First Presbyterian Church of Villa Rica

Order for the Worship of God
SUNDAY, January 24th, 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

Sermon:  “Abortion: Truth?!.. Social Justice?!.. NO!
But It Is The American Way?”

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

#115. All Creatures of Our God and King

Verse 1
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him O praise Him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Verse 2
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along
O praise him alleluia
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
O praise him O praise him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Verse 3
Thou flowing water pure and clear
Make music for thy Lord to hear
Alleluia alleluia
Thou fire so masterful and bright
That givest man both warmth and light
O praise him O praise him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Verse 4
And all ye men of tender heart
Forgiving others take your part
O sing ye alleluia
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear
Praise God and on him cast your care
O praise him O praise him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Verse 5
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him alleluia
Praise praise the Father praise the Son
And praise the Spirit three in One
O praise Him O praise Him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia

 

Worship Through Songs of Praise:

You Are My King (Amazing Love)

Verse
I’m forgiven
Because You were forsaken
I’m accepted
You were condemned
I’m alive and well
Your Spirit is within me
Because You died
And rose again
(Repeat)
Chorus
Amazing love
How can it be
That You my King
Would die for me
Amazing love
I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
(In all I do I honor You)
(Verse & Chorus)
Bridge
You are my King
You are my King
Jesus You are my King
Jesus You are my King
(Chorus 2x)
Ending
In all I do I honor You

Your Grace Is Enough

Verse 1
Great is Your faithfulness O God
You wrestle with the sinner’s restless heart
You lead us by still waters into mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
Pre-Chorus
(So) remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise O God
Chorus (2x)
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Verse 2
Great is Your love and justice, God
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
Pre Chorus
(So) remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise O God
Chorus (2x)
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Pre Chorus
(So) remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise O God
Chorus (2x)
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Children Church Dismissal (11 AM service, only)

Pastoral Prayer

Worship through Exposition of God’s Word: Rev. Thomas Myers

Sermon: “Abortion: Truth?!.. Social Justice?!.. NO!
But It Is The American Way”

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.

188. Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Verse 1
Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
as thy beauty fills my soul,
for by thy transforming power,
thou hast made me whole.
Chorus
Jesus, I am resting, resting
in the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
of thy loving heart.
Verse 2
O how great thy loving-kindness,
vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvelous thy goodness
lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in thee, Beloved,
know what wealth of grace is thine,
know thy certainty of promise
and have made it mine.
(Chorus)
Verse 3
Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold thee as thou art,
and thy love, so pure, so changeless,
satisfies my heart;
satisfies its deepest longings,
meets, supplies its ev’ry need,
compasseth me round with blessings:
thine is love indeed.
(Chorus)
Verse 4
Ever lift thy face upon me
as I work and wait for thee;
resting ‘ neath thy smile, Lord Jesus,
earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
sunshine of my Father’s face,
keep me ever trusting, resting,
fill me with thy grace.
(Chorus)

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

THIS WEEK AND UPCOMING EVENTS

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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 Sunday at 5 PM via Zoom. Email churchoffice@firstpresbyterianvr.org for the link.

Mitchell/Forlaw Group cancelled this week.

HYMN SINGING / CAROLING AFTER CHURCH

Join us in Fairfield today following the 11:00 am service to sing to Bill Burns and then Ethel Gonzalez and James Oates. Let Pastor Tom know if you are going following the service, so that your name can be put into the Fairfield gate.

 

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.

Leadership Meeting, Tuesday Evening via Zoom. 

Please pray for our leadership team.

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, PRECEPT BIBLE STUDY
A 16 week Precept Bible study on the book of Acts
will begin Wednesday Feb 3 at 10 am.
Anyone interested may call Debby Morgan at
678-463-7368 for details on how to order a study book.

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 the Table Talk website. You can also begin a free subscription through the website.

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Today’s Additional Resources

Q. 93. What is the moral law?
A. The moral law is the declaration of God’s will for humanity, directing and binding every human being to conform to
and obey it personally, completely, and perpetually. The moral law applies to the whole human, body and soul, and
includes the performance of all those obligations to God and our fellow humans to be holy and righteous. God promised
life for keeping it and threatened death for disobeying it.
Q. 94. Does the moral law apply to human beings after the fall?
A. Although after the fall no one can achieve righteousness and life by means of the moral law, it still applies to all
humans generally, whether saved or unsaved.
Q. 95. How does the moral law apply to all human beings?
A. The moral law reveals the holy nature and will of God to all humans and obliges them to live by it. It also reveals to
them the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives, which shows them they are unable to keep it. The moral law
also humbles human beings with the recognition of their sinfulness and misery and thereby gives them a better awareness
of their need for Christ and for the perfection of his obedience.
Q. 96. How does the moral law apply particularly to the unsaved?
A. The moral law awakens the consciences of the unsaved to flee from the coming wrath and so drives them to Christ.
But, if they continue in their unsaved and sinful condition, the law has left them without excuse and under its curse.
Q. 97. How does the moral law apply specifically to the saved?
A. Although those who are saved and believe in Christ are freed from the moral law as a covenant of works, so that they
are neither justified nor condemned by it, nonetheless, in addition to the general applicability of the moral law to all
humans, it specifically shows believers how much they owe to Christ for fulfilling it and for enduring its curse in their
place and for their good. This recognition spurs believers on to a greater thankfulness, so that they try all the harder to
observe the law as their personal standard for living.
Q. 98. Where is the moral law summarized?
A. The moral law is summarized in the ten commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God on Mount Sinai
and written down by him on two stone tablets; they are recorded in Exodus 20. The first four commandments establish our
obligations to God and the remaining six our obligations to human beings.
Q. 134. What is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is: You shall not murder.
Q. 135. What does the sixth commandment require?
A. The sixth commandment requires us to do our best to make every lawful effort to preserve our own life and the lives of
others. We do this by not thinking about or planning, by controlling our emotions, and by avoiding all opportunities,
temptations, or actions that would promote or lead to the unjust taking of someone’s life. In the pursuit of that goal, we
must defend others from violence, patiently endure the afflictions from God’s hand, have a quiet mind and a cheerful
spirit, practice temperance in the way we eat, drink, take medications, sleep, work, and play. We should also harbor
charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, and kindness. Our speech and behavior should be peaceful,
mild, and courteous. We should be tolerant of others, be ready to be reconciled, patiently put up with and forgive injuries
against us, and return good for evil. Finally, we should provide aid and comfort to those in distress as well as protect and
defend the innocent.
Q. 136. What particular sins does the sixth commandment forbid?
A. The sixth commandment forbids: taking our own or anyone else’s life, except in the pursuit of public justice, lawful
war, or necessary defense; neglecting or withholding the necessary means for the preservation of life; sinful anger, hatred,
envy, or desire for revenge; all excessive emotions and distracting anxieties; intemperate eating, drinking, working, or
playing; speaking in a provocative way, oppressing, quarreling with, hitting, or wounding others, and anything else
conducive to the destruction of anyone’s life.

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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, Mask Required until seated, 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

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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 25^th.  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 4^th 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, Mask Required until seated)

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 required until seated.

-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

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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.