THE LORD'S DAY EVENING WORSHIP A Guide to the Evening Service A Guide to the Morning Service

The Seventh Day of December, Two Thousand Eight Six O’Clock The Ordination of Elders Sermon
MORNING WORSHIP Presiding Minister — The Reverend Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas Tonight is very special in the life of our congregation. We have the solemn We begin our sermon series this morning on the Gospel of Luke. This
Eight-Thirty and Eleven O'Clock Assisting Minister — The Reverend Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III and joyful privilege of ordaining and installing new elders: shepherds of the gospel begins with promises and problems. Sometimes it is almost like God
Senior Minister — The Reverend Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III Senior Minister flock, pastors, guides, disciplers, teachers of the word. We first meet elders is showing off. Not in the sinful way that we might do it to draw attention
Assisting Minister — The Reverend Mr. William F. Joseph III in the Bible, some 3500 years ago. The first Christian elders are already hard to ourselves, but it does seem like God shows off from time to time to get
Minister of Congregational Care at work when we come to Acts 15. Our Book of Church Order says: "This our attention. After all, God promised countless descendents to Abraham
The Announcements and Words of Preparation (5:50 p.m.) office is one of dignity and usefulness. The man who fills it has in Scripture and his barren wife Sarah when they were in their nineties. Why did He not
At the time of the Greetings and Announcements, and during the Prelude, the congregation different titles expressive of his various duties. As he has the oversight of the do this when they were in their twenties? In Egypt, God hardens the heart
The Prelude — "O Little Town of Bethlehem" .......................................Paul Manz
is invited to a season of silent and reverent preparation for corporate worship. flock of Christ, he is termed bishop or pastor. As it is his duty to be grave and of Pharaoh that He might multiply His signs and wonders in the land.
Connie Wadsworth, Organist prudent, an example to the flock, and to govern well in the house and Wouldn't it have been easier to make Pharaoh let them go as soon as Moses
The Greetings and Announcements (8:20 and 10:50 a.m.) The Call to Worship Kingdom of Christ, he is termed presbyter or elder. As he expounds the Word, asked? Or, why does God have to take most of Gideon's army away from
and by sound doctrine both exhorts and convinces the gainsayer, he is him before giving them victory over the Midianites? Why did Hannah have
The Prelude — "What Child Is This?".................................................Arr. Wyrtzen ‡ The Carol of Praise No. 208 — "O Come, All Ye Faithful" termed teacher. . . . It belongs to the office of elder, both severally and joint- to be barren when the promise of Samuel came? Why did God choose a
Caroline Pillsbury, Pianist ly, to watch diligently over the flock committed to their charge, that no cor- shepherd boy named David to become the King of Israel? And here, in the
‡ The Invocation ruption of doctrine or of morals enter therein. They must exercise govern- first chapter of Luke's Gospel the barren Elizabeth will become pregnant
The Introit — "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" ................Ancient Plainsong Chant ment and discipline, and take oversight not only of the spiritual interests of with John the Baptist, and her virgin cousin, Mary, will bear the Lord Jesus
The Evening Carol No. 199 — "See, amid the Winter's Snow"
the particular church, but also the church generally when called thereunto. Christ. Does God just like showing off? It seems that God is trying to teach
The Call to Worship * The Greetings They should visit the people at their homes, especially the sick. They should us something through all of this: With God, promises are greater than prob-
instruct the ignorant, comfort the mourner, nourish and guard the children lems. May our hearts be tuned to respond in worship and adoration as we
‡ The Carol of Praise No. 196 — "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" The Presentation of God's Tithes and Our Offerings of the church. They should set a worthy example to the flock entrusted to see God glorify His Name in the face of what seems to be insurmountable
‡ The Prayer of Adoration and Invocation their care by their zeal to evangelize the unconverted and make disciples. problems standing in the way of the promises of God.
The Offertory — "Angels We Have Heard On High"..................Arr. George Strid All those duties which private Christians are bound to discharge by the law
The Student Ensemble, Hannah Thomas, Accompanist of love are especially incumbent upon them by divine vocation, and are to
The Old Testament Reading — Isaiah 17 (Pew Bible Page 580) Old Testament Reading
be discharged as official duties. They should pray with and for the people, Calvin said in The Institutes that our hearts are perpetual factories of idols.
(The children dismissed following the offertory) being careful and diligent in seeking the fruit of the preached Word among
The Ensemble — "The Infant King" ..............................................David Willcocks For Luther, the issue of the Reformation was justification, but for Calvin, the
Erin Miller, Ryan Miller, Amanda Roberson, Ben Roberson and Victor Smith The Prayer of Illumination the flock." most prominent issue was worship.
Idolatry is something that plagues us all. Sure we probably do not wor-
* The Welcome The Reading of Holy Scripture — John 13:15-17 (Pew Bible Page 900) The Ordination of Deacons ship little wooden gods that we have fashioned and worship them, but we
Tonight we also have the solemn and joyful privilege of ordaining and
The Sermon — "Called to Serve: Not so much a promotion; all are tempted to have inappropriate trust and comfort in the stuff of this
The Morning Prayer and the Lord's Prayer installing new deacons, ministers of mercy, to the work of service. The very
first deacons were ordained almost 2000 years ago in the same manner in world. It is easier to look at a nice bank account or find comfort for the
rather, an opportunity to be humble" ..........................Dr. Thomas future in a well-planned 401K than it is to look by faith to the Living God.
‡ The Psalm No. 198 — "Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates!" (Psalm 24) which we will proceed tonight — through the laying on of hands (see Acts
The Order of Installation 6:6). Our Book of Church Order says: "The office of deacon is set forth in the It is not that bank accounts or 401Ks are inherently wrong; it is only when
The Presentation of God's Tithes and Our Offerings The Questions to the Candidates.........................................................Dr. Duncan Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sym- we look to those things to find our comfort and security and joy, rather than
