A Welcoming and Affirming Church A Safe Space for All First gathered in 1812 ORDER OF WORSHIP October 21, 2018 10:00 am Thoughts on Worship As we continue our consideration of what it means to be a Christian today, we take a look at Jesus words to his disciples. As they sought proximity to power--seats on either side of his throne--jesus indicates real strength is in serving one another not lording over them. How can such a provocative notion nudge Christians to provoke change in the systems of our world that lord over and oppress our neighbors? What is the Provocation of All Believers? * Indicates that you are invited to stand in body or in spirit. Hearing devices are available from the ushers for those needing assistance. Prelude Chiming of the Trinity * Processional Hymn 459 Come, All Christians, Be Committed...Beach Spring * Prayer of Illumination Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our siblings as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world.
Call to Worship Jose Ojeda, Christopher Vidal and Wesley Hall Espiritu de Dios, Roberto Orellana (1965- ) Espiritu de Dios Llena mi vida Llena mi alma Llena mi ser Y Lléname Con tu presencia Con tu poder Con tu amor Spirit of God You fill my life You fill my soul You fill my being And fill me With your presence With your power With your love * The Lord s Prayer (debts) * Gloria Patri 734 Glory Be to the Father...Greatorex Welcome From the Church The Reverend Brent Newberry In the pew rack should be an FBC Connection Card. If you are visiting with us, and if you would like to learn more about our church or ways you can connect more deeply within the life of our church, please fill out the card and place it in the offering plate later on in the service. * Greeting One Another in the Peace of Christ You are invited to share the grace of Christ with one another. * Gathering Song 76 We Are Singing, for the Lord Is Our Light...Siyahamba Siyahambe kukhanyen kwenkhos, Siyahambe kukhanyen kwenkhos, Siyahambe kukhanyen kwenkhos, Siyahambe kukhanyen kwenkhos, Siyahamba, Siyahamba O Siyahambe kukhanyen kwenkhos. The First Scripture Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers. You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken. You cover it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight. They rose up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys to the place that you appointed for them.
You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord! One: May the Spirit of Wisdom lead us to understanding. Many: Thanks be to God. The Psalm Psalm 118, Ito Ang Araw, Arnel dc. Aquino, S.J. Riuji Sato, Wesley Hall The Gospel Mark 10:35-45 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. And he said to them, What is it you want me to do for you? And they said to him, Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory. But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They replied, We are able. Then Jesus said to them, The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared. When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. One: May the Spirit of Wisdom lead us to understanding. Many: Thanks be to God. Offering of Our Gifts The ministries of our church are possible because of the generous gifts you pledge in support. At this time, you are invited to give your offering, as you are able. Offertory Draw the Circle Wide, Mark Miller The First Baptist Chancel Choir * Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen. * Prayer of Dedication
Moment of Wonder * Congregational Hymn 625 All Who Love and Serve Your City...Charlestown Children are invited to go upstairs with their teachers to Sunday School. Sermon The Provocation of All Believers The Reverend Brent Newberry Prayers of the People Choral Orison Collect from the Book of Common Prayer Let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Partnering in Church Life Just as we arrived this morning in faith, so too, we depart to be faithful partners in the work of God. Listen now for opportunities to connect more richly in the life of First Baptist. Departing Grace Pastor: As we depart this safe and sacred space, Congregation: We go in God s unending grace, Pastor: Marching sacred paces to every corner of our community, Congregation: Becoming safe spaces for every need in our city, All: Recognizing the brave faces of every soul in our world. Amen. Benediction Postlude Te Deum from Op. 59, Max Reger (1873-1916) Wesley Hall Who We Are Praying For Betty K.; Marilyn Sibley; Jo, Sydney s Mom; Betty B.; Donna K.; Jess G.; Bette S.; John Torrisi, Ginny Smith If you or a loved one would like to be prayed for, please fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate or prayer box.
