The First Baptist Evangel

Transcription

1 The First Baptist Evangel September 30, 2018 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.) Hymn Psalm 7 from The Psalter for Christian Worship (Witherspoon Press, 2010). Michael Morgan. Used by permission. CCLI # Hearing assistance devices are available for your use. Ask for one at the sound booth.

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 Deacon nominations will be held next Sunday, October 7 th. See page 14 for a sample ballot. Randall Smith will be the inaugural artist for a new community concert series held here at FBC. He will present Simply Hymns on Sunday, October 7 th, at 3:00 PM. Handbell practice will be this afternoon with Joyful Noise meeting at 4:00 and the Adult Handbell Choir meeting at 4:45. WOM is asking all members to take part in its mission project for the Hosanna Home. See page 15 for more information. Join us for Family Night Wednesdays, at 6:00 PM. Reservations for dinner can be made via sign-up sheets located in the Vestibule and Adult Sunday School class, or by calling the church office. A garden work day will be held this Saturday, October 6 th at 7:30 AM. Our new Meals on Wheels ministry continues. Volunteers are needed to pick up and deliver meals in November and December. See page 12 for more information. The October - December PEW ministry & Nursery schedules are available in the KIDS Corner. Remember volunteers are now doing Nursery & PEW together. Hearing assistance devices are now available for your individual benefit. If you would like to try one speak with Robert or David at the sound booth.

4 Ministry Leaders Weekly Schedule of Activities Nursery/PEW Ministry Leaders Today: Jerri Bolton & Payem Next Sunday: Dale Frazer & Payem October 14: Stephanie McLane & Payem Offertory Prayer Leader Today: Debra Downs Next Sunday: Linda Combs October14: Susan Groover Dantz Frazer is responsible for the opening and closing of the church during the month of September followed by David Kerr in October. Sunday, September 30 rd 9:30 Worship 10:45 Sunday School 11:30 Choir practice 4:00 Joyful Noise 4:45 Adult Handbells Monday, October 1 st 11:00 Meals on Wheels (Debra Downs) Wednesday, October 3 rd 10:00 Prayer time at the Scannells 11:00 Meals on Wheels (Ann Adams) 6:00 Family Night Supper Menu: Chicken Spaghetti 6:30 Team Kid Youth 4/12 Friday, October 5 th 11:00 Meals on Wheels (Jane Abercrombie) Saturday, October 6 th 7:30 Garden work day Sunday, October 7 th 9:30 Worship 10:45 Sunday School 11:30 Choir Practice 3:00 Randall Smith in concert 2

5 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 3

6 Celebrating the Presence and Love of God in Worship September 30, :30 AM PRELUDE RANDALL SMITH For your meditation: Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:22 25 THE CHIMING OF THE HOUR PREPARING FOR WORSHIP ENTERING INTO GOD S PRESENCE HANDBELLS CALL TO WORSHIP ANN KERR Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:1 4 HYMN OF PRAISE (#2) NICAEA INVOCATION Holy, Holy, Holy TOM TUCKER GREETING THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS TOM TUCKER 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 4

7 The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us greet one another in the Lord. HYMN (#12) Great Is the Lord GREAT IS THE LORD PSALM PHOEBE GRABEN Psalm 77 TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO JEDUTHUN. A PSALM OF ASAPH. 1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the LORD; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. 3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah 4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago. 6 I said, Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart. Then my spirit made a diligent search: 7 Will the LORD spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion? Selah 10 Then I said, I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High. 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. 15 You with your arm redeemed your people, 5

8 the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. HYMN (#281) PRAYER OF CONFESSION Speak to My Heart HOLCOMB TOM TUCKER ASSURANCE OF PARDON TOM TUCKER Let it be known to you that through Christ Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed for in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us. taken from Acts 13:38 39 and Ephesians 1:7 8 GOD S WILL FOR OUR LIVES Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ANN ADAMS Proverbs 3:5 6 DEDICATION CONGREGATION Christ has redeemed us by his blood. But we do good because Christ by his Spirit is also renewing us to be like himself, so that in all our living we may show that we are thankful to God for all he has done for us, and so that he may be praised through us. 6

