This document provides an order of service for worship at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville on October 2, 2022. It includes elements such as hymns, scripture readings, prayers, and a sermon. The service will celebrate the Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost. It welcomes all and notes the church's mission is to experience God's love through hospitality, relationships, and shared ministry. Masks are required for some and optional for others depending on location in the church. Various leaders for the service are named. Upcoming events and needs for volunteers are also announced.

1. The Service for The Lord’s Day
October 2, 2022
11:00 am Worship Service
Seventeenth 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
God of mercy,
grant that the Word you speak this day
may take root in our hearts,
and bear fruit to your honor and glory,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer (1549)

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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 next Sunday, 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.
Leading in Worship Today:
Pastors: David Germer, Patrick Johnson, Shannon Jordan
Pianist: Jeremy Roberts
FPCA Pick Up Choir
*Please stand if able.
*Hymn 401 Here in This Place GATHER US IN
GATHERING IN
Voluntary All Creatures of Our God and King arr. Jack Jones
Welcome and Announcements
*Call to Worship Patrick Johnson
Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

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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.
The movement from
confession to forgiveness
to thanksgiving invites
the natural response
to live in a way that is
pleasing to God.
Call to Confession David Germer
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry,
too real to hide, and too deep to undo.
Forgive what our lips tremble to name,
what our hearts can no longer bear,
and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment.
(The congregation is invited into silent and then spoken confession.)
Loving God, set us free from a past that we cannot change;
open to us a future in which we can be changed;
and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image;
through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Sung Response
*Hymn 588 Alleluia JOYFUL ALLELUIA

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Today’s worship
is intentionally
intergenerational and
all children are welcome
to remain in worship! If
desired, nursery care is
available in Room 303 of
Assembly Inn.
Children’s Message Shannon Jordan
*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 Psalm 145:10-21
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
*Sung Response Gathered in God’s Name
(Cantor sings verse; Congregation sings the following refrain.)

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RESPONDING IN FAITH
*Hymn 408 There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit SWEET, SWEET SPIRIT
from A Brief Statement
of Faith PC(USA)
*Affirmation of Faith
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,
[of every gender], 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.
Sermon What Do I Pray for? Patrick Johnson
Second Lesson Ephesians 3:14-21
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Invitation to the Offering
Let us present ourselves to God
as those who have been delivered from death to life.
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.

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Anthem Soli Deo Gloria Haugen/arr.Bankson
O God of blessings, all praise to you!
Your love surrounds us our whole life through.
You are the freedom of those oppressed; you are the comfort of all distressed.
Come now, O holy and welcome guest:
Soli Deo gloria!
All praise for wisdom, great gift sublime,
through words and teachers of every time;
for stories ancient and knowledge new,
for coaches, mentors, and councilors true
whose lives of service brought us to you:
Soli Deo gloria!
All praise for prophets, through grace inspired
to preach and witness with hearts on fire.
Your Spirit chooses the weak and small to sing the new reign where mighty fall;
With them may we live your gospel call:
Soli Deo gloria!
All praise for music, deep gift profound,
through hands and voices, in holy sound;
The psalms of David, and Mary’s praise, in wordless splendor and lyric phrase,
With all creation one song we raise:
Soli Deo gloria!
All praise for Jesus, best gift divine
through word and witness, in bread and wine;
incarnate love song of boundless grace,
priest teacher, prophet in time and space,
your steadfast kindness with human face:
Soli Deo Gloria!
The congregation is
invited to join the choir
on the last verse. “Soli
Deo Gloria” is Latin for
“to God by the Glory.”

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SENDING
*Hymn 543 God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me GREEN TYLER
Blessing
Go now in peace to love and serve the lord.
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you
Voluntary Praise to the Lord, the Almighty arr. Anne Krentz Organ
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 after Communion
Holy and gracious God.
Thank you for your love that is deep and wide.
Thank you for your care that is deep and wide.
Thank you for your call to us that is deep and wide.
Thank you for the vision your Spirit
gives us for deeper roots and wider welcome.
Amen.
SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP
Invitation to the Table
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
The Bread and Cup
Communion of the People

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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 (life@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 Branden’s sister, who lives alone in Florida and is home from rehab and doing very well.
IAN CROFT, whose sister, Lynda, died recently.
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 also as they grieve
the death of Susan’s uncle.
ANDREW GADDIS, son of Susan Gaddis, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.
JEAN HAYNES, whose nephew-in-law, Gary McInturff, passed away. At Jean’s request, we had been praying for
him.
LEN PORTER’S COUSIN KATE JOBE, who is undergoing extremely radical facial surgury for cancer.
LISA ROBERTS, mother of Jeremy Roberts, who is recovering from surgery on September 21.
FRIEND of Paul and Valorie Vliek, who is experiencing a re-occurrence of acute leukemia.
SUSAN WILLIS, sister of Sandra Hunter, following the recent death of her husband and her ongoing health
concerns.
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.
ALL who are adversely affected by the latest hurricanes and other challenging conditions.
We Celebrate with:
JOHN MASON, on his successful heart surgery and offer prayers for his continued recovery.
Congratulations to BRIAN & LAUREN FLICKINGER, sister Mary, and grandmother Donna Ensley on the birth of
John Henry on 9/16. He weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz.

