January 10, 2019

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned. [Isaiah 43:1]

Dear Friends,
     With the holidays behind us, at the church we are returning to the regular rhythms of life. The Chrismon tree has been taken down, Wednesday suppers have resumed, and preschool is back in session. The workers are nearly finished installing the new boilers on the roof. On Sunday, my sermon Precious will explore the promise of the Lord found in the prophesy of Isaiah. In the 5th century BC, the Israelites had suffered the loss of everything in their defeat to the Babylonians. Yet, despite their predicament, God reminds them that they are not alone, that God cares for them and watches over them, that they are precious.
    I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.
       In Christ,

[FACEBOOK CHANGES]
FPC has a Facebook page with many followers. When this Facebook account was created it was established as a "Facebook Group." A "Facebook Group" has its uses but limits the church's ability to get information out to the world.
In January, we plan to switch to a regular Facebook page and phase out the Group page. We want to encourage as many people as possible to follow FPC through the new page.
If you have any questions about this please contact Sherard or Kristy.

[VANGOES TO TENN STATE MUSEUM]
The next scheduled outing of the VanGoes will be to visit the newly-built Tennessee State Museum on Thursday January 24. We will leave the church at 10:00 am and have lunch at the Farmer's Market. After lunch, we will go to the museum and walk around and then take a 45 minute guided tour at 2:00. We'll head back to Lebanon at 3:00pm. If you would like to attend please contact Kristy in the church office.

[COMPASSIONATE HANDS]
This week's volunteers (Jan 12):
Hosts - Orewilers
Laundry - Devines

[NEEDED FOR LOCAL 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, January 13
Baptism of the Lord

Thursday, January 24
VanGoes - Tenn State Museum

Wednesday, February 27
Deacons Chili Day

Wednesday, March 6
6:45 pm - Ash Wednesday 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.

January 16
Beans and Greens

[UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP MEALS]
Jan 16 - Beans and Greens
Jan 23 - Soup Cookoff
Jan 30 - Pot Roast, Hashbrown Cass., Salad, Fruit Pizza
Feb 6 - Potluck Covered Dish
Feb 13 - COOKS NEEDED
Feb 20 - Gumbo, Potato Sal., Rice, Bread Pudding
Feb 27 - Deacons' Chili Meal
Mar 6 - Pancake Supper
Mar 13 - No Meal (Spring Break)
Mar 20 - Potluck Covered Dish
March 27 - Pork Loin, Scalloped Potatoes, Salad, Coconut Crème Cake
Apr 3 - Potluck Covered Dish
Apr 10 - TBD
Apr 17 - Shepherd's Pie, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Banana Pudding
May 1 - Potluck Covered Dish
May 8 - Annual Church Fish Fry

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

  Jan 13 - Precious text | audio
  Jan 6 - Past Performance, Future Rewards text | audio
  Dec 16 - Searching for a King text | audio
  Dec 2 - Searching for Good News text | audio
  Nov 25 - Hebrews: Running in the Reign text | audio
  Nov 18 - Hebrews: Hope Unseen text | audio
  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

          ...more sermons

[WORSHIP LITURGY]
Scripture - Isaiah 43:1-7

1     But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
2     When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
3     For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
4     Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.
5     Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you;
6     I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth--
7     everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Prayer of Confession
Lord of Love, You created us and formed us. You know us and call us by name. Yet too easily we disregard your devotion for us. In trying times we become convinced that we are abandoned and alone. We believe we have no value to you. We turn to our own initiative to survive. We forget that you have promised to watch over us until the end of time. Forgive our waywardness, we pray. Amen.
Lord of the Future, help us to set our old ways behind us. Help us to embrace a life based on faith in Christ. Help us to know the power of his resurrection and become new people in this new year. Amen.

Thursday, January 24 - "The Opiod Crisis: How It Affects Our Schools and Community" - A presentation by DrugFree Wilco and Wilson Co. Schools Family Resource Center. 6-8pm. Wilson County Board of Education, 415 Harding Dr., Lebanon. More information..