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. THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given to the glory of God and in memory of his parents John and Leona Cutts, by Bill Cutts.
WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Usher Captain: Sunday Assistant: Nursery: Wee Worship: Sanctuary Preparer: Prayer Chain Contact: Next Week’s Sunday Assistant:
Ashford Kettler Jimmy Carroll | Susan Holler No volunteer needed No volunteer needed Harriet Boster Charlotte Crockett 478.1003 / 591.7902 John Otts | Margaret Vidmer Hutchison
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 | 11AM
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11AM GSPC is an equal opportunity provider.
KICK-OFF SUNDAY | SEPTEMBER 9
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 9:30 Sunday School 11:00 Worship
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 6:00 Handbell Rehearsal 7:00 Choir Rehearsal
CE Breakfast at 8:45am All classes resume at 9:30am
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 | LABOR DAY Church Office Closed
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 8:45 CE Breakfast 9:30 Sunday School 11:00 Worship
TUESDAY, SEPTMEBER 4 5:30 Urban Missions Committee 5:30 Worship Committee
Ministry of Music ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH SINGING AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE!
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
MONDAY, SEPTMEBR 10 6:15 PW Fall Gathering | Guesnard House
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 9 Proverbs 22:1-2,8-9,22-23
Psalm 125
James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17
Mark 7:24-37
THE NEW MUSIC SEASON IS HERE AND WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US! WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Handbell Rehearsal at 6pm in the Sanctuary, West Balcony Choir Rehearsal at 7pm in the Music Suite
I’m looking forward to a brand new season and welcome any inquiries.
Tommy Watts | 251.654.6453 | tommy@gspcmobile.org
Called to Serve
PASTORAL STAFF
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S
Fall Gathering September 10 | 6:15PM Guesnard House
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 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.
THE LORD’S PRAYER UNISON
GATHERING SOUNDING OF THE HOUR | 11AM
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY SILENT 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.
OFFERING | RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP PLEASE COMPLETE THE VISITOR AND MEMBER CARDS LOCATED IN THE PEW RACKS AND RETURN WITH THE OFFERING.
VOLUNTARY Fugue in g major
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sally Pearsall
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION James 1:17-27
SECOND READING
THE PEOPLES RESPONSES ARE IN BOLD.
Philippians 1: 27-30
God calls us to have loving hearts and faith-filled lives.
The Character Issue
THANKSGIVING
God summons us to be known by our faith.
HYMN 39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
We open our lives to God’s claim. God call us to live our faith. We open our gifts to God’s design for them. We will worship, give thanks and live so that we show God’s grace all around us.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN 14 DIX
Sally Pearsall
God of compassion, you have written your law on our hearts. We are slow to read it there. Instead, we honor you with our lips: We pray long prayers. We sing hymns, but do not notice the words. We ask, “How are you?” but we do not listen to the response. We say, “Peace be with you,” but we mean, “Hello.” Our hearts are far from you. O God, forgive us. Fill us with genuine love. Help us to honor you with our hearts in worship and in faithful living. 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.
FAITHFULNESS
THE APOSTLES’ CREED UNISON
God offers us every gift of grace.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION UNISON
Frank Beall
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REFLECT UPON GOD’S WORD.
We open ourselves to God’s gifts.
For the Beauty of the Earth
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.
New Testament p. 185
We open our souls to God’s care. SERMON
OLD HUNDREDTH
New Testament p. 215
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
God invites us to live in the Spirit.
arr. Dan Miller
RESPONSE TO THE OFFERTORY
FIRST READING CALL TO WORSHIP
OFFERTORY Great Is Thy Faithfulness
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING UNISON Creator God, your presence is as the wind, the breath and sustainer of life. We are grateful for being a part of your beautiful creation; rugged mountains, rolling plains and deep forests, and uncultivated marsh and wetlands. We thank you for the birds of the air, animals, and fish of the sea. For purity of water and air and healing medicines that remind us of the need for holy virtue in life, physical and spiritual. Thank you that our work is not yet done but that we are found to be faithful in service, reflecting your love. Amen. SENDING CHARGE AND BLESSING
HYMN 35 Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
LOBE DEN HERREN
VOLUNTARY Voluntary in F
Robert Lau
RESPONSE Glory Be to the Father
GREATOREX
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.
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION INDICATES AN INVITATION TO STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE.
PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE DURATION OF THE SERVICE.