A nurturing community in Jesus Christ reflecting God’s love for the world

as we Worship, Grow and Serve.

September 12, 2021

Welcome and Announcements

We are glad you joined us for worship today! Please take a moment and sign the red

friendship pad and let us know you joined us in worship today!

* Preparing Our Hearts for Worship “Bind Us Together” David Cherwien

(this is a prayer we will sing to prepare our hearts for worship) First time through Praise Band,

second time congregation joins in.

Bind us together, Lord;

Bind us together with cords that can not be broken.

Bind us together, Lord,

Bind us together, Lord;

Bund us together with love.

* Call To Worship (responsive) Psalm 19

One: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day

to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

All: here is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes

out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

One: In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his

wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

All: Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and noth-

ing is hid from its heat.

* Hymn 475 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing nettleton

Come, thou Fount of every blessing;

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above;

praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

mount of God’s unchanging love!

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

hither by thy help I’m come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

wandering from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor

daily I’m constrained to be!

Let that grace now, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here’s my heart; O take and seal it;

seal it for thy courts above.

Prayer Of The Day (unison)

Dearest and most wonderful God who Jesus taught us was our father, our parent loving us like a

father watches over his children and like a mother guards those who are hers, we come to you in

prayer for in you is wisdom, in you is hope, in you is life. You call us out of our small worlds and

our narrow vision to a place to see the world as you do. You called forth Abraham and Sarah

from a world of false gods to a land that flowed with milk and honey, and Moses led us from

slavery to freedom through the Red Sea. But we turned away. Yet you did not lose patience with

us, but through the voice of the prophets you once again beckoned for us to follow, and though

we might take a few steps on the path that you set for us, we were destined to wander. Finally,

out of your love for us and our brokenness you sent your son to call us and lead us. Today he

asks his disciples and us, “Who do you say that I am.” And we wonder can we truly say you are

our Lord and Savior and we will follow you all the way to the cross. Peter felt a deep fear when

Jesus told him that the way ended in the cross and Peter rebuked him. He rebuked Peter saying

“Get behind me Satan.” Peter could not fathom the depth of your son’s call and we too find

ourselves wondering if it could be true. We hear his words, "If any want to become my followers,

let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life

will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

And we shutter. You demand much of us. We want to follow, but we are comfortable where we

are and not ready for such change. Please strengthen us for the journey that is ahead that we

may truly follow you even if it takes us to the foot of the cross, for in you is the one true place of

life. Amen

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession (unison)

Jesus asks us, “Who do you say that I am.” We want to answer as Peter did "You are the

Messiah," but we know that it comes with consequences that like Peter we are not sure we can

face them. We can see that the times they are changing and that we need to find a way to bring

those changes into our lives and into our worshiping community. But it is hard and challenging

work and demands deep commitment. We are just not sure that we have the energy. We are not

sure that we want to change. The river of life is flowing all around us, and we cling to a rock in

the middle of the river fearing what might come downstream. Open us, Lord, to trust that you

are that river and that if we move into its flow it will be your hand that we guide us. May we

become new people through your son, Jesus Christ. Who held on to no rocks, walked our dusty

roads, and placed his life, wellbeing and total faith in you. It is through his faith and love that we

can find a way forward. Amen

Silent Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon

• Song “Living Hope” Wickham

How great the chasm that lay between us.

How high the mountain I could not climb.

In desperation I turned to heaven

and spoke Your name into the night.

Then through the darkness Your loving-kindness

tore through the shadows of my soul.

The work is finished, the end is written.

Jesus Christ, my living hope.

Who could imagine so great a mercy?

What heart could fathom such boundless grace?

The God of ages stepped down from glory

to wear my sin and bear my shame.

The cross has spoken; I am forgiven.

The King of kings calls me His own.

Beautiful Savior, I’m Yours forever.

Jesus Christ my living hope.

(chorus) Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free!

Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me!

You have broken every chain.

There’s salvation in Your name.

Jesus Christ my living hope.

Then came the morning that sealed the promise,

Your buried body began to breathe.

Out of the silence, the roaring lion

declared the grave has no claim on me.

