Michael's Musings

Redeemed to Redeem

2011-08-07T15:32:00.004-05:00

The unfolding drama, that is the life of Moses, continues into Exodus 2-4 with the call of Moses. Moses grew into a man in Pharaoh’s house. Then one day, Moses, after witnessing the murder of a Hebrew man out in the field, took it upon himself to murder the murderer thus becoming a murderer himself. He thought no one saw him but the next day Pharaoh found out and Moses fled into the desert so he would not be killed. While in the desert, he took a wife and became a sheepherder for the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro. For many years (till he was 80yrs old) Moses wandered through the desert without any inclination that his life would have any other meaning or purpose.

When Moses was nearly eighty years old he was watching over his flock and he saw a mysterious bush burning but not being consumed. He went closer to take a look. As he drew nearer, God himself called to Moses out of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” Moses was stricken with fear and took off his shoes and bowed himself before the Lord.

God called Moses for a special mission but Moses himself felt inadequate for the job. The end of Exodus 3 and the beginning of 4 record for us an almost humorous exchange of words between God and Moses. God condescends to Moses insecurities and assures him that He will be with him and give him success. He even turns Moses rod into a snake and back again as well as his hand to leprosy and back as much to convince Moses than anyone else. Though reluctant, Moses accepted the mission along with His brother Aaron.

The story of the call of Moses is a wonderful illustration of God’s sovereign grace. Here was a man with God’s grace on him form the beginning: rescued from death in the Nile River by Pharaoh’s daughter; raised in Pharaoh’s house as a son; one who felt a great burden for his kinsmen who labored under the oppressive hand of the Egyptians; who stood in the presence of God and was not consumed; then a murder who was toiling away his years as a sheepherder. But now, a man called by God in his old age for a very special mission. A mission to set the captives free.

Like Moses, God has called all Christians for a special mission. A mission that has been the theme of redemptive history from the early chapters of Genesis, to redeem a people back to himself for his glory. There is no clearer command than Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This is our mission and God’s promise. We must go and make disciples. Like Moses, we may feel that we are inadequate for the mission but, like Moses, we have the promise that God will be with us.

Last week we looked at Romans 8:28 and here is the rest of thought that completes the picture for us: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The thing that Moses and we fail to understand is that it’s not about us. It’s about God. It’s about his will being done for His glory, not ours. We have no reason to feel inadequate or fearful because God is for us and He is empowering us for mission to spread the good news about what Jesus did. The Lord has equipped each one (whether mute, deaf, seeing, blind, etc.) to fulfill His calling. If we suffer for the sake of the Gospel then so be it. “Count it all Joy!” In so doing, we suffer alongside of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If God can use Moses’ “stick” than He can surely use us! Go, on mission!

Lord's Supper Liturgy

2011-08-02T22:31:00.001-05:00

Lord’s Supper Service

The Lord’s Supper is a special event in the life of a church. It’s all about remembering what God graciously did in punishing His Son to forgive our sins. It’s about God’s grace in applying that saving work to us through the gift of faith in Christ alone. It’s about the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternity with him where sickness, sorrow, toil, pain, and death shall be no more and we shall see him face to face. It’s all about what God has done for us, what he is doing for us, and what he is going to do for us in Christ.

Words of Institution

In I Corinthians 11:23-29, we have the words of institution of the Lord’s Supper delivered to us by the apostle Paul. Here the word of the Lord,

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “this is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

In light of Paul’s warning, the Lord’s Supper is also a time of self-examination. In order for us to partake of the supper rightly, each of us must examine ourselves. You need to ask yourselves some serious questions. Do you realize how serious your sin is to Holy God? Are you resting fully in what Christ has done to forgive you for your sins (His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection)? Are you persevering in faith and repentance?

If you have not trusted Him as Savior, there is good news: Jesus says,

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

And John 3:16 says, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

If you are trusting in Christ as your Savior and sin has hindered your fellowship with God and your brother there is good news for you as well, I John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Invitation

If you have trusted Christ as your Savior and you have properly examined yourself and confessed your sins then you may joyfully partake of the Lord’s Supper this morning. But, I urge you, by the Words of the Apostle Paul, if these things are not true of you then do not partake of the Lord’s Supper lest you eat and drink judgment upon yourself.

So, at this time, I’d like us to pause for a moment of silent reflection and self-examination. I encourage you to use this time to confess sin, to praise God for his gracious plan of redemption, to remember the broken body and the shed blood of Jesus, to thank him for all the benefits of his saving work and the privilege of communing with Him at His table. Will you bow with me?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we admit to you this morning that we are utterly sinful and unworthy of your favor. We want to thank you for your grace and your mercy and love for us in that while we were yet sinners you sent your only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to save us from our sinful condition. It was your plan before the foundation of the world. Thank you Jesus for living a perfect life, for dying on the cross and shedding your blood for our sins, for defeating death and sin and satisfying the Father’s wrath that was aimed at us. Father, thank you for the assurance of knowing that all those who trust Jesus Christ will one day spend eternity with you because on the third day Jesus rose again and ascended to your mighty right hand where he is today as our great high priest making intercession for us. Lord, enable us day by day to live by faith in your Son, to walk by your Spirit, and serve in the strength that you supply. And, as we come to your table this morning may we remember why Jesus died – to cleanse and to heal; to satisfy your righteousness and justice. May we remember His eternal love and boundless grace. May we receive the assurance of forgiveness, eternal life, and the hope of glory. As the bread and cup nourish our body, so may your indwelling Holy Spirit strengthen our soul, until the day of Christ’s appearing when we will hunger and thirst no more, and sit with him at his heavenly table. We ask that you would come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.

Lord’s Supper

Men, if you would come forward to receive the elements.

Hold up the bread

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. (I Cor. 11:23-24)

Hold up the cup

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (I Cor. 11:25-26)

Congregational Lord’s Prayer (Mat. 6:9-13)

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Lord’s Supper

Men, if you would pass out the bread.

The body of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which was given for us. Let us eat together.

Men, if you would pass out the cup.

The blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, through which we have the forgiveness of sins. Let us drink together.

Redeeming the Past

2011-07-31T16:30:00.000-05:00

Paul says, in Romans 8:28, that “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Many of us can say this verse by heart. We know it in our heads but the question is, “do we believe it in our hearts?” As we look around at the world today, at our lives, and the lives of those we have relationships with, we sometimes ask, “really God, all things work together for good?” When all around is war, murder, violence, sexism, racism, abortion, euthanasia, genocide, suicide, hunger…do you believe that all things work together for good?

The story of Moses found in Exodus 1-2 challenges the notion that God is passive and uninvolved in the affairs of men. As the drama unfolds in the pages of Scripture, God’s sovereignty and his providential work in the redemption of mankind becomes a clear theme as a continuation of the foundation laid in Genesis. God is good!

Exodus begins with the Israelites toiling under the oppressive hand of the evil Egyptian Pharaoh. Joseph and his generation were dead and the children of Israel had multiplied to such a number that the new Pharaoh felt threatened that they might join his enemies and defeat him. So he devised and executed a plan of oppression. He ruthlessly made them work as slaves under harsh taskmasters and afflicted them with heavy burdens. He ordered the Hebrew midwives to murder every son born to the Hebrew women and when the Hebrew midwives disobeyed for fear of God, Pharaoh ordered all baby boys to be thrown to the crocodiles of the Nile River. Thousands were killed! Despite Pharaoh’s evil intensions and cruel treatment, God continued to bless the Israelites. As slaves, they multiplied--Under order to abort baby boys, they continued to multiply and grow strong--As soldiers took babies by force and threw them into the Nile, a deliverer was born.

In the midst of all this turmoil, there was a certain baby boy who was born to the wife of a Levite woman. She hid him for three months and when she could hide him no more she made a basket (an ark), put pitch and bitumen on it (like Noah), and placed in the water of the Nile River. (It’s almost like God is giving us this story to teach us something bigger here.J) God then providentially brings Pharaoh’s daughter to the bank of the river who finds the baby and decides to keep him as her own son, have his own mother nurse him, and name him Moses which means taken out of the water.

The story of the birth of Moses, not unlike the story of Noah, is a story about Jesus. Moses is a shadow of a deliverer who was yet to come. Like Noah, Moses was chosen by God to deliver his people. Like Noah, Moses faced watery judgment and lived. Like Noah and Moses, Jesus was chosen by God to endure suffering at the hands of evil men and live.

The question is, “so what?” What does this old story have to do with us? How does this old story relate to all things working together for good? Well…like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, all those who love God and have been called by Him can live by faith knowing that all things work together for good. This is not just any old story but it’s our story. God’s chosen people in every age have endured suffering as a means to their sanctification and we are no different.

