reformation sunday worship service october 29, 2017

Transcription

1 reformation sunday worship service october 29, 2017 bagpipe and organ Prelude Highland Cathedral Hyfredol St. Clements Foundation Call to Worship Based on John Calvin s Geneva Liturgy (1542) (Leader) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Congregation) Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Invocation the WELCOME OF GOD Hymn of Praise #92 A Mighty Fortress is Our God 1

2 Sola Scriptura (The scripture alone) Geneva Confession (1537) Section 1 We declare that for the rule of faith and religion, we wish to follow the Scriptures alone, without mixing with it any other thing which might be fabricated by the opinion of men apart from the Word of God; and we do not pretend to receive any other doctrine for our spiritual government than that which is taught us by the same Word, without addition or reduction, according to the command of our Lord. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the people of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Song of Response Ancient Words Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world; They resound with God s own heart, O let the ancient words impart. Words of life, words of hope, give us strength, help us cope. In this world where er we roam, ancient words will guide us home. (Chorus) Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you. We have come with open hearts, O let the ancient words impart. Holy words of our faith, handed down to this age. Came to us through sacrifice, O heed the faithful words of Christ. Martyr s blood stains each page, they have died for this faith. Hear them cry through the years, heed these words and hold them dear. (Chorus) Words and Music by Lynn DeShazo. 2

3 Sola Gratia Sola Fide (Grace alone through faith alone) Heidelberg Catechism (1563) Answer 21 True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel in my heart; that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ s merits. For by grace we have been saved through faith. And this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that none of us may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Song of Response By Faith By faith we see the hand of God in the light of creation s grand design, In the lives of those who prove his faithfulness, who walk by faith and not by sight. By faith our fathers roamed the earth with the power of his promise in their hearts, Of a holy city built by God s own hand, a place where peace and justice reign. (Chorus) We will stand as children of the promise; we will fix our eyes on him, our soul s reward. Till the race is finished and the work is done, we ll walk by faith and not by sight. By faith the prophets saw a day when the longed-for Messiah would appear With the power to break the chains of sin and death and rise triumphant from the grave. By faith the church was called to go in the power of the Spirit to the lost To deliver captives and to preach good news in every corner of the earth. (Chorus) By faith this mountain shall be moved and the power of the gospel shall prevail, For we know in Christ all things are possible for all who call upon his name. (Chorus) Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend. 3

4 Solus Christus (Through Christ alone) Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) VIII.1 It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom he did from all eternity give a people, to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) Song of Response In Christ Alone In Christ alone my hope is found, he is my Light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones he came to save. Til on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied. For every sin on him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground his body lay, light of the world by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again. And as he stands in victory, sin s curse has lost its grip on me. For I am his and he is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death; this is the pow r of Christ in me. From life s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No pow r of Hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from his hand. Til he returns or calls me home, here in the pow r of Christ I ll stand. Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend. 4

5 Soli deo gloria (Glory to God alone) Welcome and Announcements Members and Visitors please register your attendance on the Attendance Register. Pastoral prayer Choral Response (11:00 a.m. Service) The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune (See insert) Children ages 4-1 st grade may be dismissed to Worship Center at this time. Scripture Reading Matthew 3:1-17 (Pew Bible, page 808) 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. 4 Now John wore a garment of camel s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father, for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? 15 But Jesus answered him, Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. 5

6 Sermon Repentance Rev. Brad Allison Today is Reformation Sunday, a day on which we remember Martin Luther s nailing of the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. Today is a special Reformation Sunday because it marks the 500th anniversary of that defining act. It was on October 31, 1517 that Luther posted his theses. So it is fitting this day that our passage should be on the topic of repentance, because his purpose in composing that work was to write a commentary on true repentance and to contrast that with false repentance. In his first thesis he announces his theme: When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, Repent, he wanted the whole life of believers to be a life of repentance. Repentance was the theme of the preaching of both John the Baptist and of Jesus (Matt. 4:17). It is just as widely misunderstood in our day as in Luther s, so we are privileged today to look at the foundational passage on repentance in Matthew s Gospel. It involves three components. I. An Awakening II. A Turning Away III. A Turning Toward 6

