The First Baptist Evangel

Transcription

1 The First Baptist Evangel February 12, 2017 Epiphany First Baptist Church of West Point is seeking to be a caring community of faith under the leadership of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Celebrating the presence and love of God in Worship, Nourishing persons in faith and discipleship, and Reaching Out to the community with Christ s unconditional Love.

2 Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001, 2006 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Unless otherwise stated.) CCLI #

3 Welcome We welcome you to worship at First Baptist this morning. Please help us be more faithful in our ministry to you, and get to know you better, by taking the time to put your name on the attendance pad found on your pew. Visitors, please feel free to leave as little or as much of the information requested on the pad. We promise to only contact you if you ask us to, and to only send information as you request. Members, if you have had a change to your mailing address, , or telephone number please let us know by supplying that information on the pad. Please Especially Note for Today WOM will meet at 6:00 PM on Monday here at the church. Family Night activities will resume this Wednesday, February 15 th. Be sure to call the church office for dinner reservations. The Deacons will have their monthly meeting next Sunday, February 19 th, at 11:45 AM in the Library. Joyful Noise and Adult Handbell practice will resume on February 19 th. Joyful Noise at 4:00 PM and Adult Handbells at 4:45 PM.

4 Ministry Leaders Weekly Schedule of Activities Nursery Workers Today: Dale Frazer Next Sunday: Stephanie McLain February 26: Ann Adams PEW Ministry Leaders Today: Ann Kerr & Janice Dallas Next Sunday: Lisa Tucker & Faith Graben February 26: Phoebe Graben Suzanne Bryan Offertory Prayer Leader Today: Debra Downs Next Sunday: Dantz Frazer February 26: Susan Groover Sunday, February 12 th 9:30 Worship 10:45 Sunday School Monday, February 13 th 6:00 WOM here Wednesday, February 15 th 10:00 Prayer at the Scannell s home 5:30 Prayer in the Gold Room Choir Practice 6:15 Family Night Supper Menu: Chicken Fingers 6:45 TeamKID Youth 4/12 Friday, February 17 th 7:00 Morning prayer in the Gold Room Joe Downs is responsible for the opening and closing of the church during the month of February followed by Donny Bolton in March. Sunday, February 19 th 9:30 Worship 10:45 Sunday School 11:45 Deacons Meeting 4:00 Joyful Noise practice 4:45 Adult Handbell practice 2

5 Wo e t o y ou, C h o ra z i n! Wo e t o y ou, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. Luke 10:13 3

6 Celebrating the Presence and Love of God in Worship February 12, 2017 Sixth Sunday of Epiphany 9:30 AM PRELUDE THE CHIMING OF THE HOUR RANDALL SMITH HANDBELLS PREPARING FOR WORSHIP For your meditation: And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3 4 ENTERING INTO GOD S PRESENCE CALL TO WORSHIP Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. INVOCATION Psalm 124:8 TOM TUCKER GREETING THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Jude 1 2 The Lord be with you. And also with you. HYMN OF PRAISE (#12) GREAT IS THE LORD Great Is the Lord PSALM JOE DOWNS Psalm 78:1 5, Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. 4

7 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children. 32 In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. 33 So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror. 34 When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly. 35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. 36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. 37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. 38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. 40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert! 41 They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe, 43 when he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan. 44 He turned their rivers to blood, so that they could not drink of their streams. 45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them. 46 He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust. 47 He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost. 48 He gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to thunderbolts. 49 He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels. 50 He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague. 51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. 5

8 52 Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. 55 He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. HYMN (#25) PRAYER OF CONFESSION There s a Wideness in God s Mercy WELLESLEY TOM TUCKER ASSURANCE OF PARDON TOM TUCKER I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:25 26 GOD S WILL FOR OUR LIVES What is the great and first commandment? Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. What is the second commandment like it? Love your neighbor as yourself. What does this mean? Love is the fulfilling of the law. To what does this call us? To a life of faith working through love. based on Matthew 22:37-40 OFFERTORY HYMN In Christ Alone In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand IN CHRIST ALONE 6

9 In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin s curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I ll stand OFFERTORY PRAYER OFFERTORY ANTHEM It Is Well with My Soul DEBRA DOWNS FBC CHOIR OFFERTORY RESPONSE Doxology LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; O praise Him! Alleluia! Praise Him above, ye heav nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. O praise Him, O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! (Children ages 3-5 may leave for PEW Ministry during this hymn.) 7