The Questions to the Congregation ........................................................Mr. Ware pathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the looking into God's Word to find our true hope and comfort.
The Anthem — "Still, Still, Still".......................................................Mack Wilberg communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of One of the prominent issues in this oracle concerning Damascus is idol-
The Prayer of Ordination and Installation and the Laying on of Hands ...Mr. Smith atry. Verses 7-8 say, "In that day man will look to his Maker, and his eyes
With Kathryn Edwards, Pianist need." It goes on to add: "It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those
The Declaration of Ordination and Installation ..................................Dr. Duncan will look on the Holy One of Israel. He will not look to the altars, the work
who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in dis-
The Charge ..........................................................................................Dr. Duncan of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either
"Still, still, still, the child's eyes softly close. tress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of
And Mary breathless, draws Him, weeping, to her heart made pure for keeping. the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, the Asherim or the altars of incense." God is dealing with the heart of man
The Hymn No. 347 — "The Church's One Foundation" (Stanza 1)
Still, still, still, His bright eyes softly close. and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed. by causing them to turn their eyes from the idols entangling their hearts that
Sing, sing, sing, He hears and sweetly smiles. ‡ The Benediction and Response — "The Church's One Foundation" They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and they might look to the Living God.
And kneeling, Joseph joins in chorus with the angels bending o'er us. personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other build-
Sing, sing, sing, He hears and sweetly smiles. "O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we, ings belonging to the congregation." The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Sleep, sleep, sleep, He breathes a tender sigh like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with Thee." Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
For soon He'll wake the world from slumber, bringing life and endless wonder. The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Another of Charles Wesley's masterpieces of hymnody (the second and
The Postlude — "Now Sing We and Rejoice".........................................Paul Manz O Come, All Ye Faithful third stanzas are modern, but worthy accompaniment to Wesley's two stan-
Sleep, sleep, sleep, He breathes a tender sigh.
Sleep, Holy Jesus, sleep." One hymnologist says this of Wade's carol, "Its popularity in all English- zas). It ponders the richness of revelation found in the prophecies of the Old
*The ushers may seat latecomers speaking countries is universal: hardly a congregation fails to sing it at every Testament, and plunges the depths of the reality of the second member of
‡Congregation standing Christmas time. Such popularity is testimony to its genuine worth. In the the Triune God becoming man. "Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and
OneLicense.net #A-713437
first place, the method of presentation is dramatic. The poet takes us by the yet a king, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring."
The Prayer of Illumination hand and leads us with triumphant song to the cave of the Nativity in We sing it this morning in response to the reading and preaching of God's
Bethlehem, shows us the Babe, and bids us adore. Next, in a stanza that holy word. Oh, by the way, you may associate this tune with another in our
The Reading of Holy Scripture — Luke 1:1-7 (Pew Bible Page 855) many hymnals omit or modify, we are given an explanation of what we see: hymnal—"Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!"
it is not a human infant, but God. Here the language is taken literally from Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates! (Psalm 24)
The Sermon — "Gospel Beginnings".....................................................Dr. Duncan the ancient Greek creeds of the fourth century. The choirs of angels now This excellent new covenant rendition of Psalm 24 emphasizes the coming
burst upon us, urged on to further song by our own exuberance. The shep- of the Lord, a theme we find in the very opening chapters of the Bible.
‡ The Carol of Response No. 197 — "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People" herds enter the cave; they join us as we kneel in adoration. We speak to the Churches that follow the ecclesiastical calendar call this season "Advent," in
(Stanza 1) [Tune: Werde Munter] child directly and make our offering of love and praise. This is all so simple, celebration not only of Christ's first coming but also in anticipation of His
so vivid in imagery, so sincere in emotion, that barring a few theological second coming. The church's longing for the second coming of Christ (as
‡ The Benediction We are delighted to have you in our worship. May we phrases a child can understand it and enter sympathetically into the experi-
heartily worship and praise God together! If you well as our thankfulness for His first coming) can be fully expressed in the
ence of worship and joy."
The Response — "O Come, Let Us Adore Him" ...........................David Willcocks Welcome would like information about joining this church, we
See, amid the Winter's Snow
singing of this psalm.
cordially invite you to an informal meeting in the Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
The Postlude — "'Postlude on Mendelssohn'" ...............................David Willcocks Visitors Session Room following the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Edward Caswall allowed his sanctified imagination a little room on this one We will close our morning worship with this carol. The text was composed
as you can see from the title alone. It's unlikely that Jesus' birth was accom- by the German philosopher/lecturer, Johannes Gottfried Olearius in the
worship services. panied by snowfall, though that does not prevent us from singing this one
*The ushers may seat latecomers mid-seventeenth century.
‡Congregation standing with gusto.
 THE CHURCH DIRECTORY
FPC THIS WEEK ANNOUNCEMENTS
Church Offices:
1390 N. State Street,
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
601-353-8316 • FAX 601-973-9119
web site - www.fpcjackson.org
“Hymns of the Faith” WJNT 1180AM Talk Radio 9:00 a.m. Sunday
WWSL FM102.3 11:00 a.m. Sunday
WLBT TV3 10:00 a.m. Sunday

