THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP May 12, 2024
THE SANCTUARY TEN-FIFTEEN A.M.
ASCENSION OF THE LORD
MOTHER’S DAY/BABY DEDICATION
CELEBRATING IN OUR GREETING
CHIMING OF THE TRINITY
SCRIPTURE CALL TO WORSHIP …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Psalm 47
PRELUDE — “” ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Hughs
Acolytes — Ben Elliott and Paige Robertson
WELCOME TO WORSHIPERS
*HYMN OF PRAISE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… No. 528
“Lord, for the Gift of Children” — Blakley-Evans
Lord, for the gift of children we come to give You praise; we bring them here before You as they begin their days. Each one is loved and precious, yet they are not our own; we give them back in faith, Lord, and trust Your grace alone.
We promise to be faithful, and teach them all Your ways. Help us to live before them lives they can only praise. Though they will no remember what we have done this day, each day we’ll shape their future by all we do and say.
Now as we grow together, help us to honor You, as we affirm each other through all we say and do. Then when our children leave us, we’ll trust Your Word and pray that what You teach they’ll follow, and never turn away.
CELEBRATING IN OUR DEDICATION OF FAMILIES
A RESPONSIVE LITANY OF COMMITMENT
Leader: Our Lord Jesus taught us how precious children are to God.
People: And that we must love and nurture every child.
Leader: We must never do anything that causes a little one to stumble.
People: And we must all come to God through Christ as a child to a loving parent.
Leader: Today, parents will present their children in an act of worship.
People: They will promise to raise their children in a Christian home and in the church.
Leader: They are trusting us and depending on us for prayer and encouragement;
People: to provide ministries that nurture their children in Christian faith,
Leader: to model love and unity that draws them to Jesus,
People: and to help them discover their gifts and calling as they grow to maturity.
Leader: For the children of our church, for their parents, and for all of God’s precious children in our community,
People: may we be an inviting, welcoming, and affirming place,
Unison: a place that feels like home.
PRESENTATION OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS
A RESPONSIVE LITANY OF DEDICATION
Leader: Parents, this morning you are presenting yourselves and your Child before God and before the people of God. Do you
commit to bring up your child in a home where God is honored and Christian faith is taught, to encourage your child
to participate fully in the life of the church, and to look forward to the day when your child will come to know and
profess Jesus as their Savior and Lord?
Parents: We do.
Leader: Parents, do you also recommit yourselves this morning as followers of Christ, to promise to provide an example of faith
for your child to see and follow, to be committed to your own growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ through prayer,
Bible study, and other Christian disciplines, and to faithfully participate in and support the congregation to which you
belong.
Parents: We do.
Leader: As a church family, these parents and their children are depending on us. They need our encouragement, our grace,
and our love for their children to thrive in their spiritual growth and development. Do you, the members of Zebulon
Baptist Church, commit to love and nurture these children and their parents in their desire to know and follow Christ; and do
you commit to give your time, your prayers, your energy, and your offerings so that the ministries these families need will
be available to them and aid in the Christian growth of these beloved children?
Congregation: We do.
A PRAYER OF BLESSING
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES AND GIFTS
CELEBRATING IN OUR PROCLAMATION
*OFFERTORY HYMN ……………………………………………………………………………………………….….. No. 219
“Hail the Day That See Him Rise” — Wesley-Cotterill-Roberts
Hail the day that sees Him rise, Alleluia! to His throne above the skies; Alleluia! Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia! enters now the highest heaven. Alleluia!
There for Him high triumph waits, Alleluia! lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia! He has conquered death and sin. Alleluia! Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!
See! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia! yet He loves the earth He leaves, Alleluia! though returning to His throne, Alleluia! still He calls the world His own. Alleluia!
See! He lifts His hands above! Alleluia! See, He shows the prints of love! Alleluia! Hark! His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia! blessings on His church below. Alleluia!
*OFFERTORY SENTENCES
With songs of joy and hearts of love, let us bring our offerings and gifts in gratitude to God.
OFFERTORY — “Andante” ………………………………………………………………… Padre Giovanni Battista Martini
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Him, all creatures here below;
praise Him, above ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Weston Marshburn
Luke 24:44-53
(Page 73 of the New Testament in the Pew Bibles)
ANTHEM — “In Christ Alone” …………………………………………………………………..…………………….. arr. Raney
The Sanctuary Choir
SERMON — The Bridge Between Ministry and Mission ..…………………………………………………….. Rev. Ward Page
CELEBRATING IN OUR RESPONSE
INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP
*HYMN OF COMMITMENT …………………………………………………………………………..……… No. 209
“The Head That Once Was Crowned” — Kelly-Glaser-Mason
The head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now; a royal diadem adorns the might victor’s brow.
The highest place that heaven affords is His, is His by right, the King of kings and Lord of lords, and heaven’s eternal light.
The joy of all who dwell above, the joy of all below, to whom He manifests His love and grants His name to know.
The cross He bore is life and health, though shame and death to Him: His people’s hope, His people’s wealth, their everlasting theme.
PRESENTATION OF NEW MEMBERS
OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE — “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” …………………………………………………….. arr. Zipp
*The Congregation is invited to stand as they are able.
CCL #1437762 SL Plus #20535958