SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

2ND SUNDAY IN LENT

FEBRUARY 21, 2016 10:30 A.M.

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD PRELUDE Siciliano (flute sonata no. 2) J. S. Bach (1685-1750) Amy Orsinger Whitehead, flute**

WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH Dr. Brown The Lord be with you. And also with you. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS Nancy Metzler INTROIT Behold the Lamb of God John L. Bell * CALL TO WORSHIP Gwen Ferguson

One: Praise the Lord, all you nations! Many: Extol him, all you peoples! One: For great is his steadfast love toward us, Many: and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. All: Praise the Lord!

* HYMN Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee No. 464 CALL TO CONFESSION Rev. Carol Hassell PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

God you are the creator of all that is. Your power is demonstrated in your incredible love for all that you have made. While we settle for info from the “Twitterverse,” you keep offering us a more substantive conversation. While we settle for googled knowledge, you keep offering us the way to know you. Forgive us. Your invitation is always open. So as we gather in this sacred space may we silence all voices but yours. May we open our hearts and minds anew to receive your word into our hearts. May we accept your unmerited choosing of us to be your beloved. Then may we enter the world as your agents of love and kindness and mercy again. (silence) Leader: Trusting your mercy, we lift these prayers to you in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON * KYRIE (please join in singing) Lord, Have Mercy No. 565 Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

*All who are able are invited to stand. Please turn off electronic devices.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD ANTHEM My Song Is Love Unknown John Ireland/David Schack

“ . . . my Savior’s love to me, love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be.

Oh, who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die?

He came from his blest throne salvation to bestow; but men made strange,

and none the longed-for Christ would know. But O my Friend, my Friend indeed, who at my need his life did spend!

Here might I stay and sing, no story so divine; never was love, dear king, never was grief like thine!

This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend.”

Chancel Choir Amy Orsinger Whitehead, flute**

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP Patty Stevenson As the children first through third grades gather and recess to the Chapel for Children’s Worship, the congregation is invited to join in singing:

What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

Congregation: The peace of Christ be with you. Children: And also with you.

What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

The children will return to join their families at the Doxology. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Deuteronomy 10: 12-22 Pew Bible p. 167 READINGS FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT Ephesians 2: 19-21 Pew Bible p. 193 1 Peter 2: 9-10 Pew Bible p. 233 This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SERMON For You Were Strangers Dr. Brown

RESPONDING TO THE WORD * HYMN The Church’s One Foundation No. 442

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from: A Declaration of Faith) Judy Nichols The church is founded on Jesus Christ. Gathered around the Word and sacraments, those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, together with their children, have formed a corporate, visible body in pilgrimage with God across the centuries. The church has sought to order its life and ministry in obedience to the teaching of the first apostles. It has attempted to carry out Christ’s commission in various institutional forms and structures that demonstrate both continuity and change. We acknowledge that Christ chooses to be known in the world through this community of ordinary people, therefore we dare not despise or abandon the church. Christ is the head of the church, therefore we are responsible to Christ when we make policy and decisions in the church. Christ is the foundation of the church, therefore it will not fall despite our weakness. We are confident that the Lord of the church will judge and defeat our sinful intentions and actions, help us in our weakness and blindness, and use the church to accomplish his purposes.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Rev. Williams The Lord’s Prayer (sung) Albert Hay Malotte Collin Sinclair, Rob Smith OFFERTORY Morceau de Concours Gabriel Fauré Amy Orsinger Whitehead, flute** 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 DEDICATION Cindy Fisher We thank you, Lord God, for brave and believing people who brought your message to this place. By their energies this church was gathered, given order, and continued. Remembering all those Christians who have gone before us, may we follow as they followed, in the way, truth, and life of Jesus Christ. Never let us board up the narrow gate that leads to life with rules or doctrines that you dismiss; but give us a Spirit to welcome all people with affection, so that your church may never exclude secret friends of yours, who are included in the love of Jesus Christ, the head of the church. Amen.

* HYMN Now Thank We All Our God No. 555

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD * CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Dr. Brown * CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, I can feel his mighty power and his

grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. Amen.

POSTLUDE Why Should the Cross Grieve Me? J. G. Walther (1684-1748) (Never will He leave me)

The Worship Service Notes Leading Worship this Morning Dr. Matthew S. Brown, Pastor Rev. Cynthia Williams, Associate Pastor Audrey McConnell, Director of Music Katherine Webb, Acolyte Liturgists are charter members of SMPC: Gwen Ferguson, Cindy Fisher, Rev. Carol Hassell, Judy Nichols, and Patty Stevenson Please join us following worship for a reception in Coffee Grounds/Terrace and enjoy displays of our history here at SMPC. Special thanks to charter members Kay Dano and Lindalee Macauley for their organization of these items. ** Today we welcome Pennsylvania native Amy Orsinger Whitehead to SMPC! Amy has played flute with the Charlotte Symphony since 1997; she also performs in the Rhodora Winds and the Laurel Trio, and coaches the woodwind section of the Charlotte Symphony Junior Youth Orchestra. Amy holds flute performance degrees from Duquesne University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Institute of Chamber Music. She has taught flute at Spelman College, Wingate University, Queens University, and is currently on the faculty at Davidson College. The flowers are given to the Glory of God and a donation has been given to the Sanctuary building fund in loving memory of Bob Brame by his family. Worship Teams Elders and Deacons: Lisa Gilleland, Tom Klecker, Michael Matthews, Shelby Ullman Ushers: David Gilleland, Head Usher; Scott Abbott, David Harris, Casey Nolan, Mary Katheryne and Michael Zagora A/V: Vaughn Folks Hospitality Teams Welcome Center: Lindalee Macauley Greeters: Jennifer Boyce, Amy & Aarik Eberhardt

Coffee Grounds Hosts: Jerry Hawver, Sue & Ed Slezycki Note to Parents We offer childcare for infants through kindergarten in their Sunday school classrooms each Sunday during the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. Please drop off your 3 and 4 year olds in room 5, and kindergarteners in room 10. Additional information or questions, contact Rebecca Guzman, Director of Spiritual Formation, Rebecca@smpchome.org. Please take your copy of the SMPC Weekly home as a reference to future opportunities to become more engaged in the life of our faith community.

SOUTH MECKLENBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 8601 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte, NC 28277-1615

smpcoffice@smpchome.org 704-544-0404 www.smpchome.org