First Presbyterian Church of Villa Rica
Order for the Worship of God
SUNDAY, January 3rd, 2021
At Church and Online
(Live Stream and Online Bulletin)
8:30 AM Worship Services (In Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall (Masks Required); and via Live Stream Online)
9:30 AM Gathering Grounds (In Fellowship Hall —coffee, donuts)
10 AM Sunday School for all ages
11 AM Worship Services (In Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, and via Live Stream Online)
GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
“Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.” – Deuteronomy 4:10
PRELUDE
(As we prepare our hearts for worship let us quiet our hearts and our cell phones.)
Online Bulletin
We are thankful to welcome back to the pulpit Rev. Dr. Wilson Smith as he preaches for Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. Dr. Smith was our Teaching Elder from fall
of 2016 to December of 2018.
Sermon: “Eternal Values Place God First
The Eucharist”
8:30AM Worship 1: Direct YouTube Link
11 AM Worship 2: Direct YouTube Link
Bulletin/Order of Worship
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
INVOCATION
(All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version, ESV, unless otherwise noted.)
Worship through Hymn of Thanksgiving
100. Holy, Holy, Holy!
Verse 1
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Verse 2
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy
sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Verse 3
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Verse 4
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky
and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Worship Through Songs of Praise:
In Christ Alone
Verse 1
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
Verse 2
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
Verse 3
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious
Day Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
Verse 4
No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
You Are My All in All
Chorus (Everyone)
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Chorus (Women) Verse 1 (Men)
Jesus Lamb of God You are my strength
Worthy is Your name When I am weak
Jesus Lamb of God You are the treasure
Worthy is Your nae That I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up, I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Verse 2 (Women) Chorus (Men)
Taking my sin Jesus Lamb of God
My cross my shame Worthy is Your name
Rising again I bless Your name Jesus Lamb of God
You are my all in all Worthy is Your name
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
Chorus 2x (Everyone)
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Children Church Dismissal (11 AM service, only)
Worship through Exposition of God’s Word: Rev. Wilson Smith
Sermon: “Eternal Values Place God First The Eucharist“
Haggai Chapter 2
The Coming Glory of the Temple
In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’”
Blessings for a Defiled People
10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 12 ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. 15 Now then, consider from this day onward.[a] Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord, 16 how did you fare? When[b] one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord. 18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord‘s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”
Zerubbabel Chosen as a Signet
20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a[c] signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”
COMMUNION
Worship through Hymn of Commitment:
Romans 6:19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
246. Man of Sorrows! What a Name
Verse 1
Man of Sorrows! what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Verse 2
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Verse 3
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we;
spotless Lamb of God was he;
full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Verse 4
Lifted up was he to die,
“It is finished!” was his cry:
now in heav’n exalted high:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Verse 5
When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Benediction
Doxology: Hymn #731
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’ly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Worship Through Tithes and Offerings
Click or Scan Me To Give, or place tithe in box at back table in sanctuary.
THIS WEEK AND UPCOMING EVENTS
GATHERING GROUNDS
Please join us in the fellowship hall Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:00 am for coffee and donuts.
SMALL GROUPS TODAY:
Whittle/Dickinson Group will meet today at the Dickinson’s. Bring a snack to share.
Mitchell/Forlaw Group will meet today in the Fellowship Hall at the Church building. Bring a side to share.
CHRISTMAS DECORATION CLEANUP
Many hands make light work. Join WIC in taking down and cleaning up the Christmas decorations on January 9th, 2021.
WIC BABY GIFT 
Matt and Ariel Whittle are expecting their newest addition very soon! We’d like to bless them with a gift card.
Contributions will be collected through the end of November and can be given to Donna Lisenby or Judi East. Gifts can also be labeled/designated for the Whittle’s gift card and put in the offering box.
HYMN SINGING / CAROLING AFTER CHURCH
On pause for the Christmas Holiday Season. We will resume in January.
Postlude
(Please Stand As Able)
This Week in Our Church Life
Continue to pray and encourage one another.1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS
Meeting online through zoom on Wednesdays, resumes this week at 6:30pm on January 6th.
Be on the lookout for the email with the link.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Wednesdays at 10am, the women s’ Bible study will resume in the fellowship hall after the holidays.
Other Resources
Kingdom Outreach: See our Missions and Outreach Page
What is Happening this Week, this Month? Visit our This Week page.
A YEAR IN TABLETALK
You are invited to join us in reading through Tabletalk devotions for the year of 2021. January’s edition will be available by the offering box in the Sanctuary. You
can purchase a subscription by calling 1-800-435-4343 or by visiting www.tabletalkmagazine.com. You can also begin a free subscription through the website.
Today’s Additional Resources
Westminster Confession of Faith:
Chapter 14
Saving Faith
2. By this faith a Christian believes whatever is revealed in the word to be the true, authentic,
authoritative statement of God himself. By this faith the believer also acts according to what particular
passages in the word say. By faith the believer humbly submits to and obeys God’s various commands.
He trembles at God’s awesome threats, and eagerly embraces his promises about this life and the life to
come. But the chief actions of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting on Christ alone for
justification, sanctification, and eternal life, in the power of the covenant of grace.
Chapter 16
Good Works
2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruit and evidence of a true
and living faith. By them believers show their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance of salvation,
edify their brothers in the Lord, and become ornaments of all those who profess the gospel. Good
works in believers silence the criticism of the enemies of the gospel. They also glorify God by showing
that believers are the workmanship and creation of Jesus Christ, because their aim is that holiness of
living which leads to eternal life.