Christians of old had to wrestle with the same questions that we wrestle with. Surely, the Israelites questioned whether God was working all things for good while toiling in Egypt and they must have wondered where God was when their babies were being murdered by the thousands at the hand of Pharaoh. As the drama unfolds we can see clearly what God was up to. He was purifying a people for himself. He was and is sovereignly working in the affairs of men to fulfill a promise that he made to Adam and Eve--The promise of one that would defeat sin and Satan forever thereby delivering His people from their sin once and for all.

As we face the sins of our past and make war against sin in the present and as we face suffering in this life, we can rest in the fact that God is in control. He is working all things together for our good. Although we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death He has promised to be their with us, to guide us, protect us, comfort us, provide for us, and assure us that greener pastures lie ahead. This does not mean that we will not face hardship in this life. It doesn’t mean that we will always understand why God has chosen to do things the way that he has chosen. But, it does mean, like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and all the saints of years gone by that our momentary sufferings in this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

What ever you have done and whatever has been done to you is for your good. God is good. He is Sovereign. He is providentially working in your life to draw you closer to Him and conform you into His image. Redeem the past. Accept what God has done and is doing as good and use it for good in the life of others.

The Gospel of Exodus…to be continued…

For more on suffering, read Romans 8 in its entirety.

The Tears of God

2011-07-18T15:09:00.000-05:00

The book of Genesis is the seedpod or the beginning of all things. After six days, the triune God pronounces all of his creation including mankind, very good. What once was formless and void, an uninhabited chaotic ball of water, is now teaming with order and beauty and life. The man that God created (Adam) is the king of the earth. He lives in perfect harmony with God, his wife (Eve), and nature. But this perfect world was short lived. Man chose to rebel against God by eating from the one tree of the garden that God forbid him to eat from. Adam’s fatal choice (the fall) plunged the human race into total depravity. God exercised his justice along with his grace by punishing Adam for his disobedience while letting him live outside the garden in hopes that the promised seed of the woman would soon redeem them from there sinful condition.

In Genesis chapter 6, we have pictured for us what life was like east of Eden. Man was fruitful and multiplied upon the earth but with the multiplication came multiplied sin. The condition of mankind was so corrupt that God looked upon the hearts of the people that he created and saw that they were completely wicked and that the very intentions of the thoughts of their hearts were only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it GRIEVED him in his heart. So the Lord once again turned the earth back into a chaotic ball of watery judgment.

“It grieved him in his heart,” is not a throw away line. As many times as we have read the story of Noah and the great flood, how many times have we stopped to think about these most important words? Six words that give us a window into the heart of our God. A God who is not first, creator, but who is first, Father. A loving Father who is grieved to his very core that the world that he created has fallen so far from glory. Our God cries! He cries for mankind, who was created in his image to live in perfect harmony with him, but who has fallen into the depths of depravity and lost his first love.

The awful and wonderful thing about God’s grief is that it is our salvation. The whole story of Noah and the ark is about Jesus. It is a foreshadowing of the one who would come (the seed of the woman) and save mankind from the final judgment (by fire). For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. God, our Father, sent his Son into this world to pay the penalty for our sin. He lived a perfect life, he died on the cross and shed his blood, and he rose again defeating death and sin. Only a relational God who is intimately involved in the lives of his children would do such a thing. His grief is motivated by his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

While the story of Noah and the ark is a real event in history that had very real affects on all of creation, we must not overlook the redemptive note that cries out from the pages of Scripture. Just like Noah, Jesus was chosen by God to save mankind. Just like Noah, Jesus went through the waters God’s wrath. Just like Noah, Jesus endured the wrath and lived. But unlike Noah, Jesus endured the wrath and emerged victoriously sinless. Jesus died once, the righteous for the unrighteous, to appease the wrath of God so that we would not have to experience the fiery judgment to come. That’s Good News!

Although thousands of years separate us from our great ancestor, Noah, and from our earthly elder brother, Jesus Christ, the world that we live in is not so different (sinful, violent, and awaiting judgment). Like Noah and Jesus, Christians are God’s ambassadors warning the world of the judgment to come and spreading the good news of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The question is, “is your heart GRIEVED for the lost and dying peoples of the world who face impending doom or are you indifferent?” Beloved, God is love so let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. If you’ve been born of God then the love of God should lead you to grieve for the lost. But like Noah, who by faith built an ark and warned the people of his day of coming judgment, we must not be paralyzed by grief but persevere in faith and good works for the glory of God.

On the Internet

2011-06-28T11:33:00.000-05:00

On the Internet by Hubert Dreyfus is a critique of the use of the Internet for distance learning. His main themes are embodiment, hyperlinks, distance learning, telepresence, and nihilism. Dreyfus critically exposes the weaknesses of the internet on all of these fronts. While there will inevitably be some weakness’ when using the medium of the internet (as with any medium), I thought that Dreyfus spent too much time arguing against the extreme claims and misuses of the internet and not enough time presenting the positive uses of the internet. Chapter 2, “How Far is Distance Learning from Education?” was of special interest to me.
Dryfus begins with some facts. He says that knowledge is doubling every year or so which calls for a new wave of technology he terms “hyperlearning”. Hyperlearning refers not only to the accelerated pace of learning but also to the unprecedented degree of connectedness of knowledge, experience, media, and brains – both human and nonhuman. He then jumps right into exposing the weakness of other touted technologies of the past (like the motion picture and the radio) insinuating that the Internet will prove to be equally as ineffective at educating the masses as they were. And, his argument continues as to the pros and cons of face-to-face learner and teacher over against the virtual/disembodied experience delivered by the Internet.
When it comes to communication, specifically in the context of education, Dreyfus goes to great lengths to convince his readers of the absolute advantage of face-to-face learning over against distance learning. Nobody will deny that communication is more than just words. This is an obvious weakness to distance education. But, Dreyful continually argues the extremes in order to dismiss the whole. For example, he argues for how ridiculous it would be for medical students to sit at home and experience surgical procedure through the lens of a camera and a microphone attached to the surgeon. Who would disagree? This is obviously stretching the claims of what the virtual education is able to accomplish without admitting to what it can accomplish.
Dreyfus breaks down the learning process into 7 helpful stages: Novice, Advanced Beginner, Competence, Proficiency, Expertise, Mastery, and Practical Wisdom. These areas are helpful for understanding his conclusion. He concludes that in the best-case scenario the distance learner can only achieve level three (Competence). Every level beyond competence requires the honing of theories and principles learned under the watchful eye and skillful hand of an embodied master. For this reason, he concludes that distance learning delivered by means of the Internet ALONE falls short of producing educated individuals with full mastery of their field of study.
In defense of the use of the Internet for distance learning I would argue that neither the distance education teacher nor the learner is just a voice in cyberspace with no context, authority, or identity. The distance learner is not locked in a dungeon somewhere and chained to a desk chair in front of a computer screen. Modern distance education programs offer many great delivery methods such as: real time classes through video conferencing, mp3, cd, steaming video, recorded video… Student to student and student to teacher forums, email, telephone, skype, and mentorship programs allow for multiple ways to keep in contact, interact, and practice with real people through the medium of the Internet and face-to-face. The distance learner has the advantage of putting what he has learned in theory directly into practice in the real world. Obviously, discernment must be used as what areas of study are suited to this method.
Among others, I believe seminary training is an ideal course of study that can use the Internet to produce master students. Students pursuing a theological education through the Internet are able to maintain their current job, church membership, and address while getting the education that they need. Far from being chained to a desk chair, students are able to practice what they have learned in theory in the context of their family, church, and community. When considering the pros and cons of being on campus or learning from a distance, it’s hard to say which is better. Each offers a unique learning experience. Some may prefer being on campus and other may prefer using the Internet. Both are good. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Seminaries and other institutions of higher learning should recognize the advantages of offering courses of study using multiple methods and means of delivery in order to produce students with full mastery of the subject matter in theory and in practice.
In conclusion, Dreyfus, after spending most of the book criticizing the Internet and its proponents, comes to a balanced conclusion himself. The Internet, like all other mediums of communication, is imperfect. Spoken language, body language, books, chalkboards, projectors, videos, mp3s…all have their limitations but they are good inherently. They are gifts from God to be used wisely and responsibly for the good of all men. Admittedly, distance education is not the end-all-be-all answer to solving the world’s problems and its use of technology obviously has its limitations but it can be used very effectively to meet the needs of modern students. Dreyfus himself admits to using recorded lectures and other means of communication via the Internet to enhance the classroom learning experience.

February 20, 2011

2011-02-21T09:37:00.000-06:00

Order of Worship

Lord’s Day Morning: February 20, 2011

Call to Worship

Good Morning. I’d like to welcome you this morning in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to worship the Lord, the almighty creator of heaven and earth, our Savior and Lord, together.

(From I Peter 1&2)

Knowing this, that all those who are trusting in Jesus Christ alone have been ransomed from the futile ways of this world, not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light so that our faith and hope are in Him.

