The Lord’s Day, March 17, 2024

10:30 AM Morning Service

 

You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed, even when I spoke: “I am greatly afflicted.”

Psalm 116:7b-10a

 

Prelude

 

Welcome and Announcements

 

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

 

*Call to Worship: Psalm 30:1-3, 11-12

Minister:   I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

People:      O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

Minister:   O LORD, you have brought my soul up from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

People:      You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

Minister:   that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

Unison:     O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

 

*Hymn of Adoration: “Give to Our God Immortal Praise” (No. 3)

 

1 Give to our God immortal praise;
mercy and truth are all his ways:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

2 Give to the Lord of lords renown;
the King of kings with glory crown:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when lords and kings are known no more.

3 He built the earth, he spread the sky,
and fixed the starry lights on high:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

4 He fills the sun with morning light;
he bids the moon direct the night:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when suns and moons shall shine no more.

5 He sent his Son with pow'r to save
from guilt and darkness and the grave:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

6 Through this vain world he guides our feet,
and leads us to his heav'nly seat:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when this vain world shall be no more.

 

 

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

Eternal God, our Heavenly Father: Our faith is in you, for you alone are God. You are all good, all powerful, all knowing, all wise. You are sovereign over all; nothing is outside your control. You are eternal and unchanging, faithful in all your ways. You are steadfast in your love, and your love is beyond our comprehension. You are the object of our faith, and you are its author. We praise you for the gift of your grace that enlivens our sinful hearts and enables us to believe you, to trust your promises, to obey your Word. Our faith is often small and weak and wavering, but you are infinitely great and powerful and unchanging. We thank you and praise you. And in the name of Jesus we come to you. Amen.

 

 

*Confession of Faith: Westminster Confession of Faith, 14.2I

Minister:   What do you believe regarding faith?

 

People:      By faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, because of the authority of God himself speaking in it. He also responds differently to what each particular passage contains—obeying the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

Unison:     Thanks be to God!

 

*Gloria Patri (Tune: Gloria Patri, Greatorex)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen, Amen.

 

Psalter Reading: Psalm 40

Minister:   I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

People:      He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

Minister:   He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

People:     Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

Minister:   Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

People:      Many, O Lord, my God are the wonders you have done.

Minister:   The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;

People:     were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

Minister:   Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced;

People:      burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Minister:   Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll

People:     I desire to do you will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Minister:   I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord.

People:      I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.

Minister:   I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

 

Hymn of Praise: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” (No. 528)

 

1 My faith looks up to thee,
thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine;
now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day
be wholly thine.

2 May thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as thou hast died for me,
O may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire.

3 While life's dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread,
be thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow's tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from thee aside.

4 When ends life's transient dream,
when death's cold, sullen stream
shall o'er me roll,
blest Savior, then, in love,
fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul.

 

 

The Prayers of the People

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame. Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! For your name's sake, pardon my guilt, for it is great.  Turn to me and be gracious to me when I am lonely and afflicted. When the troubles of my heart are enlarged, bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. You are good and upright, O Lord; teach me your ways, and lead me in your paths of steadfast love and faithfulness. 

From Psalm 25

Silent Prayer

 

Pastoral Prayer

 

Words of Assurance

Minister:   This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30)

 

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

 

Hymn of Response: “We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer, Creator” (No. 97)

1 We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator,
in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you, we kneel and adore you;
we bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.

2 We worship you, God of our fathers, we bless you;
through life's storm and tempest our Guide you have been.
When perils o'ertake us, escape you will make us,
and with your help, O Lord, our battles we win.

3 With voices united our praises we offer,
to you, great Jehovah, glad anthems we raise.
Your strong arm will guide us, our God is beside us,
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise.

 

Worship of God through Tithes and Offerings

 

*Doxology (Tune: Lasst Uns Erfreuen)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;

O Praise Him! O Praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

 

*Reading of the Holy Scriptures: Matthew 9:18-26

Minister:   This is the Word of God.

 

Unison:     Thanks be to God for his Word!

 

*The Prayer for Illumination

 

Sermon: “Your Faith Has Made You Well” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

 

*Hymn of Response: “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” (No. 76)

 

1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
to his feet your tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who, like me, his praise should sing?
Praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
praise the everlasting King.

2 Praise him for his grace and favor
to our fathers in distress;
praise him, still the same forever,
slow to chide and swift to bless;
praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
glorious in his faithfulness.

3 Father-like, he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes;
praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
widely as his mercy goes.
4 Frail as summer's flow'r we flourish,
blows the wind and it is gone;
but while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on.
Praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
praise the High Eternal One.

5 Angels, help us to adore him;
you behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space,
praise him, praise him,
praise him, praise him,
praise with us the God of grace.

 

 

*The Benediction

 

Postlude

 

*Denotes congregation 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

 

• Holy Week Services

Maundy Thursday Service: 6:00 PM
Good Friday Service: 12:00 P M

• Deacon Nominations

We are accepting deacon nominations. Handouts with instructions are available in the narthex. Please prayerfully consider whom you might nominate to serve in this vital role.

• Directories

Updated directory inserts are now available in the narthex. This replaces the May 2023 insert from last year. We hope to update the pictorial section next year. Any questions, please see Susan Parsons

 

• Easter Lilies

We will be decorating the sanctuary with lilies for Easter. If you would like to purchase one or more lilies in honor or memory of someone, please fill out the form (see the insert), include your payment and drop it in the offering plate or give it to Susan Parsons.

 

• Women’s Bible Study & Luncheon

Bible study will continue every Thursday at 10:00 AM until March 28.  On the last day we will have a salad luncheon, and all women of the church are invited, not just those who attend Bible study.  In addition, all women are welcome to join in the last two lessons on Hebrews. Study books, Better by Jen Wilkin, may be purchased online. If you have questions, please see Bev Bell or Carolyn Beckett.

 

• Book Group

You are invited to participate in a book group meeting, which will take place at the church on April 4 and 11, beginning at 10:30 AM. We will read and discuss Joni: An Unforgettable Story. Seth referred to Joni in one of his recent sermons, and the leaders of Bible Study, thought it would be inspiring to learn more about Joni’s journey. Books may be purchased online for around $14. At each session, we will also have a time for praise, prayer, and petition. Bring a friend!

 

• Women’s Spring Luncheon

All women of the church are invited to attend our annual Spring Luncheon at the church on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 11:00 AM. Come and enjoy the food and the sistership, and learn from our three speakers: Melissa Backus, Susan Kershaw, and Audrey Seim. There is no cost for the luncheon, but donations are accepted. Please help us plan by signing up on the sheet in the foyer or online at www.ctkvb.org. Feel free to bring your friends and neighbors and include them on the sign up.

• 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.