OUR MISSION OUR CORE VALUES

Transcription

1 September 24, 2017

2 OUR MISSION To seek the King s restoration of all things OUR CORE VALUES GRACE DRIVEN We emphasize grace as the good news of God s unconditional love and transforming power, and the primary message of the church for all people. KINGDOM ORIENTED We believe that God s purpose is the gathering of his people from every nation and the renewal of all things through sharing the gospel and expressing Christ s lordship in every area of life. RELATIONALLY AUTHENTIC We strive to be a place of strength and restoration; a community where we can be honest about our brokenness as we call one another to the hope that is promised in Christ.

3 ORDER OF WORSHIP Sunday, September 24, 2017 Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost REFLECTION Is it not wonderful news to believe that salvation lies outside ourselves? 3 - Martin Luther PRELUDE The Christian community is a community of the cross, for it has been brought into being by the cross, and the focus of its worship and work is the Lamb once slain, now glorified. - John Stott For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5: 6-8 WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS THE WORD CALL TO WORSHIP God has the first word in worship through a Scriptural invitation to come worship Him. from Isaiah 40 Leader: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth All: He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. Leader: He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. All: They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. Leader: They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. PRAYER OF INVOCATION

4 4 SONG OF PRAISE Everlasting God (Strength Will Rise) Lyrics and Music: Brenton Brown and Ken Riley (2006) HYMN OF ADORATION Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord Our God, You reign forever, our hope, our Strong Deliverer You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God You do not faint, You won t grow weary You re the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need You lift us up on wings like eagles Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah Lyrics: William Williams (1745) Music: Jeremy Casella (2002) Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand Bread of heaven, Feed me now and evermore Bread of heaven, Feed me now and evermore Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing waters flow Let the fire and cloudy pillar, Lead me all my journey through Strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my Strength and Shield Strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my Strength and Shield When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside Death of death, and hell s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan s side Songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee Songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee Land me safe on Canaan s side Bid my anxious fears, bid my anxious fears Land me safe on Canaan s side Bid my anxious fears, bid my anxious fears, goodbye

5 CALL TO CONFESSION OF SIN In order to stand before the holy God of the universe, we need to come with clean consciences. Therefore, early in the service we confess our sins to Him. This is not meant to be a time of obsession about our failures, but rather a hopeful grasp of the mercy Jesus promises to sinners like us. from the Heidelberg Catechism - Question & Answer #3, 4, 5 Leader: How do you come to know your misery? All: The Law of God tells me. Leader: What does God s law require of us? All: Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 22: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Leader: Can you live up to all this perfectly? All: No. I have a natural tendency to hate God and my neighbor. CONFESSION OF SIN (Please pray aloud together.) Jesus, it is sometimes so discouraging to take stock of how much sin still dwells in my heart and life anger, impatience, anxious control, envy, fear, lust, self-pity, greed and selfish ambition. I am full of compromised desires and my transgressions are too numerous to count. I want to want what you want and to do what you command, yet my heart is so easily pulled away. Have mercy, Holy Jesus, forgive me. Please send your Holy Spirit to renew my heart in your grace and power. Guide my steps in discipleship of You. Amen. [You are invited to confess your sins to God silently at this time.] ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (Please stand) 1 Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Minister: May the peace of Christ be with you all. All: And also with you. 5 SONG OF ASSURANCE All I Have Is Christ Lyrics and Music: Bob Kauflin (2008) I once was lost in darkest night, Yet thought I knew the way The sin that promised joy and life, Had led me to the grave I had no hope that You would own, A rebel to Your will And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse You still

