250209 – Worship Bulletin
And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
The Voluntary for Silent Prayer
*Call to Worship: Hebrew 1:1-3
Minister: Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
People: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Minister: After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
*Hymn of Adoration: “Fairest Lord Jesus” (No. 170)
1 Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,
thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
who makes the woeful heart to sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,
and all the twinkling, starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heav'n can boast.
4 Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and for evermore be thine.
*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Invocation
Unison: O Most High, Creator of the ends of the earth, Governor of the universe, Judge of all men, Head of the church, Savior of sinners: your greatness is unsearchable, your goodness infinite, your compassions unfailing, your providence boundless, your mercies ever new. We thank you for your unspeakable gift. Your Son is our only refuge, foundation, hope, and confidence. We depend upon his death, rest in his righteousness, and desire to bear his image. May his glory fill our minds and his love reign in our affections. In his name we come to you. Amen.
From The Valley of Vision
*Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 75
Minister: How does the Lord's supper signify and seal to you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all his gifts?
People: In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup in remembrance of him. With this command he gave these promises: First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely was his body offered for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord as sure signs of Christ's body and blood, so surely does he himself nourish and refresh my soul to everlasting life with his crucified body and shed blood.
Unison: Thanks be to God!
*Gloria Patri (Tune: “Lauda Anima”)
Glory be to God the Father,
glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit,
God Almighty, Three in One!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Glory be to him alone.
Responsive Reading: Psalm 2
Minister: Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
People: The kings of the earth take their stand and the rules gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.
Minister: “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”
People: The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
Minister: Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
People: I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
Minister: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth you possession.
People: “You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
Minister: Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
People: Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Minister: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
People: Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
*Hymn of Confession: “Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim” (No. 165)
1 Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name, all victorious, of Jesus extol;
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
2 God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
and still he is nigh– his presence we have.
The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.
3 Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.
4 Then let us adore, and give him his right,
all glory and pow'r, and wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing for infinite love.
Public Confession
Unison: Gracious and loving Father, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future filled with hope, in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, our light and our life. Amen.
Private Confession
Pastoral Prayer
Promise of the Gospel
Minister: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Corinthians 5:21)
People: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” (No. 520)
1 Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
my beauty are, my glorious dress;
'midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
with joy shall I lift up my head.
2 Bold shall I stand in thy great day;
for who aught to my charge shall lay?
fully absolved through these I am
from sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
3 When from the dust of death I rise
to claim my mansion in the skies,
ev'n then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.
4 Jesus, be endless praise to thee,
whose boundless mercy hath for me -
for me a full atonement made,
an everlasting ransom paid.
5 O let the dead now hear thy voice;
now bid thy banished ones rejoice;
their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesus, thy blood and righteousness.
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 17:1-13
Minister: This is the Word of God.
Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!
*The Prayer for Illumination
Sermon: “The Transfiguration” (Rev. Seth Wallace)
*Hymn of Response and Preparation: “Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!” (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!
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: “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” (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]
*Benediction
Postlude
*Denotes congregation standing, if able.
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
The Voluntary for Silent Prayer
*Call to Worship: Hebrew 1:1-3
Minister: Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
People: He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Minister: After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
*Hymn of Adoration: “Fairest Lord Jesus” (No. 170)
1 Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,
thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
who makes the woeful heart to sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,
and all the twinkling, starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heav'n can boast.
4 Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and for evermore be thine.
*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Invocation
Unison: O Most High, Creator of the ends of the earth, Governor of the universe, Judge of all men, Head of the church, Savior of sinners: your greatness is unsearchable, your goodness infinite, your compassions unfailing, your providence boundless, your mercies ever new. We thank you for your unspeakable gift. Your Son is our only refuge, foundation, hope, and confidence. We depend upon his death, rest in his righteousness, and desire to bear his image. May his glory fill our minds and his love reign in our affections. In his name we come to you. Amen.
From The Valley of Vision
*Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 75
Minister: How does the Lord's supper signify and seal to you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all his gifts?
People: In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup in remembrance of him. With this command he gave these promises: First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely was his body offered for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord as sure signs of Christ's body and blood, so surely does he himself nourish and refresh my soul to everlasting life with his crucified body and shed blood.
Unison: Thanks be to God!
*Gloria Patri (Tune: “Lauda Anima”)
Glory be to God the Father,
glory be to God the Son,
Glory be to God the Spirit,
God Almighty, Three in One!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Glory be to him alone.
Responsive Reading: Psalm 2
Minister: Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
People: The kings of the earth take their stand and the rules gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.
Minister: “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”
People: The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
Minister: Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
People: I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
Minister: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth you possession.
People: “You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
Minister: Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
People: Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Minister: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
People: Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
*Hymn of Confession: “Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim” (No. 165)
1 Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name, all victorious, of Jesus extol;
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
2 God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
and still he is nigh– his presence we have.
The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.
3 Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.
4 Then let us adore, and give him his right,
all glory and pow'r, and wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing for infinite love.
Public Confession
Unison: Gracious and loving Father, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future filled with hope, in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, our light and our life. Amen.
Private Confession
Pastoral Prayer
Promise of the Gospel
Minister: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Corinthians 5:21)
People: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” (No. 520)
1 Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
my beauty are, my glorious dress;
'midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
with joy shall I lift up my head.
2 Bold shall I stand in thy great day;
for who aught to my charge shall lay?
fully absolved through these I am
from sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
3 When from the dust of death I rise
to claim my mansion in the skies,
ev'n then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.
4 Jesus, be endless praise to thee,
whose boundless mercy hath for me -
for me a full atonement made,
an everlasting ransom paid.
5 O let the dead now hear thy voice;
now bid thy banished ones rejoice;
their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesus, thy blood and righteousness.
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 17:1-13
Minister: This is the Word of God.
Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!
*The Prayer for Illumination
Sermon: “The Transfiguration” (Rev. Seth Wallace)
*Hymn of Response and Preparation: “Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!” (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!
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: “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” (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]
*Benediction
Postlude
*Denotes congregation standing, if able.
February 8, 2025
