GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mobile, Alabama Sunday, February 16, 2020 | 11AM THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
GATHERING Please silence all cellular devices for the duration of CHIMING OF THE HOUR the service. indicates an invitation to stand as you are able. Please let us know you are here today by signing the Welcome Book located in the center of each pew.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
PRELUDE LET ALL THINGS NOW LIVING Sacred Tones Handbell Choir arr. Cathy Moklebust CALL TO WORSHIP
Jarrett Callaway, Liturgist
Happy are those who walk in the way of the Lord. Happy are those who seek God with their whole hearts. We will not forget your word, O Lord. We will praise you with an upright heart.
With minimal revision this HYMN 32 I SING THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD text brings together six of CWM RHONDDA the eight four-line stanzas PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison in an 18th-century hymn Holy God, we confess that we have written for children and originally headed “Praise turned our hearts away from you. for Creation and We have fulfilled the letter of the law Providence.” The but not the spirit of your law. anonymous German tune We have strayed from your intentions for us provides a fitting sense of and have ignored your call for us to repent. breadth and wonder.
Forgive us, God, and show us the path back to holiness. Mend what is broken that we may be one with you. Through Christ we pray, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE
THERE IS A REDEEMER GREEN
Children ages three through six years are invited to Wee Worship following the Children’s Sermon.
PROCLAIMING THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING
Wee Worship is held in the children’s classrooms The Word of the Lord. located in the hall behind Thanks be to God. the sanctuary, and children may be picked up CHILDREN’S SERMON there following worship.
DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20 Old Testament p. 179
MUSICAL REFLECTION
This hymn of consecration radiates from the repeated word “take,” resulting in a remarkably full survey of a person’s attributes and
SECOND READING
SERMON
renewal of Reformed hymnody in French.
You Have Heard
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
THANKSGIVING
weight to the “all” at the tune was influential in the
New Testament p. 4
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
possessions and giving end. The composer of the
MATTHEW 5:21-37
HYMN 697
TAKE MY LIFE HENDON
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH unison Confessions and creeds are some of the oldest means of declaring the church’s foundational beliefs. They remind us that we belong to the One who has been raised from the dead and who raises us to new life in the Spirit. For today’s Affirmation of Faith, we use one of the earliest confessions of the church known as The Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
GLORIA | HYMN 581
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER GLORIA PATRI
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
“Peace be with you” is a greeting Jesus himself used with his disciples. The gesture is simple, but the meaning is profound. When we extend our hand to another, we identify with Jesus, who extended his very life to make peace with humanity. Rooted in Scripture, this gesture embodies our identity as peacemakers, and trains our hearts, hands, and tongues in the ways of peace.
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. THE PEACE
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. OFFERTORY CHORAL ANTHEM
MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
Prayer of St. Francis | Hymn 753 DOXOLOGY
Temple; Martin Neary
PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW OLD HUNDREDTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unison This text comes from an eighteen-stanza hymn the Holy God, thank you for our many blessings. author wrote to mark the Use these gifts to sow peace, spread grace, and create justice. first anniversary of his lifeHelp us to be your faithful servants in all we do. changing conversion In Jesus’ name, Amen. experience. It is now customarily the first hymn SENDING in Methodist hymnals worldwide. This tune, HYMN 610 O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING CRUCIFER adapted from a German composer, is the usual BENEDICTION North American setting. POSTLUDE
FIAT LUX (LET THERE BE LIGHT) Theodore Dubois; arr. Bish
GSPC’s MISSION WE ARE CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO GLORIFY GOD, SO THAT ALL MAY BECOME JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.
Those Serving Today: USHER SUNDAY ASSISTANTS WEE WORSHIP NURSERY
BRENT ERICSON MARGARET VIDMER HUTCHISON GEORGIA SCHWARZAUER ASHLEY OSWALT CHARLOTTE CROCKETT BLIGH JONES
LECTIONARY FOR FEBRUARY 23 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 I Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37
Welcome to Government Street! Childcare is available in the nursery for infants to three-years-old. New members are welcomed by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or transfer of membership. Please speak with the minister for further information.
Joe Cain Day Travel Passes are now available in the Government and Jackson Street foyers for those desiring to attend the 10 a.m. worship service on February 23.
PW in Full Bloom
2020 SPRING GATHERING SATURDAY, MARCH 28 First Presbyterian Church, Bay Minette, AL Registration forms now available at gspcmobile.org/ Presbyterian-women or in the church office.
The Sanctuary Flowers are given to the glory of God and in memory of Gloria Crichton McGehee, by Tom and Celia McGehee. 300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org Member PC(USA)
Staff REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR Pastor & Head of Staff rebekah@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist Communications tommy@gspcmobile.org SAMANTHA ANSELMO Director of Children’s Choirs SALLY ERICSON Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator sally@gspcmobile.org
KATY PARTRIDGE Office & Property Manager katy@gspcmobile.org
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11:00a SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship 5:30p Dinner & Parade | Fellowship Hall 6:30p Neptune’s Daughters parade
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 7:00a Men’s Bible Study | Home of Rudy Nordmann 8:00a Women’s Bible Study | Home of Ann Adams 10:00a Bible Study | Frist Room 5:30p Session Meeting | Central Presbyterian WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 6:00p Men’s Disciple Class | Library 6:00p Handbell Rehearsal | Sanctuary 7:00p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton ARTHUR LEWIS Sexton
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Joe Cain Sunday—Travel pass needed 10:00a Worship The church office will be closed for the Mardi Gras holiday on Monday and Tuesday, February 24 and 25. Normal office hours will resume on Wednesday, February 26, with the Ash Wednesday service at 12pm.