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We would love for you to let us know you’re here. This worship guide is meant to be a companion to our Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
CALL TO WORSHIP: God in Worship (Cherwien)
Praise to the God in worship;
Praise to the God of the cloud-filled room,
to the God of epiphany,
the God of making-known:
Holy is the God among us
relentless in presence
Present in the water, the fluid strength the carves canyons
Present in the bread, the many made one
Present in the wine, spirit of the earth
Present in the cloud, messenger of vision
Present in the sacred space, vessel of grounded transcendence
HYMN #1: “Holy, Holy, Holy” (NICEA)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 6:1-9a, Psalm 100, Colossians 3:1-17, John 4:28-38
Receiving Sustenance through the breaking of Bread. Remembering a promise and keeping a promise.
A day of worship.
A day of reunion.
An adventure with purpose.
On September 6, we will gather for a brief Communion service at 9:30AM before being sent out to worship with sister churches (mostly virtually) and participate in our Sunday School classes. There will be another brief Communion service at 4PM. Find more details and sign up to join a virtual travel group here!
Sabbath is the culmination of Creation. It is planted deep in our hearts. As we approach fall, we are moving into a new rhythm that we hope will remind us to celebrate our freedom in Christ and deliberately engage in relationship with God and with others. We invite you to pray and think about this structure before we begin on September 13.
Our Sabbath will take form in three parts. Prelude is an opportunity to prepare your heart for the day. This is something you can do creatively, and we will have some opportunities to do so alongside others. Communal Gathering will remain an integral part of our Sundays. We will continue to gather as a church family at 11AM to worship God in unison. Circles are deliberate engagement with the Word and intentional commitment. Our goal is for Tab Circles to help people find places of belonging, support, and spiritual community while we can’t all gather in the building together. Sign up for a Circle here by August 31!
Do church with others.
Study.
Pray.
Connect.
Gather with the family of God.
The Gather Summer Series is a weekly set of discussion questions and worship guide for you to enjoy in small gatherings of 10 or less, with other church members, or even neighbors. Participate in any way you feel comfortable, whether that be gathering via Zoom, around the fire pit in your backyard, or in your driveway.
This summer, we will actively covenant together in multiple ways, particularly in our physical gatherings in one another’s homes. You can find more details related to our expectations, hopes, and practices here.
Our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. We have consistently seen about 50 families each week, and sometimes up to 100! If you would like to support this key ministry to our neighbors, our current needs include:
| Receiving Sustenance through the breaking of Bread. Remembering a promise and keeping a promise. A day of worship. A day of reunion. An adventure with purpose. On September 6, we will gather for a brief Communion service at 9:30AM before being sent out to worship with sister churches (mostly virtually) and participate in our Sunday School classes. There will be another brief Communion service at 4PM. A page with the hyperlinks will be available in the coming days. |
By Houston Blake, Summer Intern
When I was sixteen years old, I prayed the scariest prayer and told God, “Here I am. Send me.” Little did I know all the things that prayer would bring. From joining the Army straight out of high school to preaching my first sermon and interning during a pandemic, I have been sent in all sorts of directions that I didn’t even know existed. After praying that prayer, I immediately felt a strong calling into ministry. I knew I was called to preach and work with youth. Since then, CBF and CBFVA have blessed me with countless opportunities to fulfill this call. This summer was my second year as a CBF Student.Church intern. I had the honor of working with Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. My former youth pastor described this as a once in a lifetime opportunity that I needed to get involved with as soon as possible. She was so right. Despite the chaos of social distancing, the Tabernacle family still managed to welcome with open arms through their screens. I worked with and alongside the youth and pastoral staff. I participated in weekly staff meetings and worship prep. I hosted Thursday game nights with our youth on Zoom. My last week with Tabernacle was spent participating in “Camp Corona” with our youth. Tabernacle really knows how to have fun, even with social distancing. Tabernacle recently gave me what they like to call “Bread for the Journey.” It is their beautiful way of sending members of their church family onto their next adventure. This had me replaying the entire summer over in my head. This summer was not easy for anyone, but Tabernacle shaped my call and helped me learn more about who God wants me to be. Their congregation supported me wholeheartedly, without ever seeing me in person. Their youth, who are wise beyond their years touched my heart and often left me teary eyed. The staff gave me a platform to share my testimony and guided me through my walk with Christ in a time where I needed it most. I’ve learned a lot this summer. I learned to meet people where they’re at and to love first. I was reminded of the importance of giving everyone a place at the table, even if we are six feet apart. This is what beloved community looks like. This is ministry.
Please do your best to dive into the data from our church-wide survey and also re-famaliarize yourself with our experimental hospitality covenant from this summer…..prior to our time together.
You also have the option of viewing a recorded slide presentation (20 minutes). The presentation gives an overview of the survey results, including a breakdown of responses from age groups, comments made by the church family, and a quick overview of the experimental hospitality covenant.
(All of the links can be found below)
We’re not all on the same page as it relates to our tolerance for risk and common understanding of what to expect when we participate in church events in the same physical space. We need to be vulnerable and honest with one another in laying out a basic understanding of what someone should expect when they show up to a church event. Whereas, no decisions will be made at this meeting, we do hope to walk away from the meeting with a better understanding of where folks are on the subject and determine if we think a consensus might be possible in the near future.
The Church-at-Large will need to discern how to proceed with a covenant, related to our physical gatherings this fall, before we launch fall programming.
