Thanksgiving Sunday First Baptist Church Halifax October 8, 2017

Transcription

1 Thanksgiving Sunday First Baptist Church Halifax October 8, 2017 Bountiful Harvest Warren Hoeg Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. The Lord covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. -Psalm 146:7

2 The Community Gathers for Worship Welcome to First Baptist Church Halifax! If you are visiting with us today, please know how glad we are to have you with us as we worship God together. We invite you to complete a visitor s card, located in the hymnal rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate later in the service. You are also invited to stay for coffee and conversation immediately following this morning s service. We gather in the Parlor, just behind the Sanctuary. Prelude: Organist, Lynette Wahlstrom Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ -J.S. Bach (Orgelbüchlein) Please use this time to settle for worship *Please stand as you are able *Processional Hymn: Congregation #551 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (ST. GEORGE'S WINDSOR) *Call to Worship: Julian Summers & Congregation Way beyond all journeying, Truth behind all mystery, Life within all living: We give thanks to you. Salve for every soreness, mender of every brokenness, midwife of a better future: We give thanks to you. Ground of all being, judge of all nations, conscience of the universe, We give thanks to you. Maker, Redeemer, confessor, companion, befriender, inspirer, God beyond our descriptions, We give thanks to you. 2

3 *Prayer of Approach: Because God is good, and has intended us to share that goodness, we open ourselves to nothing less than transformation. You are the Word behind all words, the calm at the core of the storm, the energy that sustains creation. You are present in the pain behind the tears, the laughter in the eyes, the yearning in the heart. All these you share, yet your gift to us is much more. So, open us up, Lord, we whose lives are locked, whose thoughts are well rehearsed, whose prayer is predictable. Open us up to depths we have not explored, truths we have avoided, paths we have not followed, beauty we have yet to admire. And open us up to Jesus, in whom all things are held together for God and for our good. Amen. Anthem Now Thank We All Our God / -J.S. Bach (Chorale) Choir Welcome and Announcements Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards *Children s Hymn: Congregation #554 Let All Things Now Living (ASH GROVE) Children s Story: Rev. Jenny Drewitz & Congregation First Testament: Deuteronomy 8: 7-18 OT(pg. 165) Heather Harris *Psalm Lesson: Psalm 65 (the Message Translation) Julian Summers & Congregation 3

4 Silence is praise to you, God, and also obedience. You hear the prayer of all. We all arrive at your doorstep sooner or later, loaded with guilt, Our sins too much for us but you get rid of them once and for all. Blessed are the guests at home in your place! All your salvation wonders are on display Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer, Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser, Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash, of mobs in noisy riot far and wide they ll come to a stop, they ll stare in awe and wonder. Dawn and dusk take turns calling, Come and worship. R Oh God, visit the earth, ask her to join the dance! Deck her in spring showers, fill the rivers with living water. Paint the wheat fields golden. Creation was made for this! Drench the plowed fields, soak the dirt clods with rainfall as harrow and rake bring her to blossom and fruit. Snow-crown the peaks with splendour, scatter rose petals down your paths, all through the meadows. Set the hills to dancing. Let them shout, and shout, and shout! Oh, let them sing! R Epistle: 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 (NT pg. 183) Frank McGill 4

5 *Gradual Hymn #559 We Gather Together (KREMSER) Congregation Gospel: Luke 17: (NT pg. 80) Sermon: Thanksgiving at the Boundaries Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Offertory Anthem Otche Nash (Our Father, Who art in Heaven) -Kedrov Choir *Presentation of Offering: Doxology (OLD 100TH) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Christ, all people here below, Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. Prayers of the People and the Lord s Prayer For the fruit of all creation (AR HYDY NOS) Julian Summers Spoken Prayer Sung Response For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. For this gift to every nation, thanks be to God. For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, Future needs in earth s safe-keeping, thanks be to God. Spoken Prayer Sung Response In the just reward of labour, God s will is done. In the help we give our neighbour, Gods will is done. In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing, In the harvests we are sharing, God s will is done. 5

6 Spoken Prayer Sung Response For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, Most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God. Spoken Prayer & 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. *Recessional Hymn: Congregation #555 Now Thank We All Our God (NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT) Postlude: Organist, Lynette Wahlstrom Now Thank We All Our God -J.S. Bach News Notes 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, Judy Morton, and Betty Deal. Prayers are with those friends and family who were affected by the tragedies in Las Vegas and Edmonton. 6

7 Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Edwin Crowell who passed away on Wednesday October 4 th. A funeral will be held at First Baptist on Tues. Oct. 10 th at 2pm. Thanksgiving Offering This Sunday, we receive one of the three special offerings of the year (Easter and Christmas are the others). Each of us is challenged to express our thanksgiving for the blessings God has brought to our lives by bringing a special gift in addition to our regular offering. Please use the envelopes provided in the pews, or your own envelope marked Thanksgiving, to give as God enables you to do so. Thank you. Faith Development Notes Church Membership Class Date TBD If you 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. Date to be determined by the schedules of interested participants. Thinking about joining? Please see either Rusty or Jenny today, Oct. 8th. Women s Discussion Group Saturday October 21 st, 10:30am 12noon JD Shore Café, Lower Water St. (across from Maritime Museum of the Atlantic) This month Bréne Brown will talk about the reckoning, rumble and revolution (video & discussion). All woman are welcome. Feel free to invite a friend. Youth Bible Study Monday Evenings, 6-8pm, Oct. 16 and 23 rd Offsite The Youth Bible Study got off to a great start this past Monday, Oct. 2 nd. We 7

