1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Announcements
We’re delighted you are worshipping with us today. The entire Briarwood family is eager
to greet you, answer any questions you may have and minister to you in any way. After
the service, please stop by the foyer so that we may offer you a small gift to acknowledge
your presence with us. I pray that this morning’s worship will be all about Him and not
about us, and that it will draw you close to the Lord of the universe.
For Christ, His Cross and His Crown,
Harry L. Reeder III, Pastor/Teacher
Calendar of the Week
For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website at briarwood.org/calendar.
* Nursery provided - please call for weekday reservations, 776-5214.
Special needs care available - call June Cork, 776-5291.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
* 8:00
* 8:00
* 9:30
* 10:55
* 10:55
1:30
* 6:00
6:00
a.m.
a.m.
a.m.
a.m.
a.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
Morning Worship Service - Worship Center
Intercessory Prayer - Prayer Room
Sunday School for all ages
Morning Worship Service - Worship Center
Intercessory Prayer - Prayer Room
Japanese Worship Service - G101
Evening Worship - Worship Center
BYG and Raiders D-Groups - The Barn
6:30 a.m. Men of the Covenant Bible Study - FH-E&F
9:30 a.m. L.O.V.E. Ministry - Flower Room
6:15 p.m. CMMA Couples - Walkers’
7:00 p.m. Evangelism Training - Worship Center
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:15
9:45
10:00
5:30
* 6:30
6:30
7:00
a.m.
a.m.
a.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
THURSDAY * 8:30 a.m.
* 9:30 a.m.
* 9:30 a.m.
* 9:30 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
TRAILBLAZER Breakfast Seminar - FH
Women of the Covenant Bible Studies
CMMA Singles - Simpsons’
Barbara Barker’s Bible Study - G101
CMMA Side-by-Side - Caroline House
Dr. Barker’s Bible Study - A201
Fellowship Dinner - FH
MidWeek Classes and Activities for all ages
Raiders Rally - The Barn
BYG @ The Barn - The Barn
Women on a Mission to Fairfield - Admin. Lobby
WOC Precept Bible Study: Revelation - A205
Prayer for Our Nation Group - W203
WOC Thursday Bible Fellowship - G101
WOC Precept Bible Study: Revelation - E008
Bible Study at the Barkers’ - 3181 Dolly Ridge Dr.
FRIDAY
9:30 a.m.
Ladies Bible Study at the Barkers’
SATURDAY
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Prayer Breakfasts - Barkers’, Thomases’
The Church Revitalization Ministry Prayer Team will gather for prayer today in W202
at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome.
Pastor’s Inquirers’ Class for newcomers and prospective members begins Sun., Apr. 19 with
two Sunday morning classes (Apr. 19 and 26), Wed. night (Apr. 22) and a Sat. morning
(Apr. 25). Attending does not obligate you to join. For info or to sign up, call 776-5208.
Graduating from college? The Briarwood Fellows program trains recent college graduates
to reach and impact the marketplace for Christ through paid internships, biblical
worldview discipleship, and leadership training. Apply online at briarwoodfellows.org.
Thursday Precept Classes—Join the study on Revelation from 9:30–11:30 a.m. in A205
or 6:30–8:30 p.m. in E008. Register at briarwood.org/women.
Pastor Reeder’s Second Q&A session on eschatology (end times) will be in the Chapel at
6:30 p.m. on Apr. 29, following our last MidWeek dinner.
BCS—A Blessing for God’s Glory, a new book describing the 50-year history of Briarwood
Christian School, is filled with pictures and interesting facts. $34.95 in the webstore, the
Bookstore and at book tables Sun., Apr. 19.
ESOL teachers needed—Call to find out more or sign up for this great outreach to
internationals in our city. We train you and teach in teams so you have backup. Contact
Laura Danner at 776-5343.
Friendship Partners needs 50 Briarwood families this year to reach out to all our interested
students. Sign up to enjoy an international student as a friend to you or your family!
For information and orientation meeting times, call Laura Danner at 776-5343.
