January 4, 2015
ORDER OF WORSHIP
1-4-15
Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Prelude
As the music plays, we invite you to quiet your heart for worship. Set your mind on things above where your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Greeting and Announcements
Meditation in Preparation for Worship
“Since the dawn of creation—when ‘the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy’—and throughout history, singing has characterized God’s people in worship. Mandated and exemplified in the Bible, singing is integral to corporate worship and is itself an act of worship. Psalms and hymns are a fundamental means by which believers respond to divine grace, communicate their praise, affirm their faith and proclaim spiritual truth.”—from the preface of the Trinity Hymnal
Call to Worship
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11: 33-36
Prayer of Invocation
Hymns for a Modern Ref. # 1 “Give Praise to God”
Call to Confession
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10
Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Pardon
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
*Hymn # 76 (from Psalm 103) “My Soul, the King of Heaven”
*Old and New Testament Reading
Ezekiel 2: 1 – 3: 15
Acts 1: 8-11
Pastor: This is the Sacred Word of God which is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Congregation: Thanks be to God!
Affirmation of Faith Westminster Confession of Faith 25: 2-3
The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.
Unto this catholic visible church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth, by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.
Pastoral Prayer
*Hymn Supplement # 1 “In Christ Alone”
Worship in Tithes and Offerings
*The Hymn of Response # 729 “All Things Are Thine”
All things are Thine; no gift have we, Lord of all gifts, to offer Thee;
And hence with grateful hearts today, Thine own before Thy feet we lay.
*Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Scripture Reference Luke 2: 8-20
“Bearing Witness for the Glory of the Lord” Pastor Joshua Owen
Prayer of Response
Service of Communion
*Hymn # 164 “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”
*Benediction
*Hymn # 730 “Benediction”
May the grace of Christ our Savior and the Father’s boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit’s favor, rest upon us from above.
Thus may we abide in union with each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion, joys which earth cannot afford.
A benevolence offering may be left at the end of either service
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