Worship Service - January 11, 2004

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
The Calvary Baptist Church
Towson, Maryland

Eleven O’clock January 11, 2004

Frederick K. Weimert, Pastor
Glenn L. Wittstadt, Jr., Organist?Director

PRELUDE “Brightest and Best”
Arr. by John M. Rasley

INTROIT

*CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 29: 1-9
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;
worship the LORD in holy splendor.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty
waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
God makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say,
"Glory!"

*HYMN 2004: "Praise the Source of Faith and Learning"

INVOCATION Followed by the Lord’s Prayer

WELCOME & REGISTRATION
EXTENDED LIFE OF THE CHURCH

ANTHEM: “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light””
by Johann Schop/J. S. Bach

PRAYER FROM THE PEOPLE Howard Warner

*OFFERING Grant us Lord, the grace of giving,
With a spirit large and free,
That ourselves and all our living
We may offer unto Thee.

OFFERTORY: “What Star Is This?”
by F Ritter/M. Traetorius

CHILDREN’S TIME

GOSPEL READING: Luke 3: 15-22 pg. 891
read by: Howard Warner

RESPONSIVE CALL TO PRAYER:
For all four of the gospel writers, the baptism of Jesus was a defining event…
It was the beginning of the ministry of Jesus.
It establishes John as the prophetic forerunner… And Jesus as "the one mightier"…
who will "baptize with Spirit and fire.".
All four gospels agree, but Luke adds one little twist to the story. The Spirit comes on Jesus, not just as he was coming up out of the water, but when he was praying. In Luke Jesus is constantly at prayer.
At his baptism, before choosing the twelve, before Peter confesses him to be the Christ, at the transfiguration, before teaching the Lord's Prayer, at the last supper, on the Mount of Olives, and on the cross.
In Luke's writings there are two crucial elements in faithful living… Prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord God, make us disciplined in prayer so that Your Spirit might be on us and in our actions. Amen.

*HYMN 2094: "Carol of the Epiphany"

HEBREW BIBLE: Isaiah 43: 1-7 pg. 623

SERMON: "Fear Not"

*INVITATION HYMN "How Firm a Foundation"
(See Insert)

Decisions of faith are personal decisions. It is for us to choose if we will believe in God. Decisions of faith are also public and corporate decisions. When we choose to follow Jesus we are choosing to become part of the “Body of Christ”, the Church. If you would like to confirm the decision you have made to begin your life of faith or continue that life as a part of this congregation, come forward as we sing the invitational hymn and speak with the worship leader about your decision.

*BENEDICTION/RESPONSE

POSTLUDE: “O Sing A Song Of Bethlehem”
Arr. by Ralph Vaughn Williams

* Congregation standing.

The sanctuary flowers are given by Kay Blazek, Kathy and Drew Wright, in loving memory of Frank Blazek.

If you have a special prayer request please fill out a pink card, found in the pews, bring it forward and place it on the communion table either before the service or during the first hymn.

T H I S W E E K

TODAY Coffee Hour following Church Service

MONDAY: January 12th
12 Noon – Annie Armstrong Circle. Meeting at the home of Melissa Hillman, 410-494-1423. Bring a sandwich.

7:30 p.m. Needles & News at the home of Judy Weimert,
410-825-5366.

WEDNESDAY
6:15 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer
7:15 p.m. Bell Choir Practice
8:00 p.m Deacons’ Meeting

January 18th
12 Noon Anne Judson Circle Meeting at Edenwald’s Garden Court for lunch, followed by meeting. Visitors are welcome.

SPECIAL BIBLE STUDY:
On Sunday February 8th from 3:30-7:30, with dinner from 5:00 -6:00, Dr. Tom McDaniel has agreed to come and teach a special Bible study on some issues raised by the book the Da Vinci Code. If you haven't read the book you might look at the article, "The Lost Gospels" in the December 22nd issue of Time magazine, which addresses some of the pop-culture items stirring interest in faith and scripture.