VBS June 1–5:
• Register your child online beginning Apr. 15 at briarwood.org/vbs. VBS is open to
all children who will be enrolled in K5–6th grade in the fall.
• Preschool VBS/Nursery is open to children of VBS volunteers only and must register
at briarwood.org/nursery.
• Donate cardboard rolls from paper towels for a Nursery VBS craft. Drop off to the
Mailroom.
• Donate old magazines for a VBS craft. Please leave them in the VBS mailbox.
• Shepherds needed for rising K5–6th grade. Go to briarwood.org/VBSstaff for a
list of volunteer needs.
SAVE YOUR STUFF for the 7th Annual Briarwood Flea Market July 24–25 benefitting
Urban Hope Community Church in Fairfield. Vendor registration opens May 1.
Contact [email protected] or call 776-5311.
Job Openings—1) Part-time admin. assistant for Briarwood Intl Outreach—primarily serving
international congregations. Send inquiries and resumes to [email protected].
2) Foundations Early Learning and Family Center in Fairfield seeks a full-time Program
Director. The position offers a competitive salary and some benefits. If you are interested,
please apply at [email protected].
Today InPerspective airs weekdays at 1:00, 5:15 and 9:00 p.m. on WLJR, 88.5 FM, and at
email: [email protected] • website: briarwood.org
2200 Briarwood Way • Birmingham, Alabama 35243 • 205-776-5200
playwljr.com. The week of Apr. 13 Pastor Reeder and host Tom Lamprecht will discuss
“How Did Evil Come into the World?” with Dr. William Edgar.
Celebration of Worship
Standing Firm in the Lord
Morning Services of Divine Worship - April 12, 2015 Worship Leaders
Dr. Harry L. Reeder III, Pastor/Teacher
Mr. Bruce Stallings, Executive Pastor Rev. Daniel Cason, Pianist
Rev. Clay Campbell, Minister of Worship
Mr. Hunter Goff, Organist
*The Singing of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs and Confession of Truth
“Everlasting God” ∙ John 15:18–21 ∙ “O Church, Arise”
The Proclamation
of
God’s People
…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more
as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25
God’s Word
For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,
of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
*The Prayer of Illumination
†*The
Reading of God’s Word from the New Testament
Ephesians 6:10–20
The Exposition of God’s Word The Kingdom of God in Biblical Perspective
“Today’s Church in Today’s World”
Ephesians 6:10–20
Please adjust all electronic devices so as not to interrupt the service.
The Gathering
of
The Consecration
of
Pastor Reeder
God’s People
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory
with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion,
and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24–25
The Call to Worship and Preparation from the Psalms
*The Pastoral Benediction
The Prelude and Time of Meditation and Confession
Hymn Prelude on “Arlington” (Pew)
O Lord, my heart and mind are prone to wander, even when I come into Your presence in
public worship each Lord’s Day. Grant me grace that I may fix my whole heart upon You and
ponder the greatness of Your love for me as expressed through the giving of Your Son on my
behalf on the cross of Calvary. And in response, allow me to pour forth praise from my heart
and lips as I worship You with all my being! Purge my heart of earthly longings and grant to
me a heart that loves You fully, hungers for Your Word, and unselfishly loves and shepherds
those whom You have placed in my life. May I seek to live daily in such a way as to fulfill
Your purposes in my life for the advancement of Your Kingdom.
*The Congregational Affirmation
The Postlude
“How Firm a Foundation”
“Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” (Gardiner)
* The congregation is requested to stand if able.
† K4–3rd grade dismiss to the Children’s Auditorium for Children’s Worship.
Following the 8:00 service, Children’s Worship participants will be escorted to their Sunday School rooms.
Following the 10:55 service, please pick up K4–3rd grade children in the Children’s Auditorium.
Large-print copies of the Order of Worship and audio receivers for the hearing impaired are available at
the Information Center. The 8:00 a.m. service is also “signed” each week in the Worship Center.
