FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
APRIL 1, 2007
>> WELCOME TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
WE WELCOME ALL OF OUR GUESTS, OUR REGULAR MEMBERS.
TODAY IS THE GATEWAY TO ANOTHER WEEK.
WE JOIN TODAY FOR A NEW WEEK OF PROMISE AND POSSIBILITIES.
LET US WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY OF WORSHIP AS WE PREPARE OURSELVES TO BE GOD'S PEOPLE IN GOD'S WORLD.
WE ASK YOU NOW TO FILL OUT THE RED BOOK AND, PLEASE, ANY VISITORS WE HAVE PUT YOUR ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER IF YOU DON'T MIND, THAT WILL LET US KEEP A GOOD RECORD OF YOUR VISIT, AND WHEN IT IS COMPLETED PASS THE BOOK TO THE OUTSIDE AISLE.
LET US BE IN ATTITUDE OF WORSHIP.
>> WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THIS MORNING TO HAVE TWO CHRISTIAN BAPTISMS.
THE FIRST IS SHANNON WEST WHO COMES TO BE BAPTIZED.
I ASK YOU NOW, SHANNON, BEFORE GOD AND THIS CONGREGATION, DO YOU TODAY CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?
>> I DO
>> DO YOU RENOUNCE EVIL AND TURN TO CHRIST?
>> I DO.
>> DO YOU IN THE COMPANY OF ALL CHRISTIANS TRUST IN GOD THE FATHER AND IN HIS SON JESUS CHRIST AND IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO GIVES LIFE TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD?
>> I DO.
PETER SAID TO THEM REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST SO THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN, THE PROMISE FOR YOU, YOUR CHILDREN AND EVERYONE FAR AWAY, EVERYONE WHO OUR LORD GOD CALLS THEM.
HE TESTIFIED SAYING: SAVE YOURSELVES FROM THIS GENERATION, SO THOSE WHO WELCOMED HIS MESSAGE WERE BAPTIZED AND THAT DAY ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED, THEY DEDICATED THEIR LIVES.
SHANNON, I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
LET US PRAY.
GRACIOUS GOD, POUR YOUR SPIRIT ON SHANNON THIS DAY AS YOU POURED YOUR SPIRIT ON JESUS THE DAY HE WAS BAPTIZED.
FILL HER WITH COMPASSION, FILL HER WITH LOVE.
FILL HER WITH TRUST, THAT SHE MAY ALLOW YOU TO GUIDE HER ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE.
IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
>> REJOICE WITH ME, I AM A VISITOR AMONG YOUR MIDST, BUT REJOICE WITH ME IN THE BAPTISM OF MY SON.
I THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING HIM AND ENCOURAGING HIM AND MAKING HIM A PART OF YOU.
OUR BROTHER PAUL IN ROMANS, CHAPTER 6, WRITES: ALL OF US WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST JESUS WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH.
WE WERE BURIED, THEREFORE, WITH HIM BY BAPTISM INTO DEATH, SO AS CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD TO THE GLORY OF THE FATHER, WE TOO MIGHT WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.
FOR IF WE HAVE BEEN UNITED WITH HIM IN A DEATH LIKE HIS, WE WILL CERTAINLY BE UNITED WITH HIM IN HIS RESURRECTION LIKE HIS.
WE KNOW THAT OUR OWN SELF WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, SO THE BODY MIGHT BE DESTROYED AND WE MIGHT NO LONGER BE ENSLAVED BY SIN.
FOR THE ONE WHO HAS DIED IS FREE FROM SIN, BUT IF WE HAVE DIED WITH CHRIST, WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHALL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM.
FOR WE KNOW THAT CHRIST, BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD, WILL NEVER DIE AGAIN.
DEATH NO LONGER HAS DOMINION OVER HIM.
WHEN HE DIED, HE DIED TO SIN, ONCE FOR ALL.
BUT THE LIFE HE LIVED HE LIVES TO GOD.
SO YOU ALSO MUST CONSIDER YOURSELVES DEAD TO SIN AND ALIVE TO GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
LET NOT SIN, THEREFORE, REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODIES TO OBEY THEIR PASSION, DO YIELD YOURSELF TO GOD AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FROM DEATH TO LIFE AND YOU ARE MEMBERS OF GOD, FOR SIN WILL HAVE NO DOMINION OVER YOU SINCE YOU ARE NOT UNDER LAW BUT UNDER GRACE.
THERE IS, THEREFORE, NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.
THANKS BE TO GOD.
>> AMEN.
>> MALCOLM HAYMES COMES TO US FOR CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.
DO YOU ACCEPT CHRIST TO BE YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?
>> I DO
>> DO YOU RENOUNCE EVIL, REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND JOIN CHRIST?
>> I DO
>> IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, DO YOU IN THE COMPANY OF ALL CHRISTIANS TRUST IN GOD THE FATHER AND IN HIS SON JESUS CHRIST AND IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO GIVES LIFE TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD?
>> YES, I DO.
MALCOLM, I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
GRACIOUS GOD, POUR YOUR SPIRIT UPON MALCOLM AS YOU POURED YOUR SPIRIT SO LONG AGO ON YOUR SON JESUS, FILL HIM WITH COMPASSION, LOVE, TRUST.
GUIDE HIM EACH DAY, REMIND HIM THAT YOU ARE ON THE PATH WITH HIM, THAT HE MIGHT LEAN ON YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY, THIS IN CHRIST'S NAME.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MRS. HICKERSON HAS WIGGLE TIME THIS MORNING.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER CHILDREN THAT WANT TO JOIN US, THEY MAY COME UP NOW.
