The First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
The Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 13, 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 19 (Pew Bible page 433); Proverbs 1:20-33 (pages 509-510) Wisdom cries out a warning to those who have ignored her. James 3:1-12 (pages 981-982) Be careful that words spoken by the tongue do not lead you into evil ways. Mark 8:27-38 (page 820) Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah but is then admonished for not understanding the sufferings that are to come.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY: God of mercy, help us to forgive as you have forgiven us. Help us to trust you even when hope is failing. Help us to take up our own cross daily and follow you in your redeeming work, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE GATHERING

BELL PEAL

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME

PRELUDE “Azmon” Lovelace

INTROIT (Hymn #264) “When in Our Music God is Glorified” Engelberg
CHOIR: When in our music God is glorified, and adoration leaves no room for pride,
it is as though the whole creation cried: Alleluia!
*ALL: Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always: Alleluia! Amen.

*OPENING SENTENCES
LEADER: The heavens tell of the glory of God, and all creation tells God’s story.
PEOPLE: All God’s creatures reflect God’s beauty.
LEADER: The commandments of God give shape to human community.
PEOPLE: Our life together speaks of God’s wisdom.
LEADER: The life of Jesus shows forth God’s love.
PEOPLE: Our faith tells God’s story.
ALL: Let us worship God!

*HYMN #466 “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” Azmon
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
LEADER: If we claim we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
PEOPLE: But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just
will forgive ours sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
LEADER: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
PEOPLE: Lord Jesus, you asked your disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” We would like to be Peter and answer, “You are the Messiah.” More often we speak of you as a teacher, a prophet, an example of how we should live. Like Peter, we do not want to hear of your suffering. We do not want to answer your invitation to deny ourselves and follow you. Lord Jesus, in your mercy, correct us. Remind us that when we give ourselves to others we give ourselves to you. Amen.

RESPONSE (Songs for Celebration) “Fear Not, Rejoice and Be Glad” Clay
CHOIR: (REFRAIN) Fear not, rejoice and be glad, the Lord hath done a great thing;
hath poured out His Spirit on all who live, on those who confess His name.
The fig tree is budding, the vine beareth fruit,
the wheat fields are golden with grain.
Thrust in the sickle, the harvest is ripe, the Lord has given us rain.
ALL: (REFRAIN) Fear not, rejoice and be glad, the Lord hath done a great thing;
hath poured out His Spirit on all who live, on those who confess His name.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
LEADER: Beloved in Christ, hear the words of the Psalmist, “Gracious is the Lord . . . our God is merciful; . . .
PEOPLE: “return O my soul to your rest, the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
LEADER: Trust in Christ and believe the good news; that in him we are forgiven.
ALL: Thanks be to God! Amen.

*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

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
OLD TESTAMENT READING Proverbs 1:20-33

The Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!

Charles Monroe, trumpet
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GOSPEL READING Mark 8:27-38

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

SERMON “Wisdom Personified” 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 “Grazioso” Telemann
*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 #260 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Ein Feste Burg
*BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE (Songs for Celebration) “Awake, Awake to Love and Work” Morning Song
CHOIR: Awake, awake to love and work, the lark is in the sky,
the fields are wet with diamond dew, the worlds awake to cry,
their blessings on the Lord of life, as he goes meekly by.
ALL: Come, let thy voice be one with theirs, shout with their shout of praise; see how the giant sun soars up, great Lord of years and days!
So let the love of Jesus come and set thy soul ablaze.
*CHARGE
*POSTLUDE “Ein Feste Burg” Walther

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

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NEXT SUNDAY, September 20, 2009 will be the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The scripture readings will be: Psalm 1 (Pew Bible page 424); Proverbs 31:10-31 (pages 535-536) The virtuous woman is praised for her excellence. James 3:13-4:3, 7-8 (page 982) Wisdom is shown in how you live your life in community. Mark 9:30-37 (page 821) Jesus teaches his disciples about his death and resurrection.

PRAYER FOR PEACE – HEALTH CARE Our Congressmen and women are working through the various issues related to health care, and a lot of options are being considered.  In the meantime, some people have tried to shape the discussion by misleading advertising and scare tactics.  With a bill not in fact yet written, many people stand on the sidelines waiting for something real toward which to direct attention, something genuine worth time and effort.  Thus far, we have confusion and fear, mostly drawn from anecdotes of people trying to get health care but who couldn’t for some very silly reasons.   Worst are situations where people have lost their homes due to hospital and doctor costs.  Eventually, all those wanting health care will hopefully be able to get it, and we will find a way as a country to pay for it in spite of wars and economic strife that surround us.  This feels like times of old when enemies surround us and no one befriends us.  We need direction and a solution to heal all our citizens and to please not bankrupt our country.  Father, please give us all the quiet thoughts and peace of mind to find solutions to the problems that trouble our country.  Help our elected leaders sort through the options, to take up the mantle of true statesmen and to honor their mandate to help all the people of the land find health and happiness.  We live only in Your Grace, and we seek Your Guidance.  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, Ron Barnette, Candy Barnette, Karen McNulty
LITURGIST: Herman Gaillard
ACOLYTE: Jonathan G.