10 GOD S WORD PROCLAIMED PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE LESSON TOM TUCKER JOE DOWNS Revelation 8:6 9:21 6 Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. 7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. 8 The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter. 12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. 13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow! 9 1 And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 2 He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3 Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. 6 And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. 8

11 7 In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, 8 their hair like women s hair, and their teeth like lions teeth; 9 they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. 10 They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people for five months is in their tails. 11 They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. 12 The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come. 13 Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number. 17 And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound. 20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, 21 nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. SERMON The Terrible Speed of Mercy MEDITATION ON THE WORD PROCLAIMED TOM TUCKER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH CONGREGATION In all distress and persecution, we turn our eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very One who has already stood trial in our place before God and so has removed the whole curse from us. All his enemies and ours he will condemn to everlasting punishment: but all his chosen ones he will take along with him into the joy and the glory of heaven. from The Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 52 9

12 HYMN OF RESPONSE (#310) DEPARTING TO SERVE Out of My Bondage, Sorrow, and Night OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCIPLESHIP AND REACHING OUT WOM will meet here Monday night at 6:00. Family Night activities resume this Wednesday night. The Deacons will meet next Sunday morning after Sunday School. See page 12 for info on the Association Mission Trip. JESUS, I COME THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS CONGREGATION Our Father which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. THE CHARGE TOM TUCKER Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 BENEDICTION TOM TUCKER The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. Numbers 6:24 26 POSTLUDE RANDALL SMITH The pastor is available after the service at the front of the sanctuary for anyone who would like to talk more about today s message, learn about faith in Christ, or for prayer. You may also make an appointment by calling the church office at or ing him directly at tucker@fbcwestpoint.com. 10

13 Nourishing Persons in Faith and Discipleship Caring for One Another As you intercede for others this week please lift up these particular concerns from here in our own congregation. Mildred Shaver William & Margaret Breedlove Jessica Bolton Margaret Bartlett Pal & Lillian Barber Charles & Mary Clark Richard & Pat Kemp George Hester Justin Graben Roger Hales Wilmer Simpson Jackie Jones Vi Hudmon Paul Fiquette Gladys Hester Howard & Suzanne Bryan Johnie Johnson Jeri Smith Family of Beverly Boehm The Downs family Prayer for the Week Lord, teach me to pray. Teach me to pray consistently. Teach me to be a leader in prayer in my church. And teach me to keep passionate and believing prayer as the lifeblood of this church. (Taken from Autopsy of a Deceased Church, p. 68) Small Group Prayer Times Wednesday at 10:00 AM The home of Brian & Carolyn Scannell Wednesday at 5:30 PM The Gold Room Friday at 7:00 AM The Gold Room 11

14 Reaching Out with Christ s Unconditional Love Family Night activities start back this Wednesday, February 15 th. Think of people who you haven t seen in awhile: adults, youth, children. Invite them to join us for dinner and stay for Bible study. Be sure to call the church office for dinner reservations. Joyful Noise and Adult Handbells will resume on Sunday, February 19 th at 4:00 PM and 4:45 PM respectively. We will have a Garden Committee Meeting on Sunday, February 26 th at 3:30 PM. An International Mission Trip to Guatemala comprised of members from our Association churches, and led by the Association Acts 1:8 Team Chairman, Pastor Adam Camp, will take place July 7-14, While in Guatemala the team will partner with a local church to reach their community for Christ. The trip will include opportunities to work with children, construction projects, evangelism, and a possible medical clinic. The cost is approximately $1800 per person and includes all airfare, transportation, food, and lodging. If you are interested you may call the TBA office at or visit the mission trip web page: MEMORIALS AND GIFTS In Memory of Beverly Boehm By: Stephanie, Abigail and Ansley McLain 12

15 , The Bulletin Board February Happenings February 13th WOM at FBC February 15th Family Night February 19th Deacons Meeting February 19th Handbell practice February 26th Garden Committee Meeting Families under the Watch Care of Pal Reeves: Dantz & Dale Frazer Scott & Sarah Dot Allen George & Dianne Hester Billy and Althea Head Walter & Phoebe Graben Justin, Austin & Faith Ned Burton Family Night resumes this Wednesday, February 15th 13

16 Church Staff Dr. Thomas J. Tucker, Pastor Mr. Howard Bryan, Director of Music Mrs. Patti Scalf, Church Secretary Mrs. Jane Abercrombie, Financial Secretary Mr. Randall Smith, Church Accompanist P.O. Box E 8 th Street West Point, GA 31833