First Baptist Church Halifax - Where Faith Comes To Life! Founded in 1827 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, N. S. B3H 3Y8 Office: 902-422-5203; [email protected] fbchalifax.ca; facebook.com/FirstBaptistHalifax Rev. Lynn Uzans, Transition Minister ([email protected]) Rev. Jenny Csinos, Minister of Faith Development ([email protected]) Rev. Nelson A. Metcalfe, Minister of Visitation ([email protected]) Rev. Dr. Wm. Carey Harvey, Minister Emeritus Ms. Lynette Wahlstrom, Director of Music ([email protected]) Dr. Pauline Allsop, Deacon Emerita

PENTECOST 20 18 SEPTEMBER 2016; 10:30 A.M . OF SERVICE TO YOU TODAY DEACON ON DUTY: Kathy Schwartzentruber SEXTON ON DUTY: Amelia Crowell USHER: Jason Naug and Heather Harris (Capts.) WELCOME! We are glad to have you with us today! There are pew cards to record your visit, or to request offering envelopes, membership transfer or pastoral care. Please join us after worship for coffee and conversation in the Parlour. All are welcome.

OUR MISSION To be an inclusive and ecumenical community of believers in Jesus Christ, committed to proclaim God’s mission of love by word and deed. OUR VISION To be a Christ-centred community of diverse people experiencing God’s unconditional love and acceptance, finding opportunities to grow and nurture our faith, and sharing that love, acceptance and faith with the world. Please check our website, or contact the Church Office, for info on how to donate; sponsor a bulletin, our pre-authorized donation plan (POP), offering envelopes, or bookings for meetings/events. Our online calendar has a complete list of activities. Copies of The Upper Room, are available throughout the church. Thank you for helping us create a welcoming and scent free environment. KEEP INFORMED! If you would like to receive the electronic weekly News Notes and the monthly newsletter, FBC Voices, containing info about the events and activities at our church, please email [email protected]. *Please stand as you are able

GATHERING Prelude (Please use this time to settle for worship.) Allegretto fr. Sonata Op. 65, no. 4 Mendelssohn *Processional Hymn #477 “YE SERVANTS OF GOD, YOUR MASTER PROCLAIM” (HANOVER) *Call to Worship - Rev. Nelson A. Metcalfe Praise the goodness of God; give thanks, for God's steadfast love endures forever. God does not give up on us or forsake us, for God is the Holy One in our midst. The compassion of God is warm and tender; God heals us again and again beyond our knowing. God satisfies the thirsty with living water and fills the hungry with good things.

*Prayer of Approach Gracious God, our voices join in supplication for all who gather here and for all your children. As we are blessed by your presence, bless also your people gathered in other places and all who are alone. Purge us of all greed and party spirit and make us honest and faithful stewards of your good earth. In Jesus' name. Amen. Anthem King of Glory arr. Iseler Welcome and Announcements - Rev. Lynn Uzans

THE WORD OF GOD *Children’s Hymn #394 “THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD” Children’s Story *First Lesson Jeremiah 8:18 - 9:1 (OT, p. 708) Responsive Reading Psalm 79

(BALM IN GILEAD)

- Rev. Jenny Csinos - Amanda Zadeh

O God, the heathen have come into your inheritance; they have profaned your holy temple; they have made Jerusalem a heap of rubble. They have given the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the air, and the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the field. They have shed their blood like water on every side of Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbours, an object of scorn and derision to those around us. R How long will you be angry, O LORD? will your fury blaze like fire forever?

Pour out your wrath upon the heathen who have not known you and upon the realms that have not called upon your name. For they have devoured the people of Jacob and made their dwelling a ruin. Remember not our past sins; let your compassion be swift to meet us; for we have been brought very low. Help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your name's sake. R Epistle Lesson 1 Timothy 6:6 - 9 (NT, p. 210) - Anthony Zadeh *Gradual Hymn #389 “ O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED” (O DAY OF REST) Gospel Luke 16:1 - 13 (NT, p.79) Sermon “Faithful When You’d Rather Not” - Rev. Jenny Csinos

RESPONSE Offertory Anthem

Ubi Caritas Duruflé Trans: Where charity and love are, God is there. Christ’s love has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And may we love each other with a sincere heart.

