The document provides the order of service for the September 18, 2022 worship service at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville. It includes an opening prayer, hymns, scripture readings from Exodus and Matthew, a sermon by Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, and closing prayer. Announcements are provided about upcoming events like Pride Festival and Children's Choir.

1. The Service for The Lord’s Day
September 18, 2022
11:00 am Worship Service
Fifthteenth 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.
A Prayer of Preparation for Worship
Almighty God,
you pour out the spirit and grace and supplication
on all who desire it.
Deliver us from cold hearts and wandering thoughts,
that with steady minds and burning zeal
we may worship you
in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Derived from William Bright, Ancient Collects and Other Prayers (1862)

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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 Sunday, October 16th 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 as 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.
Otherwise, masks are optional.
The Chancel Flowers are given to the glory of God and and In loving memory of Pat Harr,
given by Jansen and John McCreary.
Leading in Worship Today:
Pastors: Rev. David Germer, Rev. Dr. Patrick Johnson, Rev. Shannon Jordan
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo
Organist: Jeremy Roberts
FPCA Chancel Choir
Cantor - Garrett Scholberg
*Please stand if able.
GATHERING IN
Voluntary Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Paul Manz
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit Haleluya! Pujilah Tuhanmu Godlief Soumokil
Haleluya! Haleluya! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Pujilah Tuhanmu s’lamanya, Praise the Lord evermore,
Haleluya! Hallelujah!
*Call to Worship Patrick Johnson
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Beloved, let us love one another.
We love because God first loved us.
Come, let us worship God.
*Hymn 366 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling HYFRYDOL

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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!
Hear the teaching of Christ:
I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
Call to Confession David Germer
Together in worship, we face
what we might not face alone.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess
our sin together, and then in silence.
Prayer of Confession
God of grace,
We confess that we have failed to love you
with all our heart, soul, and mind,
and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
You have freely given us life, gifts,
this world, yourself - in abundance.
We have allowed the lie of scarcity
to cloud our vision and our judgment,
and to dictate the ways that
we treat ourselves, our resources,
and our neighbors, made in your image.
Have mercy on us, Lord.
Show us the way - your way -
of abundance, generosity, and love.
(Silent prayer of confession)

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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.
Sung Response
*Hymn 588 Alleluia JOYFUL ALLELUIA
Children’s Moment
*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 Exodus 17:1-7 Shannon Jordan
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Second Lesson Matthew 21:23-32
This is the good news of Jesus, the Christ.
Thanks be to God.

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Sermon God’s Abundant Love Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo
RESPONDING IN FAITH
*Hymn 435 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy IN BABILONE
Dr. Victor Aloyo is the 11th
President of Columbia
Theological Seminary.
Victor is the son of the
late Esperanza Aloyo
and Victorino Aloyo from
Vieques, Puerto Rico.
He has been married
to Suzette Aloyo for
thirty-five years and
they are blessed with
two daughters, Kayla
Cristen, and Alyssa Nicole.
Victor was previously
the associate dean of
institutional diversity and
community engagement
at Princeton Theological
Seminary and organizing/
lead Pastor of La Iglesia
Presbiteriana Nuevas
Fronteras. Victor received
a Doctorate in Higher
Education Administration
from the University of
Pennsylvania focusing his
dissertation on navigating
diversity and inclusion
within a framework of
social justice.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
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
*Affirmation of Faith from A Brief Statement of Faith PC(USA)
In life and in death we belong to God.
Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit,
we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel,
whom alone we worship and serve.
In sovereign love God created the world good
and makes everyone equally in God’s image,
male and female, of every race and people,
to live as one community.
In everlasting love,
the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people,
to bless all families of the earth.
Loving us still,
God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant.
With believers in every time and place,
we rejoice that nothing in life or in death
can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Anthem Praise to the Lord Hugo Distler
Praise to the Lord the Almighty the King of creation.
Oh my soul praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation.
All ye who hear now to His temple draw near
join me in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth.
Shielded thee under His wings, yea so gently, so gently sustaineth.
Hath thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been
granted in what He ordaineth.
*Hymn 609 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow LASST UNS ERFREUEN
To give … use the QR
code. 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.
Invitation to the Offering
Every generous act of giving,
is itself a gift from God above.
Offering

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SENDING
*Hymn 745 Now Go in Joy JUNKANOO
Choir Sings First Time; Congregation Repeats
Voluntary Postludium Moritz Brosig
Go now in peace to love and serve the lord.
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you
After the 11:00 am service, you are invited to fellowship on the front lawn or in the
Wallace Foyer if it rains.
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.
*Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gracious God,
You love us regardless
of our fickle ways.
You are steadfast
even when we wander.
Thank you for the
relentless whisper
of your Spirit.
We praise you for your
unending grace and love
as we strive to serve you
in response.
Amen.

