The First Baptist Church at Worship Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany Communion Sunday February 1, 2015 10:00 AM The Gathering The Congregation is invited to meditate and contemplate during the Prelude. THE PRELUDE Debbie Lindley, Pianist Majesty ........................................................................... Jack Hayford We Worship and Adore You ......................... Composer Unknown Speak, O Lord ............................................... K. Getty & S. Townend 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 The sorrows of death came about me; the pains of hell got hold upon me: and in my tribulation I made my prayer unto the Lord, and he regarded my supplication out of his holy temple. Ps. I will love thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my stony rock, my fortress, and my Saviour. Glory be . . . . (Tone vii) *LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES *PROCESSIONAL HYMN #33 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah CWM RHONDDA William Williams was born in Wales and studied to become a physician. After becoming a Christian he was called to the Christian ministry. He is best remembered for his more than eight hundred hymns. This one is a prayer asking for God’s guidance. *OPENING PRAYER Rev. Jim Earnest *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE #156 chorus Shine, Jesus, Shine SHINE Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory; blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; send forth Your Word, Lord, and let there be light. *WELCOME & PASSING THE PEACE Rev. Jason Alspaugh (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 NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLE LESSON Sue Sawyer 1 Corinthians 8:1-13: Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him. Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as in fact there are many gods and many lords--yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall. Leader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. People: Thanks be to God! *THE GOSPEL LESSON Dr. Rodney Kennedy Leader: The Gospel of the Lord according to John. People: Praise be to you, O Christ. John 13:31-35: When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ Leader: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ. *THE FELLOWSHIP HYMN #469 Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands ST. COLUMBA This hymn was born when lyricist Fred Kaan watched people go forward to receive Communion: they shaped their hands like a cradle to receive the bread. This poignant, classic text will touch the hearts of all who hear it. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Amy Radachi (Following the message, children in preK-6 grade will be led downstairs for Sunday School. PreK-1 graders will be in Rm. #4. Grades 2-4 will be in Rm. #3B. Grades 5-6 will be in Rm. #1. Parents should pick up their children after worship.) ANTHEM Chancel Choir Let Us Break Bread Together ............................. Craig Courtney SERMON Rev. Alspaugh “As Christ Loved Us” The Response of God’s People THE OFFERTORY R. Alan Kimbrough “Soul, Adorn Thyself With Gladness” ................. Johannes Brahms *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 #484 v.2 The Love of Jesus Calls Us ANGEL’S STORY The love of Jesus calls us, that we may always be companions on a journey, where all the world may see that serving Christ is freedom which time does not destroy; where Christ’s command is duty, and every duty joy. *OFFERTORY PRAYER Sue Sawyer The Lord’s Supper (Celebrants: Dr. Kennedy and Rev. Alspaugh) INVITATION Dr. Kennedy PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Dr. Kennedy SHARING THE BREAD Dr. Kennedy #464 Take the Bread, Children, Take the Bread Congregation SHARING THE CUP Rev. Alspaugh Jesus, Lord to Me ........................................... Greg Nelson Debbie Lindley PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING Rev. Alspaugh