*Presentation of the Offering

TUNE: OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer - Rev. Nelson A. Metcalfe *Recessional Hymn #276 “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS” (FAITHFULNESS)

*Benediction and Choral Amen Postlude (Please use this time to prepare to go out in mission.) Andante religioso fr. Sonata Op. 65, no. 4

Mendelssohn

OUR PRAYER LIST We pray for all members of our congregation, especially those who are in frail health and unable to join with us for worship and activities. Particular prayers are requested for: Lynne Alary, Evelyn Denton, Doris Hilchey (Windsor Elms), Noreen Lawlor, Mary Harper, Judy Morton, Renie Isnor. Bill (NHI) SINCERE SYMPATHY is extended to Lynne Evans and family, on the death, Sept. 13, of her father, C. Roger Fleming of Stellarton. A Funeral Mass has been held. MUSIC NOTES: Open Sr. Choir practices are held Thursdays, 7pm. Songster Choir rehearsals begin October 2. NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: There will be a Congregational Meeting held in the Assembly Room, next Sunday at 12:00 pm. A light lunch will be provided. Items on the Agenda

are: A Report from the Transition Leadership Team; A Motion regarding License to Minister; Progress Report on Support for Hope Blooms; Progress Report from Refugee Working Group; Progress Report from Ad Hoc Committee on the Parsonage and Grounds. Please plan to attend this important meeting. All are welcome. The Transition Leadership Team has presented their report on Congregational Consultation to the Deacons and are pleased to now bring it to the congregation for consideration. The report contains a recommendation to strike a Search Committee for a new Senior Minister in the next phase of our transition journey. Copies of the report are available throughout the church. Last June, as the Diaconate began consideration of the request from Dave Csinos, for a Church License to Minister, we heard feedback from our Congregation that they needed to know Dave better. Our Diaconate Ordination Team (Kathy Schwartzentruber, David Morse and Rev. Lynn Uzans) working on this matter over the Summer months, asked Dave to compose a Letter of Introduction. A copy of this letter along with a copy of the Ordination Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document prepared in July are available throughout the church. Feel free to contact Jim Stanley, Kathy S. or Rev. Lynn (David Morse is away) regarding any questions or concerns you may have relating to this matter. CARITAS SERVICE: Today at 2:30 pm, arla Johnson and Anthony Zadeh will be leading worship at the Caritas residence (behind St. Vincent’s University). All are welcome to join us. Please meet Arla outside the door at 2:25 pm. WEEKEND WITH GOD: Oct 21-23, Friday evening - Sunday lunch at Tatamagouche Centre. This retreat is open to anyone at First Baptist Church, those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The day will be framed by short beginning and ending devotions, and will contain lots of opportunity for personal reflection and group discussion. Tatamagouche offers an outdoor labyrinth, nearby trails, canoe's and a fire pit. Visit www.tatacentre.ca for details on the facility. Cost per person is $215 for shared accommodation, or $269 for single accommodation (includes meals and snacks). Stay tuned for more details or speak with Rev. Jenny Csinos. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Ark Sunday Supper - First Baptist Church will be hosting the ARK Sunday Supper at St. Andrew's Church on October 2nd. The menu is Shepherd's Pie and volunteers are needed to prepare the casseroles. The recipe is beside the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the parlour. These meals are an important way for our church community to provide a hot meal for homeless people and people experiencing hardship in our city who would otherwise go without dinner. Harvest Supper & Silent Auction - Mark your calendars for Fri., Oct. 14, 5:30 PM for this event, sponsored by the Community Outreach Committee. All proceeds will be donated to Souls Harbour Rescue Mission. Souls Harbour is a home for the homeless in Halifax, hope for the hopeless, food for the stomach and food for the soul. It's friendship for the lonely. Souls Harbour RESCUES people from poverty, addiction and despair, by offering emergency help, such as food and clothing, life-changing programs, and the Gospel Message. The menu will include hors d'oeuvres, international cuisine, homemade baked beans, ham, and other goodies. All donations for auction items (e.g. paintings, boat rides, dinners in your home,