Please stand with me for prayer this morning…

Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving

Lord we want to praise you this morning because you are the way, the truth, and the life. We want to thank you for calling us out of darkness into your marvelous light. We were once dead in our trespasses and sins and you made us alive. We were once blind but now we see. Lord, thank you for sending Jesus into this world to pay the penalty for our sins. Lord, we don’t deserve your grace but we want to thank you and praise you for it. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit and enable us to worship you rightly this morning. We ask this in Jesus name, amen.

Intro to: Marvelous Light (I Peter 2:9)

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Song 1: Marvelous Light

Congregational Reading (Exodus 20)

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor thy father and thy mother.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet.

Intro to: War Rages (Romans 7:21-24)

I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Song 2: War Rages

Intro to: Breathing the Breath (Acts 17:24-25)

Song 3: Breathing the Breath

Prayer of Confession

Lord, we have nothing to give that didn’t first come from your hand. We have nothing to offer you that you did not first provide. Every good and perfect gift comes from your kind and gracious heart. And all we do is give back to you what always has been yours. Lord, please accept our offering this morning and use it to glorify for your name. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen

Offering (Offertory: Breathing the Breath)

Intro to: In Christ Alone

In CHRIST ALONE our HOPE is found!

Song 4: In Christ Alone

Intro to: I’ll Fly Away

All those who hope in Christ alone are strangers and exiles on this earth, who desire a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Song 5: I’ll Fly Away

Scripture Reading (Acts 3)

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon

Prayer of Intercession

Song of Benediction: In Christ Alone

Benediction (Philippians 4:19&21)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to Baptism

Dismiss

February 13, 2011 Evening

2011-02-14T19:37:00.002-06:00

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Lord’s Day Evening: Sunday, February 13, 2011

Call to Worship (Michael)

Good Evening. I’d like to welcome you this evening in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to worship the Lord this evening.

Psalm 1:1-4, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

Song of Praise: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving

Gentlemen, please come forward as we prepare to receive the offering and recite the Lord’s Prayer together…

Congregational Lord’s Prayer

Offering (Special Music)

Prayer of Confession and Illumination

Sermon (Psalm 103)

Prayer of Intercession

Song of Response: Before the Throne of God Above

Missionary Letter: Gary Lankford, Mexico/USA

Share Praises and Prayer Requests

Prayer for Praises And Requests (Michael)

Song of Benediction: Be Thou My Vision

Blessing

February 13, 2011

2011-02-14T19:32:00.000-06:00

Order of Worship

Lord’s Day Morning: Sunday, February 13, 2011

Call To Worship

Welcome. I’d like to invite you to lift up your eyes and see the one from whom your help comes – The Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.

Please stand and hear the Word of God from Acts 17 this morning…

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything… And he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘in him we live and move and have our being’; “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

Prayer of Praise

Heavenly Father, we come together to praise you this morning because you are the Lord, the almighty maker of heaven and earth. You alone are worthy to be praised. You are not a God who is far off, but a God who is near. In you we live and move and have our being, for we are indeed your offspring. We thank you for the privilege of being your sons and daughters through faith in Christ. We ask that you would cleanse us from sin enable us to worship in spirit and in truth this morning. Lord you have promised to be near to all those who trust you. Lord, be near to us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and work in us and through us this morning. Conform us more and more into your holy image. May you be glorified, in Jesus name, Amen.

Intro To: Praise To the Lord, the Almighty

Sing, Praise To the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation, Your Help and Salvation!

Song 1: Praise To the Lord, the Almighty

Intro To: Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of my heart!

Song 2: Be Thou My Vision

Let us read the Word of God together…

Congregational Reading (Psalm 23)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  I will fear no evil,  for you are with me; your rod and your staff,  they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;  you anoint my head with oil;  my cup overflows.   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,  and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Intro To: I Am Not Ashamed to Own My Lord (Luke 9:23)

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Song 3: I Am Not Ashamed to Own My Lord

Intro To: Before the Throne of God Above (Isaiah 49:16a & 18b)

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…As I live, declares the Lord.

Song 4: Before the Throne of God Above

Please be seated

Intro To: Offering (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that you are the rightful owner and Lord of everything in heaven and on the earth. The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the cattle on a thousand hills, the riches of the universe, our very lives are all yours. Lord forgive us for sometimes living and thinking as if this wasn’t true. Lord straighten our crooked backs that our naturally turned inward on ourselves. Lift up our heads and open our eyes to see you for who you are. Give us clean hands and give us pure hearts that we may be channels of your grace and your mercy. Lord, send your grace in boundless waves and fill us to overflowing so that we may freely and joyfully give of our time, our gifts and abilities, and our money for the furtherance of your kingdom and for the glory of your name. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Offering (Offertory: It is Finished)

Please and stand and sing It is Finished together

Song 5: It is Finished/When I Think About the Lord

Please be seated

Scripture Reading (Acts 3:1-12)

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon

Prayer of Intercession

Song of Benediction: It Is Finished

Benediction (Philippians 4:19&21)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Dismiss

You are dismissed.

February 6, 2011

2011-02-07T14:32:00.001-06:00

Order of Worship

Lord’s Day Morning, February 6, 2011

call to worship

Welcome. I’d like to invite you to lift up your eyes and see the one from whom your help comes - The lord, who made the heavens and the earth.

Please stand and hear the Word of God from Psalm 86:8-10

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.  All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.  For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

Prayer of praise

Heavenly father, redeemer, and Lord, You are God alone. There is none like you neither are there any works like yours. You are great and do wondrous things. You formed us from the womb. You stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth. You alone are worthy to be praised. Lord, give us eyes to see you this morning for who you are. Give us eyes to see ourselves for who we are. Give us hearts to praise you for all that your are and fill our hearts with thanksgiving for all that you have done in extending salvation to us through the finished work of your son, Jesus Christ, and conform us day by day, more and more, into his Holy image. Lord, enable us by your Holy Spirit to worship you rightly this morning. We ask this in Jesus name, amen.

Intro to: How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art!

Song 1: How Great Thou Art

INTRO TO: I Will Glory in My Redeemer

Jesus Christ, for the glory of God the Father, gave himself for us to redeem us from our sin.

I Will Glory in My Redeemer!

Song 2: I Will Glory in My Redeemer

congregational reading (I Peter 18-19; Isaiah 53:4-5)

As he who has called you is holy, be holy. Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;  yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Intro to: Jesus Paid it All (I Cor. 6:19-20)

Know ye, that you are not your own, for you were bought with a price.

Jesus Paid it All!

Song 3: Jesus Paid it All

INTRO TO: Great is Thy Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; 

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

Song 4: Great is Thy Faithfulness

SCRIPTURE READING BEFORE THE OFFERING (James 1:17)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Prayer for offering

Heavenly father, we want to praise you because you are great and you are faithful. And we acknowledge that everything that we have your hand has provided. And we confess that by nature we are poor and needy and you give us life and breath and everything. Lord, thank you for all of the good things that you have given us. Please help us to faithfully use them to bring glory to your name. As we worship you by giving this morning we pray that you would use this offering for the spread of the gospel and the edification of your people. We ask for your continued blessing, in Jesus name, amen.

Offering (Offertory: When I Think About The Lord)

Intro to: The Old Rugged Cross (Phil 2:8)

Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The Old Rugged Cross.

Song 5: The Old Rugged Cross

Song 6: The Wonderful Cross

The Wonderful Cross.

scripture reading (Acts 4:31-37)

Prayer of illumination

Sermon:

prayer of intercession

Song before Lord’s supper: By His Wounds/Nothing but the Blood

Lord’s supper sermonet

In I Corinthians 11:23-29, we have the words of institution of the Lord’s Supper delivered to us by the apostle Paul. Here the word of the Lord,

In order for us to celebrate the Lord’s Supper properly we must first examine ourselves.

This examination consists of three parts:

First, each of us must consider how serious our sin is to God. Our biggest problem is not that we do various kinds of sins in great number all the time but that we are sinful by nature. God hates sin and because he is just he must and he will punish all those who remain in sin. But, God is equally loving and gracious and merciful. No greater display of his love and his wrath have ever been seen than when he sent his only son, Jesus to bare the punishment for the sins of all those who would believe, by dying on the cross and shedding his blood to satisfy the wrath of God. Do you understand how serious your sin is to God? Examine yourself.

Secondly, each of us must consider whether or not we believe that God has forgiven all of our sins, past, present, and future through the blood of Jesus Christ. Do you believe that all of your sins were imputed to Christ on the cross and that all of his righteousness has been imputed to you by God’s grace alone through faith alone? Examine yourself.

Thirdly, each of us must examine our own conscience to see if we are truly grateful for all that God has done for us and is doing in us and through in Jesus Christ through the work of his Holy Spirit. Are you making war against the flesh? Are you striving to walk uprightly with your whole life? Are you in a right relationship (walking in love and peace) with God and your neighbor? Examine yourself.

