FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Shelbyville, Tennessee 17th Sunday after Pentecost September 19, 2021 Dear Friends, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. So, what is a Presbyterian? We now have three identifying beliefs of Presbyterians: a covenant life marked by a disciplined concern for order in the church according to the word of God, the election of the people of God for service as well as for salvation, and the sovereignty of God. A fourth tenet of the Reformed faith is “a faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God‟s creation.” (Book of Order, section F-2.05) I am sure the Session will be talking about stewardship season at next week‟s Stated Session meeting. It is time once again to consider prayerfully our response of gratitude to the generosity of God in the life of our church and each of our lives. This fourth tenet expands our understanding of stewardship far beyond the annual financial gifts to the church and what‟s in our wallets and purses. Notice this tenet of our Reformed faith tells us that there are no long, loud self-serving prayers said by any Pharisees in the church service or an announcement of how much the rich Joe Smith pledged because we Presbyterians “shun ostentation” when it comes to stewardship. And the second part of this tenet is very important for the future of the earth on which we live and move and have our being: “seeks the proper use of the gifts of God‟s creation.” Humanity is so blessed by the beauty of our earth and the more than adequate natural, renewable resources so that all people have enough to survive. How do we care for these God-given resources? How do we share these resources with all the children of God on the earth? To be a faithful Presbyterian Christian requires that we look beyond our desires and needs alone to both those of our neighbors and that of our earth, our fragile home, which we share with billions of people. The charge by God to the care for the earth and not the careless us of the earth can be seen as far back in time as the Adam and Eve creation story in Genesis: “God blessed them, and God said to them, „Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living things that move upon the earth.‟” (1:28) The beauty of creation is sung about in the Bible: “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. … When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? … You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet….” (Psalm 8:1, 3, 4, 6) God gave humanity dominion over God‟s creation. What do you think God requires of us? With such knowledge of God‟s charge to humanity, I think we can do better in our stewardship of God‟s creation for us, for our children, and for our children‟s children. This fourth tenet of the Presbyterian Reformed faith reminds us that God calls us to be faithful stewards of our possessions and of the earth on which we live. So, a Presbyterian is a Christian who believes that the faithful use of his or her resources and the faithful care of the earth is as important as the air we breathe. I send you all the peace of our Lord, Jim
Transcript
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Shelbyville, Tennessee
17th Sunday after Pentecost September 19, 2021
Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. So, what is a Presbyterian?
We now have three identifying beliefs of Presbyterians: a covenant life marked by a disciplined concern
for order in the church according to the word of God, the election of the people of God for service as well
as for salvation, and the sovereignty of God. A fourth tenet of the Reformed faith is “a faithful stewardship
that shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God‟s creation.” (Book of Order, section F-2.05)
I am sure the Session will be talking about stewardship season at next week‟s Stated Session meeting. It is
time once again to consider prayerfully our response of gratitude to the generosity of God in the life of our
church and each of our lives. This fourth tenet expands our understanding of stewardship far beyond the
annual financial gifts to the church and what‟s in our wallets and purses. Notice this tenet of our Reformed
faith tells us that there are no long, loud self-serving prayers said by any Pharisees in the church service
or an announcement of how much the rich Joe Smith pledged because we Presbyterians “shun ostentation”
when it comes to stewardship. And the second part of this tenet is very important for the future of the
earth on which we live and move and have our being: “seeks the proper use of the gifts of God‟s creation.”
Humanity is so blessed by the beauty of our earth and the more than adequate natural, renewable resources
so that all people have enough to survive. How do we care for these God-given resources? How do we
share these resources with all the children of God on the earth? To be a faithful Presbyterian Christian
requires that we look beyond our desires and needs alone to both those of our neighbors and that of our
earth, our fragile home, which we share with billions of people.
The charge by God to the care for the earth and not the careless us of the earth can be seen as far back in
time as the Adam and Eve creation story in Genesis: “God blessed them, and God said to them, „Be fruitful
and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds
of the air and over every living things that move upon the earth.‟” (1:28) The beauty of creation is sung
about in the Bible: “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your
glory above the heavens. … When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars
that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for
them? … You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their
feet….” (Psalm 8:1, 3, 4, 6) God gave humanity dominion over God‟s creation.
What do you think God requires of us? With such knowledge of God‟s charge to humanity, I think we can
do better in our stewardship of God‟s creation for us, for our children, and for our children‟s children. This
fourth tenet of the Presbyterian Reformed faith reminds us that God calls us to be faithful stewards of our
possessions and of the earth on which we live. So, a Presbyterian is a Christian who believes that the
faithful use of his or her resources and the faithful care of the earth is as important as the air we breathe.
