First Baptist Church at Worship The church exists by mission as a fire exists by burning... Emil Brunner Sunday, February 15, 2009 Eleven O clock Assemble in God s Name Greeting The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. John Hewett Introit Holy God, We Praise Your Name setting by John Ferguson The Chancel Choir Holy God, we praise your name; Lord of all we bow before you. Infinite your vast domain, everlasting is your reign. Hark! The glad celestial hymn angel choirs above are raising; Cherubim and Seraphim, in unceasing chorus praising Fill the heavens with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy Lord! Lo, the apostolic train join your sacred name to hallow; Prophets swell the glad refrain, and the white-robed martyrs follow; And from morn to set of sun through the church the song goes on. Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit three we name you, Though in essence only one; undivided God we claim you And, adoring bend the knee while we own the mystery. - 18 th century German hymn Call to Worship Sara Spahr Stubbs Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! Delight in praise, O you upright! Praise the Lord with the lyre, Make melody to the Lord with the harp of ten strings! Sing to the Lord a new song, Play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. Upright is the word of the Lord, Whose work is done in faithfulness. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all their host by the breath of God s mouth. Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of our great God! - from Psalm 33 + Hymn 356 All Creatures of Our God and King LASST UNS ERFREUEN
+ Confession of Sin Sara Spahr Stubbs God who is the creator of heaven and earth, and the sustainer of all life, we confess our sin to you. You have given us the extraordinary gift of life, yet we treat it as a common and ordinary thing. You have promised us your presence in all times and all places, yet we casually stroll over holy ground, unthinking and unmoved. You are the Word in our midst, but we are so full of the chatter of our own lives that we do not hear you. Forgive us, Lord, when we receive so great a mystery with indifference. Forgive us, O Lord, when accomplishing our agenda becomes more important than dreaming your dreams, singing your song, and following your vision. Forgive us, O Lord. Amen. + Assurance of Forgiveness Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! + The Peace Paul Sims The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you. + Gloria Patri GREATOREX Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen. Preschool/Kindergarten children are dismissed for Extended Session Exhortation from Colossians 2 and Philippians 1 Paul Sims LASST UNS ERFREUEN In love, God calls you to this day, and gives you strength, your vows to say; Alleluia, alleluia. Take up the faith that you were shown, and grow, assured you are God s own. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! - Carol Birkland, 20 th century The Baptism of Tiffany Taylor and J. T. Taylor LASST UNS ERFREUEN Great work has God begun in you, so let the Spirit follow through; Alleluia, alleluia. The mark of Christ upon your brow, baptismal touch remember now. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 2
Proclaim God s Word A Reading from Hebrew Scripture I Chronicles 15:5-6, 11-16 The word of the Lord Thanks be to God Richard Poindexter MARION With voices full and strong sing out your Maker s praise, Send forth the hymns the saints have loved, the psalms of ancient days. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing. - Edward Plumptre, 19 th century Psalm 23 sung by The Chancel Choir setting by Paul Basler The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. A Reading from the Epistles Colossians 3:12-17 The word of the Lord Thanks be to God Nikki Taylor + Hymn 34 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart MARION Sermon Why Good Music Matters John Hewett Give Thanks to God + Hymn For the Music of Creation HYMN TO JOY First Baptist Church of Monroe welcomes all persons to participate in the full range of our services, programs, ministries and mission activities. Membership is open to anyone professing faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and adopting the views of faith and practice held by this church, together with its Constitution and By-Laws. Persons may offer themselves for membership by profession of faith and baptism, by statement of previous conversion and baptism, or by transfer of membership from another church. Membership may be requested in writing or during regular worship services. If you wish to present yourself for membership today, come to the front of the sanctuary during the hymn and our minister will receive you. For the music of creation, for the song your Spirit sings, For your sound s divine expression, burst of joy in living things: God, our God, the world s composer, hear us, echoes of your voice; Music is your art, your glory, let the human heart rejoice! 3
Psalms and symphonies exalt you, drum and trumpet, string and reed, Simple melodies acclaim you, tunes that rise from deepest need, Hymns of longing and belonging, carols from a cheerful throat, Lilt of lullaby and love song catching heaven in a note. All the voices of the ages in transcendent chorus meet, Worship lifting up the senses, hands that praise, and dancing feet; Over discord and division music speaks your joy and peace, Harmony of earth and heaven, song of God that cannot cease! - Shirley Erena Murray, 20 th century + Offertory Prayer Babs Simpson All loose change received in February offerings will benefit Turning Point, the local domestic violence shelter for women and children. Please give as you are able. Offertory Make Our Church One Joyful Choir by Jonathan Crutchfield The Chancel Choir Make our church one joyful choir on this glad and festive day And by song invoke the fire that invites our hearts to pray: Shape us, Christ, to live and claim all it means to bear your name. Bend us low by song and prayer, low enough to lift the cross And to take the weight and bear love s uncounted final cost. Shape us, Christ to live and claim all it means to bear your name. Lift us up by song and prayer till the way we deal with loss And our acts and words of care trace the pattern of your cross. Shape us, Christ, to bear your name. Bend us, lift us, make us strong, send us out with wind and fire, So the world may hear the song that we offer as your choir: Shape us Christ, to live and claim all it means to bear your name. Amen. - Thomas Troeger, 20 th century 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. + Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH Please rise as the deacons pass your pew in returning the offering to the Chancel Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 4
Go in God s Name + Commission Paul Sims + Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling HYFRYDOL please see page 6 + Benediction John Hewett Postlude Holy God, We Praise Your Name setting by Hal Hopson Personal Listening Devices are available for worship. Request one from an usher. Please sign the Attendance Pad during the Greeting and pass it down the pew. If you are a visitor, please also fill out a Visitors Card and place it in the offering plate. - Please turn off all cell phones and pagers. Thank you. - Music reprinted under OneLicense.net Number A-707320 Audio CDs of our worship services are available through the church office Audio recordings of sermons are available at www.monroefirstbaptist.org Scott Mills, trumpet Mac Abercrombie, trombone Assisting in today s ministry of worship are: John H. Hewett, Senior Minister Paul M. Sims, Minister Sara Spahr Stubbs, Minister Joyce Helms, Interim Organist Babs Simpson, Deacon Richard Poindexter and Nikki Taylor, Readers CLARION BRASS Chris Brown, trumpet Aaron Misenheimer, trombone Raechel Kunesh, horn Preschool Extended Session workers for today are: Christina Kale, Brenda Lowery and Derrick Lowery The sanctuary flowers are given by Lauren Lowery to the glory of God and in loving honor of Colonel Jim Moncrief for his inspiring service to God and country. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 109 Morrow Avenue Monroe, NC 28112 704-283-8534 www.monroefirstbaptist.org 5