First Baptist Church Of Saratoga

September 24, 2023

Prelude - By Our Love

Call to Worship

We gather together in the presence of our Shepherd God, who calls us each by name, who restores our souls, who leads us in the way of righteousness, and whose goodness and love never stops pursuing us. This is the God we have come to worship!  Praise God!

Hymn - Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Invocation and Lord's Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for making us yours and caring for us as a good shepherd cares for the sheep.
Help us to recognize Jesus in all who are here today that we may love one another as He has loved us.  We pray this blessing as Jesus taught us, saying:  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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.  Amen.

Scripture Reading

Acts 2:42-47

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Joys and Concerns

Loving God, we offer up these prayers of concern this day: for those struggling to rebuild lives from natural disasters, and for those recovering from human disasters. also for those struggling with illness.  Hear us when we pray.  Incline your ear to our words.  Be gentle with our suffering, with our sorrows and losses, and especially when our hard hearts close us off to you.  Anoint us with your touch so that the softness of your love can break into our hardness and open us anew.  We thank you in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Hymn - Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation

Sermon -  Having The Foundation of Church

For Video version, click below.

Hymn - How Firm A Foundation

Benediction

Let us go now and be the church Jesus calls us to be.  Amen.

Postlude - Cornerstone