Today’s worship service opened with Deacon Donny Aebersold reading Psalm 136:1-9 and saying an opening prayer. Minister of Worship and Praise, Dr. Johann Kim, spoke about the passage from Psalm, then lead the gathered through some opening songs.
- Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
- Let All Things Now Living
- Responsive Reading – Psalm 118
- Here is Love
Kim welcomed all the guests and visitors today, then everyone took a few minutes to greet each other with hugs and handshakes, then Pastor Ben Dockery called everyone together and back to their seats for a special presentation.
After more than 25 years of servicing as the Chairperson of the Deacons, Wally Jeffries had previously communicated in a Deacons’ Meeting that he wanted to step down from that position. Pastor Ben took time during the worship service to let the VSBC family know and to recognize his years of service. Pastor Ben introduced two special guests who each told stories of how Jeffries ministered to them and the community. These guests were Michael Snearly, who was able to video conference from his home in California, and Rev. Jack Oliver. Snearly told a story of how Jeffries once gave a homeless man the socks off his own feet in order to minister the Gospel, but returned disappointed in himself that he didn’t first wash the man’s feet. Oliver spoke of Jeffries’ boldness to walk down the street and speak words of love to a motorcycle gang that had moved into the neighborhood. Jeffries was given a plaque that had been signed by the members of Vine Street Baptist Church.
Pastor Ben concluded this presentation with a prayer, then Jennie Aebersold came to the platform and read Luke 17:11-19. Before the offering was collected, the gathered sang Count Your Blessings. Daniel Shouse sang Seeing is Believing, then the choir presented an arrangement of Give Thanks.
This week, Pastor Ben presented a sermon based around Deuteronomy 11. The full audio can be heard by clicking on the link below, or right-click and select Save As to save the file to your computer. Due to a minor glitch, the sermon is in two parts.
November 21, 2010 AM Worship and Thanksgiving, Today – Deuteronomy 11 (Ben Dockery)
During a time a response, Kim lead the congregation with Now Thank We All Our God. Pastor Ben concluded the service with a benediction reading.