1. The Service for The Lord’s Day
August 7, 2022
11:00 am Worship Service
Ninth 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 fill 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 August 21st, 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. Masks are optional.
The Chancel Flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of the baptism of Olivia
Grace Torphy, daughter of Christan Bartsch and Robert Torphy and granddaughter of
Joanne and Perry Bartsch, Marg and Bob Torphy.
Leading in Worship Today:
Pastors: David Germer, Patrick Johnson,
Choir Director and Organist: Jeremy Roberts
Choir Assistant : Kim Thomas
Cantors: Kim Thomas, Valorie Vliek,
Casey Edwards, Garrett Scholberg
*Please stand if able.
GATHERING IN
Voluntary Talk About a Child That Do Love Jesus Calvin Taylor
Welcome and Announcements
*Call to Worship David Germer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
God’s steadfast love endures forever!
Come, let us worship the Lord.
3. First Presbyterian Church 3
*Hymn 35 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty LOBE DEN HERREN
The movement from
confession to forgiveness
to thanksgiving invites
the natural response
to live in a way that is
pleasing to God.
Micah 6:8
Call to Confession
We cannot come before God
unless we are first honest with ourselves about who we are,
about the mistakes we make,
and about how well or poorly we care for others.
In this spirit, let us offer our prayers to God.
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, our judge and redeemer,
we confess that we have tried to hide from you,
for we have done wrong.
We have lived for ourselves,
and apart from you.
We have turned from our neighbors,
and refused to bear the burdens of others.
We have ignored the pain of the world,
and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed.
In your great mercy forgive our sins
and free us from selfishness,
that we may choose your will
and obey your commandments;
through Jesus Christ our Savior.
(Silent prayer of confession)
Declaration of Forgiveness
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 the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
4. First Presbyterian Church 4
Sung Response
*Hymn 582 Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me GLORY TO GOD
If children find it
challenging to participate
in the entire service, they
are invited to the nursery
during the “Passing of
the Peace.” A nursery
representative
will be in the narthex to
greet you.
*Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
HEARING THE WORD
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
First Lesson Luke 12:32-40
This is the good news of Jesus, the Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Second Lesson Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Thanks be to God.
5. First Presbyterian Church 5
Sermon
David Germer
RESPONDING IN FAITH
*Hymn 419 Lord, Who May Dwell within Your House RIDGEMOOR
Vs 1: Cantor
Vs 2 & 3: All
From Titus 3:4-7
The Sacrament of Baptism
*Affirmation of Faith
When the goodness and loving kindness
of God our Savior appeared, he saved us,
not because of any works of righteousness
that we had done, but according to his mercy,
through the water of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
This Spirit he poured out on us richly
through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by his grace,
we might become heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.
Welcome
Olivia Grace Torphy, you have been received into the one holy catholic and
apostolic church through baptism. With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you into
the body of Christ. Alleluia! Amen!
*Hymn 492 You Belong to Christ YOU BELONG TO CHRIST
Note for the margin: This
hymn is based on Psalm
15. Although Psalm 15 is
sometimes said to reflect
a ritual for entrance to
the Temple, it is better
understood as a sketch of
how to live in a manner
that reflects God’s
values rather than self-
centeredness.
OLIVIA GRACE TORPHY, born July 31, 2021
presented by her parents, Bobby & Christan
Bartsch Torphy.
6. First Presbyterian Church 6
Anthem Offertory John Ness Beck
With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before God with burnt offerings,
Shall I come before God with yearling calves?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I give God my firstborn for my transgressions,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
God has shown you, O people;
God has shown you what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP
Invitation to the Table
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving & The Lord’s Prayer
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
Invitation to the Offering
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.
Offering 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.
In addition to our regular
offering,
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 reflects 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 2025
Judy Albertson
Reese Carlton
Donna Ensley
Art Kiser
Paul McNeill
Todd Oldenburg
Mary Jane Skinner
Class of 2025
Betsy Herman
Bill Kantonen
Katherine Lafrance
Len Porter
Mary Ellen Porter
Judy Rittmeyer
Babbie Shelton
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
Alice Boggs Lentz
Zeb Potter
Bob White, Clerk
Class of 2024
Lisa Bridges
Clay Griffith
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 Shannon Jordan (sjjordan@fpcasheville.org or
828-253-1431 ext.125) 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 office 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 office hours, please call the church office. 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:
JEFF and JUDY BYERS, as they adjust to Jeff’s recent move into skilled care at Pisgah Manor.