All those who understand their sinfulness and who are trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone by grace through faith and who have properly examined themselves for evidences of repentance and faith may confidently participate in the Lord’s Supper this morning but I urge you, if you do not feel this testimony to be true in your heart, not to partake of the Lord’s Supper lest you eat and drink judgment to yourself.

This is not to suggest that any one of us is perfect (sinless) or worthy in and of ourselves to fellowship with the Lord at his table. None of us are worthy by our own merit but only those who are living by faith in the Son of God, walking by the Spirit, and serving in the strength that God supplies may partake. The faithful of God, who live in an imperfect world, in imperfect bodies but who are striving for holiness pressing on toward the mark of the high calling of God on their life in Christ Jesus with humble confidence and expectation that they will stand before God one day and hear well done thy good and faithful servant enter into thy rest.

The Bible says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Let’s continue to pray the Lord’s Prayer together and then recite the Apostles Creed.

Lord’s Prayer (Mat. 6:9-13)

COnfession (Apostles Creed)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary,  suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried

The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy universal church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Lord’s supper service

Men, if you would come forward to receive the elements.

Hold up the bread

Hold up the cup

Prayer

Father, we come to this table as your guests, resting only in the worthiness of you Son. As we look upon the emblems of our Savior’s death, may we remember why He died – to cleanse and to heal; to satisfy your righteousness and justice. We remember His eternal love and boundless grace. May we receive the assurance of forgiveness, eternal life, and the hope of glory. As the bread and cup nourish our body, so may your indwelling Holy Spirit strengthen our soul, until the day of Christ’s appearing when we will hunger and thirst no more, and sit with him at his heavenly table. Amen

Men, if you would pass out the bread.

The body of our Lord, Jesus Christ, which was given for us. Let us eat together.

Men, if you would pass out the cup.

The blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, through which we have the forgiveness of sins. Let us drink together.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen (I Cor. 13:14)

Intro to: When I Think About the Lord

In response to all that Lord has done for us, let’s sing his praises with thanksgiving and joy in our hearts.

Song of benediction: When I Think About the Lord

BLESSING (Num. 6:24-26)

May the Lord bless you and keep you; 

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you; 

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

dismiss

You are dismissed

January 30, 2011 (Evening)

2011-02-04T09:58:00.000-06:00

Order of Worship

Lord’s Day Evening: Sunday, January 30, 2011

Call to Worship (Michael Perdue)

I’d like to welcome you this evening in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to worship the Lord together.

Congregational Lord’s prayer (Shawn Johnston)

Please stand and say Lord’s Prayer together

Song of Praise: Abide with me

You may be seated

Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving (Nick wass)

Special Music: I Repent

Prayer of Illumination/confession (Jim Allen)

Sermon (Brandon nealy)(20-30min)

Prayer of intercession (To Go with theme of Sermon)(Brandon nealy)

Please stand and sing Love Me to the End

Song of Response (to the sermon): Love me to the end

Please be seated

Share praises and prayer Requests (Michael Perdue)

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer for praises and requests (Michael Perdue)

Heavenly Father, we admit to you that we are weak and needy people. We are nothing without you. We are in need of your mercy and grace. There are many among us who are suffering with physical illnesses and infirmities. There are others who are struggling spiritually. Lord, we pray that whether it be physical or spiritual that you would work all these things together for good. That these momentary sufferings will work for our sanctification and for your glory. Lord, we ask that you would give us a peace that passes understanding and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit. Lord we thank you for what you have done, what you are doing, and what you are going to do. We ask that you would hear our prayers and answer them according to your sovereign will. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

SOng of response: Doxology

testimonies/missionary letter (Romania) (Michael Perdue)

prayer for salvation of the nations (Sjoerd Deboer)

Please stand and sing Let us Love and Sing and Wonder

song of benediction: Let us love and sing and wonder

blessing (Shawn Johnston)

(Based on Psalm 33:20-22)

May your soul wait for the Lord; your help and your shield. May your hearts be glad in him because you trust in his holy name. And, may the steadfast love of the Lord be upon you as you hope in him.

dismiss

January 30, 2011

2011-02-04T09:54:00.000-06:00

Order of Worship

Lord’s Day Morning: Sunday, January 30, 2011

Call to Worship

Welcome. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Please stand and hear the Word of God from….

Psalm 96:7-9

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised…

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!  

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering, and come into his courts!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth!...

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Prayer of Praise

Heavenly Father we want to praise you this morning because you are the Lord, you reign from on high, you pour out your grace into the lives of unworthy people like us. God, you alone are worthy to be praised. You are altogether holy and your plans are good and unfailing. As we gather together this morning I pray that you would be glorified in the hearts, minds, and actions of your people. That our worship might rise as a sweet aroma into heavenly places. That you would be glorified and we would be edified. We ask this in Jesus name, amen.

Song 1: Doxology

Intro to: O for a thousand tongues to sing

(Psalm 35:27-28)

Let those who delight in righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore,  “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”  …My tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

Song 2: o for a thousand tongues to sing

Let us read the Word of God together

Congregational Reading (Romans 7:21-25)

…I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Song 3: War rages

Intro to: Love me to the end (ROmans 5:8)

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Song 4: love me to the end

Please be seated

Prayer of Confession before the Offering

Heavenly Father, we admit to you this morning that we are poor and needy. So often we give into the desires of the flesh and worship the creation rather than the creator. Lord, forgive us and help us to love you more than ourselves. Help us to love you more than the things of this world. Help us, as we walk through this world, to hold on to the things of this world loosely. Free us from selfish desires and give us a love for you and your commandments so that we can give freely and joyful for both the physical and spiritual good of others and for your glory. We ask these things in Jesus name, amen.

Offering

Intro to: Farther along (James 1:12)

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Please stand and sing Farther Along

Song 5: farther along

Intro to: Let us love and sing and wonder

(Rev 1:5-7, Phil 2:10-11)

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

Song 6: let us love and sing and wonder

You may be seated

Scripture Reading (Acts 2)

Prayer of illumination

Sermon

Prayer of Intercession

Song of Benediction: Let us love and sing and wonder

Welcome Dani Frederick into church membership

Dismiss

January 23, 2011

2011-01-24T18:47:00.001-06:00

Order of Worship

Lord’s Day Morning: January 23, 2011

Call to Worship

Welcome. It is good to be in the Lord’s house on the Lord’s day with the Lord’s people to worship the Lord. May He alone be glorified this morning.

Please stand…

And hear the word of the Lord from Psalm 33:1-9

1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Prayer of Praise

Heavenly Father, we come together this morning as your people to worship you. You alone are worthy to be praised. Lord we stand in awe of you this morning because you spoke the heavens and earth into existence and you uphold them by your mighty hand. You created man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. The earth is full of your steadfast love. You have given us both physical and spiritual life and our desire this morning in response to all that you are and all that you have done is to praise you with all of our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. May your Spirit fill us this morning and enable us to bring genuine praise that will be honoring and glorifying to you. We ask this in Jesus name, amen.

Intro to: this is my Father’s world

this is my Father’s world!

Song 1: this is my Father’s world (Praise)

Intro to: Your Love o Lord (Psalm 35:5-6)

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.

Your Love O Lord.

Song 2: your love o lord (Praise)

Let us Read the Word of God together.

Congregational reading (Psalm 25:1-7)(confession)

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Intro to: God be merciful to me

God be Merciful to Me! On thy grace i rest my plea!

Song 3: God be merciful to me (Confession)

Intro to: nothing without you (Psalm 73:25-26)

Lord, Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Song 4: nothing without you (COnfession)

please be seated.

Reading: John 15:1-11 (COnfession/Affirmation)

Jesus said in John 15:1-11, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

This is the Word of God…Amen

Gentlemen if you would come forward to receive the offering

Prayer of Confession before Offering

Heavenly Father, we want to admit to you and each other that we have nothing and we are nothing without you. You are the source of every good thing that we have and we want to thank you because you have given us so much. Lord, forgive us for sometimes loving the things of this world more than you. Enable us to keep your commandments and so abide in your love. May the song of our hearts be as that of the Psalmist who said “whom have I in heaven but you and earth there is nothing I desire but you for you are our strength and our portion forever.” Lord, as we give this morning enable us to give, not out of obligation, but with full acknowledgment and understanding that you give us life and breath and everything and enable us to give with joy and gratitude and satisfaction in our hearts to you, our Lord and Savior our strength and our portion forever. And we ask this in Jesus name, amen.

offering

intro to: before there was time (Isaiah 53:6)

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him, the only begotten Son of God, the iniquity of us all.

Please stand and sing, before there was time.

Song 5: before there was time (Affirmation)

Intro to: how deep the father’s love (I John 3:1)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

How deep the father’s love for us!

Song 6: how deep the Father’s love (Affirmation)

Scripture reading (Acts 2:42-47)

prayer of illumination

sermon

prayer of interession

song of benediction: How Deep the Father’s Love

Welcome the istes and taylors into membership

blessing (Based on Psalm 33:20-22)

May your soul wait for the Lord; your help and your shield. May your hearts be glad in him because you trust in his holy name. And, may the steadfast love of the Lord be upon you as you hope in him.

