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South Aiken Presbyterian Church

The Worship of God

Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 30, 2014 8:45 A.M.

Gathering

Prelude Scott Chappell, Organist

Welcome & Announcements

Signing of the Friendship Register

Choral Introit You Are My Refuge, Faithful God Winfred Douglas

Preparation for the Word

*Call to Worship (Responsive)

One: Once we lived in darkness;

All: now, in the Lord, we are light.

One: Jesus said: I am the light of the world.

All: Let us live as children of the light.

*Prayer of Adoration (Unison)

Holy God, why is it that we look, but do not see? Bring us again and again into your light until your ways

become visible to us and bear fruit in us. Touch us so that we are utterly changed, a “before” and “after,” a

“now” and “then,” that we may also say, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” Lord, we

believe; help our unbelief. In Christ’s light, we pray. Amen.

*Hymn #339 Be Thou My Vision

*Prayer of Confession (Responsive)

God of great mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you. We look at outward appearances and fail to see

what pleases you. We look with judgment on others and fail to see our own sin. Forgive us, by your steadfast

love. Create a clean heart within us, teach us your holy way, and restore the joy of salvation; through Jesus

Christ our Lord.

(Time for Silent Confession)

One: Believing that God will restore us, the people said,

All: “Amen.”

*Assurance of Pardon

*The Gloria Patri Hymnal Page 579

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer Hymnal Page 16

...forgive us our debts

as we forgive our debtors...

Prayer Response Jesus, We Are Here Patrick Matsikenyiri

Large print Hymnals are available in the Narthex along with Sound Amplification Devices.

If needed, please ask an Usher for assistance.

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The Word of God

Prayer for Illumination

Psalm Reading Psalm 23 Pew Bible Page 501

One: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Anthem The Very Thought of Thee Tom Fettke

Gospel Reading John 9:1-41 Pew Bible Page 102

One: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon “New Eyes”

The Reverend Doctor Christopher Crotwell

Our Response to God’s Word

*Hymn #324 Open My Eyes That I May See

*Affirmation of Faith - Selection from The Brief Statement of Faith

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the

communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship

and serve.

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to

the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and

binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the

gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain

and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life,

breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.

With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of

God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Offering of Tithes and Gifts

Offertory

*Doxology Hymnal Page 592

*Prayer of Dedication

Sending

*Hymn #280 Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound

*Benediction

*Congregational Response Amen

*Postlude

*Those who are able may stand

Current Prayer Concerns

(After one month names will be rotated to “Continuing Prayer Concerns” list that will be in our AIMS Newsletter.)

Those serving in the military:

Dustin Baker - grandson of Jim & Shirley Shaw

Daniel Bartlett - grandson of Ron & Sandy Bartlett

Kris Cloud - son of Ed & Robin Coward

Charles Hogan, II - son of Charles & Judi Hogan

Heather M. Kostov - niece of Caroline & Greg Teese

Kyle Luksovsky - nephew of Caroline & Greg Teese

Ben McCullough - son of Lisa McCullough

Katie Taylor McCullough - wife of Ben McCullough &

daughter-in-law of Lisa McCullough

Will McGarry - grandson of Felder & Dot McLaurin

Andrew Radford - son of Chuck & Pat Radford &

brother of Chris Radford

Chris Radford - son of Chuck & Pat Radford &

brother of Andrew Radford

Spencer Riffenburgh -

grandson of Tom & Lois Woodman

Timothy Tyler - grandson of Archie & Cheryl MacCrum

Louis Wilson - son-in-law of Brenda Martin Morgan

Do You Want To Be A Prayer Partner?

Prayer is a powerful force for those in need of healing, comfort, strength, and encouragement. It can also be a

blessing for the ones offering the prayer. The good thing about being an email Prayer Partner is that you can pray

for those in need at anytime and from any place you may be when you receive the request. This prayer ministry is a

part of our church’s Congregational Care Committee who are responsible for caring for the needs of our Church

Family and/or others as requested. At the present time there are 193 email and phone Prayer Partners involved. If

you want to become a Prayer Partner, or for more information, please call Mary Ann Laurey (648.9574 ext 100) or

email maryannlsapc@yahoo.com or Emily Lockard (649.0473) or email emilybim@bellsouth.net.

Please contact the church office - 648.9574 ext 100 - if you wish to add a prayer concern or remove a name from

the list. Thank you.

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Members and Those with Family Concerns

& Friends in Need of Prayer

Lisa O’Brien - Tom & Peg Pons’ Daughter

Hank Hayes

Nancy Mayer - Judi Royalty’s cousin

John Empie

The Reverend Lee Roy Campbell, Jr., March 24, 2014

Becky Hare’s Father

“I Am The Resurrection and The Life”

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“The Ten Commandments from the Back Side”

Come join us for an interesting study of the Ten Commandments using the book “The Ten Commandments from the Back Side” by Ellsworth Kalas. These programs will be held in the Family Life Center Gym at South Aiken Presbyterian Church.

