First Baptist Church Halifax - Where Faith Comes To Life! Founded in 1827 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8 Office 902-422-5203 www.fbchalifax.ca; office@fbchalifax.ca facebook.com/firstbaptisthalifax 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 Pentecost 15 17 September 2017; 10:30 a.m. OF SERVICE TO YOU TODAY Deacon on Duty: Neil Ritchie Sexton on Duty: Sandrico Provo Usher Captains: Jason Naug and Heather Harris 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!
The Gathering Prelude: Andante religioso from Sonata no 4 - Mendelssohn Organist, Lynette Wahlstrom Please use this time to settle for worship *Please stand as you are able *Processional Hymn: #288 I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Ellacombe) *Call to Worship: *Prayer of Approach: Rev. Jenny Drewitz & In a pillar of light, in a cloud, in a church building, on the street, We need not be afraid of whatever happens. We are in God s care wherever we go. Sing the praises of God, our strength, who has removed our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. How great is God s mercy and compassion, abounding in steadfast love! Rev. Jenny Drewitz & Guiding God, who led our spiritual ancestors with a pillar of cloud that hid them by day and protected them by night, lead us through the threatening times in which we live now. Save us from the floods of our own misplaced trust, as You saved them from the waters of the sea. On this day, give strength to those who are weak, and support all who are stumbling. Let every tongue praise You as we remember our story of faith. Amen. 2
Anthem Senior Choir Ubi caritas - Durufle. Translation: "Where charity and love are, God is there" Welcome and Announcements: Update from Transition Team Reception of Jenny & Rusty Edwards into Membership Rev. Jenny Drewitz David Dexter In response to your decision, we pledge ourselves to be the family of God for you in this place; we offer you our love, our care, our kinship, and our hopes. We hope to learn from you, give to you, and receive from you, by God s grace. *Children s Hymn: #339 Be Thou My Vision (Slane) Children s Story: Erick Lee & Epistle: Romans 14: 1-12 (NT pg. 163) *Responsive Psalm: 149 (The Inclusive Bible) The Word of God Susan Morse Rev. Nelson Metcalfe & Give me understanding, O Lord, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. R Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you. Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for 3
Gospel: Matthew 18: 21-35 (NT pg. 20) *Gradual Hymn: your ordinances are good. See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. R #270 O God, in a Mysterious Way (Dundee CM) First Testament: Exodus 14: 19-31 (OT pg. 61) Sermon: A Bewhaping God Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Deacon David Morse The Response Offertory Anthem: Senior Choir If ye love Me, Keep My Commandments- Tallis *Presentation of Offering: 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: Rev. Nelson Metcalfe *Recessional Hymn: #358 Help Us Accept Each Other (Baronita) *Benediction and Choral Amen Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards & Choir Postlude: Organist, Lynette Wahlstrom Allegro maestoso e vivace from Sonata 2 -Mendelssohn 4
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, Marjorie Morrison, Judy Morton, Jim Riley (Neil Ritchie s brother-in-law) and Betty Deal. For those in hospital Richard Shore (Julie Shore s Father). We welcome new members Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards and Jenny Bilderback Edwards. Congratulations to Arla Johnson and Julie Shore who will be married later this afternoon. Thank you to the volunteers that donated their time yesterday, September 16 th, to the Brunswick St. Breakfast Mission. Welcome reception for Rusty, Jenny, and Addison: will be held after today s worship service. See you in the parlour! You are invited to support Lynette's RCCO endeavours by attending a fabulous Organ Recital by Michael Capon, Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, on Saturday, September 23rd 2 p.m. The repertoire will feature organ music by Canadian composers Healey Willan, Sir Ernest MacMillan, Barrie Cabena, Gilles Leclerc and others. Admission at the door- $20 / $15 (students & seniors). Calling all FBC Senior Choir Alumn! We are inviting everyone who has been in the Senior Choir to join us on our FBC 10:30 service, Sept. 24th, for a special 190th celebration focusing on music. Our musical guest is Maestro Bernhard Gueller, from Symphony Nova Scotia. Those interested in joining the Senior Choir for this service please contact Lynette Wahlstrom, The FBC Auxiliary will resume regular meetings starting with a luncheon meeting on Monday, September 25th at 12noon in the Parlour, 12:00 for 12:30. Everyone is welcome. Joanne Stonehouse is coordinating the luncheon. Joanne can be reached at 902-435-4724 or via email at joannemstonehouse@gmail.com. 5
The FBC member directory is undergoing an update in the coming weeks. If you have recently changed your mailing address, email or contact phone, please be sure to let us know. Any changes can be emailed to office@fbchalifax.ca. Please submit any changes before Friday Sept. 29 th. Intergenerational Family Fellowship: The Yip Ashton family would like to invite members, old and new, of the IGFF to meet Rusty, Jenny, and Addison Edwards at our home Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 5:30pm. We'll have a potluck dinner, meet and greet, and conversation about Bible study/devotional formats that we've experienced previously, and future directions for young adults and families. Details and RSVPs will be confirmed closer to the time. Songsters invites all interested youth (ages 2-17), especially new singers, to a Meet and Sing in the Chancel, following Oct. 1 st Worship service. Come and hear what fun it is to sing! Songsters will continue weekly. Please contact Lynette for more information. The Harvest Supper & Silent Auction on Friday October 13th is fast approaching. A special thanks for your outstanding contributions to the Auction! Items include a brand new Miele compact vacuum, a Kayak adventure, drive to/from airport, a sail and barbeque, delicious homemade treats, Hermes Scarf and so much more! Supper tickets: Adult - $15.00; Child (age 12 and under) - $5.00; Family (2 adults + children under 12) - $35.00 See: http://fbchalifax.ca/outreach/community-outreach/harvestsupper/. Questions? Contact Peggy Dunbar, Donna Darrell or Dianne Kokesh (d.kokesh@bellaliant.net). Mark the Date! The annual Christmas Tea and Sale will be held Sat. Nov. 4, 2-4:30 pm. Come and enjoy The Best Tea in Town and browse the many tables. Books, crafts, jewellery, new-to-you, jams and jellies, special quality items and much more! Tickets are $8 each / 4 for $30/ $1 for children under 12, available from Auxiliary members or at the door. 6
The Jelly and Jam project is in need of baby food jars or ½ cup size jars for the Tea and Sale. Please leave donated jars in the box outside of the Creche, under the mailboxes. Please take a moment to read the Thank You card to First Baptist Church from John & Evelyn Harvey Dicksinson. It can be found on the bulletin board outside of the parlour. A Note from Property Maintenance: The re-work of the new schedule for the south stairwell repairs is still in progress. We will update all accordingly once the revised dates are known. This Week in Our Church: Sept. 18-23 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 Edwards Family Welcome Reception 4:00pm Johnson-Shore Wedding Tuesday 12noon, Hospital Chaplaincy Tuesday 5pm, Refugee Working Group Tuesday 6pm, Board of Management Wednesday 6pm, Personnel Committee Thursday 2:30pm, Investment Committee Thursday 7pm, Choir Practice Next Sunday: September 24, 2017; 190 th Anniversary 10:30am Creche, Worship A Song of Transformation Guest Speaker, Bernard Gueller First Baptist Church Halifax Alumni Choir Reflections from the congregation across the ages 10:45am Sunday School 11:30am Reception luncheon to follow 7
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