Recorded Slide Presentation:
Survey link for risk threshold and Temporary Hospitality Covenant: https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-CZZ66Z3B7/
Survey link for risk threshold and Temporary Hospitality Covenant WITH responses broken down by age:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-JDNJX3GB7/
Link to Hospitality Covenant
Results for entire survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-CZZ66Z3B7/
Results for entire survey with responses broken down by age:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-M7ZRG3GB7/
Zoom link for this week’s Town Hall Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89484040531?pwd=YVkvSGZmajg0Mkk4K1h1UnpObnAvdz09
+16468769923,,89484040531# US (New York)
+13017158592,,89484040531# US (Germantown)
We would love for you to let us know you’re here. This worship guide is meant to be a companion to our Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 33:1-11
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
Praise befits the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He love righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
he put the deeps in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
HYMN #689: “Let Justice Flow Like Streams” (ST THOMAS)
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.
SCRIPTURE READING: Amos 5:14-15, Isaiah 1:10-26, Micah 6:8, Romans 12:9-21, Luke 18:3-8
As September approaches, we are excited to introduce Tab Circles: an opportunity to connect with God and one another this fall! One of the things we learned from our summer survey is that a lot of folks who are a part of a small group, Sunday School class, or some other community within TBC have continued to feel connected and engaged, while many who are not part of a group like that have felt more disconnected during the pandemic. Our goal is for Tab Circles to help people find places of belonging, support, and spiritual community while we can’t all gather in the building together.
Find more information about what this will look like, and to sign up to join a Circle here!
Do church with others.
Study.
Pray.
Connect.
Gather with the family of God.
The Gather Summer Series is a weekly set of discussion questions and worship guide for you to enjoy in small gatherings of 10 or less, with other church members, or even neighbors. Participate in any way you feel comfortable, whether that be gathering via Zoom, around the fire pit in your backyard, or in your driveway.
This summer, we will actively covenant together in multiple ways, particularly in our physical gatherings in one another’s homes. You can find more details related to our expectations, hopes, and practices here.
Our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. We have consistently seen about 50 families each week, and sometimes up to 100! If you would like to support this key ministry to our neighbors, our current needs include:
COMMUNITY PARTNER HAS FOUND PLACEMENT:
Friday night, we received a message from the community partner that initially reached out to us late last week. It sounds like they have found placement for their program.
I’m incredibly proud of the Tabernacle Community for your willingness to consider such a BIG request. It as a good test of faithfulness for us and an open door for a much needed conversation about the use of God’s resource at the corner of Grove & Meadow.
We will still have a town hall meeting on Monday, August 17 at 7:30 pm. as this week’s series of conversations have highlighted the need for us to go deeper into discernment about the use of our physical space during the pandemic. We also need to determine if we feel that Education and Community Ministry are the two primary areas God is calling us to serve during the remainder of the pandemic.
Please make plans to join us. Please also continue to pray for our community partner, and their placement site, as much work needs to be accomplished in a very short span of time.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Sterling W. Severns, Pastor
We would love for you to let us know you’re here. This worship guide is meant to be a companion to our Livestream service. You can join us live at 11am on Sunday morning or watch the recorded service later, following along with the words to hymns, etc. in a separate window or on your phone, or print this guide out if you like!
CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 32
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.
Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
HYMN #19: “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 56:6-8, Galatians 3:28, Luke 10:25-37
Thank you for your faithfulness in caring for our neighbors through the Community Ministry! We are glad to share that our need for a bed for one of our neighbors has been met. There is a list of needed donations below; if you have questions about donating other items, please email community@tbcrichmond.org.
Urgent Town Hall Meeting | Monday, August 17, 7:30PM
We’ve been approached with an opportunity to partner with a local organization providing educational support to students in Richmond Public Schools. The timeline for our decision is short, and there are a number of variables to consider that could have a significant impact on the way we use our spaces and conduct ministry. We are asking our Tabernacle family to fast and pray as we discern God’s calling for our church’s response together. You can find more details on our prayer page; reach out to your Care Coordinator or a member of the church staff if you need help accessing it.
As September approaches, we are excited to introduce Tab Circles: an opportunity to connect with God and one another this fall! One of the things we learned from our summer survey is that a lot of folks who are a part of a small group, Sunday School class, or some other community within TBC have continued to feel connected and engaged, while many who are not part of a group like that have felt more disconnected during the pandemic. Our goal is for Tab Circles to help people find places of belonging, support, and spiritual community while we can’t all gather in the building together.
Find more information about what this will look like, and to sign up to join a Circle here!
Do church with others.
Study.
Pray.
Connect.
Gather with the family of God.
The Gather Summer Series is a weekly set of discussion questions and worship guide for you to enjoy in small gatherings of 10 or less, with other church members, or even neighbors. Participate in any way you feel comfortable, whether that be gathering via Zoom, around the fire pit in your backyard, or in your driveway.
This summer, we will actively covenant together in multiple ways, particularly in our physical gatherings in one another’s homes. You can find more details related to our expectations, hopes, and practices here.
Our Community Ministry is actively serving neighbors on a weekly basis. We have consistently seen about 50 families each week, and sometimes up to 100! If you would like to support this key ministry to our neighbors, our current needs include:
Join us for worship on Sunday, August 16, at 11:00 AM. This week’s theme is diversity.