THERE IS A WONDERFUL THING ABOUT OUR WORLD AND WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE ABOUT IT LAST WEEK AND WE TALKED ABOUT GOING TO THE SEASHORE, THE WONDERFUL THING IS GOD PLACED SO MANY THINGS IN IT THAT WILL REMIND US OF HIM AND THAT ARE TO REMIND US OF JESUS.
DO YOU KNOW, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THIS IS?
>> SAND DOLLAR.
>> HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SAND DOLLARS?
>> I FOUND ONE.
>> IT WAS WHOLE EVEN?
BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN WE FIND THEM THEY ARE KIND OF BROKEN UP.
OKAY.
WE ARE GOING TO DO THINGS JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THIS MORNING, SO I WILL ASK LAWRENCE AND FI IF THEY WILL HELP ME, I'LL GIVE YOU YOUR NECKLACE FIRST SO YOU CAN LOOK AT IT.
TAKE THOSE AND THEN FI ‑‑ THESE ARE NOT QUITE AS STURDY AS THE THINGS I USUALLY GIVE YOU, SO YOU HAVE TO BE KIND OF CAREFUL OR THEY WILL HAVE TO BREAK.
I SEE ONE THAT HAS PROBABLY ALREADY BROKEN BUT THERE ARE ENOUGH IN HERE, SO, SEE THAT EVERYBODY GETS ONE.
ONE OF THOSE IS BROKEN, SEE THAT EVERYBODY GETS ONE.
AND YOU CAN PASS THAT BIG ONE AROUND AND LOOK TOO WHILE YOU'RE GETTING YOURS.
HERE YOU GO.
YOU WANT TO HOLD THAT?
HAS EVERYBODY GOTTEN ONE NOW?
SO, SOME OF YOU TOLD ME YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN ONE OF THESE ON THE BEACH?
THAT ONE WAS TOO BIG FOR A NECKLACE, SO I JUST PUT IT THERE SO YOU COULD PASS IT AROUND AND LOOK AT IT, AND SOME OF THE THINGS I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU ABOUT IT, THIS IS A KIND OF SHELL, OKAY,
LEE ANN KNOWS THESE THINGS I'M GOING TO TELL, BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS HERE TO REMIND YOU OF JESUS.
LOOK AT THE MIDDLE OF ‑‑ AT THE TOP, LOOK ON THE MIDDLE OF THE TOP OF YOURS.
CAN YOU SEE A STAR?
WAIT A MINUTE, HIS IS BROKEN.
HAND ME THE PIECES.
HERE YOU GO.
HANG ONTO IT, TRY NOT TO BREAK IT IN HALF RIGHT NOW, OKAY?
WAIT JUST A MINUTE.
YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE, DON'T YOU?
OKAY.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, MONTGOMERY.
I TOLD YOU THESE AREN'T AS STURDY AS SOME OF THE THINGS I MAKE FOR YOU.
LET'S PUT IT RIGHT THERE SO WE CAN LOOK AT IT AND RIGHT IN THE CENTER DO YOU SEE A STAR?
>> I SEE A STAR RIGHT HERE ON MINE.
>> YOU SEE A STAR? I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE, I PUT IT OUT THERE.
GOD PUT IT INSIDE, BUT I PUT THEM ON THE OUTSIDE SO YOU WOULDN'T BREAK IT.
LEE ANN?
>> THE HOLES AT THE SIDES ARE HIS HANDS AND THE ONE RIGHT HERE ‑‑
>> ALL RIGHT, LEE ANN KNOWS MY WHOLE STORY.
SHE CAN TELL THE WHOLE STORY.
AND ALSO, OF COURSE, THIS STAR REMINDS US OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS,
REMEMBER BACK AT CHRISTMAS WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE STAR AND THE WISE MAN GUIDED BY THE STAR AND ALSO JESUS' LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND THE REST?
AT THE TOP ‑‑ LEE ANN TOLD YOU THESE ARE PETALS LIKE FOR EASTER LILLY.
THERE WILL BE SOME AROUND NEXT WEEK.
DON'T SWING IT, THEY WILL BREAK, BELIEVE ME.
ALL THIS GOES WITH THE MEANING OF EASTER AS WE'RE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE NEXT WEEK AND LEE ANN TOLD YOU MOST OF THEM HAVE FIVE HOLES IN THEM,
COUNT, YOURS MAY NOT, IF IT'S BEEN BROKEN OFF AT ONE SIDE IT MAY ONLY HAVE FOUR.
OKAY.
THAT ONE I THINK IS A LITTLE BROKEN ON ONE SIDE.
OKAY.
>> I HAVE FIVE
>> SO IT HAS FIVE HOLES.
WHAT DID YOU TELL THEM, LEE ANN, IT WAS?
>> IT'S THE HANDS.
>> NAILS IN THE HANDS AND THE SIDE.
>> OKAY.
NOW LOOK UNDERNEATH, TURN IT OVER, THERE YOU GO, YOU'VE TURNED YOURS OVER JUST LIKE THIS.
THIS ONE IS NOT QUITE AS PRETTY COLOR AS YOURS, BUT YOU SEE THE PETALS OF ANOTHER FLOWER, DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE UP HERE IN DECEMBER, THEY WERE ALL RED, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE CALLED?
THERE YOU GO.
THAT IS TO REPRESENT THE POINSETTIAS.
SOME OF YOU ON THIS SIDE OF IT HAVE A LITTLE HOLE.
DID YOU TELL THAT, LEE ANN, WHETHER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE OPEN GRAVE.
YOU CAN PUT YOURS RIGHT THERE, OKAY.
OKAY.
AND INSIDE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BREAK YOURS OPEN TO SEE, THERE ARE FIVE LITTLE PIECES OF SHELL THAT LOOK LIKE DOVES.
THIS WAS FROM A BROKEN ONE.
I HAVE GLUED ONE ON TOP OF YOUR SHELL.
