DPC Bulletin - September 4, 2011

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 4, 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

Here I am to Worship HughesLight of the world, You stepped down into darkness, opened my eyes, let me see.

Beauty that made this heart adore You, hope of a life spent with You.

Here I am to worship; here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You’re my God.You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.

King of all days, oh so highly exalted. glorious in heaven above.Humbly you came to the earth You created. all for love’s sake became poor.

I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.

Welcome and Preparation for WorshipOur greatest claim to nobility is our created capacity to know God, to be in personal relationship with him, to love himand to worship him. Indeed, we are most truly human when we are on our knees before our Creator. ~ John Stott

Worship does not satisfy our hunger for God; it whets our appetite. ~ Eugene Peterson

Somehow about forty percent of churchgoers seem to have picked up the idea that ‘singing in church is for singers.’ Thetruth is that ‘singing is for believers.’ The relevant question is not ‘Do you have a voice?’ but ‘Do you have a song?’ ~ Donald Hustad

Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshiped. ~ Augustine

Oh come, let us worship. ~ Psalm 95

The Lord Gives Us His PresenceResponsive Call to Worship2 Psalm 47:1, 2, 6Pastor: Clap your hands, all peoples!People: Shout to God with loud songs of joy!Pastor: For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,1 All songs used by permission or covered under CCLI license # 391165.2 We believe that God always initiates with sinners, so we begin worship with his invitation and command to us to gather in His name.

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People: A great king over all the earth.Pastor: Sing praises to God, sing praises!People: Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

Prayer of Adoration & Praise

Hymn of Praise

Holy, Holy, Holy DykesHoly, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee. Who wert, and art, and evermore shall be.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee, perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky and sea,Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

We Confess our Faith The Apostles’ Creed3

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. Hesuffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again fromthe dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will cometo judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection ofthe body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord Gives Us His GraceCall to Confession 1 Timothy 1:13Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent... I received mercy.

We Confess our SinsOur great God and heavenly Father, you are pleased to dwell in the hearts of those who long for your presence andhumbly receive your love. We come to You to acknowledge and confess that we have sinned in thought and wordand deed; we have not loved You with all our heart and soul, with all our mind and strength; we have not even lovedour neighbor as ourselves. Deepen within us our sorrow for the wrong we have done, or for the good we have leftundone. But You, O Lord, are full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in mercy; and there is3 Although not written by the apostles, the Apostles’ Creed is a concise summary of their teachings. It originated as a baptismal confession, probably inthe second century, and developed into its present form by the sixth or seventh century.

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forgiveness with You. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation; bind up that which is broken, give light to our minds,strength to our wills and rest to our souls. Speak to each of us the word that we need, and let Your Word abide withus until it has wrought in us Your holy will... Silent & Personalized Confession of Sin... Amen!

We Look to Christ 1 Corinthians 2:1, 2, 5And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.... so that your faith might not rest in thewisdom of men but in the power of God.

Worship with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

Father, Long Before Creation BarnesFather, long before creation, Thou had’st chosen us in love,

And that love so deep, so moving, draws us close to Christ above.Still it keeps us, still it keeps us, firmly fixed in Christ alone.

Though the world may change its fashion, yet our God is e’er the same;His compassion and His covenant, through all ages will remain.

God’s own children, God’s own children, must forever praise His name.

Loving Father now before Thee, we will ever praise Thy love,And our songs will sound unceasing, ’til we reach our home above,

Giving glory, giving glory, to our God and to the LambGiving glory, giving glory, to our God and to the Lamb.

Mighty to Save Feilding/MorganEveryone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing

Let mercy fall on me.Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Saviour,

The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains;My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save

Forever, Author of salvation,He rose and conquered the grave;

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me, all my fears and failures;Fill my life again

I give my life to follow everything I believe in,Now I surrender.

Shine your light and let the whole world seeWe’re singing for the glory of the risen King. Jesus! (4X)

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I Give You My Heart MorganThis is my desire, to honor You; Lord, with all my heart, I worship You;

All I have within me, I give You praise; all that I adore is in You.

Lord, I give You my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone;Every breath that I take, every moment I'm awake, Lord, have Your way in me.

Prayers of Thanksgiving & Petition Pastor Steve Coward

His Tithes & Our Offerings

The Lord Gives Us His WordSermon4 Pastor Tommy Lee

Series: “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

XCII. It’s Not Too LateMatthew 23:32-24:2

Ancient Words DeShazoHoly words long preserved for our walk in this world.

They resound with God’s own heart, O let the ancient words impart.

Words of life, words of hope, give us strength, help us cope.In this world where’er we roam, ancient words will guide us home.

Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you.We have come with open hearts, O let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our faith handed down to this age.Came to us through sacrifice, O heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world.They resound with God’s own heart, O let the ancient words impart.

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.4 4, 5, & 6 year-old children may be dismissed before the sermon to Godly Play in room 173.

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Be Unto Your Name DeShazo/SadlerWe are a moment, You are forever, Lord of the Ages, God before time;

We are a vapor, You are eternal, love everlasting, reigning on high.

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, worthy is the Lamb Who was slain;Highest praises, honor and glory be unto Your Name, be unto Your Name.

