A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
Worship Bulletin 07.03.2022.pdf
1. The Service for The Lord’s Day
July 3, 2022
11:00 am Worship Service
Fourth Sunday of Pentecost
Grace and peace. We believe God loves everyone without exception. All are welcome here.
Our mission is to experience the love of Jesus Christ by practicing
radical hospitality, forming deep relationships, and joining in shared ministry.
“The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and
perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around
us.”
Walter Brueggeman, Prophetic Imagination
A Summer with the Prophets
2. First Presbyterian Church 2
WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ASHEVILLE
Welcome! We hope that you experience the boundary-breaking love of Jesus Christ in our
worship service and in our ministries.
If you are interested in learning more about FPCA, including membership, sharing a
prayer request, or a pastoral concern, please ϐill out a card from the back of the pew, or go
to our website and click Connect With Us. We welcome new members on the third Sunday
of the month our next time to join will be July 17th, at 9:45 am, in the Library.
Worship bags are available in the narthex for children. The 11:00 am service is streaming
in the Widman Room (Rm 107), down the hall from the narthex, for anyone who may
need to leave the sanctuary. Nursery is available for children through kindergarten,
and older if necessary. If you need assistance, please ask an usher for directions to the
Children’s Hall.
For worship, masks are required in the balcony and in the marked pews near the
entrances. They are required for all children’s events and rooms for ages three and older.
Small groups choose within themselves, according to their needs. In other spaces on
campus masks are optional.
The Chancel Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Connie Sluder
Pfaff by her late husband Al Pfaff.
Leading in Worship Today:
Pastors: David Germer, Patrick Johnson
Choir Director and Organist: Jeremy Roberts
Assistant Director: Kim Thomas
Cantors: Kim Thomas, Valorie Vliek, & Garrett Scholberg
*Please stand if able.
GATHERING IN
VĔđĚēęĆėĞ There Is a Balm in Gilead arr. Richard Billingham
WĊđĈĔĒĊ Ćēĉ AēēĔĚēĈĊĒĊēęĘ
*CĆđđ ęĔ WĔėĘčĎĕ Patrick Johnson
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Bless our God, O people; let the sound of God’s praise be heard.
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth.
Praise the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised.
*HĞĒē 798 All with Joyful Exultation YISRAEL V’ORAITA
3. First Presbyterian Church 3
PėĆĞĊė Ĕċ CĔēċĊĘĘĎĔē
You, O Lord, are the giver of all good things:
rain and sun, day and night,
justice and righteousness,
bread to the eater and seed to the sower,
peace to the old, energy to the young, joy to the babes.
We are takers, who take from you,
day by day, daily bread, taking all we need as you supply,
taking in gratitude and wonder and joy.
And then taking more, taking more than we need,
taking more than you give us,
taking from our sisters and brothers,
taking from the poor and the weak,
taking because we are frightened, and so greedy,
taking because we are anxious, and so fearful,
taking because we are driven, and so uncaring.
Give us peace beyond our fear, and so end our greed.
Turn our taking into giving, since we are in your giving image:
Make us giving like you,
giving in joy, not taking,
giving as he gave himself up for us all,
giving, never taking.
(Silent prayer of confession)
DĊĈđĆėĆęĎĔē Ĕċ FĔėČĎěĊēĊĘĘ
Siblings in Christ, declare with me the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
As God’s forgiven people, how are we to live?
Hear now the Word of God:
God has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
CĆđđ ęĔ CĔēċĊĘĘĎĔē David Germer
The Psalmist says, “O Lord my God,
I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.”
Trusting in the healing mercy of God,
let us confess our sin.
The movement from
confession to forgiveness
to thanksgiving invites
the natural response
to live in a way that is
pleasing to God.
4. First Presbyterian Church 4
HEARING THE WORD
PėĆĞĊė ċĔė IđđĚĒĎēĆęĎĔē
SĈėĎĕęĚėĊ RĊĆĉĎēČĘ
First Lesson Luke 10:1-11
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Second Lesson 2 Kings 5:1-14
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SĊėĒĔē When Pride Gets in the Way Patrick Johnson
SĚēČ RĊĘĕĔēĘĊ
*HĞĒē 582 Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me GLORY TO GOD If they ϔind it challenging
to participate in the
entire service, children
are invited to the nursery
during this sung response.