Special Announcement
Dear Believers of First Pres. Villa Rica,
After almost six months of suspending in-person Sunday morning activities with the exception of Worship, we are excited to announce the resumption of both infant and toddler nurseries beginning September 20th (both services), and the resumption of all Sunday morning activities beginning October 4th. Both morning Worship services will be maintained, with a shift in start time of both services to accommodate Sunday School (for all ages) and fellowship time. Children’s Church will also be offered during both services.
We make this decision following our nation’s efforts to return to normalcy but not with disregard to the continued threat COVID-19 is to us. Please know that procedures will be in place to ensure the safety and health of all.
New schedule as of Sunday, October 4th:
0830-0930 Worship 1 (Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, Masks Required, plus online live-stream)
0930-1000 Break / Fellowship
1000-1045 Sunday School
1045-1100 Break
1100-1200 Worship 2 (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall, plus online live-stream)
We thank the Lord for His faithfulness to us and for His hand of protection. Thank you for your support, encouragement and love for each other during these challenging times. Special thanks to Jeannie Forlaw for her work in her new role as Children’s Ministry Director and for the coordination of both the Children’s Education and Worship Committees in putting together our resumption plan.
May we continue to labor together in love for the sake of the gospel and God’s kingdom,
The Session
COVID PROTOCOLS: In an effort to anticipate the needs as to the activities of the church in these times of uncertainty regarding COVID and the weather, there will be some changes upcoming in Worship location and virus protocols. We have cooler weather approaching that will necessitate moving the Parking Lot Worship Service indoors, and we have some additional information for sanitation procedures for Worship Services, Sunday Schools, Nursery, and Children’s Church. The Parking Lot Worship Service will move indoors to the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall starting on Sunday, October 25th. This service will utilize strict COVID protocols to protect those with high concerns respecting the virus. Masks and social distancing will be required at all times for this 8:30 worship. See below for additional requirements and procedures. The updated schedule as of Sunday, October 4th is, as follows:
8:30-9:30 Worship One (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall – Masks Required, also Live-streamed)
Nursery Provided
9:30-10:00 Gathering Grounds: Break/Fellowship
10:00-10:45 Sunday School (Adult and Children)
10:45-11:00 Break
11:00-12:00 Worship Two (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall, plus live-stream)
Children’s Church (Large Classroom)
Nursery Provided
COVID Protocols for Worship One (8:30-9:30):
–Masks are mandatory at all times including while singing. This applies to the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Tom will not wear a mask while preaching at the pulpit.
–Social distancing will be maintained at all times.
–A sanitizing station with masks will be provided at the lower entrance, at the front door entrance, and the entrance into the Fellowship Hall. There will also be spray sanitizer and hand sanitizer available at these locations.
–Ushers will seat people as they arrive and direct as they exit. The Sanctuary aisles will have directional arrows for one-way traffic. Worshipers will be seated from the front of the church to the back and will exit the church from the back to the front.
-Anyone that does not have a mask will be given one.
–At the conclusion of this service the pews and cushions will be sprayed with sanitizer. The Fellowship Hall will also be sanitized.
-The CDC recommends masks for children above the age of two years.
COVID Protocols for Break/Fellowship (9:30-10:00):
–Masks are optional and social distance is recommended. For those that are wearing a mask, know that they are wearing it for a reason, and give them extra respect in regards to distance protocols.
COVID Protocols for Adult Sunday School (10:00-10:45):
-The adult SS will meet in the Fellowship Hall.
-Masks are optional. Social distancing for seating is mandatory.
-Immediately following SS the tables and chairs will be sanitized.
COVID Protocols for Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Church:
-Masks are optional.
-Children’s masks and hand sanitizers will be available and use encouraged.
-Each child will have their own labeled supply box containing crayons, etc., that will be sanitized after each use.
-Tables and chairs will be cleaned between uses.
COVID Protocols for the Nursery:
-Nursery toys and surfaces will be sanitized with antibacterial wipes and spray and allowed to dry between services.
-At the end of the second service toys will be immersed in food-grade sanitizer and surfaces wiped and sprayed.
COVID Protocols for Worship Two (11:00-12:00)
-Masks are optional.
-Social distancing is required for seating
-Give respect to those choosing to wear a mask.
-Ushers will not be required for seating or exit.
We pray for an end to this virus, but until then, we must make the best of a difficult situation. We understand that all these different rules may be hard to keep up with, but we endeavor to provide as many options as possible so that most can attend a Worship Service. The safety of the congregation is paramount, and the ability to have a choice on the level of protocols is necessary. Those at the upper end of risk from this virus are encouraged to utilize the live stream option in the safety of your homes. If you or your child have flu-like symptoms or a fever, please stay home.
We thank you for your prayers, for the willingness you have shown to be diligent in worship, and for your support of FPCVR during this unprecedented occasion.
Prayerfully, The Session
Westminster Confession of Faith in Modern English Chapter 11 – Justification
1. Those whom God effectually calls he also freely justifies. He does not pour righteousness into them but
pardons their sins and looks on them and accepts them as if they were righteous—not because of anything
worked in them or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone. He does not consider their faith itself, the act of
believing, as their righteousness or any other obedient response to the gospel on their part. Rather, he imputes to
them the obedience and judicial satisfaction earned by Christ. For their part, they receive and rest on Christ and
his righteousness by faith (and this faith is not their own but is itself a gift of God).
2. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the only means of justification. In the
person justified, however, it is always accompanied by all the other saving graces and is not a dead faith, but
works by love.
3. By his obedience and death Christ completely discharged the debt of all those who are so justified, and he
made the correct, real, and full satisfaction to his Father’s justice on their behalf. Since Christ was voluntarily
given by the Father for them, and since his obedience and satisfaction were accepted in their place and not for
anything in them, their justification is the result only of his free grace—so that both the perfect justice and the
rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.
6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects identical with the justification
of believers under the New Testament.
Shorter Catechism Q&A 33
Q: What is justification?
A: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in
his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
