The Tie that Binds Order of Worship and Weekly Newsletter for the week of February 2, 2025
WORSHIP OF GOD · FEBRUARY 2, 2025 · 11:00 AM
~SEASON OF EPIPHANY ~
In a cynical and despairing world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim Your hope.
In a violent and angry world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim Your peace.
In a dismissive and disinterested world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim Your compassion.
In a lonely and inhospitable world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim Your voice.
In a grieving and weeping world, O God, give us a quietly prophetic voice to proclaim Your joy.
May we be so captivated by your hope, O God, that we cannot help but to whisper, to sing, and to enact, the message of Your reign which is always coming into our world; And may our quietly prophetic lives, be channels of Your restoring grace wherever we may go.
Amen.
~ Written by John van de Laar~
GREETING TO WORSHIPERS
ORGAN PRELUDE
Dr. Chris George Senior Pastor
Daniel Gawthrop
OPENING LITANY
Rev. Rebecca Caswell-Speight Minister of Families and Faith Formation
We come in joy to celebrate and worship God in the beauty of this sacred place where countless people have known God’s presence.
We give thanks for the sense of awed reverence we experience as we have come together to share in our praise of God.
We come in expectation to celebrate and worship God in the beauty of this sacred place where we can experience God’s Shalom.
We give thanks for the freedom and peace we experience as we come together to share in our praise of God.
We come in trust to celebrate and worship God in the beauty of this sacred place because here we are challenged to faithfulness.
We give thanks for the God who understands and love s us, and who calms our fears, sees our tears and hears our songs of praise. We joyfully come together to share in our praise of God. Amen.
†PROCESSIONAL
HYMN 298 God Is Here!
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES AND OPENING OF THE BIBLE
Gabe Arnold, crucifer; Lilianna Arnold and Matt McNiel, acolytes
ABBOT’S LEIGH
CHORAL MUSIC The Beauty of This Sacred Place Text, Marilyn Biery Music, James Biery
The beauty of this sacred place inspires our hearts and minds to grow. We sing with love, bestowed by grace; from God all richest blessings flow. The meal, the word, the art, the song, are but a glimmer of the whole; with joyful hearts sing all day long . God’s blessings satisfy the soul.
We look into each person’s eyes and see such longing hunger there. Respond with love to others’ cries; our neighbor’s burdens gladly bear. So many struggle and despair, we hear their silent voices plead; our actions show how much we care, extending help to those in need.
CALL TO PRAYER
Dr. Jim Smith
Pastoral Care Associate
HYMN 412 (remain seated) Sweet Hour of Prayer SWEET HOUR
QUIET MEDITATION AND CONFESSION
PASTORAL PRAYER with OUR LORD’S PRAYER
Dr. Smith
Our Father Who 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 us 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, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
†HYMN 680 I Then Shall Live
FINLANDIA
At this time children, ages three through 2nd grade will depart for Godly Play .
OFFERTORY PRAYER
PIANO OFFERTORY It Is Well with My Soul
Rev. Bart McNiel Associate Pastor
Arr. Cindy Berry
(In the setting of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.14)
21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23He said to them,
“Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” 24And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, Thanks be to God!
SERMON Refuse Rage’s Invitation
HYMN 503 Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak CANONBURY
PARTING WORDS
ORGAN POSTLUDE Trumpet Tune in D Major
Heather Huff, pianist; Jason Payne, organist
† All who are able are invited are stand.
David N. Johnson
Dr. George
Dr. George
Prayer List
Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11
Please let us know if someone needs to be added or removed from this list by calling 770.469.5856
*Indicates new concerns
**Recent surgery or hospitalization
Updated January 30, 2024 at 9:00 am
Deaths
Jim Gerding
Doris Pyle
Hospice
Jeanie Duvall
Elaine Headley
Dee Dee Poss
Home Care
Gloria Adams
Brenda Brantly
Lillian Gulley
Jim Harris
Warren Mason
Sandra McNiel
Nancy Rose
Ken Underwood
Rehabilitation/Assisted Living/Long Term Care
Martha Albertson
Lois Brecht
Lynn Buckhalt
Bob Burkett
Nancy Davis
Sybil Embry
JoAnne Frith
Al and Shirley Furr
Beverly Hammack
Carol Hand
Sandra King
Donna Metz
Nita Mitchell
Marsha and Buddy Pittard's niece, Kim Britt's husband, Travis
Ronnie Smith
Rick Read
Dottie Robinson
Eddie and Pat Thompson
Bobbie and Jerry Wade
Bobbie Wehner
Concerns
Madi Sanders' grandfather, Pat Brown
Helen Boyd
Mary Brannon
Barbara Bishop
Bob Brownings' grandson, William Browning
**Betty Butler
Carlene Cobb
Susan Cole's friend, Dana Pierce
Jane Cummins
Jane Cummins' son-in-law, Larry Beebe
Richard Davis
Carol Densford
Ernie Duke
Linda Eidson's cousin, Terry Freeman
Myra Fain's niece, Kelly Wentz
Jen George's co-worker, Nancy Swan
*Kathy Goodenow
Janet Granade's nephew, Ron Spain
Jim Griffith
Ben and Sandra Hawkins
Bob Jernigan's brother, Gene
Charlotte Johnson’s sister-in-law and son-inlaw
*Aaron Jolly
Glenda Jones
John Jones
Joan Kennedy's nephew, Chris Upshaw
Henry King
Bob Knell’s friend, Charles Wheeler
Earlene Lane's granddaughter
Carol May
Sue Miller
Nancy Mitchell
Alice Moore’s niece, Deanne Peacock
Dennis Nelson
Eric Nelson
Marti Newcomb-Thompson
Larry and Anne Phillips
Joan Powers' son in law, Dan
Joel Price
**Sonny Ragan
Diane Richards
Drew Rouk
Drew Rouk's friend, Kelson
A PEOPLE OF
Prayer
We invite you to pause, pray, and reflect.
