First Congregational Church of North Collins, Sunday, August 17, 2014

First Congregational Church of North Collins

Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

337-9811 Church Office / 337-4303 Parsonage

Pastor / Teacher Derek S. Yoder

http://fccnc.blogspot.com

Sunday, August 17, 2014   

Summer Family Worship Service 9:30 am

Wait in Prayer                  Worship in Reverence                  Depart to Serve

 

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

Choral Introit …………………………………… Come, Let Us Join With One Accord

*Call to Worship …………………………………………………………………… Psalm 32:1-11

*Hymn of Adoration & Praise #580 …………………………   Lead On, O King Eternal

*Invocation

Worship Through Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

*Chorus #180 ………………………………………… Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down

*Chorus #156…………………………………………………………………… The LORD Is My Light

*Chorus #100……..………………………………………………………………………… Create In Me

Scripture Lessons

Old Testament…………………………………………  Nehemiah 7:4-73 (Pew Bible pg 759-761)

New Testament …………………………………………  Mark 4:21-41 (Pew Bible pg 1557-1558)

Memory Verse …………………………………………………………  Colossians 3:12-27 (see insert)

Fellowship of Welcome

Sermon Text …………………………………………………………………………  Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Sermon ……………………………………………………………………………………………  Derek Yoder

Vanity of Vanities?

Ecclesiastes offers a gritty view of the world.

True disciples look to Jesus Christ as the answer to the perplexities of life.

They know that in him, nothing is in vain.

*Hymn of Faith #655 …………………………………………………………………… O Safe to the Rock

Prayer Requests and Testimonies

Pastoral Prayer

Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

*Doxology …………………………………………… Praise God from Whom All Blessing Flow

*Benediction                                                            *Congregation invited to stand

                                                       Announcements

This is the week we order books!  If you want to be part of our summer reading and discussion group – we’ll be looking at David Powlison’s Speaking Truth in Love: Counsel in Community – let Derek know, and we’ll order a book for you.

As part of this year’s CCCC regional fall banquet (Oct 25^th) a dramatic presentation is planned, called the “Living Last Supper”.  Here’s the catch:  local churches are called on to supply the actors, and we’ve been assigned the role of Peter.  “Peter” must memorize his lines (~300 words) and commit to three practices prior to the performance.  If you’re interested, see Derek.

 Calendar

Wednesday, August 20^th

Choir practice at the church at 6:00 pm.

Join us at the church for Bible study and prayer at 7:00 pm.  We’re making our way through the great themes of Genesis.  We’re continuing on with providence and the image of God.  It’s a great time to join us.

Sunday, August 24^th

Sunday Night Out at Garry & Kathy Dole’s pond.

   

Get the most out of the service by asking about our special listening devices. Pick up one in the back or see an usher for help. If yours isn't working properly, don’t be bashful about raising your hand to ask for assistance.

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Sermon Outline                                                                                                       August 17, 2014

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Vanity of Vanities?

Ecclesiastes offers a gritty view of the world.  True disciples look to Christ

 in the midst of life’s perplexities.  Nothing is vain in him!

1.        We begin by thinking about the charming 1995 movie Mr. Holland’s Opus.  Mr. Holland’s ambition was to compose a symphony, but real life kept getting in the way.  Can you relate?  (In the course of our study in Ecclesiastes, we’ll consider why this happens and how we can live Christianly when it does.)

2.        We’re organizing our study around three questions.  The 1^st has to do with the book’s title.  ECCLESIASTES is a funny word.  What does it mean?

• FYI – Around the 3^rd century B.C., the writers of the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible) translated the Hebrew word for Preacher/Teacher into Greek with the word Ecclesiastes.

3.       Our 2^nd question has to do with the book’s author.  Who is the Preacher?  What did early Jewish and Christian scholars think?  On what evidence?

4.        Our 3^rd question has to do with the book’s theme.  What does Solomon mean when he says everything is vain?  What are some other ways our English Bibles translate the Hebrew word for vanity – (hevel / hebel)?

5.        Which character in the Bible is actually called by the name Hevel?  Reflect on the prophetic/theological significance of such a name.

6.        The fleetingness of time and its wearying disappointments are facts of live.  According to the Bible, how do wise people respond?

7.        Over the course of our study, we’ll see how Jesus Christ “answers” the perplexities described in Ecclesiastes.  But for now, consider what the gospel says to a world such as ours.  Fill in the right side of the graph with gospel truth – words, phrases, or specific verses:

ECCLESIASTES	GOSPEL
All is vanity!
Life is short.
Life is empty.
Nothing is permanent.
Work is frustrating.

8.        Don’t forget:  Jesus offers wisdom for living as he offers himself.