Both Sunday morning services are broadcast live on WLJR 88.5 FM, and the
10:55 service video is available online at briarwood.org/livetv.
Texts used with permission granted through CCLI License agreement 124545.
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
The Invocation
The Gospel Word of Salvation
Prayers and Praises
To God be the Glory! We praise our Lord and thank our church family for the faithful
response to our Faith Promise this year. We have received pledges totaling $2,613,930.18,
which is the largest Faith Promise total ever committed at Briarwood. What joy that through
our 50th Anniversary conference the Lord would allow us to be blessed in this way. Pray
for His provision of these funds and for our faithful response to invest them in Kingdom
building ministry all around the world. His Word for the World...that all may hear.
Missions Prayer Focus—Fairfield. Grace House group home serves girls ages 6–21 who
have suffered from abuse and neglect. Pray for the staff as they minister to and equip
these girls with the necessary tools to break the cycle of abuse—first, a relationship with
Jesus Christ; second, a quality education.
“Continue steadfastly in prayer...” Colossians 4:2a
Opportunities for Ministry and Growth
Take part in the Christian Life & Witness Course presented by The Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association at Briarwood Apr. 13, 20 and 27 in the Worship Center. This evangelism and
discipleship training is in preparation for Franklin Graham’s Festival of Hope, coming
Aug. 14–16 to Bartow Arena. Details at briarwood.org/evangelism.
Parents of 4th–6th graders, come join John and Deb Evans as they share thoughts
and ideas to help you prepare for conversations with your children concerning topics
like peer pressure, physical changes, and purity. This Passport to Purity informational
meeting will be Wed., Apr. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in M213. Call John Evans at 776-5181.
Start saving your canned goods for the Mercy Ministry Canned Food Drive to support
Daniel Cason Ministries Sun., Apr. 19. That day, leave a bag or box of non-perishable
food behind your car for the food-drive team to pick up during the morning services.
Our Church Family
Duty Elders for Anointing Services: Class of 2017
The Sacrament of Baptism
Serving in the Nursery today: Homestead
*The Greeting of Grace and Peace
Hospitalized: Harriette Morgan, Marty Lange, David Chester, Flory Ruiz, Jim Griffin,
Billy Ball
*The Hymn of Ascents
The Petitioning
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise” Hymn 478
of
God’s Providence
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16b
The Pastoral Prayer of Intercession and Thanksgiving
The Adoration
of
God’s Glory
…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord
with all your heart... Ephesians 5:19
The Bringing of God’s Tithes and Our Offerings
Proverbs 3:9–10
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns
will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Fellowship of Worship
The Evening Service of Divine Worship – 6:00 p.m.
XI. Timeless Truth for Timely Topics in Biblical Perspective
What Does the Bible Say?
“Now, What About the Rapture?”
Matthew 24
Dr. Harry L. Reeder III
Our love and sympathy to Dan Allison and family on the death of his sister, Mary Allison
Champion, on Apr. 1; and to Clete Hux and family on the death of his mother, Mary
Geneva Hux, on Apr. 5.
The flowers in the Worship Center are given to the glory of God in memory of Harry
Preston Thorton and Effie Howell from the wedding of Kasey Tuggle and Taylor
Summers on Apr. 11.
The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated Sun., Apr. 26 in the morning
service. Members of the congregation are invited to prepare their hearts to receive
Communion. An alms offering for the mercy ministry will be received.
Mark your calendar for the Church Picnic on Sun., Apr. 26 at 3:00 p.m. This annual
event is fun for the whole family…bluegrass, inflatables, volleyball and more, followed by
a barbeque dinner from Full Moon. See briarwood.org/picnic for details.
Briarwood
Presbyterian Church PCA
The Lord’s Day Morning, April 12, 2015
Dr. Harry L. Reeder III
The Kingdom of God in Biblical Perspective
“Today’s Church in Today’s World”
Ephesians 6:10–20 (page 979 in the ESV pew Bible)
Introduction:
Two Strategies
I.
II.
Four Allies
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Life Takeaway