April 2: Lisa Lader: Redeeming the Sacred & Dale Stephens: To Each His Own April 9: Leslie Coakley: Blessed Communicators & Tim Bennett: A Matter of Vision

5:30 - 6:00 PM Dinner $5.00 for adults and FREE for children under the age of 15 6:00 - 7:00 PM Presentation and a follow-up question and answer period

6:00 - 6:30 PM Children will be taken to the Sanctuary for “Choral & Recorder Connections” then they will go from 6:30 - 7:00 PM for “Learning to Use My Bible”. This class encourages children to take an interest in the Bible and helps them make it part of their life’s journey. The class is designed as a fun, hands-on, approach, with maps, games, and charts to make the Bible more visual.

To make reservations, complete the insert in today’s bulletin & place in offering plate, call the church office (648-9574 ext 100) or register on the website at www.southaiken.org. Nursery will be provided each night.

Spring “Food for Thought” Series Wednesday Evenings

April 2 & 9

Maundy Thursday Service, April 17 - 7:00 PM - First Presbyterian Church

(Childcare Provided)

Good Friday Service, April 18 - 7:00 PM - SAPC

(Childcare Provided)

Easter Vigil Service (Confirmand Service), April 19 - 7:00 PM - SAPC

Reception to follow - Fellowship Hall

(Childcare Provided if Requested)

Easter Sunrise Service, April 20 - 7:00 AM - SAPC Memorial Garden

Easter Worship Services, April 20 - 8:45 AM & 11:00 AM - SAPC

Sunday, March 30 8:45a - Worship Service (Sanctuary) 9:45a - Sunday School (Campus) 11:00a - Joint Worship Service w/ Friendship Baptist Church (Sanctuary) 12:00p - Pot Luck Luncheon (Gym/Kitchen) 5:30p - Children’s Ministry (FH) 6:00p - Youth (HS Room)

Monday, March 31 12:15p - Bible Friends (FH/Playground) 7:00p - Book Club (Library)

Tuesday, April 1 10:00a - Sonshine Circle (Library) 12:15p - Bible Friends (FH/Playground) 6:30p - Adult Education Committee (F203) 7:00p - Boy Scouts (F205) 7:00p - M’Aiken Music Rehearsal (FH)

Wednesday, April 2 12:00p - Lenten Lunch (St. Mary Catholic Church) 12:15p - Bible Friends (FH/Playground) 5:30p - Food for Thought (Gym/Kit/Sanctuary/Nursery) 7:00p - Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)

Thursday, April 3 8:45a - Kindergarten Chapel (Sanctuary) 9:30a - PW Knitting Ministry (Library) 12:15p - Bible Friends (FH/Playground) 1:30p - Karate (FH) 5:45p - Assoc. Pastor Nominating Committee (PCR) 6:00p - Women’s Bible Study (Library/Nursery)

Friday, April 4 9:00a - Small Group Women’s Bible Study (PCR) 9:30a - Story Time with Myra (Library) 12:15p - Bible Friends (FH/Playground)

Saturday, April 5

11:00a - Eagle Scout Court of Honor (Gym)

Sunday, April 6 8:45a - Worship Service (Sanctuary) 9:45a - Sunday School (Campus) 11:00a - Worship Service (Sanctuary)

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Youth Ministry March 30 - Youth Sunday Theme Planning 6:00 - 7:30 PM (High School Room) April 6 - No Youth Activity - enjoy Spring Break with your family & friends April 13 - No Activity due to Spring Break (note: we originally had a canoe trip scheduled this day but decided to delay date due to expected low attendance)

Want to be in Paul Ebel’s favorite spot in the whole church? According to Paul, during the singing, the Pulpit Assistants can hear the congregation out of one ear and the choir out of the other and it is a wonderful experience. Our worship committee is looking for a few others who would like to be trained to be a Pulpit Assistant and experience this wonderful sound for themselves. Please contact the church office or Lynn Burkes, the Chair of our Worship Committee, if you are interested. There will be a half hour training session scheduled soon.

The SAPC Easter Egg Hunt Activities will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 9:30 AM.

The congregation is asked to donate plastic eggs filled with wrapped candy. Please do not use hard candy or anything that may be a choking hazard for young children. A donation box for the eggs is located in the church office. Full details of the activities to follow!

SONSHINE CIRCLE meets Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 10:00 AM in the Library. Dot McLaurin will light the Christ candle. Carol Kimball will lead the Bible Study based on Lesson 7 of the Study book, An Abiding Hope, The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Afterwards, we will adjourn to a local restaurant for a meal and continued fellowship.

Lenten Lunches will be held April 2, 9, 16 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, St. Angela Hall (125 Park Avenue) 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM. The lunches are free, but donations are accepted to defray the cost of paper goods used for the meal. Come to the lunches and enjoy fellowship with other Christians from our community.

