The Worship of God
Enter with Reverence
Leave to Share God’s Love and Serve Others
Sunday, April 3, 2011 – 10:30 A.M.

Prelude      “There Is a Balm in Gilead”

Invocation

Barbara Smith

Awaken The Light Within You

Call to Worship        

“Create in Me”               

Youth Choir

Responsive Reading of Ephesians 5:8-14 (REB)

Leader: Though you once were darkness, now as Christians you are light.  
Congregation: Prove yourselves at home in the light, for where there is light there is a harvest of goodness, righteousness, and truth.
Leader: Learn to judge for yourselves what is pleasing to the Lord; take no part in the barren deeds of darkness, but show them up for what they are.
Congregation: It would be shameful to mention even to mention what is done in secret.
Leader: But everything is shown up by being exposed to the light, and whatever is exposed to the light itself becomes light.
All: That is why it is said: awake, sleeper, rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine upon you.

+Hymn No. 617                             

Sunlight
“Heavenly Sunlight”

+Greetings and Grace to You

The Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer                    Rev. Henry Green

Offer Light To Our World

+Hymn No. 587                         New Britain
“Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound”

The Giving of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory    “God So Loved the World”    

+Hymn 705                                               Gloria Patri
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.
The Lord’s Supper

Celebrate The Light That Dispels Darkness

The Gospel Lesson                                                             John 9:1-41

Anthem                                “Bartimaeus”                           Adult Choir

The Heritage Pulpit                                                                  Rev. Green             
“How I Lost My Religion, But Kept the Faith”

A popular song in the 1990’s was “Losing My Religion.”  The writer, Peter Buck of R.E.M., composed the song in 1990, while he was learning to play a newly acquired mandolin.  The title of the song is a spin on an old southern expression that can mean anything from being angry about something to unrequited love.  

Today, many people are losing their religion because religion is not offering enough meaningful expressions of practical applications of faith.  The applications of faith are there, but they are often drowned out by the voices of intolerance.  

When you give up on being perfect, then God is able to work with you!  When you lose your religion and get off the need to impress others with how much you believe in Jesus, then God has some good clay to shape and mold in a fashion for a good purpose.  

When you finally lose your religion, you learn that…

God Calls the Least to Accomplish the Most
1 Samuel 16:1-13

God Makes Us Aware of Our Status
Psalm 23

God Awakens Us With The Light
Ephesians 5:8-14

God Affirms Our Worth
John 9:1-41

+Hymn No. 500                          Woodworth
“Just As I Am”

Introductions

+Benediction

Postlude    “The Heavens Are Telling”              

+Congregation Standing

We ask that you please turn off, or put on silent mode, all cell phones and other electrical devices.  Additionally, please no food or drinks in the sanctuary         

OPPORTUNITIES

There will be a meeting immediately following today’s worship service for those interested in reviewing and selecting the material for this year’s Vacation Bible School.  Please meet Everett Golihew in the library.  

Heritage’s Family Game Night will take place today at 6:30 in Assembly Room A (youth room). Games will be available, or you may bring your own, along with ping pong and pool.  Refreshments will be provided.  You will want to come for an evening of good fun and fellowship.

The Deacons will meet tomorrow evening at 7 o’clock.

On Saturday, your Recreation Committee is sponsoring a hike to Quiet Waters Park. Transportation will be provided from the church at 1:00 pm.  Clyde and Clair Morehead will lead you on this adventure where you will not only see the beaver dam and lodge, but other signs of spring.  Wear your sneakers, bring your bottle of water and enjoy the beauty of nature.  

On Saturday, April 16th, we will be adding some new plants to our grounds.  These plants have been donated for Annapolis Beautification.  If you would be willing to help with this project, please come at 9:00 am with your work gloves and favorite trowel.

The Red Cross Blood Drive will take place in our fellowship hall on Monday, April 18th, from 1-7 pm.  If you would be willing to give a pint of life-saving blood, please see Ida Russell.

If you would like to pay tribute to a loved one this Easter by donating flowers, either in their honor or memory, a member of the Flower Committee will be at the Welcome Center in the narthex to take your order.  The cost of an azalea, fern or lily is $17.00.  The deadline for ordering is April 10th.

