250112 – Worship Bulletin

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Romans 11:33-36

Minister: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

People: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

Minister: For from him and through him and to him are all things.

People: To him be glory forever. Amen.

*Hymn of Adoration: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” (No. 38, verse 3 a cappella)

1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2 Unresting, unhasting and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render; O help us to see
'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Invocation

Unison: Immortal God, you are the all-wise King who created and sustains all things by your wisdom. You have revealed your glory and majestic power in the world all around us. Your holiness and power are made evident in your providential care for everything you have made, including us. Yet we confess that we have not honored you and given you the thanks and praise you deserve. Draw us daily to the cross, the most powerful demonstration of your wisdom. Show us the perfect life Christ lived for us, and may we ever rejoice that his faithful obedience and holy wisdom are reckoned to us as our righteousness before you. In his name we pray. Amen.

Adapted from Prone to Wander: Prayer of Confession and Celebration

*Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed

Unison: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*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.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 49:5-13

*Hymn of Response: “O God, to Us Show Mercy” (No. 437)

1 O God, to us show mercy and bless us in your grace;
cause now to shine upon us the brightness of your face;
that so your way most holy on earth may soon be known,
and unto ev'ry people your saving grace be shown.

2 O God, let all men praise you, let all the nations sing;
in ev'ry land let praises and songs of gladness ring;
for you shall judge the people in truth and righteousness,
and through the earth the nations shall your just rule confess.

3 O God, let people praise you, let all the nations sing,
for earth in rich abundance to us her fruit shall bring.
The Lord our God shall bless us, our God shall blessing send,
and all the earth shall fear him to its remotest end.

Public Confession

Unison: Merciful Father, we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. All these sins we mourn, lament, and for them cry pardon. Work in us more profound and abiding repentance; give us the fullness of a godly grief that trembles and fears, yet ever trusts and loves, which is ever powerful, and ever confident. Grant that through the tears of repentance we may see more clearly the brightness and glories of the saving cross. Amen.

Private Confession

Pastoral Prayer

Assurance of Pardon

Minister: And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:30-31)

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched” (No. 472)

1 Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,
weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
full of pity joined with pow'r:
he is able,
he is able,
he is able,
he is willing; doubt no more;
he is willing; doubt no more.

2 Come, ye needy, come and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
true belief and true repentance,
ev'ry grace that brings you nigh,
without money,
without money,
without money,
come to Jesus Christ and buy;
come to Jesus Christ and buy.

3 Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
bruised and broken by the fall;
if you tarry till you're better,
you will never come at all:
not the righteous,
not the righteous,
not the righteous–
sinners Jesus came to call;
sinners Jesus came to call.

4 Let not conscience make you linger,
nor of fitness fondly dream;
all the fitness he requireth
is to feel your need of him;
this he gives you,
this he gives you,
this he gives you;
'tis the Spirit's rising beam;
'tis the Spirit's rising beam.

5 Lo! th'incarnate God, ascended,
pleads the merit of his blood;
venture on him, venture wholly,
let no other trust intrude:
none but Jesus,
none but Jesus,
none but Jesus
can do helpless sinners good,
can do helpless sinners good.

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: Ephesians 3:1-13

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “The Mystery Revealed” (Rev. Kevin Gardner)

Hymn of Response and Preparation: “When I Survey” (No. 252)

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ my God:
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down:
did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

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: “There Is a Fountain” (No.253)

1 There is a fountain filled with blood,
drawn from Immanuel's veins;
and sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
lose all their guilty stains:
lose all their guilty stains,
lose all their guilty stains;
and sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
lose all their guilty stains.

2 The dying thief rejoiced to see
that fountain in his day;
and there have I, as vile as he,
washed all my sins away:
washed all my sins away,
washed all my sins away;
and there have I, as vile as he,
washed all my sins away.

3 E'er since by faith I saw the stream
your flowing wounds supply,
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die:
and shall be till I die,
and shall be till I die;
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die.

4 Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I'll sing your pow'r to save,
when this poor lisping, stamm'ring tongue
lies silent in the grave:
lies silent in the grave,
lies silent in the grave;
when this poor lisping, stamm'ring tongue
lies silent in the grave.

5 Dear dying Lamb, your precious blood
shall never lose its pow'r,
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved, to sin no more:
be saved, to sin no more,
be saved, to sin no more;
till all the ransomed church of God
be saved to sin no more.

*Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregation standing, if able.

The deacons invite you to support them in their work of meeting the needs of members of our congregation and the wider community who are experiencing hardship. You may leave your gift following worship in the Mercy Box at the rear of the sanctuary. As you do this, the deacons want you to know that they are helping members and friends of Christ the King. For reasons of confidentiality, we do not publicize our efforts. But please know that your gifts are helping people! Many, many thanks!