PROCLAMATION
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
Morning Worship,
pg. 2
– 11 a.m.
The Big Hole
in the Big Bang
Rev. Mark G. Johnston
Evening Worship,
pg. 10
– 6:30 p.m.
Nourished by the
Bread of Life
Rev. Mark G. Johnston
Church News,
p g. 18
“To Glorify God
& EnJoy Him Forever.”
September 16, 2012
THE LORD’S DAY
September 16, 2012
M ORNING W ORSHIP
The Big Hole in the Big Bang
Preparation for Worship: Meditation and Prayer
Dr. Ryan Kelly
Musical Selection
Welcome and Notices
Ministry Moment
Christianity Explored
Rev. Matthew M. Pieters, Outreach Pastor and Patrick and Nicole Nolan
P R AY E R
O F I NV O C AT I O N *
Rev. Mark G. Johnston
C AL L
TO
W O R SH I P *
Psalm 148:1, 4-5, 13-14NIV
Leader: Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let
them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were
created. Let them praise the name of the LORD for his name alone is
exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. He has raised
up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people
close to his heart.
O Worship the King*
2
Psalm 145:10
LYONS; Johann Michael Haydn,1737-1806
* Those who are able please stand.
2
D E C L A R A TI O N
OF
F AI T H *
Westminster Larger Catechism, Q.2
Leader: How doth it appear that there is a God?
All: The very light of nature in man, and the works of God declare plainly
that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and
effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.
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C O NF E S SI O N
OF
S I N & A S SU R A N C E
Psalm 90:2-3, 8-9 & Psalm 25:1-2, 11, 21
OF
PARDON
NIV
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from
everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to
dust, O sons of men."… You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the
light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years
with a moan.
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God…For the sake of your
name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. May integrity and
uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.
At the Name of Jesus*
Caroline M. Noell, 1992
CAMBERWELL; J.M.Briely, 1960
4
W O R SH I P
IN
G I V I NG
Offertory
Chancel Choir
All Things Bright and Beautiful
J. Rutter
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all,
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.
The purple headed mountains, the river running by, The sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky,
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one.
He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty Who has made all things well.
Doxology*
Thomas Ken, 1709
731
OLD HUNDREDTH; Louis Bourgeois’s Genevan Psalter, 1551
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him all creatures here below:
Praise him above, ye heav’nly, host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Prayer of Thanksgiving for Offering
R E A D I N G T H R O U GH
Psalm 63:1-11
TH E
B I BL E
NIV
Leader: O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no
water.
All:
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your
glory.
Leader: Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
All:
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my
hands.
Leader: My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips
my mouth will praise you.
All: On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of
the night.
Leader: Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
All: My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Leader: They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the
depths of the earth.
5
All: They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
Leader: But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will
praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
C H I L D R E N ’ S M E SSA G E
Mark Johnston
This is the Day
John W. Peterson, 1953
John W. Peterson, 1953
This is the day, (this is the day) That the Lord has made (that the Lord has made)
I will rejoice (I will rejoice) And be glad in it (and be glad in it) This is the day that the Lord has made,
I will rejoice and be glad in it, This is the day, this is the day, That the Lord has made.
Children, ages seven (7) years and younger, may be dismissed to Rooms 147 & 149
for Children’s Church following the message.
P A S TO R AL P R A YE R
O F I N T E R C E S SI O N
Jeremy Johnson
S E R M O N S C R I P T UR E
Genesis 1:2-25NIV
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Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the
deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was
evening, and there was morning—the first day.
And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water
from water.”
So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the
water above it. And it was so.
God called the expanse “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—
the second day.
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let
dry ground appear.” And it was so.
God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.”
And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees
on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And
it was so.
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The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and
trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it
was good.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day
from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,
and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it
was so.
God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser
light to govern the night. He also made the stars.
God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,
to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God
saw that it was good.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above
the earth across the expanse of the sky.”