LOOK ON TOP, SEE WHERE I GLUED?
DOES THAT NOT LOOK LIKE A DOVE?
LET ME HAVE THE PIECES.
SO THAT YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE TO BREAK YOURS TO FIND THOSE PIECES, BUT IF IT SHOULD BREAK, THERE ARE LITTLE PIECES THAT LOOK LIKE THAT, BUT I GLUED ONE ‑‑ WELL, YOU JUST GO AHEAD AND HANG ONTO THAT, SO YOU CAN SEE.
LET ME READ ONE VERSE OF SCRIPTURE FROM ROMANS 10:9, FOR IF YOU TELL OTHERS WITH YOUR OWN MOUTH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS YOUR LORD AND BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN HEART THAT GOD HAS RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED.
NOW, YOU HAVE YOUR LITTLE NECKLACES, I TOLD YOU TO BE A LITTLE MORE CAREFUL THAN USUAL, OF COURSE, THEY MAY OR MAY NOT SURVIVE GETTING HOME, BUT YOU CAN PUT THEM AROUND YOUR NECK NOW IF YOU WANT TO AND MAYBE YOU CAN TELL THIS STORY AS LEE ANN AND I TRIED TO TELL IT TO YOU WHEN YOU GET HOME WITH YOURS, AND LET'S BOW OUR HEADS AND SAY A PRAYER TOGETHER, PLEASE?
WILL YOU BOW YOUR HEAD?
DEAR GOD, COME ON ‑‑ DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORLD AND FOR ALL ITS BEAUTY.
AMEN.
I'M GLAD YOU ALL CAME UP THIS MORNING AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT PALMS INTO CHURCH THIS MORNING.
YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO SCOOP UP ALL THE PIECES.
I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
IF I GIVE YOU A LITTLE BAG, MONTGOMERY, WILL YOU PICK UP THE PIECES AND DROP THEM IN THE BAG MAYBE WHILE WE'RE HAVING THE SCRIPTURE READING?
LEE ANN WILL HELP YOU PUT THEM IN THERE.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
>> THIS MORNING OUR SCRIPTURE READING WILL BEGIN WITH PSALM 118, VERSE 1 AND 2 AND VERSE 19 THROUGH 29.
YOU MAY FOLLOW ALONG IN THE PEW BIBLE PAGES 531 AND 532.
O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD.
HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
LET ISRAEL SAY HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
OPEN TO ME THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT I MAY ENTER THROUGH THEM AND GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD.
THIS IS THE GATE OF THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS ‑‑ THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL ENTER THROUGH IT.
I THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE ANSWERED ME AND HAVE BECOME MY SALVATION.
THE STONE THAT THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.
THIS IS THE LORD'S DOING.
IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES.
THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE.
LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.
SAVE US, WE BESEECH THEE, O LORD.
O LORD, WE BESEECH THEE, GIVE US SUCCESS.
BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, WE BLESS YOU FROM THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, THE LORD IS GOD AND HE HAS GIVEN US LIGHT.
BIND THE FESTAL PROCESSION WITH BRANCHES UP TO THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR.
YOU ARE MY GOD AND I WILL GIVE THANKS TO YOU.
YOU ARE MY GOD AND I WILL EXTOL YOU.
O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
THE SECOND READING COMES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT, LUKE 23, VERSUS 26 THROUGH 49, YOU MAY FOLLOW ALONG IN THE PEW BIBLE PAGES 918 AND 919.
AS THEY LED HIM AWAY THEY SEIZED A MAN, SIMON OF CYRENE WHO WAS COMING IN FROM THE COUNTRY AND THEY LAID THE CROSS ON HIM AND MADE HIM CARRY IT BEHIND JESUS.
A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOLLOWED HIM AND AMONG THEM WERE WOMEN WHO WERE EATING AND WAILING FOR HIM.
BUT HE SAID TO THEM: DAUGHTER'S OF JERUSALEM, DO NOT WEEP FOR ME BUT WEEP FOR YOURSELVES AND FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
FOR THE DAYS ARE SURELY COMING WHEN THEY WILL SAY BLESSED ARE THE BARREN AND THE WOMBS THAT NEVER BORE, THEN THEY WILL BEGIN TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS FALL ON US, WHEN THEY DO IT IF THE WOOD IS GREEN, WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN IT IS DRY?
TWO OTHERS ALSO WHO WERE CRIMINALS WERE LED AWAY TO BE PUT TO DEATH WITH HIM.
THEN THEY CAME TO THE PLACE THAT IS CALLED THE SKULL, THEY CRUCIFIED JESUS THERE WITH THE CRIMINALS, ONE ON HIS RIGHT AND ONE ON HIS LEFT.
THEN JESUS SAID: FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.
AND THEY CAST LOTS TO DIVIDE HIS CLOTHING.
AND THE PEOPLE STOOD BY WATCHING, BUT THE LEADERS SCOFFED AT HIM SAYING HE SAVED OTHERS, LET HIM SAVE HIMSELF IF HE IS THE MESSIAH OF GOD, HIS CHOSEN ONE.
THE SOLDIERS ALSO MOCKED HIM COMING UP AND OFFERING HIM SOUR WINE AND SAYING IF YOU ARE THE KING OF THE JEWS, SAVE YOURSELF.
THERE WAS ALSO AN INSCRIPTION OVER HIM: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
ONE OF THE CRIMINALS WHO WERE HANGING THERE SAID TO HIM: ARE YOU NOT THE MESSIAH?
SAVE YOURSELF.
BUT THE OTHER REBUKED HIM SAYING DO YOU NOT FEAR GOD SINCE YOU ARE UNDER THE SAME SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION AND WE INDEED HAVE BEEN CONVICTED JUSTLY, FOR WE ARE GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE, BUT THIS MAN HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG.
