250928: Worship Bulletin

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. Isaiah 25:8

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Job 19:25-26, Psalm 16:9-11

Minister: I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.

People: Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

Minister: You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Unison: Come, let us praise our God!

*Hymn of Adoration: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives—Glory, Hallelujah!” (No. 281)

1 I know that my Redeemer lives–
glory, hallelujah!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives–
glory, hallelujah!

Refrain:
Shout on, pray on, we're gaining ground–
glory, hallelujah!
The dead's alive and the lost is found–
glory, hallelujah!

2 He lives, he lives, who once was dead–
glory, hallelujah!
He lives, my everlasting Head–
glory, hallelujah! [Refrain]

3 He lives, to bless me with his love–
glory, hallelujah!
He lives to plead for me above–
glory, hallelujah! [Refrain]

4 He lives, all glory to his name!-
glory, hallelujah!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same-
glory, hallelujah! [Refrain]

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

Unison: God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, we praise you! For we were dead in our sins, without hope, but you have made us alive together with Christ. Open our eyes, Father, to the hope you to which you have called us; to the imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance you have reserved for us; to the immeasurable riches of grace, expressed in kindness in Christ Jesus, that you will show us for all eternity. Open our eyes, Father, to the greatness of your power for us who believe—the power you worked in Christ when you raised him from the dead and seated him at your right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. In his mighty name we approach you. Amen.

*Affirmation of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism 45

Minister: How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?

People: First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he could make us share in the righteousness which he had obtained for us by his death. Second, by his power we too are raised up to a new life. Third, Christ's resurrection is to us a sure pledge of our glorious resurrection.

Unison: Thanks be to God!

Hallelujah (Tune: “Hyfrydol”)

Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, O my soul, Jehovah praise;
He is blessed whose hope of blessing on the Lord his God is stayed;
Over all God reigns forever, through all ages He is King;
Unto Him, your God, O Zion, joyful hallelujahs sing.

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 3:1-15

*Hymn of Response: “The God of Abram Praise” (No. 34)

1 The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above,
Ancient of everlasting days and God of love.
Jehovah! Great I AM! by earth and heav'n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name, forever blest.

2 The God of Abraham praise, at whose supreme command
from earth I rise, and seek the joys at his right hand.
I all on earth forsake, its wisdom, fame, and pow'r,
and him my only portion make, my shield and tow'r.

3 He by himself hath sworn, I on his oath depend;
I shall, on eagles' wings upborne, to heav'n ascend,
I shall behold his face, I shall his pow'r adore,
and sing the wonders of his grace forevermore.

4 The goodly land I see, with peace and plenty blest,
a land of sacred liberty and endless rest.
There milk and honey flow, and oil and wine abound,
and trees of life forever grow, with mercy crowned.

5 There dwells the Lord our King, the Lord our Righteousness,
triumphant o'er the world and sin, the Prince of Peace.
On Zion's sacred height his kingdom he maintains,
and glorious with his saints in light forever reigns.

6 The whole triumphant host gives thanks to God on high;
"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!" they ever cry.
Hail Abraham's God and mine! I join the heav'nly lays;
all might and majesty are thine, and endless praise.

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.

Silent Prayers of Thanksgiving

Pastoral Prayer

Words of Encouragement

Minister: The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:56-58)

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

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness” (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)

Worship of God through Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology (Tune: “Lasst Uns Erfreuen”)

Let all things their Creator bless;
And worship Him in humbleness; Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise, Praise the Father, praise the Son;
And praise the Spirit, three in one;
O Praise Him! O Praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

*Reading of The Holy Scriptures: Matthew 22:23-33

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “The God of the Living” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

*Hymn of Response: “Stand Up and Bless the Lord” (No. 15, Tune: “Festal Song”)

1 Stand up and bless the Lord,
you people of his choice;
stand up and bless the Lord your God
with heart and soul and voice.

2 Though high above all praise,
above all blessing high,
who would not fear God's holy name,
and laud and magnify?

3 O for the living flame
from his own altar brought,
to touch our lips, our minds inspire,
and wing to heav'n our thought!

4 God is our strength and song,
and his salvation ours;
then be his love in Christ proclaimed
with all our ransomed pow'rs.

5 Stand up and bless the Lord,
the Lord your God adore;
stand up and bless his glorious name
henceforth forevermore.
(CCLI 3036374)

*The Benediction

Postlude