9 And we do good so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ. Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 86 OFFERTORY HYMN (#329) MOODY Grace Greater than Our Sin OFFERTORY PRAYER OFFERTORY ANTHEM Love Lifted Me DEBRA DOWNS FBC CHOIR OFFERTORY RESPONSE Doxology OLD 100 TH Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Children ages 3-5 may leave for PEW Ministry during this hymn.) GOD S WORD PROCLAIMED PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Make us to know your ways, O LORD; teach us your paths. Lead us in your truth and teach us, for you are the God of our salvation; for you we wait all the day long. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON CONGREGATION based on Psalm 25:4 5 JOE DOWNS Judges 10: The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And they forsook the LORD and did not serve him. 7 So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites, 8 and they crushed and oppressed the people of Israel that year. For eighteen years they oppressed all the people of Israel who were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. 9 And the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight also against Judah and against Benjamin and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was severely distressed. 7

10 8 10 And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals. 11 And the Lord said to the people of Israel, Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines? 12 The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. 13 Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. 14 Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress. 15 And the people of Israel said to the LORD, We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day. 16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel. THE EPISTLE LESSON DANTZ FRAZER Romans 3: Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come? as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. 13 Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips.

11 14 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. THE GOSPEL LESSON TOM TUCKER Mark 7:1 8 1 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands? 6 And he said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men. SERMON When God Won t Save MEDITATION ON THE WORD PROCLAIMED TOM TUCKER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH DEBRA DOWNS & CONGREGATION I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, 9

12 Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. The Apostles Creed HYMN OF RESPONSE (#297) ELLERS Search Me, O God DEPARTING TO SERVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCIPLESHIP & REACHING OUT Handbell practice is this afternoon: Joyful Noise, 4:00 and Adult Handbell Choir, 4:45. A sign-up calendar is on the Lord s Table for the Meals on Wheels ministry. A garden work day will be held this Saturday, October 6 th at 7:30 AM. Prayerfully consider your participation in the mission project for Hosanna Home. Family Night activities are underway on Wednesdays at 6:00. Reservations sheets are located in the Vestibule and Sunday School classes. Prayerfully consider your nominations for Deacon on October 7 th. Invite friends and plan to attend Randall s concert on October 7 th at 3:00 in the afternoon. THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS CONGREGATION 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 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. Amen. 10

13 THE CHARGE Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! TOM TUCKER Psalm 139:23 24 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. Numbers 6:24 26 POSTLUDE RANDALL SMITH 11

14 Sermon Notes When God Won t Save 12

15 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 Margaret Breedlove Margaret Bartlett Mary Clark Richard & Pat Kemp George Hester Justin Graben Roger Hales Jackie Jones Vi Hudmon Howard & Suzanne Bryan Johnie & Debra Johnson Family of Beverly Boehm Chuck, Noelle & Elliott Peek Jana Lanham Callie Adams Donny Bolton Chuck Smith Mikki Dallas & family SOVEREIGN LORD, When clouds of darkness, atheism, and unbelief come to me, I see Thy purpose of love in withdrawing the Spirit than I might prize Him more, in chastening me for my confidence in past successes, that my wound of secret godlessness might be cured. Help me to humble myself before Thee by seeing the vanity of honor as a conceit of men s minds, as standing between me and Thee; by seeing that Thy will must alone be done, as much in denying as in giving spiritual enjoyments; by seeing that my heart is nothing but evil, mind, mouth, life void of Thee; by seeing that sin and Satan are allowed power in me that I might know my sin, be humbled, and gain strength thereby; by seeing that unbelief shuts Thee from me, so that I sense not Thy majesty, power, and mercy, or love. Then possess me, for Thou only art good and worthy. Thou dost not play in convincing me of sin, Satan did not play in tempting me to it, I do not play when I sink in deep mire, for sin is no game, no toy, no bauble; let me never forget that the heinousness of sin lies not so much in the nature of the sin committed, as in the greatness of the Person sinned against. When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me, by showing me that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch, but that in Christ I am reconciled, made alive, and satisfied; that I am feeble and unable to do any good, but that in him I can do all things; that what I now have in Christ is mine in part, but shortly I shall have it perfectly in heaven. Humiliation from The Valley of Vision 13

