The Worship of God Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost August 22, 2021 9:00 AM To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this church opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Come, let us worship God.

Reflection “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! - Psalm 34:8

“My Father, supremely good, beauty of all things beautiful.” - Augustine

“If you can’t see His goodness, you can trust His goodness.” - Jack Hyles

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Music Near the Cross arr. William H. Doane

Call to Worship Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Song of Praise 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman

Prayer of Adoration (concluded by The 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.

Confession of Faith Pastor: Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind. (Psalm 31:19) People: Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:1) The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. (Psalm 145:8-9) Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Ps. 34:1) The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nahum 1:7) Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Ps. 34:1) For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. (Psalm 86:5) Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Ps. 34:1) No one does good, not even one. No one is good except God alone. (Romans 3:12, Mark 10:18) Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Ps. 34:1) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11) Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Ps. 34:1)

Song of Thanksgiving Psalm 34 Taste and See Joe Rigney and Shane Barnard

Offertory Total Praise Richard Smallwood, arr. Pettis Shanka Pettis, Voice Brian Pettis, Piano Please pass and sign the welcome pads during this time.

Scripture Reading Psalm 34

Sermon Taste and See Rev. Matt Kuiken

Song of Response Goodness of God Johnson, Cash, Ingram, Fielding, Johnson

Benediction

Congregational Response The Church’s Doxology Holden

Now, blessed be Jehovah, God, The God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous works, In glory that excel, Who only doeth wondrous works, In glory that excel.

And blessed be His glorious Name To all eternity; The whole earth let His glory fill. Amen, so let it be; The whole earth let His glory fill. Amen, so let it be.

Psalm 72/Oliver Holden—The Psalter, The Bible Songs and The ARP Psalter OneLicense.net A-720820.—Used by permission

The sanctuary flowers today are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Katy-Barnes Forbes and David Hunter who were married yesterday, August 21, 2021.

Face coverings are welcome but not required. N-95 masks are available in the Welcome Center. Social distancing is not required. Worship services are no longer streamed to the Fellowship Hall.

If you have a physical or spiritual need, or a concern for the upcoming week, there are elders available to pray with you immediately following the service. The prayer room is located behind the Praise Team.

Installation Service for Rev. Brian Wood

Please join us this afternoon at 4:00pm for the installation service of Rev. Brian Wood. A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. Childcare will be available for ages 4 and younger.

Taste and See Rev. Matt Kuiken

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Sermon Notes Taste and See Rev. Matt Kuiken Psalm 34 ______

______Coming This Fall!

Music Ministry Announcement

We are so excited to bring back the Joyful Noise program this fall! This allows our children to learn to “make a joyful noise to the Lord” as part of the Wednesday night programming. The children are divided into groups by age or grade level, and activities range from singing and musical games to bucket drumming and handbells.

Working with the children is just as rewarding for the volunteers as it is for the kids! Since there are four groups of children this year, we want to add some new folks to sing and make music with them. We need help with all ages, but our biggest need is for someone to sing for about 10 minutes each week with the two- and three-year-olds. This will be right at the beginning of their evening, so you’d easily be able to head to an adult class or to the adult choir afterwards. If interested in this or any other part of the program, please contact Milette Oden at [email protected].

Children’s Ministry

We’re Collecting School Supplies By Two! Donate One! . . . as you are shopping for your own children. Collection boxes are on both floors of our children’s ministry building. Please Fill Out Our Annual Enrollment Form for the 2021-2022 children’s ministry year! https://bit.ly/CMEnroll21-22

Do You Have Overdue Children’s Books or Movies? Bring them back and check out more! Move Up Sunday! We love our libraries! Move Up Sunday is September 5! Children will advance grades or classes.

