The Morning Prayer Wyatt and Wynne Plaga

The Lord’s Prayer

*The Hymn of Devotion, 517 “The Solid Rock” SOLID ROCK

The Meditations Amarachi Achonu, Linnea Howe,

Nate Jones, Abby Lewis and Mattie Yerxa

The Affirmation of Faith Will Stahmer and Ella Webster

LEADER 1: Jesus tells us to build our foundations on the rock

LEADER 2: To choose stability over shakiness

LEADER 1: Constancy over trendiness

LEADER 2: Strength over shiftiness.

PEOPLE: God, may we stand on you.

LEADER 2: If we do this, our faiths will stand permanent amidst change in our lives.

LEADER 1: The adjustment of being in a strange land

LEADER 2: The loss of a friend or family member

LEADER 1: The confusion that comes when we encounter

disaster.

PEOPLE: God, may we stand on you.

LEADER 1: If we do this, we will weather the fiercest storms

LEADER 2: Gale-force winds, torrential rains, and high-rising

floods

LEADER 1: Holocaust, controversy, and tragedy

LEADER 2: Insult, heartache, and sorrow.

PEOPLE: God, may we stand on you.

LEADER 2: A solid foundation allows us to grow

LEADER 1: To gain new understandings about old truths

LEADER 2: To seek confidently relationships with those who

differ from us

LEADER 1: To stretch beyond our own comforts into a new world.

PEOPLE: God, may we stand on you.

RESPONDING IN FAITH

The Invitation to Christian Discipleship

If you desire membership in this congregation, you are invited to present yourself during the singing of the Hymn of Discipleship. As an open membership church, we honor your previous baptism in any other Chris-tian community. If you have not made a confession of faith, we invite you to do so and receive Christian baptism. Church members are invited to use this time to reflect upon their covenantal relationship with God and their commitment to Christian service.

*The Hymn of Discipleship, 519 VILLE DU HAVRE

“It Is Well with My Soul”

*The Offertory Prayer Will Baldwin

*The Offertory Anthem arr. Christopher Aspaas

“How Can I Keep from Singing”

Youth Choir

Rhonda Lowe, pianist; Eliza Meyer and Ameila Wade, soloists

*The Presentation of Our Tithes and Offerings OLD HUNDREDTH

THE CHURCH IN WORSHIP

GRADUATION SUNDAY

June 5, 2016 Eleven O’clock

GATHERING FOR WORSHIP

The Prelude “Voluntary in F Major” David N. Johnson

The Trinity Chimes

Three chimes are sounded, awakening us to the presence of God, alerting us to the voice of Christ, centering us in the embrace of the Spirit. As we gather, we present ourselves “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.”

The Greeting of Worshipers Daniel Ray

*The Processional “La Rejouissance” G.F. Handel

The Call to Worship (responsive) Katie Jackson

LEADER: We turn to the God of our ancestors, of Abraham and

Sarah, of Mary and Joseph. We turn to the God who

guided them through treacherous waters, who loved

them and led them.

PEOPLE: God, we know that you have been with us in the past, before we were even born. May we

remember your history.

LEADER: We turn to the God of our daily lives, one who we

encounter in small moments with loved ones, in a

moment of prayer, or in an uplifting song.

PEOPLE: God, we know that you are with us in the present,

each day in more ways than we can count. May

we appreciate your constancy.

LEADER: We turn to the God of our future, one who knows our

every move before we know them ourselves. We turn

to the God who stretches into the great open horizon and fills it with one certainty.

PEOPLE: God, we know that you will be with us in the

future, in places and ways that we cannot yet

even fathom. May we marvel at your timelessness.

The Invocation Katy Powers

*The Hymn of Praise, 612 FOUNDATION

“How Firm a Foundation”

LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD

The Psalm Psalm 131 (p. 500) Georgia Harris

The Hebrew Bible Jeremiah 29:11-14 (p. 639) Mac Newton

LEADER: This is the Word of the Lord.

PEOPLE: Thanks be to God.

The Solo “Nella Fantasia” Morricone

Margaret Chapman, soprano

The Christian Testament Romans 12:3-8 (p. 922) Lindsey Davis

The Gospel Luke 2:41-51 (p. 833) Casey Barrett

LEADER: This is the Word of the Lord.

PEOPLE: Thanks be to God.

The Charge to the Graduates Margaret Barham, Dennis Ellis,

Mary Hauser and Sarah Catherine Rhodes

LEADER: Jesus taught us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,”

encouraging that we might make the teachings,

commandments, and community of God our first

priority. Do this, Jesus teaches, and the things we lack will come to us; the things we do not understand

will be made clear.

GRADUATES: As we go into a new place, may we continue to seek first a relationship with God and a community of faith that values that relationship. May we make our time with God a priority.

LEADER: Jesus taught us, “Do not be like the hypocrites,” consistently encouraging us to be authentic in our

relationships. In doing so, he chastises us for going

through the motions, directing us instead to engage

fully when we seek to connect to God.

GRADUATES: May our faiths be genuine and living faiths. May we commit ourselves to God in ways that allow our faiths to grow and to flourish.

LEADER: Jesus taught us, “Go also the second mile—give to everyone.” It is among the most daunting of his

commandments, because it requires us to give

completely: not only of our belongings but also of our

actual selves.

