GREENWOOD FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH The Worship of God The Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost November 12, 2017 Chiming of the Hour Gathering Hymn 295 Welcome to Worship Leader: The Lord be with you, People: And also with you. Passing of the Peace Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Rev. Lauren Efird Rev. Efird Preparation for Worship I m Going Home Traditional on the Morning Train arr. The Stokes Sisters Get right church and let s go home, Get right church and let s go home, Get right church and let s go home, Evening train s gonna be too late, Evening train s gonna be too late, Evening train s gonna be too late,
Call to Worship (Psalm 78) Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome Prayers of the People and Lord s Prayer Rev. Stephen Stacks Leader: Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; People: Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Leader: I will open my mouth in a parable; People: I will utter dark sayings from of old, Leader: Things that we have heard and known, People: That our ancestors have told us. Leader: We will not hide them from their children; People: We will tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, Leader: We will tell of God s might, People: And the wonders that God has done. Leader: God established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, People: Which God commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; Leader: That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, People: And rise up and tell them to their children, Leader: So that they should set their hope in God, People: And not forget God s works, but keep God s commandments. We affirm each prayer with the following response: Leader: Lord, in your mercy... People: Hear our prayer. Children s Parable 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Kadeisha Bonsu Invocation Hymn 71 Rev. Spears-Newsome Be Thou My Vision During the following hymn, children (ages first grade and younger) are invited to go to Children s Time. Parents may pick up their children in the Children s Wing after worship. Offertory Prayer Teri Edwards Hymn 562 Soon and Very Soon Offertory When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder arr. Mark Hayes Presentation of the Offering OLD 100TH As our offering is presented back to God, we will sing the following doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God, above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen! Scripture Reading Matthew 25:1-13 Rev. Efird We affirm the reading of Scripture with the following response: Reader: The word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God.
Anthem Keep Your Lamps arr. Randi Grundahl Rexroth Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, The time is drawing nigh. Children, don t get weary, Children, don t get weary, Children, don t get weary, Til your work is done. Sisters, don t stop praying, Sisters, don t stop praying, Sisters, don t stop praying, See what the Lord has done. Soon the darkness will be over, Soon the darkness will be over, Soon the darkness will be over, The dawn is drawing nigh! Sermon Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning Matthew Greg Hymn 87 Benediction Postlude Please stand as you are able. Arise, Your Light Has Come Rev. Efird Prayer Concerns Wayne Abbott (Helen Bishop s father), Emma Aeppli, Jennifer Denning, Lewis Faulkner, Mary Kent, Sara Martin (Jay and Doris Martin s daughter-in-law), Iris Thomas, Bob Watson, Jimmy Welch (Kathy Winstead s brother-in-law), and Bill Whelan Dot Alexander and Kathleen Wicker-Oaks at Whitaker Glen-Mayview Our partner church, Ebenezer Baptist, Cuba, and our brothers and sisters of the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Mission GFBC by the Numbers Focus on Finance 2016/2017 Budget (MDP + MSP) $902,710 Amount of Budget supported through Stewardship Giving $850,900 (excludes cell tower and GFCC receipts) Week 10 of 52 (November 5) Stewardship Giving needed Week 10 YTD to fully subscribe budget $16,844 $ 162,767 Actual Stewardship Giving $18,308 $ 142,513 Over (Under) $ 1,464 $(20,254) Attendance Last Week Praise Assembly 40 Faith Formation 168 Worship 210 The flowers are given today by James and Willa Dodd in honor of Helen Bishop, our faithful organist. The Deacon of the Day is Teri Edwards, Chair of the Finance Ministry. The pianist today is Addie Smith. Kadeisha Bonsu is our Director of Children s Ministry. Matthew Greg is our Pastoral Intern. Today s acolyte is Lucy Beal. Hearing assistance devices are available at the back of the sanctuary.
Announcements and Upcoming Events Listening Sessions As a follow-up to the Second Wednesday talk on immigration held last week, Rev. Spears-Newsome hosted a listening session this morning during Faith Formation in the Fellowship Hall for us to hear personal stories about immigration. We will host a second event on December 3 during the Faith Formation hour as well. Fall Work Day November 18 Everyone is invited to come to a Fall Work Day next Saturday, November 18 to help spruce up our church grounds. We will begin at 9 am and work until we are done. Please bring garden tools and gloves to help spread leaves in our natural areas and complete other outside tasks. We would love to have your help! Business Meeting November 19 Mark your calendars now for a business meeting next Sunday, November 19 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Lay Leadership Sunday November 19 Next Sunday, November 19 is Lay Leadership Sunday! Make plans to worship with us and celebrate the vital role of lay people in the worship life of GFBC. The (Bow) Tie That Binds November 19 All who would like are invited to wear a bowtie next Sunday, November 19. This is a fun way to celebrate our unity! Preparing for Advent November 25 The Sanctuary Adornment Committee invites you to help them decorate the church for Advent on Saturday, November 25 starting at 9:30 am. Donuts and coffee will be provided. All are welcome to help! Souper Love Feast November 26 Join us on Sunday, November 26 at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall as we enjoy a soup supper and enter the season of Advent together with Advent wreath-making and a brief service. Please bring a pot of soup to share, a small donation for wreath-making materials, and a container to hold your wreath. Hot cinnamon buns and wreath supplies will be provided. Please RSVP to Kadeisha Bonsu at kadeisha.bonsu@gfbccary.org. Celebrating Our Diversity The Greenwood Forest Children s Center has posted a map across from the Media Center on which the GFCC parents and staff have marked the places they were born with red dot stickers. Our church family is invited to also mark the place they were born with green dot stickers. Come by and help us celebrate our diversity! Opportunity for Senior Adults Don Beal, a certified Seniors Health Insurance Program (SHIIP) counselor, is conducting private sessions to anyone who would like assistance in reviewing their current Medicare plans to ensure they will continue with the best options in the coming year. Appointments are still available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November 14 through December 7 (with the exception of Thanksgiving week) at 1:30 and 2:30 each day. Call the office to reserve your spot. Thank You Family Promise Volunteers It takes dozens of church members to pull of Family Promise three times a year, and we have completed our last Family Promise Week for 2017! We hosted several families in our building this week that otherwise wouldn't have housing. Our guests, Family Promise, and your church family are thankful for all the volunteers that made this week possible. Well done! Advent Devotionals Beginning next Sunday, November 19, we will have selected Advent devotionals available for checkout in the Narthex following worship.
In September, we began Ministry Mondays on a quarterly basis instead of scheduling monthly committee meetings at various times. All committees meet in the Fellowship Hall at round tables. Ministry Mondays is fostering a team mentality and is providing a sustainable and energetic way to do the work of ministry together! It is helping us to work towards a common vision and communicate across ministries. If you are serving on a ministry team this year, save these dates: November 20 February 26 May 21 Team A Children Congregational Care Missions Outreach Stewardship Worship Get Excited for Ministry Mondays! Schedule 6:00-7:00 pm Team A 7:00-7:30 pm Dinner 7:30-8:30 pm Team B Team B Discipleship Fellowship Finance Personnel Properties Youth This Week at GFBC Sunday, November 12 Family Promise Week Concludes 9:30 am Children, Youth, and Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am Coffee in the Narthex 11:00 am Worship 3:00 pm Youth Alpha and Omega 4:30 pm Youth Choir Monday, November 13 7:00 pm Board of Deacons Meeting Tuesday, November 14 2:00 pm Senior Adult Fellowship Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 15 7:00 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Saturday, November 18 9:00 am Fall Work Day Sunday, November 19 Lay Leadership Sunday 9:30 am Children, Youth, and Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am Coffee in the Narthex 11:00 am Worship 3:00 pm Youth Alpha and Omega 4:30 pm Youth Choir 6:30 pm Business Meeting Dinner will be provided. Bring $7 for a sub, chips, and drink. Please contact Doug Black at black_douglas@bellsouth.net with any dietary restrictions. GFBC: Making Committee Meetings Fun Since 2017
You are invited to help celebrate Advent by providing poinsettias to adorn the sanctuary during the Advent season. The cost is $9.00 each; please include the payment with this order form by Sunday, November 26. The dedications will be printed on Sunday, December 17. Donors may take their poinsettias home following the evening candlelight service on Christmas Eve. Please place this form in the offering plate or return it to the church office. Dedication Notation Name of Donor(s) In honor of In memory of Dedication Notation Name of Donor(s) In honor of Poinsettias for the Advent Season Number of plants you wish to provide (Please attach check or cash payment) Welcome to Our Church Community! Our Vision Our vision is to be a welcoming and diverse community of faith united in Christ. Our purpose is to worship God and to form and equip disciples who selflessly share their resources and provide loving service to all. Our Core Values Centrality of Christ and Scripture Inclusivity and Diversity in Community Women in All Areas of Leadership Ministries for People of All Ages Liturgy and Innovation in Worship Spiritual and Intellectual Formation Showing God s Love through Missional Service Sharing Our Resources with Others Unity in Fellowship and Family Life Historic Baptist Beliefs and Practices For more information about our church, please visit our website at gfbccary.org or contact us at 919-467-0481. In memory of