The Worship of Godat

Myers Park Baptist ChurchCharlotte, North Carolina

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Senior Sunday

19 May 2019

The Worship of GodThe Fifth Sunday of Easter | Senior Sunday

19 May 2019 at Eleven o’clock in the morning

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS BEFORE GOD

Inspired by the bold and boundless hospitality of Jesus, we are “open to all,” which means we welcome andaccept all people into the life of our Church without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, age, economic

status, political affiliation, physical or mental capacity, or religious belief. We believe that God’s call is givento all people, and we embrace the Spirit that continues to cross boundaries in order to unite the world.

The Silent MeditationAll our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them. - Walt Disney For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to giveyou a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When yousearch for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13

The Ringing of the Angelus Bell

The Prelude“Elegy” George Thalben Ball(1896-1987)

“Bist du bei mir” Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Adam Cranford, trumpet; Ian Hull, baritone;Charlotte Judge, piano

The Call to WorshipLeader: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.

Childcare is available for children ages birth through five years – please see a greeter formore information. Worship kits for children are available in the Narthex.

*The Opening Sentences Adam CranfordLeader: In the meeting of our lives,People: be the focus of all that we are. Leader: In the singing of the hymns,

the prayers that we shall make,People: be the focus for all that are.Leader: May the reading of your word

and the preaching of the same,speak to us, encourage and forgive us.

People: In the meeting of our lives, Lord,be the focus of all that we are.

*The Procession and Opening of the Bible Number 323“How Firm a Foundation” Foundation

*The Prayer of Invocation Ian Hull

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The Introduction of the Graduating Seniors Allen DavisAdam Cranford*Ellie DabbsMitchell MagasWyndham Merrill*Taylor Riley*Lindsey Skardon*Julian Yocum *Denotes service as an acolyte.

THE PEOPLE CONFESS AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS

The Kyrie Eleison

The Invitation to Silent Confession Abby Smith

The Prayer of ConfessionGod of grace and forgiveness,despite our best efforts to live the way that you want us to live, we fall short.You call us to use our gifts to your benefit,we use them for our own.You ask us to welcome everyone and model your openness,we close people out who do not easily fit in.You require us to love all with the same love that you have shown us, we find it more convenient to show love selectively.In these moments, past, present, and future, forgive us and make us new.Amen.

Assurance of ForgivenessLeader: Friends, hear this good news. Truly, God can do what we cannot.People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free.

*The Canticle (Glory to God in the highest.)

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*The Passing of the Peace

Children ages 3, 4 and TK/K will leave with their adult teachers;1st -5th Graders will remain in worship today.

Following worship, 3's and 4's may be picked up in Room 107; TK/K may be picked up in Room 108.

The Welcome of Our Guests

If you are our guest today, please text “guest” to 474747 or fill out a guest card locatedin the pew rack and place it in the offering plate during worship as your gift to us.

*The Hymn Number 319“God, You Spin the Whirling Planets” Austria

THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED AND HEARD

The Hebrew Scripture Joshua 1:9 (NRSV)

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened ordismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

The Testimony Wyndham Merrill

The Epistle Lesson I Corinthians 1:10 (NRSV)

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, butthat you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.

The Testimony Julian Yocum

The Anthem The Youth Choir“Alleluia Round” William Boyce (1710-1779)

Alleluia. arr. Richard Proulx (1937-2010)

The Hebrew Scripture Hebrews 10:24-25 (NSRV)

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, notneglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging oneanother, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Testimony Lindsey Skardon

The Epistle Lesson 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NRSV adapted)

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of thebody, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit wewere all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, servants or free—and we wereall made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one memberbut of many.

Leader: For the Word of God in scripture,for the Word of God among us,for the Word of God within us.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Testimony Ellie Dabbs

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The Charge to the Graduates Allen Davis

THE CONGREGATION RESPONDS TO GOD’S WORD

The Moment for Stewardship Craig and Barbara Hopewell

The Church at Prayer Katie Hambrick

The Lord’s PrayerOur God, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be doneon earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliverus from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The OffertoryMobile giving is available through the Church Life app or via text – see page 7.

Gifts of loose cash in May will benefit Med Assist, a nonprofit pharmacy programproviding access to life-saving prescription medications, patient support, advocacy

and related services to poor, vulnerable, and uninsured North Carolina residents.

The Anthem The Youth Choir“Be Thou My Vision” arr. Paul Basler (b. 1963)

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;naught be all else to me, save that thou art.Thou my best thought, by day or by night,waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom and thou my true word;I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;thou my great Father, I thy true son;thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;thou mine inheritance, now and always;thou and thou only, first in my heart,high King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High king of heaven, my victory won,may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heavn’s sun!Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all. Amen.

Richard Goldfaden, French horn

*The Presentation of GiftsAs the Deacons move down the center aisle, the congregation is asked to stand.

