THE OLIN T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church Drawn to the Light EPIPHANY Sunday, JANUARY 4, 2015 11 AM May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight. Psalm 72: 11-14 Welcome to Binkley! Binkley Baptist Church is a community of faith on a journey that calls for questioning, humility and conviction. As followers of Jesus, we embrace spiritual growth, mutual care and service, assured that as we serve our neighbors, we joyfully serve God. Intentionally inclusive, we welcome people of all races, sexual orientations, and cultures, respecting diverse religious experiences within the church and beyond. We invite others to join us in our commitment to peace, justice, and care for creation. In a spirit of Christian love, we welcome you. Visitors, if this is your first time worshipping with us at Binkley, we welcome you. Please fill out a visitor card and place it in the offering plate. A Special Welcome to Marcus McFaul and his son Griffin. Marcus will be serving as our Intentional Interim Minister throughout 2015. We pray a safe journey for Griffin, who will be flying home to Texas today. Welcome to North Carolina! Hearing assistance devices and children s worship bags are available in the Narthex before service begins. The flowers for today s service are given in thanks for our Binkley family by the Parks family. Thank you for serving in the Nursery today Hser Ku and Julie Nutter. *The Congregation standing as each is able.
CHIMING ENTERING Please silence all electronic devices. As the chiming begins, all are invited to enter into quiet. PRELUDE Noel Louis Daquin Entry of Acolytes Entry of Crèche Bearer Emily Bradshaw GATHERING INTROIT Who is He in Yonder Stall? Benjamin R. Hanby *CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 60:1-2 Dale Osborne One: Arise, Jerusalem, and shine like the sun; The glory of the Lord is shining on you! Many: On you the light of the Lord will shine; The brightness of his presence will be with you. One: Nations will be drawn to your light, And kings to the dawning of your new day. Many: Look around you and see what is happening: Your people are gathering to come home! *PROCESSIONAL HYMN As With Gladness 173 *INVOCATION and PRAYER OF JESUS Stephanie Ford (Our Mother Father God forgive us our sins ) WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Matthew Ripley-Moffitt THE PEACE OF CHRIST Please exchange a sign of the Peace of Christ with your neighbors. Listening POETRY FOR EPIPHANY A Peck of Gold by Robert Frost Dust always blowing about the town, Except when sea-fog laid it down, And I was one of the children told Some of the blowing dust was gold. All the dust the wind blew high Appeared like gold in the sunset sky, Nancy Joyner But I was one of the children told Some of the dust was really gold. Such was life in the Golden Gate: Gold dusted all we drank and ate, And I was one of the children told, 'We all must eat our peck of gold.'
MEDITATIVE PRAYER Bright Morning Star, your light has come, and the birth of Jesus has overwhelmed us with joy. Like the magi of long ago, may we be drawn to you and offer you such gifts as we are able. Amen. SCRIPTURE FOR EPIPHANY Matthew 2: 1-12 AUGSBURG FORTRESS PRESS *HYMN OF PREPARATION A Hymn of Joy We Sing 404 MEDITATION "Love s Light" Dale Osborne Responding COMMUNION Invitation and Words of Remembrance Prayer of Blessing Sharing Bread and Cup Prayer of Thanksgiving THE BINKLEY CHURCH COVENANT Join us as we share these words of commitment and intention in part or in full. Professing our faith in Jesus Christ, we covenant with God and one another to live together as members of this church in obedience to God's will as it has been and shall be made known to us. As part of the body of Christ throughout the world, we promise to express our faithfulness to Christ in love for one another and for the whole of God's creation. The Spirit of God assisting us, we further promise to attend the services of this congregation, observe its sacraments, support its mission to all people, practice faithful stewardship of our possessions and be conscientious caretakers of the Earth, endeavoring always to be a fruitful body of Christians. OFFERING Offertory Brightest and Best SOUTHERN HARMONY Old Time Gospel Band *Doxology Please sign with the leader or simply sing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below, Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *Prayer of Dedication
*INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you wish to become a member of this congregation and share in its ministry and mission, you are invited to come forward during the first verse of this hymn to be welcomed and received. *HYMN OF INVITATION We Three Kings 172 *BENEDICTION Amen Marty Haugen *POSTLUDE Noel Claude Balbastre THE INVITATION TO CHRIST S TABLE Holy Communion is a sacred and central part of Christian worship. It is a holy act, in which we, individually and corporately, commune with the Loving God. We welcome all who desire a deepened relationship with Christ to the Communion table. From time to time, questions arise concerning the participation of young children in this congregation s service of Holy Communion. The Diaconate recognizes that two historic Baptist principles inform this decision. Baptists are set apart from many other Christian traditions by our practice of Believer s Baptism, which signifies full membership in the church. Traditionally, many Baptist churches encourage persons to receive the Communion bread and cup for the first time after they have been baptized. At the same time, our historic insistence on Soul Liberty reminds us that Baptists value and respect each believer s unique and personal relationship with God. The Diaconate thus recommends that all members of Binkley continue to deepen their understanding of the meaning of Holy Communion, and that families enter into a time of discernment concerning when their children are able to appreciate the sacred nature of Communion. We affirm the responsibility of all believers to determine whether and when they and their children will partake of the Communion elements as we all participate in the service of Communion. THE DISCRETIONARY FUND You are invited to make a special offering to the Pastor Discretionary Fund. This fund allows Binkley to offer support to our church and community members who are in financial crisis. Write Discretionary Fund in the item section. Envelopes are available in the chair racks.
BRIGHTEST AND BEST Hail the blest morn, when the great Mediator Down from the regions of glory decends. Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger. Lo, for His guard, the bright angels attend. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning; Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid; Star in the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining; Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Wise men and shepherds before him do fall. Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom and offerings divine? Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine? Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gifts would His favor secure; Richer by far is the heart s adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.