GRADUATES: May our understanding of faith require us to give. May we seek a faith that is focused not on what we receive but rather on what we can offer.

LEADER: Jesus taught us, “You are the light of the world.” He tells us that it is not enough that we are faithful, but

that we make our faith known, shining for others even

when we would prefer the shelter of timidity.

GRADUATES: May we be willing not only to serve but also to lead. May we let the light of God’s love shine through our actions far and wide, and may we embrace that spirit of stepping up for others when it is needed most.

LEADER: Church, what have you to say to these graduates?

CHURCH: We promise to continue to teach, to nurture, to

comfort, to challenge and to love these high school graduates. They are members of our family, and

we will hold them in our hearts. May they find

God wherever they are going, and may they love

God with all their hearts. Amen.

The Presentation of Gifts

DEPARTING TO SERVE

The Benediction Christopher Chapman

The Chimes Three chimes are sounded, sending us into the world with the love of God, the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. As you go, remember, “you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.”

*The Postlude “Interlude from Water Music” G.F. Handel

*The congregation may stand.

Calendar Highlights

June 5 ☼ June 12

Sun, June 5

8:30 Graduation Breakfast (FH) 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship (S) Japanese Worship (227) 5:00 Youth Mission Trip Meeting (FH)

Tues, June 7

7:30 Men’s Bible Study (Metro Productions) 10:00 Ministerial Staff Meeting (CR) 6:00 Theology on Tap (Raleigh Times) 7:45 Softball Game (Millbrook Exchange Park)

Wed, June 8

10:00 Clothing Ministry open 7:00 Sanctuary Choir (310)

Thu, June 9

10:15 Thirty-Niners to Saxapahaw 11:00 Library Committee (L) 1:00 Clothing Ministry open 3:00 Clothing Ministry Committee Meeting (CR) 6:45 Softball Game (Millbrook Exchange Park)

Sun, June 12

9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship/Communion (S) Japanese Worship (227) 5:30 Youth Group (Blue Room)

SYMPATHY to Jamie Petty on the May 30 death of her mother, Geraldine Brewer of Arkansas.

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS are Lindsey Burnette and Carson Harvey.

SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given in honor of our 2016 graduates.

FLOWERS in the Lewis Building lobby are given in memory of Mary Lily Gaddy and her love for First Baptist Church.

ABOUT OUR WORSHIP: Welcome this morning to Graduation Sunday, the Sunday where we are led in worship by our graduating high school seniors. Our graduates are excited to worship with you today. They invite you to respond to worship however you feel most comfortable, but they also wish to emphasize that they speak and sing these words as an act of worship and not as a performance. For this year’s theme, the graduates have chosen the scripture of Matthew 7:24-27, the parable of the wise and foolish builder. As they prepare for a new phase of life, remembering the parts of their faith that are reliable, steady, and permanent helps immensely with the transition. They hope that we all might benefit from reflecting on our pasts as we prepare for whatever lies ahead.

DEACON ON CALL is Bob Bailey. A 3-year member and first-term deacon, Bob is a teacher for the John Hiott and Livingston Johnson Sunday School classes and also serves on the Stewardship Committee. Bob and his wife Dolores have three children and five grandchildren.

THOSE WHO ARE VISITING are invited to the Gathering Room after worship to receive information about the church. Use the door to the left of the pulpit; church members will greet you.

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available in the Gathering Room. An usher can provide a device for you.

AN OFFERING for the Mike Morris Fellowship Fund is received the first Sunday of each month. This fund helps persons seeking emergency aid. Collection baskets are at each exit.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is planned for July 24-28 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with an optional supper at 5:00. Contact Lynn Lingafelt if you are interested in helping with VBS.

HECK-JONES OFFERING supports ministries connected to our church. Details may be found in the May 20 issue of First Founda-tions. As of May 29, we have received $5,586 towards our goal of $10,000. Please prayerfully consider how you can participate.

CBF ASSEMBLY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: CBF’s National Assembly is June 20-24 in Greensboro. Please consider volunteering for a portion of your time there. To volunteer, call 336-584-6724 or register online by visiting www.cbf.net and clicking “Assembly” then “Volunteer at Assembly.”

WAKE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK: St. Francis Brass Band is performing a concert to benefit Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network. The concert will be held on Sunday, June 12, at 4:00 p.m. at White Plains United Methodist Church, 313 SE Maynard Road, Cary. Admission is free. Tax-deductible donations will be accepted to benefit WIHN families.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF RALEIGH

Affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

(919) 832-4485 Fax: (919) 832-6726 www.fbcraleigh.org

Lin Carter, Christian Education/Outreach Donna G. Jolly, Organist

Christopher C. F. Chapman, Pastor Lynn Lingafelt, Children

Trey Davis, Youth/College Daniel Ray, Youth/College Assistant

J. Daniel Day, Pastor Emeritus Mary Alice Seals, Music/Senior Adults

Wayne Hager, Church Administrator

A place of grace, a place of challenge, a place for you.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

RALEIGH, NC

Organized March 8 , 1 8 1 2

June 5, 2016

CONGRATULATIONS

to our high school graduating

class of 2016!