THE WORSHIP OF GOD the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. For this *Invocation and Lord’s Prayer reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Thy kingdom come, thy will be done Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I Our silence and reverence will enable others to prepare On earth as it is in heaven. have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to their hearts and minds for worship. Please take a few moments Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending to sit quietly before God as you come into the sanctuary. As we forgive those who trespass against us. him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my Worship bags are available for all children. The bags, containing activity pages imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. and necessary supplies, hang along the back wall of the sanctuary. your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not We encourage all children to use one each week! something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from Call to Confession Russ Dean you for a while, so that you might have him back for ever, no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me Meditation Discipline of Silence but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you I know I cannot enter all you feel consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If

Nor bear with you the burden of your pain he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to I can but offer what my love does give — Prayer of Confession (responsively) my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. The strength of caring Where ignorance, self-love, and insensitivity have fractured life I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let The warmth of one who seeks to understand in community, me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in This I do in quiet ways — Give your light, O God of love. Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that That on your lonely path you may not walk alone Where injustice and oppression have broken the spirit of peoples, you will do even more than I say. One thing more—prepare a guest — Howard Thurman Give your light, O God who frees. room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to

When hunger and poverty, illness and death have made life an you. Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to Russ Dean Welcome Unbearable burden, you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow- Give your light, O God of grace. workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Chiming of the Hour Where suspicion and hatred, conflict and fear have challenged Leader: You have heard the ancient STORY. Your goodness, Music for Preparation Give your light, O God of peace. People: Let us listen now for the word of the Lord.† Hymn to Joy Beethoven Eternal God, open the eyes of the nations and peoples so that they May walk in the life of love: Solo

Remove the ignorance and stubbornness of nations and peoples so The Lord is My Shepard Howard Goodall *Processional Hymn that we may drink from the fountains of your goodness. Allie Blum, soprano Lead On Eternal Sovereign LANCASHIRE — John Bell Lead on eternal Sovereign, we follow in your way; Loud rings your cry for justice, your call for peace this day: Assurance of Pardon Sermon Bases of Love Amy Jacks– Dean

Through prayerful preparation, your grace will make us strong, To carry on the struggle to triumph over wrong. Prayer of Intercession Dan McClintock

Congregational Response Lead on eternal Sovereign, we follow not with fear, Christian, Rise and Act Your Creed INNOCENTS Mission Offering For in each human conflict your words of strength we hear: Christian, rise and act your creed; Our mission offering for September will go to Charlotte Rescue Mission’s Rebound Program. Rebound provides free Christian residential drug and That when we serve with gladness, you will not let us fall, Let your prayer be in your deed; recovery services for men who would not otherwise be able to afford such Our trust is in your promise that love will conquer all. Seek the right, perform the true, Raise your work and life anew. services. The program provides food, clothing, and shelter for a minimum 120-day stay and is modeled after the 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous

Lead on eternal Sovereign, till sin’s fierce war shall cease, curriculum. This intensive program boasts success rates And all your saints together will sing a hymn of peace; Children’s Time Russ Dean that are twice the national average. Then all in your dominion will live with hearts set free, To love and serve each other for all eternity. Scripture Lesson Philemon Amy Jacks Dean Please designate all checks and envelopes as either “Annual Ministry Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Plan” (AMP) or “mission.” In keeping with our initiative to “create a culture of *Litany of Worship (responsively) Ken Reynolds Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to generosity,” all loose cash in the offering will be given to our mission for this Ever-present God, stir in our hearts a holy expectancy Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to month. If you write a check or put cash in an envelope, however, So that we will be ready and open to hear your voice. you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. When I please designate this gift. May our Spirit be open to the calling of your Spirit, remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. I That in listening for you we might hear you, pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you That in waiting for you we might meet you, That in meeting you we might follow you, Amen. perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received — Peggy Haymes much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of Offertory Give Thanks H. Smith Deacon of the Week: Ken Reynolds Ken has served in the role of Deacon before, but this year he serves as the *Doxology VENI EMMANUEL Chair. In addition to services as a Deacon, Ken’s most faithful service Praise God from whom all blessings flow. through the years has been to help us find ways to enhance the beauty of our worship space through Advent decorations and the Easter lily cross and Praise God all creatures here below. a Thanksgiving bounty on the communion table, just to name a few. His eye Praise God above, ye heavenly host. for beauty indeed helps our worship experience to be more rich. Ken works Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. in the corporate office for Bojangles. Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

*Prayer of Dedication Dan McClintock “The rose on the communion table today is in celebration of the birth of Elliott Ryan Baisey, daughter of Chris and Stephanie Baisey. She was born *Call to Discipleship on Wednesday, September 4th. Elliott joins big sister, Bennett. Welcome to We offer all who worship this day an opportunity to commit to the the world, Elliott!” challenge of Jesus: “Come, follow me.” This commitment may be made as a profession of faith, or as a commitment through membership in this church to join us in seeking to follow in the Way of Jesus. You are invited to come forward to be welcomed as we sing. WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT PARK ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH Please turn off all cell phones during worship. *Hymn of Commitment O for a World AZMON Our newsletter, Good Tidings, and copies of past sermons O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways, are available in the sanctuary narthex. Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise. A podcast of sermons is available at www.parkroadbaptist.org.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved, CDs of past worship services are available through the church office.

Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved. We encourage you to take the bulletin with you We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice but you may leave it on the back pew to be recycled. That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

Meditation of Commitment Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. In the slums we are the light of God’s kindness to the poor. To the children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely, give always a happy smile — Give them not only our care, but also your heart. — Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Benediction Russ and Amy Jacks Dean OUR CHURCH STAFF

Russ and Amy Jacks Dean, Pastors Becka Eppley, Administrative Assistant *Those who are able are invited to stand. Heather Gaskins, Director, Child Development Center Leslie Gipple, Operations Manager †The challenge an ancient text presents to modern readers is to allow the truth that originally Bruce Holliday, Director of Communications animated the text to become a “living Word” for us. Only as we interact with a given text in a continual “now” (“now” in the anthem, “now” in the sermon, “now” in the fellowship that Dan McClintock, Minister of Mission and Family Life follows worship, “now” in the work and service, the joys and sorrows of busy lives) can that Word Allison Wieland, Financial Administrator truly become “living and active” (Hebrews 4.12). 3900 Park Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209 704.523-5717 www.parkroadbaptist.org