John Calvin Presbyterian Church

1. For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. 

For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.

For the plowing, sowing, reaping, 

silent growth while all are sleeping. 

future needs in earth’s safe keeping, thanks be to God.

2. In the just reward of labor, God’s will be done.

In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will be done.

In our worldwide task of caring

for the hungry and despairing,

in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will be done. 

WORDS OF WELCOME                                                        

CALL TO WORSHIP: Matthew 9:37-38

ONE: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

MANY: therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Lord of the harvest, you have called us to work in the field of your world to share your love and grace with others. Some of us have worked for many years, and some of us have just started to work. Many of us are rich in the things of this world, and many are not. Help us to share the many gifts that you have given us to do your work in the world. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#87*] [GTG#165]  “The Glory of These Forty Days”          

1 The glory of these forty days

we celebrate with songs of praise;

for Christ, by whom all things were made,

himself has fasted and has prayed.

2 Alone and fasting Moses saw

the loving God who gave the law;

and to Elijah, fasting, came

the steeds and chariots of flame.

3 So Daniel trained his mystic sight,

delivered from the lion’s might;

and John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became

the herald of Messiah’s name.

4 Then grant that we like them be true,

consumed in fast and prayer with you;

our spirits strengthen with your grace,

and give us joy to see your face.

MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN

CHILDRENS SONG {SUNG AS CHILDREN EXIT} [BLUE# 551*] [GTG#367]

“Come Ye Thankful People Come”  Verse 1   

1 Come, ye thankful people, come;

raise the song of harvest home.

All is safely gathered in,

ere the winter storms begin.

God, our Maker, doth provide

for our wants to be supplied.

Come to God’s own temple, come;

raise the song of harvest home.                          

REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. 

Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to paths of righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

KYRIE [GTG Hymnal #575] 

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON  

THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

SCRIPTURE [Pew Bible NT pg.20 or 21]    Matthew 20:1-16

     ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

ANTHEM     “Holy Manna”     by Joel Raney

SERMON: “It’s Not Fair” The Rev. Aaron Ochart

 TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW   

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH   Theological Declaration of Barmen

2. “Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (I Cor. 1:30.) 

     As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our  sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures. 

     We reject the false doctrine, as though there were areas of our life in which we would not belong to Jesus Christ, but to other lords—areas in which we would not need justification and sanctification through him.

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY     “Give Thanks” arr. by Stan Pethel feat. Mike Isham

OFFERTORY RESPONSE [GTG 701] “Lord Prepare Me”

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. 

THE SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY COMMUNION

ONE: We praise you, O God. 

MANY: We praise you, O God. 

ONE: Amen MANY: Amen. 

ONE: Save us, O God. 

MANY: Save us, O God. 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION and LORD’s PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [BLUE#298*] [GTG #435]  

“There is a Wideness in God’s Mercy” IN BABILONE

1. There is a wideness in God’s mercy, 

like the wideness of the sea. 

There’s a kindness in God’s justice, 

which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows

are more felt than up in heaven.

There is no place where earth’s failings 

have such kindly judgements given. 

2. For the love of God is broader 

than the measures of the mind.

And the heart of the Eternal

is most wonderfully kind. 

If our love were but more faithful,

we would gladly trust God’s Word,

and our lives reflect thanksgiving

for the goodness of our Lord. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARTING PRAYER (St. Patrick)

Lord, be with us this day- within us to purify us; above us to draw us up; beneath us to sustain us; before us to lead us; behind us to restrain us; around us to protect us. Amen. 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE [GTG#771] “What is the World Like”

3. What is the world like when God’s will is done?

No more is neighbor just ally or friend;

Peace thrives in places where once there was none.

This is how God works when rivalries end. 

POSTLUDE:        Dialogue sur les grands jeux – Couperin 

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

Participating in today’s service are Rev. Aaron Ochart, Pastor; Louise Ochart, CE Leader; Sam Garnett, Music Director; and Kelly Cuppett, Assistant Music Director. Appreciation to Dennis Lauland. Mike Fortin, and David Garland for the video production of today’s service. 

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF

Church Office 504.888.1375

Playschool Office           504.888.1378

The Reverend Aaron Ochart – Head of Staff

Louise Ochart – Christian Education Leader

Sam Garnett – Music Director

Kelly Cuppett – Assistant Music Director

Lauren Oufnac – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on

JCPC Prayer Team You may write your prayer request on one of the forms, located in the pew rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate. You may also enter prayer requests on-line at www.johncalvinchurch.org, just click  “Prayer Request.”