Sunday, July 5, 2020
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Thank you for joining us for this special hour.

The Order of Worship is below.

We hope you will participate in this service by reading the scriptures,
praying earnestly, singing along with the hymns,
and listening for God's word to you today.

You may watch this service on our website or on Facebook .

You may also watch it here:
The Order of Worship 

Preparing Our Hearts and Minds


Chiming of the Hour


Prelude
Ms. Eileen S. Crowell, Pianist

Lead On, O King Eternal
Tune LANCASHIRE by Henry T. Smart (1813-1879)
This arrangement by Cindy Berry (b. 1949)

Children Dancing
John Rigby (1922-2012), Queensland, Australia


Gathering for Worship


Welcome to Worship
Mr. Edward Crowell, Director of Music


Reading of the Old Testament
Psalm 145:8-12 ( NRSV )

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all,
and His compassion is over all that He has made.
All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD,
and all Your faithful shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
and tell of Your power,
to make known to all people Your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.

This is the Word of the Lord.
"Thanks be to God!"


Opening Hymn of Praise

Reflection and Prayer



“That place seems good where we are not.” 


from Yiddish Wisdom , pub. 1996
collected by Kristina Swarner

Sermon, Part I
Fussy Children
Rev. Kelly K. Burkhart, Pastor


Reading of the Gospel
Matthew 11:16-17 ( NRSV )

[Jesus said] "But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.'


Pastoral Prayer


The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, which 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 and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.


Prayer Response

Reflection and Stewardship



"A time is coming when men will go mad,
and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, 'You are mad, you are not like us.’” 


Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)

Sermon, Part II
Historical Dimensions


Reading of the Gospel
Matthew 11:18-19 ( NRSV )

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

This is the Word of the Lord.
"Thanks be to God!"


Offertory Hymn

Offertory Prayer

Creator God,
You call us to love and serve You
with body, mind, and spirit
by loving Your creation
and our sisters and brothers.
Open our hearts in compassion
and receive these prayers
on behalf of the needs of the church and the world.
Heal those who are ill, 
Bring peace to those who are in fear,
Give strength to those who are weak,
And bring joy to our hearts as we love and serve You and each other,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
The One whom we praise and adore,
And in whose precious and most holy name we pray,
Amen.


Offertory Statement

We remember that all we have is God's.

It is as an act of worship, with joyful hearts, and out of an abundance of riches that we
return to God a portion of that with which He has blessed us.

Although we are not meeting together in the Temple, the church's operating expenses continue.

You can be part of this ongoing ministry by giving your tax-deductible contribution.

Give cheerfully, thanking God for His blessings of life.

During the Offertory, devote yourselves to God in heart, and in mind, and in spirit.



Or mail a check to:
230 West 20th Street, Houston, TX 77008


Offertory Duet
Mr. Walter LaForge, Organist & Ms. Crowell

America the Beautiful
Tune MATERNA by Samuel A. Ward (1848-1903)
This arrangement by Rex Koury (1911-2006)

Reflection and Commitment



“People would rather have the security of false truth
than the freedom of ambiguous reality.” 


Erich Fromm, PhD (1900-1980)

Sermon, Part III
Personal Dimensions


Hymn of Commitment
Miss Kanisha Feliciano, Soprano & Mr. Jarrell Comeaux, Baritone

Dismissed to Join In the Dance


Benediction

Now may the Lord bless you and keep you
and make His face to shine upon you,
and grant you peace.

May the Lord give you the grace to never sell yourself short.
May the Lord give you the grace to risk something big for something good.
May the Lord give you the grace to remember
that this world is now dangerous for anything but truth,
and too small for anything but love.

Now may He take your minds and think through them,
may He take your lips and speak through them,
and may He take your hearts and set them on fire,
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.


Postlude Duet
Ms. Crowell & Mr. LaForge

Lift Every Voice and Sing
Tune LIFT EVERY VOICE by J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954)
This arrangement by Walter LaForge


Important Reminders:

  • We will continue offering worship services for the foreseeable future and we will send a Worship Guide by email each Saturday evening. The videos will be available no later than 7:00 p.m. Saturday, and will remain available indefinitely on our website and on Facebook.

  • We invite you to join us online for a video of each service by visiting our website: www.baptisttemple.org. Click "Video Services" and select the video of the service. You may also watch on this email through our YouTube channel (link at the top), or on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/baptisttemplechurch)

  • All activities in our building are cancelled until further notice.

  • We will continue to update you via email, the church's Facebook page, and the church's website on our plans forward.


  • Please remember to give your tithes and offerings. If you are able to do so, please give above and beyond your regular tithe, in order that we may be better prepared to meet the challenges ahead. Give online at www.baptisttemple.org, or mail a check to 230 West 20th Street, Houston, Texas 77008.

  • If you do not regularly attend Baptist Temple, but would like to contribute to our church's missions and ministries, we sincerely welcome your gift.

  • Stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected, and pray for each other.
Est. 1908 AD
230 West 20th Street, Houston, TX 77008 | 713.862.6655
Worship Leadership
Rev. Kelly K. Burkhart , Pastor | Mr. Edward Crowell , Director of Music
Mr. Walter LaForge , Church Organist | Ms. Eileen S. Crowell , Guest Pianist
Miss Kanisha Feliciano , Soprano | Mr. Jarrell Comeaux , Baritone
Artwork used by special permission from Art in the Christian Tradition , Vanderbilt Divinity Library
Other images are Public Domain
Some prayers by permission of Revised Common Lectionary Prayers , Augsburg Fortress
Hymn scores from Celebrating Grace Hymnal , Macon, Georgia, 2010 (our adopted hymnal)
Music by permission of CCLI License 3199510
Hymn Orchestrations by permission of  Celebrating Grace, Inc.