Greenwood Forest Baptist Church

Epiphany Sunday

Sunday, January 7, 2018 11:00 am

GREENWOOD FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH The Worship of God | Epiphany Sunday

Chiming of the Hour Processional Hymn 150 As with Gladness Men of Old Welcome to Worship Rev. Lauren Efird Leader: The Lord be with you People: And also with you. Passing of the Peace Rev. Efird Preparation for Worship Oh, Blest the House arr. Sedio Lighting of the Christ Candle Diana Bishop and Betsy Driver Call to Worship (Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14) Matthew Greg Leader: Give the king your justice, O God, People: And your righteousness to a king’s son. Leader: May he judge your people with righteousness, People: And your poor with justice. Leader: May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, People: And the hills, in righteousness. Leader: May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, People: Give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. Leader: May he live while the sun endures, People: And as long as the moon, throughout all generations. Leader: May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, People: Like showers that water the earth. Leader: In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, People: Until the moon is no more. Leader: May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render you tribute, People: May the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. Leader: May all kings fall down before you, People: All nations give you service.

Leader: For you deliver the needy when they call, People: The poor and those who have no helper. Leader: You have pity on the weak, People: And save the lives of the needy. Invocation Matthew Greg Hymn 148 What Child Is This Offertory Prayer Dave Atkins Offertory We Three Kings arr. D. Lantz Presentation of the Offering LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;

O praise God! Alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

O Praise God, O praise God! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome Leader: Lord, in your mercy . . . People: Hear our prayer.

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory, forever. Amen.

During the following hymn, children (ages first grade and younger) are invited to go to Children’s Time. Parents may pick up their children in the Children’s Wing after worship. Hymn 154 Christ Is the World’s Light Scripture Reading Ephesians 3:1-12 Kadeisha Bonsu We affirm the reading of Scripture with the following response: Reader: The word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Anthem One Bread, One Body arr. Lloyd Larson

One bread, one body, One Lord of all,

One cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many, Throughout the earth,

We are one body in this one Lord.

Gentile or Jew, Servant or free,

Woman or man, no more.

Many the gifts, Many the works,

One in the Lord of all.

Grain for the fields, Scattered and grown,

Gathered to one, for all.

Sermon “Mystery Made Known” Rev. Efird The Celebration of Communion Here at Greenwood Forest, we practice Communion by the ancient method of intinction. All are invited to come down the aisle to receive the elements. During Communion, a Minister or a Lay Leader will serve the elements from one of four stations in the sanctuary, two at the front and two at the back. You will be ushered toward one of the stations depending on where you are seated in the sanctuary. Please come in a mode of reception. You will be given a piece of bread that you dip in the cup and then partake. You may respond to receiving the elements by saying “Amen” or “Thanks be to God.” If you are unable to visit one of the stations, a server will bring the elements to you at your seat. If you do not wish to receive the elements, you are encouraged to come receive a blessing—simply indicate this desire verbally or by crossing your arms over your chest. A gluten-free bread option is available upon request. We hope you will join us at the table of the Lord where all are welcome. Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we confess that we have not always loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be obedient disciples. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we’ve not loved our neighbors, and we’ve not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us for what we have done and for what we’ve left undone, and free us for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mystery of Faith Leader: Together we proclaim the mystery of faith. People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Hymn God of Light and Lord of Life

Benediction Rev. Efird Postlude Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern J. C. Bach Please stand as you are able.

The Deacon of the Day is Dave Atkins, Chair of the Fellowship Ministry.

The pianist today is Teri Edwards. Today’s acolyte is Griffin Beal.

Our final hymn, “God of Light and Lord of Life,” was written by Rev. Ben Boswell and Rev. Stephen Stacks.

The cover art is an abstract painting by contemporary artist Liz Whaley entitled “Into the Light.”

Hearing assistance devices are available at the back of the sanctuary.