SANCTUARY FLOWERS THIS WEEK ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY
Allen and Betty Arnold in celebration of 51 years of marriage
Nancy and Marcia Allen

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TODAY’S OPPORTUNITIES
8:45 a.m. – Worship Café
9:30 a.m. – Rome Reunion Rally
10:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship

OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

Monday (14^th) 10:00 a.m. Strong for Life
7:00 p.m. DBF Missions
7:00 p.m. Financial Peace University
Tuesday (15^th) 2:00 p.m. Koinonia
3:30 p.m. Preschool Meeting
7:00 p.m. Session
7:30 p.m. Transit (Young Adult Group)
Wednesday (16^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 (17^th) 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Saturday (19^th) 6:00 p.m. Shareholders Dinner

SESSION MEMBERS please remember to pick up the Session Docket in your mailbox. Session meets Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY FAMILY NIGHT DINNER – this week the meal will be chopped steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, salad and dessert. 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.

SONSHINE MOUNTAIN BEGINS NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20^th Hopefully all of you were at the Rome Reunion Rally Day  extravaganza today, and heard that the first rotation of Sonshine Mountain will be the continuation of the story of the ministry of the Apostle Paul.  Also, as a special incentive for the children to be there for every class of the rotation – that is 5 weeks – at the end of the rotation, they will receive a wooden coin entitling them to a FREE Ice Cream Cone at Strachans, in beautiful downtown Dunedin.  

ONE WORLD GIFT SHOP – On October 4^th, as part of our Alternative Giving Mission Fair, you will have the opportunity to select gift items from The One World Gift Shop of Tampa.  They offer unique collections of artistically designed and hand-crafted products – a diverse line of museum-quality gift items from around the world.  Every purchase at the One World Gift Shop supports humanitarian programs around the world and helps pay the expenses of the Mission Fair here at First Church!  Items come from Burkina Faso, Vietnam, India, Argentina, Chile, Kenya, Peru, Indonesia, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Pakistan, West Bank, Russia, Philippines, Nepal, Mexico, El Salvador, Haiti, Kashmir, Ecuador, Ghana, and sometimes even food items from the USA.  Some of you have asked, so, yes, the Shop does take Visa and Master Card!  Come as early as 8:00 on Sunday and drop by before you leave Church.

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!

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for First Church Scholars – If you are a full-time student at one of the Florida colleges or universities, you may qualify for a Gladys Douglas Hackworth Scholarship. If you are a full-time student at a non-Florida college, you may apply for a scholarship from the James Crozier Scholarship Fund. Please send a letter to Mary Walthall, 1781 Briar Circle, Dunedin, FL 34698. You may also e-mail Mary at mwalthall@tampabay.rr.com. Include your college goals, status, number of courses scheduled, social security number and the address of the financial aid department of your college in your request. If you are a current scholarship recipient, please include a copy of your grades. Please submit your request to Mary before September 21, 2009.

ATTENTION BELIZE MISSION TRIP SHAREHOLDERS – A complimentary “Thank You” shareholder dinner will be held on Saturday, September 19^th, at 6 p.m. in Hager Hall, followed by a special presentation in words and pictures about the trip. IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE RSVP TO THE OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16^th.

WE’RE GOING TO CHIP (Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project) this coming Friday, September 18. 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!

WELCOME COFFEE for the Women of the Church will be held in Hager Hall on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 10 a.m.

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.)

• Family and friends of Ann C. who died September 5
  
• Margaret C. under care at Morton Plant hospital
  
• Gail T. recovering in Cold Springs, KY after a brief hospital stay
  
• John E., nephew of David and Bobbie E., following an injury in Afghanistan
  
• Karolina N. following surgery September 2 at Morton Plant
  
• Walter B. recuperating at Emeritus
  
• Jean J. recuperating at Health South
  
• Joe T. recuperating at home
  
• Elizabeth R. following knee surgery
  
• Paul K. diagnosed with colon cancer
  
• Dave D. recuperating at home
  
• Fran I., mother of Jeff I., following breast cancer surgery
  
• Eva M. at Manor Extensive Care on Tampa Road
  
• John K., father of Tina Marie F., facing health issues
  
• 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
  
• 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.
  
• 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
  

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/ORGANIST Stephen L. Allen
YOUNG LIFE CHURCH PARTNER Jeff Iosa
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP LEADER/MINISTRY INTERN
Luke Phillips
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR Donna Dayock
ASSISTANT TO ADMINISTRATOR Stephen L. Allen
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 2010 Jim Gibbs Marion Guthrie Roberto Sanchez Jim Szatkowski Mary Walthall	Class of 2011 Welch Agnew Bob Blocher John Brockman Marge Brown Greg Long Clare McGrane	Class of 2011 Rosalie Bergman Tami Ehmig David Eichenberger Beverly Fisher Peggy George Ann Sabo

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.