A Song of Transformation Celebrating 190 Years of First Baptist Church Halifax September 24, 2017

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A Song of Transformation Celebrating 190 Years of First Baptist Church Halifax September 24, 2017 First Baptist Church, Spring Garden Road, Halifax April

1 A Song of Transformation Celebrating 190 Years of First Baptist Church Halifax September 24, 2017 First Baptist Church, Spring Garden Road, Halifax April 10, 1887 March 21, 1942 For you shall go out in joy; and be led back in peace; The mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song. Isaiah 55:12

2 Prelude: The Gathering Organist, Lynette Wahlstrom Pianist, Andrea Mathis Rhapsody on English Hymn tunes C. Callahan Please use this time to settle for worship *Please stand as you are able *Processional Hymn: Congregation #138 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! (NICEA) Based on Revelation 4:8 And they do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come, this hymn was written in 1826 by Bishop Reginald Heber. *Call to Worship: Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards & Congregation This vaulted room is all ablaze with light and life and love. Our prayers and songs and kindly ways will echo high above. We sing a hymn of Christ s amazing love, a song of transformation, to touch the soul and make us whole, a holy invocation. We listen for a better choice. We listen for the Spirit. We listen for a still small voice that calls for us to hear it. We sing a hymn of Christ s amazing love, a song of transformation, to touch the soul and make us whole, a holy invocation. Your love has filled this place with light and love has filled our prayer a love that transformed the night and taught us how to care. We sing a hymn of Christ s amazing love, a song of transformation, to touch the soul and make us whole, a holy invocation. 2

3 Welcome and Introduction First Testament Lesson: Isaiah 55:6-12 (OT pg. 686) Voices of our Song Motet: Beati quorum via-stanford Blessed are the undefiled in the way Reflection on Music Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Rev. Jenny Drewitz Marilyn Peers Alumni Choir Bernhard Gueller Dedication of New Sanctuary Piano Rev. Jenny Drewitz We present this piano to be consecrated to the glory of God and for service in this congregation. Eternal God, whom the generations have worshipped through the gift of music, accept our praise to you in the sound of this piano, which we consecrate in your name and to your glory. Grant that the piano s music may be a blessing to all who worship here, and that they may be consecrated to you, whose sound has gone out through all the earth and whose words to the end of the world. Let our music be so joined to your Holy Word that your glory may surround us and empower us for the service to which you call us in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hebrew Benediction Children grades 3 and under are dismissed for Sunday School Alumni Choir *Psalm Lesson: Psalm 150 (inclusive Bible) Rev. Jenny Drewitz and Congregation Alleluia! We praise you, LORD, in your sanctuary; we praise you in your mighty skies! 3

4 We praise you for your powerful deeds; we praise you for your overwhelming glory! R We praise you with the blast of the trumpet; we praise you with lyre and harp! We praise you with timbrel and dance; we praise you with strings and pipe! We praise you with clashing cymbals; we praise you with resounding cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Alleluia! R Voices of our Song Garnet Colwell and Pauline Allsop 190 th Anniversary Hymn: This Vaulted Room (ST COLUMBA) text by Rex Deverell This vaulted room is all ablaze With light and life and love Our prayers and songs and kindly ways Will echo high above. Congregation We listen for a better choice We listen for the spirit We listen for a still small voice That calls for us to hear it. Your love has filled this place with light And love has filled our prayer A love that has transformed the night And taught us how to care. A hymn of Christ s amazing love A song of transformation to touch the soul and make us whole A holy invocation. Our Anniversary Hymn commission is a new text by Rex Deverell, many thanks to Rex for his poetic gift. It is set to the tune, ST. COLUMBA, an ancient Irish melody, named for the 6th c. Irish abbot and missionary credited with spreading 4

5 Christianity in Scotland. He founded the important abbey on Iona, which became a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries. Epistle Lesson: Colossians 3:14-17 (NT pg. 201) Voices of our Song Spiritual: Give Me Jesus, Arr. Hogan Gospel Lesson: Luke 15:25-32 (NT Pg. 79) Voices of our Song Rev. Jenny Drewitz Tom Crowell Amanda Zadeh & Alumni Choir Rev. Jenny Drewitz Diana Hazleton *Hymn Congregation #478 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (LAUDA ANIMA) Penned by Anglican theologian Henry Lyte in 1834, this is just one of his many (80+) popular poems found in hymns such as "Abide with me, "God of mercy, God of grace;" and "Praise, my soul, the King of heaven. The popularity of this hymn has been greatly aided by LAUDA ANIMA, John Goss' tune written in 1869 for this text. Its inclusion in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1875 edition) and in The English Hymnal (1906) have made it one of the most widely sung Victorian tunes. Offertory Anthem Alumni Choir The Ground fr. Sunrise Mass Gjeilo, Heaven and Earth are full of Thy Glory, Hosanna in the Highest *Presentation of Offering: Doxology (OLD 100TH) Congregation Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Christ, all people here below, Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. Thomas Ken ( ), England s first hymnist, wrote the words Praise God from Whom all blessings flow in 1674 as devotional music to be sung at bedtime at Winchester College, where he was Chaplain. It became so popular during the reign of King Charles II and King James II, where Thomas was both Chaplain and Bishop, that this Doxology is forever associated with his work. 5

