THE GATHERING
*Worshipers are invited to stand, if able. +Usher will seat you.
Please remember to turn off your cell phone while in the sanctuary.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Charles Bowdler
We are grateful for your presence and invite you to participate in the worship, program, and service life of Briarwood Presbyterian Church.
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Use this time to make the transition from getting here to being here. Relax your body, quiet the inner dialogue of your mind, open yourself to the Spirit of God moving in our midst, and prepare to worship God joyfully with the body of Christ gathered here today.
VOLUNTARY O Zion Haste Mark Sedio
Choral introit
OPENING PRAYER (Unison)
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
+* HYMN 371 Lift High the Cross
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love. We have not loved our neighbors, and we have refused to hear the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Silence for personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
* GLORIA PATRI Hymn 579
YOUNG DISCIPLES TIME Rev. Ben Mathes
ANTHEM He Is the Risen Lord Martin
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON
Deuteronomy 6:4-6 Pew Bible p. 163
GOSPEL LESSON
Luke 10:17-28 Pew Bible p. 71
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
SERMON “How to Find God’s Purpose for Your Life”
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH “The Apostles’ Creed” Rev. Bowdler
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
* HYMN 280 Amazing Grace
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER
PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY Oh, Sing to the Lord Robert Powell
* DOXOLOGY
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE SENDING
* HYMN 447 Lead on O King Eternal
* CHARGE Rev. Mathes
* CHORAL BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
* POSTLUDE Halle, Halle, Hallelujah John Behnke
For the glory of God and in honor of Merrill Maddox and Bryce Brown
on the occasion of their wedding,
the sanctuary flowers are given by the bride's parents,
Larry and Stephanie Smith and Jon and Cindy Maddox.
PRAYER AND CARE CONCERNS
(Names in bold indicate new concerns or updates)
Members Mary Frances Bowling (St. D), Robert Davis, Jane Hogue, Billie Melton, Joretta Meyer (Baptist), Stephanie Smith, and Scott Steele. (Trinity).
Family Pauline Busbee, Jim Halling, Ross Hogan, and Sam Johnson (Booneville), Grace & Amos O’Gwynn, Dana & Blake Sides (Hattiesburg).
Missions Ben Mathes, Drs. Les & Cindy Morgan, Dr. Barbara Nagy,
Jose Pezini, and Lisa & Werner Schobesberger.
Military Cpt. Matt Jasinski, Kevin Jameson, Maj. John Moore,
SFC John Sumrall.
CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY, April 26, 4th Sunday of Easter, 2¢ A Meal
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School, Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m. – Fellowship Time
10:25 a.m. – Morning Worship, Congregational Meeting
11:30 a.m. – Stated Session Meeting
MONDAY, April 27
9:00 a.m. – Jackson Quilters Meet
9:30 a.m. – Explorers Bible Study
2:00 p.m. – Congregational Care Meeting
6:00 p.m. – Explorers Bible Study
WEDNESDAY, April 22
10:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m. – Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal & Programs
thursday, April 30
10:00 a.m. – The Little Light House Graduation & Reception
SUNDAY, May 3 5th Sunday of Easter, Communion
9:00 a.m. – Senior Breakfast, Sunday School, Choir Rehearsal
10:00 a.m. – Fellowship Time
10:25 a.m. – Morning Worship
Elders this week: Rick Barker & Anne Dreher
Elders next week: Warren Dorsey & Debra Kinser
Flower Team this week: Cole, West, Walker
Flower Team next week: Cole, West, Walker
Sanctuary preparation this week: Evelyn Stevens
Sanctuary preparation next week: Amy York
Communion Preparation Next Week: Susan Bostwick & Amy York
Sound Technician: William Bowdler
USHERS
Jerry Taylor Polly Duggan (Capt.)
Kit Stilley Jim McCreery
David French
RECEIVING NEW MEMBERS: Following the worship service each week, Elders meet to receive new members in the church office located on the southwest side, behind the sanctuary. We welcome everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and who desires to be an active part of our family of faith.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP: Join us Wednesday at 6:00 pm for a delicious supper, ($6/adults; $3/children under 12; $15/maximum) followed by programs for all ages. Rev. Bowdler leads a study of Seven Cardinal Virtues.
INVITATION: The Little Light House cordially invites you to graduation this Thursday at 9:00 with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: Large-print bulletins, Bibles and hymnals and individual listening devices for improved sound are available in the back of the sanctuary. Also, knitted shawls are on the back row of each section. Please use them for your personal comfort during the service.
RADIO BROADCAST: On Sunday mornings at 10:00 on WYAB, 103.9FM radio you can hear Briarwood’s worship service from the week before. The broadcast is only 30 minutes and features the sermon and other parts of the morning worship as time permits.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: The Session has called a meeting following worship to receive and act on the report of the Elder Nominating Committee.