The
CHURCH STAFF
SUNDAY • December 7, 2008 The Reverend Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III — Senior Minister
Jeremy H. Smith, Senior Assistant Minister
William C. Hughes, Executive Minister Emeritus
II THESSALONIANS 3:1
Sunday Pre-Service Announcements — 8:20 a.m. in the Sanctuary
"Finally, brethren, pray for us...." — Our FPC missionary for today to lift up in
MINISTERS OFFICE:
Derek W. H. Thomas, Minister of Teaching
STUDENT:
Justin Pillsbury, Director

First
Hymns of the Faith Radio Program — 9:00 a.m. on Missye Rhee Breazeale, Executive Assistant Brett Clifton, Assistant
prayer: Andrew Lamb - MTW Regional Director - Mexico / Brazil, 2973
WJNT 1180 AM Marie Phillips, Administrative Assistant Heather Shaw, Administrative Assistant
Admiral's Walk Drive North, Orange Park, FL 32073. Email address: Kim Wynne, Administrative Assistant Richard Owens, Intern
Prayer for Worship Service — 9:00 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. in
Andrew.Lamb@mtw.org Jason Grabulis, Senior Minister's Intern Sarah Sullivan, Intern
M133 Nick Reid, Senior Minister's Intern Elisabeth Sandlin, Intern
Lauren Smith, Strategic Planning Project Manager YOUNG ADULTS:
Sunday School — 9:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. in various locations
Nathan D. Shurden, Minister of Young Adults

