the first baptist church at worship first baptist church at worship 7th sunday after the epiphany...
TRANSCRIPT
The First Baptist Church at Worship
7th Sunday After the Epiphany
February 23, 2014 10:30 AM
The Gathering
The Congregation is invited to meditate and contemplate
during the Prelude.
THE PRELUDE R. Alan Kimbrough, Organist
Voluntaries from
“A Little Organ Book In Memory of Hubert Parry”
Alan Gray, Frank Bridge, Harold Darke, Henry Ley
In Praise to the Lord
THE RINGING OF THE CHIMES
A three-fold ringing of three signifies the presence of the triune God: Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.
CHORAL INTROIT Chancel Choir
We Have Come to Join in Worship ................................ W. Moore
CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Kay Davis-Dudding
Musical Response:
Leader: Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
People: Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and
observe it with my whole heart.
Leader: Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
People: Turn my heart to your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
All: Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in your ways. [MR] ~Psalm 119:33-37
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN #248 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
EDEN CHURCH
This text, a seventh century Latin hymn, was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851. The words metaphorically give us structure for our faith with Christ as the foundation, head and cornerstone.
*OPENING PRAYER Rev. Jim Earnest
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #320 Glory to God GLORIA PERU
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
To God be glory forever! To God be glory forever!
Alleluia! Amen! Alleluia! Amen!
Alleluia! Amen! Alleluia! Amen!
*WELCOME & PASSING THE PEACE Dr. Rodney Kennedy
(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
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Bill Wilson
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18: The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak
to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God. You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD. You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD. You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!
THE NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLE Bill Wilson
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23: According to the grace of God given
to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!
*THE GOSPEL LESSON Bill Wilson
Leader: The Gospel of the Lord according to Matthew. People: Praise be to you, O Christ.
Matthew 5:38-48: "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an
eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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 #694 Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive
MORNING SONG
Rosamond E. Herklots was born of British parents in North India and educated at Leeds University in England. She began writing hymns late in life, and some achieved an immediate success. She wrote over 70 hymns, many specifically with children in mind. She wrote this setting from Matthew in 1966.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Debby Menzel
(Children in preK-grade 6 will be led downstairs for Sunday School. Younger children preK-1 will go to Room #4 and older children grades 2-6 will go to
Room #3B. Parents should pick up their children after worship service.)
Today, following the Children’s Message, youth grades 7-12 are invited to go down to the Youth Fellowship Room for Sunday School.
CALL TO PRAYER #386 v.1 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee ST. AGNES
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
with sweetness fills my breast;
but sweeter far Thy face to see,
and in Thy presence rest.
THE PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Jason Alspaugh
THE LORD’S PRAYER
ANTHEM Chancel Choir
Lord, I Want to Be a Christian .......................... arr. David Lantz
THE SERMON Dr. Rodney Kennedy
“Higher Literalism”
The Response of God’s People
THE OFFERTORY Debbie Lindley
Speak, O Lord ................................ Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
*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 #652 Make Me a Servant
SERVANT
Make me a servant, humble and meek;
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
make me a servant, make me a servant,
make me a servant today.
*OFFERTORY PRAYER Bill Wilson
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
(Persons wishing to join First Baptist Church are invited to come forward while the organist plays the first verse of the recessional hymn. You may join First Baptist Church by transfer of letter, statement of faith, or baptism. The pastor will greet you as you come forward this morning.)
*RECESSIONAL HYMN #697 This Is My Song FINLANDIA
Written in 1934 by Lloyd Stone, with a third verse added by George Harkness in 1939, this hymn is widely known as “The Hymn of Peace.” Written at a time when drums of war in Europe were thundering, this revolutionary hymn reminds us that our God is God of all nations and that His Son came to teach us ways of peace.
*BLESSING WITH DISMISSAL Dr. Rodney Kennedy
*CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION #515 May the Love of the Lord SOON TI
May the love of the Lord rest upon your soul.
May God’s love dwell in you throughout every day.
May God’s countenance shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God’s Spirit be upon you as you leave this place.
*POSTLUDE R. Alan Kimbrough
“Psalm 19” .......................................... Benedetto Marcello
Dr. Rodney Wallace Kennedy, Lead Pastor
Rev. Jason Alspaugh, Associate Pastor Children & Youth
Rev. James Earnest, Assistant Pastor of Visitation
Rev. Kay Davis-Dudding, Sr. Ministry Coordinator/Pastoral Care
Rev. Donald Brown, Pastoral Care
Ray Landis, Music Director
Gregory Land, Organist
R. Alan Kimbrough, Organist
Debbie Lindley, Pianist
Nancy Kerr, Financial Secretary
Linda Blair, Church Secretary
Corinne Maleski, Web Admin/Graphic Designer
Jerry Cook, Custodian
Prayer for the Armed Forces
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace, strengthen them in their trials and temptations, give them courage to face the perils which beset them, and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Jason Alspaugh Jane Halliday Marianne Rousseau
Glen & Barbara Babb Bev Harrell Joan Sawyer
Carson Bailey Hoffman Family Mike Shurkey
Mike & Charlene Baker Connie Holmen Dawn Smelser
Ruth Balas Libby Hornbeck Judy Smith
Margaret Barker Trish Lawson Sproles Family
Peggy Bauman Jennifer Loxley Rayfield Stinson
Jennifer Berman Patty Loxley Harold & Janet West
Jessica Blair Rita Marcum Judy Williams
Irene Busch Nickie McDonald Warren Williams
Andy Collier Marilyn Sue Miller
Lisa Collier Tammy & Robert Palmer Military Duty:
Marilyn Craig Robert Paloncy Brittany Kalbfleisch
Alan Denny John & Cheryl Petry Jeffrey Kennedy
Florida Dixon Meghan Phillips Derrick McClain
Bill Earnest Brian Piatt Chris West
Lou Fenner Nancy Piatt Andy Wilson
Phillip Ferguson Gretchen Root
Iglesia Bautista Dios Compasivo (El Salvador)
(Please see insert for announcements.)
First Baptist Church of Dayton
7th Sunday after the epiphany
Our Mission Statement:
To celebrate God's love as a community of believers in Jesus Christ through worship, education,
fellowship, and outreach to others.
111 W. Monument Avenue
Dayton OH 45402
937-222-4691
Fax: 937-222-0649
www.fbcdayton.org
Christians sometimes believe that the God of the Old Testament is somehow different from the “loving” God of the New Testament. This is a heresy that was dismissed by the earliest Christians. The passage in Leviticus shows compassion has always characterized God’s law. God commands that farmers leave the edges of the field and some fruit unharvested, so that the poor and alien may glean them for food. It is in Leviticus that followers are instructed to love neighbors as they love themselves. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus intensifies and expands the demands of the law, commanding that followers turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and extend love not only to neighbors, but to enemies and persecutors too.