11024 S. Bell Avenue 

Chicago, IL 60643

​773-445-9443

Morgan Park

 Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell, Pastor



God’s Family Worships
7th Sunday of Easter
May 21, 2023 
11:00 A.M.
As the sun rises, bringing light and warmth and life, so the light of the world brings the illumination of Truth, the warmth of Love, and the Life which will never end. Amen

The Fellowship of Praise
Prelude                                                                      Cameron Jones                                                                                    
*Call to Worship                                                               Bruce Stark

 Leader:  The Spirit of God is here
 Congregation:  calling us to worship and praise
 Leader:  The Spirit delights in our presence
 Congregation:  rejoicing alongside us
 Leader:  The Spirit of Truth is still speaking
 Congregation:  granting wisdom for our lives today   
        
*Hymn of Praise     “Every Praise”        by Hezekiah Walker
 Every praise Is to our God

Every word of worship, with one accord
Every praise, every praise, is to our God

Sing hallelujah, to our God
Glory hallelujah, is due our God
Every praise, every praise, is to our God

*Invocation and Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)
*Gloria Patri #734
†      †      †


The Fellowship of the Family of God
Greetings and Announcements
Pastor's Welcome

The Fellowship of Giving
*Doxology #34  
*Prayer
                                                                                             
The Fellowship of Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Praise and Thanks
For the continued ministry of MPBC; and the love and support of our MPBC members and friends; for our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell and his family.
For Healing and Rehabilitation
Annette Adams; Annether Baines; Diane Brownlee; Patsy Browning; Beverly Capers (sister of Beatrice Haywood); Elizabeth Chelton (Granddaughter of Patsy Browning); Trisha Clark (granddaughter of Penny Lord); Neil Cunningham; The Goodman Family;Rev. David Gregg; Linda Guisewite (mother of Debbie Taylor); Floyd Hale and family; Priscilla Hall; Aretha Hampton; Shavon Harp (Niece of Annether Baines); 
The Haywood Family; The Healy/Chase Family; Jack & Penny Lord; Linda, Stephanie & Joan McCarty; John & Flora Mitchell (Pastor Joel’s parents); Sam and Karen Mitchell; Beverly Nickerson; Haile Selassie (son of Bruce and Rev. Francine White); Barbara Shriver (mother of Gretchen Shriver); Robert Soria (grandson of Susan Soria); Debbie and Mack Taylor; Cassandra Taylor (JFK owner); Michael Whaley; Jeremy Williams & Family; Ira Williams
For Guidance and Direction
For our MPBC family, our vision for the future, and for our young people 
For Watchcare
All of our service men and women serving and all of our veterans; All of our missionaries, who serve in all parts of the USA and in many parts of the world; For the President of the United States, Joe Biden. For all the people who have suffered through natural disasters; For the city of Chicago, that violence will cease 

Pastoral Prayer 

The Fellowship of the Word 

*Hymn                                              "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"

 Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn

Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on, to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home

Scripture Readings                                                       Bruce Stark
Sermon                                                                 Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell
              
The Sending Forth

*Closing Hymn                  "Heaven, I've Heard So Much About It"

 Heaven, Heaven
I've heard so much about Heaven

Heaven, Heaven
I've heard so much about Heaven

Heaven, Heaven
I've heard so much about Heaven
One of these days, I'm gonna go there

* Benediction
  Postlude   


A note from Rev. David Gregg taken from his video message:

Grace to you and Peace, in the name of God the Creator and the Great Healer.
I am recording this video in order to share some challenging news in a more personal way than I could in a simple newsletter article.

Following up on some strange symptoms a couple of weeks ago, it was recently discovered that  I have cancer. It is serious, but both treatable and operable. The doctors have given me lots of reasons for hope and I am resting in that hope along with my faith in God's power and in the love of my family, friends, and colleagues.

The plan is for chemotherapy for the next four months, one week on and one week off, alternating, followed by surgery and then another two months of chemotherapy. My treatments will take place at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor where my family lives and can help care for me during the “on weeks,” the chemo weeks, and post-surgery.

I hope to return to Chicago when I can during those off weeks, and in any case, I look forward to staying as involved in my work in and for the region as I can.

Now I understand that self-care, rest, and healing need to be my priorities, as I hope you can understand too, but my work is meaningful and it gives me something purposeful to do during the stretches when I am feeling better.

I crave all the prayers you can send me, all the candles you may light, the intentions, and the healing energy that you can call on. I have already been nearly overwhelmed by the kindness and love I have received from colleagues, friends, and from my family. I am grateful for your love and support. I will keep you updated along the way.

Although this news is daunting, I am undaunted. I abide in faith, in hope, and in love and I am feeling all of them with a new power these days.

Thank you and have a blessed day.

Dear MPBC Family, our friend, Rev. Gregg, asks for your prayers first and foremost and assures us he is well-provided for amongst his family. For those that wish to send cards or notes, they can be sent to the region office:
Rev. David Gregg
ABC Metro Chicago
4401 Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60641