Presbyterian
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:
Pre-Service Announcements — 10:50 a.m. in the Sanctuary Donna Dobbs, Director of Christian Education Shannon Craft, Administrative Assistant
Student Ensemble — 4:45 p.m. in MS WIC CIRCLES
Weezie Polk, Children's Ministry Director Stephen Smith, Career Intern
Barbara Porter, Children's Ministry Associate Director Brian Sorgenfrei, College Coordinator
New Members Received — 5:00 p.m. in PH Douglas McCullough, Director, Learning Resource David Felker, Assistant College Men's Coordinator
Young Adults Prayer Time — 5:00 p.m. in YH Monday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, 10:00 a.m. Center BUSINESS OFFICE:
# 2 Deanne Borne # 9 Kathryn Cox Ashley Hall, Women's Ministries Assoc. Dir. Earl Davis, Business Administrator
WIC Prayer Group — 5:00 p.m. in the Parlor

Church
Janet Quayle, Nursery Coordinator Jimmi Phillips, Financial Associate
Pre-Service Announcements — 5:50 p.m. in the Sanctuary 102 Oakridge Trail, Flowood 236 Ashcot Circle Hellen Powell, Asst. Nursery Coordinator Barbara Eichelberger, Administrative Assistant
First - Third Grade Catechism Class — 6:30 p.m. (dismissed Monday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. #10 Dot Dazet Linell Corban, Librarian Laura Estrada, Receptionist
Bethany Anderson, Bookstore Assistant (part-time) Bob Stoll, Security Director
from Sanctuary to M133) # 4 Barbara Cook and Kristi Jordan 79 Redbud Lane, Madison Omega Stephens, Administrative Assistant David Acker, Security
Four- and Five-Year-Olds Scripture Memory Class — Church Parlor Tuesday, December 9, 10:00 a.m. Josh Rieger, Intern Bill Batia, Security
DISCIPLESHIP: Larry Hammond, Security
6:30 p.m. (dismissed from Sanctuary to M135) # 5 Laura Blaylock and Bess Corbitt # 11 Peanut Simmons and Ruth Tant

of
Shannon Craft, Administrative Assistant Don Rosamond, Security
Senior High Insight — 7:30 p.m. in the home of Youth House Youth House Brad Mills, Intern Dan Still, Security
William Moore (200 Hickory Glen) MUSIC & MEDIA: FACILITIES:
Monday, December 8, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, Noon (Lunch) William Wymond, Minister of Music and Media Tim Derrick, Maintenance Manager
(Lunch) #13 Janet Quayle Willard Harrell, Music Assistant Claude Lawson
Monday Circles Meet This Week
# 3 Joy Cannada Miller Hall Connie Wadsworth, Organist CUSTODIAL:
Sew and Sow Ministry Team Meeting — 8:30 a.m. in YH Emily Whitaker, Children's Choirs Director Jim Williams, Jr., Supervisor

Jackson
4110 Sandridge Drive Tuesday, December 9, 5:30 p.m. Sarah Jones, Asst. Children's Choirs Director LeeFlora Bell
MTJ Committee — 12:00 p.m. in MH Yong Wook Kim, Music Intern Moses Blockson
Troop 18 Scout Committee — 12:00 p.m. in MH Monday, December 8, Noon (Dinner) John McElrath, Assistant TV Production William Brown
The Diaconate — 5:30 p.m. in PH #14 Susan Turner # 7 Marian Ware Tian Teh, Assistant TV Production Edward Brooks
Miller Hall (brown bag) Miller Hall Brent Rhodes, Sanctuary Sound Technician Travis Caldwell
The Session — 7:00 p.m. in MS Ginny Warren, Administrative Assistant Aaron Hicks
Troop 18 Scouts Board of Review — Room 321 (Scouts Room) OUTREACH: James Hopson
Marcia Smith, Administrative Assistant Clarence Travis
Tyrone Weathersby
Tuesday Staff Meeting — 9:00 a.m. in HC
Peter Anderson, Intern
PASTORAL & CONGREGATIONAL CARE: FOOD SERVICE
Twin Lakes Executive Committee — 12:00 p.m. in MH YEAR-END GIVING REMINDER Brister H. Ware, Minister of Pastoral Care Sue Warren, Hostess
If you are planning to donate stock to First Presbyterian Church before the end William F. Joseph III, Minister of Congregational Care Daisy Brown
Cub Scouts — 6:00 p.m. in SC215 Mary Carson
Janet Quayle, Associate
FPC Literature Group — 7:00 p.m. in SC 210 of the year 2008, please notify Earl Davis in the Business Office at 601-973-9107 Shannon Craft, Administrative Assistant Mamie Gilkey
at the time of your transaction. Brad Irick, Intern Laura Jackson
Wednesday Officer Election Committee — 7:00 a.m. in SC210 Betsy McCullough, Editor of The First Epistle
Lorene Kelly