About Our Special Musicians Today

Brian and Shänka Pettis have been married for nine years and have been performing together for 13 years. Brian is a National recording jazz infused gospel musician/artist and Shänka is a National recording classical vocalist. Shänka is a native of Gastonia, is a 1998 graduate of Ashbrook High School where she studied choral music with Trip McGill. Brian is native of Chicago, Illinois where he and Shänka met on the set of Donald Lawrence showcase. They live in the Charlotte area with their two children, Brian Jr. and Ziyahn Aurelia. Shanka and Brian will sing and play during the offertory today at both services.

First ARP Blood Drive Trail Life will meet every First ARP will sponsor a Thursday Blood Drive with the beginning American Red Cross on September Thursday, September 9, 2nd, 6:30- 2021 from 2:30-7:00pm in 8:30pm in the MAC. Room #304. Trail Life is To make an appointment you may visit RedCrossBlood.org for boys ages 5-17. If you are interested and enter: First ARP or contact Rhonda Craig at in signing up, please contact Dustin [email protected] or 704-813-2504. Clark at [email protected] or 980-297-2727.

Community Bible Study Kick-Off Wednesday, August 25th 10am till Noon Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (805 S. York Street, Gastonia)

Ladies, You and your friends are invited to register and join us for this year’s study of: Joshua, Christian Living (Philemon; 1, 2, & 3 John; Jude) and Christian Leadership (1 & 2 Timothy; Titus) on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 8, from 9:15am until 11:15am. Register and pick up your commentary book for Joshua and enjoy some light refreshments. You can also register online at: gastonia.cbsclass.org. For additional information, email [email protected] or [email protected].

Weekly Sports Ministries Financial Update General Operating Fund Come and join us!

Adult Coed Volleyball MTD 8/19/21 YTD thru 8/19/21 Tuesday & Thursday Revenues $ 78,883.56 $ 1,067,626.26 8:30-10:30am, MAC Gym Expenses $ 58,733.53 $ 913,468.80

Net surplus (deficit) $ 20,150.03 $ 154,157.46

Adult Basketball Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm, MAC Gym

Women’s Ministries Neighborhood Ministry

Prayer Concerns

• Amber Bernette (wife of Tim McPeters’ nephew) - recovering from surgery • Patsy Boyles - has 2 fractures in her back from a fall; will have procedure on 8/25 • Ann Cain - under Hospice care - prayers for strength • Lee Craig (mother of Mike Craig) - at home with help. No visitors at this time please. • Carlton Dixon - cancer treatment • Patricia Dukes’ son-in-law, Greg Hall - diagnosed with ALS • Chuck Duncan - is cancer free and being monitored. Praise God! • Joe Erwin - cancer treatment • Sally Green & Family - Sally’s mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jack & Shirley Green, passed away 6 days apart - Jack on 8/12 and Shirley on 8/18. • Haiti - pray for Haiti generally and our sister church, Source Baptiste • Jo Henry’s sister, Kim (Pamela Mumford’s aunt) - chemo completed; still has radiation to undergo. Last scan shows tumor has shrunk and is dying! Thankful for progress. • Amy Hueitt - healing for Amy; children’s behavior; Joni & Friends fundraising • Winifred Jackson - prayers for healing & strength from fall; staying with daughter, Ann in Greenville, SC • Kristi Jarrel (friend of Lisa Johnson) - recovering from heart attack • Margaret Kennedy - rehab 3 times per week at Terrace Ridge; continue prayers for strength • Frankie Lewis - home from hospital; pray for recovery & strength • Mary Ann Lore - under Hospice care at Morningside due to congestive heart failure • Bill and Betty Martin - health concerns • Callie Mason - fell last week, nothing broken, pray for strength & healing • Rita McCurry - recovering from a fall; continue prayers for strength & healing • Hope Parks - continue prayers from recent surgery • Warren Pazyk (friend of Lisa Johnson) - brain tumor was removed. Continue to pray for healing. • Jennifer Philbeck’s mother - will have hip replacement surgery on 8/30 • Larry Plemmons (Rick Gibby’s brother) - cancer • Dan Rankin’s brother, Mike Rankin - upcoming ankle surgery • Clay Thomason’s father, Henry Thomason - recovering from stroke; at Carolina’s Rehab in Mt. Holly • Joe West - now residing at Morningside Assisted Living. Visitors welcome. • Pat West - continue prayers for cancer treatments • Fred Wohlhuter - diagnosed with cancer, continue prayers for upcoming surgery Birthdays Joseph Stepp—8/26 Beth Craig—8/27 Wedding Anniversaries Ruth Boyd—8/22 Jennifer Mocanu—8/22 Rennie Pearson—8/27 Joe & Pat West 8/22/58 63 years Bill McCall—8/22 Glenn Freeman—8/27 Bill & Annabelle Kelly 8/22/70 51 years Melissa Rowe—8/23 Isaiah Ewing—8/27 Carson & Lauren Lewis 8/22/15 6 years Joe Erwin—8/23 Sabrina Kuiken—8/28 Brent & Natalie Sneed 8/23/14 7 years John Connor—8/24 Noah Toro—8/28 Russ & Martha Cox 8/23/73 48 years Joel Goodrich—8/24 Taylor Cherry—8/29 Joseph & Mary Kendrick 8/23/97 24 years Caroline Stewart—8/24 Kyle Hobson—8/29 Matt & Conner Adams 8/31/20 1 year Heather Forbes—8/24 Harold Stowe, Sr.—8/29 Jefrain Perez—8/24 Harrison Auten—8/29 John McGill—8/25 Isaiah Hueitt—8/29 Megan Pearson—8/25 Jan Adams—8/30 Frances Parker—8/25 Lib Roberts—8/30 Brent Farmer—8/25 Wes Morris—8/30 Pamela Mumford—8/26 Regina Freeman—8/30 Sharon Summer—8/26 Lee Craig—8/31 Hope Parks—8/31 SESSION Matt Kuiken, Moderator Josh Hjemvick, Vice Moderator Rick Craig, Clerk