Sundays at First Baptist Bibles and Bagels 9 am Worship Service 10 am Fellowship 11 am Adult Forum 11:30 am First Sunday of the Month: Celebration of Communion Wednesdays at 6 pm: Rewind Sermon Discussion Program From the Pastor I don t know if you have any idea how many pews are in the sanctuary, but I ve done a little counting and there are 23 on each side And that math tells me is that there is plenty of room for you in two weeks. On Sunday, October 28th, we re having our annual fall business meeting and following that we have our congregational photograph. We want you to be here because we have our new online church directory and we need a photo for it. And also I ve been saying there are 350 of us who are active, so I think the more we have the better. We need to hear from you. We have this Facebook event so click on that and let us know that you will be able to make it. Or, as an alternative, RSVP to our office at derekh@fbc-worc.org or 508-755-6143. We need to make sure we have enough food. That s the other part of it. Not just the worship service. Not just the business meeting. Not just the photograph. But we also have food. We want to make sure we have enough food! So please come. We d love to see you. October 28th, following worship. We ll see all 350 of you then. Brent ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY Adult Forum Come join Brent and Derek for a Q & A in Gordon Hall after worship and fellowship. Youth Ministry: Making Apple Crisp! Join us for this intergenerationl event after worship to make a delicious dessert for the Mustard Seed! Baby Shower Amy and Nicole, 2:00 pm, Lee Room
Rewind Join us each Wednesday evening as we continue the conversation that was started in the sermon. How do you interpret the Scriptures from Sunday? How can we be brave enough to listen to one another and to speak our truth? Trick-or-Canning at Briarwood FBCWoo Small Groups Below is a list of the Fall Series of Small Groups. Facilitators will be available in Gordon Hall after worship with sign-up sheets and further details! Smorgasbord, Brent Newberry, Monthly Photography, Tom Grisso, Monthly The Book Corner, Lynne Carroll, Monthly All the Cool Things Your Mac Can Do That You Were Never Told, Richard Wolf, Monthly or Bi-Weekly Knitting for the Community, Donna Grisso, Weekly Adventures in Worcester County, Courtney Stevens, Weekly Pups and Pastries, Joseph Zuniga, Weekly Trivia Night, Annika Dixon, Weekly Saturday, October 27, 11 am - 2 pm Please join the youth ministry team for Trick-or-Canning at Briarwood (the senior living Contra Dance center with strong ties to FBC and where several FBC members are Friday, October 26, 7:30-10 pm Gordon Hall Worcester Folk Orchestra, featuring Myra MacLeod, will in residence!). provide music and caller Rich Sbardella will lead the dancers. Kids will come in costume with $5/pp, $10 max/family (of any size), free for college students their parents to Briarwood for (with ID). 11 am. Together we will stroll to some of the cottages asking for canned goods that we will donate to a local food bank. After trick-orcanning, we will head back to the Auditorium in the main building at Briarwood for pizza with some of the FBC members in residence! We are also inviting kids from the Salem Covenant Church, located near Briarwood, to join us! Congregational Photo Sunday, October 28 After Worship Service Please RSVP to fbcyouth@fbcworc.org by October 22nd. Big Y Cards Fall Business Meeting October 28 After Worship The Outreach Team will be collecting Big Y grocery cards for the Interfaith Hospitality House today and next Sunday. Cards will be available from Ann Puffer in amounts of $25, $50, and $100 but donations of any amount will be accepted in Gordon Hall payable by cash or check. These cards will be delivered to IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) on November 1st. Thank you for your generosity and support.