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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
Jean Corliss..........................................................................................................................................................................................Nursery Staff
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
SESSION
DEACONS
STAFF
Class of 2025
Judy Albertson
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
Valorie Vliek
Class of 2024
Lisa Bridges
Clay Griffith
John Meadows
Cosette Williams
Curtis Williams
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.
Class of 2023
Phil Barnett
Sam Cook
Cathie Dodson
Angela Drummond
Zeb Potter
Claire Trunnell
Class of 2024
Micki Argall
Reese Carlton
Cindy Clarke
Chris DeJarnett
Seth Hagler
Alice Boggs Lentz
Bob White, Clerk

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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 (sjordan@fpcasheville.org or
828-253-1431 ext.125) with prayer requests and updates.
Prayers for:
MICKI AND JERRY ARGALL, and their son-in-law Michael and his family, as Michael receives treatment for brain
cancer.
SUSAN BRANDEN, Bo’s Branden sister, who lives alone in Florida. She has a kidney problem that has not been
adequately diagnosed, and she also has broken ribs from a fall. Please pray for her recovery.
IAN CROFT, whose sister, Lynda is critically ill.
LYN DAWSON, who’s husband Norm Dawson, passed away Sunday, August 28.
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. Prayers for this family as they grieve the
death of Susan’s uncle.
ANDREW GADDIS, son of Susan Gaddis, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.
THE FAMILY OF BARBARA ANN HANSEN, daughter of Betty Beard, who died unexpectedly from complications
from leukemia. Betty is living in Colorado at a memory care retirement home.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF PAT HARR who passed away Tuesday, Aug. 23.
GARY MCINTURFF, Jean Haynes’ nephew-in-law, who has kidney cancer with multiple abdominal issues and
infections and whose condition has worsened.
LEN PORTER’S COUSIN KATE JOBE, who is undergoing extremely radical facial surgury for cancer.
LISA ROBERTS, mother of Jeremy Roberts, who is having surgery September 21.
FRIEND of Paul and Valorie Vliek, who is experiencing a re-occurrence of acute leukemia.
JO WADSWORTH, who is under Hospice Care at Givens Estates.
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 mental health challenges.
We Celebrate with:
JAAWAD AND UMMIA, our Asheville Afghan Neighbors, who welcomed their baby on Thursday, September 15!
Discharge from the hospital is expected this weekend. We pray for health, sleep, and joy!
MARTHA AND BO BRANDEN, who celebrated 50 years of marriage on August 26th.

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRIDE FESTIVAL – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24 – 9:30 AM
FPC Asheville will once again participate in the Pride Festival Procession after a
pandemic hiatus. Join us on the lawn at 40 Church Street on the morning of the 24th – at
9:30 am. We will walk over to the starting line at 23 Grove Street as a group or you can
meet us there. The actual procession will begin at 10:00 am.
First Presbyterian Pride T-shirts will be on sale on our lawn after the 11 o’clock
service today for $12.00 each – proceeds will go to Youth Outright.
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS: WEDNESDAY 21ST 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
Kids can be dropped off anywhere between 5:15 pm - 5:50 pm for dinner in the
fellowship hall. At 6:00 pm, we move to rehearsals where we learn about faith, worship,
and music all while having fun. Kids will learn the ins and outs of our worship, how to
read the hymnal, and become literate in music.
CHANCEL CHOIR - WEDNESDAY 21ST
If you would like to join the Chancel Choir contact Jeremy Roberts, the choir rehearses on
Wednesdays in the Choir Room from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
COME ENJOY HOWDY ICE CREAM!
Today, at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Family Ministries invites you to enjoy amazing ice cream made by amazing people! A
local branch of this cool franchise which employs people with special needs has opened
in south Asheville and we are excited to support them. Join us today 4:00-5:30 pm at
FPCA by the Aston Street entrance and upper parking deck. There will be fun on the
playground, games, and, an opportunity for families to hang out and play together.
HELP NEEDED WITH CHILDREN’S CHOIR
At FPCA, we have a wonderful music program in which our youngest to our oldest
members are able to learn about God’s love in deep and tangible ways through the
music. That is certainly something worth nurturing. We are currently looking for folks
who would be willing to provide a meal for Children’s Choir Dinner on Wednesdays at
5:15 pm. This could be home cooked or take out that you pick up. Please contact Jeremy
Roberts at jroberts@fpcasheville.org.
YOUTH GROUP
Youth Choir and (evening) Youth Group Kick-off! You won’t want to miss this first
full-schedule evening youth group of the year.
4:15 pm- Youth Choir
5:15 pm - 7:15 pm- Dinner and Youth Group (6th - 12th)
A September - December Youth Group schedule will be sent home with the youth this
evening.

