First Baptist Church of Birmingham, Michigan
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March 7, 2010 @ 10:30 am
Welcome to Worship at
March 7, 2010
The Third Sunday in Lent
Welcome to Worship at
Today we continue through the Season of Lent.
In worship we offer praise and thanksgiving to God, hear the Scriptures, take time for confession and intercession in prayer, seek inspiration through music and the proclamation of God’s word, and respond by giving our gifts to support the mission of God in the world around us.
Hymns, songs, anthems, scriptures, and the message are selected to provide continuity to the service theme for the day and to draw us closer to God.
Today we will share in the service of communion. In worship we offer praise and thanksgiving to God, hear the Scriptures, take time for confession and intercession in prayer, seek inspiration through music and the proclamation of God’s word, and respond by giving our gifts to support the mission of God in the world around us.
Our worship leader is Glenn Craig and our Scripture reader is Patricia Washburn.
Elementary school aged children (K-5) are invited to attend a Learning Community class and are dismissed at the designated time in worship. A nursery is provided for infants and toddlers. An usher will assist in locating the nursery.
We ask that all who attend to fill out a registration card and place it in the offering plate when it is passed so that we know of your attendance today.
Enter to Worship
Prelude: “I Call to Thee” (Zachu) – Jack E. Ellis
Choral Call to Worship: “Jesus Walked The
Call to Worship:
Leader: God will surprise us with kindness. Our lives will be carried beyond the horizons of human mercy and enriched with overflowing love. Pause, turn around on the Lenten road and see a new reality. On this road we may find in faith the free gifts of God through Christ. Then, in celebration, we will refresh the world, with generosity beyond the commonplace.
Opening Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #60
Opening Prayer
Leader: Invite us to the banquet of new life flowing from your generous heart, O God. Help us to receive the love which is spread across the table of life and into which we are gathered this day. Call to our hearts in invitation. Take our hands now, we pray, and lead us toward your gifts. Amen.
Further On The Journey Through Lent
Prayer of Confession:
Leader: Hospitable God, you invite us again and again to the table of abundant feasting in your love, but we seem immune to the aromas of your lovingly prepared bounty. We choose instead to be satiated for the moment – but never satisfied for long – by empty, easy offerings around us.
People: We so often settle into the comfort of convenience, failing to notice that our lives have run dry.
Leader: Sometimes we deprive our lives with guilt, reducing the dimensions of your mercy to our own.
People: As we pause to know who we are, O God, bring to us the echoes of your gentle words down the ages, we pray.
Words of Assurance:
Leader: God has set a glorious table laden with abundant pardon and forgiveness, calling us to receive it and live once again.
Leader: Taste now the peace that lies within grace. Drink to the full all that God offers to us. Let us lift up our hearts in thankfulness.
People: Thanks be to God.
(silent reflection)
Response: “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” #34, Vs. 1 & Refrain
“Rejoice, ye pure in heart, rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
your festal banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King.
Rejoice, Rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing!”
Celebrations and Concerns/Invitations to Involvement
A Moment for
A Moment for Children
(Children up through fourth grade may now leave for Children’s Church.)
The First Lesson: Isaiah 55:1-9
- The Old Testament, Page 685
The Second Lesson: I Corinthians 10:1-13
- The New Testament, Page 172
The Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings
Offertory: “Yet Will I Sing” (Smith) – Chancel Choir
*Offertory Response: (Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange)
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia”
*Offertory Prayer
(Please stand for the reading of the Gospel.)
The Gospel
– The New Testament, Page 76
Sermon: “Divine Generosity” - Rev. J. Wesley Babian
Right Hand of Fellowship
*Reading of the Church Covenant
Communion Offering
Offertory: “Amazing Grace” (arr. Janzen)
(Today’s communion offering goes in support of
America For Christ, an annual ABC offering.)
The Celebration of Communion
(The congregation is invited to join with the choir
in the singing of these hymns while the elements are distributed.)
A Prayer of Blessing for the Bread
Distribution of the Bread
Music for the Bread: “Safe in the Shadow of the Lord” #513
A Prayer of Blessing for the Cup
Distribution of the Cup
Music for the Cup: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” #213
Closing Hymn: “Blest Be The Tie That Binds” #708
“Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds is like that above.”
Benediction:
Postlude: “Voluntary” (Thompson)
* Please Stand.
The chancel flowers today are given in loving memory of Clara Alabaugh by her cousin, Nancy Henderson.
Depart to Serve
Pastor: J. Wesley Babian; Director of Music: Jack E. Ellis, M.Music
Sound: Scott Ritchie & Collin Trask & Will Olsen; Deacon Greeter: Jackie Earhardt
Scripture Reader: Pat Washburn ; Worship Leader: Glenn Craig
Ushers: David Drake, Harriet Stewart, Glenn Craig, Jim Poe, Robert Washburn,
Leona Frost, Henry Nabors
E-Mail: firstbaptistbirm@sbcglobal.net / Website: firstbaptistbirmingham.org
Invitations to Involvement
The new Friendship House newsletter has been posted in the
News from international missionaries Katherine and Wayne Niles concerning Haiti is posted next to the church office.
Contributions can be made to the church designated for: 'Haiti Relief'. These contributions will be forwarded through the One Great Hour of Sharing to support those who have suffered in the tragic earthquakes of this week.
Flower Calendar: There are many Sundays available for congregation members to purchase flowers for the year 2010. Please sign up in the
Pastor Babian’s weekly Bible Studies continue. All are welcome to attend these Tuesday morning or Thursday evening gatherings.
All are welcome to join the FBCB Downtown Readers Group for learning and fellowship! We meet every other Friday at 12:30PM at Borders Bookstore. We are starting a new book at our next meeting! A perfect time to join us! All welcome!
Learning Community continues as Jim Poe will lead us in the Christian Forum class that meets in the Bramblett Room and Pastor Babian will offer his Sunday morning study in the Parlor. All are encouraged to participate in learning opportunities at church.
The Parlor Class will be reading and discussing the book “Reaching Out” by Henri Nouwen. Copies are available in the Parlor.
All children and youth are welcome to Learning Community classes.
The Global Gift Shop is open today after services. New merchandise is delivered often! The shop is a mission of economical re-distribution for third world artisans.
Special Concert: We are planning a special concert in April to help raise funds for Haitian Relief. Save the date April 25. Minimum admission fee is $20.
All are welcome to join a FBCB group on Wednesdays at 8AM at The Avenue Restaurant on
A B Women’s Event: July 10-15, 2010,
Educational Ministries Team will meet on March 11 at 11:30AM.
Thank you to everyone who donated supplies for the Friendship House Birthday Party Kits. Your commitment is very much appreciated!
B’Jazz Vespers
March 21, 2010 ~ 6 to 8PM
“Jazz Gospel: SWINGING the PRAISE with the Paul Keller Jazz Quartet”
* Paul Keller, bass * Steve Richko, piano
* Sean Dobbins, drums * Ben Jansson, saxes
Bringing together Jazz, Gospel Spirituals & Hymns
The Week Ahead:
Third Sunday in Lent, March 7, 2010
Worship Service – 10:30 a.m., Children’s Learning Community – during Worship time after being dismissed from the service
Tuesday, March 9, 10AM Bible Study, call the church office for location.
Wednesday, March 10, Bell Choir meets at 6:30PM and Chancel Choir meets at 7:30PM
Thursday, March 11, Ed. Min. Team meets at 11:30AM, 7PM Bible Study at the home of Hazel Boltwood.