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The Lord’s Day in Worship
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
R
{ GATHERED WORSHIP: The Triune God Renews His People }
9:00 am
—Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
“God looked at everything he had made. ‘Perfect!’ he said.
And it was.
But all the stars and the mountains and oceans and galaxies
and everything were nothing compared to how much God loved
his children. He would move heaven and earth to be hear them.
Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would
always love them.
And so it was that the wonderful love story began.”
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2
7 OPENING HYMN
DAILY WORSHIP RESOURCES
“The Heavens Declare Thy Glory”
The heavens declare Thy glory, The firmament Thy power,
Day unto day the story Repeats from hour to hour;
Night unto night replying, Proclaims in every land,
Oh Lord, with voice undying, The wonders of Thy hand.
These readings are provided as a personal, family or group worship resource. Use them
along with your worship guide as resources for readings, prayers and hymns. Set in
the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), a schedule of daily Bible readings in accord
with the Church year, these scripture readings are designed around a three-year cycle
that will take you through the Old Testament once, the New Testament twice, and the
Psalms frequently.
The sun with royal splendor Goes forth to chant Thy praise;
And moon-beams soft and tender Their gentler anthems raise;
O’er every tribe and nation The music, strange, is poured,
The song of all creation, To Thee, creation’s Lord.
How perfect, just, and holy The precepts Thou hast giv’n;
Still making wise the lowly, They lift the thoughts to heav’n;
How pure, how soul-restoring Thy Gospel’s heav’nly ray,
A brighter radiance pouring Than noon of brightest day.
All heaven on high rejoices To do its Maker’s will;
The stars with solemn voices Resound Thy praises still;
So let my whole behavior, Thoughts, words, and actions be,
Oh Lord, my strength, my Savior, One ceaseless song to Thee.
So let my whole behavior, Thoughts, words, and actions be,
Oh Lord, my strength, my Savior, One ceaseless song to Thee.
SUNDAY, THE LORD’S DAY • TRINITY SUNDAY
MorningPsalm 146, 147
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
John 1:1-18
MONDAY
MorningPsalm 41, 52
Deuteronomy 11:13-19
Evening Luke 17:1-10
Psalm 44 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 TUESDAY
MorningPsalm 45
Deuteronomy 12:1-12Luke 17:11-19
Evening Psalm 47, 48 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1
WEDNESDAY
MorningPsalm 119:49-72Deuteronomy 13:1-11 Evening Luke 17:20-37
Psalm 49, 53
2 Corinthians 7:2-16 MorningPsalm 50
Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Luke 18:1-8
Evening Psalm 59, 60
17:14-20
2 Corinthians 8:1-16 Words: Psalm 19:1-6; 14; Thomas R. Birks, 1874. Music: Rick Barnes, 2011.
FRIDAY
MorningPsalm 40, 54
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
EveningPsalm 51
2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Luke 18:9-14
SATURDAY
MorningPsalm 55
Deuteronomy 29:2-15 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Evening: Luke 18:15-30
Psalm 138, 139 SUNDAY, THE LORD’S DAY • SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
MorningPsalm 24, 29
Deuteronomy 29:16-29
EveningPsalm 8, 84
Revelation 12:1-12
Matthew 15:29-39
9:00 am
THURSDAY
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
EveningPsalm 111, 112, 113Ephesians 4:1-16 3
26
7 CALL TO WORSHIP
RULING ELDERS
Jason Peevy, Clerk of Session
[email protected]
Paul Loyless
Bob Schaffeld
Bill Bennett
Robert Luttrell
Lee Sheppard
Steve Casey
Russell Martin
John Smith T
Heath Henderson
Mark Miller
Mark Taylor
Mark Hogewood
Norman Pless
Sam Tortorici
Mike Kolen
Denny Ragland
Charles White
Michael Latta
Bill Ratliff
Charlie Logan
Charlie Regan
Pastor: O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
People: Out of the mouth of babes and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
Pastor: I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
People: What is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
DEACONS
Jeff Dyess, Chairman of the Diaconate
Pastor: Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
People:
[email protected]
Eric Getty
Steve Killgore
Lee Baker
Jonathan Gidley
Stephen Mince
Michael Brooks
Gary Gorham
Steve Pfitzer
Aaron Coffey
Grant Haines
Brent Powell
Nathan Collums
Jeff Hayes
Carey Rome
Paul Darden
Fred Henry
Matt Searson
Ty Dedmon
Jeff Hicks
Robert Stephens
Jim Dye
Chris Hussar
Steve Stigler
Rick Flynn
John James
Patrick Strubel
John Gant
Merrill Johnston
Darrell Tucker
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
from Psalm 8:1-5, 9
9:00 am
Mark Averyt
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
Bryan
Balogh
4
25
7 PRAYER OF INVOCATION
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Thomas Cranmer, 16th Century
Bill Boyd, Senior Pastor
[email protected]
Rick Barnes, Director of Musical Arts
[email protected]
Marty Crawford, Church Administrator
[email protected]
David Driskill, Director of Ministries
[email protected]
Dan Edwards, Pastor to Children and Families
[email protected]
Danny Giffen, Pastor of Spiritual Formation
[email protected]
Lucy Anderson, Curator
[email protected]
Ingram Link, Director of Women's Ministries
[email protected]
John Steakley, Director of Student Ministries
[email protected]
Bill Hay, Pastor Emeritus
[email protected]
MINISTRY AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
[email protected]
Caleb Blow, Director of Jr. High Ministries [email protected]
Austin Braasch, Student Ministries Intern
[email protected]
Katie Caldwell, Director of Design and Production
[email protected]
Meg Cotney, Financial Secretary
[email protected]
Katie Flores, Director of Pre-School Ministries
[email protected]
Phyllis Hamm, Outreach Ministries Coordinator
[email protected]
Sara Litten, Director of Sr. High Girls
[email protected]
Stacey Loyless, Director of Communications and Media
[email protected]
Julie Mari, Audio/Visual Director
[email protected]
Deanna Misner, Director of Elementary Ministries
[email protected]
Traci Parker, Director of Food Services
[email protected]
Tyrone Perry, Director of Facilities
[email protected]
Taylor Rogers, Executive Assistant to Senior Pastor
[email protected]
Brooke Stewart, Covenant Day School Director
[email protected]
Karan Stuart, Receptionist
[email protected]
Laura Tucker, Ministry Assistant, Children & Families
[email protected]
Mary Ashley Twitty, Director of Jr. High Girls
[email protected]
Victoria Williams, Assistant to Pastor of Spiritual Formation
[email protected]
9:00 am
Jami Bennett, Director of MDO and Nusery Ministries
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
Almighty and everlasting God, who has given unto us thy
servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge
the glory of the eternal trinity, and in the power of the divine
majesty to worship the unity: we beseech thee, that through the
steadfastness of this faith, we may ever more be defended from
all adversity, who lives and reigns, one God, world without end.
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BUDGET UPDATE through May 24, 2015
Budget
Receipts Expenses
$1,416,880
$1,052,774
$1,398,675
2015 Operating Surplus/(Deficit): ($345,901)
2015 Operating Reserve: $70,099
Receipts Missionary Support
Planned Missionary Support
$67,147
$77,760
$97,200
FAITHFUL OVER A LITTLE
Pledges (206) : $3,303,715
Church Debt: $1,645,634
If you have questions regarding the budget, please contact Marty Crawford
in the church office or members of the Joint Finance Committee:
Merrill Johnston
Lee Sheppard
John Wood
“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!
Under the shadow of Your throne
Your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Your arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting You are God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Your sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day.
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
O be our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
O be our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
Words: from Psalm 90; Isaac Watts, 1719. Music: ST. ANNE C.M.;
attr. to William Croft, 1678-1727.
9:00 am
Ty Dedmon
Jeff Dyess
Heath Henderson
Fred Henry
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
OUTREACH MINISTRIES - FAITH PROMISE
7 SECOND HYMN
6
23
OLD TESTAMENT READING
Genesis 1-2:1
3
So God… rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
For the four Sundays in June, we are offering
two Sunday School class options:
Dr. Gordan Bals of Daymark Counseling
"Sexuality in a Sex-Crazed Culture"
(Sanctuary)
b
Dr. Mark Gignilliat of Beeson Divinity School
Book of Hebrews
(Fellowship Hall)
9:00 am
2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
shuffle.
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was
without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the
Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, "Let
there be light," and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good.
And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day,
and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was
morning, the first day. 6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst
of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." 7 ... And it was so.
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And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into
one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 1 0 …And God saw that
it was good. 11 And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding
seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its
kind, on the earth." And it was so. 1 2 ... And God saw that it was good. 1 4 And
God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the
day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days
and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light
upon the earth." And it was so. 18 …And God saw that it was good. 2 0 And God
said, "Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly
above the earth across the expanse of the heavens." 21 …And God saw that it
was good. 2 2 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill
the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." 24 And God said,
"Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock
and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." And it
was so. 25 …And God saw that it was good. 2 6 Then God said, "Let us make man
in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of
the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all
the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and
female he created them. 2 8 And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be
fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over
the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living
thing that moves on the earth." 30 And it was so. 3 1 And God saw everything
that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
J U N E S U N D AY S C H O O L
22
7
CONFESSION OF SIN
Romans 8:13
ALL:
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Psalm 51:1-7, 9
9:00 am
For if you live according to the flesh you will die,
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of
the body, you will live.
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
Pastor:
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7 ASSURANCE OF PARDON
THIS WEEK AT COVENANT: May 31 – June 6, 2015
Pastor: But if Christ is in you, although the body is
dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because
of righteousness.
SUNDAY, May 31
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
Romans 8:10
Coffee Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)
Gathered Worship (Sanctuary)
Children's Worship | 3 years through 3rd grade
Sunday School for all ages and stages
Family Promise families arrive
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you
absolution and remission of all your sins, true
repentance, amendment of life, and the grace
and consolation of His Holy Spirit.
MONDAY, June 1
8:15 a.m.
TUESDAY, June 2
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, June 3
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
6:15-7:30 p.m.
7:30-9:00 p.m.
ALL: Amen.
Women’s Morning Prayer (E202)
Nursery Play Day* (Sonshine Valley)
Bonus Days* (C316)
Chancel Choir Rehearsal (S103)
Musicians' Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Nursery Play Day* (Sonshine Valley)
SATURDAY, June 6
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Church-wide Hour of Prayer (Tower Room)
*pre-registration required
9:00 am
THURSDAY, June 4
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
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MINISTRIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Children's Worship Information. Following the Sunday morning worship service,
parents will find their children attending Children's Worship in the following rooms:
3K b Room C221 (available for the entire worship hour)
**Rising 4K and 5K b Room C221 (available for the entire worship hour)
**Rising 1st through 3rd Grades b Room C316 (dismissed during worship hour)
June Sunday School Shuffle. Join us this summer for our annual June Sunday School
Shuffle. For the four Sundays in June we will offer two adult Sunday School classes.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat of Beeson Divinity School will teach from the Book of Hebrews
(Fellowship Hall). And Gordon Bals of Daymark Counseling will teach on Sexuality
in a Sex-Crazed Culture (Sanctuary).
Summer Salad Suppers. Ladies, join us this summer for casual evenings of food,
fellowship, and sharing. These events will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays (first one
June 9), with salad suppers provided for $6. We are excited about the opportunity
to gather together in member homes and hear of God’s mercies and grace. For more
information and a full schedule, visit our Women’s Ministry page at covpres.com.
Children’s Volunteers | Children’s Worship. Our Children’s Ministry is planning a
fantastic summer, but they need volunteers to make it happen! If you would like
to volunteer in our rising 4k and 5k children's worship time and preschool Sunday
School classes, please email Katie Flores ([email protected]).
Church Officer and Nominating Committee Nominations. We are now accepting
nominations for both Church Officers and Nominating Committee members. The
Biblical qualifications for Church Officers are set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV. (Note:
Titus 1:5-9 is a companion text.) Keeping in mind these Biblical qualifications, please
complete the nomination form (found in the foyer or at covpres.com/officers) for
the Office of Elder, Deacon, and Trustee for the class of 2018. We also ask that you
prayerfully consider men and women to nominate for our Nominating Committee.
“How Vast the Benefits Divine”
How vast the benefits divine,
Which we in Christ possess!
We are redeemed from guilt and shame,
And called to holiness.
