200 East Parkway NorthMemphis, TN 38112

Second Sunday of Advent

December 9, 2018

This Week at First Baptist

Rev. David Breckenridge, D.Min. Pastor

Rev. Brittany StillwellAssociate Pastor of Worship & Youth

Kristin ZapienDirector, First Baptist Day School

Aaron FosterOrganist

Julia AguayoPianist

901.454.1131 phone901.454.1135 fax

fbcmemphis.org

Sunday, December 9 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship 5:00 p.m. Youth Bible StudyMonday, December 10 7:30 a.m. FBDS ProgramTuesday, December 11 7:30 a.m. FBDS ProgramWednesday, December 12 7:30 a.m. FBDS Program

5:00 p.m. Fellowship Supper, Caritas 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Together DeadlineThursday, December 13 7:30 a.m. FBDS Program 10:30 a.m. Adult Game Day, ParlorFriday, December 14 7:30 a.m. FBDS Program

Announcements Missions OfferingOur Missions Offering to date is $27,875. We have exceeded our $25,000 goal but we have many great missions partners who could use our help. Let’s see if we can reach at least $30,000!

Poinsettia Sale Through December 12Beautiful poinsettias may order plants in memory or in honor of someone special. Plants are $20 and may be ordered through December 12.

Baptist Women December MeetingThe Baptist Women’s December meeting will be Dec. 13 at 11 am at Carolyn Bynum’s home. Please RSVP to Sara Cunningham at 767-4303.

VolunteersExtended CareNext Sunday, December 16 Threes/Fours: April Blankenship Rebecca Courtney Floater: Glenna WardWelcome Desk at Worship December 9: Jack TaylorReceptionists Mon, Dec. 10: Trudy Hatton/ Valerie Brenner Tues, Dec. 11: Bill Wilson/ Volunteer Needed Wed, Dec. 12: Betty Wilson/ Volunteer Needed Thurs, Dec. 13: Gayla Foscue/ Valerie Brenner

FBC in PrayerNew ConcernsLora Jobe BurkeBrant ButlerLinda HaywoodAnson PurdyJean Rose RaneyMilton & Frances RayFrances Walker

Stay Connected to First Baptist through Social Mediawww.facebook.com/fbcmemphis • Twitter: @fbcmemphis

Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary were not filled with wishes. They were filled with hope. Hope is something very different. Hope is trusting that something will be fulfilled, but fulfilled

according to the promises and not just according to our wishes. Therefore, hope is always open-ended...It was only

when I was willing to let go of wishes that something really new, beyond my own expectations, could happen to me.

—Henri Nouwen, Waiting for God

WELCOME TO FIRST BAPTISTWe are so glad you decided to worship with us today. Please take a moment to fill out the Visitor’s Card in the pew rack in front of you. You can place these in the offering plate during the offertory. Consider lingering after worship so that our members might have a chance to greet you. Our ministers will be in the Welcome Center after worship and would love to meet you.

CHILDREN AND WORSHIPThe presence of children in worship is a gift to the Church. They are valuable members of our faith family and we welcome them into this house of worship. Our nursery is open during worship for infants and toddlers. The nursery is located out the doors to the left of the pulpit and down the hall. Our nursery workers will be happy to assist you. Extended Care is for children ages 3-4 and for 5-year-olds who have not entered kindergarten. These children will sit as a group with our Extended Care leaders on the first pew in the right section. All children through 5th grade are invited to the front of the Sanctuary to participate in our Children’s Sermon. Our preschoolers will leave for Extended Care after this.

A WORD ABOUT FBC

First Baptist Memphis is a Midtown congregation that seeks to follow Christ by practicing hospitality, community, dialogue, and service.

• We value diversity in our membership and believe it enriches our journey and ministry.

• We strive to be a family of faith where all can belong. • We value the voice of every child of God and strive to hear the voice

of God in one another. • What we do inside our walls prepares us to share God’s love across the

street and around the world.

The Radio Bible Class (10:30 am) and this service (11:00 am) are broadcast live on radio stations ESPN 680 AM, and ESPN 92.9 FM. Sermons are available online at www.fbcmemphis.org.

Dare to Wonder

* The congregation will please stand, as you are able. Amplifying devices are available at the Welcome Center desk.

DARE TO ENTERThe prelude provides an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds

to worship God by being still and quiet.

Prelude Concerto in A Minor Op. 3, No. 6, 3rd Movt. arr. T. Nachéz Edens Richardson, violinist & Julia Aguayo, pianist

Call to Worship Joy of Every Longing Heart arr. Mary McDonaldSanctuary Choir

Invocation Rev. Brittany Stillwell

Greeting

One: The Lord be with you!Many: And also with you!

Hymn of Praise 79 Blessed Be the God of Israel FOREST GREEN(We will sing verses 1, 2, & 5.)

Gospel Reading Luke 1:5-13, 18-23, 57-61 Gabrielle Cathey

One: This is God’s Word for us today. Craig Locke, Bill WilsonMany: Thanks be to God.