10. STITCHERS
Stitchers will meet on October 3rd, 6:00 -8:00pm. Stitchers usually meet on the 1st Monday
of the month, in room 214 at FPCA. If there are other times or days that would work
better for you to join the Stitchers meetings, please email Susie Sweet to let her know at
(sesweet16@gmail.com).
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS: WEDNESDAY 10/5, 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 5TH
If you would like to join the Chancel Choir contact Jeremy Roberts. The chancel choir
rehearses on Wednesday evenings, in the Choir Room from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN MONDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 2022, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Our leader for Lesson 2, “Sabbath & Creation” from the book Celebrating Sabbath: Accepting
God’s Gift of Rest & Delight by Carol Bechtel, is Alice Petersen. Meet in Room 112, at 10:30am.
YOUTH GROUP
Next Sunday is the 2nd Sunday so we will have our 9:45 am Breakfast Club youth gathering in
youth room - food and discussion. Youth Choir with lunch at 12:15 pm, after worship.
Parents of Youth are invited to a special gathering for parents during the Faith Formation hour.
We will meet in Room 214 at 9:45am.
THE FACES AND VOICES OF WELCOME @ FPCA
We have an amazing team of volunteer front desk receptionists. They work from 9am-1pm or
from 1pm-4pm on their chosen days, as shown below. Some serve weekly, some serve twice a
month, and some substitute for our regulars as they are able. This ministry supports all of our
church staff, by being the initial face and voice of welcome to all who call or come to the church.
They answer the phones and doors and then do tasks at the front desk to enrich our church
ministries or work on their own to-do lists. Still, we have two needs for more:

11. MEN’S FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY: PRIVATE TOUR OF THE WNC NATURE CENTER
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH AT 9:30 AM
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. This tour, with an animal enrichment session, will last 60-90 minutes; 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.
SATURDAY SANCTUARY IS BACK!
After two years of uncertainty and restricted ministry with our downtown neighbors, we are delighted to step back
into the more hospitable and relational face-to-face ministry of a shared meal at lunchtime on Saturdays with our
most vulnerable neighbors. Saturday Sanctuary co-chairs are Sandy Reid and Bill Winkler.
Saturday Sanctuary returns on Saturday, October 29. Our doors will be open every
Saturday, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, through the month of March. We are having two identical
trainings for volunteers on Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:00am, October 8 or October 22.
We are asking all volunteers (and prospective volunteers) to attend one of those trainings.
Contact David Germer dgermer@fpcasheville.org or mission@fpcasheville.org to be added to
the Saturday Sanctuary contact list or with any questions.
PLEASE NOTE: The church is not taking donations of goods or clothing at this time, as Saturday Sanctuary will
not offer a clothing closet this year. If you need to make donations and are unsure of where to take them, please
contact David Germer or Jamie Brady who will be glad to assist you. mission@fpcasheville.org
SAVE THE DATE: PARENT’S NIGHT OUT, October 16, 4:30-6:30pm
Children activities and childcare are at the church. Parents will meet at the church and walk to dinner downtown.
OCTOBER WOMEN’S STUDIES
Pastor Shannon will be leading a discussion on Barbara Taylor Brown’s Learning to Walk in the
Dark. This book provides a way to find spirituality in those times when we don’t have all the
answers. It is often in the dark times that we see God at work the best. The book can be ordered
online and is free through Kindle Unlimited. October 20, 5:30 pm. Bring a covered dish to share.
AYM’S UPCOMING GROUPS
Oct. 6-8: Ukirk Knoxville, TN
Oct. 12-14: James Madison University Alternative Fall Break
Oct. 14-17: Belmont University Alternative Fall Break
Anyone who would like to participate in AYM’s work with these groups is encouraged
to contact AYM Director Linzi Anderson at linzi@youthmissionco.org.
FALL MIGRATION BIRD WALK, SATURDAY, OCT 8, 9 AM
Enjoy the beauty and wonders of God’s creation at Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, 1056
Merrimon Ave, at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 8. Esther Pardue will lead the walk as
we all look for birds in the trees and shrubs, on the lake, and in the air. Since birds are
migrating to areas further South for the winter, it is a great time to see birds not usually
in our area. Families are welcome. Contact Jane at janelaping@sbcglobal.net for more
information.

12. THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Sunday, October 3
8:45 am Worship in Campbell Chapel
11:00 am Worship Service at Montreat Conference Center, Convocation Hall, Assembly Inn
3:00 pm Asheville Area Piano Forum Benefit Concert, Sanctuary with reception in Library
4:15 pm - 7:15 pm Youth Choir (preceded or followed by Service/Mission Youth Group)
Monday, October 4
10:30 am Presbyterian Women: Lesson 2, Sabbath & Creation, led by Alice Petersen (112/zoom)
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Centering Prayer (Zoom); contact Waid Shelton
6:00 pm Stitchers meet (Room 214)
Wednesday, October 5
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm Children’s Choir and dinner
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Chancel Choir (Choir Room)
Thursday, October 6
12:30 pm Deacon Care Team (Conference Room)
Saturday, October 8
10:00 am Saturday Sanctuary Training Session (Gardner Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, October 9
8:45 am Worship Service in Campbell Chapel; Patrick Johnson, preaching
9:45 am Adult 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)
9:45 am - 10:55 am Breakfast Club (Youth Rooms)
9:45 am - 10:45 am Parents of youth gather (Room 214)
11:00 am Worship Service in Sanctuary; Patrick Johnson, preaching. Fellowship time follows.
2:15 pm - 2:15 pm Youth Lunch/Choir
12:45 pm Session Retreat (Rm. 112 & Fellowship Hall)
Zoom & Registration links can be found on the church calendar at fpcasheville.org.
Music Reproduced, recorded, and streamed under One License No. A-701813
YOU CAN JOIN THE DEACON CARE TEAM
The Deacon Care Team is committed to share God’s love and compassion with our
congregation. If you have a heart for the hurting, or for prayer, consider this team. A
group of people gather twice a month to pray by name for people requesting prayer and
to send cards. This month, we will meet on 10/6 and 10/20 from 12:30-1:30pm in
the conference room. You are welcome! This team also delivers flowers several times
a month and supports our New Member Ministry. Let us know if you are interested in
receiving more information. sjordan@fpcasheville.org.