WELCOME TO WORSHIP Sunday | August 2, 2020 | 11 a.m.
CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 471
Bill Gabbard Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (verse 1 only; see hymn insert)
WELCOME & INVOCATION
Dr. Joshua Scott
CHILDREN’S SERMON MUSICAL REFLECTION
RESTORATION
Rev. Heather Webb I Then Shall Live
Brethren; Patrick Vaughn, director (See testimonial insert)
A PRAYER OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Sibelius/Goss/Gaither
Bill Gabbard
Father, help us to live as forgiven people, to walk with joy; to know our names are clear before your judgment throne. Teach us to have compassion, to forgive, to consider others before ourselves; to give our very best in all of our relationships: caring, loving, tearing down walls, seeing life from others’ eyes. Shine through us, Father. Embolden us to bear your hallowed name with honor, and humble us to share your Bread of life with that same honor. We ask it all in the matchless name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. SCRIPTURE
SERMON HYMN NO. 405
Isaiah 55:1–5
Babylon and Storage Units Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (verse 1 only; see hymn insert)
BENEDICTION
Quick References:
Dr. Dock Hollingsworth
(See Scripture insert)
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BRADBURY Dr. Hollingsworth
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Testimonial from Gloria Gaither on writing the lyrics to this week’s Musical Reflection, Then I Shall Live In 1976 Francis Schaeffer wrote a very important book posing the question: How should we then live? I was deeply impacted by that book and the many questions the book asked of the thinkers of that decade. Over the years that followed the question presented itself to me as a serious Christian, as a young parent, as an American and as a citizen of the world community. How would Jesus ask me to live given the culture and circumstances —both personal and global—in which I was living out my life? Having always loved the music “Finlandia” written by Jean Sibelius, I sat down one day in the 80’s to listen to what I felt it was saying to me. This is sometimes a difficult task when a piece of music has been the setting for other familiar texts, but as I listened it seemed the music was saying, “I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven …” If I wrote that line, what would follow? How does one live forgiven? Certainly, gratitude would be the first response. But what then? What would be the “living out” part of being treated with grace? As the music played, I wrote quickly what I felt the Spirit was dictating to my soul. When the words were on the page, I read them and had to admit that these were words easier to write than to faithfully live out in all areas of my life on a daily basis. Again, Francis Schaeffer’s questions had intersected with my life and I was held accountable to answer, not just with words, but with my days. The song found its way into choral arrangements and hymnals, but not until the Gaither Vocal Band and Signature Sound men began to sing it did it reach so many regular people like me. If we could all begin to believe that each of us is “where the buck stops” if the world is ever to be changed by the beautiful message of redemption—not just in what we say, but in who we truly are—I believe something amazing could happen. The problems of the world are huge: hunger, war, crime, betrayal, devastation. The issues each of us deal with as individuals are huge: inadequacies, past failures, wasted opportunities, physical limitations, financial reversals, broken relationships. If we looked at the problems of the world and our own personal challenges as a whole, we would be paralyzed by the immensity of it all. How could we possibly change anything? But we can take on this day we can affect the lives around us where we are. We can choose our attitudes toward those with which we interact. We can forgive today’s offenses, live gratefully today, rejoice in the progress we’ve made so far. We can choose to live outward toward those who are in need in our neighborhood, extended family, pockets of poverty in our area. And we can do what we do today as “unto the Lord” with no “keeping track” or ulterior motives. In time things will change—in ourselves and in our world.
Isaiah 55:1–5 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.