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Music for Reflection Of the Father’s Love Joel Raney Sanctuary Choir

Advent Litany Jan Jones & Teresa Bullock

One: During Advent, we wait for the one promised in scripture.Many: And he will be called Mighty God.

One: We wait for the one whose power has no limits and whose strength knows no end.

Many: And he will be called Mighty God.

One: We wait for the one whose everlasting light can illuminate the darkest night.

Many: And he will be called Mighty God.

One: We wait for the one whose mercy never ends and whose faithfulness endures forever.

Many: And he will be called Mighty God.

THE WORSHIP OF GODSecond Sunday of Advent

Candle Lighting Marde Champion & Amy Greer

(As we sing the children are invited to the front for the Children’s Sermon.)

DARE TO LISTEN

Children’s Sermon Courtney Pace

Prayers of the People Rev. Dr. David Breckenridge

(How can we be sure? What are you longing for? What are you wondering? What questions do you have for God?)

Song of Assurance Did You Know? Fred M. Rogers

Offertory Prayer Richard Wright

Offertory Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming arr. Michael Ware Julia Aguayo, organist

Congregational Response VENI EMMANUEL 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.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

DARE TO WONDER

Prayer of Preparation Rev. Dr. David Breckenridge and Congregation

Almighty God, to You all hearts are open, all desires known, and from You no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy

name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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a different way to be Baptist

Message Rev. Dr. David Breckenridge How can I be sure? Luke 1:5-13, 18-23, 57-61

(pages 884-886 in the pew Bible)

DARE TO GO

Hymn of Response 77 HYFRYDOL Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Benediction Rev. Brittany Stillwell

Postlude Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus arr. G. Hamilton Aaron Foster, organist

Today’s worship participants are Edens Richardson, a member of the Youth Group, Gabrielle Cathey, a member of the Youth Group, Craig Locke, a member of the Connect 4 Sunday School Class and the Day School Committee, Bill Wilson, a member of the First Friends Sunday School Class and chair of the Property Committee, Jan Jones, a member of the Women of Faith Sunday School Class, Teresa Bullock, a member of the Women of Faith Sunday School Class and chair of the Public Relations Committee, Marde Champion, a member of the Women of Faith Sunday School Class, Amy Greer, a member of the Women of Faith Sunday School Class, Courtney Pace, a teacher in the Connect 4 Sunday School Class and member of the Missions Committee, and Richard Wright, a Children’s Sunday School Teacher and chair of the Personnel Committee.Our offering bearers are assisted by Janie Hatton and Scarlet Malone.

THE CHRISTIAN YEAR

Advent means “coming” or “arrival” and marks the beginning of the liturgical year. During this season we light a new Advent candle each week, read specially chosen scripture, and count down the days until Christ’s Birth, all in an effort to prepare our hearts for the coming Messiah.

The altar table is adorned with Advent candles, light that grows stronger as we approach the birth of Christ and purple, the color of Advent, symbolizing the royalty of the Messiah who is to come. The stars hanging on the rustic, natural sticks call us to wonder at God’s presence in the ordinary and unexpected. The light on the table originates in the cradle where the light shines the brightest and scatters out into the world. May this altar table provide visual inspiration as we wonder together this Advent season.

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Dar e to Won der

Sundays in December, 11:00 am

Questions of Advent

www.fbcmemphis.org/advent

Dare to Wonder: Questions of AdventDid you know? Did you know? Did you know that it’s alright to wonder? You can ask a lot of questions about the world... And your place in it. You can ask about people’s feelings; You can learn the sky’s the limit. —Fred M. Rogers

Sometimes we feel like we have to have it all together; that we have to have all the answers. We don’t like to admit when we don’t understand something, and we are fearful of what we can’t explain. But Mr. Rogers and our ancestors of the faith remind us that we learn so much by wondering.

This Advent season, we will take a look at the four questions asked by the people of God in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival. We will wonder with John the Baptist, Zechariah, Mary, and Elizabeth as we prepare our own hearts for the arrival of God-with-us.

First Sunday of Advent, December 2: What then shall we do? Luke 3:1-18

Second Sunday of Advent, December 9: How can I be sure? Luke 1:5-13, 18-23, 57-61

Third Sunday of Advent, December 16: How can this be? Luke 1:26-38

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23: Why me? Luke 1:39-56

Dare to Wonder: I wonder if these questions are still being asked today—Advent DevotionalHear from your own church family as they reflect on moments when they wondered about the same questions asked by our ancestors of the faith. These devotionals will feature a brief reflection on Sunday’s sermon and a prayer for each Sunday, followed by reflections (throughout the rest of the week) written by our own church members. These devotionals areavailable beginning in the Welcome Center. May this Advent Devotional dare you to wonder.

Dare to Wonder: I wonder why this night seems so long—A Service of Grief and HealingDecember 21 marks the longest night of the year; a night when we acknowl-edge the darkness in our world and the grief that often accompanies this season of the year. Join us on Sunday, December 16, at 3 pm, as we mark this night together, gathering to name our grief and together find healing as we wait for the light.

