We are honored you have chosen to join us in worship. There is a time in our service when we will welcome guests; we will not, however, ask you to stand, raise your hand or do anything that makes you feel awkward. We would like to know you were here, however. Please fill out the information request below and place it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher or minister. We promise to use it only to contact you about our church.

This is my (our)…

___ First visit to First Baptist Church

___ Second (+) visit

Name_________________________

Spouse’s Name___________________

Address________________________

City_______________

State_________ Zip Code __________

E-mail_________________________

Marital Status

____Married ____Single ___Widow(er)

Telephone______________________

Children at Home (Name/Age/Grade)

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

___ I am new to Rome.

___ I am interested in knowing more

about First Baptist Church.

___ I would like to talk with a minister.

___ I would like to know how to become a

Christian.

___ I am interested in becoming a

member of First Baptist Church. ___ I am a guest of:

_____________________________

Sunday, September 19 8:30 a.m. Missions Committee - Dining Room 9:00 a.m. Scrap Iron Broadcast (WLAQ 1410) 9:45 a.m. Bible Study 11:00 a.m. Worship

Monday, September 20 1:00 p.m. Women of the Church Book Group - Dining Room 7:30 p.m. The Edge (HS Seniors) - Sklar Home

Tuesday, September 21 5:30 p.m. Pastor Search Committee - Builders’ Room

Wednesday, September 22 4:45 p.m. First Choice Curbside meals (Reservation Only) 5:15 p.m. Churns Bible Study - Builders’ Room 6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting - ZOOM Youth Wednesday’s Connection FBC Kids Connect 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

The flowers in the Narthex are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ed and Mary Morris on the occasion of their wedding anniversary by Mary Ruth Sikes and Priscilla Barnett.

The flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in honor of Claborn and Ann Bradfield on the occasion of their 63rd wedding anniversary by their Family.

PASTOR SEARCH LISTEING SESSION Thanks to all who participated in the Pastor Search Listening Session last week. The second session focusing on creating a Pastor Profile will be October 19 (In Person) and October 20 (by Zoom). These will be identical sessions.

WEDNESDAY SEMINAR FOR ADULTS “Roots: Looking Below the Surface to Discover our Spiritual Roots” Join us by Zoom as we explore who we are as Christians, as Baptist Christians, and as a fellowship of First Baptist of Rome Christians. Tamara Smathers leads this seminar immediately after prayer time at 6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY The women’s small group, known as The Churns, meet Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in the Builders’ Sunday School room. Anyone interested in joining the group should contact Heather Shores or Gwen Stephens. BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY - UPDATE The current Getting Ahead Cohort are all employed, all have homes of their own, and one has received a drivers license along with veteran benefits reinstated. The Getting Ahead program is quietly doing great work with investigators in our community.

COVID RELIEF FUNDS FBC Missions Committee voted to give $100,000 of relief funds to the following: $25,000 to Good Neighbor for assistance with bills $25,000 to Good Neighbor for assistance with housing $25,000 to Salvation Army for assistance with bills or housing $25,000 to South Rome Alliance Early Learning Center - Support for children/

preschoolers in a high needs area of town.

MEALS FOR HOSPITAL WORKERS FBC continues to provide meals for our local hospital workers. Meals are prepared by a local restaurant and delivered to the hospital. To participate, please designate your contribution for “Hospital Meal.” In addition, consider writing a note of encouragement. For more information, contact Tamara Smathers.

First Baptist Church, 100 East Fourth Avenue, Rome, GA 30161 Phone: 706.291.6850 Website: www.fbcrome.org

WELCOME

wELCOME CHURCH CALENDAR

On August 9 the deacons approved the following guidelines:

Masks are strongly recommended for

people who enter the church building, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks are required for children ages

5 through 11 and for anyone working with children younger than 12 years old.

Copies of the complete policy have been sent to church members and are available on the website and in locations around the church.

Ethics of the Kingdom: Where is the EVIDENCE of OUR COMMITMENT TO Christ?

A Sermon Series

August 29:

Cardiac care

(Being clean from the inside)

September 5

Favoritism is not allowed

(Love everyone)

September 12

Deny, Take Up, Follow

(Sacrifice)

TODAY

Last and Least

(To Serve, rather than be served)

September 26

Radical Surgery

First Baptist Church

Rome, Georgia

September 19, 2021 11:00 a.m.

