Let Us Worship Together
March 29, 2020
Welcome
Trust that you are on Holy ground because the Lord, your God is present. We invite you to gather with loved ones and offer your heart and mind toward praising and seeking God. Through our worship today, may each of us grow in 'becoming and helping others become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ'.
The Israelites felt helpless and hopeless in their period of exile, “cut off completely.” We’re beginning to understand a little of what that feels like. Hear God’s word of hope to them, and to us.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 160:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 160:6
Questions For Reflection
  • In what ways does your life or your spirit feel like "dry bones"? How can you open yourself to a fresh breath of God's spirit?

  • In this time of social distancing, as the sediment of all of the busyness and over scheduling that typically clamors for our attention begins to settle, what new life might be just below the surface that you haven’t yet been able to see?

  • How can you offer help and hope to someone who is struggling today, someone who is feeling "cut off completely"?
Respond In Prayer
God of compassion, you know our faults and yet you promised to forgive. Keep us in your presence and give us your wisdom. Open our hearts to gladness, call dry bones to dance, and restore to us the joy of your salvation. Amen.
Respond Through Giving
We encourage you to offer your  financial gifts online or by mail. Even in these trying times, it's important that we continue to serve our community through the partnerships we maintain. Your giving allows us to keep being the church, even in the absence of our physical presence. (411 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401)
Life of the Community
How can we pray for you during this time?
Has online worshiping been meaningful for you?
"My wife and I look forward to hearing the Lords message, a positive message to help us keep things in perspective as we are all going through these challenging times. We did listen last week and again this week. I have also forwarded these messages to family members that live in New York. My mother was asking for it this morning before I had a chance to send it. We have missed being a part of the church, mostly my fault for always feeling the pressure to work, we look forward to coming back. Thank you very much."

"My parents watched the service and couldn't stop telling me how much it meant to them. Thank you, everyone, for making this service possible!"

"I get to be a bit, socially connected, at a great distance. I have been trying to get my sister to come to church with us, Instead she came for Sunday lunch, and we did both. Love the messages!"

"I am just amazed at how quickly and how well the staff of First Baptist has turned around during this crisis to provide such a meaningful worship service for us at home. This is really excellent. Thank you."

"I cannot begin to tell you how comforting it is to hear your voices and see your faces. A blessing to us."
Why is Purple the Color of Lent?
Purple is typically associated with Lent, suggesting repentance and solemnity. Purple, as all colors, is full of symbolism. Its deep dark richness invites us to slow down and consider the sacrifices Jesus did for us. The Bible tells us that the garment the guard put on Jesus during his trial and beatings was purple. Thus, purple symbolizes pain, suffering, and mourning and penitence.