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The First Baptist Church at Worship 13 th Sunday After Pentecost / Communion Sunday September 3, 2017 10:00 AM The Gathering The Congregation is invited to meditate and contemplate during the Prelude. THE PRELUDE R. Alan Kimbrough, Organist Preludes on “Rhosymedre” and “Song 13” Ralph Vaughan Williams Variations on Communion Hymns David N. Johnson In Praise to the Lord ACOLYTES BRING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE SANCTUARY TO LIGHT THE CANDLES THE RINGING OF THE CHIMES A three-fold ringing of three signifies the presence of the triune God: Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. *CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Jason Alspaugh *PROCESSIONAL HYMN #303 All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly HOLY MANNA This hymn comes out of the early 19 th -century southern camp meeting experience, where believers were invited to pray for new converts, often likened to biblical characters such as Paul’s jailer. Many are familiar with the text Brethren, We Have Met to Worship. *INVOCATION Rev. Alspaugh *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #301 (vs.1) In This Very Room Harris In this very room there’s quite enough love for one like me, and in this very room there’s quite enough joy for one like me; and there’s quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom, for Jesus, Lord Jesus, is in this very room. *WELCOME & PASSING THE PEACE Rev. Dr. Louise Barger (Please register your attendance by filling out a yellow card from the pew rack and placing it in the offering bag this morning.) We are invited to greet our nearest neighbors, extend our hand, and greet one another in the name of Christ. (Please be seated.) Reading & Proclaiming God’s Word OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Casey Gruszecki Ecclesiastes 3:9-13: What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. Leader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. People: Thanks be to God! PSALTER LESSON Casey Gruszecki Psalm 66:1-9: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you. All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name.” Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There we rejoiced in him, who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations—let the rebellious not exalt themselves. Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip. Leader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. People: Thanks be to God! *GOSPEL LESSON Rev. Alspaugh Leader: The Gospel of the Lord according to Matthew. People: Praise be to you, O Christ. Matthew 5:13-16: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Leader: For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us. People: Thanks be to God. *THE FELLOWSHIP HYMN #656 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love CHEREPONI Considering that this text comes from a part of the world where Christianity is not the primary religion gives these simple but powerful words even more depth and meaning. The tune name recalls the district in the Northern Region of Ghana where this tune was collected. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Ray Landis (Following the message, children in preK-5 grades will be led downstairs for Sunday School. PreK-1 graders will be in Rm. #4. Grades 2-5 will be in Rm. #3B. Parents are asked to pick up their children after worship.) CALL TO PRAYER #405 (vs. 2) Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us BRADBURY We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray: Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear, O hear us when we pray; blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear, O hear us when we pray. PASTORAL PRAYER and Rev. Dr. Barger THE LORD’S PRAYER (Debts & Debtors) ANTHEM Kathy Butterworth Raisch, Soprano The Twenty-Third Psalm by Albert Hay Malotte THE SERMON Rev. Dr. Barger “Building with Quality” The Response of God’s People THE OFFERTORY Kathy Butterworth Raisch, Soprano Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Prayer of St. Francis) by Sebastian Temple, arranged by Mark Hayes *THE PRESENTATION OF GIFTS (As the ushers move down the aisles, the congregation is asked to stand at the moment the ushers pass their pew. This presentation to God enacts our self-offering and gratitude to God.) *OFFERTORY RESPONSE (SEE INSERT) Thank You for the Gifts Morris *OFFERTORY PRAYER Casey Gruszecki