Sara Salvadore’s friend, Hugh Bennawitz
Becky Seay's daughter, Heather
Catherine Sloan’s great grandson, Cade Walker
Antowyn Smith's father-in-law, Marvin Jordan
Carolyn Springston
Bill Stanton's father, Bill
Pat Thompson
Carol Wagnon
Brian Weatherby
Jim Wehner
Michael & Debby Willis’ nephew, Cameron
Willis
Boyce Young Academy of Arts teacher, Francis Leach
Lord, When our hearts are weary and we feel we have nothing left to give, remind us that we can treat others with justice and mercy. Help us remember to walk faithfully with you, regardless of our circumstances. Remind us that you care for us—that you have always cared for us, even when it’s been hard for us to see. Dwell with us, we are so in need of you. Amen.
Coffee and Donuts - 9:00 am
In-Person and Zoom Sunday School - 9:45 am
In-Person and Live stream Worship Service - 11:00 am
Children and Youth Activities - 5:00 pm
Dinner - 5:00 pm
Prayer Concerns - 6:00 pm
Youth and Children’s Activities - 6:00 pm
In-Person and Live stream Journeys - 6:00 pm
Handbell - 6:00 pm
Sanctuary Choir - 7:00 pm
February Events
Will Hallet Joined January 5
Suzy Harrell Joined January 26
Isabel Young Joined January 19
Nicholas Joshi Joined January 26
Following Worship in the Fellowship Hall
Proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off go to supporting the Family Mission Weekend
Linda Murray Joined January 26
February 28 - March 2 Montreat, North Carolina
Register by February 16
Register at smokerisebaptist.org/children/.
Family Deposit: $100
Individual Full Cost: $100
February 9, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall after the worship service for our meeting and luncheon.
RSVP to the church office at mabner@smokerisebaptist.org or 770.469.5856.
Church in Conference
Proposed Budget for Fiscal 2025/26
Key Dates and Details
We are finalizing the proposed church budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1. The finance committee has approved a draft for review by the deacons. Copies will be sent to members via email and U.S. mail on February 14. Members will vote on the budget at a called church conference on March 9 after worship.
Two Q&A sessions will be held on February 26 at 4 PM and 5 PM in room 223. A Zoom link for virtual discussion will be included with the budget email and mailing.
March 14-16 at the Calvin Center
Cost:
$150 per person for a double occupancy room
$250 per person for a single occupancy room.
MARCH 5 | 6:00 PM ASH WEDNESDAY
Livestream available smokerisebaptist.org/ wednesday-evening-activities/
Children’s Godly Play 3 years old - 2nd Grade in Room 207
Register at:
smokerisebaptist.org/silent-retreat/
To learn more visit smokerisebaptist.org/journeys/
Two new classes starting this week!
Women of the Bible
February 3 - March 17
Mondays at 9:30 AM | Room 223
Led by Hannah Vassar
RSVP to Terry Shields at tms4him@yahoo.com
Conversations
February 5-26
Wednesday at 6 PM | Fellowship Hall
Led by Church Members Interviewing
Other Church Members
MEETING IN THE GYM LOFT
Polyphony Worship Service
February 6 | 7:30 PM
Join us for a special worship service led by the Smoke Rise Choir as part of the Polyphony Music Conference. This public event celebrates the beauty of choral and instrumental music and the hymns of the church.
February 9
Bring hearty soups to provide warm meals for families served by NETWorks and Lilburn Cooperative Ministries. This is a wonderful opportunity to share with those in need in our community. Bins have been strategically placed throughout the church to collect canned soups for this project.
Sadies Ladies Circle '
February 10 1:30 PM | Room 223
We look forward to seeing you at this month's gathering. Every month we support a local mission effort and enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship.
Monthly Gathering
February 13 | 11:30 am Magnolia Room Cafeteria
RSVP to Martha in the church office at 770.469.5856
February Gathering for Grief Support Group
Grief Support meets one Sunday a month in room 223 from 5:006:30 pm. The group is led by Adam Arnold and Jim Smith. Our next gathering is February 16th.
Young Adult
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NEURODIVERSITY CAREGIVERS GROUP
February 24 | 7:00 PM | Room 308
This group will both share in the joys of neurodivergence, as well as be a sounding board and support to help caregivers provide the best care possible to their family members.
Confidential RSVP to Martha at mabner@smokerisebaptist.org to receive group updates.
G
The Young Adults group (ages 18-32) is heading to the Atlanta National Center for Civil and Human Rights, February 8, for an inspiring and educational experience! Don’t miss this opportunity to explore history and engage in meaningful conversations. If you’re interested in joining, contact Laura Alyssa at lauraalyssap@gmail.com for details.