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YOUNG AT SENIORS

Please Sign Up for the following activities on the bulletin board just past the water fountain in the hall. April 19 - On this Saturday before Easter we will leave for Greenville where we will have lunch, walk around their lovely downtown area, and then proceed to the Bob Jones University. There we will see art come to life through the performance of their Living Gallery presentation of LOOKING UNTO JESUS. This unique program combines original drama, special choral and orchestral arrangements, and breathtaking live portrayals of classic works of art to celebrate the story of Christ's Resurrection which begins at 2:00 PM. Cost is $11.00 for the ticket + $9.00 to ride on the church bus. If you want to go and have not reserved a ticket, please call Phil Lockard (649.0473), he will see if additional tickets are available. April 24 - 5:00 PM - On this Thursday we will go Out-to-Dinner together for an evening of fellowship and good food. We will be eating at DeShawn’s Fish House located behind the Clearwater Shopping Center. Cost is the price of your meal. Deadline is April 20.

From the Servant Song

Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey, we are trav’lers on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

l will hold the Christ light for you in the nighttime of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow “Til we’ve seen this journey through”.

Stephen Ministers are trained to be good listeners. This is a confidential relationship. Do you need to share your load and let a Stephen Minister hold the Christ light for you? If so, contact Stephen Leader Lisa Lader (642-6840 or cell 439-2004), Dr. Christopher Crotwell or Parish Associate Rev. Judy Bowling (648-9574).

You may drop the items in the ACTS basket by the front door in the Narthex or in the basket by the church office. Monetary donations may be made by placing a check to SAPC in the offering plate and noting' for ACTS' on the check. Thanks for sharing with others!

Monthly Items Needed

March - Soup April - Pasta

May - 1 lb. bag of Grits June - Bath/Dish/Laundry Soap

Rummage sale!

Was your New Year’s resolution to clean out around the house but don’t know what to do with all your stuff? The church Rummage Sale, sponsored by the Children and Families Committee, will be held on Friday, April 25 from 9 AM – 12 PM and Saturday, April 26 from 8 AM – 12 PM.

If you wish to be a consigner, contact Sharon Johnson for information at sjeanjohnson@gmail.com or 663-6613.

If you wish to donate items, SAPK will coordinate and price items and receive the proceeds. You may place your donated items on the stage in the marked area. We are not taking any clothing as a donation. For help with larger items or additional questions, contact Erin Stewart at 648-9895 or 642-5589. If you have extra plastic bags that you can donate, please leave on the stage.

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Our Purpose…”Opening Doors to Serve Christ”

WELCOME “Come and see the works of the Lord...the Lord Almighty is with us!” (Psalm 46:8a, 10a). We rejoice that you are here today. Let us join in the praise of God as we see his goodness in word and sacrament. Visitors, we’re made especially joyful by your presence. Please come back again. NURSERY AND CHILDREN’S CHURCH Infants are welcome in the Nursery during our 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM worship services and during our 10:00 AM Sunday School hour. During the 8:45 AM worship service children are invited to go to the Nursery or stay in the worship service. During the 11:00 AM worship service, 3 years-1st grade children are welcome to join our Children's Church Worship program following the Children's Moment. Chaperones will escort the children to the Fellowship Hall (down the back hallway and on the right) and you may pick your child up there after the worship service. STEWARDSHIP REPORT YTD operating contributions & collections as of 01/31/2014 $ 49,721.82 YTD operating expenses as of 01/31/2014 46,558.85 Approved budgeted expenses for 2014 as of 01/31/2014 56,253,92

ATTENDANCE LAST SUNDAY

Worship Service (8:45) - 84 (11:00) - 148 VOLUNTEERS FOR TODAY Flowers To the Glory of God Sound System (8:45) Larry Hinson (11:00) Al Riechman Ushers (8:45) Kathy Pearson, John Pearson, Dal Stanley, Joyce Stanley (11:00) Robert Glance, Nancy Hufford, Gary Hamman, Margie Hamman VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT WEEK Flowers To the Glory of God Pulpit Assistant (11:00) Greg Burkes Sound System (8:45) Billy Ward (11:00) Al Riechman Ushers (8:45) John Kelly, Shirley Shaw, Jim Shaw, Sue Kelly (11:00) Jim Stutts, Carol Stutts, Myra Toomajian, Leo Toomajian Officers To Serve Communion (8:45) John Kelly, Robert Glance, Shirley Shaw, Jim Shaw, Dale Stephens (11:00) Peg Burney, Kevin Pethick, Ted Nichols

Dr. Christopher Crotwell, Pastor and Head of Staff: Office 648.9574 Ext. 104 Rev. Judy Bowling, Parish Associate: Office 648.9574 Ext. 102 Cell 803.354.2447 Allison Kelly, Director of Young Children and Family Ministries: Office 648.9574 Ext. 105 Cell 803.336.9540 Phillip Hare, Director of Music: 648.9574 Scott Chappell, Organist: 648.9574 Tracie Bryant, Financial Manager: 648.9574 Ext. 103 Mary Ann Laurey, Office Manager: 648.9574 Ext. 100 Jeni Myers, Kindergarten Director: 648.9895 Cissy Kelley, Childcare Coordinator: 270.5808

Church Fax: 803.648.7972 Web Site: www.southaiken.org