MOMS — 9:00 a.m. in PH, SC Ruth Smith, Wedding Coordinator

Family Night Supper — 5:00 p.m. in MH CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Sandi Tucker, Transcriber

Junior High Small Groups — 5:00 p.m. in YH
Children's Activities — 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. in the Gym
The Choir — 5:50 p.m. in MS
Children in their choir rooms — 6:00 p.m.
Children's Choirs Christmas Program — 6:30 p.m. in the
Sanctuary
Senior High Small Groups — 7:00 p.m. in HC
Thursday Internationals — 6:45 p.m. in PH
Friday Sew and Sow Mentoring Group — 9:00 a.m. in SC213A
All college students are invited to a Christmas party next Sunday, December 14,
at 7:30 p.m. in the home of Lee and Lisa Paris, 3520 Hawthorne Drive in Jackson. TWIN LAKES CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER THE DAY SCHOOL
www.twinlakescamp.org www.fpds.org
For more information, please contact Brian Sorgenfrei at 601-540-3279. Florence, MS (601) 355-1731 FAX (601) 355-1739
(601) 845-8537 Gary Herring, Headmaster
Mark Magee, Executive Director
Tasha Holliday, Assistant Principal
Matthew Nasekos, Camp Director
WOMEN'S SPRING BIBLE STUDY REGISTRATION Andrew Vincent, Asst. Camp Director Carolyn Wilkinson, Administrative Assistant
Tuan La, Guests Service Director Brandie Ducrest, Front Desk
If you are interested in joining MOMS Bible Study in January, contact Laura Cheryl Gibbs, Bookkeeper
Lisa Smith, Camp Registrar
Barbour (601-366-3073) beginning January 1, 2009. This spring, we will be study- Warner Mitchell, Maintenance Superintendent Jeannie Vickers, Asst. Bookkeeper
ing, "Happily Ever After?: Families in the Bible," taught by Shirley Windham. Brock Hauser, Brad Palmer and
Nursery spots are available, but will be given on a first-come basis. The study
Robby Roberson, Maintenance
Bobbie Godbey, Food Services Director
will begin Wednesday, January 14, 2009.

Saturday Men's Prayer Breakfast — 7:30 a.m. in MH
CH - College House MH - Miller Hall
LH - Lowe Hall MS - Music Suite
M - Main Floor PH - Patterson Hall
MCR - Ministers’ YH - Youth House
Conference Room SC - Study Center
THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS
A Service of Lessons and Carols
Choir and Orchestra
Sunday, December 21, 2008
5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
MINISTRIES SUPPORTED BY THE CHURCH
(Benevolence Committee)
DENOMINATIONAL Jackson Youth for Christ
PCA Christian Education Committee Gateway Rescue Mission
WH - Westminster Hall PCA General Administration Committee Mustard Seed
HC - Hutton Chapel Mississippi Valley Presbytery Neighborhood Christian Center
INSTITUTIONAL New Life Christian Ministries
The School Board of First Presbyterian Day School has established a priori- Belhaven College Pioneer Ministries
Salvation Army
ty for members of the First Presbyterian Church for such vacancies as now Chamberlain Hunt Academy
Voice of Calvary
Covenant College
remain for the fall session commencing August 2009. This priority ends at First Presbyterian Day School Young Life
noon on December 31, 2008 and pertains only to new students applying for French Camp Academy OUTREACH
John Reed Miller Lecture Series Fellowship of Christian Athletes
placement in the Day School. Accordingly, all interested persons of this con- Palmer Home Mission Mississippi
gregation should immediately contact the school. Current students (includ- Reformed Theological Seminary Pastor’s Special Fund
Radio Ministry
MISSION TO JACKSON
ing church members or siblings) have a priority until December 12, 2008. Beginning Again in Christ Reformed University Ministries
Bethany Christian Services Television Ministry
Center for Pregnancy Choices Young Business Leaders
Child Evangelism Fellowship
Deacons / MTJ Special Fund
“To Glorify God, And Enjoy Him Forever”
Friends of Alcoholics