November 15, 2018

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
[Hebrews 11:1]

Dear Friends,
    We are nearing the end of our 7-week series on the book of Hebrews. This Sunday's sermon "Hope Unseen" will be the sixth sermon in the series. The reading from Hebrews poses the question, "What is faith?" and answers it by telling us Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews then offers several examples of Old Testament heroes who lived lives of exceptional faith: Abraham and Sarah, Noah, Enoch, and more. Nevertheless, without Christ, they ultimately came up short. Through this reading, let us celebrate the gift of faith that comes to us through our savior.
    I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.
    PS: I would like to wish my father Robert a Happy Birthday. He turns 89 on Sunday.

       In Christ,

[MARLER FUNERAL SERVICE]
A graveside service with military honors for Elmer Marler will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 pm at the Jones Hill Cemetery in Watertown. The church van will leave from the church at 12:15 pm for anyone who would like to attend the service. The van should return by 2:00 pm. Please contact the church office if you think you would like to ride in the van. Elmer's obituary can be read here.

[SPECIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR KIDS]
On Sunday at 10:00 am, the children’s Sunday School Classes will all play bingo for tree trimming gifts. There will also be snacks with cinnamon rolls and beverages.

[SANTA FOR A SENIOR]
FPC is sponsoring 12 senior citizens who participate in Wilson County’s SCAN program (Senior Citizen Action Network). On a bulletin board in the back hallway are cards with additional needed items. Please take a look at the board and select one of the requests. Then, buy twelve of that item and place one in each box. The boxes will be delivered to SCAN on Monday, December 11, so don’t delay. This is an important local outreach for our church and one in which everyone can participate.

[CONGREGATIONAL MEETING]
There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday November 18 at 10:45am for the purpose of hearing the report of the Officer Nominating Committee.

[NEW BOOK FOR ATYPICAL CLASS]
On December 2, the Atypical Sunday School Class led by Brenda Thaxton will begin a study of the book Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most by Marcus J. Borg. If you are interested in joining the class, contact Brenda or the church office so a book can be ordered for you.

[VANGOES SEE THE LIGHTS]
The next VanGoes outing will be to Nashville to visit Cheekwood on Monday December 10 to see the Christmas lights. We will leave at 3:30 pm and return at 8:30 pm. The cost is $19 (food is not included).

[COMPASSIONATE HANDS SIGNUP]
A signup sheet for Compassionate Hands has been posted in the back hallway. Starting in December we will need volunteers to spend the night, fix meals, and do laundry.

[YOU SHOULD BE A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER]
Be a teacher or assistant teacher
FPC has an urgent need for adults to lead children's Sunday School classes. If you would like to serve in this important ministry please contact Wayne Patton or the church office. We need teachers for  two classes: Pre-school through 1st grade and for 2nd through 5th grade.

[NEEDED FOR MISSIONS]
FPC has two ongoing collections benefiting the following organizations:
1. Wilson County Schools Family Resource Center. We collect food and personal hygiene items for students whose families are struggling. Donations can be left in the plastic tub in the back hallway.
2. Wilson County Community Help Center.
Monetary donations are used to purchase food items for the Help Center. Write Help Center on your check.

Sunday, November 25
Christ the King Sunday

Sunday, December 2
First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 2
Keyboards at Christmas

Monday, December 10
VanGoes: Lights at Cheekwood

Monday, December 24
7:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

[LAY READERS NEEDED]
There are a few openings for Lay Readers for the Sanctuary Service. If you are interested please contact Kristy in the church office.

November 21 - No Meal
November 28 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, lima beans, banana pudding

[UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP MEALS]
Nov 21 - No Dinner
Nov 28 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, lima beans, banana pudding
Dec 5 - Covered Dish
Dec 12 - TBD
Dec 19 - Chicken casserole, corn pudding, salad, German choc. cake
Dec 26 -  No Dinner
Jan 2 - No Dinner

An archive of sermons and bulletins
(audio and text) can be viewed here.

  Nov 11 - Hebrews: Faith Divided text | audio
  Nov 4 - Hebrews: Term Limits text | audio
        Bagpipes from All Saints Worship  listen
  Oct 28 - Hebrews: Everyday Atonement text | audio
  Oct 21 - Hebrews: Throne of Grace text | audio
  Oct 14 - Hebrews: Reflected Glory text | audio
  Oct 7 - Forever Bread text | audio
  Sep 30 - Branded text | audio
  Sep 23 - Servants of All text | audio
  Sep 16 - The Pirate Life text | audio
  Sep 9 - Burned-In text | audio
  Sep 2 - The Cycle of Sin text | audio

          ...more sermons

[WORSHIP LITURGY]
Scripture - Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
1    Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2    Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.
3    By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

8    By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.
9    By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
10    For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11    By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old--and Sarah herself was barren-- because he considered him faithful who had promised.
12    Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."
13    All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth,
14    for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15    If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return.
16    But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Prayer of Confession
God of Hope, you promise us a heavenly home to call our own, but we are hesitant to claim it.
We don’t believe in what we can’t see.
We don’t trust what we can’t examine.
Our uncertain faith demands proof.
Our shaky faith demands results.
Our cynical faith demands assurances.
We confess that we fail to follow the path of the saints you sent before us.
Forgive us and redeem us, we pray. Amen.

J.D.'S MUSIC CORNER
About the music you will hear on Sunday
PRELUDE: Chorale prelude on “Now Thank We All Our God” - J.S. Bach
OFFERTORY: Recit - Louis-Nicolas Clérambault
POSTLUDE: Fantasia on “Now Thank We All Our God” - Sigfried Karg-Elert

November 15 - City of Lebanon's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. 5:00 p.m. Town Square.

Saturday, December 1 - 11th Annual Lebanon Historic Places Tour. More information..

December 13, 14, 15 - The Bert Coble Singers 31st Annual Christmas Dinner Show. Baird Chapel at Cumberland University. $40. More information.