260913: Worship Bulletin

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Isaiah 12

Minister: You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.

People: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Minister: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:

People: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.

Minister: “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let his be made known in all the earth.

Unison: Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

*Hymn of Adoration: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (TH No. 164)

1 O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace.

2 My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.

3 Jesus, the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life and health and peace.

4 He breaks the pow'r of reigning sin,
he sets the pris'ner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean,
his blood availed for me.

5 He speaks and, list'ning to his voice,
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice;
the humble poor believe.

6 Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb,
your loosen'd tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your Savior come;
and leap, ye lame, for joy.

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Invocation

Unison: Our God and King, we extol you and bless your name, for you are great and greatly to be praised. We will meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty and on your wondrous works. We will declare your awesome deeds and tell of your abundant goodness. For you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We will speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power. For your kingdom is everlasting, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. We will look to you and call upon you. For you are near to those who call on you. You will hear our cry and save us. For this we praise you and will bless your holy name forever and ever. Amen.
(Psalm 145)

*Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism 37, 38

Minister: What do you confess when you say that Christ suffered?

People: During all the time he lived on earth, but especially at the end, Christ bore in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race. Thus, by his suffering, as the only atoning sacrifice, he has redeemed our body and soul from everlasting damnation, and obtained for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life.

Minister: Why did he suffer under Pontius Pilate as judge?

People: Though innocent, Christ was condemned by an earthly judge, and so he freed us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.

Unison: Thanks be to God!

*Gloria (Tune: “Lauda Anima”)

Glory be to God the Father, glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit: great Jehovah, Three in One!
Glory, blessing, praise, and honor while eternal ages run!

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 53:7-12
New Testament Reading: Acts 8:26-38

Hymn of Response: “Man of Sorrows” (TH No. 246)

1 Man of Sorrows! what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

2 Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

3 Guilty, vile, and helpless, we;
spotless Lamb of God was he;
full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

4 Lifted up was he to die,
"It is finished!" was his cry:
now in heav'n exalted high:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

5 When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Prayers of the People

Unison: Mighty God, in the beginning you made man in your image and declared him very good. But Adam fell, exchanging the light of your love for the darkness of sin and rebellion. And in Adam, each of us sinned, and we continue to sin. We confess that we love the darkness, for our deeds are evil. But we thank you that our sin and darkness cannot overwhelm the brightness of your grace and glory. We praise you, Light of the World, for you died for our sins and rose victorious from the tomb. We adore you, Father, for you delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of your beloved Son. We implore you, Holy Spirit, to draw our hearts from darkness to light. May we glory in our Redeemer. May we abhor the darkness of our sin. May we flee to the brightness of our Savior’s love, which welcomes us as sons and daughters and carries us as honored guests to the table of celebration. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Private Confession

Pastoral Prayer

Assurance of Pardon

Minister: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (I Peter 2:21-25)

Hymn of Thanksgiving: “Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!” (TH No. 176, Tune: “Ode to Joy”)

1 Hail, thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us:
thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, thou agonizing Savior,
bearer of our sin and shame!
By thy merits we find favor;
life is given through thy name.

2 Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
all our sins were on thee laid;
by almighty love anointed,
thou hast full atonement made.
All thy people are forgiven
through the virtue of thy blood;
opened is the gate of heaven,
peace is made 'twixt man and God.

3 Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory,
there forever to abide;
all the heav'nly hosts adore thee,
seated at thy Father's side.
There for sinners thou art pleading;
there thou dost our place prepare;
ever for us interceding
till in glory we appear.

4 Worship, honor, pow'r, and blessing
thou art worthy to receive:
loudest praises, without ceasing,
meet it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
bring your sweetest, noblest lays;
help to sing our Savior's merits,
help to chant Immanuel's praise!

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 27:11-26

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “The Second Trial” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

*Hymn of Preparation: “Behold the Lamb” (SH No. 315)

1 Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,
slain for us—and we remember
the promise made that all who come in faith
find forgiveness at the cross.
So we share in this bread of life,
and we drink of his sacrifice
as a sign of our bonds of peace
around the table of the King.

2 The body of our Savior Jesus Christ,
torn for you—eat and remember;
the wounds that heal, the death that brings us life
paid the price to make us one.
So we share in this bread of life,
and we drink of his sacrifice
as a sign of our bonds of love
around the table of the King.

3 The blood that cleanses ev'ry stain of sin,
shed for you—drink and remember
he drained death's cup that all may enter in
to receive the life of God.
So we share in this bread of life,
and we drink of his sacrifice
as a sign of our bonds of grace
around the table of the King.

4 And so with thankfulness and faith we rise
to respond and to remember
our call to follow in the steps of Christ
as his body here on earth.
As we share in his suffering,
we proclaim Christ will come again!
And we'll join in the feast of heav'n
around the table of the King.
CCLI 3036374

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.

*Departing Hymn: “What Grace Is Mine” (SH No.454)

1 What grace is mine that he who dwells in endless light
called through the night to find my distant soul;
and from his scars poured mercy that would plead for me,
that I might live, and in his name be known.

Chorus
So I will go wherever he is calling me;
I lose my life to find my life in him.
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies;
I bow my heart, take up my cross, and follow him.

2 What grace is mine to know his breath alive in me;
beneath his wings my wakened soul may soar.
All fear can flee, for death's dark night is overcome—
my Savior lives and reigns forevermore.
CCLI 3036374

*Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregation standing, if able.