250921: Worship Bulletin

My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise. Proverbs 24:21

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Daniel 2:20-23a

Minister: Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.

People: He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Minister: he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

Unison: To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise.

*Hymn of Adoration: “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.

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

Unison: Lord God, we cannot escape from your presence and control, nor do we desire to do so. We rest in your omnipotence, righteousness, wisdom, patience, mercy, and grace. We worship you for your goodness, stand in awe of your power, abase ourselves before your purity. The truth of your goodness banishes our fears, allures us into your presence, and leads us to bewail and confess our sins. As we contemplate all that you are, may we walk with you, depend on you, commune with you, and follow you—not murmuring or complaining, but giving thanks in all things. Amen

*Affirmation of Faith: Westminster Confession of Faith, 4.1, 4.4a

Minister: What do you believe concerning civil authorities?

People: God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil authorities to be, under him, over the people for his own glory and the public good. For this purpose he has armed them with the power of the sword for the defense and encouragement of those who are good, and for the punishment of those who do evil.

It is the duty of people to pray for those in authority, to honor them, to pay them taxes or other revenue, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority for the sake of conscience.

*Gloria (Tune: “Ode to Joy”)

“Glory, blessing, praise eternal!" Thus the choir of angels sings.
"Honor, glory, power, dominion!" Thus its praise creation brings.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the almighty King of kings!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! To the King of glory sing!

Scripture Reading: Daniel 5:18-21 & Romans 13:1-7

Hymn of Response: “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]

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 Amjad and Sarah 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.

Silent Intercession

Pastoral Prayer

Words of Assurance

Minister: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry….The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. (Psalm 146:5-7, 10)

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “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.

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: Matthew 22:15-22

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “Death & Taxes” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

*Hymn of Response: “This Is My Father’s World” (No. 111)

1 This is my Father's world,
and to my list'ning ears,
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
he shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass,
he speaks to me everywhere.

3 This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
the battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
and earth and heav'n be one.

*The Benediction

Postlude