260322: 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

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

We worship you almighty God:
in you alone is our delight.
We worship you, oh holy God,
and lift our voices to sing your praise.
Alleluia!

*Call to Worship: Isaiah 61:10

Minister: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;

People: my soul shall exult in my God,

Minister: for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

People: he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

Unison: Come, let us praise our God!

*Hymn of Adoration: “His Robes for Mine” (SH No. 259)

1 His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

Chorus:
I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own.
My praise—my all—shall be for Christ alone.

2 His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?
God’s daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord’s vicarious death and life.

3 His robes for mine: God’s justice is appeased.
Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father’s pleased.
Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried, “’Tis done!”
Sin’s wage is paid; propitiation won.

4 His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.
Christ, God’s beloved, condemned as though His foe.
He, as though I, accursed and left alone;
I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

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*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 justified, 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: Heidelberg Catechism 60

Minister: How are you righteous before God?

People: Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Although my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all God's commandments, have never kept any of them, and am still inclined to all evil, yet God, without any merit of my own, out of mere grace, imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ. He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me, if only I accept this gift with a believing heart.

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 116:1-19
New Testament Reading: Romans 12:1-2

Hymn of Response: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (TH 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 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: I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalm 34:1-8)

People: 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. 663)

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.

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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: Psalm 104:1-9

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “Our Father’s World: Beauty, Wisdom, and Power” (Rev. Michael Glodo)

*Hymn of Response: “This Is My Father’s World” (TH 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.

*Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregational standing, if able.