Our Children’s Easter Celebration for toddlers through grade 3 will take place on Saturday, April 23rd, from 10 am-12 noon.  Boys and girls will meet the Easter Bunny, free Easter photos taken, decorate Easter bags, Moon Bounce, Face Painting, Dan the Magic Man, yummy refreshments, the ever poplar egg hunt (divided by age groups) and much, much more.  Youth and adults, your help is needed with this important outreach ministry.  Please sign up today.

The Youth 30-hour Famine will take place Friday, April 29th through Saturday, April 30th.  They hope to raise $720.00 to support two hungry children for one year.  Please be generous when asked to give.

Food Pantry Distribution: Tuesday, April 5 – Mary Ann Fulford and Thursday, April 7 – Ray Cook.

April 10: Extended Care Workers: Nursery: Emily Morehead; Preschool: 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and 5’s – Sally Morehead, Steven Robertson and Rebecca Clingenpeel. Bus Driver: Bill Wilson.  Pianist: Irene Green.
    
APRIL 3-9

Today            9:15 am    - Sunday School
10:30        - Morning Worship
4:00 pm    - Orchestra
5:15        - Youth Choir
6:30        - Family Game Night
Monday        6:00 pm     - TOPS
7:00        - Deacons
Tuesday                     11:30 am    - Lunch Bunch
6:30 pm    - ESL
8:30         - Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday        5:00 pm    - Task Force
5:45         - Church Dinner
6:15        - Birthdays
6:30        - Children’s Time  
6:45        - Bible Study
7:15        - Adult Choir
Thursday        1:00 pm    - Knit Chics
6:30        - ESL
Friday               8:30 pm    - Alcoholics Anonymous
Saturday        1:00 pm    - Quiet Waters Park Hike

The Mission of
Heritage Baptist Church

As followers of Christ, we share God’s love and serve others.

PASTOR:                             Henry Green
MINISTER OF MUSIC:                         Ralph Manuel
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION:              Everett Golihew
MINISTER TO SENIOR ADULTS:         Charles Barnes
YOUTH DIRECTOR:                     Patricia Welker
ORGANIST:                                 Eleanor Sturgis
ASSISTANT ORGANISTS:                 Ruth Anne Shiplette
Ellen Welker
LEARNING CENTER DIRECTOR:         Helen Holmboe
SECRETARY:                         Sally Morehead
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:                 Edie Stucker
FACILITIES MANAGER:                      Clair Morehead
RELIEF CUSTODIAN:                     Clyde Morehead
NURSERY COORDINATOR:                 Amy Henry

PRAYER CONCERNS
People of Japan, our military and civilian personnel, their families, and leaders; Jean Darnell, Patty Maddocks, Vicki Robertson, Charles and Laura Barnes, Erin Busch, Bonnie Holland, Pauline Howard, Joe Lee, Fred Wagner, Adele Stockett, Hamilton Nunnally, Rachel Hall, Ed and Hilda Copeland, Faye Smith, Milton Jernigan, Tena Quesada, Joan Sumner, Violet Zalewski, Doug Marks, Kaeleigh Beld, Ron Winters, Mario Vidotto, Ben Winstead, Kelley Miller, Esther Settembrini, Brad Carter, Cheryl Lijewski, Andrew Patterson, David Cook, Dana Killendenz, Bob Long, Mary Pearce, Joan Blandford, Ellie McCabe, Bill Snyder, Bruce Fullerton, Daniella Bornisen, Mary Catherine Furr, Joe Smith, Paul Bobbitt, Jimmy Hurd, Caitlyn Jones, Jonathan Pickett, Evelyn Cabral, Cynthia Worley, Margaret Shishak, Renee Mattison, Edgar Weedon, Bud Windham, Charlotte Tarman, Chuck Smith, Kathryn George, Colleen Neese, Wanda Barker, Anne Bajus, Rogler family, Sandra Harrsen, Margie MacClay.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

April 3, 2011

Psalm 23 (KJV)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”