This presentation to God enacts our self-offering and gratitude to God.

*The Doxology Lasst uns ErfreuenPraise God from whom all blessings flow.Praise God, all creatures, here below. Alleluia. Alleluia!Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts.Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost.Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.Alleluia. Alleluia.

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*The Prayer of Dedication Mitchell Magas

THE COMMUNITY IS SENT INTO THE WORLD FOR MINISTRY

*The Procession into the World and Closing of the Bible Number 372“This is a Day of New Beginnings” Beginnings

(Stanzas 1-4)

The Choral Response The Youth Choir“Total Praise” Richard Smallwood (b. 1948)

Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills, knowing my help is coming from you.Your peace, you give me in time of the storm.You are the source of my strength, you are the strength of my life,I lift my hands in total praise to you. Amen.

The Benediction

The Postlude“Carillon Sortie” Henri Mulet (1878-1967)

Following worship, 3's and 4's may be picked up in Room 107; TK/K may be picked up in Room 108.

Following worship, all are invited to greet our Seniors at the front of the Sanctuaryand then to enjoy fellowship and lemonade on the front porch of the Church.

Leading worship today with Allen Davis, Director of Youth Ministry,are Katie Hambrick, Youth Intern,

Adam Cranford, Ellie Dabbs, Ian Hull, Mitchell Magas, Wyndham Merrill,Lindsey Skardon, Abby Smith, and Julian Yocum,

Members of the Youth Ministry.

The Youth Choir leads worship through musicwith Charlotte C. Judge, Associate Director of Music,

Emily Urbanek, Pianist,and Darin Kennedy, Guest Organist.

The acolytes are members of the Myers Park Baptist Church Youth Ministry.

The sound technicians are Eric Roberts. The webcast technician is Seph Rackley.

Flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in celebration of the marriage of Caroline Travieso and Joshua Roten on May 18, 2019.

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We give God thanks for the ministry of The Reverend Carrie Veal,Minister of Children and Community Life, who joined our staff on May 23, 2014.

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THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP

Why do we worship?Worship at Myers Park Baptist is the gathering of a diverse, intergenerational,ecumenical community of faith, celebrating God’s active and timeless presence in theworld. In worship, God re-forms our hearts, minds and bodies, and ignites ourimaginations with sacred stories—stories that invite us to question, explore mystery,express joy and grief, and deepen our faith. We worship to learn how to developcaring, empowering relationships with each other, and to stay centered in God as theworld swirls around us. We worship to be inspired and prepared to exemplify thecompassion and justice of Jesus in our church family and in the world. Throughworship, God frees and transforms us in heart, mind and body, so we can make adifference within ourselves, in our relationships and in our community.

How do we worship?Focusing on God, worship at Myers Park Baptist unfolds consistently with the Isaiah 6scriptural model: praise, confession, pardon, calling to respond, commitment andsending out. All our worship services are built on this ancient structural form,regardless of worship style, venue or theme. Communal practices within worship —radical hospitality, confession and assurance of pardon, passing the peace, silenceand listening, spirited hymn singing, presentations of gifts, and active participation inCommunion—transform worshipers into newness with God and one another. Themes for services, based on lectionary scriptures, annually portray the narrative arcof God’s redeeming love for humankind.

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HOW TO JOIN MYERS PARK BAPTIST CHURCH

Becoming a member of Myers Park Baptist is as easy as filling out a Joining Card.To receive a card or learn more, stop by the Welcome Table in the Narthex.

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MOBILE GIVING

You can now text your contributions and offerings to MPBC! It is secure, simple, and efficient:C Start a new text message to phone number 73256.C In the message of the text, enter 1900Q, a space, and the amount you want to

give (i.e., 1900Q 100).C The system will return a message to you; click on the link provided and follow

instructions.C You will then receive a receipt to confirm your gift was received. It is that simple!C Next time, since your setup is already done – just text “1900Q, a space, then

amount you wish to give” to 73256.

Questions? Contact Rev. Leigh Anne Hagerman, Church Administrator,at 704.334.7232 x116 or lhagerman@myersparkbaptist.org

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OUR GRADUATING SENIORS

Adam Cranford is the son of Koren and Steve Cranford and younger brother of Will. He is

set to graduate from Myers Park and then attend Central Piedmont Community College withthe goal of transferring to UNC Charlotte. His favorite subject is history and he aspires tobecome a teacher. Leaving home will make him miss “the free food.” He’s been coming toMyers Park Baptist since he was 3, and says “the wide range of people you meet there” is whatstands out to him about the Church. A favorite memory of growing up in the Church is theStarry Night Cinema in God’s Garden. Adam has been a regular at youth group, which hedescribes as being “like a family that cares about you.” He also was a regular on mission tripsand retreats, and says “going to Kanuga was always a highlight of the year.” He also was activein choir and served as an acolyte. His extracurricular activities include marching band, BoyScouts and tae kwon do. Favorites: Movie: The Martian; last book read for pleasure: Refugee; musical group: Fitz and the