5. First Presbyterian Church 5
Apostles’ Creed: Responsive *AċċĎėĒĆęĎĔē Ĕċ FĆĎęč
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was cruciϐied, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
RESPONDING IN FAITH
*HĞĒē 375 Shall We Gather By the River HANSON PLACE
*PĆĘĘĎēČ Ĕċ ęčĊ PĊĆĈĊ
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
IēěĎęĆęĎĔē ęĔ ęčĊ OċċĊėĎēČ
The earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it.
Let us return to God the offerings of our life
and the gifts of the earth.
OċċĊėĎēČ
The gifts we offer express
our stewardship of
creation, demonstrate
our care for one another,
support the ministries of
the church, and provide for
the needs of the poor. To
give Online, use QR code
above.
6. First Presbyterian Church 6
AēęčĊĒ We Come to You for Healing, Lord Ruth Elaine Schram
We come to you for healing, Lord, of body, mind, and soul,
and pray that by your Spirit’s touch our lives may be made whole.
As once you walked through ancient streets and reached toward those in pain,
we know you come among us still with power to heal again.
You touch us through physicians’ skills, through nurses’ gift of care,
and through the love of faithful friends who lift our lives in prayer.
Through nights of pain and wakefulness, through days when strength runs low,
Grant us your gift of patience, Lord, your calming peace to know.
We come to you, O loving Lord, in our distress and pain,
in trust that through our nights and days, your grace will heal, sustain.
We come to you for healing Lord, of body, mind, and soul,
and pray that by your Spirit’s touch our lives may be made whole.
SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP
IēěĎęĆęĎĔē ęĔ ęčĊ TĆćđĊ
TčĊ GėĊĆę PėĆĞĊė Ĕċ TčĆēĐĘČĎěĎēČ ƭ TčĊ LĔėĉ’Ę PėĆĞĊė
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give our thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen
TčĊ BėĊĆĉ Ćēĉ CĚĕ
CĔĒĒĚēĎĔē Ĕċ ęčĊ PĊĔĕđĊ
8. First Presbyterian Church 8
More Light Presbyterians
Upcoming Events, Recent Videos, and The Sermon & Podcast Archives can be found on the front page of the
website. Announcements can be found in the E-Chronicle and on The Weekly Announcement page.
A link for both of these and The First Chronicle can be found on the main page of the FPCA Website.
40 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801 828-253-1431 www.fpcasheville.org
Rev. Dr. Patrick W. T. Johnson..........................................................................................................................................Pastor, Head of Staff
Mary Beth Asher.....................................................................................................................................................Communications Assistant
Eve Bennett...............................................................................................................................................................................................Hospitality
Rieley Bennett..................................................................................................................................................................................................Sexton
Candace Dellinger..............................................................................................................................................................................Nursery Staff
Rev. David Germer.......................................................................................................................................................................Associate Pastor
Rev. Shannon Jordan..................................................................................................................................................................Associate Pastor
Alice Lake..............................................................................................................................................................................................Nursery Staff
Nancy McNeill................................................................................................................................................................Director of Engagement
Jeremy Roberts.......................................................................................................................................................Director of Music, Organist
Anita Sayles...................................................................................................................................................................Administrative Assistant
Kim Thomas.....................................................................................................................................................................................Choir Assistant
Liz Thurston.......................................................................................................................................................................Church Administrator
Sky Trice...................................................................................................................................................................................Nursery Supervisor
We are glad you worshiped here today.
We believe God loves every person without exception. As followers of Christ, we strive to be a holy community
that reϐlects the diversity of God’s creation through the welcome and full participation of every age, ability,
socioeconomic status, family background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, skin color, and racial identity.
We lament the history of exclusion in the church. We rejoice in the wholeness that comes when we are all in
relationship together. We invite you to join us in ministry at FPCA.