To help maintain a spirit of worship, please silence phones. We welcome a larger congregation through

Comcast Channel 44 and through the livestream over the church website and YouTube.

Chiming of the Hour Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Hill/Beverly Harris

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”...arr. Gayden Sikes (Please use this time to prepare your heart for worship.)

Welcome to Worship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Ron Murray

*Hymn of Praise No. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JUDSON

“Worthy of Worship”

Call to Confession (based on 1 John 1:8-9)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

A Time for Silent Confession of Sins Assurance of Forgiveness . . .Sanctuary Choir

“How Firm a Foundation”...arr. Len Willingham

Len Willingham, conductor

(The text to this anthem may be found in Hymn 425.)

*Reading of Holy Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark 9:30-37

(Today’s scripture may be found on page 1001 of the Bible in the pew racks.)

Kristen Pope, reader

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

*Gloria Patri (Hymn 704)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Amen.

Hymn of Service No. 473 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .KELVINGROVE

“Will You Come and Follow Me” (Children ages four through third grade may depart for Children’s Worship.)

Morning Prayer (with the Lord’s Prayer). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Uldrick

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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Musical Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sanctuary Choir “Lord of the Small”...Johanna Anderson/Dan Forrest

Praise to the Lord of the small, broken things, who sees the poor sparrow that cannot take wing,

who loves the lame child and the wretch in the street, who comforts their sorrows and washes their feet.

Praise to the Lord of the faint and afraid, who girds them with courage and lends them His aid;

He pours out His Spirit on vessels so weak that the timid can serve and the silent can speak.

Praise to the Lord of the frail and the ill, who heals their afflictions, or carries them till they leave this tired frame

and to paradise fly, to never be sick and never to die.

Praise Him, O praise Him, all ye who yet live, who’ve been given so much and can so little give,

our frail, lisping praise God will never despise: He sees His dear children through mercy-filled eyes.

©2010 Beckenhorst Press CCLI1416589

Sermon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Murray “Last and Least”

*Hymn of Commitment No. 658 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WYE VALLEY (abridged)

“Let Your Heart Be Broken”

*Prayer of Stewardship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gwen Stephens

Offertory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Hill

“All Depends on God’s Blessing”...arr. Paul Manz

Pastor Search Prayer Requests: Each day this week remember these specific requests: —Pray for John Bennett, Search Committee Member —Pray for our church and the Search Committee to produce much fruit that glorifies God during the interim period. (John 15:5) The Work of the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Reaves Welcome to New Members of the Church Family *Pastoral Blessing *Passing of the Peace *Hymn of Commissioning No. 514. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOLY MANNA

“Christians, Let Us Go and Serve Him”

Christians, let us go and serve Him, serve the One who gives us life. Let us serve in love and power, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Serve in love and serve in wisdom, reaching all we know and see. Christians, let us go and serve Him, now and through eternity

*Postlude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Hill

“The Church’s One Foundation”...arr. Anna Laura Page

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate these challenging times together.

On August 9 the deacons approved these guidelines:

Masks are strongly recommended for people who enter the church building, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks are required for children ages 5 through 11 and for their teachers.

Copies of the complete policy have been sent to church members and are available on the website

and in locations around the church.

Seating is on every other pew Joining First Baptist

We receive new members in several ways. Those who have never publicly acknowledged Christ as Lord join by public profession of faith. Baptism is scheduled for a later date. Members of other Baptist congregations may transfer their membership to our congregation. We handle the details of contacting your current church. Members of other Christian faith traditions are invited to join by “statement of faith.” Because other traditions vary in belief and practice, those joining by statement of faith are invited to speak with a minister before joining so that they might answer questions.

Children’s Worship Children ages four through third grade are invited to Children’s Worship on the second floor of the Education Building. The children return to the sanctuary following worship.

Prayer Concerns (Please place in offering plate or hand to a minister.) ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Dr. Ron Murray Interim Pastor

Keith A. Reaves Senior Associate/Minister of Worship

Tamara Tillman Smathers Minister of Education/Administration

John H. Uldrick Minister to Students and Missions

Kristen Pope Minister of Faith Development

Gwen Stephens Minister to Extended Family

Joan Hill, Organist

Beverly Harris, Pianist

A SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP FOR YOUR INFORMATION