WOMEN'S SUNDAY~ SEEDS AND WEEDS

Charleston Baptist Temple A Congregation of American Baptist Churches October 13, 2024 The flame which shines bright from our altar candle serves as a constant reminder to us of God’s abiding presence in our lives and our worship today. Chiming of the Hour Eddie Bucklen We Open Our Hearts to God’s Presence Please observe a time of silence during the prelude in preparation for worship. Let all worshipers ask God’s blessings on the service, themselves, and on all who seek to worship God in spirit and in truth. Prelude Lord, Here am I J. N. Beck We Worship God through Praise Call to Worship Jennifer Halstead L: Weeds and seeds, growing together. P: Each will influence the other. L: What will we learn from the weeds? P: Trials and tribulations, choices that have not always worked out. Weeds can teach us about perseverance — consider the tough dandelion plant pushing its way up through the pavement — for some it’s just a weed, but for others there are lessons to be learned. L: What will be gained from seeds? P: Inside each one of us is a special person, waiting to be nurtured to wholeness. Each seed is unique; each has its own gifts to offer. L: In God’s garden, God’s love extends to both – asking both to consider what each has to offer to a hurting world. P: Lord, help us to be good seeds, bearing fruits of kindness, justice and compassion. Keep us mindful of those for whom life has been difficult and yet they persist in trying to make each day better. Be in our hearts, O Lord, and in our lives. AMEN. Hymn of Praise For Beauty of Meadows No. 383 Invocation and the Lord’s Prayer Kathy Knighton Sharing the Peace Please greet those around you with signs and gestures of Christ’s peace. Glory and Adoration I Love You, Lord No. 124 I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King, in what you hear: May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear. Text Reading: Matthew 13:1-10; 24-30 (pp. 20-21, pew Bible) L: This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jonnie Downing All: Thanks be to God. We Worship God through Giving Offertory Hymn In the Garden No. 242 Stewardship Moment Gay Ellis Offertory Prayer Gay Ellis Offertory Like a Garden Grow J. Martin ~Julie Dodrill, soloist~ Doxology O Bless the Gifts LAMB OF GOD/Longfellow/Paris O bless the gifts our hands have brought; And bless the work our hearts have planned; Ours is the faith, the will, the thought; The rest, O God, is in Your hand. We Worship God through Proclamation Anthem Seek Ye First L. Larson ~Women’s Ensemble~ Sermon SEEDS AND WEEDS Sandy Foster Currey We Worship God through Commitment Invitation Hymn Have Thine Own Way Lord No. 584 (vs. 1, 2 and 4) Heritage Award Carolyn Saul Benediction Mary Lee Dunn Get ready to go into God’s world. Bring messages of hope to all. As we have been blessed, may we bring blessings to all in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN. Choral Benediction Go Now in Peace Postlude I Sing the Mighty Power of God L. Gadd Thanks to our Ushers: Susan Foster, Brenda Knighton Judy Nottingham, and Louise Weber Next Week: Mark 10:17-31 Let It Go Quarterly Business Meeting – Sunday, October 20th immediately following worship service. Please plan to attend. Note from Your Property Board – The oak dining table in the Austin Room is offered to the CBT family to raise money for one of the mission projects. $75 for the table and $15 for each chair. Contact Misty in the church office if you are interested. Sanctuary Flowers – are dedicated in honor of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries of Baptist Temple.