MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

The Calvary Baptist Church

Towson, Maryland

Eleven O’clock                                              March 21, 2010

http://www.calvarybaptist-towwon.org

 

Frederick K. Weimert, Pastor

Glenn L. Wittstadt, Jr., Organist‑Director

 

 

 

PRELUDE:             “ Prelude for Lent”        Wely

                                                 

INTROIT:

           

*CALL TO WORSHIP:                                 Psalm 126

 

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

The LORD has done great things for us, and we

rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,

like the watercourses in the Negeb.

May those who sow in tears reap

with shouts of joy.

Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

 

*HYMN 2234:            “Lead On O Cloud of Presence”

 

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:    “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”  Arr.: Arnold Sherman.        Director: Dan Moore.

           

PRAYER FROM THE PEOPLE                   Helen Ross     

 

*OFFERING              We give Thee but Thine own,

What e'er the gift may be;

All that we have is Thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from Thee.

 

OFFERTORY:       “Andante”     op. 17       L. Von Beethoven

                                                       

CHILDREN’S TIME

 

SOLO:                    “Arise, O Lord”   Hoffmeister   Soprano:  Emily Romano

                                     

HEBREW BIBLE:              Isaiah 43: 15-21             pg. 624   read by: Fred Ray

 

RESPONSIVE CALL TO PRAYER

Five  times in this chapter God is reintroduced to the people…

          “I am the Lord, I am God”

There is no burning bush in this text…

But surely there are echoes here of Moses in the wilderness.

Like Moses these captive people need to be awakened to the fact that God is here and at work…

“I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your Ruler.”

If our God is indeed the Creator…

No wonder something new is always springing forth.

Lord God, as we look to the past in this coming Holy Week,

May we not become fixated on the way things were, or the way things have always been.

Stir our hearts with memories of Your mighty acts in days gone by,

But keep us ever open to see Your creative power ever at work around us.  Amen.

 

*HYMN 60:                 “Be Thou My Vision”

 

THE GOSPEL:                  John 12: 1-8                    pg. 936

 

SERMON:                  “Spiritual Myopia”

 

*INVITATION HYMN 525:  “Come, We That Love the Lord”

 

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”                   Gluck

                                

 

*    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

 

 

WEDNESDAY

            6:15 p.m.  Dinner.

            7:00 p.m.  Prayer and Bible Study.

            7:00 p.m.  Handbell Choir Practice.

           

MONDAY March 22nd Sarah’s Hope  10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Just sign up on the back of a card today to let us know of your plans.

 

THURSDAY April 1st  7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service.

 

SUNDAY April 4th      Easter Sunday,    Communion.

 

The children, led by Susan Edwards, are making a booklet of “Inspirational Messages” for our shut-ins.  A card has been sent to everyone.  The children appreciate your participation and thank you.  If you have not received information on this activity, please call the church office 410-825-3360.  The dead-line for this is  April 4th. 

 

THURSDAY April 8th Shelter Meal:  Talk to Fred about this activity because we may need to go to the shelter to prepare this meal.  What may necessitate this action is that the shelter has moved its feeding time up to 6:00 p.m., and it is difficult to get the food to the shelter by that time with rush hour traffic.

 

Let the pastor know if you would be interested in taking part in a scavenger hunt event with the Towson Unitarian Church.  The event would take place here in Towson, and I think the date is May 22nd.