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing
with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird
according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the
water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”
And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds:
livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each
according to its kind.” And it was so.
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to
their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their
kinds. And God saw that it was good.
SERMON
The Big Hole in the Big Bang
Rev. Mark G. Johnston
Introduction
1. Where the Stuff of the Universe came From
7
2. How the Stuff of the Universe is Ordered and Upheld
3. What gives the Stuff of the Universe Value and Beauty
4. How Time fits in with the Stuff of the Universe
5. What gives the Stuff of the Universe a Future and Purpose
Conclusion
God all Nature Sings Thy Glory*
David Clowney, 1960
122
ODE TO JOY; Ludwig van Beethoven
8
B E NE D I C TI O N *
Postlude
Following the service elder Joe Kempf will be available
to pray with you at the front of the sanctuary.
If you have a pastoral need during the week,
please contact the church office, 610-520-9500.
9
THE LORD’S DAY
September 16, 2012
E VENING W ORSHIP
Nourished by the Bread of Life
Preparation for Worship: Meditation and Prayer
Dr. Ryan Kelly
Musical Selection
Welcome and Notices
P R AY E R
O F I NV O C AT I O N *
Rev. Mark G. Johnston
C AL L
TO
W O R SH I P *
Psalm 65:1-4 NIV
Leader: Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. O
you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. When we were
overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are
those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled
with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place*
Isaac Watts, 1707
469
ST. COLUMBA; Old Irish hymn melody
* Those who are able please stand.
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P R AY E R
OF
A D O R AT I O N
AND
C O N F E SS I O N *
Rev. Mark G. Johnston
11
Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted*
Thomas Kelly, 1804
257
O MEIN JESU, ICH MUSS STERBEN; G.V. Paderborn
12
W O R SH I P
IN
G I V I NG
Offertory
Dr. Ryan Kelly
Musical Selection
S E R M O N S C R I P T UR E
John 6:35-59NIV
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Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go
hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never
drive away.
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who
sent me.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given
me, but raise them up at the last day.
For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall
have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that
came down from heaven.”
They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?
How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered.
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise
him up at the last day.
It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to
the Father and learns from him comes to me.
No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the
Father.
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
I am the bread of life.
Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died.
But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not
die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he
will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us
his flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink his blood, you have no life in you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at
the last day.
For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds
on me will live because of me.
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This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died,
but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”
He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
P R AY E R
O F I NT E R C E S SI O N
Rev. David B. Garner
Taste and See*
T. Poirier, 2000
T. Poirier, 2000
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SERMON
Nourished by the Bread of Life
Rev. Mark G. Johnston
Notes:
15
Come, for the Feast is Spread*
480
Henry Burton, 1878
SOMETHING FOR JESUS; Robert Lowry
C O M M U NI O N
B E NE D I C TI O N
Postlude
Songs used with permission. CCLI 660322
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Welcome
The Lord’s Day
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Rev. Mark G. Johnston, Senior Pastor
Welcome to Proclamation Presbyterian Church, a congregation committed to the
historic Christian faith. We believe that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word
of God that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became man, was crucified as
the atoning sacrifice for the sins of His people, on the third day was raised from the
dead, and one day will come again in power and great glory. Our goal is to glorify
God by teaching His Word and encouraging His people to be an engaging influence
to the culture.
If you are visiting with us, please sign your name and address on the Service of
Friendship pad so that we can greet you personally. We also encourage you to come
to the Welcome Counter in the narthex after the service. Here you can have your
questions answered, get help in finding your way around the buildings, and pick up
resources from the various ministries of the church.
During our worship time, please remember that we come to worship a Holy God
who gives us the grace to live for Him. Kindly turn all cell phones and pagers to
either the “off” or “vibrate” position during the service. While children of all ages
are warmly welcomed in our worship service, for your comfort and convenience, we
have a “crying room” for families with nursing infants and/or active babies located
in the right rear of the sanctuary. Children 7 years of age and younger are invited to
take part in Children’s Church. Also, there are large print Bibles and hearing assist
devices available in the narthex.