THEN HE SAID: JESUS, REMEMBER ME WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM.
HE REPLIED: TRULY, I TELL YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.
IT WAS NOW ABOUT NOON AND DARKNESS CAME OVER THE WHOLE LAND UNTIL 3:00 IN THE AFTERNOON.
WHILE THE SUNLIGHT FAILED AND THE CURTAIN OF THE TEMPLE WAS TORN IN TWO, THEN JESUS CRYING OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE SAID: FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT.
HAVING SAID THIS HE BREATHED HIS LAST.
WHEN THE CENTURION SAID WHAT HAPPENED HE PRAISED GOD AND SAID TO ALL THE CROWD, AND THEY SAW WHAT HAD TAKEN PLACE, THEY RETURNED HOME BEATING THEIR BREASTS, BUT ALL HIS ACQUAINTANCES INCLUDING THE WOMEN STOOD AT A DISTANCE WATCHING THESE THINGS.
HERE ENDS THE READING, THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS
>> THANKS BE TO GOD.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS JIM HENRY AND I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH YOU THIS MORNING.
WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU.
THERE IS AN ACTIVITIES LIST FOR THIS WEEK AND WEDNESDAY IT SAYS NO SCHEDULED ACTIVITY, THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO DREAM UP SOMETHING ON OUR OWN TO DO, THERE'S SOMETHING TO DO EVERY OTHER DAY THERE.
ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?
>> THIS IS A REMINDER TO THE ANGELS AT BROWN ACADEMY, FRIDAY IS NOT A SCHOOL DAY, SO IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE SOMETHING TO YOUR CHILD ON FRIDAY, DO SO ON THURSDAY,
IF YOU NEED HELP MAKING THE DELIVERY, I'M SURE IF YOU BRING IT BY THE CHURCH, WE WILL GET IT THERE ON THURSDAY.
>> I REALLY DON'T DO THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO DO IS THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE BROWN ACADEMY BROWN BUCKS STORE, WE HAVE HAD SO MANY OPEN HEARTS, SO MANY BLESSINGS.
THUS FAR THROUGH FEBRUARY WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE 991 GIFTS FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND THOSE ARE NOT COUNTING THINGS THAT I CAN BREAK INTO SETS.
GENEROUS DONATIONS, GENEROUS GIFTS, THOSE ARE NOT COUNTING THINGS YOU HAVE BROUGHT INDEPENDENTLY.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU DURING THE SUMMER AS YOU TRAVEL, BRING THE LITTLE SOAPS AND THINGS, DON'T STEAL THE TOWELS.
BRING ANYTHING, THEY LOVE POSTCARDS FROM PLACES THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AS YOU TRAVEL.
THE FINAL THING IS THAT IN THE FOYER AREA WE HAVE A HONOR SYSTEM TABLE WITH LICENSE PLATES FOR SALE.
LUCKILY TENNESSEE IS A ONE TAG CAR STATE, SO ‑‑ ONE TAG CAR STATE, SO THOSE WHO ARE NOT ADVERTISING YOUR COLLEGE, PICK UP ONE OF THESE FANTASTIC LICENSE TAGS FOR A MINIMUM DONATION OF $2, IT WILL ALL GO TO THE BROWN ACADEMY FOR THE PURCHASE OF MORE GIFTS FOR THE STORE.
WE ARE ALSO HOPING TO HAVE A LITTLE STICKER THAT GOES ON THESE GUYS WITH OUR FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH WEBSITE.
THANK YOU.
>> I WANT TO THANK EVERY ONE, YOU DONATED OVER 1700 EGGS.
THE BROWN ACADEMY, THE CHILDREN THERE AT THE SCHOOL WILL ENJOY THEIR EGGS ON TUESDAY.
WE HAD OVER 3,000 PIECES OF CANDY.
YOU SHOULD PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK.
MY SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT IS SINCE IT DID RAIN, WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR EGG HUNT BECAUSE IT'S VERY WET, BUT THE CHILDREN ‑‑ I HAVE CANDY TO GIVE YOU AFTER CHURCH AND EGGS WITH CANDY, SO IF YOU MEET ME OVER HERE OUTSIDE THE SANCTUARY WE WILL GIVE YOU A BAG OF CANDY.
OUR VISITORS TOO, I HAVE CANDY AND EGGS FOR YOU TOO.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?
>> I REALLY DON'T NEED THAT THING.
I JUST WANT EVERY ONE TO RECALL THIS THURSDAY IS MAUNDY‑THURSDAY AND THERE WILL BE AFTER THE FELLOWSHIP SERVICE THE CHOIR WILL SING, IT'S A WONDERFUL PIECE OF MUSIC AND WE HOPE YOU ALL WILL BE HERE TO ENJOY IT.
>> I WANT EVERYONE TO SAY IT WITH ME, FOURE.
ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?
JOYS?
>> I WANT YOU FOLKS TO KNOW PERSONALLY THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS IS NOT AFRAID OF HARD WORK OR DIRT, I AM 6 TRUCK LOADS OF STUFF LIGHTER AT MY HOME.
THANKS TO THEM.
THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT.
THERE'S A BEIGE FORD FOCUS IN THE PARKING LOT WITH ITS LIGHTS ON, SO IF YOU WANT TO TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS YOU MAY DO THAT.
>> WE DID FIND OUT WE ARE HAVING A GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HURRAY FOR GREAT‑GRANDCHILDREN.
CONCERNS?
>> MY BROTHER‑IN‑LAW PAUL YOUNG WHO LIVES IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, IS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY FOR COLON CANCER, SO I ASK YOUR PRAYERS FOR HIM
>> MY BROTHER GENE IN INDIANA WILL BE HAVING RATHER EXTENSIVE ABDOMINAL SURGERY THIS THURSDAY, AND HE IS NEEDING YOUR PRAYERS.
