March 31, 2019

NEWS

Order of Worship

(Due to time constraints some content may not be on the radio broadcast. For the full service visit our website http://podcast.fbc-sav.org/)

The Worship of God                              

     March 31, 2019              Fourth Sunday in Lent    Eleven O’clock

    Laetare Sunday

    We Praise God   

  †Prelude - “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”      John Behnke

      Handbell Choir

      Chiming of the Hour 

Introit - “Grant, O God, Your Blessing” Michael Bedford

Music Makers

Welcome and Call to Worship Rev. Josh Brewer

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Let those who know they are redeemed celebrate it -- those who have been reclaimed from deep trouble!

Though we were as good as dead, God made us alive with the grace of Christ through whom we are rescued and healed.

O give thanks to God for such unswerving love, for such wonderful deeds for the children of earth.

During this reflective season of Lent, the Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Invocation Rev. Will Barnes

†*Hymn No. 155 - “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” darwall’s 148th

  *Affirmation of Faith

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at 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 Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

*The Gloria Patri No. 579

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.

We Proclaim God’s Word

  †Children’s Time              Charlie Benton

      Children through fifth grade are invited to the front of the sanctuary for the children’s time.

      First Lesson - Psalm 32:1-11      Reed Creaser, lay reader

      Second Lesson - II Corinthians 5:16-21

      Anthem - “Prayer to Jesus”      John Ness Beck

      Lord Jesus, think on me and purge away my sin;

From selfish passions set me free and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me, by anxious thoughts oppressed;

Let me your loving servant be and taste your promised rest.

Lord Jesus, think on me, nor let me go astray;

Through darkness and perplexity point out the heavenly way.

Lord Jesus, think on me, that when this life is past,

I may the eternal brightness see, and share thy joy at last.  Amen.

(The text is by Synesius of Cyrene.)

Gospel Lesson - Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

  †Response to the Lessons

This is the written Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Sermon - “Hands of Blessing” Rev. Will Barnes

We Respond to the Word

  *Hymn No. 84 - “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” rathbun

Call to Prayer

Silent Prayers

  Congregational Confession

God our Redeemer, we confess that we are people of ashes and dust.  You have claimed us in your covenant, yet we forget your steadfast love.  You seek us out in the wilderness, yet we continue to wander in our sin.  Forgive us, God of grace.  Wash us clean once again, so that we may return to you and follow your holy way; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Words of Assurance 

  Pastoral Prayer

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 sins, as we forgive those who sin 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 and ever.  Amen.

Offertory Sentence

      Receiving of Tithes and Offerings

      Offertory - “Pastorale on In the Cross of Christ I Glory”      Janet Linker

  *Presentation and Doxology      hamburg

      Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

      Praise God, all creatures here below;

      Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

      Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

  *Offertory Prayer

  *Invitation to Christian Discipleship

We Go into the World

  *Hymn No. 257 - “Give Praise to the Lord” laudate dominum

  Events in the Life of the Church

  Pastoral Benediction

  Choral Response - “Lamb of God” Anna Laura Page

Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world,

Have mercy upon us.  Grant us peace.

Organ Postlude - “O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High” David N. Johnson

*The congregation stands with the choir.  

†The ushers will seat those waiting.

The congregation is invited to greet the ministers

in the narthex or be seated for the postlude.

The sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God

and in memory of Miles and Sarah Pinckney by Jane Jennings

First Baptist Church of Savannah

Josh S. Brewer, Assistant Minister for Community Missions

James C. Richardson, Organist Emeritus     

fbc-sav.org 223 Bull Street facing Chippewa Square 912-234-2671

Education Building located at 102 W. McDonough

First Baptist Church is a welcoming congregation located in historic downtown Savannah, Georgia. We believe Jesus treated everyone with a spirit of love and equality. Therefore, we accept every individual without regard to age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. We affirm all persons as created in the image of God.