You are dismissed

January 16, 2011

2011-01-17T16:34:00.006-06:00

Order of Worship

Lord’s Day Morning: Sunday, January 16, 2011

Call to Worship

Welcome. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I welcome you all this morning and invite you to worship the Lord.

Hear the Word of God:

Psalm 113:1-9,

1Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! 5 Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, 6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Prayer of Praise

Lord we want to praise you this morning for you are the Lord of heaven and earth. You are high and lifted up. You are above all nations. You are holy. And you have looked on our lowly estate and you have poured out your grace. Lord we ask that you would fill us with your Spirit this morning and hear our praises as we seek to glorify your name. In Jesus name, Amen.

Intro to: Zion

Let zion in her king rejoice!

Song 1: Zion (Praise)

CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO HEAR ZION (DO IT NOW!!!!)

Zion

Intro to: All Creatures of Our God and King

Let heaven and earth praise him. Lift up you voices and sing praises to our God and King!

Song 2: All Creatures of Our God and King (Praise)

COngregational Reading (Confession/repentence)

21 …I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Song 3: War Rages (COnfession/Repentence)

Click Link Below to hear war rages

War Rages

Intro to: for all the saints (Hebrews 11:1, 12:1-2)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. …since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Song 4: For all the Saints (COnfession/pardon)

Prayer of thanks for the offering (Hebrews 10:19-25)

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning trusting only in the blood of Jesus to worship you, to praise you, to confess our sins to you, to thank you for all of your good gifts, and to faithfully give of our abundance in response to your abundant grace and mercy that you have poured out on us. Lord we ask for your continued favor, that you would continue to fill us to overflowing so that we can be channels of your good gifts. That others may see and that others may hear and glorify you. Lord we bring this offering to you with joyous hearts in response to what you have done trusting that you will continue to provide. Lord abide with us now. In Jesus name, Amen.

Offering

Offeratory: Abide with me

Song 5: Abide with me (Assurance of grace)

Intro to: Rock of Ages (Psalm 18:46&49)

The Lord lives, and blessed be the rock, and exalted be the God, the rock of our salvation…for this we will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name.

Song 6: Rock of Ages (Assurance/renewal)

Scripture Reading (Acts 2:42-47)

Prayer of illumination

Sermon

Prayer of intercession

SOng of Benediction: Rock of Ages

January 2, 2011

2011-01-10T18:22:00.001-06:00

Order of Worship

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Call to Worship

We have a great and mighty God who has graciously revealed himself to us. It has been said that God has revealed himself to us in two books: in the book of creation and in His Holy Word. Creation speaks to us of an all-wise creator but it insufficient to save us. It is only through hearing the the Word of God recorded in the Bible that we come to a full knowledge of creation and God’s great plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.

I invite you to hear the Word of the Lord this morning:

Psalm 19:1-4, 1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

Prayer

Heavenly Father we want to praise you for you are great and mighty. You are the all-powerful creator and Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. We thank you for revealing yourself to us not only in nature but more fully in your Word. Your Word, that contains the words that lead to eternal life. Lord we are unworthy to find favor in your site for we are sinful and lowly. We are unable in and of ourselves to come into your presence to worship you rightly. So we ask you for you help this morning. We ask that your Holy Spirit would fill us and empower us to worship you in Spirit and in truth. We pray as David did that you would “Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of my hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen

Congregational Reading

Psalm 19:7-11, 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Song 1: This is My Father’s World

Intro To: Lilly of the Valley
In this old hymn, Christ’s beauty is compared to a lily of the valley and bright and morning star, the fairest of ten thousand. If you have been given eyes to see, then sing of his beauty this morning.

Song 2: Lilly of the Valley

Intro To: In the Shadow of the Glorious Cross

This is a modern hymn that expresses a sense of lament and struggle that we sometimes go through in this life. These times are meant to draw us closer to our Saviors side as we journey through this broken world.

Song 3: In the Shadow

Intro To: The Love of Christ is Rich and Free

The Lord is good, and His steadfast love endures forever. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Song 4: The Love of Christ is Rich and Free

Prayer for Offering
From the Valley of Vision Puritan Prayer Book, Regeneration.
(Personal pronouns changed from singular to plural for corporate prayer)

O God of the highest heaven,

occupy the throne of our hearts,
take full possession and reign supreme,
lay low every rebel lust,
let no vile passion resist thy holy war;
manifest thy mighty power,
and make us thine forever.
Thou art worthy to be
praised with our every breath,
loved with our every faculty of soul,
served with our every act of life.
Thou hast loved us, espoused us, received us,
purchased, washed, favored, clothed,
adorned us,
when we were worthless, vile soiled, polluted.
We were dead in iniquities,
having no eyes to see thee,
no ears to hear thee,
no taste to relish thy joys,
no intelligence to know thee;
But thy Spirit has quickened us,
has brought us into a new world as a
new creatures,
has given us spiritual perception,
has opened to us thy Word as light, guide,
solace, joy.
Thy presence is to us a treasure of unending peace;
No provocation can part us from thy sympathy,
for thou hast drawn us with cords of love,
and dost forgive us daily, hourly.
O help us then to walk worthy of thy love,
of our hopes, and our vocations.
Keep us, for we cannot keep ourselves;
Protect us that no evil befall us;
Let us lay aside every sin admired of many;
Help us to walk by thy side, lean on thy arm,
hold converse with thee,
That we may be salt of the earth
and a blessing to all.

We ask this in Jesus name, Amen

Offering

Song 5: O Great God

Intro To: Help My Unbelief
Jesus ministered to a boy who was possessed with a demon. His Father asked, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Song 6: Help My Unbelief

Scripture Reading

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon

Prayer of Intercession

Song Before Lord’s Supper: O Great God

Prayer of Confession Before the Lord’s Supper

Lord’s Supper

Song of Benediction: O Great God

Dismiss

January 9, 2011

2011-01-10T18:15:00.002-06:00

Order of Worship

January 9, 2011

Call to Worship

Psalm 86:1-7 (A Prayer of David)

1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.

Prayer

Song 1: Quietly

Intro To: O Help My Unbelief

Jesus ministered to a boy who was possessed with a demon. His Father asked, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Let us sing this song together as prayer that God would help our unbelief.

Song 2: O Help My Unbelief

Congregational Reading

Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 9-13)

Song 3: Let Your Kingdom Come

Intro To: Breathing the Breath

Psalm 150:1,2&6

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Song 4: Breathing the Breath

Prayer for the Offering (To express lyrics from Breathing the Breath and Acts 17:22-32)

Offering

Song 5: I Need Thee Every Hour

This song is a prayer that expresses our great need for God’s grace, “every hour.” Let us sing this together as an expression of our dependence on God. I Need Thee Every Hour

Song 6: All I have is Christ

Praise be to God! We have a risen Savior who sits at the right hand of God as our high priest and intercedes on our behalf. This song is a prayer that expresses our own unworthiness and God’s Amazing Grace. Sing together, All I have is Christ.

Scripture Reading (Acts 2:42-47)

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon

Prayer of Intercession

Song of Benediction: All I have is Christ

Dismiss

Dec 19, 2010

2010-12-30T10:42:00.003-06:00

Order of worship

Dec. 19, 2010

Call to Worship

Good Morning and Happy Lord’s day

This is the fourth week of Advent. Just one week till Christmas. The day we celebrate our Savior’s birth. We will be lighting our fourth advent candle this morning to represent our anticipation of the celebration of Jesus first coming and to draw our attention to the fact that he is coming again. And tonight we will have a special Christmas Candlelight Service to celebrate the coming of the light of the world. So I would like to invite all of you to come back tonight at 6pm and be sure to invite some family and friends to come as well. And if you are able, bring your favorite Christmas desert and afterwards we will have some desert and hot chocolate and coffee…

Psalm 34:1-3&8

1. I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2. My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

Let the humble hear and be glad.

3. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt his name together!

8. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Stand with me and let us join together in praising our Lord in prayer and singing.

Prayer of Praise

Lord, you are great and greatly to be praised. You have made our hearts glad and we rejoice this morning because you have looked down on our humble estate and done great things for us. You have poured out your grace on us. And we want to respond to that grace this morning by worshipping you. Lord, blot out our iniquities. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right Spirit within us. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit that our worship might be acceptable in your sight.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Intro to: What Child is this?

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Luke 2:31-32

Song 1: What Child is This?

Intro to: Away in a manger

While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:4-7)

Song 2: away in a manger

Intro to: angels we have heard on high

Angels we have heard on high, announcing our Savior’s birth and praising God and singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)

Song 3: Angels We Have Heard on High

Intro to: o little town of bethlehem

Congregational Reading

Micah 5:2-5

But you, O Bethlehem…, who are too little to be of among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace…

Song 4: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Prayer of COnfession for Offering

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you would forgive us for our covetousness. For our idolatry. For loving the things of this world more than you in our words, thoughts and actions. Lord we need your help. You have promised to provide for the needs of your children. And we give you glory because you have given us much. Lord, help us to be content with what you have given. Fill us to overflowing with a love for you and others that motivates us to give generously and joyfully as channels of your grace and mercy. Lord, occupy our hearts and minds with joy and satisfaction in you in such a way that the things of this world will pale in comparison.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Offering

Intro to: go tell it on the mountain

Like the shepherds, We have heard the good news of great joy and we have believed and we must let that light shine that others may see and glorify our Father in heaven.

Song 5: Go tell it on the Mountain

Intro to: i heard the bells

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end… (Isaiah 9:6-7)

SOng 6: I heard the Bells

Scripture Reading (Luke 1:26-35)

Prayer of Illumination

Sermon

Prayer of intercession

Song of Benediction: Go tell it on the mountain

dismiss

Dec 19, 2010 Christmas Candlelight Service

2010-12-29T19:18:00.005-06:00

Order of Worship

December 19, 2010 (Evening Christmas Candlelight Service)

Call to worship

Welcome. We have been lighting a candle each Sunday for the last four Sunday’s to represent our anticipation of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Tonight we will light the fifth candle to signify that Jesus, the light of the world, has come. He came the first time as a baby, born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. He was no ordinary baby though; he was Emmanuel (God with us). And, he came for a specific purpose, to live a perfect life and to die on the cross to shed his blood for the sins of all who would believe. He rose from the grave the third day and ascended into heaven and he is coming again one glorious day to call his children home. Let’s join our hearts in prayer this evening and thank God for sending his son and to ask his blessing as we seek to worship him this evening.

Prayer

Creation/Fall/Proto-evangel/prophecy
By Connie Dever

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was covered with water and was in utter darkness. And then God said let there be light and there was light. And for six days he created everything in the heavens and on the earth. What was the world like at dawn on Day Six? The light of moon and stars withdrew in the blazing brilliance of the rising sun. The tall mountains and gently sloping hills rose high above vast grassy plains. Birds swooped across the cloudless, sapphire sky and perched in windswept treetops. Fish teemed in the foamy ocean and wriggled in the clear, sparkling rivers. What was the world like on the dawn of the Day Six? It was beautiful…but, strangely still and quiet. It was waiting for something more. The forests silently waited for creatures to venture into its cool greenness. The valleys waited for someone to come and nibble its juicy grasses. Small seeds lay sleeping under the fields, ready to sprout when there was someone to tend and harvest them. For you see, at dawn on Day Six, the LORD had yet to make any living creatures to live upon the land He had created. But now all of this was about to change. The LORD said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:24-25)

Now all the earth was abuzz with life. Yet the LORD was not through creating on Day Six. Once more the LORD spoke: "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (Genesis 1:26-27) The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

Dawn of Day Six had long passed. Now the sun was setting deep in the west. Its warm rays were growing dim and the twinkling stars were beginning to show their faces from under the dark blanket of outer space once more. Animals of every kind nestled down for their first night in their newly made dens. Birds roosted in the trees. And the man and the woman—Adam and Eve--were in their special garden, the Garden of Eden, enjoying perfect fellowship with God and with each other, and soaking in all the reflections of God’s glory displayed in the panorama of His wonderful creation. God looked at all He made and said it was very good. It was completely pleasing to Him. There was nothing that needed to be improved or changed. It was perfectly ready for His plans. “And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." And on the seventh day he rested.

All was peaceful, until one day Eve was walking near the one tree of the garden on which hung fruit that was forbidden to eat. Then Satan, the tempter, appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent, and persuaded her to eat the forbidden fruit. Eve saw that the fruit was good to eat so she took some fruit from the tree and she ate it and then she gave some to Adam and he ate it and the eyes of them both were opened. In that fatal moment, sin came into the world. The world that was created very good to reflect the radiant light of God’s glory had now been plunged into darkness and sin. Before this, Adam and Eve would walk with God and the full radiance of his glory in the panorama of his creation unashamed. But after they disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit everything changed. When God came looking for them, his glory brought shame because it exposed the wickedness of their hearts. So God, being just, pronounced a curse on Satan, all mankind, and the creation because Adam’s disobedience. But, God who is rich and mercy and great in love promised that one day in the future the seed of the women would bruise the head of Satan to redeem mankind and creation and restore it to it’s original glory. The promised son was foretold by the prophets of days of old, who said,

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (meaning, God with us).” “And you, O Bethlehem of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” “The people who walked in darkness will see a great light; For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Special Music: OCome, ocome, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

The birth of jesus foretold By Jon Bloom

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/josephs-painful-decision

One day, In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

Mary wasn’t herself. Joseph had sensed some urgency in her request that he meet her at “their” tree. She was staring at the ground. She seemed burdened.

“Mary, is something wrong?”

She looked up at him intensely. “Joseph… I’m pregnant.”

A blast of shock and disbelief hit him, blowing away all his coherent thoughts for a moment. His legs quavered. He grabbed at the tree to steady himself. It felt solid, rooted.

He stared at her. He was numb. No words came. Everything seemed surreal.

Mary was still looking at him with her intense eyes. He saw no shame in them. No defensiveness, no defiance. Not even tears. They looked…innocent. And they were searching his eyes for an answer.

Mary broke the charged silence. “What I need to tell you next I don’t even know how to say.”

Joseph leaned harder into the tree, bracing himself. He looked down to Mary’s feet. Her feet. They looked just the same as they did when he believed she was pure.

That was what made everything so strange. Mary looked as chaste as she ever did. If she had been the flirtatious type or had some discernable character weakness, this news might have been comprehendible. But Mary was literally the very last person Joseph would have suspected of unfaithfulness. He could not imagine her with another lover. He didn’t want to know who it was.

“What I’m going to say next will be very difficult to believe. But will you hear me out?” Still looking at Mary’s feet, Joseph’s nod was barely detectable.

“I have not been unfaithful to you.”

Joseph lifted his eyes to hers. Rape? That might explain her innocence. But why wouldn’t she tell me—

“God has caused me to become pregnant.”

This statement flew around his mind, looking for a place to land. It found none.

“Joseph, I know how it sounds. But I’m telling you the truth.” Then Mary described an angelic visit and the message she had received. She was to bear a son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, who would be called the Son of the Most High who would sit on David’s throne forever. God was the baby’s father. Mary was pregnant with the Messiah.

Mary sounded as sane as ever. Nothing about her was different—except that she was claiming to be pregnant with God’s child. He felt like his brain was exploding. Was she adding blasphemy to adultery? He could not conceive of her being capable of either.

“I…I don’t even know what to say to you, Mary. I can’t even think straight. I need to be alone.”

Joseph spent the late afternoon walking up on the brow of the hill that overlooked Nazareth. Things were clear up there. From this 500-foot perspective he could see the Sea of Galilee to the east, and to the west he could just see the blue Mediterranean on the horizon. But he could not see how Mary’s story could be true. He could not recall anything like it in the Torah. “God, show me what to do,” he pleaded.

The sun was setting as Joseph walked back toward the nearly finished house that was to be their home—the house he had dreamed just that morning would someday know the happy voices of his and Mary’s children. That dream was now dead. His decision was made. Mary’s claims were too incredible, maybe even delusional. He needed to end the betrothal, but he resolved to do it as quietly as possible, shielding Mary from avoidable shame. He still loved her.

That night he fell asleep, exhausted from grief. And while he was sleeping,

The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Special Music: What Child is This?

The birth of Jesus

(Reading from Luke 2:1-7)

What Child is this?

Away in a manger

O holy night

o come all ye faithful

ANGELS, SHEPHERDS, AND WISEMEN

(READING FROM MATT 2:1-12 & LUKE 2:8-20)

SPECIAL MUSIC: GO TELL IN ON THE MOUNTAIN

Special Music: God Rest ye merry gentlemen

Joy to the world
Angels we have heard on high

hark the harold angels sing

O little town of bethlehem

Sermonet (FROM LUKE 1 & 2)

Light candles (with Silent Night playing)

Special Music: Silent Night

Dec 12, 2010

2010-12-13T20:01:00.001-06:00

Order of worship

Dec 12, 2010

Call to worship

I invite you to hear the word of the Lord this morning

John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The great wonder of the Christmas season is that Jesus, the second person of the trinity, the Son of God, took on human flesh. He was all God and all man at the same time. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, and rose again, and ascended to the right hand of the Father where he is today making intercession for us.

So today we find ourselves one week closer to the celebration of Christ’s birth and one week closer to his second coming.

What a joy and a privilege we have as the children of God to meet together this morning to worship our Lord, to praise him for who he is, to thank him for what he has done, with hearts full of love, joy, peace and hope and anticipation of his second coming.

