PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (P.C.A.)

Transcription

1 Reaching Ocala to Reach the World GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (P.C.A.) 2255 S. E. 38th Street Ocala, FL (352) Verse of the Year: They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NAS) JOURNEY TO THE RESURRECTION February 21, 2016 Even the sad and lonely have a voice in worship The lament is the most dominant form of expression in the Psalter, simply because it is where the writers of the psalms most often found themselves. The backdrop for the psalms is the universal human tragedy: the alienation of humans from God, the spread of evil, and the corruption of the natural world. If the psalms are sad, it is because they were written by people who were in touch with this reality. The pain of this reality, however, appears to be the very thing that amplified the joy of their salvation. The greater sensitivity we have toward a problem, the greater our joy in the solution. And so it is with every jubilant psalm. They are grounded in an acute awareness of the tragedy of the human situation. Matthew Jacoby, Australian Baptist pastor and lead member of the Christian band Sons of Korah

2 THE LORD CALLS US TO WORSHIP Let us rise to worship the merciful GOD, Who turns away no one who turns to Him in faith and trust: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! All: AMEN! How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 A Traditional Prayer for the Season O God, Whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways, and bring them again with repentant hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word made flesh, Jesus Christ Your Son; Who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. We call on the Spirit and ask the Father for the Kingdom Hymn of Entry Revive Us Again Hymnal No. 434

3 THE LORD CLEANSES US You are invited to bend the knee before God for confession, or you may be seated. A prayer is followed by silent confession. Lord, for Thy tender mercy s sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives: to decline from sin, and incline to virtue, that we may walk with a perfect heart before Thee now and evermore. Amen. We pray in silence. A cry for help and healing Psalm 42 Maybe you know someone in pain, who feels far away from God. Or maybe you feel that way yourself. Or maybe you or someone you know struggles with depression. Make this psalm a prayer for them, or yourself, or someone, anyone: As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, Where is your God? These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng, and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.

4 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizár. = far from spiritual home Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me. By day the LORD commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock: Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, Where is your God? Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. Silent intercession for the broken and the aching

5 We re Marching to Zion Hymnal No. 416 Psalm 84 How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 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! Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 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 than 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!

6 O Lord of Hosts Based on Psalm 84 O Lord of hosts, how lovely are Your tent and throne! My soul yearns, yes, and faints for Yahweh s courts. My heart and flesh, they sing for joy to God of Life, just like a bird who finds her home in You. The swallow makes a nesting place, O Lord of hosts, that near Your altars she may place her young. My King and God, how blest are those who dwell with You. Within Your house Your praises are forever sung. How blest the man who finds in You the strength he needs, and in whose heart are Zion s pathways found! The vale of tears they make a place of water-springs, as early rainfall blesses barren ground. From strength to strength they journey on their pilgrimage, until in God s own Zion they appear. O Lord of armies, hear my prayer: our shield behold, and look upon the face of Your anointed one! How better, far, a single day within Your courts, than thousands spent in any other way; I d rather camp upon the steps of my God s house, than pitch my tent where wickedness holds sway. For God the Lord is like a sun and shield for us: the Lord has given grace, and glory, too; no good thing He withholds from those who walk aright. O Lord of hosts, how blest the man who trusts in You!

7 We Offer Up Ourselves and the World in the Giving of God s Tithes and Our Offerings Children age 4-1st Grade may be dismissed for Children s Worship. Offertory Song As the Deer As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart s desire, and I long to worship Thee. You alone are my Strength, my Shield; to You alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart s desire, and I long to worship Thee. You re my Friend and You are my Brother, even though You are a King. I love You more than any other, so much more than anything. Refrain I want You more than gold or silver; only You can satisfy. You alone are the real joy giver; I m the apple of Your eye. Refrain Please rise to bless the Lord:

8 Prayer of Thanksgiving and Self-Offering THE LORD SPEAKS TO US Sermon text: Psalm 84 Sermon: A Foretaste of Heaven Pastor Keith Ledford Prayers of God s People United to Christ, Who gave Himself up for the life of the world, we intercede for those we love, the Church, and the world. THE LORD SENDS US OUT Lift your face to receive God s blessing: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. All: AMEN! Numbers 6:24-26 Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You! Psalm 84:5, 12

9 Departing Hymn On Jordan s Stormy Banks

10 A FORETASTE OF HEAVEN Psalm 84 Theme: Corporate Worship Reorients and Transforms Our Mindset from Kingdom of Self to Kingdom of God. (Hebrews 12:22-24, 28-29) Introduction (2 Corinthians 5:1-10) I. Craving the Community of the Church (verses: 1-4) II. Comprehending Contentment in All Circumstances (verses 5-7) III. Cultivating Christ-Centered Conviction (verses 8-12)