BENEDICTION

*Congregation is invited to stand if able. Pastor will dismiss children to leave with their worship caregiver.

This morning’s worship is led by Dr. Darryl Evans, Senior Pastor / Head of Staff

Rev. Chris Handley, Associate Pastor Mr. Keith Hamrick, Transitional Praise Team Leader

Mrs. Jayne Boswell, Elder Dr. Patricia Fast, Covenant Partner

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Flowers this morning are given for God’s glory and in loving memory of Graham Porter by his family, Michael, Lynn, David, Sarah, and William Porter. Nominating Committee: The Officer Nominating Committee welcomes and encourages your participation in the nominating process for elders and deacons. There are boxes in the Narthex and Welcome Center that you can use to submit candidates to the committee. You can also email the names of candidates to info@florencefirst.org or you can contact a member or the committee directly. The nominating committee members are Janet Brand, Hunter Burch, Darryl Evans, Carolyn Holland, Mike Lavespere (Chair), Betsey Moore, Tenny Moss, Joanna Refvem, Frances Rogers, Chris Scott, Stuart Snow, and Amy Williams. Ash Wednesday Service: Please join us for an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. February 26 in the Sanctuary as we will mark the beginning of the Lenten season. We will come together to acknowledge our sin, to acknowledge our mortality. We will come to glimpse the Christ who offers forgiveness, who offers everlasting life. As part of the worship, the imposition of ashes will be offered. This practice may not be familiar to everyone. Ashes have been used in Christian churches to mark the beginning of Lent since at least the 10th Century, and ashes are mentioned in scripture as a symbol of purification and repentance. We will offer the imposition of ashes as a physical reminder of our mortality and sin; an assurance of God’s forgiveness and salvation. Classes will be offered for children in second grade and younger. Older children are encouraged to attend Ash Wednesday services with their parents. Season of Prayer: We Will Seek God for the City from Ash Wednesday (February 26) through Palm Sunday, with other area churches in a season of prayer for our community. We’re doing this because God works and acts as his people intercede. Seek God for the City prayer journals are available in the Welcome Center. A $1.50 donation is appreciated. Also, there will be two City Wide Prayer Gatherings during this initiative (on Feb. 27 at Ambassadors for Christ at 7 p.m. and then another on, March 28, at First Presbyterian Church. Please join us. Church Directory: Photography for our upcoming directory event is fast approaching. With a goal of 100 percent, we need all our families to sign up. Our directory will help us stay connected. Photography times are still available. We will be photographing all families between 2 and 9 p.m. February 25-26, 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. February 27-28, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 29. Set an appointment by calling Kim Brauss in the church office or register online, www.florencefirst.org. GriefShare Mondays will resume February 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Room 104. GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly. You’ll find it to be a warm, caring environment, and you will come to see your group as an “oasis” on your journey through grief.

Keenagers: The noon luncheon on March 3 will feature Nick Townsend as the guest speaker. The planned lunch menu will include pork tenderloin. Please join us in the Jenkins Fellowship Hall for a splendid time of fellowship and fun.

Wednesday Night Programs: Please join us for Family Night Dinners, adult electives, and children and youth programs. Dinner starts at 5:45 p.m. and programs begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday’s planned menu is chicken fajitas and dessert.

ORDER OF WORSHIP

WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP *SONGS OF WORSHIP & PRAISE This is Amazing Grace Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham Who breaks the power of sin and darkness Whose love is mighty and so much stronger The King of Glory, the King above all kings Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder The King of Glory, the King above all kings This is amazing grace, This is unfailing love That You would take my place, That You would bear my cross You lay down Your life, That I would be set free Jesus, I sing for, All that You've done for me Who brings our chaos back into order Who makes the orphan a son and daughter The King of Glory, the King of Glory Who rules the nations with truth and justice Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance The King of Glory, the King above all kings Worthy is the Lamb who was slain Worthy is the King who conquered the grave Worthy is the Lamb who was slain Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

The Way Ben Smith | Daniel Bashta | Pat Barrett Through every battle Through every heartbreak Through every circumstance I believe that You are my fortress Oh You are my portion You are my hiding place Oh I believe You are The Way the Truth the Life I believe You are The Way the Truth the Life I believe (You are) Through every blessing Through every promise Through every breath I take I believe that You are provider You are protector You are the One I love I believe You are It’s a new horizon And I’m set on You And You meet me here today With mercies that are new All my fears and doubts They can all come too Because they can’t stay long (When I’m here with You) (When I believe You are)

PRAYER OF PRAISE

MESSAGE FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES Dr. Patricia Fast Following the Message for Young Disciples, children in 3K through first grade are invited to attend Children’s Church. If this is your child’s first visit, we encourage you to walk with them.