KATHRYN CAMERON and FAMILY, for healing and strength as Kathryn recovers from surgery on 7/21 to replace
both hips. She plans to be at The Lodge for inpatient rehab.
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.
ANDREW GADDIS, son of Susan Gaddis, for upcoming rotator cuff surgery.
ALETHA ROPER, as she recovers from a recent back surgery following a fall.
JOY, the adult daughter of Pat and Dan Ruzic, as she is treated for a herniated disc that is causing severe pain.
FAMILY and FRIENDS of Muriel Siddall, who are grieving her death on Friday, July 22nd, after a brief illness.
CODY WEAVER, a young friend of Sam Cook and Anita Rose, who is coping with a devastating loss.
TONY ZWOLINSKI, husband of Jane Laping’s cousin, who was seriously injured in a mountain biking accident and
is in intensive care.
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 find access to appropriate support and for those
experiencing limitations due to illness.
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.
MEMBERS OF FPCA, who have been affected by Covid 19 in recent weeks.
We Celebrate with:
SHANNON AND JOHN JORDAN, who rejoice in the birth of their first grandchild, James, on Wednesday, August 3.
CAROLINE AND NATE SELL, AND BIG SISTER ALLIE, who rejoice on the birth of ABIGAIL DOROTHY Sell, born
8/4/2022.
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONNECT THROUGH SKILLS & INTERESTS
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. Please fill out a blue
interest form or go to your Realm Profile on you Realm App or computer and make the selections under “skills” and
“interests.”Choosing 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!
LUNCH BUNCH 11:30 AM
This summer we have a lunch opportunity to connect with new and old friends at
restaurants around town. These restaurants have parking and accessibility. Please join
us for this relationship building opportunity. RSVP to the church office or Shannon
Jordan at sjordan@fpcasheville.org.
• August 22 Pomodoros; 1070 Tunnel Rd
• September 26 TBD
• October 24 TBD
• November 28 TBD
• December 12 Christmas gathering (TBD)
FAITH FORMATION, TODAY,
Fellowship Hall 9:45 am
All are welcome to the Sunday morning Adult Faith Formation Class! In August, FPCA
member and retired seminary professor Jane Vann will lead a discussion on the current
week’s sermon text. Hope to see you there!
CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH CHOIR
We are getting ready for the Fall!
Do you have children or youth that are interested in our Children’s or Youth Choir? For
more information contact Jeremy Roberts at jroberts@fpcasheville.org.
Youth Choir will start Sunday, September 11th, if there is Youth Group that day.
Children’s Choir will begin Wednesday September 7th with a pizza party and
registration.
CEREAL SUNDAE BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION
August 28th in Fellowship Hall
Many of our children return to school on August 29. We would love to bless our
students and teachers of all ages, our school officials, and families with a festive
breakfast and blessing on August 28. In both services that morning we will have a
special Back to School Blessing and then between the services, we will be having a
delicious Cereal Sundae Breakfast! We hope to see our whole church family there as we
bless those in school or going back to school!
11. 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, financial literacy, and acquiring driver’s
learning permits. Transportation remains an active need.
If you have ESL, financial 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
(rfluharty54@gmail.com) or Alan Young (alan.g.young.sr@gmail.com).
ANNUAL CHURCH RETREAT - THE DEADLINE FOR COMMUTERS IS AUGUST 8TH.
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 find a way to connect more deeply
with God and one another. (And you really don’t want to miss the variety show!)
The deadline for commuters is August 8th. Thank you to all of those who
signed up for the overnights at Montreat. If you missed the deadline, there
are a few rooms left. Please contact the church office if you would like to
stay overnight at the retreat.
Go to www.fpcasheille.org/fpca-retreat or use the QR code to register.