Elder Nominees for the Class of 2018
Nancy Bailey was born in Dearborn, Michigan. Her early childhood was spent in Livonia, Michigan where she was baptized at St. Paul Presbyterian Church. Her middle childhood was spent in New Orleans, LA where she was active in a traveling youth ministry choir at Woodland Presbyterian Church. Nancy graduated from the University of Kansas; she is a licensed Occupational Therapist. Currently she is employed as the Administrative Officer in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the GV Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson. Nancy and her husband, Mark joined Briarwood in 1981 when they moved to the Jackson area. They are blessed with two sons, daughters- in-law and two grandsons, Alden and Jack. Nancy serves on the Commitment Committee, currently is the Vice Moderator for PW and is a member of Naomi Circle and the Flower Committee. She has served as a Sunday school teacher and Circle leader and on various committees.
Susan Bostwick is a native Mississippian. She is married to Hines Bostwick and is the mother of three children. She also has been blessed with three grandchildren. She was a member of the Southern Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church before joining First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), San Angelo, TX in 1992. Upon moving to Jackson, she and her family joined Briarwood in 1996. Since becoming a member of Briarwood she has served on several session committees, has been an active member of Presbyterian Women, and has enjoyed working with Summer Adventure. She was ordained as an Elder in 2004. Susan currently serves on the education committee, the nominating committee of Briarwood Presbyterian Women, and as Cluster C leader for Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery.
Carol Busbee has been a Presbyterian all of her adult life and a member of Briarwood since 1994. She is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis where she met Wes, her husband of 52 years, and they have 3 married children and 10 grandchildren. Carol also has a Master’s degree in Administration from Jackson State University. A retired Mississippi College Registrar, she has served three terms as Elder at Briarwood. She is a member of Lydia Circle.
Dan Duggan joined Briarwood in1988. Hewas electedelderin 1991 and has servedon three previous classes. During that time he served as chair of the Worship and Education Committees. Dan has been a member of the choir for the past 28 years. He and Polly met at Briarwood and the Rev. George Anderson married them inour sanctuary. They are the parents of Kiri and Ian and have four grandchildren: Evie, Audrey, Gracie and Amos. Dan has practiced law for 28 years, twenty years in private practice and the last 8 years as Rankin County Assistant District Attorney.
Patsy Griffith was born and raised in Jackson and is a lifelong Presbyterian, having been on the cradle roll at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Provine High School and Hinds Junior College. She was employed by the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, Madison County Schools, and retired from The University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2011. After moving to Madison, she joined First Presbyterian Church of Canton and in March of 2011 joined Briarwood. Patsy was married to Danny Griffith for 41 years until his death in 2014. They have one daughter, Danielle, who lives in New York and is engaged to Dennis Calero. She was a member of the Worship Committee and served as the scheduler for communion preparation. For the past three years she has served on the Education Committee and participated in the painting and updating of the Youth House, Fall Festival, Valentine’s Dinner and Senior Breakfast. She is active in Presbyterian Women (Lydia Circle) and Explorers.
Nominee for Class of 2017
Nan Huey is a lifelong Presbyterian and has been a member of Briarwood since 1991. She is the daughter of Frank and Carol Medsker, Frank being a retired Presbyterian Minister. Nan is an Elder and, at Briarwood, has held the positions of PW circle leader, PW mission coordinator, Sunday School superintendent, and chair of the Education Committee. She has served on the Mission Committee and Youth Council and currently serves on the Education Committee. She continues to plan the crafts for Summer Adventure and has helped with Tuesday’s Kids and Vacation Bible School. Nan is a former elementary reading teacher who taught for nine years. She also enjoys activities as a member of Chapter P of The P.E.O. Sisterhood. Nan and her husband, Jon, live in Jackson, as does their daughter, Caroline.
SESSION
Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Class of 2017
Anne Dreher Rick Barker Jimmy Hulsman
Sandy French Warren Dorsey Debra Kinser
Marcia Magee David French Clint Lee
Susan Sumrall David Jensen Doris Schneider
Lea Ann McElroy
CHURCH STAFF
Senior Minister Charles Bowdler 601.605.6009
Parish Associate Catherine Cook 601.896.7432
Parish Associate Bill Smith 601.366.5994
Parish Associate Heather Williamsen 769.610.6660
Choir Director Barney McCann 601.857.6090
Organist Charlyne Jones 910.322.6345
Office Manager Audie Dodson 601.942.4719
Sexton Larry Coleman 601.559.5345
Financial Assistant Brenda Hyde 601.212.7421
Childcare Josie Moore 601.955.9503
620 Briarwood Drive
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
601.956.4553
www.briarwoodpres.org
Briarwood Presbyterian Church
4th Sunday of Easter
Morning Worship 10:25 a.m.
Liturgical Color: White
April 26, 2015
Putting God First
Obeying Christ’s Commands
Caring for People’s Needs within the Church
and the Community