G OVE RN MENT S T REET P RE SBY T E RI A N C H URCH T H I RT EENTH S UNDAY A FTE R P E NTE CO S T S EPTE M BE R 8 , 2 019 | 11 A M Worship begins with the Chiming of the Hour. Please observe silence and meditate on the Prayer of
GATHERING CHIMING OF THE HOUR
the Day during this time.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please silence all cellular
PRELUDE
devices for the duration of the service. indicates an invitation to stand as you are able. Thank you to the children and youth of GSPC who are serving as liturgists today.
This is not just a morning hymn, though this excerpt from an English translation of an early 19th-century German text many not convey how thoroughly the
original deals with different kinds of time throughout the day. The tune was composed as a setting for this English text.
When Morning Gilds the Skies CALL TO WORSHIP responsive
WESTMINSTER
REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR
arr. Cindy Berry
CARTER & EMERSON HALE
Who are you? I am a child of God. Who are we? We are the children of God, the family of faith, What does it mean to be the children of God? We belong to God who loves us and calls us God’s own. Let us worship God together. HYMN 667 When Morning Gilds the Skies PRAYER OF CONFESSION unison
LAUDES DOMINI
COLEMAN CALLAWAY
Dear God, You have known us and loved us since before we were born. You created us to serve you and show your love to others. Sometimes we are selfish, ignoring the needs of other people. Sometimes we are unkind, forgetting that each person is your unique creation.
Sometimes we are arrogant, forgetting that all we are and all we have is a gift from you. Forgive us, Lord. Make us gracious, kind, and humble. Help us to be servants to your children everywhere. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON
RESPONSE | HYMN 175 Seek Ye First
LAFFERTY
In the Prayer for Illumination, we ask the Holy Spirit to be present with us as we hear God’s word read and preached. We seek to better understand God’s will so
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
that we can follow Christ
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
more faithfully.
FIRST READING
Proclaiming the Word—we
Luke 14:25-33
hear the good news of the
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel. Children ages four through
CHILDREN’S SERMON
Worship following the
SECOND READING
Wee Worship is held in the children’s classrooms
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
may be picked up there following worship.
Old Testament p. 545
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
located in the hall behind the sanctuary, and children
New Testament p. 73
Thanks be to God.
six years are invited to Wee Children’s Sermon.
SADIE WELDON
SERMON Known Completely
REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR
THANKSGIVING It seems odd now to think of singing this text to ADESTE FIDELIS, but mainline churches did so well into the 20th century because of a cultural bias
HYMN 463 How Firm a Foundation
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH | APOSTLES’ CREED JACKSON BOONE I believe in God the Father Almighty,
against shape note music.
maker of heaven and earth;
The vigor of the present
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
tune seems especially right
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
for the final line’s reference
born of the Virgin Mary,
to Hebrews 13:5.
FOUNDATION
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. GLORIA | HYMN 581 During the Prayer of Intercession, we pray silently for the petitions made known and for those of our own knowing.
Glory Be to the Father PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
GLORIA PATRI
The Lord’s Prayer was prayed by Jesus to teach the disciples how to pray.
The peace may be exchanged with those around you as a sign and reminder of the peace Christ offers us.
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
JACKSON BOONE
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. OFFERTORY VOLUNTARY Softly and Tenderly
arr. Cindy Berry
DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
OLD HUNDREDTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unison We thank you, God, for your goodness and love, and we pray for your blessing on these gifts. Use them to build your love in the world and to honor your name. Bless each of us and we try our best to be your faithful disciples. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
Sending—we are sent out to live the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We further commit, as a congregation, to our mission: “Called to Serve.”
SENDING HYMN 353 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
SOLID ROCK
BENEDICTION POSTLUDE
This hymn develops the imagery of Jesus’ remark (Matthew 7:24-27/Luke6:4749) that those who believe in him and act on that belief are like someone who builds a house on a rock. The text is set to a tune created for it by a prolific 19th-century American composer and editor.
Once to Every Man and Nation
Expressions of gratitude are offered to the following for serving in worship today:
ANN ADAMS, PIANO
CARTER HALE
ASHLEY LAMAR, VIOLIN
EMERSON HALE
ROB MOSTELLAR, CRUCIFER
SADIE WELDON
LOUISE HUTCHISON, ACOLYTE
COLEMAN CALLAWAY
SACKY OTTS, ACOLYTE
JACKSON BOONE
WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Usher Captain: Sunday Assistants: Nursery: Wee Worship:
arr. Phillip Keveren
Ashford Kettler Linda Reynolds Charlotte Crockett Lisa deShazo Shawn Walker Jessica Mostellar
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 15
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 I Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10
Welcome to Government Street! Visitors are asked to complete the card found in the pew rack and return it with the offering. 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. SEPTEMBER 15 | 9:30AM | FELLOWSHIP HALL The Board of Directors of Ministry of Hope Lesotho (MoHL) are excited to announce Mamonyane Mohale, Executive Director of the MoHL, will be visiting the United States. She will begin her trip to the states in Mobile and travel up the east coast visiting churches to share her story and updates. The children at Ministry of Hope Lesotho are thriving and ready for school to begin. On Sunday, September 15, we hope you will join us during the Sunday school hour (9:30a.m.) in the Fellowship Hall to hear about what has been going on at MoHL since her last visit!
Ministry of Music Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Handbell Rehearsal | 6pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | 7pm All are invited to join us—come find your place somewhere in music!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT GSPC
Interim Children’s Director (20 hours)
Interim Youth Director (20 hours)
Office & Property Manager (28-34 hours)
Please visit gspcmobile.org/job-opportunities for job descriptions. Please e-mail jobs@gspcmobile.org or speak to Rudy Nordmann or Marcia Wyatt if know of someone who might be a good candidate.
Class of 2022 Elder and Deacon Nominations Please visit gspcmobile.org/nominations to submit this form online. If you are unable to use the online form, you may submit this form to the church office, or place in the offering plate. For questions or comments, please contact Susan Miller, chair of the Nominations Committee, at 251.473.0325
NAME:
E-MAIL:
With prayerful consideration, I nominate the following persons to be considered for the offices as follows: ELDER:
DEACON:
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given to the glory of God and in honor the children and youth of GSPC by the Christian Education Committee. 300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org
Staff REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR Pastor & Head of Staff rebekah@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist tommy@gspcmobile.org BARBARA WILLIAMS Office & Property Manager barbara@gspcmobile.org SALLY ERICSON Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator sally@gspcmobile.org DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11:00a SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 | FALL KICK-OFF 9:30a Breakfast | Fellowship Hall 10:00a Sunday School & Parent’s Meeting 11:00a Worship Wee Worship MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 7:00a Bible Study | Home of Rudy Nordmann 7:45a Bible Study | Home of Ann Adams 10:00a Ladies’ Bible Study | Frist Room 5:30p Urban Ministries Committee WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 6:00p Men’s Disciple Class | Library 6:00p Handbell Rehearsal | Sanctuary 7:00p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | Choir Suite THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
For the latest calendar and announcements, please visit us online at www.gspcmobile.org @gspcmobile
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 9:30a Presbytery PW Fall Gathering | GSPC SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 9:30a Sunday School Children’s Choir 10:30a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship