The Church at Prayer
Lord, Show Us the Path of Life
Song of Response
I’ve Got the Joy (Down in My Heart)
Please turn off all electronic devices
Introit
J. Noel Lance
Words of Greeting
& Announcements of Church Life
Rev. Allison Benfield
Expression of Fellowship
Congregation
Prayer of Joy
Congregation
Living God, as we journey through this life, help us to create more
laughter than tears, dispense more joy than gloom, and spread more
cheer than despair. Teach us how to be positive in the light of Jesus’
resurrection. Never let us become so indifferent that we fail to see
the wonder in the eyes of a child or the twinkle in the eyes of an
older adult. Show us how to encourage people with the joy of
Christian living. Help us remember that when we lighten the
burden of another, we make You smile. In the joy of Jesus. Amen.
*Hymn of Proclamation
Hark! the Herald Angel Said
Hark! the herald angel said, “Why seek Jesus with the dead?
MENDELSSOHN
Litany of Discipleship
Rev. Dennis W. Foust, PhD
Lia Benton
LEADER:
Which commandment is the first of all?
STUDENTS: Jesus said, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one; you shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.”
LEADER:
Which is the second?
STUDENTS: Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is
no commandment greater than these.
STUDENTS AND SPONSORS:
We are on the journey of life, learning to walk with Jesus.
STUDENTS: May we commit our lives to following the Way of Jesus.
PEOPLE:
May we be faithful followers of Christ who invest ourselves
in our children and youth.
ALL:
May we all respond to the love of God with gratitude, and
may that gratitude shape the way we live our lives.
* Invites the congregation to stand
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! Where?
Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart!
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart,
Down in my heart to stay.
Prayer Concerns
Byron Bullard, James Carnes, Libby Collier, Ethel Harris, Carmen Howard,
Deacon Jones, Tish Philemon, Dot Propst & Jack Smith - home
I've got the wonderful love of my blessed redeemer way down in the
depths of my heart! Where? Down in the depths of my heart!
Where? Down in the depths of my heart!
I've got the wonderful love of my blessed redeemer way down in the
depths of my heart, down in my heart to stay.
Reading of the Gospel
In Your Presence There is Fullness of Joy
Offertory Prayer
And the Father Will Dance
Dr. Foust
LEADER: This is the written word of God for the people of
God.
PEOPLE: Thanks be to God!
Chancel Choir
Mark Hayes
*Hymn
The Lord of the Dance
Choir sings verses & congregation joins on refrain
He will take delight in whom He loves.
Is that a choir I hear singing the praises of God?
No, the Lord God Himself is exulting o'er you in song!
And He will joy over you in song!
My soul will make its boast in God,
For He has answered all my cries.
His faithfulness to me is as sure as the dawn of a new day.
Awake my soul! Awake my soul and sing!
Let my spirit rejoice, let my spirit rejoice, let my spirit rejoice, in God!
Sing, O daughter of Zion, with all of your heart!
Cast away fear, for you have been restored!
Put on the garment of praise as on a festival day.
Join with the Father in glorious, jubilant song.
And He will joy over you in song! And the Father will dance over you in joy!
He will take delight in whom He loves!
Is that a choir I hear singing the praises of God?
No, the Lord God Himself is exulting o'er you in song!
God rejoices over you, God rejoices over you in song!
OLD HUNDREDTH
LORD OF THE DANCE
REFRAIN
SERMON
Rev. Caleb S. Foust & Dr. Foust
The Joy of Christian Living
In Your Righteous Hand Are Pleasures Forevermore!
*Hymn of Commitment
*Doxology
Chalice Hymnal No. 46
Teri Franklin
love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his
love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in
you, and that your joy may be complete.”
WE GIVE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS FOR THE WORK OF GOD
Offertory Anthem
John 15:9-11
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my
And the father will dance over you in joy!
He’s not here, as you can see, grave clothes lie where he would be.
On your way now, tell the others, Jesus will be with his brothers,
Sisters, too, he wants to see on the hills of Galilee.”
Hark! the herald angel said, “Christ is risen from the dead.”
A Word about Joy Sunday
Congregation
Rev. Allison Benfield
Chalice Hymnal No. 2
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
HYMN TO JOY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
*Celebrations of the Community
Dr. Foust
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Commissioning of the Joyful Church
Dr. Foust
*Postlude
J. Noel Lance
Announcements
Discipleship Class
Students
Jake Benton
Nora Frances Benton
Isabela Current
Isaac Fries
Savannah Heasley
Reid Kinney
Emma Matthews
Katherine Mae Rodden
Mattie Stillerman
Sophie Ann Sweet
Sponsors
Graham Claytor
Mindy Vergakis
Jessica Redding
Jordan Benton
Vanessa Boling
Phil Vavra
Lia Benton
Kimberly Follis
Allison Benfield & Ryan Crowder
Elizabeth Whipple
Second Century Legacy Campaign
The campaign to increase the endowment funds will conclude with a celebratory
lunch and church conference after worship next Sunday, April 30. Everyone is
invited to attend this church-wide celebration of legacy giving. There is no cost for
the Anderson’s-catered lunch; however, reservations are required. Please email
Jacquelyn McAbee ([email protected]) or call her (704-333-5428) by April
26 to indicate number of adults and children under age12.
