Welcome to Rose of Sharon Baptist Church!
It is our prayer that God will lead you to a church where you can grow as a Christian and serve the Lord with your gifts and talents. We want to be that place for you. Take a look around the site for information about the different ministry opportunities we have, as well as more information about our church.
Our pastor and staff are available to meet with you individually, or as a family, if you have further questions. Feel free to either call 919-477-3993 or email us.
A special treat for this Sunday, August 9th: Arrive early to enjoy some Ice!
Pelican's Snoballs at 6:15; S. N. O. W. or WORSHIP ONLINE AT 7:00 PM
Next Sunday, Aug. 16th, Worship is on Facebook Live at 10:00 am
Sunday August 9 Worship Service 7:00 PM
August Memory Verse
"Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Welcome Pastoral Prayer Memory Verse
Kid’s Talk Pastor Blake Flinchum
Praise & Worship
Hold Us Together
Verse 1
It don't have a job
It don't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills
Won't fix your life
In five easy steps
Ain't the law of the land or the government
But it's all you need
Chorus
And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I'll be my brother's keeper
So the whole world will know that we're not alone
Verse 2
It's waiting for you
Knocking at your door
In the moment of truth
When your heart hits the floor
And you're on your knees
Bridge
This is the first day of the rest of your life
This is the first day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright it's gonna be alright
CCLI Song # 5553657
Same Power
Verse 1
I can see the waters raging at my feet
I can feel the breath of those surrounding me
I can hear the sound of nations rising up
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
Verse 2
I can walk down this dark and painful road
I can face ev'ry fear of the unknown
I can hear all God's children singing out
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
Chorus
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us lives in us
He lives in us lives in us
Verse 3
We have hope that His promises are true
In His strength there is nothing we can't do
Yes we know there are greater things in store
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
Bridge
Greater is He that is living in me
He's conquered our enemy (oh)
No power of darkness
No weapon prevails
We stand here in victory oh
(REPEAT)
In victory yeah
CCLI Song # 7031700
By His Wounds
Chorus
He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds by His wounds
We are healed
Verse
We are healed by Your sacrifice
In the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved
CCLI Song # 4926560
CCLI License # 911208
Sermon
“Comforting the Downcast”
Senior Pastor Jeff McCarthy
“Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,”
2 Corinthians 7:6 NKJV
Intro: Today is our official “Back to School” Sunday. Even though it is our official Sunday, it is definitely not a typical Back to School Sunday. Over the years I’ve been here as youth pastor and pastor, we have had to delay Back to School Sunday one time due to a hurricane. The delay was only for a week. This Back to School Sunday is different because of Covid-19.
A typical Back to School Sunday was filled with anticipation and excitement. Many students were transitioning from one grade level to another. Some were nervous because they would be attending a new school. High School seniors were excited about finally getting prepared for graduating.
I always loved Back to School time growing up. It meant I was going to get at least two new pairs of jeans, two new shirts, and a new pair of tennis shoes. I would also be getting a bunch of hand me downs from my older brothers and a cousin. Finally I would get to see all my friends from school that I hadn’t seen over the summer.
Back to school is important for kids, but is also important for teachers. Teachers are tremendous influencers. They love to teach, but they also love their students. While teaching has many challenges, most teachers want to do their job because they see it as a calling. For the Christian teacher, teaching is an opportunity to show grace to kids who may not otherwise experience it. We are blessed to have some of those teachers here at RoS.
So this Back to School Sunday is different. It is bittersweet. For the majority of our church, kids and teachers will not be together at school. The shut down means more remote learning. Everyone agrees that this is not ideal.
According to the Gallup organization, in a June 15 article entitled “U.S. Parent say Covid-19 Harming Child’s Mental Health”, 45% of parents say being separated from classmates and teachers in terms of distance learning is a major challenge and 25% say it’s a minor challenge. Only 8% say it is not a challenge. For those parents who say it’s a major challenge, 45% indicate their child’s emotional and mental health is experiencing harm.
Unless you haven’t really been paying attention, Covid-19 has put mental, emotional, and psychological stress on every age group in our society. We all have faced stress and distress. Many people, including children are depressed, saddened, and downcast. They need comfort.
In 2 Corinthians 7:6, Paul admitted he experienced stress and sadness. When he was downcast, he knew he could depend on God to comfort him. Not only that, he also knew God would send others, like Titus, to provide him comfort as well.
Today, I want to comfort our students, our teachers, and the rest of us who may be feeling downcast on this Back to School Sunday. Let us be a church that comforts the downcast.
-
God Himself Comforts the Downcast (6a)
“Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast…”
NLT: “But God, who encourages those who are discouraged…”
Context: 2 Cor. 7:5-7 NLT
God is the Source of All Comfort
2 Cor. 1:3 NLT
Isaiah 66:13 NKJV
John 14:16 old KJV and CSB
2 Thess. 2:16-17 NLT
-
God uses Others to Comfort the Downcast (6b)
“God…comforted us by the coming of Titus.”
Example of Titus
Titus 1:4 NLT
2 Cor. 8:16-17 NLT
2 Cor. 8:23 NLT
He Comforts us so We Can Comfort Others
Rom. 15:4 NKJV
2 Cor. 1:3-6 NLT
Invitation
How He Loves
Verse 1
He is jealous for me loves like a hurricane
I am a tree bending beneath
The weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware of
These afflictions eclipsed by glory
I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me
Pre-Chorus
Oh how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us so
(REPEAT)
Chorus
(Yeah) He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves us
Oh how He loves
(REPEAT)
Verse 2
We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So Heaven meets earth
Like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way that
CCLI Song # 5032549 CCLI License # 911208
Announcements & Closing Prayer Youth Pastor Jeremiah Custar
Here is the link to our Worship Services and additional recorded small group discussions from previous Sundays & Wednesdays:
https://www.facebook.com/rosbcdurhamnc/videos/sunday-morning-worship-may-17-2020/863398560793826
What To Expect when we return to services at ROSBC
What Should I Wear?
There’s no dress code at ROSBC; come wearing what you’re comfortable in. Some folks like to dress up a little on Sundays, and some like to come in jeans. Either way is great as long as you come with an open heart!
Do you have Nursery or Childcare?
A nursery and childcare are available during Sunday morning service at 9:45 AM.
Preschool Children's Church & Children’s Church meet Sunday mornings in the Worship Service, after listening to Kid's Talk the children go the Nursery or Element Kid's Room #203.
Wednesday Night Kids Activities and Events can be found HERE
Do you have Sunday School Class?
We offer Adult Life Groups and Children's Sunday School at 11:00 AM.
Classes can be found HERE
Schedule of Services
Sunday
Facebook Live
Worship: 10:00 am
Live Discussion: 11:00 am
Wednesday
Rose of Sharon continues to provide Facebook Live Bible Study each Wednesday at 6:30 pm. While we observe the State and City guidelines for meetings, wearing masks and Social Distancing, we are not able to return to our Wednesday meetings inside our buildings.
Continue to watch for updates this Summer of 2020 and as soon as we are able to share what's in our future plans for this fall, we will let you know.