MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

The Calvary Baptist Church

Towson, Maryland

http://www.calvarybaptist-towson.org

Eleven O’clock                                             November 18, 2007

 

Frederick K. Weimert, Pastor

Glenn L. Wittstadt, Jr., Organist‑Director
 

 

 

PRELUDE:      Variations on Nettleton      by  Ann Slowins   

                                               

INTROIT
           

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                    Isaiah 12

 

You will say in that day:

I will give thanks to you, O LORD,

for though you were angry with me,

your anger turned away, and you comforted me.

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid,

for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might;

God  has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;

let this be known in all the earth.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

 

*HYMN 20:    “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”

 
INVOCATION  Followed by the Lord’s Prayer.  
(The version we use is printed on the laminated card in the pew)
 
WELCOME & REGISTRATION

 

EXTENDED LIFE OF THE CHURCH

 

HAND BELL CHOIR:         “Let There Be Peace.”   Arr. by  P. S. Sherman /  Director: Dan Moore                

 
PRAYER FROM THE PEOPLE:        Diana Romano               

 

*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:          

                                            

CHILDREN’S TIME:                                    

 

STEWARDSHIP REMINDER                          

 

THE GOSPEL:            Luke 21: 5-19              pg. 915.   read by: Susan Edwards 

 

RESPONSIVE CALL TO PRAYER:

 

By the time Luke wrote down these words the Jerusalem Temple had been destroyed by the Roman Legions…

Which may have affected the way the words were recorded.

I don’t think Jesus had a hatred for the Temple…

His issue was with those more impressed with form than substance.

I Jesus’ parents had brought him on pilgrimages to the Temple in Jerusalem…

Undoubtedly they had sung with their son the “Songs of Ascent” from the Psalms.

But in his heart of heart, as he lifted his eyes to the hills, he knew his help was from the Lord, who made heaven and earth, and not the Temple mount.

God, who is known in holy sites, but who is able to make any place holy, help us to walk with reverence on your earth.  In the end, while some may hate us, may we also be assured that others will see our good works and come to praise You, in whose name we live.  Amen.

 

*HYMN 225:              “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee”

 

SCRIPTURE:              Isaiah 65: 17-25                      pg. 644

 

SERMON:                   “The New Jerusalem”

 

*INVITATION HYMN 638:  “Now Thank We All Our God”

 

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:     

 

                                    *    Congregation standing.

 

The sanctuary flowers are given by Irv and Doris Hoyer

in memory of loved ones.

 

 

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.

 

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T H I S     W E E K

 

 

This is pledge Sunday.

 

3:30-5:30 The pastor will lead a discussion of Randall Balmer’s book Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America.  There are two extra copies of the book in the Church office and you can also find the book in the public library.

 

Wednesday  November 21st; we will not have any programs.

 

THANKSGIVING MORNING

at 10:00 a.m. November 22nd.  We will have our Thanksgiving Service at Towson Methodist Church.

 

November 25th  Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by  Saturday.

 

November 26th   10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sarah’s Hope.  Volunteers are needed whenever you can come during this time.  Sign up on the attendance card to let us know when and if you can help.

 

CHRISTMAS PLAY PRACTICE:   Saturday November 24th 9:45 a.m.;  Sunday November 25th; 9:45;  Saturday Dec. 1, 9:45;  Sunday Dec.2, at 9:45 a.m.;  Saturday December 8th, 9:45 a.m.;  Sunday December 9th at 9:45 a.m.

 

SUNDAY December 2nd  The Congregational Meeting to vote on the Budget for 2008.