MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

 

The Calvary Baptist Church                          Towson, Maryland

Eleven O’clock                                               May 10, 2009

http://www.calvarybaptist-towson.org

 

Frederick K. Weimert, Pastor

Ruth Kulkarni, Christian Kirby, Pastoral Staff

Glenn L. Wittstadt, Jr., Organist‑Director

 

 

 

PRELUDE      “Yes, I Know My Savior Lives”   L. Smith

 

INTROIT

           

*CALL TO WORSHIP                      Psalm 22: 25-31

 

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will pay before those who fear

God.

The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD.

May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD;

and all the families of the nations shall

worship before God.

For dominion belongs to the LORD, who rules over the nations. To God, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;

before the Lord shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.

Posterity will serve God; future generations will be told about the Lord,

and proclaim the Lord’s deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that God has done it.

 

*HYMN 2050:            “Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth”

 

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:        “Hear Us, O Father”       R. C. Wilson

                                   

PRAYER FROM THE PEOPLE                   Ruth Kulkarni
                       

*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:       Variations on “Coronation”      L. Smith

 

CHILDREN’S TIME                                                

 

THE GOSPEL:               John 15: 1-8                          pg. 939   Read by Alta Schuster

 

RESPONSIVE CALL TO PRAYER:                                 

 

“I am the true vine...” is an interesting statement for Jesus to make in light of the way vine is defined:

          “Vine—a plant whose stem requires

support.”

Maybe Jesus understood, better than any of us, how crucial branches are to the vine. 

They reach out with tendrils, and pull the vine up into the sun, thereby supporting and feeding the vine.

Maybe Jesus, the true vine, understood better than any of us the answer to the Psalmist’s question: “From where will my help come?”

 

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

God, of heaven and earth… God, above and below us,

Through the vine nourish our roots with minerals and water from below, and send the sun above,  to process the minerals and water so that life will continue to be found in the vine.

And also send to us brothers and sisters to grow beside us…

Branches, who, in growing together with us, can lift us from our darkness back into your glorious light.  Amen.

 

*HYMN 2228:             “Sacred the Body”

 

THE LETTERS:             I John 4: 7-21  pg. 21

 

SERMON:               “Grown With Love”

*INVITATION HYMN 208: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

 

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:         “Legions For Christ”    R. C. Wilson

 

*    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.

 

 

*****

 

THIS WEEK

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY:       

6:15 p.m.  Dinner

7:00 p.m.  Bible Study and Prayer

             No Hand Bell Choir Practice

 

May11th

12 Noon - Annie Armstrong Circle meeting in the home of Libby Field 410-666-3127.   Please bring a sandwich.

 

Needles and News  

Spring supper meeting at 6:30 P.M.,  Patrick’s in Cockeysville.

 

May 20th

5:45 p.m. - Deacons’ Meeting

 

May 15th  

7:30 p.m.  - Drew’s band meeting in the Social Room

 

May 16th 

2:00 p.m. - Memorial Service for Clara Bell,

following the service the family will have punch and cookies and greet Clara’s friends.

 

Make plans to come to the Church Picnic on Saturday, June 13th.