GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mobile, Alabama Sunday, March 15, 2020 | 11AM THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Image: Pouring Out by Hannah Garrity (see p. 5)
GATHERING CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Please silence all cellular WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar devices for the duration of PRELUDE DANCE OF THE BLESSED SPIRITS the service.
Ann Adams, Pianist
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.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Christoph Gluck (1714-1787)
Michon Trent, Liturgist
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Come, let us worship the Lord. Let us serve the one who saves us from our sins. HYMN 81
GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN
AUSTRIAN HYMN Hymn 81—The Nazi appropriation of this tune PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison for propaganda purposes Lord, you know who we are. has clouded a noble piece You know everything we have done. of music first associated We thirst for things that will never satisfy us. with this text in 1889. In a We commit ourselves to things that will never last. 1779 collection, the We worship things that will never bring salvation. author indicated that this Silence is observed for silent prayers of confession. hymn is primarily based on Isaiah 33:20-21 with Forgive us, we pray. allusions to several other Give us your living water so that we may never be thirsty again. passages.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Throughout the season of RESPONSE | HYMN 434 Lent, our church is exploring the theme of "Wilderness." Physical, spiritual, and emotional wildernesses are a part of our journey of faith. In this season of repentance and reflection, we consider how God is present in the wilderness. Today we PROCLAIMING focus on God's promises to us in times of PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION uncertainty.
FIRST READING
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
RESTORE IN US, O GOD BAYLOR
THE WORD EXODUS 17:1-7 Old Testament p. 61
CHILDREN’S SERMON SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM PENELOPE JAMES BICKERT | WILDER ROBERT BICKERT Daughter and Son of Jordan & Perrin (Tamblyn) Bickert Grandchildren of James & LeAnne Tamblyn Great-grandchildren of Abbie Tamblyn
BAPTISM HYMN
CHILD OF BLESSING, CHILD OF PROMISE
SECOND READING
JOHN 4:5-42 New Testament p. 89
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar Water in the Wilderness
THANKSGIVING HYMN 475
COME, THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
Hymn 475—Written for NETTLETON Pentecost by a British Baptist pastor, this text is AFFIRMATION OF FAITH unison full of biblical terms like In life and in death we belong to God. “Ebenezer” (1 Samuel Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 7:12), Hebrew for “a the love of God, stone of help” set up to and the communion of the Holy Spirit, give thanks for God’s assistance. The tune we trust in the one triune God, name honors hymnal the Holy One of Israel, compiler Asahel Nettleton, whom alone we worship and serve. who probably did not We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. compose it.
Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: 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.
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. GRACE ALONE When we extend our hand CHORAL ANTHEM S.W. Brown & Jeff Nelson; arr. Fettke to another, we identify Every promise we can make, with Jesus, who extended every prayer and step of faith; his very life to make every difference we will make peace with humanity. Rooted in Scripture, this is only by His grace. gesture embodies our Every mountain we will climb, identity as peacemakers, every ray of hope we shine; and trains our hearts, every blessing left behind hands, and tongues in the is only by His grace. ways of peace.
Grace alone which God supplies; strength unknown He will provide, Christ in us, our Cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone. Every soul we long to reach, every heart we hope to teach; everywhere we share His peace is only by His grace.
Every loving word we say, every tear we wipe away; every sorrow turned to praise is only by His grace. Amazing grace. DOXOLOGY | HYMN 607
PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW OLD HUNDREDTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Lord, you are our God. We are the sheep of your pasture and the sheep of your hand. You have given us what we need, now bless us to be the people you need to serve this world you love. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
SENDING HYMN 623
I’VE GOT PEACE LIKE A RIVER
TRADITIONAL Hymn 623—In the King James Version, the BENEDICTION promise of “peace like a POSTLUDE FUGUE IN G MINOR river” is twice mentioned J.S. Bach (1685-1750) in Isaiah (48:18; 66:12) as a blessing that comes from doing God’s will. The water imagery of this African American spiritual also provides reminders of Childcare is available in the nursery for Christians’ baptismal infants to three-years-old. identity.
Welcome to Government Street!
New members are welcomed by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or transfer of membership. Please speak with the minister for further information.
—“Pouring Out”— Inspired by Exodus 17:1-7 Artist’s Statement on Cover Image It is in the wilderness that we question God. Is God among us? Is God here? Are you there, God? It’s me, calling out to you. In this text, God proves her presence by telling Moses to strike water from a rock with the same staff he used to strike the Nile. As the leaders of Israel see the water, they see the love of a parent, of God’s love for her children. When a son questions, pushes back, and complains desperately, his mother makes sure his basic needs are met. A father can see through his daughter’s struggle, deeper into her patterns, her hopes and dreams, further into her future. A daughter’s father acts to sustain her, to guide her. In our wilderness moments, love is relief. It is like a flowing out of pain. Kindness, love, and care all combine to wash over us, to embrace us. Particularly in our travels through emotional and social wilderness, we meet with God in the most unexpected and painful spaces. In this image, I envisioned the water that God sends to the Israelites. Water comes in many forms, pouring out, flowing in, washing over. The Holy Spirit flows. She is like water in many forms—pouring out, flowing in, washing over. — Hannah Garrity, Artist
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
BRENT ERICSON LINDA REYNOLDS JARRETT CALLAWAY SUSAN ASHBEE MARCIA WYATT
The Children’s Choirs will sing in worship next Sunday. Please make every effort to be on time at 9:30 a.m. for rehearsal. 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 Sanctuary Flowers are given to the glory of God in celebration of the marriage of Glenn & Hartley Adams, and in loving memory of: Mrs. James Edmond Little Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Miller Yelverton Mr. Marion Strickler Adams, Jr.
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
THIS WEEK AT GSPC Date
Event
Location
Sunday, March 15 9:30am Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30am Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11:00am Worship Wee Worship Monday, March 16 5:30pm CE Meeting
Various Tent Room Choir Room Sanctuary
Starbucks at Gov’t & Catherine Sts.
Tuesday, March 17 7:30am Bible Study Home of Rudy Nordmann 8:00am Bible Study Home of Ann Adams 10:00am Bible Study GSPC Frist Room 5:30pm Session & Diaconate Meeting Library
Wednesday, March 18 12:00pm Lenten Communion Service 6:00pm Men’s Disciple Bible Study Handbell Rehearsal 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Sanctuary Library Sanctuary Choir Room
Thursday, March 19 Friday, March 20
Saturday, March 21 Sunday, March 22 9:30am Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30am Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11:00am Worship Wee Worship
Various Tent Room Choir Room Sanctuary