Yes on 3 Join us Tuesday evenings in October, anytime between 6-9 pm as we work with Freedom Massachusetts to make calls in support of Yes on 3--a ballot initiative that protects the rights of trans persons in Massachusetts. Update on FBC Trivia Small Group Do you think you can go head to head with Worcester's best and brightest, know a lot of random facts, or simply enjoy getting food and drink with friends? If so, come join us as we attend various trivia nights around Worcester! Times and locations change weekly, so if you can't make one time, you can always come the next week. Mon, Oct 22 - Wicked Wing Co. at 6:30 PM Tue, Oct 30 - Oak Barrel Tavern at 8 PM Tue, Nov 6 - Antonio's Pizza at 8:30 PM Wed, Nov 14 - British Beer Company at 8 PM Tue, Nov 27 - Wormtown Brewery at 7 PM Interfaith Hospitality House The Outreach Team is looking for volunteers for the Interfaith Hospitality House on June Street from Nov. 4 - Nov. 11. The shifts are 5:30-8:30 pm and 8 pm-6:30 am. Please contact Lyn Stevens, Facilitator of Outreach. Save the Date 10/21 Sun 11:00 am Youth: Apple Crisp Making for the Mustard Seed Kitchen 10/21 Sun 11:30 am Adult Forum: Conversation with Brent Gordon Hall 10/24 Wed 6:00 pm Rewind Sermon Discussion Pastor s Study 10/26 Fri 7:30 pm Contra Dance Gordon Hall 10/27 Sat 11:00 am Youth: Trick or Canning and Pizza Party Briarwood 10/27 Sat 5:30 pm LGBTQ+ Asylum Gala DCU Center 10/28 Sun 11:00 am Fall Business Meeting Sanctuary 10/28 Sun 11:00 am FBC Family Photo Sanctuary 10/30 Tue 12:00 pm 5:00 pm Mustard Seed Meal Preparation Mustard Seed Serving Meals Kitchen and Mustard Seed 10/31 Wed 6:00 pm Rewind Sermon Discussion Pastor s Study 11/2 Fri 7:00 pm All Souls Service Sanctuary 11/7 Wed 6:00 pm Rewind Sermon Discussion Pastor s Study 11/9 Fri 6:00 pm Movie Night The Greatest Showman with Baked Apples Lee Rom 11/11 Sun 10:30 am Making Wheat Sheaves with Lynne Carroll at Sunday School Youth Lounge 11/14 Wed 6:00 pm Rewind Sermon Discussion Pastor s Study 11/18 Sun 11:30 am Parent Meeting with Brent and Youth Ministry Facilitator Youth Lounge 11/25 Sun 11:30 am Youth: Making Gingerbread Cookies for the Mustard Seed Kitchen Attention Knitters! The Mitten Tree is in Gordon Hall. Hang preschool/child size mittens on the tree in October. We will distribute them in November to Head Start. All Souls Service Friday, November 2, 7:00 pm The service of All Souls is a time unlike any other in the church year; It s an evening devoted to the memory of those who have passed. The service will include a litany of the departed from our congregation and an opportunity to light a candle in their memory to the glorious strains of the Faure Requiem. Join us in celebrating the church eternal.
Thanks for Being Here! We are so glad you worshipped with us this morning! Thank you for being here. Each of you matters to us, and we hope to get to know you better. We are a Welcoming & Affirming Church, and a Safe Space for all people. What that means: Who you are, and how you re created is a gift to this world and this faith community, and we celebrate the ways your life gives witness to the way of Christ in both. Maybe it s your race or nationality, your age or vocation, your sexual orientation, your gender identity, your faith background, your political affiliation or personal aspirations, you are celebrated here. You are safe here, to fully be who God has created you to be. And if you would like to partner in ministry with us, we have no doubt that your participation will make us a better faith community. We have weekly opportunities for learning and friendship. Check out our Announcements or subscribe from our website s home page (www.fbc-worc.org) to our weekly e-newsletter on the happenings of our church. Following our services each week, we invite you to join us in Gordon Hall for coffee and refreshments, our treat! If you re new, we d love a chance to get to know you, and if you re a regular, well, you know what to do--make a new friend! Gordon Hall is located through the exit to your right (the pulpit side). All-Gender Restrooms are available in the rear of the sanctuary or to the exit to your right, near Gordon Hall. If you still aren t sure of their location, ask a new friend--they ll be happy to show you the way! Last but not least! We have connection cards. Fill one out and drop it in the offering plate, and our Pastor will be happy to reach out during the week to answer any questions or give you any more information about our great church! Contact Us The First Baptist Church of Worcester 111 Park Avenue, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609 www.fbc-worc.org info@fbc-worc.org Facebook Phone: (508) 755-6143 The Reverend Brent A. Newberry, Pastor Derek Henson, Associate Pastor of Administration & Communication Wesley Harrison Hall, Minister of Music and Arts