But not for works which we have done,
Or shall hereafter do;
Hath God decreed on sinful men,
Salvation to bestow.
The glory, Lord, from first to last,
Is due to Thee alone;
Aught to ourselves we dare not take,
Or rob Thee of Thy crown.
Our glorious Surety undertook
To satisfy for man;
And grace was given us in Him,
Before the world began.
This is Thy will, that in Thy love
We ever should abide;
That earth and hell should not prevail
To turn Thy word aside.
Not one of all the chosen race
But shall to heav’n attain,
Partake on earth the purposed grace,
And then with Jesus reign.
Not one of all the chosen race
But shall to heav’n attain,
Partake on earth the purposed grace,
And then with Jesus reign.
Words: Augustus M. Toplady, 1774; alt. 1961. Music: Rick Barnes, 2011.
9:00 am
Rain for Roots Sing-A-Long. Rain for Roots, scripture songs for children, is the
collaboration of Sandra McCracken, Elllie Holcomb, Flo Paris, and Katy Bowser. They
will be playing a Family Sing-A-Long on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Avon
Theater. Limited tickets are available. Reserve yours through covpres.com.
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
Summer Preaching Series. This morning we begin a new preaching series, "Every
Story Whispers His Name," taken from The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally LloydJones. Our pastors and guest speakers will each preach from a different story in the
book throughout the summer. We have copies of The Jesus Storybook Bible available
for purchase in the church foyer.
7 HYMN OF RESPONSE
19
10
“The Church’s One Foundation”
“God Makes Everything”
Little one, who made the seas?
Who made the birds? Who made the bees?
Who made the sun all big and bright?
And twinkly stars to shine at night?
The Church’s one Foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation By water and the Word:
From heaven He came and sought her To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.
God made them all.
God made them all.
Oh yes, little one. Oh yes, it’s true.
God made them all and God made you.
From “Big Stories for Little Ones,” track released 15 May 2012.
Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Sandra McCracken (©2012 Sally Lloyd-Jones
[SESAC] / © 2012 Drink Your Tea, [ASCAP], Admin by Simpleville, Inc.).
Elect from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses, With every grace endued.
‘Mid toil and tribulation And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore;
Till with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with Thee
Words: Samuel J. Stone (1839-1900). Music: Brian Moss
© Parson John Publishing (ASCAP).
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GIVING OF FIRST FRUITS
9:00 am
7 BENEDICTION
18
11
HYMNS FOR THE EUCHARIST
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
“We Will Feast”
Chorus:
We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things
We will say together
We will feast and weep no more
Brook and Neil Hitchcock
Everett, 1
Alicia and Bo O’Neal
Billy O’Neal, 5
Lillie Kate Prather, 13 (Covenant member)
We will not be burned by the fire
He is the Lord our God
We are not consumed by the flood
Upheld, protected, gathered up
Chorus
In the dark of night before the dawn
My soul be not afraid
For the promised morning, oh how long?
O God of Jacob, be my strength
Chorus
Words: Sandra McCracken, 2014. Music: Sandra McCracken
and Josh Moore, 2014.
Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed
You are the faithful One
And from the garden to the grave
Bind us together, bring shalom.
Chorus
Kimper and Matt Thomas
Cannon Thomas, 3
Rob Whitaker
Jessica and Ben Woolnough
Holly and Tice Young
Ticer Young, 4
Elizabeth Young, 2
Thomas Young, 8 months
9:00 am
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
Mary and Bill Stegall
17
12
7 PASSING OF THE PEACE
Pastor:
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
People: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Greet one another with words of peace and reconciliation such as
those above.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION
The “passing of the peace” precedes the Lord’s Supper as a liturgical reminder
of our unity as members of Christ’s body. 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 implores us
to not let factions and divisions remain in our midst. Thus, the peace calls us
to move toward our brothers and sisters as Christ moves toward us.
All who are united in Christ Jesus by faith and are baptized, communing
members of His visible Church are invited to come to the Lord’s Table. If you
are not communing but would like to participate, come forward and fold
your hands, and you will receive a prayer of blessing from the server.
MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Visitors, please take a moment to fill out the attendance cards located
in the pew racks.
