Welcome. But for me it is good to be near God. Psalm 73:28. May our gracious Lord draw near to you wonderfully in this service today.

Transcription

1 July 18,

2 Welcome But for me it is good to be near God. Psalm 73:28 We have no greater privilege than to draw near to God. We come to him through the merit of Christ crucified. We come by the power of the Holy Spirit. And we come with God s promise that he will draw near to us (James 4:8). If your faith has not yet come to rest in Christ, and if God is awakening in your heart a desire to take the next step, please use one of the prayer cards in the pew rack to contact the pastor or speak to him as you leave the sanctuary. A husband and wife team will also be available at the front of the sanctuary following the service to speak with anyone interested in exploring what it means to know Jesus Christ or to join this church. May our gracious Lord draw near to you wonderfully in this service today. Leading The Services Rev. Chris Florence...Associate Pastor Mr. John Barrett... Executive Director of Discipleship Mrs. Martha Cathcart... Guest Organist July Greeters Charlie Green, Mike Harris, Phin Hitchcock, Gerald Killian... 8:30 a.m. Billy English, Chip Fisher, Tom Harley, Steve Hubbard...11 a.m. Elders 2

3 THE MORNING SERVICES July 18, :30 and 11 a.m. ( Indicates the congregation standing) The Theme: The Gospel Foundation The Vocal Prelude - The Lord s My Shepherd... St. Columba Paul Owen, tenor (The congregation is invited to read Luke 6:46-49 page 1602 in the pew Bible) The Lord s my Shepherd, I ll not want: he makes me down to lie in pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by. My soul he doth restore again: and me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness, e en for his own name s sake. Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me: and in God s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be. from Psalm 23 The Peace The Call to Worship...Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Let us worship God. 3

4 The Hymn - O Worship the King...Lyons (Verses 1,2,4,5) 4

5 The Invocation The Confession of Faith...Belgic Confession (1561) Article 27 We believe and confess one single catholic or universal church a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects. And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of men as though it were snuffed out. For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved for himself seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal. And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or certain persons. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith. The Old Testament Lesson...Psalm 124 page 929 in the pew Bible The Response The grass withers and the flowers fall, But the Word of our God stands forever. The Personal Confession of Sin 5

6 The Corporate Confession of Sin (Please kneel) Good and gracious Father, we have heard the way of kingdom living, and we confess we fall short. You see our sin and stumbling, our rebellion and neglect of your law. Jesus, Lord of Mercy, you paid the penalty of our sins upon the cross. Forgive us, we pray, for so quickly and persistently taking them up again. As our sin was nailed to the cross with you, so may we live for you, now. As we turn from our iniquity and mortify our lusts, take away our love of sinning, even as you have taken away our guilt for sinning. Holy Spirit, cleanse us, restore us, and give us a passion for works of new obedience to your Word. With confidence in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen The Assurance of Pardoning Grace... Psalm 32:4-5 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD and you forgave the guilt of my sin. The Gloria... Greatorex 6

7 The Pastoral Prayer and The Lord s Prayer (Please stand) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on 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. The Offering* *Please take a moment to sign the attendance register. The Offertory - If With All Your Hearts Ye Truly Seek Me... Mendelssohn If with all your hearts ye truly seek me, ye shall ever surely find me, thus saith our God. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might even come before his presence. Jeremiah 29:13, Job 23:3 Online giving available at 7

8 The Hymn of Preparation - Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross...Near the Cross (Children in K4 through fourth grade exit at this time.) (Verses 1,2,3) The Sermon - Parable of the Two Builders...Luke 6:46-49 (Sermon Outline on the back of the announcement sheet) 8

9 The Silent Prayers of God s People The Hymn of Response - How Firm a Foundation... Foundation (Verses 1,2,3,6) 9

10 The Benediction (Please be seated following the benediction) The Organ Postlude - Allegretto...Handel Please note that an elder is available at the front of the sanctuary following the service for prayer, counsel, or information about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Sanctuary Flowers The sanctuary flowers are given today to the glory of God. CCLI License Number

11 Evening Service Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. Psalm 134:2 The Shorter Catechism in Modern English, Question 107: Q: What does the conclusion of the Lord s prayer teach us? A: The conclusion of the Lord s prayer (for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever) teaches us to be encouraged only by God in our prayers and to praise him by acknowledging that kingdom, power, and glory are his. To show that we want to be heard and have confidence that we are, we say Amen. Jazz Prelude Welcome and Call to Worship Leading the Service John Barrett...Executive Director of Discipleship Chris Florence... Associate Pastor Abe Okie... Worship Leader July Greeters Byron Morris, Bruce Van Peursem, Jim Scarbrough, Mike Watts Elders 11

12 Song - Jesus, Everlasting King 12

13 Song - God of Wonders 13

14 Song - Better is One Day 14

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16 Offering and Prayer of Dedication Offertory - Before the Throne of Grace...arr. Davis Amy Patton, Emily Aceves, Sarah Giddings, Ellen Hoover Before the throne of grace I come, humble and repentant one. With sorrow for the deeds I ve done, before the throne of grace I come Before the throne of grace I fall. With a trembling voice I call for pardon from the Lord of all. Before the throne of grace I fall. I love the Lamb who took my sin, whose mercy makes me clean again. Oh, before the throne of grace I hear, Debt is paid, your name is clear. Precious words of life, so dear, before the throne of grace I hear. I love the Lamb who took my sin, whose mercy makes me clean again. I rise with words of grateful praise, knowing now the only way. Before the throne of grace I stand, all because the Son of Man bears my wounds, his feet and hands, before the throne of grace I stand. 16

17 Song - I Love You, Lord (Children in K4 through second grade exit at this time.) 17

18 Sermon - Perfect Love...Mr. John Barrett Matthew 5:43-48 I. The Purity of the Law II. Our Performance of the Law III. His Perfection of the Law 18

19 Song - In Chris Alone Benediction 19

20 Visitor Information To Our Guests, We especially welcome you today! Information about our church is available in our Welcome Center, located through the doorway to the right of the high pulpit. You can also visit our website at Children s Worship A specially designed program is offered for children in pre-k through fourth grade during the morning services. A leader will escort children from the sanctuary to their rooms during the hymn of preparation. Parents are welcome to accompany them to observe and/or know where to pick them up after the service. Parents of children in pre-k through second grade are asked to pick up their children following Sunday School or the 11 a.m. worship service. Nursery Nurseries are provided for infants and toddlers during the worship services and Sunday School. We also provide a Mother/Infant Room equipped with audio located beside Nursery 1. Ushers are available to direct you. Church Membership If you are interested in making First Presbyterian your church home or in simply knowing more about our church, please call the church office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. 5 p.m., at McKnight Lecture Series Where Faith and Culture Meet Please join us today for the McKnight Lectures in St. Andrew s Hall. The teaching will begin at 10 a.m. Upcoming Topics Today Lessons from Hollywood: Interview with Carl Rogers Mr. Carl Rogers, Creative Executive to Alcon Entertainment, Hollywood CA July 25 Redeeming Our Culture Dr. Mark Ross, Associate Professor, Systematic Theology, Erskine Seminary 20