2021 2022 2023 2024 John Connor Fred Caldwell Artie Cooper Jerry Best Ken Henry Vincent Cherry Ron Kirkpatrick Rick Craig Morris Keeter Andy Dyksterhouse Randy Mumford Tom Ellington David W. Smith, III Walter Payne Phil Painter Mike Foster Joe Summerville Bob Rouse David Smith ELDERS EMERITUS Bob Barnhill Tete Pearson Tom Campbell Bob Sytz Maurice Canaday Joe West Charles Ferguson Oscar Whitescarver Lin Hollowell DIACONATE

2021 2022 2023 Brian Cerilli Butch Boyd Craig Curtis Mike Harwell Tim Daniels Adam Forbes Shawn Hubers Billy Israel Joey Gray David Jansen Mark Miele Kyle Hobson Rob Parker Richard Pearson John Kelly Greg Starnes William Ratchford Cristian Toro Jeff Stowe TRUSTEES

2021 2022 2023 Wade Huss Charles Ferguson Bob Sytz CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS FIRST ARP WOMEN’S MINISTRIES Ellis Fisher….…………………..Chairman Carol Hayes…….…...…………………….Advisor Rick Craig…………………...….Secretary Jan Adams..………….………………Advisor Elect Jerry Best……………………….Treasurer Gayle Goodrich………………………Past Advisor Bonnie Jansen……………………...…….Secretary Alice Auten……………………………...Treasurer MINISTERS The members of this church family who in serving their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, extend Deep Roots into God’s Word and Wide Reach into God’s World. STAFF

Matt Kuiken…………..………………………………….Senior Pastor….……………...….……[email protected] Josh Hjemvick….………….……………….Associate Pastor of Youth and Families………...…[email protected] Brian Wood (704-271-4350) ………………. Associate Pastor of Adult Ministry…………………[email protected]

