CELEBRATING - First Baptist Church

LITANY OF DEDICATIONLeader: Because we realize the importance of hymns, psalms and spiritual songs in helping us to worship God,and because we want to heed the words of the psalmist who compels us to sing a new song to the Lord,People: We dedicate these hymnals to You, O God, for the purpose of worship and praise.Leader: As the great hymn writers of history found the singing of hymns to be an effective way to teach doctrineand theology, and as we also find hymn singing to be a vital part of Christian discipleship,People: We dedicate these hymnals to You, O God, for the growth and enrichment of Christiandisciples.Leader: Since we have seen through our own experience the number of people who have accepted Christ asSavior through musical witness, and since many of the songs challenge us to be bold witnesses who takethe message of Christ to the world,People: We dedicate these hymnals to You, O God, for use in spreading the gospel to all people inevery nation.Leader: For the many lives and the witness of those in whose honor and memory these hymnals have beengiven,People: We give thanks.Leader: Because of the gifts of many people in loving memory and honor of family, friends, and others whichmade these hymnals possible,People: We give thanks and dedicate these hymnals to the glory of God and for service in the life ofthis congregation.Leader: Because we realize that the effective use of these hymnals in the areas of worship, discipleship, andwitness depends on the constant renewal of ourselves to the Almighty God,People: We dedicate ourselves to You, O God, for the singing and playing of songs, hymns, andspiritual songs, with all of our being, for Your honor and Your glory alone, Amen.HYMN 630 ............................................................................................................................................................................... CongregationLook, You Saints, the Cloud of Witness (EVANGELINE)Stanza 1 – Men’s ensembleStanzas 2 and 3 – All worshippersCHORAL WORSHIP ......................................................................................................................................... Young Musicians ChoirKaren Anderson, directorSeek Ye First the Kingdom of God (Hymn 436)INSTRUMENTAL WORSHIP ...................................................................................................................................... FBC OrchestraHow Firm a Foundation – arr. Nugent (Hymn 425)HYMN 322 ............................................................................................................................................................................... CongregationHow Great Is Our GodHYMN 323 ............................................................................................................................................................................... CongregationHow Great Thou Art (O STORE GUD)WORSHIP IN SONG ........................................................................................................................................... First Fellowship BandJeremy Wilkerson, leaderLord, I Lift Your Name on High (Hymn 606)HYMN 357 ....................................................................................................................................................... Readers and CongregationO Praise the Gracious Power (MARION)This hymn will be read aloud, not sung, tonight. Please use the words spoken as an opportunity for reflection and recommitment.All worshippers are asked to read in unison the refrain, “We praise you Christ! Your cross has made us one!”in response to the stanzas voiced by readers.