Please stand for prayer as we begin our worship service

Prayer of Praise and thanksgiving

O God we praise you because you are the all powerful creator of heaven and earth and you hold all things together with your mighty hand. Father we thank you for your great plan of redemption. Jesus, we thank you for becoming a man and living a perfect life and dying on the cross for our sins. And we are so thankful that you are alive and making intercession for us. Holy Spirit, we thank you for calling us to repentance and giving us faith. Lord, you are our rock and our salvation. The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, You alone are worthy to be praised. Lord forgive for of our sins and renew a right spirit within us that our worship this morning might rise up as sweet smelling savor to you.

We pray these things in Jesus name, Amen.

Congregational Reading

Psalm 95:1-7 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Intro to: Joy the world!

The Lord has come! Lets sing to the Lord! Lets make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation

Song 1: Joy to the World!

Intro to: Silent night! Holy Night!

One Holy night, “Mary brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped him swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger.”

Song 2: Silent Night! Holy Night!

Song 3: hark the Harold Angels Sing

Intro to: I heard the bells on Christmas day

An angel appeared to the shepherds and said “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!” And the heavenly host broke into praise, saying, “Peace on earth, Good will to men!”

SOng 4: I heard the bells on Christmas day

Prayer of Confession before the offering

In I Chronicles 29 King David expresses his gratitude to God for all that he had given. David said, “Blessed are you, O Lord, God of Israel, our Father forever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and victory and the majesty, for all that is in the earth and the heavens is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name…

Heavenly Father we want to express our gratitude to you as King David did many years ago. We praise you, for you are the Lord of heaven and earth. You are great and mighty and powerful and glorious and majestic. All that is in the earth and the heavens is yours. Lord, you have blessed us with much. We are unworthy of your good gifts. Fill us with a desire to give much. Lord free us of our love for the things of this world and fill us with a love for you that will cause us to freely and joyfully give. Lord use us now as channels of your grace and mercy.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

offering

Intro to: O Come, O come, Emmanuel

An angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph and said,

“Joseph, Son of David…that which is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you will call his name Jesus… Emmanuel,” God with us.

Song 5: O Come, O come, Emmanuel

Intro to: Amazing Grace

John bore witness about Jesus and cried out,

“From his fullness we have received, grace upon grace”

Song 6: Amazing Grace

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-18

Prayer of illumination

Lord we thank you for the assurance that your Holy Spirit abides with us this morning. Lord we need him now as we look to your Scriptures. Please open our minds and our hearts now to understand and apply the Word of God to our lives in a special way. Lord fill me with your Holy Spirit now in order that I might preach the Word boldly and clearly. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sermon: Behold the light! (Gen 1; John 1; John 9)

prayer of intercession

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word. We thank you for Jesus. May your Spirit abide with us now. Lord, expose any sin that might be in our hearts or our lives. Lord draw us to your throne of grace and forgive us we pray. Prepare our hearts to receive your supper. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord’s Supper Sermonet

Lord’s supper

Song of benediction: Amazing Grace

Welcome into church membership

Prayer

dismiss

Dec 5, 2010

2010-12-06T15:20:00.001-06:00

Order of Worship

December 5, 2010

Call to Worship

I would like to invite you to hear a Word from the Lord this morning as we prepare our hearts to worship him…

This is a Psalm of praise that shows the great delight of those who would make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship in the temple.

Psalm 84:1-4

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord of host!

My soul longs, yes, faints,

For the courts of the Lord;

My heart and flesh sing for joy

To the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young,

At your altars, O Lord of hosts,

My King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

Ever singing your praise!

Everyone please stand for prayer to Begin our worship serivice

Prayer of Confession

Heavenly Father, We want to praise you this morning for your grace. For pouring it out on this world and specifically into our lives. For the opportunity to assemble together this morning in your house, on your day, to worship your holy name. Thank you for sending your Son into this world to pay the penalty for our sin. He was undeserving of the punishment and we are undeserving of the great gift of salvation that he purchased and has given to us. We ask that you would forgive us of our sins, and renew a right spirit within us that our worship may be acceptable in your sight. Fill us with a peace that passes understanding and a joy that overflows in praise by the work of the Holy Spirit. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.

Intro to: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Congregational Reading

Let us read the Word of the Lord together…

Luke 2:8-14

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Song 1: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Song 2: Angels We Have Heard on High

Intro to: O Holy Night

One night the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and said,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called HOLY—the Son of God.

“Let all that is within us praise His holy name! Christ is the Lord!”

Song 3: O Holy Night

Intro to: O Come All Ye Faithful

As the shepherds heard from the angels about the birth of the Christ child they immediately went and saw him and they glorified and praised God for what they had seen and heard.

Come, all ye faithful, and join the angels and the shepherds in the adoration your Savior…

Song 4: O Come All Ye Faithful

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise Before the offering

Psalm 84:8-12

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

Give ear, O God of Jacob!

Behold our shield, O God;

Look on the face of your anointed!

For a day in your courts is better

Than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Then dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

The Lord bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold

From those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts,

Blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Heavenly Father, you are worthy to praised with our every thought and deed. May the song of our heart truly reflect that of the Psalmist. Lord, may our every desire be brought into conformity with your will. Lord you are our light and shield. A day in your courts is better than ten thousand elsewhere. We know that since you did not withhold your only Son you will not withhold any good thing from those who love you and walk uprightly. Lord produce within us a desire to give and a joy in giving that only you can give. We thank you for what you have done and what you are going to do. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Offering

Intro to: O great GOd

He has lovingly extended salvation to us through the gospel of His son and given us endless joy and hope and peace.

Sing this song as a prayer to the Lord.

Song 5: O Great God

Intro to: The wonderful Cross

When we survey the wondrous cross we 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.

God forbid that we should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Song 6: the Wonderful Cross

Scripture Reading

Prayer for illumination

Sermon: Christmas and Inti-Christmas

www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12510229217

Prayer of intercession

song of benediction: O the wonderful cross

Women's Ministry

2010-11-29T14:48:00.000-06:00

What is a women’s role in the ministry of the local church? This is a question that demands an answer. We can clearly see in the Bible that women serve an important role in the life of the church. It is of great theological importance to understand the roles of women and men in order to answer the question. Historically, the church has fallen on different sides of the debate. While there is some room here for difference in application, we must first and foremost stay true to the Scriptures.

Titus 2 and I Timothy 2 are two passages that give direct reference to the role of women in ministry. Titus 2 tells us that, “Older women…are to be reverent in behavior, no slanderers, or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands that the Word of God may not be reviled.” This gives us a vivid picture of the character, conduct, and role of godly Christian women in ministry. Likewise, I Timothy 2 affirms the same character qualities along with further insight. I Timothy 2:11 says, “let women learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a women to teach or exercise authority over a man, rather she is to remain quiet.” So, it is clear that there is a place for women to teach other women and children but they are not teach or have authority over men in the church.

Paul also makes the theological point clear in I Timothy 2:13-15. It’s not a matter of value but a creation principle. “Adam was formed first, then Eve; And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” Therefore, there is a priority of leadership within the roles that God established since creation. This does not imply that God or Paul were chauvinists but that he has given us different responsibilities and different levels of accountability. This is apparent in the fact that although Eve was the first transgressor, it was Adam’s willful sin that plunged the human race into depravity.

Historically women have been greatly used in God’s great plan of redemption from Eve into the present day although there has always been a struggle to maintain the roles that God has ordained because of the curse of sin. Culturally and ecclesiastically, the roles of men and women have been challenged and are being challenged like never before. The 1960’s began a cultural revolution that sparked a feminist movement that has greatly influenced our society and affected our churches for the worse. Although the world does not understand the things of God, the church must submit to his will and strive for godliness at all costs by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, I believe that women’s ministry in the local church is critical and essential. Both man and woman were created in the image of God to display his glory. God has given us different roles and has equipped us with different gifts and abilities in order to accomplish his will. Women are forbidden to teach or exercise authority over men in the church but women are to faithfully pray, to teach other women and children, to be involved in mercy ministry, and to love and support their own husband and children. May God give us the grace to fulfill our God given roles for his glory.

*For further reading: Women’s Ministry in the Local Church, by J Ligon Duncan and Susan Hunt

*The Danvers Statement of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is a helpful statement of the proper biblical roles of men and women.

Both Adam and Eve were created in God's image, equal before God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18).

Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human heart (Gen 2:18, 21-24; 1 Cor 11:7-9; 1 Tim 2:12-14).

Adam's headship in marriage was established by God before the Fall, and was not a result of sin (Gen 2:16-18, 21-24, 3:1-13; 1 Cor 11:7-9).

The Fall introduced distortions into the relationships between men and women (Gen 3:1-7, 12, 16).

In the home, the husband's loving, humble headship tends to be replaced by domination or passivity; the wife's intelligent, willing submission tends to be replaced by usurpation or servility.