6 Motet: Locus Iste-Bruckner This place was made by God, a priceless sacrament. Alumni Choir Reflection on Music Motet: Ave Maria Brucker Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Prayers of the People and 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 trespasses, As we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. Bernhard Gueller Alumni Choir Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards *Recessional Hymn: #442 The Church s One Foundation (AURELIA) This hymn was written in the 1860s by Samuel Stone, based on the Apostles Creed. The Church's One Foundation" is based on the ninth article, The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints. It is set to the tune "AURELIA" (meaning Golden ) by none other than Samuel Wesley. Congregation Postlude: Organist, Lynette Wahlstrom Pianist, Andrea Mathis Great is Thy Faithfulness arr. Smith 6

7 Our Prayer List We pray for all members of our congregation, especially those who are in frail health and unable to join with us for worship and activities. Particular prayers are requested for: Lynne Alary, Roy Yetman, Marion Cameron, Marjorie Morrison, Judy Morton,) and Betty Deal. For those in hospital Richard Shore (Julie Shore s Father). Today s Bulletin is sponsored by John and Eva Conn in celebration of their 63 rd Wedding Anniversary today. John and Eva extend their Best Wishes to First Baptist Church Halifax on our 190 th Anniversary and are proud to say that they have been members for 60 years! The FBC Auxiliary will resume regular meetings starting with a luncheon meeting on Monday, September 25th at 12noon in the Parlour, 12:00 for 12:30. Everyone is welcome. Joanne Stonehouse is coordinating the luncheon. Joanne can be reached at or via at joannemstonehouse@gmail.com. The FBC member directory is undergoing an update in the coming weeks. If you have recently changed your mailing address, or contact phone, please be sure to let us know. Any changes can be ed to office@fbchalifax.ca. Please submit any changes before Friday Sept. 29 th. Intergenerational Family Fellowship: Yip Ashtons invite IGFF members, old and new, to meet Rev. Rusty Edwards & family Sat., Sept. 30, starting at 5:30pm. We'll have a potluck dinner, meet and greet, and conversation about previous Bible study/devotional formats and future directions for young adults & families. Please RSVP by Friday to Sandy & Brian (amyip@eastlink.ca / ); nut-free appetizers, main courses, salads, side dishes, desserts, and beverages will be welcome. Songsters invites all interested youth (ages 2-17), especially new singers, to a Meet and Sing in the Chancel, following Oct. 1 st Worship service. Come and hear what fun it is to sing! Songsters will continue weekly. Please contact Lynette for more information. Youth Bible Study is back by popular demand, the Monday evening youth Bible study will run again in October! Mark your calendars for Oct 2 (the Edwards home), Oct 16 (the Lee home) and Oct 23 (the Naug home). Plan to come and explore the book of 1 Samuel over dinner and discussion from 6-8pm. Bring your Bibles, appetites and questions. This is open to anyone in grade 7-12, please RSVP to Rev. Jenny. 7