(chorus 2 times)

(ending) Jesus Christ my living hope.

O God, You are my living hope.

Prayer for Illumination (unison)

Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scriptures Proverbs 1:20-33; Mark 8:27-38

Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out;

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Give heed to my reproof; I

will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you

refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, and because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes

you, when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and

anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me

diligently, but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the

LORD, would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit

of their way and be sated with their own devices. For waywardness kills the simple, and the compla-

cency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without

dread of disaster."

This is the word of our Lord

Thanks be to God.

Mark 8:27-38

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disci-

ples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and

still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him,

"You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to

teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief

priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter

and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human

things." He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers,

let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life

will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For

what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in re-

turn for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful genera-

tion, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the

holy angels."

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Who Do You Say Jesus Is? ” Rev. Eric Markman

* Hymn 157 “I Danced in the Morning” lord of the dance

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,

and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,

and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth.

At Bethlehem I had my birth.

(refrain) Dance, then, wherever you may be;

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,

and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,

and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,

but they would not dance and they would not follow me.

I danced for the fishermen, for James and John.

They came with me and the dance went on. (refrain)

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame.

The holy people said it was a shame.

They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,

and left me there on a cross to die. (refrain)

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black.

It's hard to dance with the devil on your back.

They buried my body and they thought I'd gone,

but I am the dance and I still go on. (refrain) (cont. on next page)

They cut me down and I leapt up high.

I am the life that will never, never die.

I'll live in you if you'll live in me,

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. (refrain)

* Affirmation of Faith (responsive) 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.

* Song “Great I Am” Anderson

I wanna be close, close to Your side

so Heaven is real and death is a lie;

I wanna hear voices of angels above

singing as one.

(chorus) Hallelujah, holy, holy,

God Almighty, great I Am;

Who is worthy, none beside Thee;

God Almighty, great I Am.

I wanna be near near, to Your heart,

Loving the world, hating the dark;

I wanna see dry bones living again

singing as one.

(chorus)

The mountains shake before You;

The demons run and flee

at the mention of Your name, King of majesty;

There is no pow'r in hell or any who can stand

before the power and the Presence of the great I Am.

The great I Am. (5 times)

(chorus)

Prayer for September 11

Call for the Offering

Prayer of Dedication

Prayer Concerns

Please use the prayer cards in the pews for your prayer concerns and joys and place in offering plate

when you leave today. Let us pray for the church, our neighbors in need and the whole world,

saying: Hear our prayer.

Prayers of Intercession and 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.

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

* Hymn 722 “Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak” canonbury

Lord, speak to me that I may speak

in living echoes of your tone.

As you have sought, so let me seek

your erring children lost and lone.

O lead me, Lord, that I may lead

the wandering and the wavering feet.

O feed me, Lord, that I may feed

your hungering ones with manna sweet.

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach

the precious truths which you impart.

And wing my words that they may reach

the hidden depths of many a heart.

O fill me with your fullness, Lord,

until my very heart o'erflow

in kindling thought and glowing word,

your love to tell, your praise to show.

O use me, Lord, use even me,

just as you will, and when, and where

until your blessed face I see,

your rest, your joy, your glory share.

* Charge and Benediction

* Song of Sending “Shine, Jesus Shine Kendrick

Lord, the light of Your love is shining,

in the midst of the darkness shining;

Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us,

set us free by the truth You now bring us,

shine on me, shine on me.

(chorus) Shine Jesus shine, fill this land with the Father's glory;

Blaze Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;

Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light.

Lord I come to Your awesome presence,

from the shadows into Your radiance;

By the blood I may enter Your brightness,

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.

Shine on me. shine on me.

(chorus)

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness,

so our faces display Your likeness;

Ever changing from glory to glory,

mirrored here may our lives tell your story.

Shine on me, shine, on me.

(chorus)

Announcements:

Chancel Flowers

Cost will be $25.00 for two. You are

welcome to take flowers home after

worship on Sunday mornings, or we can

deliver to a home bound member.