In the church, sin inclines men toward a worldly love of power or an abdication of spiritual responsibility, and inclines women to resist limitations on their roles or to neglect the use of their gifts in appropriate ministries.

The Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, manifests the equally high value and dignity which God attached to the roles of both men and women (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18; Gal 3:28). Both Old and New Testaments also affirm the principle of male headship in the family and in the covenant community (Gen 2:18; Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Tim 2:11-15).

Redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced by the curse.

In the family, husbands should forsake harsh or selfish leadership and grow in love and care for their wives; wives should forsake resistance to their husbands' authority and grow in willing, joyful submission to their husbands' leadership (Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; Tit 2:3-5; 1 Pet 3:1-7).

In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some governing and teaching roles within the church are restricted to men (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:2-16; 1 Tim 2:11-15).

In all of life Christ is the supreme authority and guide for men and women, so that no earthly submission-domestic, religious, or civil-ever implies a mandate to follow a human authority into sin (Dan 3:10-18; Acts 4:19-20, 5:27-29; 1 Pet 3:1-2).

In both men and women a heartfelt sense of call to ministry should never be used to set aside Biblical criteria for particular ministries (1 Tim 2:11-15, 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9). Rather, Biblical teaching should remain the authority for testing our subjective discernment of God's will.

With half the world's population outside the reach of indigenous evangelism; with countless other lost people in those societies that have heard the gospel; with the stresses and miseries of sickness, malnutrition, homelessness, illiteracy, ignorance, aging, addiction, crime, incarceration, neuroses, and loneliness, no man or woman who feels a passion from God to make His grace known in word and deed need ever live without a fulfilling ministry for the glory of Christ and the good of this fallen world (1 Cor 12:7-21).

We are convinced that a denial or neglect of these principles will lead to increasingly destructive consequences in our families, our churches, and the culture at large.

*For more information go to www.cbmw.org

Plurality of Elders

2010-11-29T13:01:00.000-06:00

A question that has confounded the church for centuries is whether or not the Bible presents evidence for a plurality of elders or for single elder rule. Although there are no explicit commands in scripture regarding this matter, there are biblical implications, historical evidence, and practical advantages to support a plurality of elders in each local church.

The Scripture presents a consistent pattern of plurality. The church in Jerusalem is spoken of eight times in the book of Acts as having elders (Acts 20:17); the churches to which James wrote had elders (James 5:14), as did the churches to which Peter wrote (I Peter 5:1), and perhaps the strongest evidence is found in Acts 14:23 where Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in each church.[1] These passages represent instances where the plural form of elder, overseer, or pastor is used in connection with a local church. There are many other passages that imply plurality.

Historically, conservative churches have interpreted the Scriptures as teaching the plurality of elders although there have been differing opinions on how these elders function in practice. The Presbyterian form differs from other congregational forms in that it allows for a hierarchy of church government. Elders, in this system, are chosen by the congregation and form a session. Members of the sessions form the presbytery and members of the presbytery form a general assembly.[2] Although this system does have some benefits and has been successfully practiced, I believe that there is sufficient evidence to support a congregational form of church government with a plurality of elders without the hierarchy of leadership. In a plural local elder government model, the congregation chooses elders who share authority over their local church under the watchful eye of the congregation. Elders are chosen who have differing yet complimentary gifts to join together in the responsibility of shepherding the flock. All must meet biblical qualifications and share authority but each has specific areas of giftedness. I believe this model is the most faithful to Scripture and subsequently bring the most benefits to the elders and the congregation.

There are numerous practical advantages to the biblical practice of a plurality of elders. “Because it works” would be shaky ground to build an argument so that’s why I put this point last after biblical evidence and historical precedent. A book could be written on the practical benefits but just to name a few:

First, the authority to rule and judge does not fall on one person; Second, the elders have complimentary gifts, which work harmoniously to shepherd the flock; Thirdly, the elder’s personal strengths and weakness are rounded out; Fourthly, the elders are built up spiritually, emotionally, and mentally through common study, prayer, encouragement, and fellowship.

Many evangelical churches have for one reason or another strayed away from plural local elder government but there does seem to be a resurgence of this practice in our day. Although there is no direct command in Scripture, the evidence is in favor in the diversity of implied texts. The additional support of church history and the practical benefits make the plurality of elders in each local church the preferred model of congregational church government.

[1] James S. Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology, (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2005), p. 178.

[2] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), p. 926.

Advent Readings

2010-11-29T12:49:00.001-06:00

Advent

A Season of Reflection upon our Saviors Birth

and Anticipation of His Second Coming

What is Advent?

Advent is a season of reflection upon our Saviors birth. Traditionally the season of advent is celebrated the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day. The word “advent” simply means “coming.” Advent, therefore, is a season in which we celebrate the first coming/advent of the Son of God to earth to take on human flesh, live a perfect life, die a sacrificial death on the cross, and be resurrected from the dead and exalted at the right hand of the Father. As we look back and remember what Jesus Christ has done for us in the past, our attention must also be drawn to the future because Jesus Christ is coming again and we must be ready to meet him. During this season we are encouraged as we daily read through Scriptures from the old and new testaments to turn our focus to the true meaning of Christmas, which is Christ, and away from all the distractions of the world that seek to steal glory from him to whom all glory is due. Each week of advent we focus on a different theme: Week 1 – Hope (Christ alone is our hope), Week 2 – Peace (Christ is the Prince of Peace), Week 3 – Joy (Christ alone is the giver of true joy), Week 4 – Love (We only know true love because Christ first loved us).

Advent Readings

The following is a suggested list of advent scripture readings. These readings will be a blessing to you and your family and serve to focus your attention on Christ this Christmas season. Just take a few minutes each day to read each passage, think about and discuss the meaning and significance, and pray and thank God for all that he has done, is doing, and is going to do.

2010 ADVENT READINGS

Theme: Hope – Our Hope is found in Christ Alone! (Mat 12:18-21)

First Week of Advent (Beginning Nov. 28)

Hymn of the Week: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Sunday Isaiah 1:1-9 2 Peter 3:1-10 Matthew 25:1-13

Monday Isaiah 1:10-20 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Luke 20:1-8

Tuesday Isaiah 1:21-31 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Luke 20:9-18

Wednesday Isaiah 2:1-11 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 Luke 20:19-26

Thursday Isaiah 2:12-22 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 Luke 20:27-40

Friday Isaiah 3:8-15 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Luke 20:41 – 21:4

Saturday Isaiah 4:2-6 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Luke 21:5-19

Theme: Peace – Christ is the Prince of Peace! (Is 9:6)

Second Week of Advent (Beginning Dec. 5)

Hymn of the Week: Hark! The Harold Angels Sing

Sunday Isaiah 5:1-7 2 Peter 3:11-18 Luke 7:28-35

Monday Isaiah 5:8-12, 18-23 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 21:20-28

Tuesday Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-25 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Luke 21:29-38

Wednesday Isaiah 6:1-13 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 John 7:53 – 8:11

Thursday Isaiah 7:1-9 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Luke 22:1-13

Friday Isaiah 7:10-25 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5 Luke 22:14-30

Saturday Isaiah 8:1-15 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 Luke 22:31-38

Theme: Joy – Christ alone is the Giver of True Joy! (Luke 2:10)

Third Week of Advent (Beginning Dec. 12)

Hymn of the Week: Joy to the World

Sunday Isaiah 13:6-13 Hebrews 12:18-29 John 3:22-30

Monday Isaiah 8:16 – 9:1 2 Peter 1:1-11 Luke 22:39-53

Tuesday Isaiah 9:1-7 2 Peter 1:12-21 Luke 22:54-69

Wednesday Isaiah 9:8-17 2 Peter 2:1-10a Mark 1:1-8

Thursday Isaiah 9:18 – 10:4 2 Peter 2:10b-16 Matthew 3:1-12

Friday Isaiah 10:5-19 2 Peter 2:17-22 Matthew 11:2-15

Saturday Isaiah 10:20-27 Jude 17-25 Luke 3:19

Theme: Love – We love because Christ First Loved Us! (John 3:16)

Fourth Week of Advent (Beginning Dec. 19)

Hymn of the Week: What Child is This?

Sunday Isaiah 42:1-12 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 3:16-21

Monday Isaiah 11:1-9 Revelation 20:1-10 John 5:30-47

Tuesday Isaiah 11:10-16 Revelation 20:11 – 21:8 Luke 1:5-25

Wednesday Isaiah 28:9-22 Revelation 21:9-21 Luke 1:26-38

Thursday Isaiah 29:13-24 Revelation 21:22 – 22:5 Luke 1:39-56

Christmas Eve Isaiah 33:17-22 Revelation 22:6-11, 18-20 Luke 1:57-66

Christmas Day Isaiah 35:1-10 Revelation 22:12-17, 21 Luke 1:67-80

Christmas Night Philippians 2:5-11 Zechariah 2:10-13 1 John 4:7-16 John 3:31-26