Decatur Presbyterian Church, p.c.a.a Community of Grace

For what we proclaim is not ourselves,but Jesus Christ as Lord,

with ourselves as your servantsfor Jesus’ sake.2 Corinthians 4:5

The Worship of Father, Son & Holy SpiritSeptember 11, 2011

The Lord’s Day

Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus! If you are a guest with us, please be sure to sign our Registry when it is passedbefore the service. Children are welcome in our worship. We have a nursery available for children 3 and under. Children4 to 6 years of age may be dismissed to Godly Play prior to the sermon. Thank you for joining us today and may the Lordrichly bless you.

Song of Assembly1

By Faith Getty\TownendBy faith we see the hand of God in the light of creation’s grand design

In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness, who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth with the power of His promise in their heartsOf a holy city built by God’s own hand, a place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise, we will fix our eyes on Him our soul's rewardTill the race is finished and the work is done, we'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day when the longed-for Messiah would appearWith the power to break the chains of sin and death and rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go in the power of the Spirit to the lostTo deliver captives and to preach good news in every corner of the earth

We will stand...

By faith this mountain shall be moved and the power of the gospel shall prevailFor we know in Christ all things are possible for all who call upon His name

We will stand...

Welcome and Preparation for WorshipMission cannot be something separate from or added to the essence of the Church. The essential nature of the localcongregation is, in and of itself, mission, or else the congregation is not really the Church. ~ Charles Van Engen

The church is missionary by nature because God has sent it on a mission in the world under the leading of the Holy Spirit.It is to bear witness to God's redemptive reign. Just as God is a missionary God, so the church is to be a missionary church. ~ Craig Van GelderGod’s church falters from exhaustion because Christians erroneously think that God has given them a mission to performin the world. Rather, the God of mission has given his church to the world. It is not the church of God that has a missionin the world, but the God of mission who has a church in the world. The church’s involvement in mission is its privilegedparticipation in the actions of the triune God. ~ Tim Dearborn

1 All songs used by permission or covered under CCLI license # 391165.

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As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ~ Jesus of Nazareth, praying to his Father, concerning his church, John 17

Report of the Living Church Pamela Bolding

The Lord Gives Us His PresenceResponsive Call to Worship2 Daniel 2:20-22Pastor: Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removeskings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hiddenthings; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.All: To you, O God of our fathers, we give thanks and praise!

Prayer of Adoration & Praise

Hymn of Praise

All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name! PerronetAll hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall; Let angels prostrate fall;Bring forth the royal diadem,

And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,And crown Him Lord of all!

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race,Ye ransomed of the fall, Ye ransomed of the fall,

Hail him who saves you by his grace,And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,

And crown Him Lord of all!

Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe,On this terrestrial ball, On this terrestrial ball,

To Him all majesty ascribe,And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,

And crown Him Lord of all!

O that with yonder sacred throng,We at his feet may fall, We at his feet may fall!

We’ll join the everlasting song,And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,

And crown Him Lord of all!

2 We believe that God always initiates with sinners, so we begin worship with his invitation and command to us to gather in His name.2

Gospel Reading: The Great Banquet Luke 14:12-23He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or yourbrothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast,invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will berepaid at the resurrection of the just.When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eatbread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the timefor the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they allalike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have meexcused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ Andanother said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to hismaster. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of thecity, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has beendone, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel peopleto come in, that my house may be filled.’

The Lord Gives Us His GraceCall to Confession Romans 6:23aFor the wages of sin is death...

We Confess our SinsAlmighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against You and against our fellow men, in thought word anddeed, in the evil we have done and in the good we have not done, through ignorance, through weakness, throughour own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ whodied for us, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life and to the glory of yourname... Silent & Personalized Confession of Sin... Amen!

Words of Grace Romans 6:23b ...but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Worship with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

You Are Worthy of My Praise RuisI will give You all my worship, I will give You all my praise.

You alone I long to worship, You alone are worthy of my praise.

I will worship (repeat), with all of my heart (repeat);I will praise you (repeat), with all of my strength. (repeat)

I will seek you (repeat), all of my days; (repeat)And I will follow (repeat), follow all of Your ways (repeat).

I will bow down (repeat), and hail You as King (repeat);I will serve you (repeat), give You everything (repeat).I will lift up (repeat), my eyes to Your throne (repeat);

And I will trust You (repeat), I will trust You alone (repeat).3

I Am the Lord Your God UnknownWhen you pass through the waters I will be with you,

And the waves will not overcome you, do not fear.For I have redeemed you,

I have called you by name you are mine.

For I am the Lord Your God, (I am Lord your God)I am the Lord your God, (I... Am)

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.I am the Lord, (Do not fear.)I am the Lord, (Do not fear.)I am the Lord, (Do not fear.)I am the Lord. (Do not fear.)

When you pass through the fire you'll not be burnedAnd the flames will not consume you, do not fear.