God-is-with-us in our wondering—Christmas Eve WorshipPreparing for the Messiah brings with it a lot of questions, but the birth of Christ doesn’t put an end to the wondering. If anything, it has only just begun, because his arrival isn’t what we expected. This mysterious birth does, however, assure us of God’s presence with us in our wondering.

Join us for a service of carols and candlelight on Christmas Eve as we celebrate the arrival of Emmanuel, God-with-us, Jesus Christ—who came to wonder with us.

Dar e to Won der

Sundays in December, 11:00 am

Questions of Advent

www.fbcmemphis.org/advent

Dare to Wonder: Questions of AdventDid you know? Did you know? Did you know that it’s alright to wonder? You can ask a lot of questions about the world... And your place in it. You can ask about people’s feelings; You can learn the sky’s the limit. —Fred M. Rogers

Sometimes we feel like we have to have it all together; that we have to have all the answers. We don’t like to admit when we don’t understand something, and we are fearful of what we can’t explain. But Mr. Rogers and our ancestors of the faith remind us that we learn so much by wondering.

This Advent season, we will take a look at the four questions asked by the people of God in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival. We will wonder with John the Baptist, Zechariah, Mary, and Elizabeth as we prepare our own hearts for the arrival of God-with-us.

First Sunday of Advent, December 2: What then shall we do? Luke 3:1-18

Second Sunday of Advent, December 9: How can I be sure? Luke 1:5-13, 18-23, 57-61

Third Sunday of Advent, December 16: How can this be? Luke 1:26-38

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23: Why me? Luke 1:39-56

Dare to Wonder: I wonder if these questions are still being asked today—Advent DevotionalHear from your own church family as they reflect on moments when they wondered about the same questions asked by our ancestors of the faith. These devotionals will feature a brief reflection on Sunday’s sermon and a prayer for each Sunday, followed by reflections (throughout the rest of the week) written by our own church members. These devotionals areavailable beginning in the Welcome Center. May this Advent Devotional dare you to wonder.

Dare to Wonder: I wonder why this night seems so long—A Service of Grief and HealingDecember 21 marks the longest night of the year; a night when we acknowl-edge the darkness in our world and the grief that often accompanies this season of the year. Join us on Sunday, December 16, at 3 pm, as we mark this night together, gathering to name our grief and together find healing as we wait for the light.

God-is-with-us in our wondering—Christmas Eve WorshipPreparing for the Messiah brings with it a lot of questions, but the birth of Christ doesn’t put an end to the wondering. If anything, it has only just begun, because his arrival isn’t what we expected. This mysterious birth does, however, assure us of God’s presence with us in our wondering.

Join us for a service of carols and candlelight on Christmas Eve as we celebrate the arrival of Emmanuel, God-with-us, Jesus Christ—who came to wonder with us.

Dar e to Won der

Sundays in December, 11:00 am

Questions of Advent

www.fbcmemphis.org/advent

Dare to Wonder: Questions of AdventDid you know? Did you know? Did you know that it’s alright to wonder? You can ask a lot of questions about the world... And your place in it. You can ask about people’s feelings; You can learn the sky’s the limit. —Fred M. Rogers

Sometimes we feel like we have to have it all together; that we have to have all the answers. We don’t like to admit when we don’t understand something, and we are fearful of what we can’t explain. But Mr. Rogers and our ancestors of the faith remind us that we learn so much by wondering.

This Advent season, we will take a look at the four questions asked by the people of God in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival. We will wonder with John the Baptist, Zechariah, Mary, and Elizabeth as we prepare our own hearts for the arrival of God-with-us.

First Sunday of Advent, December 2: What then shall we do? Luke 3:1-18

Second Sunday of Advent, December 9: How can I be sure? Luke 1:5-13, 18-23, 57-61

Third Sunday of Advent, December 16: How can this be? Luke 1:26-38

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23: Why me? Luke 1:39-56

Dare to Wonder: I wonder if these questions are still being asked today—Advent DevotionalHear from your own church family as they reflect on moments when they wondered about the same questions asked by our ancestors of the faith. These devotionals will feature a brief reflection on Sunday’s sermon and a prayer for each Sunday, followed by reflections (throughout the rest of the week) written by our own church members. These devotionals areavailable beginning in the Welcome Center. May this Advent Devotional dare you to wonder.

Dare to Wonder: I wonder why this night seems so long—A Service of Grief and HealingDecember 21 marks the longest night of the year; a night when we acknowl-edge the darkness in our world and the grief that often accompanies this season of the year. Join us on Sunday, December 16, at 3 pm, as we mark this night together, gathering to name our grief and together find healing as we wait for the light.

God-is-with-us in our wondering—Christmas Eve WorshipPreparing for the Messiah brings with it a lot of questions, but the birth of Christ doesn’t put an end to the wondering. If anything, it has only just begun, because his arrival isn’t what we expected. This mysterious birth does, however, assure us of God’s presence with us in our wondering.

Join us for a service of carols and candlelight on Christmas Eve as we celebrate the arrival of Emmanuel, God-with-us, Jesus Christ—who came to wonder with us.