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News
Third Sunday Lunch – Today
Would you like to be able to share your faith in less than 10 minutes by simply reading the Bible?
Come to lunch today, hosted by the Evangelism Committee, and find out how.
Small Fellowship Group Leader Meeting – September 23
Attention all SFG (small fellowship group) leaders: There will be a 30 minute overview session in
preparation for your leadership in the study of Ephesians on Sunday, September 23, immediately
following the morning worship service (12:30-1:00 pm) in the church parlor. Pastors Mark
Johnston and David Garner will lead this important preview session, and we ask that all small
group leaders attend. We will have you out promptly by 1:00 pm.
“YANKS” Get-Together – September 29
The next YANKS ("Young adults; no kids") get-together will be held at the Johnstons’ home on
Saturday the 29th of September from 5-9PM. Additional information to follow. Please see
Pastoral Intern Joshua Jacobs (joshua.m.jacobs@gmail.com) with any questions.
Estate Planning Seminar
A PCA organization has offered to give an Estate Planning Seminar for people from our
congregation. It would be held at a local restaurant on a weekday afternoon or evening in
October. We are trying to determine the level of interest within the congregation before we
commit to holding the seminar. If you have an interest in attending, please sign the list in the
narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Browne in the church office.
The Bible Study Club at the Union League of Philadelphia
The fall bible study held at The Union League will focus on what theologians call the history of
redemption. It will be taught by members of the faculty and ministers of Westminster Theological
Seminary and meets each Friday from Noon to 1:00 pm starting September 21 st. Each week is a
self-contained message and is open to the public. Come when you can. For questions, please
contact Roger at rherrell@ddhs.com. Lunch Price: $19 per person, which includes tax and
gratuity.
Outreach
Christianity Explored Training – September 29
Pastor Matthew Pieters will hold a training session for those interested in leading a Christianity
Explored group on Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm at Proclamation. Please
contact Matthew if you are interested.
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Christianity Explored Discussion Group
The next Christianity Explored discussion group will be held at the home of Patrick and Nicole
Nolan in Wayne starting on Thursday, October 4 th. The evening starts with dinner at 6:30 pm and
ends at 8:30 pm. There are invitation cards on the narthex table. Those who would like to attend
should contact Pastor Matthew Pieters (matthew@proclamation.org).
Heaven in a Nightclub? – Friday, October 12
Proclamation will host this evening of jazz and conversation at 7:30 pm on Friday, October 12th.
Outreach Pastor Matthew Pieters invites you to bring a friend to hear Bill Edgar as he traces the
Christian influence on Jazz, musically illustrated by playing pieces with fellow jazz musicians
Ruth Naomi Floyd and Randy Pendleton. An invitation flyer is in the narthex.
Prayer Needs
Our Church Family Members:
Adam Bemiller, Audrey Beyer, Millie Blasko, Sarah Boardman, Ben & Julianna Bowman, Debbie
& Miles Bowman, John Boyer
Those Serving in the Military:
Matt Anthony – San Diego, Elizabeth Josephson – Germany, Rob Martin – VA, Tim Wik –
Norfolk
Jon and Anita Hinkson/Cru, Yale University
Upcoming at Yale - We are engaging with the new crop of scholars and returning disciples at
Yale. The opening of the fall semester always feels anaerobic—reaching out to new students;
reconnecting with old. We kicked off the year with a cookout on Sept. 7 th. The cookout is
followed by three consecutive Sunday lunch conversations on The Calling of the Christian Scholar
in the Academy. The soups for the occasion are so good, we’d likely have a crowd irrespective of
the topic but given the rich conversations that lingers long into the afternoon it is evident the
issue is a burning one for Christians at Yale. The three Sunday lunch conversations will culminate
with a retreat (Sept. 29) at Killam’s Point just 20 minutes from campus but on the scenic
Connecticut shoreline seemingly a world away from the bustle of Yale. Here we hope students
will catch a vision for what it means to be a faithful, fruitful disciples of Christ within the
academy and within their particular discipline. Pray that these events which launch our year
would be used of God to help establish new students in convictions and patterns which will
glorify God and bear a rich harvest within and around them and rekindle the same in the
students who return.
