Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Epiphany Sunday. Sunday, January 6, :00 am. Rev. Spears-Newsome

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1 Invocation Remarks and Pastoral Prayer Hymn 534 Stewardship Testimony Offertory Prayer BEING STEWARDS Rev. Spears-Newsome Rev. Dr. Luther Brewer Bricks and Mortar, Hands and Labor Elizabeth Biser Megan Jarrell Offertory Fantasy on a Theme by J.S. Bach G. Rebling Presentation of the Offering Transcendent God OLD 100TH Transcendent God, we bless your name, Incarnate Christ, the risen one, The Spirit with us, Immanent, The Source, the Word, the Breath of life! Amen. HEARING THE WORD Scripture Reading Isaiah 12:2-6 Mac Graham We affirm the reading of Scripture with the following response: Reader: The word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Hymn 339 Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Epiphany Sunday Sunday, January 6, :00 am All Hail the Power of Jesus Name Chiming of the Hour Processional Hymn 150 Welcome to Worship Leader: The Lord be with you People: And also with you. Passing of the Peace GREENWOOD FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH The Worship of God Epiphany Sunday January 6, 2019 As With Gladness Men of Old Rev. Lauren Efird Rev. Efird Preparation for Worship Flight to Egypt Ordinary Time Old man waiting in the temple courts, He said it from the start: The hope of nations, and of men But he ll do things to pierce your heart And divide the world. The silent night is passed and gone And tyrants plan your fate; But all the while, their response to you Will determine their own way: The road to joy or sorrow. A mighty flame flickers to a spark, There are three on the lonely road; With the fear of kings back in the dark. The tidings of great joy postponed For the mothers back in Bethl am. (continued on next page) GREENWOOD FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH

2 Lighting of the Christ Candle He s come to comfort the weeping ones, and Call their dead back to life, to life, and O the blood that you failed to shed tonight Will one day flow for such as you If only you were humbled. Our refugee will hurt more than this He will be weaker still But let your strength not make you blind Run him off or have him killed His peace will come with power. Courtney Bartels Call to Worship (Psalm 72) Kadeisha Bonsu Leader: Give the king your justice, O God, People: And your righteousness to a king son. Leader: May he judge your people with righteousness, People: And your poor with justice. Leader: May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, People: And the hills, in righteousness. Leader: May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, People: Give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. Leader: May he live while the sun endures, People: And as long as the moon, throughout all generations. Leader: May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, People: Like showers that water the earth. Leader: In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, People: Until the moon is no more. Leader: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, People: Who alone does wondrous things. Leader: Blessed be God s glorious name forever; People: May God s glory fill the whole earth. Amen and amen. Invocation Kadeisha Bonsu Offertory Prayer Rev. Seth Hardison Offertory Liebster Jesus, wir sind hier arr. Walther Presentation of the Offering In the Bleak Midwinter CRANHAM As our offering is presented back to God, we will sing the following doxology: What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him: give him my heart. Prayers of the People and Lord s Prayer We affirm each prayer with the following response: Leader: Lord, in your mercy... People: Hear our prayer. Rev. Stephen Stacks 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 who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Scripture Reading Isaiah 60:1-6 Christa Soyars We affirm the reading of Scripture with the following response: Reader: The word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Hymn 148 What Child Is This

3 During the following hymn, children (ages first grade and younger) are invited to go to Children s Time. Parents may pick up their children in the Children s Wing after worship. Scripture Reading Matthew 2:1-18 Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome We affirm the reading of Scripture with the following response: Hymn Jesus Entered Egypt Reader: The word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Anthem Coventry Carol arr. Martin Shaw Lully, lulla, Thou little tiny child, By by, lully lullay. O sisters too, How may we do For to preserve this day, This poor youngling, For whom we do sing By by, lully lullay? Herod the king, In his raging, Charged he hath this day His men of might, In his own sight, All young children to slay. That woe is me, Poor child for thee! And ever morn and day, For thy parting Neither say nor sing By by, lully lullay! Sermon Escaping Herod Rev. Efird

4 The Celebration of Communion Here at Greenwood Forest, we practice Communion by the ancient method of intinction. All are invited to come down the aisle to receive the elements. During Communion, a Minister or a Lay Leader will serve the elements from one of four stations in the sanctuary, two at the front and two at the back. You will be ushered toward one of the stations depending on where you are seated in the sanctuary. Please come in a mode of reception. You will be given a piece of bread that you dip in the cup and then partake. You may respond to receiving the elements by saying Amen or Thanks be to God. If you are unable to visit one of the stations, a server will bring the elements to you at your seat. If you do not wish to receive the elements, you are encouraged to come receive a blessing simply indicate this desire verbally or by crossing your arms over your chest. A gluten-free bread option is available upon request. We hope you will join us at the table of the Lord where all are welcome. Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we confess that we have not always loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be obedient disciples. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we ve not loved our neighbors, and we ve not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us for what we have done and for what we ve left undone, and free us for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Mystery of Faith Leader: Together we proclaim the mystery of faith. People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Hymn God of Light and Lord of Life