For I have redeemed you,I have called you by name you are mine.

The Power of the Cross Getty/TownendOh to see the dawn of the darkest day. Christ on the road to Calvary.Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then. Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow’r of the cross. Christ became sin for us.Took the blame, bore the wrath. We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh to see the pain written on Your face. Bearing the awesome weight of sin.Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath quakes as its maker bows His head.Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life. “Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

Oh to see my name written in Your wounds, for through Your suf’fring I am free.Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live, won through Your selfless love!

This the pow’r of the cross. Son of God slain for us.What a life, what a cost. We stand forgiven at the cross.

Prayers of Thanksgiving & Petition Elder Skip Thompson…Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is inheaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not intotemptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

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His Tithes & Our Offerings

The Lord Gives Us His WordSermon3 Pastor Tommy Lee

Welcome: a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasureLeviticus 19:33, 34

We Respond: The Way of Love 1 Corinthians 13Pastor: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.People: And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so asto remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.Pastor: If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.People: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its ownway; it is not irritable or resentful;Pastor: It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.People: Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, itwill pass away.Pastor: For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.People: When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man,I gave up childish ways.Pastor: For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have beenfully known.All: So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Lord Gives Us His SacramentThe Sacrament of the Lord’s SupperCommunion, also called The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committedfollowers of Jesus Christ to share in this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims thegospel, who are at peace with God and their neighbor, and who seek strength to live in a deeper communion with Jesus.If you are not a Christian, or you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer.We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with his people, the Church.

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us TownendHow deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure,That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away,As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

3 4, 5, & 6 year-old children may be dismissed before the sermon to Godly Play in room 173.5

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders,Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished;His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in any thing, no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom;But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer,But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.

The Lord Gives Us His BlessingBenediction4 2 Corinthians 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may aboundin every good work.

Our God TomlinOur God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any otherOur God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, our God...

4 Just as God called us into His presence at the beginning, so now He commands His blessing upon us as we depart. We look up and extend our handsin a posture of thanksgiving as we receive this great gift. Our final response to God’s assurance of His peace and presence upon those who are in Christis a chorus of joyful song.

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Welcome: a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasureLeviticus 19:33, 34Pastor Tommy Lee

1. Understanding More of the Practical Holiness of God

2. WHY? Two Enormous Reasons.

3. Tracing the Theme of Welcome Through the Scriptures

4. Making this Truth Usable... for a Purpose

Sermons are available at the church web site www.decaturpca.org

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September 18 Dads of College Kids September 25 DPC Block Party October 7-9 Women in the Church International Conference October 16 Local Missions Conference October 26 Fall Festival October 29 Youth NCC Workday November 6 DPC Breakfast Story November 6 Night of Prayer for the Persecuted Church December 3 Children's Advent Workshop December 11 Christmas Music Program December 24 Christmas Eve Service February 3-4, 2012 Common Ground Marriage Weekend

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Tuesday, 6:30am Iron Men Bible Study @ DPC Wednesday, 11:30am Men’s Bible Study @ ADTRAN 5:30pm Dinner / Guests Welcome 6:00pm Kid's Choirs: 5 Year Olds - 2nd Grade / Kids of the King 3rd Grade - 8th Grade / Dare 2 Declare YBR Small Groups (9th - 12th Grade) 6:15pm Midweek Bible Study Worship Choir Practice 6:30pm 4 Year Olds & Kindergarten / Kid's Quest 1st -2nd Grade / Discovery Club 3rd -5th Grade / Discovery Club Stampede (6th-8th Grade) 7:45pm Praise Band Practice Thursday, 12:00pm Women’s Bible Study @ Neighborhood Christian Center Friday, 6:30am Men’s Bible Study @ Temple, Inc. Sunday, 7:00pm YBR (9th - 12th Grade) @ the Schmidts’

THIS WEEK

4:00pm Friends of Mercy 6:00pm Ever After: Building Stronger Marriages 7:00pm YBR (9th - 12th Grade) @ the Schmidts’

TODAY

meets tonight. 6:00pm. At the church. Childcare pro-vided. “Think of all the squabbles Adam and Eve musthave had in the course of their nine hundred years. Evewould say, ‘You ate the apple,’ and Adam would retort,‘You gave it to me.’” ~ Martin Luther

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FRIENDS OF MERCY

Do you have a heart for mercy ministries? Join with otherDPC Friends of Mercy at 4:00pm today here at the church.We’re going to read a book together (Tim Keller’s “Minis-tries of Mercy”) and spend some time reflecting and pray-ing about ways that DPC can love Decatur in the name ofChrist. “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but indeed and in truth.” ~ The Apostle John Missions Spotlight: Bill and Cheryl Nikides ministering to

Muslims with i2 Ministries.

Bill and Cheryl are coming to Decatur on Wednesday nightFebruary 15th!

