GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mobile, Alabama Sunday, February 23, 2020 | 10AM TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
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
ADAGIO C. Sweich
CALL TO WORSHIP
Sally Pearsall, Liturgist
This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Thank you, God, for this day. Thank you, God, for this breath. Thank you, God, for gathering us in. Thank you, God, for sending us out. Let us worship God together. HYMN 12
IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE
The opening line of this hymn was inspired by the PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison three divine attributes listed in 1 Timothy 1:17 Almighty God, you are a lamp to our feet (KJV), and it continues by and a light to our path, considering how God’s life yet we refuse to follow your guidance. exceeds our own finite Forgive us, heal us, and lead us on, existence. The text is well so that we can walk in your ways set to a Welsh melody and be happy in your refuge; shaped by many threenote units. in Jesus our Christ we pray.
Amen.
ST. DENIO
ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE
THERE IS A REDEEMER GREEN
PROCLAIMING THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING
EXODUS 24:12-18 Old Testament p. 68
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SECOND READING
MATTHEW 17:1-9 New Testament p. 17
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. These stanzas are selected SERMON from at 20th-century
dating to the 10th century or before. They are set to an Irish folk melody that has proved popular and easily sung despite its lack of repetition and its wide range.
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
THANKSGIVING
English poetic version of an Irish monastic prayer
Shining
ď ˜ HYMN 450
BE THOU MY VISION SLANE
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 ORGAN VOLUNTARY
LARGO IN A MAJOR Fr. Walczynski
DOXOLOGY
PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW OLD HUNDREDTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unison This text placing God of all, we add our gifts to the work of your kingdom. stewardship in the context We pray that these offerings will be transformed into your of faithful witness was presence in the world in ways we cannot imagine. written by a retired Through Christ we pray, Amen. Presbyterian minister to be part of the 1986 SENDING stewardship campaign titled “Called to be HYMN 757 TODAY WE ALL ARE CALLED TO BE DISCIPLES Disciples.” The tune name KINGSFOLD recalls the Sussex village BENEDICTION where the arranger first heard the melody.
POSTLUDE
POSTLUDE MOSSO
J. Bernards
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
ASHFORD KETTLER SALLY & BRENT ERICSON
LECTIONARY FOR MARCH 1 Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11
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.
Many thanks to Stephen Prager for serving as guest organist today.
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.
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
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11:00a SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Joe Cain Day 10:00a Worship MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Church Office Closed TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Church Office Closed
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 11:00a Choir Rehearsal 11:30a Organ Prelude 12:00p Ash Wednesday Service *There are no evening rehearsals tonight.
SALLY ERICSON Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator sally@gspcmobile.org
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
KATY PARTRIDGE Office & Property Manager katy@gspcmobile.org
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29
DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton ARTHUR LEWIS Sexton
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
SUNDAY, MARCH 1 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee 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.