PRAYER FOR GOD’S PEOPLE Mrs. Jayne Boswell

GOD’S TITHES & OUR OFFERINGS Offertory All My Fountains Chris Tomlin | Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Nathan Nockels Verse 1 This dry and desert land I tell myself keep walking on Hear something up ahead Water falling like a song An everlasting stream Your river carries me home Let it flow let it flow Interlude All my fountains Verse 2 A flood for my soul A well that never will run dry I’ve rambled on my own Never believing I would find An everlasting stream Your river carries me home Let it flow let it flow Chorus Open the heavens Come living water All my fountains are in You You’re strong like a river Your love is running through All my fountains are in You Bridge Come on and rain down on us Rain down on us Lord Ending All my fountains are in You All my fountains are in You

SERMON Dr. Darryl Evans

The Mere Son of God Revelation 2:18-29

(Pew Bible page 1216-1217)

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘Thus says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze:’

— Revelation 2:18

*SONG OF RESPONSE You Are My King (Amazing Love) Billy J. Foote Verse I’m forgiven because You were forsaken I’m accepted, You were condemned I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me Because You died and rose again Chorus Amazing love, How can it be That You my King would die for me Amazing love, I know it's true It’s my joy to honor You In all I do I honor You Ending You are my King You are my King Jesus, You are my King Jesus, You are my King CCLI Songs used solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Worship Service: 4:30 PM Volleyball 5:30 PM Embracing God’s Word 5:30 PM Youth Fellowship 6:00 PM Basketball Practice (Girls): CLC MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Presidents’ Day 5:15 PM Basketball Practice 5:15 PM Stretch Your Faith 7:00 PM Boy Scouts: Scout Room TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast: JFH 12:00 PM Just for Women Bible Study: CLC 1:30 PM Ladies’ Ensemble Rehearsal: Choir Room 3:45 PM East Florence Mission (Youth) 5:15 PM Basketball Practice (8U Boys): CLC 6:30 PM Basketball Practice (14U Boys): CLC 6:30 PM Board of Deacons: Pilgrim 7:00 PM Girl Scouts: Scout Room 7:00 PM Men’s Choral Society Rehearsal WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 5:00 PM Chancel Handbell Choir Rehearsal 5:45 PM Family Night Dinner: JFH 6:30 PM Wednesday night programs 6:30 PM Praise Team Rehearsal 7:30 PM Basketball Practice (17U Boys): CLC 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 7:15 AM Men’s Breakfast: Presbyterian Community 10:15 AM Women’s Bible Study 10:30 AM Prayer Group: Parlor 5:30 PM Basketball Practice (10U Boys): CLC 6:00 PM City of Florence Town Hall Meeting: JFH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 9:00 AM Contemporary Worship Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Worship Service 12:15 PM Nominating Committee Meeting 4:30 PM Volleyball 5:30 PM Youth Fellowship

Embracing God’s Word: The non-denominational Bible study is held on Sunday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the church. This spring EGW is studying 1 Samuel, the follow-up to Joshua/Judges. Please join the study. Contact Janet Brand for more information, janet81661@aol.com. Stretch Your Faith fitness class is held at 5:15 p.m. on Mondays in the fellowship hall. There is no fee for this practice and is open to the community. Just for Women: JFW Bible Study meets on Tuesdays in the CLC. Lunch ($7) begins at 11 a.m. and the 15-week study on Colossians is from noon to 1 p.m. Please bring a friend with you to join us as we open God’s Word. Prayer Group: Men and women are welcome to join a prayer group that meets weekly at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays in the parlor. Children’s Church and Message: On Sunday, February 23, Covenant Partner Merrett Dowdell will be leading Children’s Church during the 9 a.m. worship service and Amy Williams will be leading it during the 11 a.m. service. Covenant Partner Melba Whitesides will be presenting the Children’s Message during both services. Save the Date: Save the Date for the WiM Fellowship and Fun Retreat at the Farm All women of the church are invited to the retreat from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 29, that will include devotion, crafts, and lunch. In the event of rain, the retreat will be held in the indoor facilities at the farm. Black Water Farms is a beautiful privately owned farm at 2026 Fire Tower Road, 10 miles from Irby Street straight out National Cemetery Road. So it’s not too far, but just far enough to enjoy the countryside. After a devotional time together we will break up to enjoy craft lessons or to just enjoy the company, conversation, and fellowship with others. Youth Ministry

Sunday, February 16: Sunday School, 10-10:50 a.m., light breakfast, fellowship, and lesson

Wednesday, February 19: 412 (Large Group), 5:30-7:30 p.m., dinner and lesson Special Prayer Needs: We encourage you to note your prayer requests on the Request for Prayer cards and then place them in the offering plate. Your requests are referred to the Pastors. Hearing Assisted Devices are available if needed. Please see an usher to receive one. The devices are wireless so you may sit anywhere you wish and adjust the volume.

February 16, 2020 9 a.m.