Please contact the church office at 731-5644 or email

Cindy at

cindyrogers@firstpresnewark.org to sign up.

Presbyterian Women will be

collecting school supplies for Albert

Jones Elementary School again this

year. List of needed items and

collection boxes can be located in the

Narthex and in Memorial Hall outside

the office. Donations will be received through

September.

Your help is again appreciated for these students. Any

questions, please contact Peggy Hester at 302-737-

0464.

Beginning September 12th

in Memorial Hall following

worship. (around 11:15)

Hybrid Bible Study. Join via

Zoom link located in the

Communicator.

Bring a sack lunch if desired, or plan to go out

with friends after the study for lunch and further

discussion. Books are $13 and available in the

church office. Study will be guided by Dave

Lovelace and Melody Bock.

PW continues to collect donations for their Fall

Festival. You may leave donations in the Gliwa

Room (in Memorial Hall) and labeled for booth.

Flyers available in the narthex and memorial hall

outlining donations and contacts.

Need a ride to an appointment???

Able to give a ride to an

appointment???

Contact Nancy Boulden

at 302-383-7469.

Nursery Worker Search

Congratulations to our Nursery

Workers who have resigned to take

full time work in their chosen career

areas.

This means that the church nursery will be searching

for two adults who enjoy working with very young

children and are available to work 3 hours on Sunday

mornings. For more information contact Faithe Koser,

Nursery Coordinator, by phone or text at (302) 544-

1166.

IMPORTANT CONGREGTIONAL SURVEY!

The session asks for your help to improve ways we

communicate important updates moving forward.

Please take a few minutes and complete the survey

found in this week’s Communicator or pick up a

hard copy in the narthex or church office.

We encourage all individuals to participate. We

want to capture as much input as possible. The

deadline to respond is Friday, September 17th,

Thank you for your assistance.

2022 Calendars

The PW will not be collecting calendars for 2022.

Midweek Reflections

Will begin Wednesday, October 6th!

WE NEED YOU! If you would share a weekly

meditation, devotion or personal testimony, please

contact Cindy at the church office. We would love

for all in the congregation to participate!

Videos will be recorded on Zoom and uploaded and

shared each week!

Helping Hands Collection for

September

Kingswood Food Closet

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Bags will be passed out on September 19th

during service, however donations can be

brought in anytime during the month and left

in the collection box.

Priority needs include:

Oodles of Noodles packages

Small (4 oz) jars of peanut butter and jelly,

Tuna salad/crackers/chicken salad/Crackers

Individual sized Jell-O, pudding or fruit cups

Small containers of crackers and cookies

Ready-to-eat foods with pop-top or screw tops

Pop Tarts, small packages of juice

Also welcome: checks, made out to:

"First Presbyterian Church”

Memo line: “Kingswood Methodist - Food

Closet"

Presbyterian Women Fall Event

Tuesday, October 5th at 7:00pm in

Memorial Hall

PW Invites you to learn about the successful and

meaningful partnership between New Castle

Presbytery and the Association of Mam Christian

Women for Development.

Please join the Mission Outreach Committee on

September 22nd at 6pm

To assemble GO Bags for the homeless in the local

area. We have all the supplies, we just need a few

volunteers from the congregation who are willing to

do some hands on mission work. Go Bags are filled

with hygiene and non-perishable food items and

given to people who are in need. We will meet in

Memorial Hall West.

OCTOBER HEART-

BEAT UPDATE

We will be having a

Heart Beat released in

October.

ALL articles must be

submitted by Friday,

September 17th to be

included!

Prayer Concerns/Praises…..

If you know of someone who is hospitalized, please

contact the church office and let us know. Prayer

email: prayers @firstpresnewark.org.. If you would

like to join the Zoom prayer group that meets

Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m., please contact

Cindy at the church office to me added to the email

link.

