The Lord’s Day, February 25, 2024

10:30 AM Morning Service

 

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

 

Prelude

 

Welcome and Announcements

 

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

 

*Call to Worship: Psalm 103:1-5, 22

 

Minister:   Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

People:      Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Minister:   who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

People:      who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

Minister:   who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Unison:     Bless the Lord, O my soul!

 

*Hymn of Adoration: “Before the Throne” (SH No. 6)

 

1 Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea,

a great High Priest whose name is "Love,"

who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands;

my name is written on His heart;

I know that while in heav'n He stands,

no tongue can bid me thence depart;

no tongue can bid me thence depart.

 

2 When Satan tempts me to despair,

and tells me of the guilt within,

upward I look and see Him there

who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died,

my sinful soul is counted free;

for God the Just is satisfied

to look on Him and pardon me;

to look on Him and pardon me.
3 Behold Him there, the risen Lamb!

My perfect, spotless Righteousness;

the great unchangeable I AM,

the King of glory and of grace!

One with Himself I cannot die;

my soul is purchased with His blood;

my life is hid with Christ on high,

with Christ my Savior and my God;

with Christ my Savior and my God!

 

 

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

 

Lord of Heaven, your goodness is inexpressible and inconceivable. In the works of creation you are almighty, in the dispensations of providence all-wise, in the gospel of grace all love. And in your Son you have provided for our deliverance from the effects of sin, the justification of our persons, the sanctification of our natures,  the perseverance of our souls in the path of life. Though exposed to the terrors of your law, we have a refuge from the storm. Though compelled to cry, ‘Unclean’, we have a fountain for sin. Grant us always to know that to walk with Jesus makes other interests a shadow and a dream. In his name we come to you. Amen.

from “True Christianity”in The Valley of Vision

 

 

*Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism 56

Minister:   What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins?

 

People:      I believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life, but will graciously grant me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation.

 

Unison:     Thanks be to God!

 

*Gloria Patri (Tune: “To God Be the Glory”)

 

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

let the earth hear his voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father thro' Jesus the Son,

and give him the glory, great things he has done!

 

Psalter Reading: Psalm 86

Minister:   Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

People:      Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.

Minister:   You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

People:      Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.

Minister:   Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

People:      You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Minister:   Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.

People:      In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.

Minister:   Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

People:      All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

Minister:   For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

People:      you alone are God.

Minister:   Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;

People:      give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Minister:   I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

People:      For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Minister:   The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life—men without regard for you.

People:      But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Minister:   Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.

People:      Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

 

 

Hymn of Praise: “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.

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]

 

 

The Prayers of the People

 

Unison:     Lord God, eternal, sovereign, immutable, holy, just, and merciful, Maker of all things by your power, Ruler of all things in your wisdom: we adore you for the wonders of creation, for the goodness of all your ways, for the perfection of your thoughts, for your saving love revealed in Jesus Christ, and for your Spirit’s living presence within us. You are worthy of all praise, O Lord most mighty and merciful, from generation to generation, for ever and ever. Amen.

Minister:   Almighty God, we are unworthy of your love that you have shown to us in countless ways, and so our hearts overflow with unending thankfulness for your goodness to us.

People:      We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for your immeasurable love to us in our redemption through Jesus Christ.

Minister:   We thank you for the means of grace and for the hope of glory, and we ask that you make us ever aware of your kind mercies to us.

People:      Help us to show forth your praise not only with our lips, but in our lives by giving up ourselves to your service and by walking in holiness all our days.

Minister:   We belong wholly to you, bought with the precious blood of Christ, and we are dependent upon and trust you completely for our justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Unison:     Hear our prayers, O Lord, and make our hearts glad that we are your children.

 

The Pastoral Prayer

 

Assurance of Pardon

He has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Eph 1:6-10)

 

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “My Heart Is Filled” (SH No. 17)

 

1 My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow’r upon my heart.

2 My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev’ry promise is enough
For ev’ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.

3 My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev’ry thought is love.
For ev’ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worship of God through Tithes and Offerings

 

*Doxology (Tune: Lasst Uns Erfreuen)

 

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship Him in humbleness,

O praise Him, alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One;

O praise Him, O praise Him,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

 

*Reading of The Holy Scriptures: Matthew 9:1-8

Minister:   This is the Word of God.

 

Unison:     Thanks be to God for his Word!

 

*The Prayer for Illumination

 

Sermon: “The Power to Forgive Sin” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

 

*Hymn of Response: “And Can It Be” (No. 455)

 

1 And can it be that I should gain
an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Refrain:
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2 'Tis myst'ry all! Th'Immortal dies:
who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds inquire no more. [Refrain]

 

 

3 He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
humbled himself (so great his love!)
and bled for all his chosen race!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for, O my God, it found out me! [Refrain]

4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth, and followed thee. [Refrain]

5 No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th'eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ, my own. [Refrain]

 

*The Benediction

 

Postlude

*Denotes congregational standing, if able.

If you would like someone to pray with you,
an Elder will be available at the front of the sanctuary following the service.

 

Announcements

 

• Thank you from Seth and Leslie

We are incredibly grateful to our church family for the overwhelming outpouring of love and care in the recent months since Leslie’s diagnosis and ongoing treatment, and Seth’s surgeries. The notes, calls, meals, gifts, rides, and countless ways you all have shown us the love of Christ have been a deep encouragement to us. Thank you for shoring us up through prayer and kindness.  — Love, Seth & Leslie

• Sunday School

Sunday School for all ages is 9:00 AM and will run through March 17.

 

• Fellowship Luncheon

This particular luncheon was so well received last fall, it's back by popular request—another Tailgate Party. The congregation is asked to bring an appetizer or dessert, enough to serve eight, and the Fellowship Committee will provide the beverages. A signup sheet is located in the narthex or you may sign up online at ctkvb.org.  Come and join in the fun and fellowship—bring your friends and neighbors.  We look forward to a good turnout.  FYI— there will not be a chocolate fountain!

• Town Hall Meeting

We will hold a Town Hall meeting this evening at 6:00 PM. Come hear the annual “State of the Church” update.

 

• Deacon Nominations

We will be seeking deacon nominations, starting March 3. Please be prayerfully considering who you might nominate to serve in this vital role.

• Updating the CTK Directory

Today is the last day to submit updates for the CTK Directory. If you are not in our current directory and would like to be added, or if there have been changes to your contact information in the last year, please see Susan Parsons or send her your information at susan@ctkvb.org.  Thank you!

• Women’s Bible Study

All women of the church are invited to come to Bible Study, which meets here at 10:00 AM every Thursday through March 28. We are studying Better by Jen Wilkin. Study books may be found on the book table for $15 each. You may deposit cash or a check in the book box and sign your name to the signup sheet, also found on the book table.

 

• Men’s Fellowship Time

Men’s Fellowship Time is every Wednesday at 7:00 AM at Nettie’s Roadside Restaurant, 2555 27th Ave Suite G-6 in Vero Beach.