide us into abundant life in you. Help us to worship you in spirit and truth. Amen.

THE GATHERING

BELL PEAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME

PRELUDE “Our Father, Thou in Heaven Above” Praetorius

*INTROIT (Hymn #455) “All Creatures of Our God and King” Lasst uns erfreuen
ALL: All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou fertile earth, that day by day unfoldest blessings on your way,
O sing ye! Alleluia! The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
let them God’s glory also show!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*OPENING SENTENCES
LEADER: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
PEOPLE: who made heaven and earth.
LEADER: If it had not been for God, who was on our side – let Israel now say:
PEOPLE: when our enemies attacked us, they would have devoured us.
LEADER: If it had not been for God, who was on our side – let Israel now say:
PEOPLE: the flood would have swept us away; the torrent would have gone over us. Blessed be God, who delivered the people of Israel from slavery and oppression!
LEADER: If it were not for God, alive and active, here and now,
PEOPLE: we would know only darkness, chaos and despair.
ALL: Blessed be God, who delivers us! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

*HYMN #260 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Ein’ feste burg

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
LEADER: From the very beginning of our history, we have sought to hide our disobedience from God.
PEOPLE: It is impossible, a futile task. But it is also an unnecessary one – for the God who knows our sins and shortcomings is the God who is at work, seeking us out, reconciling the whole world through Jesus Christ.
LEADER: Let us confess our sin before God.
PEOPLE: Loving God, you call us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. But we crouch in the shadows, ashamed of the wrong we have done, and of the good we have neglected to do. We have been timid disciples, afraid of putting our lives on the line for the good of your reign on earth. We conceal our true selves from one another, hiding behind the masks of our own power and competence. We allow divisions and discord to reign in our hearts, crowding you out altogether. Yet we know that discord is not your way. Reconciling God, call us back into relationship with you. Equip us for relationships of integrity – in our families, in our church community, and in the world you love. We pray in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and acknowledging our need for the love of God. Amen.

RESPONSE (Psalm 141) “O Lord, Make Haste to Hear My Cry” O Waly Waly
ALL: O Lord, make haste to hear my cry. To You I call, on You rely.
Incline to me a gracious ear, and when I call, in mercy hear.
When in the morning unto You I call in supplication new,
then let my prayer as incense rise to God enthroned above the skies.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
LEADER: In the words of Paul, the gifts of God are irrevocable. We have been disobedient, but God shows us mercy. All have been imprisoned, so that God might be gracious to all. Jesus promised release to the captives.
PEOPLE: He died on the cross, but not even the grave could hold him captive. He rose again, triumphing over any imprisonment this world could devise.
LEADER: Friends, believe the Good News of the gospel! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven and freed!

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*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 will return to sit with their families.)

THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus1:8-2:10

The Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!

GOSPEL READING Matthew 16:13-20

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

SERMON “And the Question Is . . .” Rev. Victoria ByRoade

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe God is our shield, who saves the upright in heart. Our hearts shall rejoice in our salvation.
We believe God has made a new covenant, as promised by his prophet, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
We believe that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. We believe that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
We believe that, according to the riches of his glory, God will grant that we may be strengthened in our inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love. Amen.

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS
OFFERTORY “Sostenuto” Suraynski
*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

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THE SENDING

*HYMN #391 “Take My Life” Hendon

*BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE (Hymn #538) “Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing” Sicilian Mariners
ALL: Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, Thy love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace.
O refresh us, O refresh us, traveling through this wilderness.

*CHARGE
*POSTLUDE “Prelude in Classic Style” Young

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

NEXT SUNDAY, August 31, 2008 will be the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The scripture readings will be: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45 (Pew Bible pages 484-485); Exodus 3:1-15 (page 44) God’s call and commissioning of Moses through a blazing bush. Romans 12:9-21 (page 923) Paul’s exhortations on goodwill for the community in Rome. Matthew 16:21-28 (page 798) Jesus’ rebuke of Peter and his teaching of discipleship.

PRAYER FOR YOUTH IN THE CHURCH Youth from churches all over the United States joined youth from around the world at the 2007 Presbyterian Youth Triennium. Held every three years at Purdue University, the conference – sponsored by the Presbyterian Church USA and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church – gathers thousands of young people for worship, small group meetings, and recreation. As they arrived, each participant brought school supplies for the “Helping Other People Everywhere” (HOPE) project. A team youth sorted all the supplies. One evening, the youth decorated tote bags provided by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and finally, the youth loaded the tote bags into boxes to be shipped to children around the world before school started. This resulted in 4,500 bags of school supplies! God of hope and love, we thank you for the young people in our communities and around the world who serve as your hands and feet in the world. May their energy and passion inspire all of us to give our time and talents in a world in need of your love. 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. 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.