Sunday Morning Prayer for Our Church
9:00 – 9:30 am in the Parlor
1st,
3rd
&
(5th)
Churchwide Prayer Meeting
Tuesdays, 7-8 pm in the Beechwood Chapel
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Opportunities for Service
Childcare volunteers for ESL classes needed
We need baby sitters for the upcoming ESL classes which are held Monday mornings starting
September 10th. Two of our faithful sitters are leaving for Japan. It is great if you can help us
once a month. Please contact Yoshie Lee if you are willing to assist the Japanese ministry in this
way. We appreciate all your prayer and support.
KiSup & Yoshie Lee
CityTeam Ministries
Would you add one or more of the following items to your grocery list this week for CityTeam? There
is a need this month for: pasta sauce, peanut butter, canned tuna and baby food (stages 1 & 2). Bring
the item(s) to our Donations Room and place them on the shelf marked CityTeam. Thank you!
Proclamation’s Music Programs
Adult Handbell Open House – Thursday, September 20, 5:30 pm
Soli Deo Gloria, Proclamation’s adult handbell choir invites you to our Open House where you
can give handbells a try. If you can count to 4, you’re ready to play! Come to the Music Suite in
the Lower Level this Thursday. Any questions, contact Director Martha Alford 610-355-7683.
Children’s Music Programs
We have choral and handbell programs for virtually all ages, so please take advantage of the
wonderful opportunity to sing and play for the glory of God! There are sign-up sheets in the
narthex. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jonathan Moser (x237).
Age
Ages 4 to 7
1st thru 5th grade
6th thru 8th grade
9th thru 12th grade
Adult
H.S. & Adult
Group
Covenant Kids Choir
Children of Zion
Choir & Handbells
New Jerusalem
Choir or Handbells
Renewed Handbells
Soli Deo Handbells
Chancel Choir
Day/Time
Sat. 9am
Wed. 4:45pm
Wed. 6:15pm
Wed. 6:30pm
Thurs. 5:30pm
Thurs. 7pm
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Christian Education
Classroom Assignments
Children
Nursery .......................................... 151
3rd & 4th Grades .......................... 146
Toddlers (2 & 3 y/o) .................... 149
5th & 6th Grades ............................. 144
Pre-K & Kindergarten.................. 147
Jr. High ........................................... 047
1st & 2nd Grades .......................... 143
Sr. High .......................................... 049
Adult Sunday School Electives starting September 16
You Will Be My People: The Bible & its Covenants
Room 243/245
Teacher: Dave Garner
Yahweh is Salvation – The Prophecies of Isaiah
Room 240
Teacher: Stuart Sacks (Encouragers’ Class)
Believing and Belonging (New Members)
Room 241
Teacher: Mark Johnston
College and Career
Room 017
“The Cure” What if God isn’t who you think He is and neither are you?
Teacher: Matthew Pieters
Japanese Discipleship
Rooms 040/046
Teachers: Rev. Kisup Lee and Yoshie Lee
Note: Scripture and catechism memory recitations will resume on September 16. Should you
have any questions about the Christian Education ministries, please feel free to stop by Rm. 150
of the Christian Education Building during the Sunday School hour and speak to the Asst.
Sunday School Superintendent.