5 Benediction Postlude Please stand as you are able. Rev. Efird Prayer Concerns Gilles Bikindou, Kitty Blanton, Betty Coggins, Linda Crider, Iris Thomas, and Jim Webster (Emma Webster s son) Marjorie Floyd Rex Rehab, Raleigh The Deacon of the Day is Rev. Seth Hardison, Chair of the Outreach Ministry. Today s acolyte is Griffin Beal. Our final hymn, God of Light and Lord of Life, was written by Rev. Ben Boswell and Rev. Stephen Stacks. The cover art is an abstract painting by contemporary artist Liz Whaley entitled Into the Light. Hearing assistance devices are available at the back of the sanctuary. We extend our sympathy to Addie Smith at the death of her brother, Egbert M. Herring, Jr. Our partner church, Ebenezer Baptist, Cuba, and our brothers and sisters of the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Mission GFBC by the Numbers Focus on Finance 2018/2019 Budget (MDP + MSP) $913,634 Amount of Budget supported through Stewardship Giving $830,186 (excludes cell tower and GFCC receipts) Week 18 of 52 (December 30) Week 18 YTD Total Giving $34,597 $301,287 Less Designated Giving $ 1,755 $ 14,698 Actual Stewardship Giving $32,842 $286,589 Stewardship Giving needed to fully subscribe budget $20,081 $308,348 Over (Under) $12,761 $(21,759)

6 Announcements and Upcoming Events Called Business Meeting There will be a brief business meeting on Sunday, January 13 at 12 pm, right after Worship. Ordination Service for Kadeisha Bonsu January 20 Pending the approval of a committee and the church, we will ordain our own Kadeisha Bonsu to ministry on Sunday, January 20 at 6pm in the Sanctuary! A committee of ministers, lay people, and mentors has been meeting and discerning Kadeisha's gifts and calling for ministry and will present their recommendations for approval to GFBC at the called business meeting next Sunday. Then we will gather on the 20th to celebrate, affirm, and ordain Kadeisha. Please make plans to attend this service and congratulate Kadeisha on this milestone in her life and ministry! Praise Assembly There will be no Praise Assembly in January. January Second Wednesday Meal and Program We will not have the Second Wednesday Meal and Program in January. Youth Activities Youth Activities will resume today, Sunday, January 6 at 4 pm with Alpha and Omega. Sanctuary Flowers If you would like to provide flowers in 2019 in the Sanctuary in honor or in memory of a loved one, please sign up on the chart posted outside the church office. The office will order the flowers for you and be sure they are delivered on your chosen Sunday. The cost is $55. GFCC 2019/2020 Registration The Greenwood Forest Children s Center is holding its registration for the 2019/2020 school year for church members on Monday and Tuesday, January 7 and 8 from 9am-1pm in the school office. You can find additional information including age requirements, classes offered, costs, and the registration form at gfcccary.com.

7 Statement from CAMA about Recent Synagogue Vandalism The Cary Area Ministerial Alliance (CAMA) is a diverse group of clergy who meet each month for collegial fellowship and prayer. Our goal is to forge ties and dialogue with faith leaders throughout our community. At this time, we would like to publically show our support for Congregation Sha arei Shalom, a messianic Jewish synagogue in Cary. This congregation s synagogue was recently attacked twice by vandals. We are appalled by the rise of anti-semitism and other forms of hate in our community, in our nation and in the world. The Bible states in The Acts of the Apostles chapter 17 and verse 26 that God has made of one blood all nations: That means, in essence, that we all come from the same source. All human beings are made in God s image and worthy of respect and dignity. Almost eighty years ago millions of Jews were exterminated. Unfortunately, some of the same vestiges of hatred that motivated that inhumanity still exist. The Cary Area Ministerial Alliance denounces any attempt to belittle, intimidate, terrorize or harm anyone in our community. Our community is rich and varied. As church leaders we confess the times our Christian tradition has been complicit or silent when others were degraded. With recent news of hate crimes and acts of terror, not just in the nation, but in our Cary community, we recommit ourselves to the Gospel s call to love neighbor as self in word and deed. We invite all people of Cary to welcome, embrace, and celebrate the full humanity of all of our neighbors. Welcome to Our Church Community! Our Vision Our vision is to be a welcoming and diverse community of faith united in Christ. Our purpose is to worship God and to form and equip disciples who selflessly share their resources and provide loving service to all. Our Core Values Centrality of Christ and Scripture Inclusivity and Diversity in Community Women in All Areas of Leadership Ministries for People of All Ages Liturgy and Innovation in Worship Spiritual and Intellectual Formation Showing God s Love through Missional Service Sharing Our Resources with Others Unity in Fellowship and Family Life Historic Baptist Beliefs and Practices For more information about our church, please visit our website at gfbccary.org or contact us at

8 an inclusive community of faith 110 SE Maynard Road Cary, NC Church Office: Fax: Website: Leadership Rev. Lauren Efird, Senior Pastor Rev. Stephen Stacks, Associate Pastor of Worship and Faith Formation Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome, Associate Pastor of Community and Youth Ministry Kadeisha Bonsu, Director of Children s Ministry Helen Bishop, Organist Dr. Luther Brewer, Pastor Emeritus All Who Serve This Church