We are the broken, You are the healer, Jesus, Redeemer, mighty to save;You are the love song we’ll sing forever, bowing before You, blessing Your Name.

The Lord Gives Us His BlessingBenediction5 2 Corinthians 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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...

5 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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“Come to me… and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)XCII. It’s Not Too Late

Matthew 23:32-24:2Pastor Tommy Lee

1. Last, Urgent Words: There is Still Time to Repent!

2. A Few Thoughts about the Reality of God’s Judgment

3. The Gospel is Not for “Trifling Sinners”

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

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

TODAY

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

THIS WEEK

September 11 Ever After: Building Stronger Marriages 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 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

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DPC ANNOUNCEMENTS

MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY

David: Anointed King / Desperate Outlaw

The Midweek Bible Study on 1st Samuelreturns on Wednesday night, August 31.

Meal: 5:30pm Study: 6:15pmDavid has defeated the giant Goliath. Nowhe must deal with the giant Saul. It's time to

choose between what is easy and what is right.Again and again and again.

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

This book provides a fresh look at the book ofGenesis, leading women in discovering how its stories,symbols, people, and promises point to Christ. Overten weeks of study, participants will see Christ as theagent of creation, the offspring who will crush thehead of the serpent, the ark of salvation, the sourceof the righteousness credited to Abraham, the substi-tutionary sacrifice provided by God, the Savior towhom the whole world must come for life, and muchmore.

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

meets on the 2nd Sunday night of everymonth. Next Week. 6:00pm. At the church.Childcare provided. “Think of all the squab-bles Adam and Eve must have had in thecourse of their nine hundred years. Evewould say, ‘You ate the apple,’ and Adamwould retort, ‘You gave it to me.’” ~ Martin Luther

Please join us for aBridal Teahonoring

Sophie McNalley

Sunday, September 18, 20112:00pmat DPC

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

Williams~Sonoma in Huntsville,& Belk

2011Women in the

ChurchInternationalConference

There are several DPC women attending and wehave some hotel rooms reserved. See AdrianeCoward or Elizabeth Lee if you are interestedor have questions. There will be a brief meetingSunday, September 11 after worship in theparlor for all those planning to attend.

October 7-9, 2011Atlanta, Georgia

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“THEREFORE WELCOME ONE ANOTHER...as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”(Romans 15:7) Go visit the recently re-worked NewcomersBoard in the Gathering Room! Do you see a picture ofsomeone you haven't met yet? Go and welcome one another!

Iron Men Bible Study:We’ll begin large group Bible Studies again onSeptember 13. Tuesday mornings, 6:30 am. We’llfinish promptly at 7:30 am. We’re studying Paul’sletter to the Galatians. Invite a friend!

IRON MEN Moment:Some of us are driven by the engine of “fear. Fearof death and eternity. We may feverishly try tofulfill the demands of our chosen or inherited reli-gious creed. This could be the intellectual denialsof atheism, the eight-fold noble path of Buddhism,the five pillars of Islam, the Ten Commandmentsof the Torah, the seven sacraments of the RomanCatholic Church or the demanding ministries ofour Reformed local church! But there is no powerin religion. It’s like putting water into the fuel tank.At best it can only cover up the reality of ourbroken lives with a pretense of respectability. Reli-gious observance has no power to change us deepinside. It is only the powerful reassurance of thegospel of the resurrection of Christ that can rescuea man from fear and bring him God's spiritualpower to change.” ~ Richard Coekin

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

FRIENDS OF MERCY

Do you have a heart for mercy ministries? Joinwith other DPC Friends of Mercy at 4:00pm onSunday, September 11, here at the church.We’re going to read a book together (TimKeller’s “Ministries of Mercy”) and spendsome time reflecting and praying about waysthat DPC can love Decatur in the name ofChrist. “Little children, let us not love in wordor talk but in deed and in truth.” ~ The Apostle John

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

Dads of College KidsCome join us in the parlor at 9:00 am onSunday morning, September 18. We’re goingto intercede for all of DPC’s college studentsby name.

Apologetics ConferenceChristian Apologist Josh McDowell is com-ing to Decatur and DPC is one of a handfulof churches sponsoring the conference.September 28 and 29. Stay tuned for moredetails.

Country Fried Steak w/White GravyMacaroni & Cheese

Baby LimasRolls

Tea & LemonadeKids: Nuggets

Tear here and place in the offering plate

Please e-mail your dinner reservations and/orchanges to [email protected] or call thechurch 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 BlockParty. If you can help us deliver doorhanger invitations, let Tommy know.Speak to him today or e-mail him([email protected]) or sign up onthe sign-up sheet that's on the counterin the cafe area. You can sign up for 50,100, 150, 200 or more door hangers.Let's invite our neighbors to our homefor dinner and music, so we can enjoygetting to know them!

Church Office

will be closed Monday

for Labor Day

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, andthat by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Room 168a -- the “waterfall room,” off the back hallway,which can 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 [email protected] Assistant Pastor of Youth Steve Coward [email protected] Worship Director Stu Schieler [email protected] Interim Children’s Ministry Director Cindy Johnston [email protected] Office Coordinator Debbie Bell [email protected]