The First Baptist Church of Worcester

Transcription

1 The First Baptist Church of Worcester A Welcoming and Affirming Church A Safe Space for All First gathered in 1812 Magnificat Order of Worship December 4, :00 AM

2 Hearing devices are available from the ushers for those needing assistance. *Indicates that you are invited to stand, as you are able. Worship Leaders Reverend Brent Newberry, Pastor Wesley Hall, Minister of Music and Arts Prelude Lighting of the Advent Candle Venite One: Our King and Savior now draws near: All: Come let us adore him. One: Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. All: Our King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him. One: For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land. All: Our King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him. One: Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are

3 the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! All: Our King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him. Invocation God of mountain and valley, of skyscraper and hovel, bring us down when we exalt ourselves above others, and raise us up when we have been cast down by hardship or hatred. Make straight your path in our world. Take our hands and lead us as we journey towards the star, and prepare us for the perfect child we will find there. Amen. * Opening Hymn 164 Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying Wachet Auf Our opening hymn is one of the oldest sung in the Protestant Church. Written in the generation after Martin Luther and harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach, the text was translated in the 19th century by Catherine Winkworth. She was an English woman who worked throughout her life to further the education of young girls. Her adroit translations of the Lutheran hymnodic corpus are widely considered to be aesthetic masterpieces, and she is venerated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Welcome and Highlights of Church Life Greeting

4 Children s Moment The Giving of our Tithes and Offerings Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayers of the People * Congregational Hymn 161 People, Look East Besançon The Reading: Magnificat The Song of Mary (From Luke 1:46-55) My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

5 and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. One: May the Spirit of wisdom lead us to understanding. Many: Thanks be to God. Sermon: Magnificat Reverend Brent Newberry Choral Reflection Magnificat Ralph Vaughan Williams ( ) The Table Celebration of Communion Words of Institution Passing of the Bread and Cup Right Hand of Fellowship

6 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. * Closing Hymn 166 Wait for the Lord Taizé Community Benediction This Week in Worship This Sunday, we reflect on the Magnificat, or The Song of Mary, based upon Luke 1. It is the second of the four songs that will inspire our worship during the Advent season. On this second Sunday in Advent, we also light the candle of Peace as a witness to the Shalom of God s peaceable kingdom. The light of the candle represents the light of Christ that shines in the darkness as a witness to that Kingdom.

7 Who We re Praying for this Week Christopher V. Lynne Steeves and family on the death of her sister. Maria, Rose s aunt Ginny Young Jen Gordon B. Charles S. Jinny S. Rocky The friends and family of the victims of the shootings in Ohio and New Orleans. Those recovering from the aftermath of the fires in Gatlinburg. Those with unspoken needs that are close to the chest but weigh heavy on their hearts. Our friends who are unable to join us, whether it's due to traveling, illness, injury, or difficulty of transportation. Our loved ones with various prayer needs. Our church, that we will continue to be a beacon of hope and peace amidst the rancor, and a voice of reconciliation and justice amidst violence and hatred. Unity for our nation, and unity and resolve for our church to continue to pursue the Way of Jesus regardless of whom we voted for, by seeking justice, loving mercy, and following God. Our troops and their families.

8 Mission Statement We are a community of believers who seek to grow in our faith and understanding as we live the Way of Jesus Christ. Inclusion We welcome all in Christ s Love. Freedom of Faith Individual interpretation of God s word and freedom of expression are cornerstones of our faith. Service We seek to be a Christ-like presence in the world. Spiritual Growth We encourage all to seek Christian growth. We are glad you came to worship with us, and pray you will receive inspiration and comfort in the worship service. All are welcome to God s house. Contact Us 111 Park Avenue, Worcester, Massachusetts info@fbc-worc.org Follow us on Facebook: The First Baptist Church Worcester The FBC Worcester Youth Phone: (508)