10/22/23

Starling Avenue Baptist Church Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost October 22, 2023 ╬ 11:00 a.m.

The Worship of God Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost October 22, 2023 ╬ 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

In this sacred hour of worship when we name things for what they really are, we give to God what is God’s.

Between the demands of this last week and the demands of the one ahead we give to God what is God’s.

With open hearts and hands and minds, every innate gift from our loving Creator, we give to God what is God’s.

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Donna Wells

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

Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices

Life of the Community

Paul Manz

Margaret Caldwell

Offering Ourselves to God *Hymn #425 Scripture Reading

How Firm a Foundation Exodus 33:12-23

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

FOUNDATION

Angela Zimmerman

Affirmation of Faith (adapted from A Brief Statement of Faith)

Margaret Caldwell

In life and death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve.

We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father.

In sovereign love God created the world good, acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation, and makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant.

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God, was crucified, and raised from the dead, delivering us from death to life eternal.

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life.

The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the church.

In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Angela Zimmerman

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

*Hymn #80

Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

BAUGH

Giving our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Prayer Offertory

John Scott Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 2

Johannes Brahms

*Doxology (Hymn #706) 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.

Listening to God *Scripture Reading

Matthew 22:15-22

Margaret Caldwell

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

Amazing Grace

arr. Kenneth Staton

Sermon

“Faith, Love, and Hope”

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 #601

O How I Love Jesus

O HOW I LOVE JESUS

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

Angela Zimmerman God of Grace

Paul Manz

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