Choral Introit: Make a Joyful Noise. Bay Shore Worship Service February 12, 2023

God, Give Us Growth 1 Corinthians 3:1-10 Pastor Susie's sermon this Sunday focused on the Apostle Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. Paul talked about how he planted the seeds of faith in the Corinthian Church, his collaborator, Apollos, watered them, and God gave them growth. The Corinthians often needed reminding that they didn't need to compete and argue with one another. Instead, they were called to build their church community together. Paul's words of wisdom are still relevant to our world today, which can often feel too polarized to find a way forward together. How can people of faith and church communities offer witness to the power of collaboration to the broader world? Our music this Sunday has a variety of sounds to enhance you worship experience: Organ: Mozart declared the organ “king of instruments” because of the immensity and mobility of the organ’s sound. We are so fortunate to have Jason McNally playing our Wicks 47 rank pipe organ. He inspires us each week with his versatility, expertise and musical choices. Handbells: The sound of a handbell is sweet, gentle, clear and melodious. At close range, alone or in combination handbells can be amazingly powerful and penetrating—a uniquely happy and ethereal sound that first surprises and then captivates the listener. We are very fortunate to have as part of our music ministry our enthusiastic and talented Bay Shore Bells who offer distinctively beautiful musical offerings using our five octaves of Schulmerich handbells. This Sunday, our handbell choir will be playing a lovely piece called, "Bell Prayer," by A. Steven Taranto. As you hear it, we invite you to offer up to God, your own unique prayer. Choir: Each using the instrument that God gave them, the members of our Chancel Choir sing together to create beautiful, vocal music for our worship together. They’ll be singing, "Many Gifts, One Spirit," by Allen Pote. And the sound of the choir and congregation singing our hymns together is such a joy for all! “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise to my God while I have being.” -Psalm 104:33 Violin: The sound of a violin has been described as rich, complex and versatile. Angelo Santos will, once again, be playing his violin, accompanied on the piano by Jason McNally. He’ll be playing Hallelujah, a song by Leonard Cohen which has achieved widespread popularity and the melody has become an anthem of sorts, being played in times of trouble as a voice of inspiration and hope. Join us on Sunday as we experience worship together, lifting our voices in praise to God!