Introduction
It is our privilege to welcome missionaries to our services this Lord’s Day. He is a veteran pastor and missionary who serves in Baptist Mid-Mission’s Pastoral Enrichment Program. He travels around the world to meet with indigenous pastors who do not have access to adequate training. He and other team members provide teaching in intensive training classes. He will present an update on his most recent trips this evening following our annual Harvest Dinner (5:00 PM).
In the worship service, He will preach from Revelation 2:1-7. This passage records Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus. Though that church had many positive, praiseworthy qualities, Jesus chided them because they “lost their first love.”
The elements of the worship service were chosen to help us remember that our Lord Jesus Christ is the source of love; his love is supremely seen in his sacrifice on our behalf, and as recipients of his love, we must love him supremely.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude A Firm Foundation in a Time of Storm–Medley
Call to Worship O God, Beyond All Praising (Choir)
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn 1 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing!
Worship through Giving
Offertory To Avert from Men God’s Wrath
Hymn Psalm 23b
Scripture Reading Deuteronomy 6:1-13
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn 288 I Hear the Words of Love
Message Ephesus—The Church of Loveless Orthodoxy
Revelation 2:1-7 Guest Speaker
RESPONSE
Hymn 26 Great God of Wonders
Prayer Response Joel Owen
Benediction John Miles