THANK YOU
>> YOU ALL PROBABLY REMEMBER CAMPBELL CARDEN WAS UNCLE. MY COUSIN, HIS DAUGHTER JUST WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, HER MOTHER DIED AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, RUSSELL IS FAIRLY TERRIFIED SO I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU KEEPING HER IN YOUR PRAYERS AND HE WOULD TOO.
>> GARY AND HIS CREW ARE ON THE WAY HOME AND HOMER HAS TAKEN ANOTHER DRIVER UP TO VIRGINIA TO RELIEVE THE DRIVER ON THE BUS, WE PRAY THEY HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY.
>> THANKS CLIFF AND ANNIE THIS MORNING.
KATHRYN SHUTTERS IS SUFFERING FROM VERTIGO THIS MORNING, AND BILL IS STILL SUFFERING FROM BELLS PALSY.
ANY OTHERS?
I WANT TO READ FROM “THE MESSAGE.”
THIS IS FROM THE PARAGRAPH RIGHT BEFORE THE LORD'S PRAYER.
THE WORLD IS FULL OF SO‑CALLED PRAYER LAWYERS WHO ARE PRAYER IGNORANT.
THEY ARE FULL OF FORMULAS AND PROGRAMS AND ADVICE, PEDALLING TECHNIQUES FOR GETTING WHAT YOU WANT FROM GOD.
DON'T FALL FOR THAT NONSENSE.
THIS IS YOUR FATHER YOU ARE DEALING WITH AND HE LOVES YOU AND KNOWS YOU BETTER THAN YOU WHAT YOU NEED.
WITH GOD LIKE THIS LOVING YOU, YOU CAN PRAY VERY SIMPLY.
SHALL WE PRAY?
LOVING, MERCIFUL, COMPASSIONATE, PATIENT GOD, HELP US TO SEE WHO YOU ARE, HELP US TO SEE WHO WE ARE.
HELP US TO SET RIGHT OUR LIVES.
HELP US TO LET GO OF WHAT IS HURTING US AND THOSE AROUND US, WHETHER IT'S HATE, HURT OR ANGER AND REPLACE IT WITH ACCEPTANCE, LOVE, FORGIVENESS.
KEEP US ALIVE AS IT IS YOUR WILL, KEEP US FORGIVING OF OTHERS.
KEEP US SAFE FROM OURSELVES.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE.
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT.
YOU ARE PRAISE AND BEAUTY IN OUR HEARTS.
HEAR US AS WE PRAY THE PRAYER THAT CHRIST TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES YEARS AGO SAYING: OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER.
AMEN.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR OUR OFFERING, I MADE ONE OTHER ANNOUNCEMENT, NEXT SUNDAY WE'RE ASKING TO BRING THE PLEDGE CARDS, YOU MAY FOLD THEM AND PUT THEM IN THE ENVELOPE.
BE WITH US AS WE GIVE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS.
>> LAST NIGHT I LAY SLEEPING, THERE CAME A GREAT SURPRISE, I SAW JERUSALEM BESIDE THE TEMPLE THERE.
I HEARD THE CHILDREN SINGING, AND AS THEY SANG, THE VOICE OF ANGELS ANSWERING.
THE VOICE OF ANGELS.
JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM LIFT UP YOUR EYES.
HOSANNA, IN THE HIGHEST, HOSANNA TO YOUR KING.
AND THEN MY DREAMS WERE CHANGED, THE STREETS NO LONGER WERE THERE, AMONG THE HOSANNAS THE LITTLE CHILDREN SANG, THE SUN GREW DARK WITH MYSTERY, THE AIR WAS COOL WITH CHILL AS THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS ROSE UP ON A LONELY HILL, AS THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS ROSE UP ON A LONELY HILL.
JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM, HARK HOW THE ANGELS SING, HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST, HOSANNA TO YOUR KING.
AND ONCE AGAIN THE SCENE WAS CHANGED, I SAW THE HOLY CITY BESIDE THE TIMELESS SEA, THE GATES WERE OPEN WIDE.
JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM, HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST, HOSANNA FOR EVERMORE, HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST, HOSANNA EVER MORE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I JUST ASKED WHAT TIME IT IS, I HOPE NO ONE IS REALLY HUNGRY.
LET US PRAY.
AS YOUR RAIN FALLS UPON US THIS MORNING, GRACIOUS GOD, MAY YOUR GRACE FALL EVEN MORE.
OPEN OUR HEARTS, OUR MINDS, OUR SOULS TO THE HEARD AND SPOKEN WORD.
MAY THESE WORDS TRULY BE FROM YOU.
MAY THEY TRANSFORM US INTO THE LIKENESS OF YOUR SON.
WE PRAY THIS IN CHRIST'S NAME, AMEN.
I GREW UP LEARNING THAT THE CRUCIFIXION WAS ABOUT CHRIST DYING FOR MY SINS.
I STILL BELIEVE THAT TODAY, BUT ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO MY VIEW OF CRUCIFIXION, OF THE CROSS BECAME ENLARGED.
I WAS IN MCDOW COUNTY WHICH IS THE POOREST COUNTY IN WEST VIRGINIA.
I WAS LEADING A YOUTH GROUP ON A MISSION TRIP THAT SUMMER.
AND WE WERE THERE TO PAINT, TO CLEAN UP, TO REPAIR, MAKE SOME MINOR REPAIRS BECAUSE MOST OF THE COUNTY HAD BEEN UNDER A FLOOD WATCH, CHURCHES WERE COMING FROM ALL OVER TO HELP.