8 The Harvest Supper & Silent Auction is fast approaching! Join us on Friday October 13th at 5:30 PM for the annual Harvest Supper & Silent Auction sponsored by the Community Outreach Committee. All proceeds will be donated to the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank. Supper tickets: Adult - $15.00; Child (age 12 and under) - $5.00; Family (2 adults + children under 12) - $35.00 Mark The Date! The annual Christmas Tea and Sale will be held Sat., Nov. 4, 2-4:30 pm. Come and enjoy the best tea in town and browse the many tables! Tickets are $8 each/ 4 for $30/ $1 for children under 12 and are available from Auxiliary members, the church office or outside the parlour each Sunday in October. Tickets for volunteers at the Tea and Sale have been reduced this year to $4. We need items for the tables and volunteers. Speak to Kathy Schwartzentruber or Mary Anne Eisener for more info or to volunteer. If you are interested in becoming a member at First Baptist, have questions about the Baptist tradition, the First Baptist story, or how your faith journey is part of the larger faith story, please join in! This class is open at all inquisitive minds that are willing to share, learn and grow together. A date is not set at this point, as it will be based on schedules of interested participants. If you are thinking about joining the class, please speak with either Rusty or Jenny by Oct. 8th. This Week in Our Church: Sept. 25 Oct. 1 Please refer to the calendar on our website for a complete list of activities. Church Office hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Today 10:30am Creche, Worship 11:45am 190 th Anniversary Reception Monday 12noon, Auxiliary Meeting Tuesday 6:30pm, Deacon s Meeting Thursday 6pm, Music Committee Thursday 7pm, Choir Practice Saturday - 8:30am, Men Without Jackets Saturday 9:00am, CE Brainstorming Saturday 5:30pm, Intergenerational Family Next Sunday: October 1, 2017; World Communion Sunday; Pentecost 17 10:30am Creche, Worship Who s At the Table Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards 10:45am Sunday School Since its founding in 1827 as Granville Street Baptist Church, renamed and relocated to First Baptist Church Halifax on Oxford St., FBCH has led Worship music with Organ, Choirs, Instrumentalists and Soloists in a varied repertoire, 8

9 ranging from Renaissance to modern. Archival and present Worship services document Byrd, Tallis, and Palestrina motets, major choral works from the time of Handel and J.S. Bach to Fauré s Requiem and Poulenc s Gloria, English repertoire of Tallis to Howells and Stanford, African-American Spirituals and Canadian choral works. Although the Granville St. Organ was destroyed by the Church fire in 1942, a new three manual Casavant organ was installed in 1968, beautifully-suited to the Sanctuary acoustics. Following is a chronological list of Organists, who played repertoire by revered composers such as Buxtehude and Bach, Brahms, Mendelssohn, the great French tradition of Franck to Messiaen, Canadian Healey Willan, and more. William Ackhurst, Elsie Taylor, Vivienne Fowler, Ethyl Hicks, Marion Dewis, Irving Balcom, Eric Tannant, Marion Stewart, Peter Hawkins, Leon Cole, Percy Burgoyne, David Howat, Frances Tyrell, Edward Norman, Michael Prescesky, Alan Fraser, David McDonald, Brian Start, Allen Wayte, and Lynette Wahlstrom. Special thanks to our esteemed guest speaker, Maestro Bernhard Gueller. Bernhard Gueller has been music director of Symphony Nova Scotia since 2002, and will be passing the baton to a new music director in Well known to audiences internationally for the passion, mastery, and drama he brings to the concert hall, Gueller has been acclaimed for his profound interpretations and the stunning responses he gets from musicians. He is praised by musicians, critics, and audiences alike for his musical purity and fresh approach to the podium. We welcome Bernhard and his wife, Shirley, to our service this Sunday. 9

First Baptist Church Halifax - Where Faith Comes To Life! Founded in 1827 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8 Office 902-422-5203 www.fbchalifax.ca; office@fbchalifax.ca facebook.

10 First Baptist Church Halifax - Where Faith Comes To Life! Founded in Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8 Office office@fbchalifax.ca facebook.com/firstbaptisthalifax Of Service To You Today Deacon on Duty: Arla Johnson Sexton on Duty: Caitlin Smithers Usher Captains: Jason Naug and Heather Harris Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards, Senior Minister (rustyedwards@fbchalifax.ca) Rev. Jenny Drewitz, Minister of Faith Development (jennydrewitz@fbchalifax.ca) Rev. Nelson A. Metcalfe, Minister of Visitation (na.metcalfe@ns.sympatico.ca) Ms. Lynette Wahlstrom, Director of Music (lynettewahlstrom@fbchalifax.ca) Dr. Pauline Our Allsop, Mission Deacon Emerita To be an inclusive and ecumenical community of believers in Jesus Christ, committed to proclaim God s mission of love by word and deed. Our Vision To be a Christ-centered community of diverse people experiencing God s unconditional love and acceptance, finding opportunities to grow and nurture our faith, and sharing that love, acceptance and faith with the world. Using gifts God has given us to do the work God is calling us to do! 10

Pentecost September 2017; 10:30 a.m.

Pentecost September 2017; 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church Halifax - Where Faith Comes To Life! Founded in 1827 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8 Office 902-422-5203 www.fbchalifax.ca; office@fbchalifax.ca facebook.com/firstbaptisthalifax