St. John’s Baptist Church
300 Hawthorne Lane
Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
704.333.5428 - www.stjohnsbaptistchurch.org
The St. John’s Pulpit
April 30 - Third Sunday of Easter
Proclaimer: Rev. Dennis W. Foust, PhD
Sermon: God’s Legacy and Ours
Scripture: Joshua 4:1-7, 19-24
This Week at St. John’s
Sunday, April 23
Monday, April 24
St. John’s 101
The Membership Resource Team is pleased to offer the St John’s 101 course to
guests, prospective members, and current members who just want a refresher.
Classes began this morning and will continue on April 30 and May 7 & 21 during
the Sunday School hour. They will meet in the church lounge.
Tuesday, April 25
2017 State & Community Offering
Received $785 - Goal: $5000
To meet the MT 25 challenge our 2017 State and Community Offering will be
given to the Galilee Refugee Support Center, Sewing Seeds, and Center for
Community Transitions.
Wed., April 26
Thursday, April 27
Have you included St. John’s in your estate planning?
MT25 - Save the Dates!
April 30—Claim your calling for MT 25!
May 7—Meet your MT 25 community and connect with a mission event!
Terrific Tuesday Book Club
There will be an organizational meeting this Tuesday, April 25, at 12 noon in the
library in order to prepare for fall reading (bring your book suggestions). The May
book will also be distributed. Bring a sandwich and stay for lunch and fellowship.
Women of the Church
Register today for a fun-filled evening of wreath-making on Thursday, May 18,
from 7-9 pm in the church lounge. The theme is Americana - Memorial Day, 4th of
July, Labor Day, etc. Cost is $35 per person, and checks should be made out to
Linda Crowder. You may register through Linda or the church office.
Vacation Bible School Volunteers Needed - June 12-16
The volunteer sign up is online this year. Sign up to be a Guild Assistant (just show
up and help a guild leader—no preparation needed on your part), or a greeter (a
new position—responsible for welcoming children and families to VBS each day).
To sign up, visit link or contact Allison Benfield: www.SignUpGenius.com/
go/20F0A4FADA62EA4FF2-2017
Upcoming Youth Events
 April 23, 30 & May 7 - Regular Evening Schedule 5:00-7:30 pm
 May 21 – Youth Banquet (last Sunday until fall)
Copies of Worship Bulletins and Sermon Manuscripts are available at www.stjohnsbaptistchurch.org.
Friday, April 28
Saturday, April 29
9:00 am
9:15 am
9:15 am
10:30 am
11:45 am
5:00 pm
10:00 am
10:30 am
11:45 am
5:15 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
7:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
4:45 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:30 am
9:30 am
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:15 pm
8:30 am
10:00 am
4:00 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
8:00 pm
7:00 am
9:30 am
The Worship of God
6th Grade Discipleship (Lounge)
Sunday School/Worship 101 (Classrooms)
St. John’s 101 (Heritage Room)
Worship (Sanctuary)
Pastoral Deacon Panel subgroup (Lounge)
Sunday Night Live (Lounge/Gym/3rd Floor)
Mental Health America (Lounge)
Staff meetings ( Conference Room)
Faith Journey Book Study (Room 209)
Men’s Basketball (Gym)
Pastoral Deacon Panel -Millennial Focus (Lounge)
AA (Room 114)
Tuesday Morning Men’s Group (Lounge)
Co-ed Bible Study (Room 209)
Terrific Tuesday Book Club (Library)
Young Voices of the Carolinas (Choir Room)
Queen City Unlimited AAU (Gym)
Zumba class (Lasater Hall)
Enneagram class (Room 222)
Benton Basketball Group (Gym)
Yoga (Room 114)
AA (Room 114)
Guard U (Gym)
Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
Center for Applied Linguistics (Lounge)
Craft Class (Room 209)
Queen City Unlimited AAU (Gym)
HeadStart Parent Banquet (Broach Hall)
Zumba Class (Lasater Hall)
AA (Room 114)
Benton Basketball Group (Gym)
Kids Basketball (Gym)
Membership and Ministry
If you would like information on how you can become a member of St. John’s, please call
the church office (704.333.5428) or fill out one of the “For Our Guests” cards found on
the back of the pew and place it in the offering plate. One of our ministers will be happy
to reach out to you and answer any questions you may have. Visit our website to find out
more information regarding the many ministry opportunities available in the life of St.
John’s.
Ministers
Every participant in God’s Servant Church
Equipping Ministers
Senior Minister ........................................................................ Rev. Dennis W. Foust, PhD
Associate Minister ................................................................................. Rev. Martha Kearse
Minister for Children and Their Families ...................................... Rev. Allison Benfield
Minister for Worship and Music ................................................................... J. Kevin Gray
Minister for Youth and Young Adults ........................................................ Rev. Lee Gray
Church Staff
Administrative Assistant ........................................................................ Jacquelyn McAbee
Church Accountant ....................................................................................... Elaine Johnson
Church Administrator .................................................................................... Sandra Rogers
Organist .............................................................................................................. J. Noel Lance
Graded Choirs Director ................................................................................ Sandy Holland
Custodians ............................................................ James Cowan, James Lee, Chris Mullis
Weekday School Director ............................................................................. Lydia Olmsted
Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday, April 23, 2017
10:30 A.M. in the Sanctuary
St. John’s Baptist Church
Charlotte, North Carolina