6 6 But as I ran my hell-bound race, Indifferent to the cost You looked upon my helpless state, And led me to the cross And I beheld God s love displayed, You suffered in my place You bore the wrath reserved for me, Now all I know is grace Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone, And live so all might see The strength to follow Your commands, Could never come from me Oh Father, use my ransomed life, In any way You choose And let my song forever be, My only boast is You OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 53:1-6 Reader: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God! GOSPEL READING Matthew 11:25-30 Reader: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise be to You, O Christ. MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT - Chuck & Jimmie Lynn Linkston Chuck and Jimmie Lynn are church planters in Hobart, Tasmania; Australia s island state. On any given Sunday, less than 2 percent of Hobart s population attends a church of any kind. Please continue to pray for the ministry of the Linkston family in Tasmania as they live out the gospel in Hobart. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE [ Please pray the bold portions aloud together. ] Leader: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray. Leader: All: Leader: Almighty God, In Jesus Christ you taught us to pray, And to offer our petitions to you in His name. Guide us by your Holy Spirit, that our prayers for others may serve your will and show your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us pray for our friends and family (silence). Amen.

7 7 Leader: All: Leader: God of all generations, You formed your church from the despised of the earth And showed them mercy that they might proclaim salvation to all. Strengthen those you have chosen that they may faithfully endure all trials by which you conform your church to the cross of Christ through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us pray for the church (silence). Amen. Leader: God of comfort, You bear the pain of the world and stand with those who sorrow. All: Look with compassion on those who are troubled, cheer them by your word, and bring them healing as a sign of your grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Leader: Let us pray for the sick and those who sorrow (silence). Amen. Leader: All: Mighty God, whose word we trust, whose Spirit enables us to pray: accept our requests and further those which will bring about your purpose on earth through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen OFFERING At this time, children age K4-K5 grade are invited to attend Children s Worship. If you would like to keep your child(ren) with you in the sanctuary during worship, we welcome you to do so. HYMN OF PREPARATION O Come and Mourn With Me Awhile Lyrics: Frederick William Faber (1843) Music: Eric Ashley (1999) O come and mourn with me awhile, O come ye to the Savior s side O come, together let us mourn, Jesus our Lord is crucified Seven times He spoke seven words of love, And all three hours His silence cried For mercy on the souls of men, Jesus our Lord is crucified O love of God! O sin of man, In this dread act Your strength is tried And victory remains with love, Jesus our Lord is crucified O break, O break, hard heart of mine, Thy weak self-love and guilty pride His Pilate and His Judas were, Jesus our Lord is crucified A broken heart, a fount of tears, Ask, and they will not be denied A broken heart love s cradle is, Jesus our Lord is crucified

8 8 NEW TESTAMENT READING 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart. 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Reader: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God! SERMON - Rev. Charles Godwin God has chosen to work in the lives of his people by using His written and preached Word. Preaching was the primary activity of Jesus and the apostles. The Scriptures say preaching is a foolish means to convince and convert people, but that God has chosen this weak means to ensure that we give him credit for changing lives rather than crediting the eloquence or creativity of a minister.

9 THE TABLE CONFESSION OF FAITH We confess the common faith that we share not only with each other, but with Christians around the world and throughout the ages of the church. We use the same words that Christians from diverse cultures and nations have used for centuries to affirm our bedrock trust in Jesus Christ. The Belgic Confession All: We believe that we have no access to God except through the one and only Mediator and Intercessor: Jesus Christ the Righteous. He therefore was made man, uniting together the divine and human natures, so that we human beings might have access to the divine Majesty. Otherwise we would have no access. But this Mediator, whom the Father has appointed between himself and us, ought not to terrify us by his greatness, so that we have to look for another one, according to our fancy. For neither in heaven nor among the creatures on earth is there anyone who loves us more than Jesus Christ does. We should not plead that we are unworthy for it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own dignity but only on the basis of the excellence and dignity of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith. INVITATION AND PRAYER If you are not yet a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with his people, the church. WORDS OF INSTITUTION Minister: Therefore, let us proclaim the mystery of faith. All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again! Minister: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. All: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. Minister: The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on Him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. THE GIVING OF THE BREAD AND CUP Please walk forward to receive communion as you are dismissed by the ushers. We partake in the Supper by intinction, that is, we dip the bread into the cup. Gluten-free wafers and individual cups are also available at each station. 9