SESSION
DEACONS
STAFF
Class of 2022
Brian Cooper
Hank Johnson
Emily Reeves
Bob Riddle
Martha Sloan
Olivia Belle Traylor
Alan Young
Class of 2022
Gail Ward
Kate Lafrance
Judy Rittmeyer
Eula Pence
Class of 2023
Phil Barnett
Sam Cook
Cathie Dodson
Angela Drummond
Claire Trunnell
Class of 2023
Valorie Vliek
Class of 2024
Micki Argall
Cindy Clarke
Chris DeJarnett
Seth Hagler
Zeb Potter
Bob White, Clerk
Class of 2024
Lisa Bridges
Clay Grifϐith
John Meadows
Cosette Williams
Curtis Williams
9. 9
COMMUNITY JOYS & CONCERNS
Please join the FPCA Family as we celebrate joys among us and pray for loved ones.
Our full list is printed once a month as a part of the First Chronicle Newsletter.
Please contact Nancy McNeill (nmcneill@fpcasheville.org or 828-242-5774) with prayer requests and updates.
Help us stay connected by sharing your news, prayer concerns, or other requests. Pastors and staff are available
by phone, email, or appointment. The church ofϐice is open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. If you have
a scheduled hospitalization, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can support you. If you need pastoral
assistance during ofϐice hours, please call the church ofϐice. At other times, please call the pastor-on-call at
828-222-0113 and leave a message with the receptionist. An FPCA pastor will return your call. To keep your
contact information up to date, please log into your Realm account or contact Anita Sayles.
Prayers for:
THE Family and Friends of VIRGINIA (GINNY) CARTNER, who died on 6/20/22 following a lengthy battle with
cancer.
DAVID AND RUTH ZYRY FRANKLIN, as they make plans to move later this month to VA to be closer to family and
enjoy grandparenting.
EMILY AND JONATHAN GADDIS, Emily is the daughter-in-law of Susan Gaddis and is facing extensive testing at
Duke in preparation for a lung transplant needed as a result of leukemia.
The Family and Friends of BRENDA GRAGER, cousin of Evelyn Jarrett, Brenda died on 6/16/22 surrounded by
her loving family.
D’ETTA LEACH moving this month to Greenville, SC to be closer to family and adjusting to a new beginning.
DOUG KING, father of Lauren Wood, diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. Prayers for his wife and family in SC as
they navigate his care and embrace quality time together.
MARGARET RIDDLE, who is the full-time caregiver for her husband Joe. Joe is receiving in-home Hospice care for
Parkinson’s, dementia, and Pulmonary Fibrosis. She is also in the process of selling their home.
MARY SHEAROUSE, who recently moved to Atlanta to be closer to her daughter Sandra, and for daughter JEAN
SHEAROUSE in Asheville, as they all make adjustments to the transitions.
JUANITA SPANOGLE and friends, who are grieving the death of Juanita’s husband Howard on 6/4/22.
VICKIE, niece of Douglas King, as she navigates concerns for family relationships.
CAREGIVERS who are providing care and support for spouses, parents, or extended family.
ALL who are in need of mental health care and are trying to ϐind access to appropriate support.
AFGHAN REFUGEES, who are adjusting to life in Asheville, and our teams of volunteers who are assisting them.
All PEOPLE affected by war in Ukraine, those living in fear or with violence, and for the leaders around the world
to seek peace.
EBENEZER CHURCH, our partner church in Guatemala, and also many in the community who
have experienced COVID.
DAN AND ELIZABETH TURK, as they continue their work as Presbyterian mission co-workers in Madagascar.
LUKE AND LEANNE TURK AND THEIR SONS, and their mission work in the Central African Republic (CAR).
We Celebrate:
FPCA new members Bo & Martha Branden, Teresa Macaluso, Steve & Donna Sorrow who were received by
the Session on 6/26/22.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAITH FORMATION, JULY 10,
Fellowship Hall 9:45 am
This will be week three of six weeks of exploring reϐlections and writings by Dietrich
Bonhoeffer. This class will be reϐlective and discussion-based, with the goal of helping
us be people who live our faith in daily life. Bonhoeffer’s example of living at the
intersection of scripture and culture can inspire us to do the same. This will go through
July.