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Proclamation Women
Women’s Bible Studies
Wednesday Mornings (9:15 – 11:00 am) 2 classes
Rooms 240 and 241 (Note change in location)
Isaiah, the Lord Saves and Biblical Womanhood
Wednesday Evenings (7:00 – 8:30 pm)
Room 241 (Note change in location)
Isaiah, the Lord Saves
Last Wednesday of each month (7:00 – 8:30 pm)
Room 142 (Resource Room)
Biblical Womanhood
Sermon Recordings
Audio CD or DVD recordings of today’s sermon are available for a small donation ($3/$5). You
may order at the media table located in the Resource Room (across from the Parlor) immediately
following the 11 am service, and pick up the following week (usually). If you desire a recording
from a prior week, use the order forms that are available on the table.
Today’s sermon message will be available for playback online starting tomorrow at the church
website www.proclamation.org. Click on the “Listen to Sermons and Talks” button on the Home
page. Proclamation podcasts are available in the iTunes store (no charge).
Website
Check out our new website at www.proclamation.org. On it you will find articles by Jeremy
Johnson, Rev. Mark G. Johnston, Rev. David B. Garner, Rev. Stu Sacks, and more on subjects such
as, The Disappearing Generation, The Human Genome and the Mystery of Communication, Hope Beyond
Hope, and I Believe in Miracles… Look for these buttons on the homepage.
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General Information
PASTORAL TEAM
PASTORS’ ON-CALL SCHEDULE
Senior Pastor
Rev. Mark Johnston
mark@proclamation.org
Asst. Pastor of Teaching
Rev. David Garner
dgarner@proclamation.org
Asst. Pastor of Visitation
stu@proclamation.org
Rev. Stuart Sacks
Outreach Pastor
Rev. Matthew Pieters
matthew@proclamation.org
Dir. of Japanese Ministries Rev. Kisup Lee
kisup@proclamation.org
Dir. of C.E.
Mr. Dave Moneymaker
dave@proclamation.org
Dir. of Music
Mr. Jonathan Moser
jonathan@proclamation.org
Dir. of Youth Ministries Mr. Jeremy Johnson
jeremy@proclamation.org
Church Administrator
jim@proclamation.org
Minister Emeritus
Mr. Jim Browne
Dr. Peter Lillback
If you need to reach a pastor in the evening
or on a weekend, feel free to contact the
pastor-on-call. The schedule is listed on the
back of the Weekly Prayer Request Sheet
found in the narthex.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If at all possible, please let the Pastoral Staff
know of your prayer requests in advance of
Sunday worship by contacting the church
office
via
phone
or
e-mail
(info@proclamation.org). In this way, the
Staff and Elders can pray for you
throughout the week. You may also place
the pink prayer request form in the
collection plate. Please print legibly. Thank
you.
Proclamation’s Weekly Prayer Request
Sheet can be found on the rack behind the
Welcome Desk.
CHURCH STAFF AND LEADERSHIP
A list of church staff, Session and Diaconate
members can be found in the Church
Directory. Copies are in the rack behind the
Welcome Desk. You can also find this
information on the church website under the
Welcome tab.
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Upcoming Events
 Sun. 9/16
Third Sunday Lunch
September 16, 12:30 pm/Fellowship Hall
 Sat. 9/29
Christianity Explored Training Session
September 29, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Proclamation
 Fri. 10/12
Jazz Outreach Event – “Heaven in a Nightclub?”
October 12, 7:30 pm/Sanctuary
This Week at Proclamation
Sunday
9:00am
9:30am
9:45am
10:30am
11:00am
12:30pm
6:30pm
Tuesday
Prayer for the Church –
Parlor
Sunday School – all ages
Chancel Choir Open House
Fellowship Time
Morning Worship
Third Sunday Lunch
Evening Worship Service
Pastoral Staff Meeting
All Church Prayer Meeting
Wednesday
9:15am
7:00pm
Women’s Bible Study
Women’s Bible Study ??
Thursday
5:30pm
7:00pm
Soli Deo Gloria Handbells
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Friday
Monday
9:45am
2:30pm
7:00pm
No ESL Classes
7:00pm
Japanese Praise Team
Rehearsal
Saturday
9:00am
9:00am
Men’s Bible Study
Covenant Kids
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