Bill and Cheryl have been missionaries reaching Muslims for12 years. As a Director with i2 Ministries, Bill trains churchplanters, leaders and missionaries on three continents (Asia,Africa, Latin America) for ministry in the Islamic world. Billdevelops courses and supporting materials and travels exten-sively. He also prepares local leaders to reach Muslims athome.

In addition to their missions work Bill and Cheryl are con-cerned about what is called “insider movements”. This is avery disturbing trend in which some missionaries and churchleaders blur the distinctions between Islam and Christianity.Some even teach that that a Muslim follower of Jesus canretain all Muslim practices, including prayer toward Meccaand recitation of the Muslim Creed. Bill is involved inmaking a documentary about insider movements that will beavailable on DVD.

DPC provides about 10% of the annual support for theNikides. The Thompson/Sasser Care Group is staying intouch with Bill and Cheryl. For more information pleasecontact the Mulligans or the Missildines. Also check out theweb site at i2ministries.org.

DPC ANNOUNCEMENTS

This fall the ladies will be studying, by Nancy Guthrie. The books are

available and the cost is $10. Please see Abbi Whitcombif you would like to pick up a copy.

Tuesdays, 9:30 am, at the churchBeginning September 20

Iron Men Bible Study:Large Group Bible Study begins again THIS TUESDAYMORNING, September 13, at 6:30 am. We finishpromptly at 7:30 am. Invite a friend! We’re studyingGalatians.

Iron Men of DPCForged by God; Sharpened by BrothersIron sharpens Iron, and one man sharpens another.~ Proverbs 27:17

Please join us for a Bridal TeaHonoring Sophie McNalley

Sunday, September 18, 2011 ~ 2:00pm at DPC

Selections at Jimmy Smith Jewelers,Sam, Frank & Moore,

Williams~Sonoma in Huntsville,& Belk

YBR (9th - 12th Grade) Tonight 7:00pm @ the Schmidts’

SpaghettiGarden Salad

RollsTea & Lemonade

Kids: Same

Tear here and place in the offering plate

Please e-mail your dinner reservations and/or changesto debbie@decaturpca.org or call the church office @351-6010 ext. 2.

Name: ________________________________________

No. of meals: Adult _________ Kids ________

Name: ________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________

No. of meals: Adult __________ Kids ________

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inviting our neighbors to the DPC Block Party.If you can help us deliver door hanger invita-tions, please come by the table in the cafe area.There you can pick up your maps and yourdoor hangers. You can make delivery anytimebetween now and September 24. Let's inviteour neighbors to our home for dinner andmusic, so we can enjoy getting to know them!

MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY

David: Anointed King / Desperate OutlawThe Midweek Bible Study on 1st Samuel returns

on Wednesday night, August 31.Meal: 5:30pm Study: 6:15pm

David has defeated the giant Goliath. Now he must dealwith the giant Saul. It's time to choose between what iseasy and what is right. Again and again and again.

Apologetics Conference�Christian Apologist Josh McDowell is coming to Decaturand DPC is one of a handful of churches sponsoring theconference. September 28 and 29. Stay tuned for moredetails.

Dads of College KidsCome join us in the parlor at 9:00 am on Sundaymorning, September 18. We’re going to intercedefor all of DPC’s college students by name.

Adult Christian Education Classes9:30AM

“A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”A study of Eugene Peterson’s book looking at the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). These are the particular songs thatthe Hebrew pilgrims would sing on their way up to worship in Jerusalem, and they have much to teach us about worship,service, joy, work, happiness, humility, community and blessing. Room 158A, (right off the sanctuary).

“The Righteous Shall Live By Faith”A study of R. C. Sproul’s book looking at the book of Romans. The book of Romans has been called “Paul’s fullest,grandest, most comprehensive statement of the gospel,” and it’s just as vital for the church today as on the day it waswritten. Room 167A, (down the hall from the church office).

Sedona Class for Young AdultsThe Young Adult Class is studying the book of John, using an excellent study guide (very understandable and applicable)by Frank Barker. The book of John was “written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and thatby believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Room 168a -- the “waterfall room,” off the back hallway, whichcan be accessed from the hallway across from the church office.

Decatur Presbyterian Church, P.C.A.2306 Modaus Road, Southwest / Decatur, Alabama 35603

Phone 256.351.6010 / Fax 256.351.6099 / www.decaturpca.org

Service Times 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Worship

SessionGeorge Godwin

Kent QuinnGreg Smith

Blake TempleSkip Thompson

DiaconateScott GriessSteve Sasser

Chip Walraven

Church Staff Senior Pastor Tommy Lee tommy@decaturpca.org Assistant Pastor of Youth Steve Coward steve@decaturpca.org Worship Director Stu Schieler stu@decaturpca.org Interim Children’s Ministry Director Cindy Johnston cindy@decaturpca.org Office Coordinator Debbie Bell debbie@decaturpca.org