MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

The Calvary Baptist Church

Towson, Maryland

Eleven O’clock                                              February 22. 2008

http://www.calvarybaptist-towson.org

Frederick K. Weimert, Pastor

Ruth Kulkarni, Christian Kirby, Pastoral Staff

Glenn L. Wittstadt, Jr., Organist‑Director

 

 

 

PRELUDE         “Air in G Major”            G. F. Handel

             

INTROIT

 

 *CALL TO WORSHIP                     Psalm 50: 1-6         

 

The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him.

God calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that all people may be judged:

"Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!"

The heavens declare his righteousness, for God is judge.

 

*HYMN 199:  “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”

 

 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

 
ANTHEM:          “Holy Art Thou”             G. F. Handel

                                               

PRAYER FROM THE PEOPLE:                 
                                   

*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:             “Menuet”               G. F. Handel
                                   
HEBREW BIBLE:           II Kings 2: 1-12               pg. 319.  read by Frank Kaufmann

 

RESPONSIVE CALL TO PRAYER

 

Long before the chariot of fire came down and carried him off…

Elijah had called Elisha from plowing to the prophetic ministry.

And from the moment he was called we are led to believe that Elisha followed and served Elijah…

Although Elisha’s name is never mentioned again until this chapter.

Finally this silent companion is seen and heard again, and this time he makes a request of the prophet he followed and served…

“Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”

God, who pours forth Your Holy Spirit on this earth as a gracious and abundant gift, we thank you for this gift, but we confess that we know that Spirit is not something that we can re-gift.

We pray that all hearts may be as open as Elisha’s heart to receive this Spirit from You, For it is Your Spirit that brings order from chaos and life to dry bones.  Amen.

 

*HYMN 240:            “Spirit, Now Live in Me”

 

THE GOSPEL:              “Mark 9: 1-9                         pg. 876

           

SERMON:                  “In Light of Everything”

 

*INVITATION HYMN 83:  “Arise Your Light is Come”

 

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:                “March ”         by G. F. Handel

 

 

                                    *    Congregation standing.

 

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

Pick up cakes for Our Daily Bread

Immediately following worship we will have lunch and at about 1:00 p.m. we will talk, together with the leaders of the Horizon Church,  about the book The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle.

           

MONDAY, February 23rd

Sarah’s Hope Work Day.  Come help 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.… Just sign up on the back of  a card today to let me know of your plans.

 

WEDNESDAY

            6:15 p.m.  Dinner.

            7:00 p.m.  Ash Wednesday Service.

 

Can you leave your email address with the church?

 

With the price of postage being raised again,  we would like to send as many of our Newsletters as possible by email to save on some of this expense.  We are aware that not everyone has such an address and those will continue to be mailed, but if you are willing to receive the newsletter in this way please write this address on the back of your attendance card.  Thank you.