KOINONIA GROUPS
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines koinonia as “spiritual communion and
participative sharing in a common religious commitment and spiritual community.” FPCA
will be starting Koinonia small groups this fall to support members in their faith life and
to build Christian friendships. Groups will meet for 90 minutes, twice a month, October-
May. These groups will be participant based, with a trained facilitator. The curriculum
will help participants explore different ways of experiencing the power of God, spiritual
practices, the enneagram, and ways to engage scripture. For more information, please
contact Shannon Jordan at sjordan@fpcasheville.org .
GODLY PLAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Make a difference in a child’s life by helping them connect God with daily life. You may
think you don’t know how to do that, but we can teach you! Come learn alongside
children as storytellers, doorkeepers, or classroom helpers on Sunday mornings at FPCA.
The Godly Play curriculum is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and
spiritual guidance. It values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships.
Godly Play models the worship life, bible stories, symbols, and rituals of Christian
congregations. It nurtures participants–both children and leaders–to larger dimensions
of belief and faith through wondering and play.
As we prepare for this new school year volunteers are needed to assist with our Godly Play Sunday morning classes
for children ages 3 yrs. old - 5th grade. We need regular volunteers as well as substitutes.
We are offering volunteer training: Sunday, August 28th at 3:30 pm -5:30 pm or
Wednesday, August 31st at 6:00 pm -8:00 pm
Contact Nancy McNeill if you are interested or to learn more
nmcneill@fpcasheville.org; 828-253-1431 ext. 114.
12. UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE LENTEN/EASTER BANNERS
Haven’t we seen these banners before, and why are we seeing them again, here in
the atrium, rather than the sanctuary? We’re so glad you asked! Members of the
Liturgical Arts team often receive comments about the banners and requests to see
them up close, and so we decided to respond, offering some further explanation at
the same time!
Our Lenten focus this year was all about the faith journeys we each make,
specifically those made during Lent, which some people regard as a dismal time
of lament and self-denial. Our committee met, pondered scripture, and discussed
multiple ideas to interpret the theme. Several of us sketched out our ideas and were
surprised to discover we had arrived at much the same place with our designs, a
nice reminder that God leads us all the time. Six banners were eventually created
in a style similar to pointillism. Because we were always looking ahead to the joy
of Easter, the patterns were never intended to be dismal or full of lament, yet we acknowledge that we are often
confused, lost, and in need of our Shepherd. Our hope was that careful observers might notice that the pattern
appears darker at the bottom, opening up as it moves upward, and that each banner on the left is designed to
fit with its opposite partner. However, we understand that our pathways on life’s journey often aren’t noticed
by others. Because Lent is a necessary part of our journey to Easter, remembering our lives’ often-complicated
pathways seemed important. The risen Christ is what we yearn to see, though we never forget the crucified Christ.
We opted to keep the journey, adding Easter light to the pathway and the sun‘s rays at the top of the banners
nearest the chancel for Easter Sunday. Our hope is that the banners have added meaning to your worship, even if in
some subtle way!
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Sunday, August 7
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary w/ baptism; Rev. David Germer preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
Monday, August 8
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Centering Prayer (Zoom) Contact Waid Shelton
Sunday, August 14
8:45 am Worship Service in Campbell Chapel; Rev. Patrick Johnson preaching
9:45 am Faith Formation (Fellowship Hall)
9:45 am Godly Play preschool - fifth grade (Room 106)
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary w/ baptism; Rev. Patrick Johnson preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
Zoom & Registration links can be found on the church calendar at fpcasheville.org.
READ2SUCCEED ASHEVILLE
August 11th training
Read2Succeed Asheville is training new tutors to work one-on-one with kindergarten through third grade students
in local public schools. This non-profit organization’s mission is “to close the race-based opportunity gap through
community-powered literacy programming that engages children, families, and community partners.” Excellent
training, materials, and support are offered by the staff of R2S. If you are interested in tutoring a child for an hour
twice a week (vacations allowed), please sign up for a zoom training next Thursday, August 11th at either 12:00
pm - 2:00 pm or 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. You can do this by sending an email to the Literacy Support Coordinator
Olivia Fingold at olivia.fingold@r2asheville.org. More information can be found at www.r2asheville.org or on the
Facebook page at Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe.
