THE WORSHIP OF GOD

on the occasion of

Memorial Day Sunday

&

Ascension Sunday

May 24, 2020

11:00 a.m.

Welcome & Announcements Michael Cogdill

Musical Meditation Marshall Tyson

Invocation Brian Theurer

Bless the Lord, O my soul – be still and remember all the LORD has done; in our darkness when His Word was our light, in our gladness when His joy was our song, in our weakness when His touch was our strength, in our coldness when His love was our warmth. As we pause on this celebration of Memorial Day, O God, keep this day in our thoughts and hearts. Bless the Lord, O my soul, be still – be still and remember. Amen.

Hymn of Praise NATIONAL HYMN

A Time with Children Amy Galloway

Scripture Reading (Luke 24:50, 51-53; Acts 1:3-11) Braxton Kubasko

“After his suffering, [Jesus] presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this

command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

A Litany for Ascension Sunday Braxton Kubasko

Our God goes up with shouts of joy! He ascends to the sound of trumpets! The Almighty rides in triumph – the hosts of heaven sing the honor of his name; they praise Him with an endless alleluia! Christ has brought down death itself, wiped away the stain of sin, and trodden the winepress of suffering – He has paid the price to rescue the lost. Now He returns to His throne of glory – the hour come to reclaim His crown! Jesus Christ the Prince of Life, now reigns in heaven with the Father and in the congregation of the righteous. How can we honor Him enough and praise His victory? Prepare us for the day of Your return when we will behold You in Your majesty and stand before You and rejoice forevermore!

Hymn of Faith IN CHRIST ALONE

Scriptural Reading Michael Cogdill

Luke 24:44-53

“He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

The Word of the Lord.

Confession of Sin (Amos 5:24) Brian Theurer

Leader: O Lord, how often do we look at the world, and see right past You? How many times do we revisit history and ignore Your hand? How can we look back at the town of Bethlehem, the cross on Golgotha, the empty tomb, and the skies you ascended into, and yet live in our own path – our own way? Justice flowed like waters off our souls and onto Your head. Rather than the raging river of justice we deserve, grace and mercy have been given to us flowing as a stream from the cross. Let us confess our sins before God.

Silent Confession

Assurance of Pardon (II Corinthians 12:9-10; Deuteronomy 31:6) Brian Theurer

Leader: Hear these words from the Scriptures. “’My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore [we] will boast all the more gladly about [our] weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on [each of us]. That is why, for Christ’s sake, [we] delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when [we are] weak, then [we are] strong.” Therefore, ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

Musical Meditation Braxton Kubasko

“I Choose Jesus”

Some say life is just a series of decisions: we make choices, we live and learn. Now I’m standing at a crossroad, and I must choose which way to turn.

Down the road lies all the world can offer: all its power, its wealth and fame. Down the other, just a Man with nails cars in His hands; but there is mercy in His eyes,

and there is power in His name.

I choose Jesus, I choose Jesus. Without a solitary doubt, I choose Jesus, Not for miracles, but for loving me; not for Bethlehem, but for Calvary.

Not for a day, but for eternity: I choose Jesus.

All my life I sailed the sea of reason; I was captain of my soul. There was no need for a savior; I could live life on my own.

Then I heard Him speak the language of compassion, words of healing for broken lives. When they neailed Him to a tree His love included me. Now He’s calling me to follow

and to leave the past behind.

I choose Jesus, I choose Jesus. Without a solitary doubt, I choose Jesus, Not for miracles, but for loving me; not for Bethlehem, but for Calvary.

Not for a day, but for eternity: I choose Jesus.

Sermon Michael Cogdill

“Look Up to God”

Hymn of Departure OLIVET

Benediction Michael Cogdill

Postlude Marshall Tyson

Announcements Presentation of the Ryberg Scholarship will take place on June 7th during the 11am worship

service.

Join our Transitional Pastor, Michael Cogdill, for a time of Bible Study on our Facebook and YouTube Livestreams on Wednesday night May 13th, 20th, 27th, & June 3rd at 7:00pm!

Do you have questions? Can I know if I am going to Heaven? We would invite you to contact our church office and talk with one of our pastors about a relationship with Jesus Christ.

How do I join First Baptist? We would invite you to contact our church office and talk with one of our pastors about joining our fellowship.

What other opportunities are here on Sundays? We have Sunday School classes at 9:45 between our 8:45 and 11:00 services. If you are interested in finding a class, call our office for more information.

What other opportunities are here weekly? We have opportunities for all age groups and personalities! Contact our office or check our website!

Deacons Frank Creech, Chairman

David Lasater, Vice Chairman David Council, Secretary

Steve Adkins Wil Barnes

Linwood Byrd Kay Carroll

Lynda Carroll Jerry Ferguson

Bill Galloway Joan Hardy

Danny Hensley Anesha Johnson Clark Johnson Mack Langdon

Blair Maust Willie Smith

Harold Tharrington Jeremy Thompson

Henry Wright

Church Staff Transitional Pastor – Dr. Michael Cogdill

Minister of Music & Worship – Braxton Kubasko Minister of Youth & Education – Brian Theurer

Children & Family Ministries Coordinator – Amy Galloway Organist – Marshall Tyson

Administrative Staff – Janice Holland, Glenda Strickland, & Margie Crumley After School Care/Summer Adventures Director – Donna Donovan

Director of Weekday Early Education – June Ward