241229 – Worship Bulletin

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever (Revelation 1:5b-6)

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Psalm 93

Minister: The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.

People: Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.

Minister: The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!

People: Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.

Unison: Come, let us sing and praise our King!

*Hymn of Adoration: “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” (No. 310)

1 Rejoice, the Lord is King:
your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing,
and triumph evermore.

Refrain:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

2 Jesus the Savior reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above. [Refrain]

3 His kingdom cannot fail,
he rules o'er earth and heav'n;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus giv'n. [Refrain]

4 He sits at God's right hand
till all his foes submit,
and bow to his command,
and fall beneath his feet. [Refrain]

5 Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord, the Judge, shall come,
and take his servants up
to their eternal home. [Refrain]

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

Unison: King of Glory, Divine Majesty: Every perfection adorns your nature and sustains your throne. The heavens and earth are yours and all that is in them. Your power created the universe from nothing; your wisdom has managed all its multiple concerns, presiding over nations, families, and individuals. Your goodness is boundless. All creatures wait on you, are supplied by you, are satisfied in you. Indeed, you have provided everything we need. When we were ignorant, you made us wise unto salvation. We are poor and needy, but you bless us with Christ’s unsearchable riches. We are weary, but you give us rest. We are helpless, but your strength is made perfect in our weakness. We are perplexed and tempted, but we cling to your promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Blessed be your name!

Adapted from “God All-Sufficient” in The Valley of Vision

Affirmation of Faith (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 28)

Minister: What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by his providence?

People: We can be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from his love; for all creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they cannot so much as move.

Unison: Thanks be to God!

*Gloria (Tune: “Regent Square”)

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, thanksgiving while eternal ages run!

New Testament Reading: Romans 8:12-39

*Hymn of Response: “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” (No. 184, Tune: “St. Columba”)

1 The King of love my Shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.

2 Where streams of living water flow
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.

3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.

4 In death's dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.

5 Thou spread'st a table in my sight;
thine unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth.

6 And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.

The Prayers of Intercession

Unison: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Minister: Father, we pray for your people throughout the world; for our denomination; for this church; and for all ministers and missionaries. We pray especially for the Mahands in England, the Lees with RUF, the Mugaris in Zimbabwe, and Mike Osborne with Standing Stone Ministries.

People: We pray for the leaders of our nation and all who hold authority, that they would govern according to your truth, and especially that they would resolve to protect the lives of the unborn and defenseless.

Minister: We pray for the world, especially that you would bring peace and justice and deliverance to nations and peoples oppressed by war, by disaster, by tyranny, and by evil. We pray for our brothers and sisters in these places as they offer the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ amid great danger and opposition.

Unison: Lord, hear our prayer.

Pastoral Prayer

Words of Encouragement

Minister: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20)

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

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” (No. 128)

1 God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
he plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.

2 Deep in unfathomable mines
of never-failing skill
he treasures up his bright designs,
and works his sovereign will.

3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
in blessings on your head.

4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
but trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence
he hides a smiling face.

5 His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding ev'ry hour;
the bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flow'r.

6 Blind unbelief is sure to err,
and scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.

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: Psalm 107

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “God Is at Work” (Rev. Jeff Lee)

*Hymn of Response: “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 with His light,
And wrote His law of righteousness
With power 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 every promise is enough
For every 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 every thought is love.
For every day I have on earth
Is given by the King.
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow Him.

CCLI 3036374

*Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregation standing, if able.