Christian Service of Worship Second Sunday in Lent _March 20, 2011, at 10:50 a.m.

*indicates for those who are able to stand

We Gather Together

Welcome and Mission Announcements Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert Passing of the Peace of Christ (Afterward please be seated & in a spirit of worship.) Prelude Meditation for Passiontide D. Eliot Entrance Hymn They’ll Know We Are Christians 494 *Call to Worship (Adapted from Psalm 121) Elaine Alsobrook One: I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? Many: Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. One: God will not let your foot be moved; the one who keeps you will not

slumber. Many: God who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. One: The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. Many: The sun shall not strike you by day, or the moon by night. One: The Lord will keep you from all evil; the Lord will keep your life. Many: The Lord will keep our going out and our coming in from this

time on and forever. Amen! *Unison Prayer of Invocation Elaine Alsobrook Gracious God of mercy and love, you are our keeper and our shade, our protector and our savior. Ever mindful of your presence and grateful for your grace, we are richly blessed to be present this day to return thanks and worship you with awe. We call upon your Holy Spirit to anoint this gathering in of your people. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Gloria Patri 35

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.

We Receive the Word

Lessons from the Holy Scriptures Elaine Alsobrook John 3: 1-17 (Pew Bible NT Page 93) Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17 (Pew Bible NT Page 154) One: This is the Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Focus on Faith Pastor Children welcome, in the name of Jesus. Children welcome, in the name of love.

All are welcome, in the name of Jesus. All are welcome, in the name of love.

Joys and Concerns of the Church and Community Pastor Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father which 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 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. Amen.

Choral Anthem Surely the Presence of the Lord Wolfe Soloist: Lillie Sapp

Sermon “Born Fine the First, Second and 490th Time” Pastor Invitation to Discipleship Pastor

(You may join First Christian Church by transfer of membership, confession of faith, or by renewal of the vows of your baptism. Please come forward during the hymn.)

*Hymn of Invitation Fairest Lord Jesus 97

We Respond to the Spirit

Invitation to Faithful Stewardship Rosa Kent Offertory Music Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee D. Wells *The Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

*Offertory Prayer Rosa Kent

Communion Hymn Alleluia! Hear God’s Story 330 Invitation to the Lord’s Table Pastor

(Christ invites you to partake of Holy Communion. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord's Table as God has welcomed us.)

Prayers for the Bread and Cup Elaine Alsobrook and Rosa Kent (You may partake of the Bread as it is passed and hold the Cup,

or you may hold both elements until we partake of communion together.) Words of Institution 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 One: For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord

Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said,

Many: “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

One: In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, Many: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as

you drink it, in remembrance of me.” One: For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Unison Prayer of Commission God our help: We thank you for this supper, shared in the spirit with

your son Jesus, who makes us new and strong, who brings us life eternal. We praise you for giving us all good gifts in Him and pledge ourselves to serve you, even as in Christ you have served us. Amen.

We Are Led Out By the Spirit

*Hymn of Going Forth Go, My Children, with My Blessing 431 *Benediction Pastor

Postlude Solemn March S. Saxton

John 3: 1-17 1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." 3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Ministers: All the People

Your Church Staff: The Rev. Dr. James L. Brewer-Calvert, Sr. Pastor William E. Garner, Director of Music Sarah McClelland, Director of Christian Education Kathy Westbrook, Church Organist Sherry Davis, Church Administrator Elizabeth Hamm, Bookkeeper Thomas K. Dawson Jr., Facilities Manager Azeb Gidey, Custodian

Your Volunteer Ministry Coordinators: Diana Blake, Wedding Coordinator Daphne Reiley, Caregiver Spiritual Support

Continental Breakfast Hosts March 20 Ruth Lutz March 27 Becky Kidd April 3 Daphne Reiley April 10 Mary Frances Early

Welcome Home!

Sunday Order of WorshipSunday Order of WorshipSunday Order of WorshipSunday Order of Worship

First Christian ChurchFirst Christian ChurchFirst Christian ChurchFirst Christian Church

of Decaturof Decaturof Decaturof Decatur (Disciples of Christ)

601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Georgia 30030 Phone: 404-378-3621

Email: 1stcc@bellsouth.net

Website: www.decaturdisciples.org

Resolve to Love, Agree to Differ, Unite to Serve, Break Bread Together

Second Sunday in Lent–March 20th Preaching: Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert Holy Scriptures: Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17 John 3: 1-17 Chapel Elders: Rev. Adei Grenpastures and

Chris Butler Chapel Deacons: Bryan Kidd and Hank Ferry Sanctuary Elders Elaine Alsobrook and Rosa Kent Deacons: Kasey Bezio, Millie Linville,

Daphne Reiley, Tom Rosenberger

Ushers: Herschel Maxey, Imogene Maxey, Beth Schiavo and children

Third Sunday in Lent–March 27th Preaching: Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert Holy Scriptures: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95;

Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 Chapel Elders: Rev. Adei Grenpastures and

Chris Butler Chapel Deacons: Bryan Kidd and Hank Ferry Sanctuary Elders Rev. Betty Brewer-Calvert and Sally Ann Darby-Jobson Deacons: Paul Appleby, Mark Ranney, Daphne Reiley, Suzette

Perrillioux Ushers: Laura Andrew, Dee Cordell, Lee Stanley