collectibles, antiques) are welcome! Gather a few friends, plan to attend and help support our community! Tickets will be available after the service today. Remember Our Food Trunk - The third Sunday of each month has been designated as Food Bank Sunday, with donations going to local food banks such as Feed Nova Scotia, Ward 5 Food Bank, and the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank to help feed those in need. Donations can be dropped off at other times as well. Just Us! Coffee - We have bags of coffee for sale. Proceeds are used to buy food items for the Brunswick Street Breakfast Program (ham and hash brown casserole, scrambled eggs, toast, juice, fruit, and sandwiches). Buying Just Us! Coffee also supports the Fair Trade partnership between producers, traders or buyers, and consumers. Our regular coffee sells for $11 per bag, the decaf sells for $12 per bag. See a member of the committee to purchase a bag or two. Thank you for your continued support of this Outreach project. THE FBC AUXILIARY will meet September 26, in the Assembly Room at 12:00 for 12:30pm as this is a luncheon meeting. Members are reminded, where possible, to bring three sandwiches. Desserts to be supplied by Sharon, Donna and Nancy. Business meeting to begin at 1:30pm. MEDICALLY-ASSISTED DYING is a subject of great current interest. It is the theme of the CABF Annual Meeting which will be held at First Baptist Halifax Fri., Sept. 30, registration 6:30 PM, and Sat., Oct. 1, starting at 8:30 AM. Keynote speaker will be Dr. David Abriel (Saturday morning) and there will also be a panel discussion, as well as question and answer sessions. The cost will be $35 for the whole meeting, or $20 either day. If you would like to attend, please pre-register at [email protected]. COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY STUDENT POTLUCK AND GAMES: Sunday, October 2 from 3-6pm in the parlour. Bring a dish to share and a game to play, all are welcome. Questions? Please contact Rev. Jenny Csinos or Jennifer Ferguson ([email protected]). HRUBA: The Licensing Committee of the Halifax Region United Baptist Assoc. will meet Sat., Oct. 15, New Life Community Church (Hatchet Lake) to consider applications for the Association License to Minister and Lay License to Minister. If you have had an un-rescinded Church License or Association License to Minister for at least one year and would like to apply for, or renew, an Association License, please contact Darren ([email protected]), by Oct. 1. FBC VOICES: the deadline for submissions to the October issue is Wednesday, Sept. 21. THE WOMEN'S INTER-CHURCH COUNCIL of Halifax-Metro annual Fall Rally and Fellowship of the Least Coin 60th Anniversary Ingathering Service will take place at Saint Theresa's Parish, 6351 North Street, Halifax at 7:00pm on Mon., Oct. 17. Guest speaker: Sister Jovita MacPherson who will speak on the Halifax street ministry of the Sisters of St. Martha's. A free-will offering will be received for the Sisters of St. Martha's Street Ministry. Reception following. All welcome.

ALPHA PROGRAM: Mon. Sept. 19th @ 6pm (first meeting & dinner) and then meeting every Monday until November. West End Baptist Church, 1986 Preston St.Call 902-422-6488 to register or email [email protected]. FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH (299 Stokil Drive, Lr. Sackville) is hosting Wendy Farha, a Christian musician and comedienne, on Sept. 22, 7pm. Wendy is an experienced entertainer who also ministers to people through her testimony, having battled both depression and cancer in her life and come through it all with joy. It will an enjoyable evening for everyone, and it could be a great encouragement to someone you know. Bring a friend and join us! A free will offering will be taken, with a suggested donation of $10. COMMUNITY ART SHOW & SALE will take place at MicMac Mall, Sept. 29th - Oct. 2nd, (Thursday - Saturday, 9:30 am - 9:00 pm; Sunday, 12 noon - 5 pm) The Show will feature the Contemporary Art Society and other local Art Organizations. Paintings will be of various sizes and media. Information: www.contemporaryart.ns.ca. THIS WEEK IN OUR CHURCH: SEPT. 18 - 25, 2016 Please refer to the calendar on our website for a complete list of activities. TODAY - PENTECOST 20 10:30 am Sunday School, Creche, Worship 11:45 am Coffee/Fellowship 2:30 pm Caritas Residence Worship MONDAY 7:00 pm Music Lecture 6:30 pm Property Maintenance TUESDAY 6:30 pm Board of Management WEDNESDAY 11:00 am Clergy Group 2:00 pm Deacons’ Exec. 6:30 pm Personnel Comm.

THURSDAY 9:30 am Auxiliary Exec. 10:30 am Early Music Society 7:00 pm Sr. Choir Rehearsal FRIDAY 9:30 am CABF Executive SATURDAY 10:00 am Yoga; Dal Swing 6:30 pm Dal Swing Dance SUNDAY SEPT 25; PENTECOST 21 10:30 am Sunday School, Creche, Worship “Property, Gates and Tables” - Rev. Lynn Uzans 11:45 am Coffee/Fellowship 12:00 pm Congregation meeting & lunch