Sunday Bulletin | September 16, 2018

CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH Welcome to GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Visitor and Member cards are located in the pew racks and may be completed during the Ritual of Friendship and returned 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.

WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Usher Captain: Sunday Assistant: Nursery: Wee Worship: Sanctuary Preparer: Prayer Chain Contact: Next Week’s Sunday Assistant:

Ashford Kettler Margaret Vidmer Hutchison | Ted Burke Lisa Goodloe Brooke Baker Bligh Jones | Trisha Hawkins Charlotte Crockett 478.1003 / 591.7902 Nicole Riis | Buzzy Riis

CALENDAR

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | 11AM

Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11AM GSPC is an equal opportunity provider.

THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given to the glory of God and in memory of Emily Townsend Miller by her family.

 Tuesdays | 7AM at the home of Rudy Nordmann 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 9:30 Sunday School Cherub & Children’s Choir 11:00 Worship Wee Worship Children at the Lord’s Table

Wednesdays | 7AM & 6PM GSPC Library

Dauphin Way United Methodist Church will host New York Times best-selling author, public theologian, and international commentator on ethics and public life—JIM WALLIS—for the 2018 Stephen and Ruth Dill Lecture Series. The event is free of charge and will be held September 23 and 24 at DWUMC. For more information, visit dauphinwayumc.org/dill-lecture.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 7:00 Bible Study at the home of Rudy Nordmann 5:30 Session (No Dinner)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 6:00 Men’s Bible Study | Library Handbell Rehearsal 7:00 Choir Rehearsal SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 9:30 Sunday School Cherub & Children’s Choir 11:00 Worship Wee Worship Children at the Lord’s Table

LECTIONARY READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 23 Proverbs 31:10-31

Psalm 1

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Mark 9:30-37

The Ugandan Kids Choir will present a concert on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 at 6:30 p.m.

GSPC will provide housing to the group during their stay.

If you are able to assist with housing, please contact the church office to volunteer.

Brown Bag Bible Study Wednesday, October 3 at 11:45AM in the Library

WWW.GSPCMOBILE.ORG GSPC HAS A BRAND-NEW WEBSITE! Available on your computer or cellular device, visit us online for the latest announcements, calendar, publications, service audio, pictures, videos and more.

Called to Serve

PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Paul Phillips | Interim Pastor

Tommy Watts | Director of Music & Organist Shawn Walker | Director of Children’s Ministries

300 GOVERNMENT STREET | MOBILE, ALABAMA 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org

“Faith Turned Upside Down”

GSPC, known at the mother of Presbyterianism in southern Alabama, was founded in 1831. Worship has continued on this site since 1836 when the sanctuary, a National Historic Landmark, was completed. Member PC (USA).

Called to SERVE WE ARE CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO GLORIFY GOD, SO THAT ALL MAY BECOME JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.

GATHERING

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

SOUNDING OF THE HOUR | 11AM

THE LORD’S PRAYER UNISON

PRAYER OF THE DAY SILENT

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.

Almighty God, you alone can order unruly wills and affections. Help us to love what you command and desire what you promise; that in the midst of this changing world, our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

VOLUNTARY

OFFERING | RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP

Prière à Notre-Dame from Suite Gothique, Op. 25

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINUTE FOR MISSION | NEW WEBSITE

PLEASE COMPLETE THE VISITOR AND MEMBER CARDS LOCATED IN THE PEW RACKS AND RETURN WITH THE OFFERING.

Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897)

Sage Wyatt Arnold

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

CALL TO WORSHIP

FIRST READING

THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSES ARE IN BOLD.

CHILDREN’S SERMON

The heavens tell of the glory of God, and all creation tells God’s story.

OFFERTORY With a Voice of Singing

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Rev. Paul Phillips

Psalm 19

Old Testament p. 19

Mark 8:27-38

New Testament p. 41

MUSICAL REFLECTION SECOND READING

All God’s creatures reflect God’s beauty.

The commandments of God give shape to human community.

RESPONSE TO THE OFFERTORY

Faith Turned Upside Down THANKSGIVING

With thanks, let us worship God.

HYMN 451 Open My Eyes, That I May See

PROCESSIONAL HYMN 826 Lift High the Cross

CRUCIFER

PRAYER OF CONFESSION UNISON

Rev. Paul Phillips

PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REFLECT UPON GOD’S WORD.

Our faith tells God’s story.

Sage Wyatt Arnold

O God, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times, when we fail to recognize you in our life. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts.

Sometimes fear makes us small. Sometimes doubt invades our hopefulness. Holy God, forgive us and free us from shame, fear and self-doubt. Help us to see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from our wisdom. Amen.

A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION.

DECLARATION OF PARDON THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

THE PEACE MAY BE EXCHANGED WITH THOSE AROUND YOU.

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.

Thanks be to God. SERMON

Martin Shaw

With a voice of singing declare ye this, and let it be heard, Alleluia.

Utter it even unto the ends of the earth. The Lord hath delivered his people.

O be joyful in God, all ye lands, O sing praises to the honor of his name, make his praise to be glorious.

Our life together speaks of God’s wisdom.

The life of Jesus shows forth God’s love.

SANCTUARY CHOIR

THE APOSTLES’ CREED 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.

TRADITIONAL TRADITIONAL

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING UNISON We are joyful to sing and give you thanks, O Lord. In the midst of our pains and faults we know that you are a God whom one can only admire, praise, and love in Jesus Christ. We praise you for this world, so beautiful but so fragile; for life, so lovely but so threatened; for this immense universe in which your kingdom will spread. We praise you for this day which speaks to us again of the resurrection, for your church which gathers us together. We praise you for your gospel, for our baptism, for our desire to serve you, for the promise of your eternity and our salvation. Amen.

SENDING CHARGE AND BLESSING HYMN 216 Beneath the Cross of Jesus

ST. CHRISTOPHER

VOLUNTARY

Toccata from Suite Gothique, Op. 25

RESPONSE Glory Be to the Father Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen.

GREATOREX

INDICATES AN INVITATION TO STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE.

PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE DURATION OF THE SERVICE.

Léon Boëllmann