3rd Sunday of Lent First Baptist Church Halifax March 4, 2018 The Good Shepherd" Artist: Maria Laughlin Maria Laughlin is a graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She is on staff at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington. Her artwork has been featured in a number of publications.
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The Community Gathers for Worship Entrance of Choir During the Season of Lent, we enter and depart quietly without our usual processional and recessional. As in previous years, the choir will only sing one anthem each Sunday, our words following the offering will be spoken and not sung, and we will sing one less hymn. This reflects the contemplative nature of this season of the church year and helps us long for the season of resurrection that is to come. We invite you to use the quieter moments of the Lenten services for reflection and prayer. Welcome and Announcements Silent Prayer and Reflection *Gathering Hymn *Please stand as you are able Rev. Jenny Drewitz #376 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (HYFRYDOL) *Call to Worship: Rev. Jenny Drewitz Jesus said, I am the good shepherd I know my sheep and my sheep know me, in the same way Abba God knows me and I know God and for these sheep I will lay down my life. Shepherd us, O Living Christ, so that we may know you as you know us. Though I wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you, O God, are at my side, your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. Shepherd us, O God, beyond our wants, beyond our fears, from death into life. *Prayer of Confession Rev. Jenny Drewitz Jesus, Good Shepherd, help us take the time and make the space to hear your call to us. For the times when we don`t see your abundant love and care in our lives, forgive us. May we live in the protection of your flock trusting our shepherd, Amen. 3
*Words of Assurance - Psalm 23 (Inclusive Bible) LORD, you are my shepherd I want nothing more. You let me lie down in green meadows; you lead me beside restful waters: you refresh my soul. You guide me to lush pastures for the sake of your Name. Even if I am surrounded by shadows of Death, I fear no danger, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they give me courage. You spread a table for me in the presence of my enemies, and you anoint my head with oil my cup overflows! Only goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in your house, LORD, for days without end. *Lenten Hymn: Vs. 3 - #171 The King of Love my Shepherd is (ST. COLUMBA) Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, But yet in love He sought me, And on His shoulder gently laid, And home, rejoicing, brought me. Children are welcome to come to the chancel steps during this verse. Formation Moment on the Good Shepherd Rev. Jenny Drewitz & The children and youth in Primary to Grade 2 are dismissed for Sunday School First Testament: Proverbs 4:10-27 (pg. 587 ) Emma Hazelton Epistle: 1 John 4:13-21(pg. 241) Sandrico Provo *Gradual Hymn #396 O for a Closer Walk with God (CAITHNESS) Gospel: John 18:12-27 (pg. 112) Sermon: Way of the Cross: Fireside Denial Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Offertory Anthem *Prayer over the Offering: Kyrie fr. Missa Brevis - Hatfield Choir God Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer in glad thanksgiving for your goodness we offer you our gifts, and pray for the willingness to offer and present our very selves to you. May we be a living sacrifice dedicated to work willingly for your realm of peace and justice in our time. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen. Invitation to the Table Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards & Rev. Jenny Drewitz 4
*Communion Hymn #517 We Come as Guests Invited (WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN) Prayers of the People and the Lord s Prayer Lic. Arla Johnson 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 that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Peace Sharing the Holy Feast Communion Anthem Prayer After Communion Sanctus, Agnus Dei - Schubert Choir Rev. Jenny Drewitz *Sending Hymn #281 Guide me Thou O Great Jehovah (CWM Rhondda) *Benediction & Choral Amen Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Postlude: Toccata in E minor by Pachelbel Lynette Wahlstrom, Organist News Notes 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, Judy Morton, Pearl Stevens, Marjorie Morrisson, and Marion Crowell (Berkeley). Sympathy is extended to Rev. Hugh Kirkegaard and family following the death of his father, Ejgild Kirkegaard, on Saturday, February 24. A service was held earlier this week in New Brunswick. Birth Announcement Lesley Crystal, Salt Spring Island, BC, gave birth to a baby girl, Penelope Crystal. Both mom and daughter are doing well. Proud grandparents are Naomi Nonnekes and David Mensink. 5
Faith Development Notes Sunday Group Formations Sunday Afternoons March 4 March 25 th, Assembly Room It s not too late to join in! See the Faith Formation poster for all of the great opportunities available. Parent and Tot Drop-In Program Weekly Tuesdays from 9:45-11:15 am First Baptist Church Halifax, Creche (second floor) Parents/guardians and children up to age 5 are welcome to drop in for a morning of play time, story and song. Complimentary peanut-free snacks provided. Please contact Rev. Jenny Drewitz with questions. Sanctuary Hosts Still Needed! Tuesdays-Thursdays from 4-6pm during the season of Lent (Feb. 14- Mar. 29) The church sanctuary will be open for quiet reflection (with occasional instrumental music) during the season of Lent. If you are able to act as a host for one or two of these days, please sign up on the bulletin board across from the parlour. This is a wonderful way to extend hospitality to our community. If you have questions, please speak with Rev. Jenny Drewitz. Looking for hosts for Monday Night Meal at Dalhousie Multifaith Center Monday, March 12, 5:00-7:00pm Dalhousie International Centre, 1246 LeMarchant Street suite 1200, Main Floor Every Monday evening the Multifaith Center puts on a free meal for the students and staff of Dalhousie. This has been a shared responsibility of all the chaplains and denominations affiliated with the Multifaith Center. This is a great way to serve our community, get to know and welcome more students. Meals typically serve about 35 people and have vegetarian, halal and gluten-free options (usually 4 crock pots plus a salad, bread and dessert). If you would like to prepare, host (stay and chat) or clean up for this meal, please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board across from the parlour. If you have any questions, please speak with Rev. Jenny Drewitz. Community Notes Canstruction 2018! We are in the home stretch! Thank you to all for your generous support. We are just $300 away from our target to purchase canned food to build (all food is donated to Feed Nova Scotia). With the help of engineer Bryan Darrell and dietitian Judy Whalen we're aiming to win the award for "best meal." Don`t forget to visit Sunnyside Mall between March 7-10 to see the structures and vote for the FBCH piano for `people`s choice,` You can also vote online at Feed Nova Scotia. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Jenny Drewitz. 6
Easter Memorial Flowers Easter Sunday will be celebrated this year on April 1, 2018. I wish to invite members of the congregation and friends of First Baptist Church to donate to the Easter floral display, in memory of family members and friends who are no longer with us, or perhaps to celebrate a special event in your lives. Please contact the church office before March 27th, to check the wording of the dedication that will appear in the Bulletin on Easter Sunday. Thank you for your interest in donating flowers for the beautification of our church at this special season of the year. Johanne McKee, Flower Committee South Stairwell Repairs - postponed The stairwell repairs have been postponed until after Easter. We will issue a reminder in a few weeks when we are closer to the project start date. Tax Receipts Be sure to pick up your tax receipts for 2017. These are in the Narthex. (South side where food trunk used to sit.) This Week in Our Church: March 4 March 10 Please refer to the calendar on our website for a complete list of activities. Church Office hours: Tues. - Fri. 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm. This Week Today 12noon, Faith Formation Lunch and Program Tuesday 9:45am, Parents & Tot, Creche Tuesday - 4:00pm 6:00pm, Open Sanctuary Tuesday 6:30pm, Finance Meeting, Boardroom Tuesday 6:30pm, Board of CE, Old Creche Tuesday 7:00pm, Visitation, Parlour Wednesday - 11am, Clergy Meeting Wednesday 4:00pm 6:00pm, Open Sanctuary Wednesday 5:30pm 7:30pm, Book Study, Parlour Thursday 4:00pm 6:00pm, Open Sanctuary Thursday 7:00pm, Choir Practice Next Sunday: March 11, 2018; 10:30am Creche, Worship 4th Sunday in Lent Way of the Cross: Handed Over Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards Noon Faith Formation Classes & Lunch 7
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 Wifi Password: Youareloved:) Of Service To You Today Deacon on Duty: Anthony Zadeh Sexton on Duty: Caitlin Smithers Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards, Senior Minister (rustyedwards@fbchalifax.ca) Rev. Jenny Drewitz, Minister of Faith Development (jennydrewitz@fbchalifax.ca) Ms. Lynette Wahlstrom, Director of Music (lynettewahlstrom@fbchalifax.ca) Dr. Pauline Allsop, Deacon Emerita 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! Welcome to First Baptist Church Halifax! If you are visiting with us today, please know how glad we are to have you with us as we worship God together. We invite you to complete a visitor s card, located in the hymnal rack in front of you, and place it in the offering plate later in the service. You are also invited to stay for coffee & conversation immediately following the service. We gather in the parlour, right behind the sanctuary. 8