16 Deacon nominations will be held Sunday, October 7 th. Please take time to both verify the sample ballot below, and pray for the Lord s direction in whom you will nominate. Deacon Nomination Ballot Sunday, October 7, 2018 First Baptist Church, West Point, GA Resident members 21 years of age and over having been a member of FBCWP for at least one full year are eligible to be elected deacons. Please draw a circle around up to three (3) names for whom you wish to nominate for the coming deacon election. Ballots with more than three names circled will not be counted. You may nominate less than three. Abercrombie, Jane Dallas, Janice McLain, Stephanie SAMPLE Abercrombie, Phil Downs, Joe* McLane, Dan* Allen, Dorothy Frazer, Dale McLane, Debbie Bolton, Donny* Hester, Dianne Scannell, Carolyn Bolton, Jerri Hill, Joe* Smith, Jeri Bowen, Eloise Hill, Karen Thompson, Debbie Bryan, Suzanne Johnson, Deborah Thompson, Joe Curry, Catherine Johnson, Johnie Tucker, Lisa Curry, Marc Kerr, David* Ineligible to Receive Votes (Rotating Deacons) Debra Downs* Ann Adams* Chuck Smith* Linda Combs* Dantz Frazer* Phoebe Graben* Robert Groover* George Hester* Ann Kerr* Frances Reeves* Susan Groover* Deacons Emeritus Bryan, Howard* Hales, Roger* Kemp, Richard* *Ordained deacon 14

17 Reaching Out with Christ s Unconditional Love FBC is providing Meals on Wheels to the College Hill Apartments. Participation has been wonderful! We are now signing up volunteer drivers for November and December on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The meals should be picked up at Merl s Diner at 11:00 AM and delivered as soon as possible thereafter. November and December calendars are on the Lord s Table. You can sign up up for an entire week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or for a certain day each week. WOM is collecting items for the Hosanna Home, and is asking all church members and regular attenders to join in the effort. Cleaning supplies, paper products and personal hygiene products are all needed. A box will be provided in the hall near the Adult Sunday School class for this purpose. Last day to bring items is October 7 th. Our annual Trunk or Treat is a great way to interact with our community and all from the church parking lot. Make plans now to be apart of this annual outreach on October 31 st ; and even if you aren t able to take part on Halloween night you can still participate by bringing bags of candy to the church during the month of October. Mission: Dignity is a ministry which allows Baptists to care for retired ministers and their widows in their times of need. Baptist churches vary widely in size but the majority are rather small and offer modest pay with little to no benefits. As a result many ministers and their spouses find themselves in financial need in their later years. Today some 1,800 retirees receive much needed assistance through Mission: Dignity. Throughout the month of October FBC West Point will be taking part in Mission: Dignity as a way of showing Christ s love to those who sacrificed so much in order to lead God s people in love and devotion. Our goal will be $1,

18 First Baptist Church of West Point Community Concert Series presents Randall Smith Simply Hymns with special guest hymn writer and composer Michael Morgan Sunday, October 7 th 3:00 PM Refreshments and fellowship will follow in the Gold Room 16

19 The Bulletin Board Fall Happenings: October 7th Deacon Nominations October 7th Randall Smith Community Concert WOM is gathering the following items: cleaning supplies Sign up for Meals on Wheels delivery. paper products personal hygiene products Everyone at FBC is invited to participate this year s ministry to Hosanna Home. Sign-up sheets are on the Lord s Table. 17

20 Church Staff Dr. Thomas J. Tucker, Pastor 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