Reformation Sunday October 29, 2017 COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America Dr. Ron Gonzales, Minister Office: 5 W Alder St, Ste 237 Walla Walla, WA 99362 (509) 522-1020 Email: office@covenantwallawalla.org
Upon entering the sanctuary, please be sensitive to the congregation s preparation for worship, and please make sure all electronic devises are turned off or set to silent mode. -DRAWING NEAR TO GOD- Welcome and Silent Prayer O God, who was and is and ever shall be, before whose face the generations rise and pass away: Age after age the living seek you and find that there is no end to your faithfulness. Our fathers walked by your guidance and trusted in your compassion. Continue to be for us the cloud by day and the fire by night. Where but in you have we a shelter from the storm or a shadow from the heat of day? In our temptations, you alone know and are near. In sorrow, your pity revives the fainting soul; in prosperity and ease, it is your Spirit alone that can preserve us in humility. O Unfailing Supply of Peace and Righteousness, take now the veil from our hearts and join us in one communion with the prophets and saints who have trusted in you and were not ashamed; for we ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. *Call to Worship Psalm 89.5-8, 14-18 Prayer of Adoration *Song of Praise to God Hymn No. 92 A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
-HAVING OUR HEARTS CLEANSED- Confession of Sin God of salvation, in Christ you have done great things our hearts are filled with joy. By your power you lifted us out of the wasteland of sin and brought us with joy and laughter into your kingdom. Salvation is your gift to us. But we confess that often we try to replace your gift with our own efforts. We try to complete what is already perfect; we try to add to what is already full; we try to earn what we already have. Forgive us for our foolishness. Help us to focus on your grace. Help us to live grateful lives in return. For Jesus sake alone. Amen. Silently Add Your Own Confession of Sin Assurance of Pardon 1 Peter 2.9-10 *Song of Praise to Christ Hymn No. 295 CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS Prayer for the Church and the World
-ATTENDING TO THE WORD- Scripture Lesson Galatians 6.6-10 Sermon Sowing and Reaping Rev. Ron Gonzales *Song of Response Hymn No. 584 GO, LABOR ON Worship of God with Tithes and Offerings *DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. words Thomas Ken, 1709; music Genevan Psalter, 1551; Public Domain Confession of Faith What do you understand by the communion of saints? First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts. Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members. The Heidelberg Catechism, No. 55
-OBSERVING THE SACRAMENT- The Lord s Supper We celebrate the Lord s Supper by coming forward and partaking of the bread and the cup. Wine is served in the inner ring of each tray; grape juice in the outer ring. We warmly invite to the Table all baptized Christians, who are living under the authority of Christ and his Church. By eating the bread and drinking of the cup, you are admitting that you are a sinner, without hope except in the sovereign mercy of God, and that you are trusting in Christ alone. If this does not describe you, we are glad you are here and commend to you the following prayers for your use during this time. A Prayer for those Searching for the Truth Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. Guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and leads to the life you promise. Amen. A Prayer of Belief Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever believed, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord. Amen. A Prayer for those Struggling with Sin Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need and may turn from every false pleasure to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to you, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen. *Song of Thanksgiving Hymn No. 523 MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD
-GOING FORTH TO SERVE- *Benediction 2 Corinthians 13.14 Postlude and Silent Prayer Father, make us willing to give up what we cannot keep, in order to gain what we can never lose; for we ask it in the name of the One who freely gave, and has been given the name above every name, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. *Please stand if able. Our Nursery Helpers Sunday School Today: Peter Early and Anna Oliver Worship Today: Jenni Early Next Week: Peter Early and Anna Oliver Next Week: Katie and Jack Leinweber Gatherings Kids Quest is a catechism class for children, ages 5 through elementary grades, taught by Pastor Ron. It meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (September through May), from 3:30 to 4:45 PM, at the church. The Leinweber Home Fellowship Group, led by Chad, meets at the Leinwebers (60 Cranbrook Ln) on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM. For more information, see Chad. All (including children) are invited. The Martin Home Fellowship Group, led by Eric Carpenter and Steve Davis, meets at Kathy Martin s (213 Chapra St), the first and third Tuesdays of each month, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. They are studying Galatians and all are welcome. The Men s Group meets Wednesdays, from 6:00 to 7:30 AM, at Pastor Ron s office, for fellowship, prayer, and Bible study. They are studying Ecclesiastes and all are invited. Prayer Meeting: We meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary, to pray for one another, the kingdom, and our world. Please join us.
Sermon Notes: Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6.6-10) 1. Mutual Burden Bearing (v. 6) 2. Reaping What We Sow (vv. 7-8) 3. The Need for Perseverance (v. 9) 4. The Priority of the Family of God (v. 10)
Prayer Concerns Rev. Andrew & Amy Allen have returned to Tacoma. Pray for Andrew s ongoing battle with cancer, as well as for the saints in Soldotna, as they seek the Lord for their future. Coram Deo Presbyterian Church: Pray for Revs. Kyle Parker and Matt Bostrom, as they carry out the work of church planting in Spokane. May their labors yield much fruit and the church be strengthened under their leadership. Tom & Melissa Manning are exploring ministry possibilities in Turkey, and will soon do the same in Lebanon and Northern Iraq. Pray for discernment as they consider what God may have next. Vickie Myers is recovering from surgery. Pray that she knows God s presence and strength as she convalesces. Bret Reller has been redeployed to the Middle East and will be there for six months. Pray for safety for him and his team, and for the success of their mission. Announcements Christmas Shoebox Ministry: The final date to turn in shoeboxes is November 19. Information regarding their content is available downstairs along with the Go Boxes. Pick yours up today. Daylight Savings Time comes to an end next Sunday. Be sure to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night. Reformation Sunday: Please join us at 6:00 PM this evening, as we gather at Grace URC, in Kennewick, to worship with the saints from there and from Covenant OPC and the URC of Sunnyside on this, the 500 th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. (We will leave from here at 4:30.) A chili supper for all follows the service. Reformation Night: Dave and Cami Panther have invited us to an evening of Reformation fun, at their home (877 Whitney Rd), this Tuesday, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. To learn more and RSVP, see Cami s Facebook page, or email her at cami.panther@gmail.com. 30 Days of Prayer: Please join us during the month of November in praying for PCA missionaries around the world. Prayer calendars are available on the literature table. Explanation of Cover Symbol Since the time of the Reformation, the burning bush has been a symbol of the Church. The Latin words are taken from Exodus 3.2 and read...and yet it was not consumed. In one of his letters, Samuel Rutherford reminded his correspondent, The bush has been burning these five thousand years, and no man yet saw the ashes of that fire.