FEBRUARY 2, 2020 | 11AM FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY WELCOME TO
GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GATHERING
Please silence all cellular devices for the duration of CHIMING OF THE HOUR the service.
WESTMINSTER
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
indicates an invitation to PRELUDE
RIGAUDON André Campra (1660-1744)
stand as you are able.
CALL TO WORSHIP responsive Please let us know you are here today by signing the Welcome Book located in the center of each pew. When finished, please pass the book toward the center aisles so we may call each other by name.
The differing voices of this text indicate that its parts were not created together. The stanzas are cast in the voice of a preacher or exhorter, but the refrain (added later) takes the
voice of a penitent heeding that call in language like that of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:18).
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
BUZZY RIIS, Liturgist
God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. We proclaim Christ crucified. To those who are called, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom. And God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. We seek God’s wisdom and pray for Christ’s strength as we gather to worship God. HYMN 415
COME, YE SINNERS, POOR AND NEEDY RESTORATION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison Holy God, we have followed our own wisdom and trusted our own strength. We claim to walk humbly with you, but we continue to ignore our Savior’s example. We have done what is easy instead of what is right. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to seek justice and to love kindness. Strengthen us to live in the way of your wisdom and peace. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE
THERE IS A REDEEMER GREEN
Children ages three through six years are
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
invited to Wee Worship following the Children’s
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Sermon.
FIRST READING
Wee Worship is held in the children’s classrooms located in the hall behind
Micah 6:6-8 Old Testament p. 816
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
the sanctuary, and children CHILDREN’S SERMON may be picked up there following worship. This praise song can be understood as a sung version of the first part of
SECOND READING
Matthew 5:1-12 New Testament p. 4
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON
Blessed
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
the answer to the first question of the
THANKSGIVING
Westminster Catechism:
that a human being’s “chief end is to glorify God.” Numerous related Scriptures can be cited, including 1Corinthians 6:20 and 10:31.
HYMN 468
IN MY LIFE LORD, BE GLORIFIED
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH unison Confessions define what we as a community believe, affirming our beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and about humanity, the church and the world. The Apostles’
Creed affirms the historical nature of Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ and confirms the Trinitarian nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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 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.
“Peace be with you” is a greeting Jesus himself used with his disciples. The
THE PEACE The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.
gesture is simple, but the meaning is profound.
OFFERTORY
When we extend our hand
CHORAL ANTHEM
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.
OFFERTORY
Based on Micah 6:6-8
John Ness Beck
With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, shall I come before Him yearling calves? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give Him my firstborn for my transgressions, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man; He has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? DOXOLOGY
PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW OLD HUNDREDTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unison Thank you, God, for all you have given us. Please use this offering to show your love in a hurting world. Use us to serve as your hands and feet as we pursue justice and kindness. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION The Sacraments are the Word of God enacted and sealed in the life of the Church, the body of Christ. When we gather at the Lord's Supper, the Spirit draws us into Christ's
presence and unites us with the Church in every time and place. We join with the faithful in heaven and on earth in offering
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING responsive The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. BREAKING OF THE BREAD COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE
thanksgiving to the triune
COMMUNION MEDITATION
God. -From the PC(USA) Directory of Worship
Pie Jesu was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber as a way to cope with and express his grief following
PIE JESU
Samantha Anselmo, Soprano Monica Webb, Treble
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Merciful Jesus, Father, who takes away the sins of the world Grant them rest, Lamb of God; everlasting rest. BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF LIFE arr. Watts
two separate tragedies. When he finished his
Requiem, Webber dedicated it to his father who passed away in 1982. Webber’s Requiem is his most personal composition, and his only fully completed classical work. The requiem is a
striking, yet welcome, departure from the style of music for which Lloyd Webber is known.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION | HYMN 501
FEED US, LORD
SENDING HYMN 804
REJOICE, YE PURE IN HEART! MARION
These stanzas are drawn from a much longer hymn created for the processional at an English choir festival in
BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
GRAND CHOEUR DIALOGUE Théodore Dubois (1837-1924)
1865. The original text lacked the refrain that gives the hymn so much of its energy and interest. That feature
GSPC’s MISSION
was added by the composer of this tune in 1883.
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 DEWEY PARSONS SALLYE IRVINE BLANCHE PARSONS KELLEEN WALKER MISSY JONES
LECTIONARY FOR FEBRUARY 9 Isaiah 58:1-9a Psalm 112:1-9 I Corinthians 2:1-12 Matthew 5:13-20
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.
GSPC’S ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held on Sunday, February 9 in the Sanctuary, following worship, for the purpose of: • • • •
Receiving the Annual Report of the Congregation, including 2020 budget; Approving pastoral Terms of Call; Electing trustees; Approving by-laws for establishing a quorum and required notice of congregational meetings.
Rev. Lamar will be out of town for continuing education until Thursday morning. Please contact the church office for pastoral needs.
The USA Trumpet Ensemble, featuring 12 trumpets, joins the Sanctuary Choir in worship next Sunday, February 9. Pre-service music will begin at 10:50 a.m.
FAMILY PROMISE VOLUNTEERS
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.
Harriett Boster Ed and Abbie Bowron Ted and Linda Burke Casi, Jarrett, and Coleman Callaway Charlotte Crockett Dan Dealy Lisa deShazo Brent and Sally Ericson Lisa Goodloe Gail Headrick Guy Helmsing John and Susan Holler Babs Jacobelli Bligh Jones
Missy Jones Rebekah Abel Lamar Susan Miller Brian Naylor Molly Nordmann Hunter Oswalt Dewey and Blanche Parsons Sally and David Pearsall John and Allison Peebles Bo and Mary Elizabeth Perry Linda Reynolds Ruth Schmohl Laura Seymour Georgia Schwarzauer Sandy Thomason
The Sanctuary Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Dr. & Mrs. C.S. Fontaine, Charles Fontaine, and Margaret Fontaine, by Mr. & Mrs. J.T. Watson and family. 300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org
Staff REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR Pastor & Head of Staff rebekah@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist Communications tommy@gspcmobile.org SALLY ERICSON Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator sally@gspcmobile.org KATY PARTRIDGE Office & Property Manager katy@gspcmobile.org
DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11:00a
Rev. Lamar will be out of town for continuing education until Thursday morning. Please contact the church office for pastoral needs. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 7:00a Men’s Bible Study | Home of Rudy Nordmann 7:45a Women’s Bible Study | Home of Ann Adams 10:00a Bible Study | Frist Room
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 6:00p Men’s Disciple Class | Library 6:00p Handbell Rehearsal | Sanctuary 7:00p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room
BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6
SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
MARILYN MILLS Sexton
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship | USA Trumpet Ensemble Wee Worship 12:00p Annual Congregational Meeting