Starling Avenue Baptist Church Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 12, 2023 ╬ 11:00 a.m.
The Worship of God Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 12, 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
God is great, and greatly to be praised! We thank you, God, for families and friends. We thank you for the warmth of kitchens, quilts, and good neighbors. God, how great is your name throughout the earth! We thank you, God, for newborn kittens and faithful dogs, for pine trees and sunlight and crisp, clean air. Blessed be God, the rock of our salvation! We thank you, God, for the sound of laughter and the touch of love, for brand new mornings and for dreams held close. Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise. Come! Let us worship God. Lighting of the Christ Candle
Butch Smith
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
Giga
Life of the Community
Enrico Bossi
Anne Stultz
Offering Ourselves to God *Hymn #379
Let All Things Now Living
ASH GROVE
Scripture Reading
Psalm 78:1-7
Affirmation of Faith
(from A Brief Statement of Faith amended for inclusive language)
Angela Zimmerman Anne Stultz
We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God’s image of all genders, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God’s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God’s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. Scripture Reading
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Angela Zimmerman
The Word of God for the People of God Thanks Be to God.
*Hymn #418
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
EIN’FESTE BURG
Giving our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Prayer Offertory *Doxology (Hymn #706)
Joan Joyce Lamb of God
arr. Mark Hayes
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
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Anne Stultz
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
It is Well With My Soul
John Ness Beck
Sermon
“The Choice is Yours”
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 #252
We Are a People of Faith
HENDRICKS AVENUE
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 Now Thank We All Our God
arr. Virgil Fox
(Please put your nametag in the basket provided at either entrance when leaving.)