7 Giving of Tithes and Offerings Celebration of the Lord s supper (Gluten-free bread is available in the Welcome Center. As the elements are passed, feel free to state the following words to the person next to you in the pew: Bread This is Christ s body, given for you. Juice This is Christ s blood, shed for the forgiveness of your sins. ) Dearly We re Bought Come raise your thankful voice, ye souls redeemed with blood. Leave earth and all its toys and mix no more with mud. Dearly we re bought, highly esteemed; redeemed with Jesus blood, redeemed. Dearly we re bought, highly esteemed; redeemed with Jesus blood, redeemed. With heart and soul and mind exalt redeeming love. Leave worldly cares behind and set your minds above. Lift up your ravished eyes and view the glory given; all lower things despised, ye citizens of heaven. Be to this world as dead, alive to that to come. Our life in Christ is hid, who soon shall call us home. Words by Joseph Hart. Music by Matthew Welch. Hymn of Response #358 For All the Saints Blessing of God s People Postlude Words and Music used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI #

8 Announcements OUR MISSIONARIES OF THE WEEK are Charlie and Ruth Jones. Please pray for Charlie as he has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. Their ministry to the people of Greensboro, NC, called City 616, has been reduced due to his illness. ANNOUNCEMENTS: SPECIAL REFORMATION MUSIC TODAY AVPC is celebrating Reformation Sunday today. Our prelude music features Daniel Akin on bagpipes and Jameson Overton on organ. JOINT THANKSGIVING SERVICE Mark your calendars and join us for a joint Thanksgiving service with our sister congregation, Household of Faith Church (HFC), Sunday, November 19, at Household of Faith. Childcare will be provided through age five. Reception immediately follows. THANKSGIVING will be here soon! We are collecting food for 30 Thanksgiving baskets in partnership with Urban Hope Community Church and Household of Faith. Drop off tubs are in the Parlor and Welcome Center. We are also collecting $20 gift cards to be included for the purchase of the turkey. Thank you in advance for your generosity. All donations must be in by Sunday, November 12. To sign-up visit (Coordinator: Klose Password: avpc) INVITATION TO KOSOVO Once again we have a group from AVPC going to Kosovo to share Christmas with the students on the university campus in Prishtina. The dates are December 9-17 and the approximate cost is $2,200. We currently have 4 people going. If you think you may be interested in joining this mission trip or just need more information, contact Sherry Cawley ( ). BABY SHOWER FOR JACKIE BOGGS Help the Boggs welcome their newest family member by contributing to the baby shower being planned for them on Tuesday, November 7, from 7-9 p.m. For more information, see the collection envelope in your Sunday School. Ladies, you are invited to attend this event as well. PARKING FOR TRUNK-OR-TREAT We would like to ask all AVPC folks to use the Altadena Park parking lot or the parking lot on the office side of the building for our Trunk-or-Treat event, 4:30 6:30 p.m. We will be using our upper parking lot and the lot in front of the Fellowship Hall for all of the activities. We plan to have parking lot attendants directing you and helping everyone safely cross the street. As in previous years, we are hoping for a big turnout. GOODBYE TO THE BROGANS Join us on November 12, at 6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall as we bid farewell to the Brogan family. Everyone is welcome. 8 10/22/17 Receipts Year-To-Date Receipts Year-To-Date Requirements Over(Under) Budget General Fund $21,543 $911,735 $902,733 $9,002 Faith Promise $3,540 $226,355 $234,782 ($8,427)

9 Calendar sunday (october 29*) 8:30 a.m. Worship Service Brad preaching on Matt. 3:1-17 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Brad preaching on Matt. 3:1-17 4:30 p.m. Trunk-Or-Treat Monday 6:30 a.m. Men s Fraternity Mon 3:00 p.m. WTW Bible Wendy Allison s home 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal WEDNESDAY 9:00 a.m. WTW Bible Parlor 5:15 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner 6:15 p.m. Small Group Meetings Jr. & Sr. High Small Groups Praise Team Rehearsal thursday 6:30 p.m. WTW Bible Amy MacCaughelty s home sunday (November 5) 8:30 a.m. Worship Service Michael preaching on Isaiah 64:4 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Michael preaching on Isaiah 64:4 4:30 p.m. Missions Team Meeting 5:00 p.m. Superkids & Preteens Chancel Choir Rehearsal Men s Fraternity Parlor Basement WTW Bible Room E-6 6:00 p.m. Officer Training Class * Celebration of the Lord s Supper THE NOVEMBER ISSUE of the Saltshaker, AVPC s monthly newsletter, is available. Copies can be picked up in the Parlor and Welcome Center. To view it online visit the About Us page of the website. 9