tbc Church Business, Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, April 5 | Palm Sunday

We strive to be a congregation rooted in the participatory worship of God, where personal relationships are nurtured and all persons are encouraged to creatively and meaningfully express their unique gifts and stories in the worship experience. While our expression of worship looks a little different in this season, we are so glad to be able to participate together via Livestream.

This worship guide is meant to be a companion to the 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 print this guide out if you like!

The diversity of our unique theological heritages is one of our God’s greatest gifts at Tabernacle. One of markers of the gift is our diverse convictions about the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Jesus opens the table to everyone. That said, we also believe that each person should remain true to their convictions.  Some of us were raised in traditions that believe communion should only be received after someone has been baptized or confirmed, while others were raised to believe that no specific criteria is required for participation. There is a wide assortment of beliefs about the symbolism and meaning of communion.

We are a priesthood of all believers, an eclectic and beautiful circle of Jesus followers. We celebrate our differences. We make space for people to grow in their understanding of theology while also honoring the places we’ve come from. 

We want you to know that it’s okay for you, or your loved ones, to partake of the elements if you feel that it is appropriate to do so. We also want you to know that it’s okay for you, and your loved ones, to abstain. Regardless, all of us sit at the table together. 

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION AND/OR BLESSING: 
1) Please arrive to worship with bread and cup prepared. In our tradition, there is complete freedom in the specific type of bread or wine/juice that is brought to to the table.

2) At the designated moment in worship, our Pastor will lead the congregation in the partaking of the elements. 

3)  Should you, or someone in your household, choose to abstain, one of the Pastors will offer a special blessing  through the chat feature in the live-streamed worship service.

SOLO: Denise Lowe Walters, “Ride On King Jesus”

CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Lift up your heads, you mighty gates; behold, the King of glory waits; the King of kings is drawing near; the Savior of the world is here!
People: Who is the King of Glory?
Children: The Lord Strong and Mighty!
People: Who is the King of Glory?
Children: The Lord Strong and Mighty!
People: Who is the King of Glory?
Children: The Lord Strong and Mighty!

Hymn #175: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (ST. THEODOLPH)

V. 1: All glory, laud and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. Thou art the Kin of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son, who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and blessed One! 

V. 2: The company of angels are praising  Thee on high; and we will all creation in chorus make reply. The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went; our praise and prayer and anthems before Thee we present. 

V. 3: To Thee, before Thy passion they sang their hymns of praise; to Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise. Thou didst accept their praises, accept the praise we bring, who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King!

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.

GOSPEL READING: Mark 14:3-9

SOLO: Terry Witt, “The Alabaster Jar”

HYMN #171: “What Wondrous Love is This”

V. 1: What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. 

V. 3: To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing; to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.  To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am,” while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, while millions join the theme, I will sing.

Join us this afternoon at 4PM for a special Holy Week service.

tbc Church Business

All of us sit at the table together.

The diversity of our unique theological heritages is one of our God’s greatest gifts at Tabernacle. One of markers of the gift is our diverse convictions about the Lord’s Supper. We believe that Jesus opens the table to everyone. That said, we also believe that each person should remain true to their convictions.  Some of us were raised in traditions that believe communion should only be received after someone has been baptized or confirmed, while others were raised to believe that no specific criteria is required for participation. There is a wide assortment of beliefs about the symbolism and meaning of communion.

We are a priesthood of all believers, an eclectic and beautiful circle of Jesus followers. We celebrate our differences. We make space for people to grow in their understanding of theology while also honoring the places we’ve come from. 

We want you to know that it’s okay for you, or your loved ones, to partake of the elements if you feel that it is appropriate to do so. We also want you to know that it’s okay for you, and your loved ones, to abstain. Regardless, all of us sit at the table together. 

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION AND/OR BLESSING: 
1) Please arrive to worship with bread and cup prepared. In our tradition, there is complete freedom in the specific type of bread or wine/juice that is brought to to the table.

2) At the designated moment in worship, our Pastor will lead the congregation in the partaking of the elements. 

3)  Should you, or someone in your household, choose to abstain, one of the Pastors will offer a special blessing  through the chat feature in the live-streamed worship service. 

tbc Church Business, Media

Church helping CHURCH: practical thoughts for Pastors navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Pastor Friends, many of us, if not all of us, are struggling to determine the best way for us to lead our flocks in the COVID-19 Pandemic. I’ve struggled with where to begin. I’ve found it incredibly challenging to navigate leadership in the current moment while simultaneously planning for a long season ahead. It’s easy to feel stuck.
I’m hearing from friends serving in smaller congregations. Many are struggling with the lack of resources, time, and the technology gap.


I’ve created a series of five brief videos to share some observations, offer practical advice, and urge us to work together. I share it hesitantly as I don’t want to suggest that I’ve got anything figured out. Many of the ideas that are shared are simply ideas. We’re still trying to figure out implementation. That said, I have a conviction that we should be learning from one other, through failure and success alike.


