250323-Worship Bulletin

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son
to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. I John 4:10-11

Prelude: Youth Choir

“Sing Alleluia”

Sing Alleluia- this is the day the Lord has made!
Alleluia! This is the day the Lord has made:
I will rejoice and sing praise!
Alleluia! Lift your voice: bring to the Lord a joyful noise!

“Psalm 19”

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
be pleasing unto you, O God.
May the works of my hands and the path that I walk
be pleasing unto you O God!
For you are my redeemer- the rock of my salvation.
I long to bring you honor in all I say and do.

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Colossians 1:15-20

Minister: He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

People: For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Minister: And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

People: And he is the head of the body, the church.

Minister: He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Unison: For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

*Hymn of Adoration: “We Come, O Christ, to You” (No. 181)

1 We come, O Christ, to you,
true Son of God and man,
by whom all things consist,
in whom all life began:
in you alone we live and move,
and have our being in your love.

2 You are the Way to God,
your blood our ransom paid;
in you we face our Judge
and Maker unafraid.
Before the throne absolved we stand,
your love has met your law’s demand.

3 You are the living Truth!
All wisdom dwells in you,
the Source of every skill,
the one eternal TRUE!
O great I AM! In you we rest,
sure answer to our every quest.

4 You only are true Life,
to know you is to live
the more abundant life
that earth can never give:
O risen Lord! We live in you:
in us each day your life renew!

5 We worship you, Lord Christ,
our Savior and our King,
to you our youth and strength
adoringly we bring:
so fill our hearts, that all may view
your life in us, and turn to you!
(CCLI 3036374)

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

Unison: Gracious Father, we praise you for your beloved Son, the living and eternal Word. Through him you created the world, and in him all things hold together, for he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Through him you revealed yourself, for he is God made flesh and the radiance of your glory. Through him you have reconciled us to yourself, for we were your enemy, children of disobedience dwelling in the domain of darkness. But in Christ, we are redeemed, adopted, forgiven, and blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Through him you have given us a living hope, for you raised him from the dead. And one day we will join with all the saints and angels to proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Amen!

*Confession of Faith: Westminster Confession of Faith 26.1

Minister: What do you believe concerning the communion of the saints?

People: All saints—who are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit and by faith—have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory. And, being united to one another in love, they participate in each other's gifts and graces and are obligated to perform those public and private duties which lead to their mutual good, both inwardly and outwardly.

All: Thanks be to God!

*Gloria (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 through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory, great things he has done!

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 132

Hymn of Preparation: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” (Insert)

1 Beneath the cross of Jesus
I find a place to stand,
And wonder at such mercy
That calls me as I am.
For hands that should discard me
Hold wounds which tell me come.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
My unworthy soul is won.

2 Beneath the cross of Jesus,
His family is my own.
Once strangers chasing selfish dreams;
Now, one through grace alone.
How could I now dishonor
The ones that You have loved?
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
See the children called by God.

3 Beneath the cross of Jesus
The path before the crown,
We follow in His footsteps
Where promised hope is found.
How great the joy before us
To be His perfect bride.
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
We will gladly live our lives.
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The Prayers of the People

Unison: Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this day, protecting us from dangers and uncertainties, both known and unknown. Preserve us with your mighty power that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity. Drive from this place, O Lord, all snares of the enemy; and, in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose: in the name and by the power of Him who lay down in the grave and rose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Redeemer and Friend. Amen.
Minister: Father, we thank you for your works in Creation, for the beauty, splendor and majesty of the world in which we live.

People: We praise you for your works of Providence by which we are sustained, preserved, provided for and blessed.

Minister: We praise you specifically for the gifts of food, friendship, family and health.

People: We praise and thank you for your marvelous works in Redemption—that in the Lord, Jesus Christ, you have sought us, found us, saved us and brought us safely home to yourself.

Minister: For all your surpassing goodness to us, especially for the hope of your certain return, of eternal life and of the new heaven and the new earth, we worship and adore you.

Unison: Lord, hear our prayers of thanksgiving and praise.

Pastoral Prayer

Words of Assurance

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 3:20-21)

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

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “Christ, of All My Hopes the Ground” (No. 518)

1 Christ, of all my hopes the ground,
Christ, the spring of all my joy,
still in you may I be found,
still for you my pow'rs employ,
still for you my pow'rs employ.

2 Let your love my heart inflame;
keep your fear before my sight;
be your praise my highest aim;
be your smile my chief delight,
be your smile my chief delight.

3 Fountain of o'erflowing grace,
freely from your fullness give;
till I close my earthly race,
may I prove it "Christ to live,"
may I prove it "Christ to live."

4 Firmly trusting in your blood,
nothing shall my heart confound;
safely I shall pass the flood,
safely reach Immanuel's ground,
safely reach Immanuel's ground.

5 Thus, O thus, an entrance give
to the land of cloudless sky;
having known it "Christ to live,"
let me know it "gain to die,"
let me know it "gain to die."

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: Titus 3:8-13

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “Deacons: Ministers of Mercy” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

*Hymn of Response: “We Are God’s People” (No. 355)

1 We are God's people, the chosen of the Lord,
Born of His Spirit, established by His Word;
Our cornerstone is Christ alone,
And strong in Him we stand:
O let us live transparently
And walk heart to heart and hand in hand.

2 We are God’s loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord,
For we have known it, the love of God outpoured;
Now let us learn how to return
The gift of love once given:
O let us share each joy and care,
And live with a zeal that pleases Heaven.

3 We are the Body of which the Lord is Head,
Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead;
He wills us be a family,
Diverse yet truly one:
O let us give our gifts to God,
And so shall his work on earth be done.

4 We are a temple, the Spirit’s dwelling place,
Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God’s grace;
We die alone, for on its own
Each ember loses fire:
Yet joined in one the flame burns on
To give warmth and light, and to inspire.

CCLI 3036374

*Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregational standing, if able.