10 10 COMMUNION HYMN It Is Well Lyrics: Horatio Gates Spafford (1873) Music: Philip Bliss (1876) When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say: It is well, it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control That Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed his own blood for my soul My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part, but the whole Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more; Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul PARTING HYMN On Jordan s Stormy Banks Lyrics: Samuel Medley (1775) Music: Christopher Miner (1997) On Jordan s stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye To Canaan s fair and happy land, where my possessions lie All o er those wide extended plains shines one eternal day There God the Son forever reigns and scatters night away I am bound (I am bound), I am bound (I am bound), I am bound for promised land I am bound (I am bound), I am bound (I am bound), I am bound for promised land No chilling winds nor poisonous breath can reach that healthful shore Sickness, sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more When shall I reach that happy place and be forever blessed? When shall I see my Father s face and in His bosom rest? BENEDICTION God has the last word in our worship as well as the first. The benediction is not a prayer; rather, the minister is declaring the Lord s Blessing, so lift your heads in faith and joy to receive it. Lyrics reproduced with permission: CCLI #83640

11 WEEK AT A GLANCE September 17-24, Sunday 24th 5:00pm 6:30pm Church Picnic No Youth Group Cherokee Bluffs Park Monday 25th 3:00pm South Hall Food Pantry South Hall Food Pantry Wednesday 27th 6:30am 10:00am 7:00pm Men s Breakfast Women s Bible Study Youth Small Groups Cracker Barrel, Lake Lanier Pkwy Restoration Offices Various Locations Thursday 28th 7:00pm Women s Bible Study Restoration Offices Friday 29th 10:00am Women s Coffee Time Various Locations Saturday 30th 10:00am South Hall Food Pantry South Hall Food Pantry Sunday 1st 9:00am 9:15am 10:30am 6:30pm Fellowship Connection Groups Worship Service Youth Group Mill Creek High School Mill Creek High School Mill Creek HIgh School Restoration Offices For locations & information about these and future activities, visit restpres.org/announcements CHURCH-WIDE PICNIC There will be a church-wide picnic at Cherokee Bluffs Park this evening, September 24th, from 5-7pm. Pack your picnic basket, bring some chairs, and we hope to see you there tonight! SOUTH HALL FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY South Hall Community Food Pantry s mission is to feed the hungry in Hall County in body and spirit by providing 3-4 days of nutritional food items and personal hygiene products. Restoration is one of five local church sponsors of the ministry that provides volunteers to open the pantry to serve Hall County neighbors. The Food Pantry is located at 4211 Walnut Street, Oakwood, Georgia The next service date for Restoration is Monday, September 25th from 3:00-5:00 and Saturday, September 30th from 10:00-Noon. Contact Mike Robertson (etscot@aol.com) or Carol Williams (chwilliams24@gmail.com) for more information.

12 STAFF Charles Godwin Pastor Chris Buck Rogers Pastor James Jardin Pastor Director of Middle School & Youth Small Groups Stefanie Dunnington Assimilation Assistant Caleb Thornley Director of Music & High School Youth Dave Wicker Church Administrator OFFICERS SESSION DIACONATE Shane Ammons Tim Beck Jon Atkins* Scott Daniel Greg Beadles* Harold Gunji Jared Bostrom Jim Helton Chris Bozeman Matt Johnson Jamie Cain* Daniel Ocha Mark Chilton Nathaniel Rice Richard Dolan* Mike Townsend Kevin Downs* Jay Varner Mitch Gindlesperger Mike White David Kicklighter Steve Ziegler Mark Landers* Kris Maynard* Brent McCaig Roger Phillips Timothy Shaded Rusty Walker* *Governing Commission worship location worship times connection groups offices office hours phone web Mill Creek HS 4400 Braselton Highway Hoschton, GA Sundays at 10:30am Sundays at 9:15am 4907 Golden Pkwy Suite 500 Buford, GA M-Th 9:00am to 12:00pm (or by appointment) Restoration is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America