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The Worship of God Glendale Baptist Church: a caring community of equality and grace

Sunday, July 12, 2020

By the Rivers of Babylon: A Summer Considering Exile

Exile [ˈeɡˌzīl, ˈekˌsīl] NOUN -the state of being barred from one's

native country, typically for political or punitive reasons.

"They knew now that they would die in exile."

synonyms: banishment · expulsion · expatriation · deportation ·

eviction · uprooting · separation · extradition · ostracism

The Life of the Community Amy Mears

May God be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to God.

Glendale’s worship continues to provide the community of faith and

our guests a way to enter into Holy Presence with blessing,

authenticity, and joy. The tone and method of our worship is a shift

from our usual style, but the care with which we plan and the

reverence with which we enter into worship remains consistent with

our values. Liturgy—the work of the people—takes many different

forms. We are blessed to have a summertime season of

strengthening and stretching our liturgical muscles together as we

examine ideas of home, exile, and what it means to be strangers. As

the bell chimes, take a moment to breathe deeply, settle into Holy

Presence, offer a prayer for those whose faces you see, and prepare

yourself for worship.

ENTERING WORSHIP

Lighting Our Candles and Chiming the Hour

Pausing for Silence

Introit “Come, Join Us as We Journey” Brian Koho

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& Don Schlosser

Come, join us as we journey beyond what we have known.

All seeking hearts are welcome. No need to go alone.

For there are shadowed valleys and mountains, high and steep,

And many river crossings with currents swift and deep

Call to Worship Kelly Moreland Jones

Leave your exile behind; Holy Love calls us back to the land of our

hearts.

We will follow the Way through the desert together, travelers on a

journey.

Enter the desert without fear; water from the Sacred will quench our

thirst. Food for the journey is here.

We will walk together the Highway of God's people.

Travel with joy, Beloved ones; the path of the Holy leads to life in

abundance.

In love, we will strengthen weak hands; we will support feeble

knees; we will encourage the fearful ones and calm the anxious

ones.

Rejoice; be strong; have courage. God is with us!

Beloved friends, let us worship together.

Hymn 6 “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above” MIT FREUDEN ZART

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PRAYING

Morning Prayer Summer Hyche

Congregational Response

Praying the Psalmsfrom Psalm 74 Lauren Plummer

O Beloved of my heart, what does it mean that I feel separated

from You? How is it that I fear Holy condemnation? I have known

your Presence in days gone by, when You counseled me as a guide

and a friend.

I remember your holy temple, my heart. In your mercy, direct me

once again before fear destroys me and leads me too far astray!

Doubt and anxiety have crept into the inner tabernacle, erecting

walls of defense. All of the beauty and joy of companioning with

You is lost in the anger that consumes me; I become a prisoner in

my own being.

Beloved, you have companioned us forever, working salvation in

the midst of our humanity. You fashion us together even as we seek

to destroy one another; You are our Rock as we face our fears and

the demons within.

You forgive us when we are contrite and nourish our souls in the

wilderness.

You are the Living Water assuaging our thirst, a comfort in the desert

of our barren ways.

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Contemplative Experience Examen Thomas Conner

The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of

the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern direction. The

method presented here is adapted from a technique described

by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises.

PROCLAIMING

Godly Play A Time for Glendale Kids “The Great Pearl” Amy Mears

Hymn 79 “God Is My Shepherd” BROTHER JAMES’ AIR

Homily Y’all, Y’all, Y’all (or “Cause and Effect Faith”) Amy Mears

2 Kings 17:5-23, 2 Chronicles 36:11-21

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Music “This House” Drew and Jill Zimmer

Sara Groves

RESPONDING

Offering Prayer Kelly Moreland Jones

Paying our Tithes and Giving Our Offerings Jake Schaub, pianist

Etude, op. 10, no. 6 in E flat minor by Frédéric Chopin

Dedicating Our Gifts in Service of the World

Declaring Our Thanks Together

God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we give thanks for those

whose worship informs ours, whose love for singing their doubt and

faith inspires ours, whose generosity with their resources

encourages ours. May our worship prompt curiosity; may our

singing connect joy and challenge; and may our giving improve

our lives and bless the earth and the people you love. Amen.

PREPARING FOR THIS WEEK

Hymn 566 “Be Still, My Soul” FINLANDIA

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Benediction

Congregational Response

Pausing for Silence

In the quiet, all are invited to consider how Spirit has been revealed

in this hour. Please remain in reverent expectation during the music

as you discover ways to transition from this hour of worship into your

own life of service in the world, seeking where God is at work and

how you might continue your worship by joining in.

