MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

 

The Calvary Baptist Church, Towson, Maryland

Eleven O’clock                                             December  21, 2008

http://www.calvarybaptist-towson.org

 

Frederick K. Weimert, Pastor

Ruth Kulkarni, Christian Kirby, Pastoral Staff

Glenn Wittstadt,Jr., Organist-Director

 

 

 

PRELUDE:     “Lo, He Comes!”      Johann G. Storl

 

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE         

 

We light these candles as a symbol of Jesus who is the light of our lives, and as a reminder that the darkness of this world will not overcome this light of hope in us.

 

INTROIT

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                      Psalm 89: 1-4, 16-21, 26

 

I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;

with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;

your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:

'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'"

Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty,

I have exalted one chosen from the people.

I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;

my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.

He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father,

my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'

 

*HYMN 76:              “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

 

INVOCATION FOLLOWED BY THE LORD’S PRAYER

 
WELCOME & REGISTRATION

 

EXTENDED LIFE OF THE CHURCH

 

ANTHEM:      “The Wonder In The Heavens”  Arr. T. Fettke

                       

PRAYER FROM THE PEOPLE:                 

 

*OFFERING:                                                             #115

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;

With gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,

Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His name.

 

OFFERTORY:             “In Dulci Jubilo”       J. S. Bach

 

CHILDREN'S TIME

 

HEBREW BIBLE:   II Samuel  7: 1-11, 16               pg. 269      Read by: Dan Moore

 

RESPONSIVE CALL TO PRAYER:

 

David made a couple of miscalculations here when he began the initial phase of his Temple planning…

First of all, he completely ignores the existence of  a place of worship at Shiloh.

This could have been a geographic blunder, but that temple had been the place where Eli and Samuel served God.

But his second error was fatal to the project; he asked Nathan what he thought of the project…

When Solomon decides he wants to build the temple, and centralize worship in his capitol city of Jerusalem

 He doesn’t ask anybody.

Was this just a product of Solomon’s wisdom?

            Or was it a product of his foolishness?

From what God said through Nathan it would appear that God had no desire to remain in one fixed location…

“…I have moved about among all the people of

Israel…”

It would appear that God’s desire is to be in the midst of the people who have chosen to follow.

God who we know as Immanuel, or God with us, may we never be foolish enough to believe that we could leave you in some sacred place and go off on our own.  May we ever remember that You are “with us always, until the end of the age.  Amen.”

 

HYMN 80:   “Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”

 

GOSPEL:                    Luke 1: 26-38              pg. 887

 

SERMON:      “Possibility and God”

 

INVITATION HYMN 109:  “Love Came Down at Christmas”

 

*BENEDICTION/RESPONSE     

 

POSTLUDE:        “Consolation”     Fr. Repository of Sacred Music 1813

 

                        *Congregation standing.

 

*****

 

T H I S     W E E K

 

MONDAY,  Dec. 22nd:  Sarah's Hope 10:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.

           

The Christmas Eve Candle Light Service will begin with music at 4:30 p.m. and the Service will begin at 5:00 p.m.

 

There will be no Wednesday evening programs on December 31st.  The dinners will resume on January 7th.