WE WERE ASSIGNED TO MRS. JONES' HOUSE, THIS WONDERFUL ROUND WOMAN WITH TWO CHILDREN, VERY POOR, WORKED FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WORKED AS A SEAMSTRESS TO MAKE EXTRA MONEY SO HER CHILDREN COULD GROW AND GO TO COLLEGE SOME DAY.
MRS. JONES LIVED IN TREMENDOUS POVERTY, POVERTY LIKE I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE, BUT SHE HAD A RADIANT COUNTENANCE UPON HER, ALWAYS FILLED WITH JOY, NEVER SAD.
I'M SURE SHE HAD DIFFICULT MOMENTS FOR SURE.
AT THE END OF THE WEEK OF OUR MISSION TRIP WE ALL GATHERED FOR A PICNIC AND A SING‑ALONG, A BONFIRE, I REMEMBER MRS. JONES WANTED TO OFFER SOME WORDS, MAINLY IN SONG, THE CHURCH USED TO CALL THAT TESTIMONY OR GIVE A WITNESS.
AND THEY CAME TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ‑‑ CAME TO THE MIDDLE OF THE CIRCLE AND OFFERED WORDS OF THANKS, REALLY WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT ON THE GOODNESS OF GOD, THE BEAUTY OF GOD AND THEY SANG IN THE CHRIST OF GLORY AND SHE SANG IT BEAUTIFULLY.
I HEARD NO ONE EVER SING OR SING ABOUT THE CROSS, SO AFTERWARDS I WENT TO HER AND ASKED HER ‑‑ FIRST I SAID THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL.
I SAID TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE CROSS.
AND SHE SHARED WITH ME THAT THE CROSS WAS ABOUT COMPASSION AND THAT EVERY TIME THAT SHE THOUGHT OR READ THE WORDS IN THE GOSPELS ABOUT THE CROSS AND JESUS ON THE CROSS THAT THE COMPASSION THAT CHRIST HAD LEADING UP TO THE CROSS AND ON THE CROSS, AND THEY TOLD ME IT ALSO MEANT TRUST TO HER, THAT SHE COULD TRUST THE LORD BECAUSE HE TRUSTED GOD HIS WHOLE LIFE, HIS WHOLE MINISTRY, EVEN TO THE END.
COMPASSION AND TRUST.
THAT IS WHAT THE CROSS MEANT TO THIS WOMAN WHOSE LIFE WAS FILLED WITH SUCH DIFFICULTY AND SOME TRAGEDY.
SO IF YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOUR LIFE WAS FUTILE, IF YOU EVER FELT YOUR LIFE WAS A FAILURE, IF YOU WERE EVER SCARED OR FEARED OF THE FINALITY OF YOUR EXISTENCE, THE PASSAGE THAT BEA READ FOR YOU THIS MORNING IS FOR YOU.
IT'S FOR YOU.
IT'S FOR ME.
IT TELLS OF THE JOURNEY OF JESUS.
AND HERE IS JESUS.
THROUGHOUT HIS MINISTRY TALKING AND BEING AN EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION AND TRUST AND I WONDER AS THEY LED HIM WITH THE CROSS ON HIS BACK, I WONDER EVEN WITH ALL THE PAIN IF HE HAD MOMENTS OF REFLECTION, MOMENTS OF HOW DID I GET HERE?
HOW DID THIS ALL COME ABOUT?
WHAT IS THIS JOURNEY ALL ABOUT?
AND AS WE READ THE NEW TESTAMENT AND WE SEE WHERE JESUS IS GOING FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO SAY DON'T GO THERE,
IT'S KIND OF LIKE THOSE SCARY MOVIES WE SEE, YOU KNOW THE PERSON IS GOING TO THE DOOR, THE DOORBELL RANG, IT'S LIGHTNING AND THUNDERING, TEN PEOPLE DIED IN THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR, THE PHONES AREN'T WORKING, THE ELECTRICITY IS OUT, AND THEY GO TO THE DOOR, YOU WANT TO SAY: DON'T ANSWER THE DOOR!
DON'T GO OVER THERE!
SOMETIMES THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT JESUS WHEN I READ THE SCRIPTURE, DON'T GO OVER THERE.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE YOU, THEY ARE GOING TO CAUSE YOU PAIN.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO MOCK YOU, DON'T DO THAT.
SURELY YOU KNOW THAT, JESUS.
I WANT TO YELL AT HIM AND SAY DON'T GO.
BUT HE GOES.
HE CONTINUES ON HIS JOURNEY.
TALKING ABOUT COMPASSION, DEMONSTRATING COMPASSION, TALKING ABOUT TRUST AND DEMONSTRATING TRUST.
THERE HE IS, WOMEN AROUND HIM MOURNING AND HE SAYS DON'T WEEP FOR ME.
WEEP FOR YOURSELVES.
I WONDER WHY HE SAYS THAT, HE'S THE ONE ABOUT TO BE CRUCIFIED.
MAYBE HE'S THE ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO REALLY LIVE LIFE.
MAYBE HE KNOWS WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO TRUST IN GOD.
SO WE DON'T NEED TO CRY FOR HIM, BUT MAYBE THOSE OF US WHO STRUGGLE WITH TRUSTING GOD, WITH UNDERSTANDING THE COMPASSION OF GOD, EXPERIENCING THAT COMPASSION AND DEMONSTRATING THAT COMPASSION, HE'S RIGHT, MAYBE WE ARE THE ONES THAT NEED TO WEEP FOR OURSELVES.
I THINK ABOUT THE CRUCIFIXION ITSELF.
IT WAS COMMON BACK THEN.
MOST LIKELY THE WOOD USED FOR JESUS' CRUCIFIXION WAS USED FOR OTHER CRUCIFIXIONS AND I THINK ABOUT THAT PAIN, ON THAT CROSS, AND HE SAYS: FATHER, FORGIVE THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
FILLED WITH COMPASSION.