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Music for Closing Jake Schaub, pianist

Prelude, op. 87, no. 22 in G minor by Dmitri Shostakovich

Glendale Happy Hour with Summer

Glentern Summer Hyche invites you to stay connected in the zoom room

right now for a 15-minute conversation about things that are comforting,

sustaining, pleasing, or exciting you during this season. You can

participate in the chat thread (click on the little conversation bubble

icon at the bottom of the screen) or unmute yourself and speak. Bring

your happies and give other Glendalers more reasons to smile as they

connect with the faith community.

Concerning Worship

In our worship, Glendale recognizes the theological importance of ways

language is used. We do not attempt to change every historical reading,

anthem, and hymn in each service; we do try, over time, to balance

cultural and gender references to include all persons in the worship of

God. Please feel free to use inclusive language during worship. The Introit

and Congregational Responses are from “Come Join Us as We Journey”

2002, written by Thomas H. Troeger, Oxford University Press, used by

permission. The Psalm reading is adapted from Nan Merrill’s Psalms for

Praying, The Continuum International Publishing Group Inc: New York,

1996. Used by permission. Godly Play® is a registered trademark of

the Godly Play Foundation, the Rev. Jerome Berryman, founder.

This Wednesday – Quarterly Business Meeting

Join us this Wednesday, July 15 at 6:30 PM for a time of sharing and

prayer concerns. After that, we will convene at 6:45 for our Quarterly

Business Meeting. The Zoom link will be sent to you by e-mail on

Wednesday afternoon.

Glendale’s “Social Distance Gathering” Tent

The tent is up! Our children and youth have tested it out for us. Jamey

and Alvin hosted the kids who would have gone to Passportkids! Camp

this summer for a half-day camp experience on a recent Saturday. Our

youth gathered under the tent for a modified Baptist Youth Camp using

Zoom to connect with youth groups from other BYC churches for evening

activities. Their suggestions and observations have helped us make it as

accessible and comfortable as possible.

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FAQs

Who can use the tent?

We see the tent much like our playground and church yard. Neighbors

are welcome to use it. Church activities take priority. Church members

can reserve it for personal events.

What safety guidelines are in place for gathering in the tent?

This notice is posted in the tent:

Welcome! We’ve put up this tent in an effort to have space to engage

socially while maintaining safe physical distance. If you gather here,

please follow these guidelines:

Limit the number of people to 20 or fewer at a time.

Wear your mask so that it covers your mouth and nose.

Maintain at least 6’ distance between people who are not living in the

same household.

Take care of the space.

Some kind of personal bug repellant is advisable.

Church events have priority for using the space. Beginning July 14, there

is congregational drop-by visiting from 9:00-10:00 AM on Tuesdays and

6:00-7:00 PM on Wednesdays.

To learn more about Glendale Baptist Church, visit us online:

glendalebaptist.org

How will I know when people are gathering?

There will be two scheduled times. Initially we will designate Tuesdays

9am – 10am and Thursday evenings 6pm – 7pm, each week for

Glendalers to drop by beginning this Tuesday, July 14. We will see how

the first week goes: if there is a crowd wanting to participate, we’ll move

to a sign-up system the next week. In that event, you would be able to

sign up to join one of those times. Or, call a few friends, plan a time to

meet, and reserve the time on the online Tent Calendar (link here). Bring

your chair, water, bug spray, and whatever else you’ll need and meet

under the tent. No more than 20 people at a time, please! And

remember that the church building is still closed, so no bathroom facilities

will be available.

How can I reserve the tent for a personal gathering?

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As long as the event meets the guidelines above and does not conflict

with a church activity, you are welcome to use it for a personal event.

Check the online Tent Calendar (link here).

COVID Commodore Classroom Series – Public Health in the COVID era:

Community Response + Equity-Driven Changes

This Wednesday, July 15, 2020, 11:00 AM – Noon CDT

Moderated by Emilie M. Townes, Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School and

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Womanist Ethics and

Society

Communities of color and those experiencing homelessness are being hit

disproportionately hard by COVID-19. With a focus on access, underlying

health issues, and socio-economic factors, what has COVID-19 revealed,

and how can the country do better for the long term?

For complete program and registration details, please visit:

https://t.e2ma.net/message/5huvcd/x3tfiic

#peacefulhomeprotest

As part of the #peacefulhomeprotest action, we will gather each

Thursday in June and July—physically distanced, of course—at the

bottom of the hill along Glendale Lane. 5pm-6pm. Please wear your

mask! If you need one, contact one of the pastors. You are welcome to

bring a chair if standing is difficult. The. church house remains closed, so

bathroom facilities will not be available.