8 have begun to explore the book 1 of Samuel over dinner and discussion. We will meet next on Oct 16 (the Lee home) and Oct 23 (the Naug home). If you did not make the first class, but want to join in, please speak with Rev. Jenny. The Spiritual Journey Lunch & Learn, Rev. David Maginley Sunday October 22, after worship service First Baptist Church Halifax, Parlour For Rev. Maginley, Spirituality is distinct from religion. It is reflected not so much in what one believes as it is in the quality of one s love. Maginley invites us to explore how the universal journey is expressed through each of us and the role suffering and compassion play in evolving our best selves. Everyone is welcome. Sandwiches, tea, coffee & cookies available. The Christmas Story: Group Book Discussion of the Nativity Commences Wed. Nov. 8, 5:30 8:30pm (4 week program) First Baptist Church Halifax, Parlour Join in this discussion on Vermes The Nativity. The weekly meeting begins with a light soup supper followed by discussion. (See Voices for full description of the discussion group). Vermes 2006 book can be obtained from Clyde Evans (our facilitator). We hope you will choose to attend and participate in this discussion. Please feel free to ask questions of Clyde or Kathy Schwartzentruber. Music Notes Special thanks! To our FBC Senior Choir for sharing their special gifts this Thanksgiving Sunday. Songsters Meet & Sing Sunday, weekly following Worship service. Chancel Open to all interested youth (ages 2-17), especially new singers. Come and hear what fun it is to sing! Please see Lynette for more information. 8

9 Community Outreach Harvest Supper Auction Friday October 13 th, 5:30pm Ticket Sales now open! First Baptist Church Halifax, Assembly Room A detailed list of Harvest Supper Silent Auction items can be viewed on the Church website and on the bulletin board! Buy your tickets in advance at the office or after Church service. Adult - $15.00; Child (age 12 and under) - $5.00; Family (2 adults + children under 12) - $ All proceeds go to the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank. ARK Sunday Supper Sunday October 29 St. Andrew s Church Volunteers are needed to prepare 18 casseroles. The recipe is beside the signup sheet on the bulletin board outside of the parlour. These meals are an important way for us to provide a hot meal for homeless people and people experiencing hardship who would otherwise go without dinner. Community Notes Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday Oct. 8, 5pm RSVP required First Baptist Church, Assembly Room Join the First Baptist family in celebrating with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Dinner is open to anyone. RSVP to the church office ( ) or Kathy Schwartzentruber ( or kmsb408@gmail.com) Congregational Meeting with Light Lunch Sunday October 15 after Worship Service First Baptist Church Halifax, Parlour There will be a congregational meeting to receive reports on our Visitation Ministry and to consider some changes to the arrangements for Refugees. 9

10 The annual Christmas Tea and Sale Sat., Nov. 4th, 2pm - 4:30 pm. Ticket Sales now open! First Baptist Church Halifax 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 $4 for volunteers. Tickets are available from Auxiliary members, the church office or outside the parlour each Sunday in October. Volunteer Opportunities! The Auxiliary is in need of volunteers for the Tea & Sale. In particular, we are in need of helping hands to unpack and price goods in the New to You department between Oct. 31 Nov. 3 rd. We also need support with clean up after the Tea & Sale on Nov. 4 th. Speak to Kathy Schwartzentruber or Mary Anne Eisener for more details on volunteer opportunities or how to donate items. A Grand Welcome Piano Concert! Sat., Nov. 19th, 3pm First Baptist Church Halifax, Sanctuary FBCH and Fountain School of Performing Arts present Chamber Music. Join pianists Peter Allen and Lynette Wahlstrom, with special guests Sonia Hellenbrand, violin, and Jacob MacDonald, cello, in music by Liszt, Chopin and Beethoven. A Grand Welcome, Full-Stick, to celebrate FBC's new CX7 Yamaha grand piano. Admission by donation at the door. Wider Faith Community Annual Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms (CABF) Meeting Friday October 13 6:30pm and Saturday October 14 8:30am Acadia University, Manning Chapel Guest speaker, Rev. Jamie Scott - The Uncomfortable Journey of Reconciliation. Registration for both days is $35, for Saturday only is $25. To register, davidg.allen@ns.sympatico.ca. Visit for more details. 10

11 Face of Poverty Lunch & Learn Tuesday October 17, 12noon to 1:30pm Dartmouth North Community Food Centre, 6 Primrose St. Come join us for a Lunch and Learn on Food Security and the Food Centre Model. Bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. Inquiries can be directed to This Week in Our Church: Oct 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 Coffee & Conversation 11:45am Songsters, Sanctuary 5:00pm, Thanksgiving Dinner Monday Office Closed Tuesday 9am, CABF Tuesday 6:30pm, Finance Committee Wednesday 11am, Clergy Study Thursday 7:00pm, Choir Practice Friday 5:30pm, Harvest Supper Next Sunday: October 15, 2017; Pentecost 19 10:30am Creche, Worship Who are you Wearing? Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards 10:45am, Sunday School 12pm, Congregational Meeting with light lunch 11

12 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: Neil Ritchie Sexton on Duty: Jennifer Ferguson Ushers On Duty: Steven Dexter 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 Allsop, Deacon Emerita Our Mission 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! 12