AND TRUST THAT GOD WILL FORGIVE THEM.
I THINK ABOUT THE DISCUSSION OF THE TWO THIEVES, ONE NOT REALLY WANTING ANYTHING TO DO WITH JESUS AND THE OTHER HOPING THAT HE IS WHO THEY SAY HE IS.
AND IN THE MIDST OF THAT, NOT THINKING ABOUT HIMSELF, HE SAYS: I ASSURE YOU TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.
COMPASSION, TRUST.
I LOOK AT THE REACTION OF THE CROWD, AT HOW THEY ARE OVERWHELMED AND THE CENTURION IS EVEN OVERCOME BY HIS TRUST IN GOD AND BY HIS COMPASSION.
JESUS DIES, WHICH I THINK THIS IS THE MAIN PART OF THE TEXT, JESUS DIES UTTERING WORDS FROM A PSALM OF CONFIDENCE, PSALM 31.
IT WAS OFTEN USED IN JEWISH EVENING PRAYER, FOR GOD TO TAKE CARE OF ONE'S SELF DURING THE NIGHT'S SLEEP.
SO AS JESUS ENTERS THE SLEEP OF DEATH HE UTTERS THESE WORDS: FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT.
HOW CAN HE DO THAT?
HOW CAN HE DO THAT FROM THE BEGINNING OF HIS LIFE OF MINISTRY ALL THE WAY TO THE END?
FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.
HE CAN SAY IT THEN BECAUSE THAT'S HOW JESUS LIVED HIS ENTIRE LIFE, THAT'S HOW HE LED HIS MINISTRY, CONTINUALLY COMMITTING HIS SPIRIT INTO THE HANDS OF GOD.
THIS PASSAGE IS SOAKED NOT ONLY WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS BUT WITH THE COMPASSION AND TRUST OF JESUS.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'M SURE THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE YOU HAVE FELT THAT YOUR LIVES ARE FUTILE, I KNOW I HAVE.
WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE.
WONDERING WHAT IS LIFE ALL ABOUT, WHERE AM I GOING?
WHAT HAS GOD GOT TO DO WITH IT ALL?
I THINK THE DEATH OF JESUS OFFERS US AN ANSWER.
HIS CRUCIFIXION OFFERS US AN ANSWER, THAT GOD CAN LEAD US AND WE CAN FIND A PURPOSE.
JESUS WAS PURPOSE THROUGHOUT HIS MINISTRY.
IT WASN'T ALWAYS EASY, LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, BUT HE FOUND THAT PURPOSE AND HE CAME TO IT, AND HE CONTINUALLY TOLD THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WE READ CONTINUALLY THAT YOU CAN FIND PURPOSE.
YOU CAN FIND PURPOSE.
ACCEPT THE COMPASSION OF GOD.
TRUST IN GOD AND YOU CAN FIND PURPOSE.
SOMETIMES WE FEEL OUR FAILURES ARE FADING, THAT OUR MISTAKES CANNOT BE OVERCOME, OUR FAILURES BECOME OUR IDENTIFIER.
AND JESUS SAYS ON THE CROSS THAT IT IS GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE, NOT OUR MISTAKES, NOT OUR PAST.
TO GOD THOSE ARE THROWN AWAY.
AND OUR DEATH IS NOT FINAL.
IN THE END JESUS SAYS WHAT HE SAID ALL ALONG: I ENTRUST MY SPIRIT IN YOUR HANDS, GOD.
TO BELIEVE THAT DEATH IS NOT FINAL IS TO TRUST THAT GOD IS REAL AND ACTIVE IN OUR LIVES.
BUT WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE EVERY DAY THAT WAY.
I DON'T THINK THE CROSS IS ABOUT THE END, I THINK THE CROSS IS ABOUT THE BEGINNING AND THE MIDDLE AND THE END, THAT WE ARE TO LIVE THAT LIFE OF COMPASSION, THAT WE ARE TO LIVE THAT LIFE OF TRUST EVERY DAY ESPECIALLY WHEN MOST DIFFICULT.
I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT DEATH A LOT RECENTLY, NOT BECAUSE I'M PARTICULARLY MORBID, BUT MY FRIEND'S DAUGHTER PASSED AWAY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.
LANA WAS A WILD CHILD, TRIED MANY THINGS, EXPERIMENTED WITH MANY THINGS, HUNG OUT WITH THOSE WHO DID.
BUT SOMEWHERE, SOMEWHERE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE ENDED UP IN HER LATE 20'S IN KANSAS.
AND LIKE I TOLD THE GROUP THIS MORNING, I DON'T KNOW WHY KANSAS OTHER THAN THAT GOD HAS A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR.
SHE ENDED UP IN KANSAS AND STARTED GOING TO THIS LITTLE CHURCH.
NOW LANA WAS RAISED BY BARB AND DAVE, THEIR LIVES WERE FAR FROM PERFECT BUT THEY WERE GOOD CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
BUT LANA WAS FILLED WITH RAGE, SHE DIDN'T THINK GOD WOULD LOVE HER UNCONDITIONALLY, BUT IN THIS LITTLE CHURCH IN KANSAS SHE DISCOVERED GOD LOVED HER UNCONDITIONALLY, SHE DISCOVERED THAT SHE COULD TRUST IN GOD.
AND HER WHOLE LIFE STARTED TO CHANGE.
AND SHE MET A FELLOW NAMED BILL, ALSO NOT FROM KANSAS BUT ENDED UP IN KANSAS, AND THEY GOT TOGETHER AND THEIR LIVES STARTED TO CHANGE.
THEY HAD CHILDREN.
AND IN THE MIDST OF THE CHANGING THEY FELT THEY HAD A CALL TO GO TO AFRICA, TEACH CHILDREN, HELP CHILDREN WHO WERE HUNGRY, AND STILL THREE WEEKS AGO THEY WERE PREPARING TO MAKE THAT TRIP.
