Preparing Hearts and Minds for Worship
“Here I Am, Lord” arr. Keith Christopher
The Praise of God’s People
Call to Worship
Psalm 100
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God!
People: It is He Who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Leader: Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!
People: For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.
Hymns of Praise
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God””
Verse 1
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing,
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and pow’r are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Verse 2
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He,
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
Verse 3
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.
Verse 4
That Word above all earthly pow’rs,
No thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him Who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.
“How Firm a Foundation”
Verse 1
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Verse 2
Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid.
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My righteous omnipotent hand.
Verse 3
When through the deep waters I call you to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.
Verse 4
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
Verse 5
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.
Affirmation of Faith
Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A 33, 86
Pastor: What is justification?
People: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Pastor: What is faith in Jesus Christ?
People: Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the gospel.
Confession of Sin
From the Prayers of Martin Luther
Lord, I am an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust You altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in You. In You I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; You are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; You are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in You is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with You, of Whom I can receive, but to Whom I may not give. Amen
Hymn of Assurance
“All I Have Is Christ”
Verse 1
I once was lost in darkest night,
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will,
And if You had not loved me first,
I would refuse You still.
Verse 2
But as I ran my hell-bound race,
Indifferent to the cost,
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross,
And I beheld God’s love displayed.
You suffered in my place;
You bore the wrath reserved for me.
Now all I know is grace.
Chorus
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
Verse 3
Now Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
O Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose,
And let my song forever be
“My only boast is You.”
Prayer for Christ’s People
The Word for God’s People
Sermon
“Jesus’ New Community”
Luke 6:20-29,35
Dr. Tim Kirk
Hymn of Response
“The Church’s One Foundation”
The Sending of God’s People
Benediction
Numbers 6:24-26
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
People: Thanks be to God! Amen.
The flowers today are given to the glory of God by an anonymous donor.
Flowers from today’s arrangement will be delivered by volunteers
to our homebound and hospitalized on MONDAY, October 26th.