Tammy Baker (704-271-4395)…..…………..……….Financial Secretary………….....…..………[email protected] Phil Biedenbender……..………..…………………..Chancel Choir Director…………….….…………...... [email protected] Julie Clark………………….………….Interim Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry………..…[email protected] Betsy Forbes………….………….……………..Director of Women’s Ministries………………...... [email protected] Mark Forbes…………..……….……..…….…………..Church Planting…….……..……..………[email protected] Barbie Harwell (704-472-0508)…………….…...……..Church Hostess………...……………….…...... [email protected] Wanda Henderson (704-271-4398)…………...……….Church Secretary …....……..…………[email protected] Wade Huss (704-271-4449) .…………..…...……….Facilities Coordinator……….……..…………[email protected] Rebecca Maney (704-271-4409).…….….…….Director of Children’s Ministry…..….…....…...... [email protected] Billy Marino (704-271-4497).….………...….……..Church Administrator……………….………[email protected] Trip McGill…………………………….……...Director of Music and Organist………….…….………[email protected] Courtney McKeown…………………..Director of Neighborhood and Sports Ministry…………[email protected] Milette Oden.….……..………..…………...Director of Children’s Music Ministry……....….…..……[email protected] Wes Phillips (980-522-8671)…………..…………..Christway Counseling………….….……[email protected] Amanda Rankin.……...... …………………………Female Youth Assistant……………………...…[email protected] Mercede Romero..…………….……………………Activities Coordinator…………..…………[email protected] Mike Watson…….………………………………..Maintenance Supervisor…………………[email protected] Tari Williamson……………………..Director of Christian Education and Discipleship………………[email protected]

Prayer Needs

Prayer Requests: ______Welcome Guests! ______

______Thank you for taking this opportunity to worship with us today. We hope that it ______was an encouragement to you. It was a ______privilege to have you with us, and we ______hope you felt welcome here. If you have ______any questions about a relationship with ______Jesus, or about getting connected to First ARP Church, please fill out the connect ______card on the next page, tear it off, and put ______it in the offering plate. We would love to ______follow up with you. If there is anything ______that you would like the pastors of First ______ARP to pray for, we would be honored to do that as well. ______The mission of our church is to develop ______deep roots into God’s word, the Bible, and develop a wide reach into God’s Prayer of Belief: world, by sharing Jesus in word and deed, that all would come to know and Lord Jesus Christ, I admit I am weaker and glorify God. Please know that you are more sinful than I ever before believed, but, through you, I am more loved and accepted always welcome to join us. Thanks again than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying for joining us today, and may the Lord my debt, bearing my punishment and offering bless you. forgiveness. I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior. Amen.

Pastor Matt Kuiken (If you are saying this prayer for the first time today, please share with a church officer up front, or let one of the pastors know.)

Welcome to our church community. To receive This Week at First ARP the information listed below, please print clearly,

tear off and place in the offering plate. Sunday, August 22 9:00am Worship Service / Sunday School / I would like more information about: Small Groups Learning about Christianity 10:30am Worship Service / Sunday School / Small Groups Becoming a Church Member 4:00pm Installation Service for Rev. Wood Sunday School Community followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall Small Groups Serving on Sunday Mornings Monday, August 23 10:00am H.E.A.L. Prayer Team via Zoom Outreach Ministries 11:30am Intercessory Prayer Time - Prayer Room Women’s Ministries Opportunities 7:30pm AA Meeting - Fellowship Hall

Men’s Ministries Opportunities Tuesday, August 24 6:30am Dawn Prayer Meeting - Sanctuary Please add me to the following lists: 7:30am Men’s Breakfast - Firestone Grill Children’s Ministry Newsletter Thursday, August 26 Youth Ministry Parent Updates 7:00am Men’s Bible Study - Panera Bread 8:30am Adult Coed Volleyball - MAC 6:30pm Adult Basketball - MAC Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss

Friday, August 27 Name:______7:00am Virtual Men’s Prayer Time - Zoom

Email:______

Spouse:______

Spouse’s Email:______

Children: ______

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Mailing Address:______

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Preferred Phone #:______