260517: Worship Bulletin

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Psalm 34:1-3, 8-10

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.

People: Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Minister: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

People: Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

Minister: The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Unison: Come, let us praise our God!

*Hymn of Adoration: “Give to Our God Immortal Praise” (TH No. 3)

1 Give to our God immortal praise;
mercy and truth are all his ways:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

2 Give to the Lord of lords renown;
the King of kings with glory crown:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when lords and kings are known no more.

3 He built the earth, he spread the sky,
and fixed the starry lights on high:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

4 He fills the sun with morning light;
he bids the moon direct the night:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when suns and moons shall shine no more.

5 He sent his Son with pow'r to save
from guilt and darkness and the grave:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

6 Through this vain world he guides our feet,
and leads us to his heav'nly seat:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when this vain world shall be no more.

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

Unison: Heavenly Father, we come to you this day to offer our thanksgiving for all your gifts of grace and mercy to us. We praise you especially that you offer us the prospect of being drawn into the communion of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, whom you gave over to death for us, and whom you give to us as food for eternal life. O Lord, you are the bread of heaven. Come to us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and feed us with yourself, as we hear your word and gather at your table. This we ask in the name of your Son, our Savior, who died and is now risen and seated at your right hand. Amen.

*Confession of Faith (Heidelberg Catechism 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 (Tune: “Azmon”)

To God all glory, praise, and love be now and ever given
By saints below and saints above, the Church in earth and heaven.

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 16:1-15
New Testament Reading: John 6:1-14

*Hymn of Response: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (TH No. 598)

1 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy pow'rful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.

2 Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through;
strong Deliv'rer, strong Deliv'rer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side;
songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.

Prayer of Confession

Unison: Most holy and merciful Father, we acknowledge and confess before you our sinful nature, prone to evil and slothful in good, and all our shortcomings and offenses. You alone know how often we have sinned in wandering from your ways, in wasting your gifts, in forgetting your love. But, O Lord, have mercy upon us, who are ashamed and sorry for all that has displeased you. Teach us to hate our errors; cleanse us from our secret faults; and forgive our sins—for the sake of your dear Son. And O most holy and loving Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, enable us to live in your light and walk in your ways, according to the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Words of Assurance

Minister: For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:6-9)

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

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” (SH No. 223)

How deep the Father's love for us,
how vast beyond all measure,
that he should give his only Son
to make a wretch his treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss—
the Father turns his face away
as wounds which mar the Chosen One
bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
my sin upon his shoulders;
ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there
until it was accomplished;
his dying breath has brought me life—
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
no gifts, no pow'r, no wisdom;
but I will boast in Jesus Christ,
his death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from his reward?
I cannot give an answer;
but this I know with all my heart—
his wounds have paid my ransom.

CCLI 3036374

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: John 6:22-40

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “The Bread of Life” (Rev. Mike Palmer)

*Hymn of Response: “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts” (TH No. 646)

1 Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts,
thou fount of life, thou light of men,
from the best bliss that earth imparts
we turn unfilled to thee again.

2 Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
thou savest those that on thee call;
to them that seek thee thou art good,
to them that find thee all in all.

3 We taste thee, O thou living bread,
and long to feast upon thee still;
we drink of thee, the fountain-head,
and thirst our souls from thee to fill.

4 Our restless spirits yearn for thee,
where'er our changeful lot is cast;
glad when thy gracious smile we see,
blest when our faith can hold thee fast.

5 O Jesus, ever with us stay,
make all our moments calm and bright;
chase the dark night of sin away,
shed o'er the world thy holy light.

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.

*Hymn of Response: “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” (TH No. 420)

1 At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who has washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him whose love divine
gives his sacred blood for wine,
gives his body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

2 Where the paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
paschal victim, paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

3 Mighty victim from the sky,
pow'rs of hell beneath thee lie;
death is conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
hymns of glory and of praise,
risen Lord, to thee we raise;
holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

*The Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregation standing, if able.