LIVERMORE FALLS — At the Sep. 10 First Baptist Church of Livermore Falls service, a joyous spirit encircled all who entered First Baptist to enjoy the Worship Service. Pastor Russ Thayer and his wife, Carol welcomed parishioners as they entered the Sanctuary.
Maggie Houlihan set the mood for the Worship Service as she played familiar hymns on the pipe organ. Kay KingWatson opened the service as she welcomed all and read announcements of meetings and events for the upcoming week. She led us as we sang two Praise Songs: “Rise, Shine” and “Stand Up and Bless the Lord”. Pastor Thayer greeted the flock and gave the Call to Worship as he read from Psalm 67, Verses 1 – 7. He announced prayer time, the time for the congregation to offer prayers for those in need of prayers, then we recited The Lord’s Prayer.
We sang the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation”, followed by the offertory. During the Offertory, Maggie Houlihan and Margaret Emery played “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”. Special music was offered by the Worship Team as they sang “Oh, I Know the Lord’s Laid His Hands On Me”.
Pastor Thayer introduced his Sermon as he read scripture from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 20, Verses 1 – 16. The Sermon, titled “First and Last”, relates to Scripture. In the Scripture, Heaven is compared to a man who goes to the village marketplace to hire workers. He goes early in the morning and hires those who will work for him, and they agree to work the entire day for a penny each. Later in the day, he does the same, and the new hires agree to work the rest of the day for a penny for each. Finally, near the end of the day, he does the same, those meant agreeing to work until sunset for a penny each.
At closing time, the man paid the last-hired men first, then continued to pay all who worked for him until he had paid the men who were hired early in the morning. Each worker received a penny for his labor. Those hired first complained because they had worked the entire day and the last-hired had worked only a few hours. The man reminded the complainers they had agreed to work for one penny. Nothing was said about the number of hours each man would work.
That’s the way Heaven works. Some Christians spend their lives in service to God and Jesus Christ. Their reward is Eternal Life as promised by God. Other people may spend their lives living as they want, rarely thinking about God’s plans for their lives, never thinking about Heaven or their destination when it’s time for them to pass on. However, many turn to God in the last few hours of their lives, repenting of their sins and accepting Jesus as their personal Savior.
Their reward? Eternal Life. This is an example of God’s love for us, His grace, generosity, and compassion is free to all who need and want God in their lives. We need to do more to serve Him because of all He does for us. He will always take care of us.
The Service ended as we sang, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”, and, after the Benediction, “Bind Us Together”. On Labor Day, we were happy to enjoy a very tasty cookout hosted by Pastor Russ and Carol. On Saturday, September 9th, we traveled to the China Lake Chapel and enjoyed a day of fellowship, dreaming and planning for the future of First Baptist Church.
Announcements:
1. We are collecting Peanut Butter for the Food Cupboard this month. In October, we will collect gravy for the Thanksgiving Baskets.
2. Bible Study, based on the series, “The Chosen” will begin Tuesday, September 12 at 6 p.m. at the Parsonage with Pastor Russ Thayer.
3. A Bible Study will begin on September 20 at 10 a.m. with Kay King Watson. It will take place at her house (22 Old Jay Hill Road, Jay) and a potluck luncheon will follow.
4. The Worship Team will rehearse each Thursday at 1 p.m. All are invited to join us.
5. Brad White will be here in Concert in our Sanctuary on September 26 at 7 p.m. Don’t miss this energizing, spirit-filled program.
6.The next Soap ‘n More Store will be open on Saturday, September 23, from 9 a.m. to noon.
7. The next Hymnsing will take place on Sunday, September 24 at 7 p.m. All are invited to share the joy of praising God in song.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
