Worship Volunteers
Welcome to Government Street! Visitors are invited to complete the cards located in the pew racks. Please return this card with the offering. Childcare is available for infants to three years old in the nursery. New Members are welcomed by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or transfer of membership. We invite you to speak with our minister for further information.
Usher Captain: Sunday Assistants: Nursery: Wee Worship: Next Week’s Sunday Assistants:
Ashford Kettler John Otts | Linda Reynolds Mary Herndon Nordmann Susan Ashbee Blair Schoenvogel | Dewey Parsons
If you have an immediate prayer need, please contact our Prayer Chain coordinator Charlotte Crockett at 251.478.1003 / 251.591.7902
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given to the glory of God in loving memory of
The deadline for placing an Easter Lily memorial or honorarium is Sunday, April 14. Please submit the following information with your check. Please print legibly. I would like to order _____ lily(ies) at $10 each. In memory of: _______________________________ In honor of: ________________________________
THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT MARCH 31, 2019 | 11AM
Calendar
Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11AM GSPC is an equal opportunity provider.
Marion Adams, Jr. by his wife, Ann.
LENTEN COMMUNION SERVICES Wednesdays at noon in Lent. Organ recitals at 11:30. This week featuring: Bach’s Toccata & Fugue in d minor.
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
SUNDAY, MARCH 31 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee-worship
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 7:00a Men’s Bible Study 11:30a Organ Prelude 12:00p Lenten Communion 6:00p Men’s Bible Study 6:30p Choir Rehearsal
TUESDAY, APRIL 2 7:00a Bible Study home of Rudy Nordmann 7:45a Women’s Bible Study home of Ann Adams 10:00a Women’s Bible Study Frist Room 1:30p PWCT Meeting
SUNDAY, APRIL 7 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship | Communion Wee-worship
Lectionary Readings for April 7 Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:20-33
GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Known as the mother of Presbyterianism in southern Alabama, GSPC was founded in 1831. Worship has continued on this site since 1836 when the sanctuary, a National Historic Landmark, was completed. Member PC (USA).
Office Hours
Cary G. Speaker, D. Min
Lois McNorton
Monday—Thursday 8AM-2PM
Interim Pastor
cary@gspcmobile.org
Office & Property Manager lois@gspcmobile.org
Friday 8AM-12PM
Tommy Watts
Dawn Hearn
Director of Music & Organist
tommy@gspcmobile.org
Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org
Called to SERVE WE ARE CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO GLORIFY GOD, SO THAT ALL MAY BECOME JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.
Given by: __________________________________ 300 GOVERNMENT STREET | MOBILE, ALABAMA 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org
Proclaiming the Word
Gathering CHIMING OF THE HOUR | 11AM
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
PRAYER OF THE DAY SILENT
FIRST READING
Gracious God, seeker of the lost: draw your children back to your loving embrace, restore us to our inheritance as daughters and sons, and reconcile our hearts to you, that we may become ambassadors of your reconciling love to all the world. Through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit we pray. Amen. PRELUDE
WELCOME
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Joshua 5:9-12
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,
CHORAL ANTHEM Goin’ Home
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Goin’ home, goin’ home, I’m a-goin’ home; quiet-like, some still day, I’m just goin’ home.
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.
It’s not far, just close by, through an open door; work all done, care laid by, goin’ to fear no more.
Tom Wells, Liturgist
CALL TO WORSHIP
THE PEACE MAY BE EXCHANGED WITH THOSE AROUND YOU.
OFFERTORY
Mother’s there expecting me, father’s waiting, too. Lots of folk gather’d there, all the friends I knew.
THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSES ARE IN BOLD.
Grace and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
INSTRUMENTAL VOLUNTARY
Thanks be to God. Let us worship God.
SECOND READING
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
New Testament p. 71
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING UNISON O God, all that we have comes from you. Receive this offering and with it the offering of our lives, for we return to you only what you have so graciously given. Use us for the sake of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Thanks be to God.
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
SERMON
PRAYER OF CONFESSION UNISON
Come to the Party
Rev. Dr. Cary G. Speaker .
THANKSGIVING
Merciful God, we confess that we have strayed from your ways
Sending
HYMN 802
like the Prodigal Son, we have wasted our inheritance.
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
You gave us the earth for our home, but we squander earth’s resources and hoard its bounty.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED UNISON
You gave us neighbors to love, but we pursue selfish ambitions.
HYMN 370 ST. COLUMBA
TRADITIONAL
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.
You gave us the commandments that lead to human flourishing,
but we break your law and forsake your love. Forgive us our sin and bring us to repentance. Draw our wandering hearts back to you that we may find freedom in obedience to your love. Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen. A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE | HYMN 575
KYRIE ELEISON
OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
HYMN 620
Raymond Haan
RESPONSE | DOXOLOGY
There’s no break, there’s no end, just a-living on. Wide awake, with a smile, goin’ on and on.
Blessed are those whose transgression is forgiven.
Piano & Cello Duet
What Wondrous Love Is This
Morning star lights the way, restless dream all done. Shadows gone ‘til the break of day, real life’s just begun.
Amen.
Lord, Have Mercy upon Us
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Old Testament p. 644
CHILDREN’S SERMON
Paul Hanceri, Cello Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude in G Major
THE LORD’S PRAYER UNISON
This Is My Father’s World CHORAL BENEDICTION Gaelic Blessing
John Rutter
Deep peace of the running wave to you, deep peace of the flowing air to you, deep peace of the quiet earth to you, deep peace of the shining stars to you, deep peace of the gentle night to you, moon and stars, pour their healing light on you. Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you. Deep peace of Christ to you. POSTLUDE Prelude to the Te Deum
RESPONSE | HYMN 581
Glory Be to the Father
TERRA BEATA
GLORIA PATRI
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
INDICATES AN INVITATION TO STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE. PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE DURATION OF THE SERVICE.
M. Charpentier (1643-1704)