I send you all the peace of our Lord,
Jim
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
17th Sunday after Pentecost September 19, 2021
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP (Reading before service for quiet meditation):
The Prayer of Installation by Elder Nancy Provost from Hermitage Presbyterian Church: “Generous God, pour out your Holy
Spirit upon this congregation and all people, that, baptized into your service and united in Christ’s love, they may serve you
with joy and faithfulness until all things are made new. Let the word they proclaim be your Word of truth. Let the compassion
they show to the world be your love in Christ. And, Loving God, bless Rev. Dr. Jim Moran in full measure with the gifts of
your Spirit, that he may truly and effectively preach the Gospel and serve your people. Grant that in all things he may
faithfully serve you, to the glory of your great name. In the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.”
Prelude “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” Billie Crowell
Welcome and Announcements Rev. Dr. James A. Moran
*Introit “Majesty“ Choir
*Responsive Call to Worship
Leader: Give ear to my word, O Lord; give heed to my sighing.
People: Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.
Leader: But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house.
People: I will bow down toward Your holy temple in awe of You.
All: Your praise endures forever. (Psalm 5:1-2, 7)
*Prayer of Preparation
God and Father of all, You have willed that the last shall be first, and You have made a little child the measure of Your
kingdom. Give us that wisdom which is from above, so we may understand that, in Your sight, the one who serves is the
greatest of all. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
*Hymn 229 “From All That Dwell Below the Skies” Choir and Congregation
*Call to Confession
Leader: The Psalmist writes, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Al-
mighty, will say to the Lord,
People: „My refuge and my fortress; my God, in Whom I trust.‟
Leader: For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
It is to such a Deliverer that we confess our sins praying…
*Prayer of Confession (Unison)
Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to Thy promises declared unto humanity in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O merciful Father, for His sake, that we may live a holy, just, and sober life to the glory of Thy holy name through our Lord Jesus.
(time of silent confession)
*Assurance of Pardon (1 Peter 1:3)
Leader: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
People: In God‟s great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)
Leader: My friends, hear the good news: by the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
we are forgiven.
*Gloria Patri
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.
*Passing of the Peace
Leader: May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Please share the peace of Christ with those around you.
Time for Children Connie Crafton
Children‟s Church Cindy Lamb
Prayer for Illumination
New Testament Reading James 3:13-4:10 Page 230-231, NT Pew Bible
Anthem “Christ Beside Me“ Choir
New Testament Reading Mark 9:30-37 Page 45, NT Pew Bible
Sermon “Me, First” Jim Moran
*Affirmation of Faith Apostles Creed (p.14, Hymnal)
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 as-
cended 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.
Pastoral Prayer
*Doxology
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 Thanksgiving and The Lord‟s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not
into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
*Hymn 397 “O for a Closer Walk with God” Choir and Congregation
*Charge and Blessing
Leader: Be last of all.
People: We shall welcome children and thus welcome Jesus.
Leader: And be a servant of all.
*Benediction (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Now may the God of peace, Who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood
of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do His will, working among us that which is
pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
*Benediction Response “Go Now In Peace” Choir
*Postlude “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” Billie Crowell
Jackie Bane (Member) Patti Jo Bennett (Sister of Jim Sepull) Wayne Bomar, Jr. (Stepson of Adrian Bomar) Ken Crowell (Relative of Donna Sepull) Evelyn Davidson (Member) Frank Douglas (Friend of Terry & Ginny Saylor) Pat Edmiston (Friend of Christy Jensen) Paige Martin Fague (Friend of Ginger Shofner) Tina Flynt (Sister of Carol Magnuson) Fred Hunt (Member) Kathy Kano (Friend of Shirley Luscinski) Carolyn Matusek (Member) Amber McKee (Shirley Luscinski’s Grandaughter) Gracie Perryman (Friend of Brooke Anne & Blue Jay Farrar) Family of Kelly Dyan Reed (Dana Edwards’ sister) Jim Sepull (Member) Stephen Stone (Nephew of Aaron Crafton) Family of Chris Sullivan (Marylyn Caperton’s 2nd cousin) Warner Family (Friends of Brooke Anne & Blue Jay Farrar) Zack Willmore (Friend of Ginny Saylor) Sheila Withers (Friend of Shirley Luscinski)
Those in Military Service LT Andy Canady (Member)
Airman Chase Blanton (Member) Those who are serving abroad and at home.
If you would like to add someone to the
Prayer List, please call the church office at 931-684-6541.
5 Cents A Meal- you’re heard the words, but do you know what they mean?
It means taking one of these banks from the back, and putting a nickel in it every time you eat.
Don’t have a bank at home or haven’t kept up with it or don’t want to worry about it every day you can simply slip in
$12.60 for the past 12 weeks on Sept. 26th, So Pastor Jim can bless it.
Do your part for the Presbyterian Hunger Relief project.
Nominations for Elders and Trustees for 2024
When you have completed your list please send or give your list of nominees to Pastor Jim or a member of the Nomi-nating Committee or place your list in an envelope and place it in the offering plate or mail it to the church. Please mark
it to the attention of the Nominating Committee. ***See attached page at the end***
The deadline for sending in your nominees is Tuesday, October 5th.
Blood Drive is coming – to register go to redcrossblood.org then Shelbyville Comm. FPC
October 27th from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Looking Forward:
September 19th Sunday school starts at 9:00am
September 24th Book Club at Never Rest Park at 9:00am
October 9th Soup Kitchen Breakfast: Prep at 7:30am – Handout at 9:00am
October 27th Blood Drive 10:00am-2:00pm
Located at the back of the sanctuary
Our Daily Bread Devotionals for September-October-November
5 Cents-A-Meal Banks (Due back Sept. 26th)
Holy Communion Preparation
October 3 Adrian Bomar & Pat Thomas
November 7 Frieda Bone & Susan Spears
December 5 Karisa Matusek
December 24 Pat Thompson
SERVING
SERVING Sunday, September 19, 2021
Ushers/Greeters A Time for Young Christians Children’s Church
John Marsh & Connie Crafton Cindy Lamb
Pat Thomas Hall Monitor Nursery
Rob Marsh Lisa Turner
SERVING Sunday, September 26, 2021
Ushers/Greeters A Time for Young Christians Children’s Church
Richard Wilhelm & Kate Canady Cindy Lamb
Kristin Wilhelm Hall Monitor Nursery
Pat Marsh Christy Jensen
SERVING Sunday, October 3, 2021
Ushers/Greeters A Time for Young Christians Children’s Church
Roy Turner & Kate Canady Cindy Lamb
Lisa Turner Hall Monitor Nursery
John Marsh Pat Thomas
Dear Friends at FPC,
Your wonderful welcome for the Morans has been a true blessing to us! We experienced great joy and love from the Congregation and the presence of Christ during the Installation Service on September 12th!
What a holy time to celebrate the beginning of our shared ministry, as we hosted the Presbytery Commission, both Executive Presbyters, visiting pastors, and family and friends. The reception, hosted by the Presbyterian Women, was beautiful with plenty of delicious food and desserts.
Thank you for your loving welcome to our new Church home and the many ways the Transition Team (formerly PNC) has opened pathways to get to know you better with our Meet & Greets, which are still ongoing!
With great appreciation and gratitude, Pastor Jim, Denise, & Alex
Call for Nominations for the Officer Class of 2024
First Presbyterian Church of Shelbyville
Over the rich history of our church we have been blessed with dedicated leadership from those elected by the congregation to
serve as ruling elders and trustees. Now it is time again to nominate from among our members those who will make up the class of
2024, and we will again call upon you to help us identify our new leadership by filling out this nomination form. Think of those
members you know who have shown a special dedication to the church, who would bring a needed talent or expertise, or who
might like to serve but have been hesitant to step forward. Or if you yourself feel called to serve, do not hesitate to put down your
own name.
Please use the forms on this sheet to nominate church members. All nominations are welcome and will be seriously considered by
the nominating committee.
Below are members of FPC who are NOT eligible for nominations because they are Trustees or Session members:
RULING ELDERS (Session) TRUSTEES
Class of 2021 Class of 2022 Class of 2023 Class of 2021 Kathy Smith
Rob Marsh Aaron Crafton Helen Garner Class of 2022 Pat Thomas
Leo Skelton Melanie Hamilton Christy Jensen Class of 2023 Tommy Anderton
Margaret Smith Ginger Shofner Terry Saylor
LeaAnne Windham Richard Smith Kristin Wilhelm
As you nominate, prayerfully consider the following attributes:
*Exemplary Christ-centered living *Attendance at Church events *Pastoral and compassionate caring for others
*Sharing attitude *Desire to learn through God’s Word *Strong Aspirations to serve God and other through the church
Nominations for the Office of Trustee:
Nominees should be active members of First Presbyterian Church who demonstrate faith, dedication and good judgment. Trustees
serve as members of the Board of Trustees, which is responsible for the financial and capital holding of the congregation. (Includes
personal property, funds and property)
1.__________________2._________________
Nominations for the Office of Ruling Elder:
Nominees should be active members of First Presbyterian Church who demonstrate faith, dedication and good judgment. Elders
serve as members of the Session, which is responsible for the mission and government of the church. Each Ruling Elder will serve
within one of the following area, so please nominate people whose gifts fall within that category:
Administration, Property, Finance
Have gifts of organizing, managing finances, maintaining and improving church facilities, understanding and supporting personnel.
1.__________________2._________________
Faith Development, Worship, Music, Mission
Have gifts and a heart for educating all ages, ministering with youth, reaching out to the “least of these”, planning worship, incor-
porating arts into our church
1.__________________2._________________
Pastoral Care, Evangelism, New Member, Fellowship
Has gifts for sharing hospitality, reaching out to people in our community who need a church family, caring for the sick, hurting and
grieving members of our church family, creating a welcoming church environment, planning fun events
1.__________________2._________________
*Permission from the person you are nominating is not necessary at this time.
