250914: Worship Guide

He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Ephesians 1:4

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-7

Minister: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

People: Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Minister: Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live….

People: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

Minister: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

Unison: Come, let us praise our God.

*Hymn of Adoration: “Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord” (No. 465)

1 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.

2 Sin and despair like the sea waves cold,
threaten the soul with infinite loss;
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
points to the Refuge, the mighty cross. [Refrain]

3 Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today. [Refrain]

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Invocation

Unison: God of All Good: We praise you for the means of grace, which bring joy and strength to our souls. You have prepared a feast for us. And though we are unworthy to sit down as guests, we come dressed in the righteousness of Jesus our Savior. As we take the bread and receive the cup, may we remember his eternal love, boundless grace, and infinite compassion as he endured the agony of the cross. As we eat and drink, may we receive assurance of our redemption, pardon, adoption, and eternal life. And as we partake together, may we proclaim to one another that you are our life, strength, nourishment, joy, and delight. Amen.

Adapted from The Valley of Vision

*Affirmation of Faith Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 75

Minister: How does the Lord's supper signify and seal to you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all his gifts?

People: In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup in remembrance of him. With this command he gave these promises: First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely was his body offered for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord as sure signs of Christ's body and blood, so surely does he himself nourish and refresh my soul to everlasting life with his crucified body and shed blood.

Unison: Thanks be to God.

*Gloria (Tune: “Lauda Anima”)

Glory be to him who loved us,
washed us from each spot and stain;
glory be to him who bought us,
made us kings with him to reign!
Glory, blessing, praise, and honor
to the Lamb that once was slain!

Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 7:6-11 & I Peter 2:4-10

*Hymn of Response: “How Sweet and Awesome Is This Place” (No. 469)

1 How sweet and awesome is the place
with Christ within the doors,
while everlasting love displays
the choicest of her stores.

2 While all our hearts and all our songs
join to admire the feast,
each of us cries, with thankful tongue,
"Lord, why was I a guest?

3 "Why was I made to hear your voice,
and enter while there's room,
when thousands make a wretched choice,
and rather starve than come?"

4 'Twas the same love that spread the feast
that sweetly drew us in;
else we had still refused to taste,
and perished in our sin.

5 Pity the nations, O our God,
constrain the earth to come;
send your victorious Word abroad,
and bring the strangers home.

6 We long to see your churches full,
that all the chosen race
may, with one voice and heart and soul,
sing your redeeming grace.

Public Confession

Unison: Almighty God, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus: we acknowledge that we are unworthy of your redeeming grace. We have not believed your promises, nor trusted in our living Lord. We have erected idols in our hearts, and bowed down and served them. Instead of setting our minds on the riches that are ours in Christ, we have harbored covetous and discontented thoughts. Not only have we sinned in our thinking, but we also confess our intemperance in our seeing, hearing, and speaking. But now in penitence we beg of you, O Heavenly Father, that you would have compassion upon us. Have mercy upon us and graciously forgive us these and all our sins. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and keep us by your almighty power; fill us with your Holy Spirit, so that we may walk in your ways and live according to your will; through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, our Savior. Amen.

Private Confession

Pastoral Prayer

Promise of the Gospel

Minister: But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:8-9

*Hymn of Praise: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” (Insert)

1 Beneath the cross of Jesus
I find a place to stand,
And wonder at such mercy
That calls me as I am.
For hands that should discard me
Hold wounds which tell me come.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
My unworthy soul is won.

2 Beneath the cross of Jesus,
His family is my own.
Once strangers chasing selfish dreams;
Now, one through grace alone.
How could I now dishonor
The ones that You have loved?
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
See the children called by God.

3 Beneath the cross of Jesus
The path before the crown,
We follow in His footsteps
Where promised hope is found.
How great the joy before us
To be His perfect bride.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
We will gladly live our lives.

Worship of God through Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology (Tune: “Old Hundredth”)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below:
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

*Reading of The Holy Scriptures: Matthew 22:1-14

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “The Parable of the Wedding Feast” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

*Hymn of Preparation: “Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands” (No. 427)

1 Amidst us our Beloved stands,
and bids us view his pierced hands;
points to the wounded feet and side,
blest emblems of the Crucified.

2 What food luxurious loads the board,
when at his table sits the Lord!
The wine how rich, the bread how sweet,
when Jesus deigns the guests to meet!

3 If now, with eyes defiled and dim,
we see the signs, but see not him;
O may his love the scales displace,
and bid us see him face to face!

4 O glorious Bridegroom of our hearts,
your present smile a heav’n imparts!
O lift the veil, if veil there be,
let every saint your glory see!

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Invitation and Instructions

All who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and have been baptized and who are communicant members in good standing in an evangelical church are invited to come to participate in this sacred Sacrament of the Church. This is not a Presbyterian table, and we do not restrict it as such; it is the Lord’s Table. However, the church alone grants access to the table and must guard it from the leaven of unrighteousness (1 Cor. 5:6-8). Therefore, if you have not repented and trusted in Christ or if you are harboring sin in your life or if there is anyone with whom you are not at peace with so far as it depends on you (Rom. 12:18), please do not participate in this meal. We invite you instead to use this time to reflect and ask God to speak to your heart and give you more light and understanding. Children who have not been admitted to the table by the church should also refrain from partaking of the Supper.

For those who prefer, the outer ring of the tray is grape juice. The bread is gluten free. Please hold the bread and cup until all have been served so that we may partake together.

*Departing Hymn: “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” (No. 420)

1 At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who has washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him whose love divine
gives his sacred blood for wine,
gives his body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

2 Where the paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
paschal victim, paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

3 Mighty victim from the sky,
pow'rs of hell beneath thee lie;
death is conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
hymns of glory and of praise,
risen Lord, to thee we raise;
holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

*Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregation standing, if able.