Healing :

Evelyn Hayes / Strength and stamina, continued

positivity and ability to participate fully in

treatment

Stephanie Bailey

Heather and Ellie Agnello

Kelly Boulden’s parents and sister

Rob Linwood

Garrett Norman, Sr

Pat Steele

Jen Conner

John Scuderi

Grief:

Donna Bailey and family

Scott Bailey and family

Laura Tuttle

Mary Ellen

Chip

Comfort and Protection:

Crystal Norman

Pastor Tshibuabua’s and the Dinanga Church

People left behind in Afghanistan and the women of

Afghanistan

Families of soldiers lost in Kabul

People affected by floods and Tornados

All Teachers and students

Wisdom:

Pastor Eric

God’s Guidance for Our Church and staff, CLC,

Session, Youth Ministry, Young Families, All

people will understand seriousness of Covid and

respond appropriately

Our Deacons: Angela Abankwa-Opoku, Rosemarie

Beron, Nancy Boulden, Jan Huckleberry, Lois

Huggins, Anne Lewis, Jane Moore, Norma

Salomon, Pat Steele, Bob Wenner

School Boards

Long term prayer:

Marian Bowen

Doris Brewer-praise for healing

Rhetta Brighton

Lea McMurtry

Crystal Norman

Esther Reutter

Myles Stiefvater-(son-in-law of Rhetta Brighton)

Carlton and Martha Tappan-Carlton in Cadia Rehab.

Thank you….

• So many cards. calls and offers to help came from you, my church family, during my sister Faye's passing

and my recent hospitalization. Thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers delivered by Pat Steele.

They grace my dining room table and brighten my spirit. I am deeply grateful and wish to thank you.

Shalom, Doris

Worship Services are in compliance with U. S. Copyright Act in accordance with CCLI License Number 311658. Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service

obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-735612. All rights reserved.

Interim Pastor: Rev. Eric Markman

Email: ericmarkman@firstpresnewark.org; Phone: 603-770-3239

Office Manager: Cindy Rogers

Email: cindyrogers@firstpresnewark.org

Music Leaders: Dave Baker, Karen Baker, Larry Benson, Alex Bock, Melody Bock, Griff Campbell, Jim Pierson-Perry, Mark Sisk

Video/Media Team: John Bock, Matthew Bowen, Dave Evers, Ted Koser, Jim Pierson-Perry, Jeff Rogers

Website: www.firstpresnewark.org

Phone: 302-731-5644

Email: fpchurch@firstpresnewark.org

Prayer Email: prayers@firstpresnewark.org

Online Giving: https://firstpresnewark.org/giving-at-fpc-n/ (copy link to your web browser)

Like us on Facebook: First Presbyterian Church of Newark

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00am—2:00pm, Friday 9:00am—12:30pm

Online giving is available through PayPal or you can mail or drop your offerings off at the church

office. Visit our website giving page for details. https://firstpresnewark.org/giving-at-fpc-n/

List of Officers By Class

Session Clerk of Session—Nancy Lewis

Class of 2022: Nancy Lewis, Jim Newsom, Jim Pierson-Perry

Class of 2023: Dave Baker, Greg Hills, Don Tancredi

Class of 2024: Melody Bock, Pat Nelson, Bob Wunder

Deacons Moderator: Jane Moore Vice Moderator: Norma Salomon

Class of 2022: Jan Huckleberry, Lois Huggins, Bob Wenner

Class of 2023: Angela Abankwa-Opoku, Nancy Boulden, Anne Lewis, Norma Salomon

Class of 2024: Rosemarie Beron, Jane Moore, Pat Steele

Trustees President: Ron Olson Vice President: Ken Lewis

Class of 2022: Ann Ferreira, Bill Lewis, Ron Olson, Scott Sheldon

Class of 2023: John Bock, Francis Kwansa, Ken Lewis, Jynx Stevenson

Class of 2024: Jim Annett, Joe Challburg, Jerry Holt, Kern Piser

Ushers: Joe and Lois Huggins

Counters: Harvey Conner, Kern Piser

Liturgist: Rosemarie Beron

Next Week’s Worship Line Up—September 19th

Liturgist: Jim Annett

Ushers: Joe and Lois Huggins

Counters: Don Tancredi, Joe Huggins

The chancel flowers are donated by:

Jane McAlpine in appreciation of all the

kindness shown since Bob’s death.