Prayer Concerns Emma Aeppli, Don Beal, Ashley Brooks, Wilma Caldwell, Rhonda Correll, Margaret Curl, Jennifer Denning, Don Hamrick, Sara Martin (Jay and Doris Martin’s daughter- in-law), Mildred Shaver (Sally Shaver’s mother), Iris Thomas, and Kathleen Wicker Dot Alexander and Mildred McCray: Oaks at Whitaker Glen Bill Whelan: Pruitt Health, Raleigh

Our partner church, Ebenezer Baptist, Cuba, and our brothers and sisters of the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Mission

GFBC by the Numbers Focus on Finance 2017/2018 Budget (MDP + MSP) $900,457 Amount of Budget supported through Stewardship Giving $825,216 (excludes cell tower lease, GFCC receipts, and outside groups)

Week 18 of 52 (December 31) Stewardship Giving needed Week 18 YTD to fully subscribe budget $18,474 $ 305,669 Actual Stewardship Giving $25,686 $ 292,058 Over (Under) $ 7,212 $(13,611) Attendance Last Week Faith Formation 106 Worship 136

Announcements and Upcoming Events For the Bible Tells Me So: Guns | January 10 For our Second Wednesday program on January 10, we will explore what our scriptures have to say to us about guns, violence, and safety as part of our ongoing series, For the Bible Tells Me So. Don't forget to sign up for the meal and be present for this important topic! Senior Adult Luncheon | January 9 The January Senior Adult Luncheon will be on Tuesday, January 9 at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. The program will be presented by an instrumental and vocal group called “Spiritual Food for the Soul.” Sanctuary Choir Retreat | January 20 On Saturday, January 20, the Sanctuary Choir will head to Butler Chapel at Campbell University to begin learning music for their spring cantata. If you are interested in joining the choir, this would be a great opportunity! Speak with Rev. Stacks for more details. Children’s Ministry Indoor Movie Night | January 27 Children and families are invited to bring dinner and something to sit on (i.e. blanket, sleeping bag, whatever makes you comfortable) to the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 pm on Saturday, January 27, for Indoor Movie Night! We will let you all know the movie selection as soon as possible, and we welcome your suggestions. Feel free to email kadeisha.bonsu@gfbccary.org. Mission Assistance Fund - Support for Gilles Bikindou If you would like to help with the costs surrounding Gilles Bikindou's ongoing efforts to avoid deportation, you may do so by making a special offering to the Missions Assistance Fund. The Missions Assistance Fund is a restricted fund established at the most recent church business meeting as a source of financial support for church members and their families in crisis. This fund covers essential costs for a limited period of time that exceed the capacity and/or mandate of the Emergency Assistance line item in the budget. Contact Rev. Wesley Spears- Newsome if you have any questions.

On Sunday, February 4 we will welcome Tim Conder to GFBC! Tim is the founding pastor of Emmaus Way Church in Durham and is presently a PhD Candidate in Cultural Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. Tim is the author of three books: The Church in Transition: The Journey of Existing Churches into the Emerging Culture, Free For All: Rediscovering the Bible in Community (with Dan Rhodes), and Organizing Church: Grassroots Practices for Embodying Change (also with Dan Rhodes). Tim currently serves on the Clergy Caucus and Strategy Team of Durham CAN (Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods). He is married to Meredith, and they have two children—Keenan and Kendall. On February 4, Tim will lead a church-wide faith formation session for all adult faith formation classes focusing on his most recent book, Organizing Church, which the GFBC Deacon Board read sections of for their retreat this year. Tim will speak on the importance of applying the principles of community organizing to local church life. Tim will then join us for worship where he will preach our sermon.

Tim Conder Visit on Sunday, February 4

Remember to sign-up for the January Second Wednesday community meal! We encourage you to both sign-up and prepay online at http://www.gfbccary.org/ community/community-meals. If you are unable to sign-up online, please complete this form and either place it in the offering plate or turn it in at the church office. All reservations whether on paper or online must be made by tomorrow, Monday, January 8 at noon.

