Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost September 23, 2018 Preparing for worship The Feast of Saint Matthew was Friday, attending a dinner party for Jesus. The Jewish Sept. 21. As Baptists, this is not something we people were surprised to see Jesus with a traditionally celebrate or discuss so I thought publican, but Jesus explained that he had come I’d tell you about it today as we prepare for “not to call the just, but sinners.” worship and are reading from the Gospel of As we think about ways to be salt and light Matthew. in the world, we can still honor some of the At the time that Jesus summoned Matthew traditions from the feast of Saint Matthew: to follow him, Matthew was a publican, that is, a tax collector for the Romans. His profession • Do something for those in need, such as was hateful to the Jewish people because giving money toward one of Wilshire’s it reminded them of their subjection. The missions. publican was regarded by the Pharisees as the • Take time to read Matthew’s Gospel, “typical” sinner. keeping in mind that Matthew depicts the No one was more shunned by the Jewish humanity of Christ and emphasizes his people than a publican, who was a Jew working physical sufferings. for the Roman enemy by robbing his own • Discuss Matthew’s call from Christ to people and making a large personal profit. “Follow me” with your children and how Publicans were not allowed to trade, eat or even we are all called to belong to the family of pray with other Jewish people. God. One day, while seated at his table of books and money, Jesus looked at Matthew and said It’s not always easy to answer Jesus’s call to two words: “Follow me.” This was all that was follow him. How might you let Christ’s light needed to make Matthew rise, leaving his pieces shine through you this week? How might we of silver to follow Christ. carry Matthew’s example with us this week? Matthew is also mentioned in the Gospels —Tiffany Wright Wilshire Baptist Church 4316 Abrams Road | Dallas, Texas 75214 (214) 452-3100 | www.wilshirebc.org Partnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Building a Community of Faith Shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ ON THE COVER: Alleluia, Jen Norton. Used by permission. 2 September 23, 2018 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Chiming of the Hour The people of Wilshire gather this morning to worship God. In order for this service of worship to be focused upon that purpose, please turn off all cell phones, pagers and alarm watches. Prelude Come, Christians, Join to Sing arr. Hayes Max Tucker, piano Opening Sentences Christie Michie / Ben Holden The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. We gather today to join all creation in speaking praise to our God of grace and glory. We know that the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul, that the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart, that the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. Because the Lord is holy and the Lord’s creation glorious, we pray that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts may be acceptable to the Lord, our rock and redeemer. +Hymn 285 God of Grace and God of Glory cwm rhondda Greeting to Worshipers George Mason Guests are invited to take a Response Card from the pew rack, complete it and place it in the offering plate when it is passed later in the service. You also are invited to take the red fabric rose from the card and place it on your lapel or blouse to help others identify that you are our honored guest today. Prayer concerns will be received and prayed for this week when listed on an intercessory prayer card from the pew rack and placed in the offering plate. Missions Interview Heather Mustain Learn more about Wilshire’s partnership in Tanzania on pages 10 and 11 of today’s worship folder. Prayers of the People Carolyn Murray / Alison Wingfield *8:30 worship service / **11:00 worship service +All congregants who are able are invited to stand. Hearing devices are available in the Narthex and South Atrium. 3 +Gospel Reading — Matthew 5:13–16 Ryan Wilson / Tiffany Wright “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. +Hymn Once to Every Soul and Nation ebenezer Giving of Tithes and Offerings When you give to Wilshire’s Unified Budget, you support our partnership through the New Baptist Covenant, a national initiative to bring black churches and white churches together in dialogue and fellowship and learning. Through New Baptist Covenant, Wilshire has a multifaceted partnership with Friendship-West Baptist Church. 4 Offertory Prelude in C Major, BWV 1009 J.S. Bach Zachary Mansell, cello +Offertory Response old 100th Our God is making all things new, a promise that we know is true. Through eyes of faith we long to see a love-transformed community. A place where truth and justice reign and healing triumphs over pain, Where all have dignity and worth and peace is passed throughout the earth. Reading — Isaiah 65:17–25 Mark Wingfield For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord—and their descendants as well. Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Anthem *Oh, I Will Praise the Lord Telemann Youth Choir Alissa Payne, accompanist **For Everyone Born Courtney Sanctuary Choir Zachary Mansell, cello For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born, clean water and bread, A shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead. And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace. Yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy! For woman and man, a place at the table, revising the roles, deciding the share, With wisdom and grace, dividing the power, for woman and man, a system that’s fair. And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace. 5 Yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy! For young and for old, a place at the table, a voice to be heard, a part in the song, The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled, for young and for old, the right to belong. And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace. Yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy! For everyone born, a place at the table, to live without fear, and simply to be, To work, to speak out, to witness and worship, for everyone born, the right to be free. And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace. Yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy! – Shirley Erena Murray Message “The Gospel of Hope for a Weary People” Tony Campolo +Hymn 102 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come antioch Sharing of Decisions Benediction Postlude God of Grace arr. Manz The flowers on the chancel today are given in honor of Dot Newsom and in memory of Asa Newsom Jr. by their sons, David, Kirk and Kent and their families. All guests are invited to a coffee reception in the James Gallery immediately after the service.