Tantrums; junk-food weakness: ice cream; vacation spot: the mountains. Quote: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal;it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill

Ellie Dabbs is the daughter of Lalla and David Dabbs and older sister of a 13-year-old brother,

Whit. She will soon graduate from Myers Park High School. She’s been coming to Myers ParkBaptist since birth, or as she terms it, “since negative nine months old.” When she thinks abouther many years at the Church, what stands out is “the unwavering openness and unconditionallove that our Church provides to anyone who passes through our doors.” A favorite memory ofgoing to Church is sitting in the same pew week in and week out. “Our family strongly valuesroutine and consistency, so we always sat in the same pew. Fortunately this meant that wealways got to say good morning to Janet Miller and the Bynum’s and George Campbell, whoalways sat in the pew right in front of us.” She also sings in the youth choir. Ellie also has been aconstant in participating in youth group, which has rewarded her with unwavering andunconditional support. “The volunteers are some of the funniest, kindest and best people Ihave ever met. I have also made some of my closest friends through the youth group,” shesays. A fondest memory from youth is going on the Appalachian Service Project trip before 10th

grade. “The Lord has never tested my patience more than when we were installing J-channel onto the side of a mobilehome, and everything that could have gone wrong, did,” she recalls. “On the last day, a few of us decided to stay pastour working hours and skip dinner because we wanted to finish the job.” Ellie will enroll at Vanderbilt University in thefall where she likely will major in English or History and look to specialize in elementary education or childhooddevelopment. She will miss “my dog, Georgia (and my family).”Favorites: Movie: The Princess Bride; last book read for pleasure: Crazy Rich Asians; musical group: Donovan Woods,Stevie Wonder, The Avett Brothers and Earth, Wind and Fire; junk-food weakness: cream puffs and any type of candy;vacation spot: Edisto Beach or Lake Toxaway. Quotes: “But even if I am weak, I can still be kind, for true power is ingiving instead of taking.” -Unknown; “Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of the tides, just like hopesspringing high, still I’ll rise” - Maya Angelou; “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think itmeans.” - Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride.

Mitchell Magas is the son of Kristan and Ken Magas and brother of Ally. He’s graduating

soon from Myers Park and will be at UNC Asheville in the fall. He’s been coming to Myers ParkBaptist since he was 18 months old, and describes the Church as “a welcoming place where youalways have a place.” A favorite memory of going to Church is the Service According to Youthperformance “when Julian Yocum and I did an improv musical and interpretive dance piece.”Other lasting memories were formed on mission trips and retreats, where “I remember alwaysbeing surrounded with close friends and being able to separate myself from the stress ofeveryday life and be at peace.” At college, he plans to major in fine art/teaching, since hisfavorite subject is art. Mitchell’s extracurricular activities include music production, UltimateFrisbee, drawing and painting. What will he miss about home? “My family and Charlotte,” hesays.Favorites: Movie: Airplane!; musical groups: The Grateful Dead and A Tribe Called Quest;

junk-food weakness: Chick-fil-A; vacation spot: Hilton Head. Quote: “In the backyard feeding deers.” - from a YoungThug song. “This quote changed my life,” he says.

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Wyndham Merrill is the daughter of Porter Merrill and Kelly Borgnis. After graduating from

Myers Park, Wyndham plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill. She started coming to Myers ParkBaptist at birth, and says the Church “is a tight-knit community that is very welcoming andaccepting of others.”A favorite Church memory is when youth minister Allen Davis let EllieDabbs draw “an Avatar arrow on his head and then went out in public.”Wyndham has beenactive in choir and served as an acolyte. She’s active in youth group, where she enjoyed “asense of community and stability during times of big change in middle and high school.”Favorite memories of mission trips and retreats include Ellie Dabbs getting a major sunburn and“getting more comfortable and confident with every trip.” What will she miss about home?“Seeing my family and friends every day without having to make plans to do so,” she says.Biology is her favorite subject, but she hasn’t decided on a major at Chapel Hill. Herextracurricular activities include Quiz Bowl and Teen Democrats.

Favorites: movie: Labyrinth; last book read for pleasure: Gone Girl; musical group: The Jonas Brothers; junk-foodweakness: Kit-Kat Bars; vacation spot: Rome. Quote: “Let us be elegant or die!” - Louisa May Alcott

Taylor Riley is the daughter of Robbin and Pat Riley. She will graduate from Charlotte

Country Day and then will head off to the University of South Carolina. She started coming toMyers Park Baptist in second grade, and says the Church is “very different from others in thebest way possible -- open to all and closed to none.” A favorite memory of going to Church is“making friends in youth group in middle school and how accepting they were towards meeven though I was younger.” A favorite memory of youth group retreats “is the Camp Kanugatrip in seventh grade and how meaningful the candle-lighting ceremony was.” Taylor has beena member of the choir and served as an acolyte. Her favorite subject in school is English, but incollege she plans to major in fashion merchandising. Taylor’s extracurricular activities arelacrosse, singing and hanging out with friends. What will she miss about home? “My friends andfamily, my mom’s home-cooked meals and my bed.”Favorites: Movie: Wolf of Wall Street or A Star is Born; last book read for pleasure? When LifeGives You Lululemons; musical group: Right now it’s Olivia O’Brien; junk-food weakness: mac &

cheese; vacation spot: DeBordieu. Quote: “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and theyremember the woman” -Coco Chanel

Lindsey Skardon is the daughter of Lydia and Chris Skardon and sister to brothers Jake and

Sandy. She will soon leave Providence Day School behind to attend Bucknell University. Whileshe says history is her favorite subject in school, she has not yet settled on a college major.Lindsey started coming to Myers Park Baptist when she was about 4 and her favorite memoryis the movie Sundays in God’s Garden. “I would always try to wear white so I could light upduring the movie,” she recalls. Lindsey also has been a member of the youth choir program.What will she miss about home? “My family, friends, pets and the weather,” Lindsey says.Favorites: Movie: Finding Nemo; junk-food weakness: Milk Duds; extracurricular activity:Lacrosse; vacation spot: Amelia Island. Quote: “May you always be courageous/stand uprightand be strong” - Bob Dylan

Julian Yocum is the son of Shawn and April Yocum and brother of Sarah Roberts. After

Myers Park, he plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He’s been attendingMyers Park Baptist since he was 3 years old, and says “youth group and its community” havebeen a highlight. “It’s a place to grow and reflect alongside others who care about you,” hesays. A favorite memory is the youth group retreats at Kanuga. Julian went on as many missiontrips and/or retreats as possible. “I remember doing the Appalachian Service Project and itbringing me a great sense of purpose throughout.” What will he miss about home? Old friendsand family. At MIT, he plans to major in physics, and perhaps minor in philosophy. Hisextracurricular activities include Debate Team, Project Unify, physics research, NC STEMAlliance and jazz piano. When asked about his biggest regret, he says, “To reference DavidFoster Wallace, forgetting that this is water.”Favorites: Movie: 2001: A Space Odyssey; last book read for pleasure: Plato’s Republic; musicalgroup: Pink Floyd; junk-food weakness: popcorn with both cheese and caramel; vacation spot:

Boston. Quote: “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor betweenpolitical parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts.” -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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OUR COVENANT

We, the members of the Myers Park Baptist Church, are a people on a journey offaith. By God’s grace we are experiencing God’s love through Jesus Christ and in thecommunity of the faithful. We are discovering in this experience our freedom to becomenew creatures and our responsibility to be faithful stewards of our lives and of this world.

We will be open to all new light, strengthened by God and each other in our faith. We will sustain a critical examination of Scripture, belief and ritual as interpreters of God’sactive presence in the world. We will accept controversy as a reality of life together and anopportunity for growth toward maturity. We covenant to be a community of God’s newcreation and affirm that we are open to all and closed to none.

We covenant to nurture this Church as a community of faith and as an instrument forreconciliation in this world: by worship, by Christian education, by the dedication of ourpersonal and material resources and by all the other ways we express the significance of ourlives with God and one another.

We covenant together to be priests celebrating God’s presence in community and inthe world, believing we are participants in God’s kingdom on earth.

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1900 Queens Road | Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704.334.7232

www.myersparkbaptist.org

@MPBaptist

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OUR MINISTERS

Rev. W. Benjamin Boswell | Senior Minister | bboswell@myersparkbaptist.org

Frances L. Morrison | Minister of Music | fmorrison@myersparkbaptist.org

Dr. Matt Caine | Incoming Minister of Music and Worship | mcaine@myersparkbaptist.org

Rev. Joseph D. Aldrich | Associate Minister | jaldrich@myersparkbaptist.org

Mia M. McClain | Associate Minister | mmcclain@myersparkbaptist.org Rev. Leigh Anne Hagerman | Church Administrator | lhagerman@myersparkbaptist.org

Rev. Carrie Veal | Minister of Children and Community Life | cveal@myersparkbaptist.org

John Richardson | Organist | jrichardson@myersparkbaptist.org

Charlotte C. Judge | Associate Director of Music | cjudge@myersparkbaptist.org

Allen Davis | Director of Youth Ministry | adavis@myersparkbaptist.org

Pamela Handon | Director of the Cornwell Center | phandon@cornwellcenter.org

Belinda Geuss | Director of Through-The-Week School | bgeuss@myersparkbaptist.org

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