Name______________________________________

# of Adult Servings ($10) ________ # of Vegetarian ($10) ________ # of Children Servings ($5) _______ # of Vegetarian ($5) ________

Menu for January 10, 2017 Chicken Florentine Lasagna

with Basil Red Sauce Fresh Baked Ciabatta Garlic Bread

Tossed Green Salad with Italian Dressing Vegetarian Option: Florentine Ricotta Lasagna

Dessert: Cookie and Brownie Tray

This Week at GFBC

Sunday, January 7 Epiphany Sunday 9:00 am Praise Assembly 9:30 am Children, Youth, and Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am Coffee in the Narthex 11:00 am Worship 3:00 pm Youth at Springmoor Retirement Center Monday, January 8 7:00 pm Board of Deacons Meeting Tuesday, January 9 11:30 am Senior Adult Luncheon Wednesday, January 10 11:00 am Senior Adult Fellowship Committee Meeting 5:30 pm Second Wednesday Meal and Program 7:00 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Saturday, January 13 9:00 am Undecorating of the Church Sunday, January 14 9:30 am Children, Youth, and Adult Faith Formation 10:30 am Coffee in the Narthex

11:00 am Worship

Second Wednesday

Community Meal January 10, 2018 at 5:30 pm

GFBC Fellowship Hall

The Greenwood Forest Children’s Center will hold registration for GFBC church members the week of January 8-12, 2018 for the 2018-2019 school year. Registration forms can be downloaded from the GFCC website (gfcccary.com). The forms should be returned to the GFCC office or the church office during business hours. Sandy Duncan, the GFCC director, can also receive forms during the Faith Formation hour on Sundays.

Age Requirements

Young 2’s 2 yrs old by August 31, 2018 Older 2’s 2 yrs old by February 28, 2018 All 3’s 3 yrs old by August 31, 2018 All 4’s 4 yrs old by August 31, 2018 Progressive 3’s-4’s 4th birthday during June, July, August, September, October, or November 2018 T-K 5 yrs old by November 30, 2018

Classes Offered Class Time Cost

2’s TTH 9:20-12:20 $165/mo 2’s MWF 9:20-12:20 $205/mo Older 2’s MWF 9:20-12:20 $205/mo 3’s TTH 9:00-12:30 $180/mo 3’s MWF 9:00-12:30 $220/mo 3’s T-F 9:00-12:30 $265/mo 3’s-4’s Combo M-Th 9:00-12:30 $265/mo 4’s MWF 9:00-1:00 $230/mo 4’s M-F 9:10-1:10 $310/mo T-K M-F 9:00-1:00 $310/mo

Registration Fee—$105

Activity Fee—A once-a-year charge, varying per age level, to cover cost of field trips, resource people, age level specific supply needs, etc. 2 year olds—$20 3 year olds—$40 3’s/4’s Combo—$70 4’s and TK—$90

Welcome to Our Church Community!

Our Vision Our vision is to be a welcoming and diverse community of faith united in Christ. Our purpose is to worship God and to form and equip disciples who selflessly share their resources and provide loving service to all. Our Core Values Centrality of Christ and Scripture Inclusivity and Diversity in Community Women in All Areas of Leadership Ministries for People of All Ages Liturgy and Innovation in Worship Spiritual and Intellectual Formation Showing God’s Love through Missional Service Sharing Our Resources with Others Unity in Fellowship and Family Life Historic Baptist Beliefs and Practices

For more information about our church, please visit our website at gfbccary.org

or contact us at 919-467-0481.

Greenwood Forest Children’s Center

2018-2019 Registration Information

an inclusive community of faith

110 SE Maynard Road Cary, NC 27511-4599

Church Office: 919-467-0481 Fax: 919-467-0556 Website: www.gfbccary.org

Email: info@gfbccary.org

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Leadership

Rev. Lauren Efird, Senior Pastor Rev. Stephen Stacks, Associate Pastor of Worship and Faith Formation

Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome, Associate Pastor of Community and Youth Ministry Kadeisha Bonsu, Director of Children’s Ministry

Matthew Greg, Pastoral Intern Helen Bishop, Organist

Dr. Luther Brewer, Pastor Emeritus All Who Serve This Church