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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP
USHERS: Don Shaffer, Paul Burks, Jamie Poppler, Iris Poppler
LITURGIST: Paul Stone
ACOLYTE: Jonathan G.

SANCTUARY FLOWERS THIS WEEK ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY
Cheryl Small in memory of the birthday of her grandmother, Vera L. Williamson

TODAY’S OPPORTUNITIES
8:45 a.m. – Worship Café
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School/Fellowship
10:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship Service

OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

Wednesday (27^th) 5:45 p.m. Video Club (dinner only)
8:15 p.m. Contemporary Music Practice

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME SUE MOORE as Program Coordinator. Sue will be working 20 hours a week including Sundays. Her focus will be working with the Membership, Growth and Development Committee and the Christian Education Committee. Sue is a Certified Christian Educator with lots of experience working with congregations to create exciting programs and reach people who may not be active yet in the life of the church.

CALLING ALL GREETERS For anyone interested in serving in a month long commitment to greet visitors and members at either service, please plan to attend a 15 minute meeting today, August 24, in the church library to briefly review the duties. Hospitality is where it starts.

THE VIDEO CLUB will meet Wednesday, August 27, at 5:45 p.m. at Casa Tina’s for dinner. We will NOT watch a movie this week.

LEADERSHIP HELPSHOPS All Presbyterian Women are invited to the annual workshops to be held Thursday, September 4, at Hope Presbyterian Church (Clearwater) or Saturday, September 6, at Westminster Presbyterian Church (Lakeland). The event starts at 9:00 a.m. and concludes after lunch. A background on the book of Luke will be given at each workshop. Deadline for reservations is August 30. Call Linda Frazer (791-0912) if you have questions or would like to make a reservation.

APPLY FOR OR RENEW COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS NOW Through the generosity of Gladys Douglas Hackworth, scholarships are available to members of First Presbyterian Church. If you are a full-time student at one of the Florida colleges or universities, you may qualify. Send a letter to Mary Walthall, 1781 Briar Circle, Dunedin, FL 34698 or email mwalthall@tampabay.rr.com. Include your college goals, status, number of courses scheduled, social security number and the complete address of the financial aid department of your institution. If you are a current scholarship recipient, please include a copy of your grades. Please submit your request before September 22, 2008.

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ARE YOU A PEACEMAKER? First Church shares with all other Presbyterian Churches a commitment to peacemaking. There are a variety of resources, events, and program materials available from our Presbytery and from the General Assembly to help us “seek peace and pursue it.” Options include activities that we devise, as well as regional and national conferences, seminars, publications, and leadership programs for adults and young adults. First Church is organizing a peacemaking group to develop next year’s program. If you are interested in participating, please contact our newly appointed Peace Advocate Diana Carsey. Diana can be reached on 727-409-5415 or by email at carseyd@msn.com.

EXPERIENCING GOD a new adult Sunday School class starting Sunday, September 7 at 9:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room. Facilitated by Jynx Bailey, the first meeting will be an introductory class where you can decide if you want to “join the journey.”

PRAYER REQUESTS the names of people who have requested prayer are listed in italics the first week of their request and any time changes are made in their condition or place of recuperation. A complete listing of the people for whom we need to lift our prayers is also provided in each edition of THE VOICE.

• Leona B. at Manor Care
  
• Jim G. at Manor Care following double knee replacement surgery on August 11
  
• Charlie R. recuperating from complications of an angioplasty in Wheeling, West Virginia
  
• Betty R., mother of Lynn B., at Sylvan Health Service at Regency Oaks
  
• John and Chrissie J., family of Rosalie B., following an accident
  
• Miriam P., mother of Debbie B., in serious condition in Indiana
  
• Terry B., father of Tami E., recently diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
  
• Hannah G., Ann C. and Leona B-E. under Hospice care
  
• For improved health: Sue M., George N., Martha B., Warren M., Charlie H., Dotsie D., Peg H., Betsy K., Millie R., Tom F., Beth H., Dee F.
  
• 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.
  

First Church Year-to-Date Revenue and Expenditures
Including Preschool
August 20, 2008
Income Year-to-Date				$362,673
Expenses Year-to-Date			$430,572
Balance (Overage) Year-to-Date			($67,899)
The 2008 Budget is $691,120.  It includes an anticipated deficit of ($68,698).

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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 Stephen L. Allen
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP LEADER 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: Jynx Bailey
	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 Gayle Hill 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.