THE WORSHIP OF GOD July 8, 2018 To protect the Worship environment, please, no drinks in the Sanctuary, and remember to turn off cell phones. THE GATHERING *#25 Immortal, Invisible Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious-- Thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might; Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love. To all, life Thou givest-- to both great and small, In all life Thou livest-- the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish-- but naught changeth Thee. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight; All praise we would render-- O help us to see 'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee! TEXT: Walter Chalmers Smith; based on 1 Timothy 1:17 MUSIC: Traditional Welsh Hymn melody from John Roberts' Canaidau y Cyssegr, 1839 *THE PRAYER OF INVOCATION *THE RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP: PSALM 96 LEADER: Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all peoples! ALL: For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. LEADER: For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! ALL: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! LEADER: Say among the nations, The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. ALL: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! LEADER: Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
*You Alone Can Rescue Who, oh Lord, could save themselves, their own soul could heal? Our shame was deeper than the sea, Your grace is deeper still (repeat) (chorus) You alone can rescue, You alone can save You alone can lift us from the grave You came down to find us, led us out of death To You alone belongs the highest praise You, oh Lord, have made a way, the great divide You healed For when our hearts were far away Your love went further still Yes, Your love goes further still (repeat chorus 2x) To You alone belongs the highest praise (2x) copyright 2009 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at EMICMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is adm. by kingswaysongs.com) / sixsteps Music (ASCAP) Said And Done Music (ASCAP) (adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) / Jonas Myrin Publishing (ASCAP) / Shout! Publishing (ASCAP) ARR.UBP.CCLI#245668 THE SCRIPTURE READING: PROVERBS 28:13 THE PRAYERS OF CONFESSION God, Be Merciful to Me God, be merciful to me, on Thy grace I rest my plea; Plenteous in compassion Thou, blot out my transgressions now; Wash me, make me pure within, cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin. My transgressions I confess, grief and guilt my soul oppress; I have sinned against Thy grace and provoked Thee to Thy face; I confess Thy judgment just, speechless, I Thy mercy trust. PRIVATE (A time of silent and private confessions for personal sins) Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true; Cast me not away from Thee, let Thy Spirit dwell in me; Thy salvation s joy impart, steadfast make my willing heart. Sinners then shall learn from me and return, O God to Thee; Savior all my guilt remove, and my tongue shall sing Thy love; Touch my silent lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall praise accord. Words by Richard Redhead Music by Chris Miner Chris Miner Music.UBP.ARR.CCLI#245668
*THE PROFESSION OF FAITH: HEIDELBERG CATECHISM #1 Leader: What is your only comfort in life and death? All: That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, wherefore by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him. *O Great God O great God of highest heaven, occupy my lowly heart. Own it all and reign supreme, conquer every rebel power. Let no vice or sin remain that resists Your holy war. You have loved and purchased me, make me Yours forevermore. I was blinded by my sin, had no ears to hear Your voice, Did not know Your love within, had no taste for heaven s joys. Then Your Spirit gave me life, opened up Your Word to me Through the gospel of Your Son, gave me endless hope and peace. Help me now to live a life that s dependent on Your grace. Keep my heart and guard my soul from the evils that I face. You are worthy to be praised with my every thought and deed. O great God of highest heaven, glorify Your Name through me. You are worthy to be praised with my every thought and deed. O great God of highest heaven, glorify Your Name through me. Words and music by Bob Kauflin as recorded on Valley of Vision 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI) CCLI#245668 *#32 (Trinity) Great Is Thy Faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. (refrain) Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-- Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. (repeat refrain) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (repeat refrain) From Psalm 136 John Milton, 1624; alt. French Melody, 13th cent. Arr. in The Parish Choir, 1850
THE DEDICATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Although giving is a significant part of worship, we do not collect the offering during our service. Two boxes are placed by the doors to receive your offering. Tithes and offerings for the General Fund are placed in the box without the steeple. Offerings for the Building Fund are to be placed in the box with the steeple, with check payable to Grace EPC Building Fund. THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM 8:45 am: Adam Broxson Goertz (CHILDREN ARE DISMISSED FOR THEIR CLASSES AT THIS TIME: K-4TH GRADE --- LINE UP IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE SANCTUARY.) (THOSE WHO ARRIVE AFTER THE SERVICE HAS BEGUN MAY BE SEATED AT THIS TIME) THE WELCOME At this time, please fill out the friendship register found at the side aisle. As the register is passed, please note those with whom you are worshipping so that you can greet one another after the service. If this is your first Sunday at Grace, please accept our invitation to worship with us again soon. If you would like information about Grace EPC, please take one of our brochures from the table in the narthex. If you are looking for a church home, please let us know and we will be happy to visit with you. THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER THE PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION THE READING OF SCRIPTURE RESPONSE TO THE READING OF THE WORD All: The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. 1 Kings 17 THE MESSAGE FROM SCRIPTURE Ryan Randolph THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE It is our sincere desire to pray effectively for the particular needs of those worshipping with us this morning. If you have a prayer concern that you want shared with the congregation during the prayers of the people, please call the church office or one of the elders prior to the service with your request. If you desire prayer on a personal matter, we invite you to meet with the elders in the front pews after the Benediction. Available for prayer after 8:45 worship: Michael Lemon & Larry Swinson Available for prayer after 10:45 worship: Kim Grubbs & Warran Wiebe
THE SENDING *THE BENEDICTION *All the Way My Savior Leads Me All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide? Heav nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well; For I know, whate er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well. All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread, Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living Bread. Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see. All the way my Savior leads me, oh, the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised, in my Father s house above. When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages Jesus led me all the way; This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way. Text: Fanny Crosby / Music: Robert Lowry; Arrangement: Redeemer Church of the Shoals Alabama.UBP.ICS.CCLI#245668 *Congregation will stand.