BUT NOT TOO LONG AGO SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA, PROBABLY HAD IT FOR AWHILE, NOBODY KNEW IT, AND SO THREE WEEKS AGO SHE DIED.
IN TALKING WITH BARB, I SAID: WAS LANA BITTER?
ALL THIS ‑‑ WAS LANA BIT BITTER?
SHE SAID ONE OF THE LAST FEW TIMES SHE SPOKE WITH LANA, SHE WASN'T BITTER.
LANA WAS JUST SO EXCITED SHE DISCOVERED GOD LOVED HER NO MATTER WHAT, THAT THIS GOD WHO UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED HER WAS SOMEONE SHE COULD TRUST.
AND THAT WAS WORTH EVERYTHING.
THAT WAS WORTH EVERYTHING.
JESUS CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS, YES.
AND THAT IS FIVE OR SIX OTHER SERMONS.
BUT JESUS CHRIST ALSO DIED TO REMIND US THAT GOD LOVES US UNCONDITIONALLY AND WE CAN TRUST GOD AND WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE END.
MY FRIEND ALWAYS SAYS TO ME: PAUL, YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO RECOVER FROM YOUR MISTAKES.
I LIKE THAT A LOT.
BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME THAT THIS GOD WHO LOVES ME, THIS GOD WHO ASKS ME TO TRUST IN HIM CARES FOR ME BEYOND ANYTHING THAT I POSSIBLY COULD BELIEVE.
THIS GOD WHOM JESUS SAYS: FATHER, I COMMEND MY SPIRIT, I PUT MY LIFE IN YOUR HANDS, IS TRUST WORTHY.
SO I LEAVE YOU WITH THAT THIS DAY TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE BE LIKE TODAY IF YOU BELIEVED THAT GOD LOVED YOU UNCONDITIONALLY?
AND THAT YOU CAN TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT?
WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE BE LIKE?
AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID:
>> AMEN.
IF YOU WISH TO ENTER INTO THAT LIFE, I INVITE YOU TO COME FORWARD DURING THE SINGING OF OUR HYMN.
LET US STAND AND SING OUR HYMN.
[HYMN]
>> WE'RE VERY BLESSED THIS MORNING TO HAVE JUDY DUNCAN THIS MORNING TO JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
JUDY, I ASK YOU, DO YOU REAFFIRM YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?
>> I DO.
>> AND DO YOU WISH TO CLAIM MEMBERSHIP IN FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH?
>> YES, I DO.
>> WELCOME.
[APPLAUSE]
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT ‑‑ I KNOW JUDY HAS BEEN COMING HERE FOR AWHILE, BUT LET'S MAKE SURE AFTER WORSHIP WE GREET HER IN THE NARTHEX.
NOW WE COME TO OUR TIME OF CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION.
THIS IS THE LORD'S TABLE.
THE LORD INVITES ALL TO COME PARTAKE OF THE BREAD AND THE CUP.
COME AND RECEIVE LIFE.
ALL WHO SEEK LIFE ARE WELCOME AT THIS TABLE.
LET US NOW PROFESS OUR SINS TO THE LORD OUR GOD.
LET US PRAY.
WE GIVE OUR SINS UNTO YOU, O GOD, KNOWING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO START AFRESH WITH YOU THIS DAY, THIS MOMENT.
AND THAT YOU GIVE US COURAGE AND STRENGTH AND PEACE TO LIVE FOR YOU.
IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY.
AMEN.
IN THE NAME OF CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.
LET'S REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR COMMUNION HYMN.
LET US SING.
[HYMN 386]
>> FOR I RECEIVE FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO GIVE UNTO YOU, THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK THE LOAF OF BREAD AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID: THIS IS MY BODY THAT IS FOR YOU, DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP ALSO AFTER SUPPER SAYING: THIS CUP IS A NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
>> ELDER: HEAVENLY FATHER, LET US USE ANY SUCCESS, TALENT OR ABILITY WE MAY HAVE TO GLORIFY YOU, LET US SHOW OUR LOVE FOR YOU THROUGH OUR ACTIONS AND WORDS TOWARD OTHERS.
AS WE TAKE THIS BREAD WE THANK YOU FOR LOVING US UNCONDITIONALLY.
IN OUR WALK TOWARD EASTER, LET US STAY FOCUSED ON YOU.
LET US NOT EVEN FOR A MOMENT LOSE SIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE YOUR SON JESUS MADE FOR US.
THANKS FOR THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO US, TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, TO OUR COUNTRY, THANK YOU IN JESUS' NAME.
>> ELDER: WE THANK FOR THIS FRUIT OF THE VINE SYMBOLIC OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST, GIVEN TO LEAD US TO TRIUMPH THROUGH YOUR LOVING GRACE.
AS CHRIST WAS FREE FROM THE FINALITY OF THE CROSS, WE CAN BE FREE FROM THE FINALITY OF OUR MISTAKES.
[COMMUNION]
>> LET US SHARE IN THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.
LET US PRAY.
WE THANK YOU, GOD, FOR THE ASSURANCE IN BREAD AND WINE THAT CHRIST SHALL BE WITH US AT THE LAST.
GRANT THAT BY YOUR SPIRIT WE MAY STAND FIRM IN OUR FAITH, BE COURAGEOUS AND STRONG.
LET ALL THAT WE DO BE DONE IN LOVE.
AMEN.
>> OUR CHORAL BENEDICTION IS HYMN 191.
LET US STAND.
LET US GO FORTH IN PEACE AND IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.
WHEN WE DO SO WITH COURAGE, WHEN WE REMEMBER THE GRACIOUS WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU EVEN UNTO THE END, AMEN.