We do not presume to come to this your Table, O merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and
great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the
crumbs under your Table, but you are the same Lord whose
property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious
Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to
drink His blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by
His body and our souls washed through His most precious
blood, that we may evermore dwell in Him, and He in us. Amen.
CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS
Celebrant:
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon
us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine,
that the bread we break and the cup we bless
may be the communion of the body and blood
of Christ. By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
that we may be one with all who share this feast,
united in ministry in every place. As this bread
is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body
of Christ in the world.
You may read all of our ministry announcements on page 20.
Children are dismissed at this time.
*If you desire gluten free bread, please walk down the center aisle, either upstairs or
down, and the server will provide it accordingly. Congregation will sing the printed
hymns during Communion.
9:00 am
ALL:
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PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS
16
13
GOD WELCOMES US TO HIS TABLE
MORNING PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER
And so Lord, we pray as Christ taught:
INVITATION
The Apostle’s Creed
from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Mark 14:22-25
Sanctuary Flowers
The flowers in the sanctuary are given in loving memory of
Elizabeth Ginn Fleming, by her daughter and son-in-law,
Caroline and Henson Millsap.
9:00 am
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
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. Lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God
the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge
the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.
ALL:
15
14
"The beginning: a perfect home"
And so it was that the wonderful love story began…
(From The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones, Copyright © 2007, HarperCollins
Publishers.)
MORNING MESSAGE
rev. bill boyd
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9:00 am
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made!”
t r i n i t y s un d ay | m ay 31, 2015
IN THE BEGINNING, there was nothing.
Nothing to hear. Nothing to feel. Nothing to see.
Only emptiness. And darkness. And…nothing but nothing.
But God was there. And God had a wonderful Plan.
“I’ll take this emptiness,” God said, “and I’ll fill it up! Out of the darkness,
I’m going to make light! And out of the nothing, I’m going to make…
EVERYTHING!”
Like a mommy bird flutters her wings over her eggs to help her babies
hatch, God hovered over the deep, silent darkness. He was making life happen.
God spoke. That’s all. And whatever he said, it happened.
God said, “Hello light!” and light shone into the darkness. God called the
light, “Day” and the darkness, “Night.” “You’re good,” God said. And they were.
Then God said, “Hello sea! Hello sky!” and a great space opened up, wide and
deep and high. “You’re good,” God said. And they were.
Then God said, “Hello land!” and there – splashing up through the oceans
– came cliffs, mountains, sandy beaches. “You’re good,” God said. And they
were.
“Hello trees!” God said. “Hello grass and flowers!” And everything
everywhere burst into life. He made buds bud; shoots shoot; flowers flower.
“You’re good,” God said. And they were.
“Hello stars!” God said. “Hello sun! Hello moon!” And whizzing into the
darkness came fiery globes, spinning around and around – whirling orange
and purple and golden plants. “You’re good,” God said. And they were.
“Hello birds!” God said. And with a fluttering and flapping and chirping
and singing, birds filled the skies. “Hello fish!” God said. And with a darting
and dashing and wriggling and splashing, fish filled the seas! “You’re good,”
God said. And they were.
Then God said, “Hello animals!” And everyone came out to play. The
earth was filled with noisy noises – growling and gobbling and snapping and
snorting and happy skerfuffling. “You’re good,” God said. And they were.
God saw all that he had made and he loved them. And they were lovely
because he loved the. But God saved the best for last. From the beginning, God
had a shining dream in his heart. He would make people to share his Forever
Happiness. They would be his children, and the world would be their perfect
home.
So God breathed life into Adam and Eve.
When they opened their eyes, the first thing they ever saw was God’s face.
And when God saw them he was like a new dad. “You look like me,” he said.
God loved them with all of his heart. And they were lovely because he loved
them.
And Adam and Eve joined in the song of the stars and the streams and the wind
in the trees, the wonderful song of love to the one who made them. Their hearts were
filled with happiness. And nothing ever made them sad or lonely or sick or afraid. God
looked at everything he had made. “Perfect!” he said. And it was.
But all the stars and the mountains and oceans and galaxies and everything were
nothing compared to how much God loved his children. He would move heaven and
earth to be near them. Always. Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would
always love them.