MONTREAT CONFERENCE CENTER’S HYMN SING
After a hiatus during the past two summers, Montreat Conference Center’s hymn-sing season returns for in-person
gatherings on Sundays at 7:00 pm in Convocation Hall in the Assembly Inn. A stellar group of musicians will lead
our hymn-sings, with a few of our own coming soon:
• Jeremy Roberts on July 10th
The leadership at FPCA is working hard to connect and re-connect people into the mission of God. Part of that is
knowing how you want to connect and what opportunities that you want to hear about. If you can please use the
attached interest form or go to your Realm Proϐile on your Realm App or computer and make the selections, it
will help us connect you to the ministries that most interest you. Clicking on one of these opportunities is not a
commitment, but an indication that you would like to know when we have possible places of engagement. If you
would like help to understand how to use Realm, please reach out to Shannon at sjordan@fpcasheville.org!
NEW ART SHOW IN THE FPCA ART GALLERY
NOW ON DISPLAY in the church gallery through August 15th, are works by nine artists
from the Red House Gallery and Studios in Black Mountain. We hope you will come and
enjoy this beautiful show.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSEDǧ INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Church ofϐice will be closed July 4th. We will re-open on Tuesday morning at
9:00 am. Normal church ofϐice hours are 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, July 10th, 10:40 am
The Session has called a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing new ofϐicers.
We will meet in the Sanctuary at 10:40 am on Sunday, July 10th.
11. ANNUAL CHURCH RETREAT
September 30-October 2 at Montreat Conference Center--only 30 minutes away.
The FPCA Retreat has a long history of fun, learning, activities, and rest.
With a variety of contemplative and worship activities, everyone can ϐind
a way to connect more deeply with God and one another. You really don’t
want to miss the variety show!
There are two main options for attending: Overnight or Commuter.
Overnight costs include two nights at Assembly Inn, retreat activities,
three meals Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. Commuter costs include retreat
activities, and three meals Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. The commuter deadline
is August 8th. Go to www.fpcasheille.org/fpca-retreat or use the QR Code.
HELP NEEDED FOR OUR AFGHAN NEIGHBORS GROUP
The two families we have been encouraging continue to progress in their journey to independence. They have jobs
and housing. Their next steps include advanced English language training, ϐinancial literacy, and acquiring driver’s
learning permits.
We are working with them on the next career steps, English as a second language, and initial driver’s learning test
preparation. Transportation remains an active need. If you have ESL, ϐinancial literacy, or driver’s license training
expertise, please let us know. We deeply appreciate all of you who are actively helping us or providing moral
support. Please direct your questions to Randy Fluharty (828-423-9030) or Alan Young (703-304-7708).
ASHEVILLE YOUTH MISSION SUMMER GROUPS
There is no group this week and the groups arriving on the 10th is from Frederick PC
(Frederick MD), Davidson College PC (Davidson NC)
FPCA STITCHERS
Monday, July 11, room 214, 6:00 pm
Do you knit, crochet, weave, or sew? FPCA has a wonderful group that usually meets
each 1st Monday at 6 pm. They create beautiful prayer shawls for people who need to
know that God’s love is surrounding them, offering healing, comfort, and love.
LUNCH BUNCH
Monday July 11th, 11:30 am
This summer we have a lunch opportunity to connect with new and old friends at
restaurants around town. These restaurants will have parking and accessibility. Please
join us for this relationship building opportunity. RSVP to the church ofϐice or sjordan@
fpcasheville.org.
• July 11 TGI Fridays; 115 Hendersonville Road, near Biltmore Village.
• August 1 Outback Steakhouse; 30 Tunnel Road.
• August 22 TBD
12. THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Sunday, July 3
8:30 am Nursery opens for children
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary with Rev. Patrick Johnson preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship time on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
Monday, July 4
All Day Church ofϐices closed for Independence Day
Sunday, July 10
8:45 am Worship Service in Campbell Chapel with Rev. Shannon Jordan preaching
9:45 am Faith Formation (Fellowship Hall)
9:45 am Godly Play preschool - ϐifth grade (Room 106)
9:45 am Coffee Talk for Parents of Younger Children (Room 107/Widman Room)
10:40 am Session Called Congregational Meeting to elect ofϐicers for 2022-2023
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary with Rev. Shannon Jordan preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship time on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
Zoom & Registration links can be found on the church calendar at fpcasheville.org.