If you find these videos helpful, please pass them along. Iif not, just ignore them and press on. Regardless, I hope you will consider practical ways that you might share your insights and encouragement to one another.


Lastly, sisters and brothers serving in congregations that are further along with the technology gap, let’s do everything in our power to make space in our digital spaces. Let’s think creatively about how we can share our resources with generosity and humility. We’re in this together!

1. This is the first video in a series of brief/specific recordings created for Pastors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The first video offers a brief introduction and shares some ideas for setting priorities.

If you find the series helpful, please feel free to pass it along. I encourage you to find your way to offer support to sisters and brothers serving in pastoral roles. Let’s learn from one another. Let’s share our resources. Let’s use this moment to show the world what unity looks like in the body of Christ. Let’s use this moment to mobilize compassion.

2. The second video in this series focuses on the unique challenge of Pastoral Care and some pratical thoughts on how we mobilize our congregants to offer care to one another.

If you find this video helpful, please feel free to pass along. I encourage you to find a way to offer support to sisters and brothers serving in pastoral roles. Let’s learn from one another. Let’s share our resources. Let’s use this moment to show the world what unity looks like in the body of Christ. Let’s use this moment to mobilize compassion.

3. The third video in this series focuses on our prioritization of churches directly sharing resources and connecting in unique ways.

If you find this video helpful, please feel free to pass along. I encourage you to find a way to offer support to sisters and brothers serving in pastoral roles. Let’s learn from one another. Let’s share our resources. Let’s use this moment to show the world what unity looks like in the body of Christ. Let’s use this moment to mobilize compassion.

4. The fourth video in this series focuses on practical ways we can connect with congregants not comfortable with technology or don’t have the means to access the internet.

If you find this video helpful, please feel free to pass along. I encourage you to find a way to offer support to sisters and brothers serving in pastoral roles. Let’s learn from one another. Let’s share our resources. Let’s use this moment to show the world what unity looks like in the body of Christ. Let’s use this moment to mobilize compassion.

5. The fifth video in this series offers practical advice on the use of technology and the importance of what we’re projecting to our congregants.

If you find this video helpful, please feel free to pass along. I encourage you to find a way to offer support to sisters and brothers serving in pastoral roles. Let’s learn from one another. Let’s share our resources. Let’s use this moment to show the world what unity looks like in the body of Christ. Let’s use this moment to mobilize compassion.

Being the Church in the Coronavirus Pandemic: A one hour conversation with Dr. Art Wright, Theologian in Residence at CBF VA

We have experienced tremendous disruptions to daily life as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across our nation and the globe. Many of us as church leaders are struggling to find ways to adapt to the situation. On Thursday, March 19, 2020, Sterling Severns (Senior Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, VA) and Art Wright (Theologian in Residence for CBFVA and member at Tabernacle Baptist) talked via Zoom about how Tabernacle is navigating these challenges and adapting to offer worship, educational and fellowship opportunities, and pastoral care right now. In our conversation we discuss some of the practical challenges that we are facing, key technology that we are using as we strive to be church virtually, and we also reflect on deeper theological and spiritual dimensions of leading churches during these trying times. We are sharing this conversation in hopes that it is helpful for churches near and far.

RESOURCES:

How to Lead Online Worship Without Losing Your Soul—or Body 8 tips for stewarding church technology in a time of social distancing by W. David O. Taylor

ZOOM Meeting- Supporting Older Adults during Covid-19, March 27

tbc Church Business, Media

Leading Churches during the Coronavirus Pandemic

We have experienced tremendous disruptions to daily life as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across our nation and the globe. Many of us as church leaders are struggling to find ways to adapt to the situation. On Thursday, March 19, 2020, Sterling Severns (Senior Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, VA) and Art Wright (Theologian in Residence for CBFVA and member at Tabernacle Baptist) talked via Zoom about how Tabernacle is navigating these challenges and adapting to offer worship, educational and fellowship opportunities, and pastoral care right now. In our conversation we discuss some of the practical challenges that we are facing, key technology that we are using as we strive to be church virtually, and we also reflect on deeper theological and spiritual dimensions of leading churches during these trying times. We are sharing this conversation in hopes that it is helpful for churches near and far.

tbc Church Business

TBC Members: preparation for vote on Tues, March 31

We’re in uncharted waters. Adaptive leadership and flexibility will need to be a priority for us in this next chapter of life together. I’m confident God will give us the creativity, flexibility, and grace we need for this unique moment.

We need all members to be prepared to vote on 3 important items on Tuesday, March 31. Please click here for information.

Praying for each of you. Love each of you!

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Sterling W. Severns, Pastor

PS: Hope has created a unique “button” at the bottom of the free TBC App and a new page on our website, dedicated to sharing latest/greatest info on what is happening at TBC.