GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mobile, Alabama Sunday, March 1, 2020 | 11AM FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT HOLY COMMUNION
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.
Addressing the first two stanzas to the singers of the hymn and the last three to God, this free paraphrase of Psalm 104 recasts the psalmist’s imagery with baroque verve. Though it was first published in England, the tune has been more popular in North America than there.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS Albin Whitworth (b. 1937)
CALL TO WORSHIP
Georgia Schwarzauer, Liturgist
People of God, on this wilderness journey, what will you eat? The word of the Lord is our daily bread. People of God, in this time of temptation, how will you live? Our faith is in the faithfulness of God. People of God, at this kingdom crossroad, whom will you serve? We worship the Lord our God alone. HYMN 41
O WORSHIP THE KING, ALL GLORIOUS ABOVE! LYONS
PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison Lord God, you know the things that tempt us and the things that give us life. You know our vulnerabilities and our sin. We confess that we have disobeyed your word, denying your providence and care and relying on our own cleverness. Silence is kept for silent prayers of confession. (cont’d next page)
Have mercy on us, we pray. Cover us with your grace, feed us with the bread of life, and re-create us in your image. Through Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE | HYMN 434
RESTORE IN US, O GOD BAYLOR
PROCLAIMING THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING
GENESIS 2:15-17, 3:1-7 Old Testament p. 2
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. CHILDREN’S SERMON MUSICAL REFLECTION Like many of this author’s SECOND READING MATTHEW 4:1-11 hymns, this text was New Testament p. 3 written primarily for The Word of the Lord. children but works equally Thanks be to God. well in reminding adults SERMON Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar how Lent connects us with Christ’s temptation in Temptation in the Wilderness the wilderness and THANKSGIVING prepares us for Easter. The 16th-century English HYMN 166 LORD, WHO THROUGHOUT THESE FORTY DAYS psalm tune provides ST. FLAVIAN sturdy support.
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 “A Brief Statement of Faith” from the Book of Confessions.
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. 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.
THE PEACE “Peace be with you” is a The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. greeting Jesus himself And also with you. used with his disciples. The gesture is simple, but OFFERTORY the meaning is profound. CHORAL ANTHEM I WANT JESUS TO WALK WITH ME When we extend our hand Dr. Terry Hazzard, Baritone arr. Joel Raney to another, we identify with Jesus, who extended I want Jesus to walk with me; his very life to make all along my pilgrim journey, peace with humanity. Rooted in Scripture, this I want Jesus to walk with me. gesture embodies our Walk with me, Lord, please walk with me. identity as peacemakers, In my trials, Lord, please walk with me. and trains our hearts, hands, and tongues in the When the shades of life are falling, ways of peace.
I want Jesus to walk with me.
Sweetly, Lord, have we heard thee calling, “Come, follow me!” And we see where thy footprints falling, lead us to thee. Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow; we will follow the steps of Jesus where-e’er they go. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING We give you thanks and praise, O God, for the free and abundant gift of grace you have given to us in Jesus Christ. Let the simple gifts of our lives be a sign of our unending gratitude for your undying love, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION 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 COMMUNION MEDITATION PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION This hymn created by a noted Presbyterian hymnal editor and scholar HYMN 159 employs place names and BENEDICTION sensory images (light, fragrance, wind) to sketch POSTLUDE the events of Christ’s life. The tune name commemorates the village in Sussex where the arrange first heard the traditional melody.
SENDING O SING A SONG OF BETHLEHEM KINGSFOLD
FUGUE IN G MINOR J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
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 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 JOHN OTTS KYM CARROLL BONNIE MOBLEY BETH MAJURE
Family Promise will be hosted by GSPC March 29—April 5. Please visit gspcmobile.org/ familypromise to volunteer. Contact Lisa Goodloe for more information. The 31st Annual American Cancer Society Chili cook-off will be held on Saturday, March 7, 11AM-3PM at Mardi Gras Park. GSPC is sponsoring a booth and tickets ($10 each) will be available through the church office beginning Wednesday, March 4. For more information, or if you are interested in participating, please contact John Browning.
The Sanctuary Flowers and silver vessel are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of S.P. Crockett, by his wife, Charlotte. 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 DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton ARTHUR LEWIS Sexton
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11:00a SUNDAY, MARCH 1 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:15a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship MONDAY, MARCH 2 TUESDAY, MARCH 3 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 12:00p Lenten Communion Service 6:00p Men’s Disciple Class Bible Study | Library Handbell Rehearsal 7:00p Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY, MARCH 5 FRIDAY, MARCH 6 SATURDAY, MARCH 7 11:00a
Chili Cook-off | Mardi Gras Park
SUNDAY, MARCH 8 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship