JANUARY 12, 2020 | 11AM | BAPTISM OF THE LORD WELCOME TO
GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 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.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE
WESTMINSTER
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar Allegretto from Water Music George F. Handel (1685-1759)
Please let us know you are CALL TO WORSHIP responsive 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.
This American gospel song became popular in England in the late 19th century, then returned to this country in the mid-20th
Carter Hale, Liturgist
In the beginning, at creation, the Spirit hovered over the waters of the deep. In the waters of the flood, God cleansed the earth and humankind. God parted the waters, and Israel crossed from slavery to freedom. Jesus taught us how to live by washing his disciples’ feet. Through the waters of baptism, we are called and claimed. Let us worship God! HYMN 634
To God Be the Glory TRADITIONAL/Descant arr. Metzger
PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison
century with the Billy
God of grace, You claim us as your own,
Graham crusades. Its
but we do not live as children of light.
continuing popularity may
We are selfish and afraid, jealous and greedy.
well be due to the freedom
We want to be comfortable more than we want to be righteous. We forget the power of our baptism and ignore the call to be your disciples. Forgive us for sins, and guide us in a better way. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
from subjective considerations in its praise of God.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE
There Is a Redeemer GREEN
Although the refrain of this piece names all three Persons of the Trinity, the stanzas emphasize references to Jesus Christ under various titles. There is also a shift in tone between the stanzas and the refrain: the former speak about God and the latter speaks to God.
PROCLAIMING THE WORD Children ages three through six years are invited to Wee Worship following the Children’s Sermon. Wee Worship is held in the
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING
Isaiah 42:1-9 Old Testament p. 630
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
children’s classrooms
CHILDREN’S SERMON
located in the hall behind
SECOND READING
the sanctuary, and children may be picked up there following worship.
Matthew 3:13-17 New Testament p. 3
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
This text is a 21st-century metrical paraphrase of the SERMON Apostles’ Creed which nature of Jesus of Nazareth the Trinitarian nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
THANKSGIVING
affirms the historical as the Christ and confirms
Let It Be So Now
HYMN 481 Vs. 1—Choir; Vs. 2,3—All
I Believe in God the Father GENEVAN
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION “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. When we extend our hand to another, we identify
OFFERTORY CHORAL ANTHEM
And the Father Will Dance Mark Hayes
with Jesus, who extended his very life to make peace with humanity.
And the Father will dance over you in joy! He will take delight in whom He loves. Is that a choir I hear, singing the praise of God? No, the Lord God Himself is exulting o’er you in song! And He will joy over you. My soul will make its boast in God, for He has answered all my cries. His faithfulness to me is as sure as the dawn of a new day. Awake my soul! And sing! Let my spirit rejoice in God! Sing, O daughter of Zion, with all of your heart! Cast away fear for you have been restored! Put on the garment of praise as on a festival day. Join with the Father in glorious, jubilant song. God rejoices over you in song!
DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD HUNDREDTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unison God of grace, You bless us with more than we can possibly understand. Use these gifts to bless others so that they may also know your love and care. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
ORDINATION & INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
In the PC(USA), members of the church elect officers to serve as elders and
STATEMENT ON ORDINATION & INSTALLATION ELDER
deacons to lead and serve. Those who have not
John Browning
†
Joy Gardner
†
previously held the office will be ordained, and all will be installed for their
DEACON Kym Carroll John Peebles
Dorothy Morrison
term of service. The
Georgia Schwarzauer
†
George Shorter
congregation promises to pray for them and support
Scott Weldon
their ministry.
Marcia Wyatt
Jim Van Haneghan †
Zach Weaver
† indicates those being ordained.
Sally Ericson will be installed as a deacon at a later date.
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS TO NEW OFFICERS QUESTIONS TO THE CONGREGATION When prompted, the people respond “we do.” WELCOMING OF NEW OFFICERS
SENDING Sending—we are sent out to live the Gospel of the
HYMN 720
Lord Jesus Christ. We
BENEDICTION
further commit, as a congregation, to our
Jesus Calls Us GALILEE
POSTLUDE
Allegro Maestoso from Water Music Handel
mission. Like many hymns that adults have come to cherish, this text based on Jesus’ calling of the disciple
Andrew was written for a 19th-century collection of hymns for children. The popular tune used here was composed for these words more than a quarter of a century later.
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
ASHFORD KETTLER MARGARET VIDMER HUTCHISON GEORGIA SCHWARZAUER KATHERINE OGBURN HARRIETT BOSTER FRANCES FORD JEANNIE SCHOTTGEN
The GSPC and Spring Hill Presbyterian youth groups had an excellent retreat last weekend at Baytreat. Many thanks to Sally Ericson for her efforts in planning and overseeing this fun event.
LECTIONARY FOR JANUARY 19 Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 I Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42
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 to host Family Promise January 26—February 2 Volunteers are needed to facilitate throughout the week. Those interested in volunteering may sign up via gspcmobile.org/familypromise. Please contact Lisa Goodloe or Dan Dealy for other information regarding Family Promise.
THE CHURCH IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY Sponsored by: The Presbytery of South Alabama The Presbytery of Mississippi The Presbyterian Foundation This event is for ALL interested leaders and potential leaders in our congregations
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020 GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mobile, Alabama
TOD BOLSINGER, KEYNOTE SPEAKER Author of the book, Canoeing the Mountains. Tod Bolsinger is the Vice-President & Chief of Leadership Formation, and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary.
The Sanctuary Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of: Dr. & Mrs. T.O. Middleton by their daughters: Barbara Haas, Mary Knox McMuprhy, and Margaret Brown. 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 BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11:00a SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship
MONDAY, JANUARY 13 TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 7:00a Men’s Bible Study | Home of Rudy Nordmann 7:45a Women’s Bible Study | Home of Ann Adams 10:00a Women’s Bible Study | Frist Room 1:00p PW Coordinating Cmt | Library 5:30p Urban Ministries Cmt | Library
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 6:00p Handbell Rehearsal | Sanctuary 6:00p Men’s Disciple Class | Library 7:00p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
The church office will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of the federal holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship