FOREVER FAITHFUL In 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Paul says that if you use your resources well, you will lay for yourselves a firm foundation for this age and the age to come. Today, we continue our sermon series on the Biblical charge to clarity, unity and charity which is a call upon every disciple of the Lord.
WELCOME!
These things are central to the Christian faith and it is a charge that has been given to us by the living God through the Word of God. Therefore, we need to be people who are Forever Faithful to the things of God.
The following prayer may be used as you prepare for worship:
You, my God, are supreme, utmost in goodness, mightiest and all-powerful, most merciful and most just. You are the most hidden from us and yet the most present amongst us, the most beautiful and yet the most strong, ever enduring and yet we cannot comprehend you. You are unchangeable and yet you change all things. You are never new, never old, and yet all things have new life from you. Help me to worship You with a grateful heart this day, for You are my God, my Life, my holy Delight. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
361 Egypt Road Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843.856.3222 Equipping people to pursue Jesus Christ passionately as they impact the culture. eastcooperbaptist.com
BABY DEDICATIONS 9:30 - Vara Jean Nissen 11:00 - Keaton Goodwin Kopp, Davis Jackson Newton, Ford Hamilton Silvester, Caleb Ethan Ulrich, Emerson Grace Vollnogle
Sanctuary Services THE CHURCH IN CORPORATE WORSHIP
Mother’s Day • MAY 10, 2015
REFLECTION
May the mind of Christ, my Savior, Live in me from day to day, By His love and power controlling All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly In my heart from hour to hour, So that all may see I triumph Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father Rule my life in everything, That I may be calm to comfort Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me As the waters fill the sea; Him exalting, self abasing, This is victory.
May I run the race before me, Strong and brave to face the foe, Looking only unto Jesus As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me, As I seek the lost to win, And may they forget the channel, Seeing only Him. -- Kate Wilkinson I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. -- Psalm 9:1-2
WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES
Like many of our hymns we sing, the orginal contained many more verses than we find in our hymnals. Our morning hymn today, “May Jesus Christ be Praised” had 28 original stanzas penned by an anonymous priest in 1744. Here are just a few:
The Prelude • O God, Our Help in Ages Past • ECBC Orchestra Call to Worship • O Most High, Almighty God • ECBC Choir O Most High, Almighty God! Great Lord of Lords, Omnipotent Ruler of the Skies! To Thee belong praise, glory, and worship, and honor and blessing! Alleluia!
Call to Worship • The Sursum Corda
Sursum Corda is Latin for “lift up your hearts.” One of the oldest liturgical pieces still in use, it calls us to be heavenly minded and summons us into the Lord’s presence. Along with the voices around you, hear the echo of 2000 years of worshiping Christians who have gone before.
LEADER: The Lord be with you. PEOPLE: And also with you. LEADER: Lift up your hearts. PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord. LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. PEOPLE: It is right for us to give Him thanks and praise.
When you begin the day, O never fail to say, May Jesus Christ be praised! And at your work rejoice, To sing with heart and voice, May Jesus Christ be praised!
WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES LAUDES DOMINI
Be this at meals your grace, In every time and place; May Jesus Christ be praised! Be this, when day is past, Of all your thoughts the last May Jesus Christ be praised! When sleep her balm denies, My silent spirit sighs, May Jesus Christ be praised! When evil thoughts molest, With this I shield my breast, May Jesus Christ be praised! Sing, sun and stars of space, Sing, ye that see His face, Sing, Jesus Christ be praised! God’s whole creation o’er, For aye and evermore May Jesus Christ be praised! Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find, May Jesus Christ be praised! Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this, May Jesus Christ be praised!
From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3 ESV)
Morning Welcome
SING PRAISE TO GOD WHO REIGNS ABOVE
SING PRAISE TO GOD WHO REIGNS ABOVE
MIT FREUDEN ZART
This stately hymn penned by Johann J. Schuetz (1640-1690) is the product of several significant historical events occurring in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries which greatly shaped the course of church history and hymnody. One was the Protestant Reformation Movement; Another was the role of the followers of John Huss, the Bohemian martyr burned at the stake in 1415 for his strong evangelical views. These people were known everywhere for their vibrant singing and Christian witness as well as for their strong missionary concern.
From these important influences--the German Reformation; the dynamic beliefs and practices of the Bohemian-Moravian Brethren; the terrible tragedies of the Thirty-Years’ War, causing many to realize as never before a personal dependence upon a sovereign God and not mere reliance upon a church; the rise of the Pietist Movement with its emphasis upon individual faith and holy living--there developed a great wealth of excellent German hymns, of which this hymn is a great example.
Yet another influence was the Thirty-Years’ War (1618-1648). Germany, the battleground of this conflict between warring Catholic and Protestant forces from various countries throughout Europe, was reduced to a state of misery that baffles description. The German population dwindled from sixteen million to six million. Out of this terrible epoch, however, were wrung some of the noblest expressions of praise in all hymnody. As is often the case, it took the great tragedies of the time to again focus men’s attention upon God.
HOW GREAT THOU ART HOW GREAT
THANK YOU MOM!
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thinder, Thy pow’r thr’out the universe displayed.
A thought from a blog by JUSTIN TAYLOR
The 10 jobs listed as comprising a mother’s work were housekeeper, cook, day care center teacher, laundry machine operator, van driver, facilities manager, janitor, computer operator, chief executive officer and psychologist, it said.
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
The typical mother puts in a 92-hour work week, it said, working 40 hours at base pay and 52 hours overtime. If the typical stay-at-home mother in the United States were paid for her work as a housekeeper, cook and psychologist among other roles, she would earn $188,095 a year....
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING 10,000 REASONS (Bless the Lord) MATT REDMAN
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul! Worship His holy name! Sing like never before, O my soul! I’ll worship Your holy name!
I can hear the vacuum running upstairs. I think I’ll go thank my mom that she doesn’t charge me.
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning; It’s time to sing Your song again! Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, Let me be singing when the evening comes!
Happy Mother’s Day
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger; Your name is great, and Your heart is kind; For all Your goodness I will keep on singing: Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find!
And on that day when my strength is failing, The end draws near and my time has come; Still my soul will sing Your praise unending, Ten thousand years and then forevermore!
OFFERTORY PRAYER • Gregg Anderson, Deacon of the Day OFFERTORY • O Worship the King • ECBC Handbells CONGREGATIONAL GREETINGS THE MORNING SERMON • Conrad “Buster” Brown, Sr. Pastor THE CLOSING PRAYER FOR MOTHER’S DAY THE POSTLUDE
MORNING MESSAGE Babies & Toddlers
The Spoken Word
CD’s of today’s sermon ($3 each) may be special ordered through the church office during the week. The messages may also be heard online at the church website.
Responding to the Word
As we sit under the reading and teaching of Scripture, it calls for a response as we ask ourselves “what will we do with the truth presented today?” The Christian life is marked by the offering of one’s self to God to be shaped, empowered, directed and changed by God and His Word. In worship, God presents us with the costly self-offering of Jesus Christ. We are calmed by Christ and set free. In response to God’s love in Jesus Christ we offer our lives, our gifts, our time, our abilities and our material goods for God’s service, His glory, and our ultimate good.
FOREVER FAITHFUL Clarity: Transformed by the Renewing of Our Mind Conrad “Buster” Brown, Sr. Pastor Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Biblically informed, passionate, embodied worship will lead to a transformation of the mind through the power of the Holy Spirit under the authority of the Word of God. Transformation happens when we behold the glory of Christ. “15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:15-18 “17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:17-24 “The transformation is to take place by the renewing of your mind. The believer, whose life is that of the new age, does not think like an unbeliever. The reference to the mind is important. Paul does not envisage a mindless emotionalism, but a deeply intelligent approach to life, as characteristic of the Christian who has been renewed by the Holy Spirit. The term mind is not confined to intellectual pursuit (it includes an important moral element), but it certainly embraces them. The force of the present tense should not be overlooked; Paul envisages a continuing process of renewal.” Pillar New Testament Commentary on Romans “If v. 1 speaks of a specific act in which we offer ourselves to God, v. 2 tells us of two ongoing activities that carry out the intention of the living sacrifice. The first is negative; the second positive. Believers are no longer to conform themselves to the present age (1 Peter 1:14). “His obedient children do not be conformed to the former lusts which are yours in your ignorance.” As citizens of heaven, (Philippians 3:20), we are to set our minds to the things above not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Paul reminded the Galatians that the present age is evil (1:4). It cannot and must not serve as a model for Christian living. Its values and goals are antithetical to growth and holiness. The church should stand out from the world as a demonstration of God’s intention for the human race. To be culturally identified in the world is to place the church at risk. Believers are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:1314), purifying and enlightening contemporary culture.
In order to maintain a worshipful atmosphere and for the comfort of our little ones, we ask that parents exit the service with their crying babies and talkative toddlers. We would encourage parents to use our excellent nursery and trained staff to care for your children.
Rather than allowing the world to “squeeze you into its mold”, Paul told believers to be transformed by the renewing of your minds. From without there is a continuing pressure to adopt the custom and mindsets of the world in which we live. Although that influence must be rejected, that alone will never create the kind of change God has in mind for his followers. Real and lasting change comes from within.” New American Commentary on Romans “4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the
image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Chri st.” 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
Information 05.10
How a transformation process takes place: M – Meditate I – Intentional reading N – Need (a needy person) D – Definite time daily
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Why this is of utmost importance: 1. Our current cultural crisis.
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“For five years I have talked to the House on these matters – not with very great success. I have watched this famous island descending incontinently, fecklessly, the stairway which leads to a dark gulf. It is a fine broad stairway at the beginning, but after a bit the carpet ends. A little farther on there are only flagstones, and a little farther on still these break beneath your feet…That is the position – that is the terrible transformation that has taken place bit by bit. ”Winston Churchill (March 24, 1938, two weeks after the German annexation of Austria)
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“The safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
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2. Because of the continuous and irreconcilable war that we face every day from the world, the flesh, and the devil. 3. The glory of God. 4. The generations to come. Questions for Discussion: 1. Think through the simple and limited approach to renewal of mind regarding the M-I-N-D method. 2. What do we mean when we say “that the church in the 21st century is going back to the same issues that face the church in the first century”? 3. What is the “continuous and irreconcilable war” that we daily fight with the world, the flesh, and the devil? 4. Why is the beholding of the uniqueness and wonder of Christ the key to mind transformation? 5. In the op-ed: “How to Take Christ Out of Christianity” (Washington Post), Alana Massey speaks of not wanting to depart from the Christian tradition because of her ancestry and natural connections but does not want to get caught up in religious connections because she is an avowed atheist but she wants to keep Christianity without Christ. Why is that a fundamental basic impossibility? Suggested reading list for mind transformation: • J.I. Packer: Knowing God, A Quest for Godliness • John Piper: Desiring God, Brothers We Are Not Professionals, What Jesus Demands from the World • C.S. Lewis: Mere Christianity • John Calvin: The Institutes of the Christian Religion • Wayne Grudem: Systematic Theology • Puritan Paperback Series (The Banner of Truth Trust) • Tim Keller: The Prodigal God, The Reason for God, Prayer, • D.A. Carson: A Call to Spiritual Reformation, A Model for Christian Maturity, The Cross and Christian Ministry • D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Sermon on the Mount, Spiritual Depression
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ECBC FEATURED EVENTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK ON THE BANNER AT EASTCOOPERBAPTIST.COM...
Please plan to attend this very informative meeting on Foster Care and learn how you can help have an impact in the lives of children here in Charleston County. There will be a Foster Care & Respite Information Meeting on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30pm in rooms B-218 and B-219. For more information or to arrange childcare, please contact Crystal Cantrell at crystal@eastcooperbaptist. com.
ELDER NOMINEES
The Elders and Deacons have affirmed the following slate of men to serve as new elders for the 2015-2019 term: Robert Nagy and Scott Broome. The congregation will vote May 10 and May 17 to confirm these men. If you are a member of East Cooper Baptist Church and are 18 years or older, we ask that you vote on today’s tear-off. Please PRINT name on reverse. _____YES, I approve these men to serve as elders in the church. _____NO, I do not approve these men to serve as elders in the church. Signed________________________________________
Hannah’s Heart - May 17
Is the desire to be parents an important matter of prayer for you? If you are a couple dealing with infertility concerns and wish to meet with a like minded group for PRAYER, please join us at 8:45 am on the second Sunday of each month in the ECBC Prayer Room. (This month we are meeting on the 3rd Sunday of the month) Come pray with us, or fill out this tear-off and we will pray for you. Please PRINT your name and contact info on the opposite side of this tear-off. Please pray for us as we deal with infertility. Please pray for us as we deal with infertility.
MAY 17
ocean baptism - If you are interested in being baptized, please register for a baptism date. An ECBC pastor will then contact you to schedule an interview prior to your baptism date. The upcoming baptism dates are: May 17 and August 30.
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VBS CHILD REGISTRATION - Child registration is now open for Vacation Bible School this summer. VBS will be held the weeks of June 8-12 and June 15-19, 2015. Join in on the journey as we still need adult volunteers!
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SUMMER SUNDAYS - Our Summer Sundays ministry is your opportunity to help us continue our spiritual instruction by volunteering to serve for 4 Sundays, several more Sundays or for the entire 13 Sundays this summer.
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ec sports men’s softball- Today is the last day to register for this summer’s men’s softball season! The cost to play is $50 per person and the season runs from June 4th - July 30th. Games are on Thursday evenings at R.L. Jones Recreation Center fields. Email Mike Basha for more information.
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help support msm - Join us at Chick-Fil-A near Publix on Wednesday, May 20th from 5:00-8:00pm to support the middle school ministry’s mission trip to Spartanburg, SC. Tell them you are from ECBC and 20% of your order will be given to the mission trip fund. Thanks for your support!
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hsm senior events- There are many upcoming events planned for HSM Seniors from seminars to banquets leading up to Senior Recognition Sunday on June 7. Visit the HSM webpage for all the information or contact Larkin Shaw at
[email protected].
Giving
Current church Finances as of April 28: Income YTD $ 3,987,868 Expenses YTD $ 3,716,782 361 Egypt Road MP, SC 29464 Main Office 856-3222 Emergency Line ext. 7777 Fax 856-1136 Web eastcooperbaptist.com
elders Harry Carter Elder Chairman Reg Christopher Missions Joe Diamond, Brad Williams, Ron Romagnoli Children Rick Ethredge Benevolence & Pastoral Care Mark Fitts High School John Graham , Daniel Dukes PCA Rick Gwinn Finance & Facilities David Jackson Equipping/SMBC Mark Leiendecker Worship Lee Lewis, David Kornegay Campus Outreach Robert McCants IV,, Van Hendry Contemporary Worship Brad Reed Community Groups & Shepherding Ned Rupp & Bobby Weaver Young Adults Claude Tackett Middle School Derek Walden Deacons & Local Missions Mike Weeks Men & Women Kenny Caldwell Young Married Mark Nelson Personnel