11. KOINONIA GROUPS
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.
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY: PRIVATE TOUR OF THE WNC NATURE CENTER
This interactive private tour for the FPCA Men (and guests) will involve an in depth
ecology of their flagship species, as well as their unique stories as to how they came
to the Nature Center. There will also be an animal enrichment session. This tour will
last 60-90 minutes and the $25 cost includes your admission for the day. The tour will
be Wednesday, October 19th at 9:30 AM For more information and to register, please
contact Jerry Argall at jerryargall@gmail.com.
LUNCH BUNCH, SEPTEMBER 26, 11:30 AM
If you can come, please RSVP to Shannon at sjordan@fpcasheville.org so that we have
enough seats. This summer’s successful Lunch Bunch will continue through the fall.
Restaurants are chosen for their ease of parking and accessibility. Save the fall dates
now! October 24, November 28, and December 12.
STITCHERS
Stitchers will meet on October 3, 6:00 -8:00 pm. Stitchers usually meet on the 1st
Monday of the month. If there are other times or days that would work better for you to
join the Stitchers meetings, please let Susie Sweet know (sesweet16@gmail.com).

12. THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Sunday, September 18
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary; Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Family Fun w/Howdy Ice Cream & Games
4:15 pm - 7:15 pm Youth Choir, Dinner, Youth group,
Monday, September 19
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Centering Prayer (Zoom) Contact Waid Shelton
Tuesday, September 20
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Choir: Worship Committee (zoom)
Wednesday, September 21
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm Children’s Choir and dinner
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Shared ministry night
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Chancel Choir (Choir Room)
Saturday, September 24
9:30 am - 11:00 am WNC Pride March; Pride Festival after in town (Front lawn)
Sunday, September 25
8:45 am Worship Service in Campbell Chapel; Rev. Patrick Johnson preaching
9:45 am Faith Formation (Fellowship Hall)
9:45 am Godly Play (Room 103/105 3yrs. Old - Kindergarten, Room 104 1st-2nd Grade,
Room 106 3rd-5th Grade)
11:00 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary; Rev. Patrick Johnson preaching
12:00 pm Fellowship on the front lawn or in Wallace Foyer if raining
4:15 pm - 7:15 pm Youth Choir (preceded or followed by Service/Mission Youth Group)
Zoom & Registration links can be found on the church calendar at fpcasheville.org.
Reproduced, recorded, and streamed under One License No. A-701813:
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling; Paul Manz © 1962, 1992, and 2011
Birnamwood Publications
Haleluya! Pujilah Tuhanmu; Godlief Soumokil, tr. Ester Pudjo Widiasih ©
2004 General Board of Global Ministries, GBGMusik
Alleluia; Howard Hughes, SM © 1973, 1979 GIA Publications, Inc.
God the Creator; Text: John L. Bell © 1989 The Iona Community, GIA
Publications, Inc.
Praise to the Lord; Hugo Distler, transcribed John Dressler © 1966, 1970
(Renewed 1998) Jubilate Music Group, LLC.
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow; Text: Brian Wren © 1989 Hope
Publishing Company; Music: Geistliche Kirchengesäng, 1623; harm. Hal H.
Hopson © 1998 Hope Publishing Company
Now Go in Joy; Mary Louise Bringle © 2006 GIA Publications
Public Domain:
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling; Text: Charles Wesley, 1747, alt.; Music:
Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1831, alt.
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy; Text: Frederick William Faber, 1854, alt.;
Music: Dutch melody; arr. Julius Röntgen, c. 1906
Postludium; Moritz Brosig (1815-1887)