Congregational Leadership

Our community is committed to a church structure and leadership

dedicated to equality and grace as well as anti-hierarchical practice.

The service of these individuals is largely unseen but vastly important. Our

next church year begins on July 1. Here is a list of those who are serving in

various capacities:

Church Clerk: Anne-Leslie Owens; Church Moderator: Thomas Conner;

Church Steward: Jim Hiett; Church Treasurers: Jon Neergaard, Kris Elsberry

(receipts), and Elizabeth Manning (disbursements)

Leadership Council: April Baker, Eileen Campbell-Reed, Frenchie

Fortenberry, Alvin Jeffery, Selena McCoy Carpenter, Amy Mears, Jon

Neergaard

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Ordination Committee: Khette Cox, Adam Garner, Mark McEntire,

Annette Sisson, Jill Zimmer, Pastor(s)

Where Are We Now?

If anybody has been praying that as a congregation, Glendale would

learn how to be more creative and expansive in the ways that we

partner with God and follow Jesus on the Way of Love, you’ve done a

fine, fine job! We continue to find ways to be a vibrant, effective,

community of faith working diligently and consistently toward our

purpose. We’re certainly experiencing church in unprecedented ways!

The Glendale building remains closed with only necessary entries. We are

using the church grounds in select ways, with appropriate distancing and

masks. The Leadership Council’s plan continues to be to decide on a

month-by-month basis when and how we will regather in classrooms and

the sanctuary. At this point, the building will remain closed at least

through the month of July. In the last part of July, we will make a decision

about August. The ways that you have offered care and maintained

connection with one another, the ways that you have continued to live

into your commitment to this community during this time is encouraging,

inspiring, vibrant, and compassionate. As Glendale has shown in other

times of difficulty and crisis, we will get through this together sustained by

the Holy and our companionship with one another.

COVID-19 & Homelessness in Nashville – How To Help Alleviate Food

Insecurity

Community partners* are coordinating outreach efforts to support

people living in encampments. As a direct result of COVID-19, food

insecurity has become a big issue for people experiencing homelessness.

We need about 150 more food boxes per week. With that, our partners

will be able to serve about 400-500 people who currently have no other

options than to stay outdoors (following CDC guidance on COVID-19).

We are asking for your help. Here are two options:

1. Make a monetary donation directly to the outreach food operations.

You can donate online to Open Table Nashville or to The Bridge Ministry.

Make sure you designate the donation to "Food for Encampments."

2. Donate food items directly. Items can be dropped off at Glencliff

United Methodist Church, 2901 Glencliff Road, Monday through Thursday

from 9am to noon. Please include trash bags and if possible some

hygiene items including disinfectant wipes.

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*Our Street 2 Home encampment coordination effort includes the Metro

Homeless Impact Division, The Village at Glencliff, The Bridge Ministry,

Open Table Nashville, Mental Health Cooperative, Park Center, The

Salvation Army, Neighborhood Health, Shower Up, People Loving

Nashville, Second Harvest, The Food Project, Southern Alliance for People

and Animal Welfare, and more (if you are not mentioned here, please

email judith.tackett@nashville.gov - we'd like to list all the partners that

keep joining this effort).

Storytime for Kids and Families

Glendaler Klem-Marí Cajigas Chimelis, who works for Nashville Public

Library, will hold a weekly zoom story hour for young and formerly young

folks. Alan Green will send the link on Wednesday mornings; the story

time will begin at 11:00am each Wednesday. Gather around the screen

to watch, read, and listen as Klem-Marí brings us stories from around the

world.

Centering Prayer Fridays at Noon

Each Friday at noon during our spatial distancing from one another,

Glendaler Johnny Sears, Director of the Upper Room’s Academies of

Spiritual Formation, will be leading a zoom session of Centering Prayer. He

will offer some helps at the beginning of each session for those who are

newer to the practice, then hold 10 minutes of Centering Prayer, and

close with a benediction. If you’re a rookie or a novice to Centering

Prayer, here is a helpful primer: https://www.lindsayboyer.com/centering-

prayer It offers a nice overview of the practice so that we can become

familiar with it before the session.

CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER

CONCERNS IN THE CHURCH FAMILY

Delvakio Brown in the death of his cousin, Jonathan Robinson

Kristina Brown

Betty Clifton

Stewart Clifton

Elaine Dickson

Deb Krueger

Susan Moore

Joe O’Cain

Billie Pate

Richard Smith

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CONCERNS IN THE EXTENDED FAMILY

Terry Edgerton, Cecelia Caldwell’s cousin

Hayley Elliott and Rachel Kirk

Josiah Evans, Joy Smith’s friend

Edwina Flood, Billy Flood’s mother

Mark Gooch, Joy Gooch & David Gooch’s brother

Hazel Halford, MATrotter’s sister

Stuart Harris’s mother

Steve Hawkes, Cecelia Caldwell’s brother-in-law

Tom Hulette, Joy Smith's brother

Alvin Jeffery’s grandmother

Jason Laster, Suzanne Wilson’s son-in-law

Kathleen McCracken, Poli Polidoro’s friend

Bud Moon, Jim and Sharon Hiett’s friend

Sandy Moyich, Mary Wright’s mother

Sammy O’Cain and David O’Cain, Joe O’Cain’s sons

Joy and Richard Smith’s friends, Jene and Jan Robinson

Joy Smith’s sister Becky

Kim Vaday, Brian Koho’s sister

Bob Veach, Myrte Veach's brother

Bob Watrous, Libby Watrous’s husband

Joseph Whaley, Brian Whaley’s father

Don Wheless, Lee Wheless’ brother

Lee Wheless’ father

Sarah Wilbanks, Lynn & Eileen Campbell-Reed's niece

Joan Yarborough and John Laney, former Glendalers

CARE FOR OUR PARTNERS IN MINISTRY

Our friends in Cuba

Other Sheep

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, July 12

10:15 AM Zoom Room open

10:30 AM Worship Service

11:30 AM Happy Hour with Summer Hyche

1:00 PM Youth Zoom

Tuesday, July 14

9:00 AM-10:00 AM Drop by to visit under the tent (see announcement)

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Wednesday, July 15

11:00 AM Zoom Room open

Storytime for Kids and Families with Klem-Marí Cajigas Chimelis

6:30 PM Zoom Room open

Sharing and prayer concerns

6:45 PM Quarterly Business Meeting

Thursday, July 16

5:00 PM Peaceful Home Protest

6:00 PM-7:00 PM Drop by to visit under the tent (see announcement)

Friday, July 17

12:00 PM Zoom Room open

Centering Prayer with Johnny Sears

Sunday, July 19

10:15 AM Zoom Room open

10:30 AM Worship Service

11:30 AM Happy Hour with Summer

1:00 PM Youth Zoom

Tuesday, July 21

9:00 AM-10:00 AM Drop by to visit under the tent (see announcement)

Wednesday, July 22

11:00 AM Zoom Room open

Storytime for Kids and Families with Klem-Marí Cajigas Chimelis

6:30 PM Zoom Room open

Sharing and prayer concerns

Thursday, July 23

5:00 PM Peaceful Home Protest

6:00 PM-7:00 PM Drop by to visit under the tent (see announcement)

Friday, July 24

12:00 PM Zoom Room open

Centering Prayer with Johnny Sears

BIRTHDAYS

July 12 – Anna Bernard

July 12 – Steve Digby

July 13 – Reid Carpenter

July 15 – Paul Davis

July 16 – Alex Daugherty

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GLENDALE BAPTIST CHURCH

A Caring Community of Equality and Grace

We strive

to partner with God and follow Jesus on the Way of Love

to create sanctuary for one another with special concern

for those who are marginalized

to work intentionally for mercy and justice

to sustain a creative and compassionate theological voice

to gather resources joyfully and share them generously

to love our neighbors and care for all of creation.

As part of the Body of Christ in the world, Glendale Baptist Church values

diversity and inclusivity in our relationships. We maintain close

relationships with our ecumenical partners locally. Our distinctly Baptist

affiliations include the Alliance of Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist

Fellowship. Being a Partner Congregation of the Baptist Peace Fellowship

of North America provides us with a network of fellow peacemakers with

whom to work for justice and peace in God’s world. Because we value

the place of all people in the church without regard to their sexual

orientation or gender identity, we are a member congregation of the

Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists.

GLENDALE BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF

Minister of Music: Rev. Don Schlosser

Office Administrator: Alan Green

Pastor: Rev. April Baker

Pastor: Rev. Amy Mears, Ph.D.

Pastoral Intern: Summer Hyche

Pastoral Intern: Kelly Moreland Jones

Pastoral Intern: Lauren Plummer

Pianist: Jake Schaub

1021 Glendale Lane, Nashville TN 37204

Website: www.glendalebaptist.org

E-mail: gbc@glendalebaptist.org

Office Phone: 615-269-0926

April Baker: aprilbaker@glendalebaptist.org

Amy Mears: amymears@glendalebaptist.org

July 12, 2020 Vol. 61, No. 28