Worship 2/18/24

Starling Avenue Baptist Church First Sunday of Lent

February 18, 2024 ╬ 11:00 a.m.

The Worship of God First Sunday of Lent

February 18, 2024 ╬ 11:00 a.m. *We invite you to stand as you are able.

Gathering at God’s Invitation Welcome

Angela Zimmerman

Call to Worship

Angela Zimmerman

Lenten travelers, when you feel the security of God’s love, affirmation of God’s call, and covered in God’s grace…

God comes near.

When you feel deserted and alone, starving and parched for a caring hand or an encouraging word, troubled and uncertain as the ground under you shifts like sand…

God comes near.

When you feel emboldened to act, inspired to speak, energized to live as bearers of the good news that the Kingdom of God is here…

God comes near.

In all seasons of our lives, God comes near to us and does not forsake us.

We gather to come near to God whose ever-present love remains near no matter where our journey takes us. Amen.

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Reed Finley

We light the Christ candle as a reminder that Christ is the one who has drawn us to this place, abides with us now, and is with us to the end of the age.

Prelude

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Life of the Community

George Shearing

Jeff Stegall

Offering Ourselves to God *Hymn #341 Scripture Reading

For the Beauty of the Earth Genesis 9:8-17

The Word of God for the People of God Thanks Be to God.

DIX

Angela Zimmerman

Prayer of Confession

Jeff Stegall

Most merciful God, whose Son Jesus Christ was tempted in every way, yet without sin, we confess before you that we have sinned; we have hungered after that which does not satisfy; we have compromised with evil; we have doubted your power to protect us.

Forgive our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness.

Restore in us such love and trust that we may walk in your ways and delight in doing your will.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 25:1-10

Angela Zimmerman

The Word of God for the People of God Thanks Be to God.

*Hymn #29

God Has Given Us Creation

JUBILEE, alt

Giving our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Prayer Offertory

Joan Joyce Fairest Lord Jesus

arr. Mark Hayes & Marvin Gaspard

*Doxology (Hymn #705) 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.

Listening to God *Scripture Reading

Mark 1:9-15

Jeff Stegall

For the Word of God in Scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us.

Thanks be to God.

The Church at Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Angela Zimmerman

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Anthem

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

Sermon

“A Global Guarantee”

Terry Kirkland

Angela Zimmerman

Discipline of Silence To be in God’s presence is to be changed.

During this moment of silent reflection, consider the change God wishes to make in you.

Responding to God’s Word *Hymn #17

This Is My Father’s World

TERRA PATRIS

If you sense God calling you today, we invite you to respond during this time of invitation.

If God is calling you to follow Jesus for the first time, to rededicate yourself as a Christ-follower, or as a faithful Christian, to join the fellowship of our church, we encourage you to come forward to speak to our pastor during this closing hymn.

Sending Into God’s World Benediction Postlude

Prelude in G Minor

Johan Pachelbel

(Please put your nametag in the basket provided at either entrance when leaving.)