Sunday Bulletin | January 19, 2020

JANUARY 19, 2020 | 11AM | SECOND 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.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

WESTMINSTER

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

 indicates an invitation to PRELUDE 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.

When finished, please pass the book toward the center aisles so we may call each other by name.

Echoing imagery from Isaiah 61:1-2 and other passages, this text was created as an inclusivelanguage alternative to an older hymn using this late 19th-century tune. Because it is a song of encouragement rather than a song of praise, it is not directed to God but to people.

Largo from Xerxes George F. Handel (1685-1759)

 CALL TO WORSHIP responsive

Jeanie Lindsey, Liturgist

Sing a new song to the Lord!

Sing a song of thanks and praise.

God has done wondrous things.

God is great beyond compare!

Let us worship God!  HYMN 744

Arise, Your Light Is Come!

FESTAL SONG

PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison Almighty God, we confess that we have not been faithful to you in our thoughts and actions.

We have been selfish in our desires and quarrelsome in our relationships.

We have allowed fear to divide us from those who seem different.

We have let distrust separate us from our brothers and sisters.

Shine your light into our lives, and save us from our divisive ways.

Unite us in the same mind as Jesus Christ, who dwells with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect harmony.

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 Sermon.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Wee Worship is held in the FIRST READING children’s classrooms located in the hall behind

Old Testament p. 638

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

the sanctuary, and children

may be picked up there

Isaiah 49:1-11

CHILDREN’S SERMON

following worship.

Written as a meditation on Lamentations 3:22-23, this text is one of the few

SECOND READING

New Testament p. 86

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

hymns among the 1200 poems by this Methodist writer and pastor that has

SERMON

What Are You Looking For?

gained much currency. The

these words, and the pairing has proved enduring.

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

THANKSGIVING

tune that appears here was composed especially for

John 1:29-42

 HYMN 39

Great Is Thy Faithfulness FAITHFULNESS

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.

 AFFIRMATION OF FAITH unison 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.

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

“Peace be with you” is a greeting Jesus himself used

 THE PEACE The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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.

And also with you.

OFFERTORY

CHORAL ANTHEM

Lamb of God

Twila Paris; arr. Lloyd Larson

Your only Son, no sin to hide, but you have sent him from your side to walk upon this guilty sod and to become the Lamb of God. Your gift of love they crucified; they laughed and scorned him as he died; the humble King they named a fraud; and sacrificed the Lamb of God. O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God; I love the holy Lamb of God. O wash me in his precious blood.

My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. I was so lost I should have died, but you have brought me to your side to be led by your staff and rod, and to be called a lamb of God. Till I am just a lamb of God. Sending—we are sent out

 DOXOLOGY

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD HUNDREDTH

to live the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We

further commit, as a congregation, to our mission.

This gospel song, like much

 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unison Thank you, God, for the ways you love us and bless us.

Use these offerings to bless others and to work for justice, peace, and freedom for all.

In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

hymnody, sprang out of

SENDING

the author’s deep personal loss (the death of his wife and newborn son), yet it has brought solace to many. He thought his fingers were playing new music, but they unlocked a deep memory of a tune almost a century old.

 HYMN 834

Precious Lord, Take My Hand TRADITIONAL

 BENEDICTION POSTLUDE

Fanfare J. Lemmens (1823-1881)

Those Serving Today: USHER SUNDAY ASSISTANTS WEE WORSHIP NURSERY

BRENT ERICSON JOHN PEEBLES GEORGE OSWALT LISA GOODLOE SADIE WELDON JADA PHARR SAGE ARNOLD

THIS AFTERNOON . . .

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, join Pastor Rebekah for a viewing of the movie Just Mercy this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the AMC Classic Jubilee Square 12 Theater in Daphne. We will have a short discussion at Starbucks following the film.

LECTIONARY FOR JANUARY 26 Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1-9 I Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23

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.

This event was rescheduled due to inclement weather. All those desiring to participate should visit the website to sign up, including those who signed up for the previous date. The address and further information will be provided to those volunteering by e-mail the week of the scheduled build.

For questions or other information, please contact Lisa Goodloe at lgoodloe@comcast.net.

Thank you!

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. Theo Middleton by their daughters: Barbara Haas, Mary Knox McMurphy, and Margaret Brown.

(Retraction from January 12, 2020) 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 19 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship The church office will be closed on

MONDAY, JANUARY 20 Monday, January 20 in observance Federal Holiday: MLK, Jr. day of the federal holiday, Church Office closed Martin Luther King, Jr. day.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21 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 5:30p Session & Diaconate Meeting WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 6:00p Men’s Disciple Class | Library 6:00p Handbell Rehearsal | Sanctuary 7:00p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 7:30a

Habitat for Humanity Build Day

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship