Welcome We welcome you and hope you are blessed as we magnify and worship God today. Please sign the pew register so we can know of your visit and have an opportunity to get to know you. If today is your first time visiting our church, consider picking up a visitor brochure and gift in the the back of the sanctuary. If you are new to our church and wondering about a next step in your involvement here, we recommend the Pastor s Class that meets each week during the Sunday School hour in the Library (across the hallway from the piano side entrance to the sanctuary). Join us any Sunday, but note that there will be no Pastor s Class in April and May.
worship service march 19, 2017 Prelude One Desire Here I am, just for you, only you. Here I stand wanting you, only you. In your presence, Lord, I will find my strength. You re the breath in me, you re my everything; with my heart bowed low and my hands held high, all-consuming fire, you re my one desire. Your name, let it stay on my lips. I will seek your face. God, it s you, only you. It s you, God, it s you. It s you, only you. Lord it s you; God, it s you. My heart will always sing, I love you. Words and Music by Jason Ingram & Kari Jobe. Call to Worship Psalm 33:1-5; 12-18 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. Invocation THE WELCOME OF GOD 1
SONGS of praise Mighty to Save Everyone needs compassion, a love that s never failing. Let mercy fall on me. Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a savior, The hope of nations. (Hope of nations) (Chorus 1) Savior, he can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save. Forever author of salvation; he rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave. (2nd X to Bridge) So take me as you find me, all my fears and failures. Fill my life again. I give my life to follow. Everything I believe in, Now I surrender. (I surrender) (Chorus 1) (Bridge) Shine your light and let the whole world see; We re singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus. Shine your light and let the whole world see; We re singing for the glory of the risen King. (Chorus 2) Savior, you can move the mountains. God, you are mighty to save, You are mighty to save. Forever author of salvation; you rose and conquered the grave, Yes, you conquered the grave. (Repeat Chorus 2) Words and Music by Ben Fielding and Rueben Morgan. Good Good Father Oh, I ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you re like, But I ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night. And you tell me that you re pleased and that I m never alone. You re a good, good Father. It s who you are, it s who you are, It s who you are, and I m loved by you. It s who I am, it s who I am, it s who I am. 2
Oh, I ve seen many searching for answers far and wide, But I know we re all searching for answers only you provide Cause you know just what we need before we say a word. You re a good, good Father. It s who you are, it s who you are, It s who you are, and I m loved by you. It s who I am, it s who I am, it s who I am. (Bridge) You are perfect in all of your ways. You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways to us. (Repeat Bridge) Love so undeniable I can hardly speak; Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think As you call me deeper still, as you call me deeper still, As you call me deeper still into love, love, love. You re a good, good Father. It s who you are, it s who you are, It s who you are, and I m loved by you. It s who I am, it s who I am, it s who I am. (Repeat 2 X s) You re a good, good Father; a good, good Father. You re a good, good Father; a good, good Father. Words and Music by Anthony Brown and Pat Barrett. Amazing Grace Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I m found, was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! Thro many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, his Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures. 3
corporate Prayer of supplication Lord Jesus, Give us a deeper repentance, a horror of sin, a dread of its approach; Help us chastely to flee it, and jealously to resolve that our hearts be yours alone. Give us a deeper trust, that we may lose ourselves to find ourselves in you. Give us a deeper knowledge of you as Savior, Master, Lord and King. Give us deeper power in prayer, more sweetness in your Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give us deeper holiness in speech, thought, and action. Plow deep in us, O Lord, that the roots of grace will spread far and wide, until you alone are seen in us. Quarry us deep, then fill us to overflowing with living water. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Adapted from Valley of Vision: The Deeps. Silent Confession assurance of pardon Psalm 103:8-13 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. 4
Hymn of Response #55 To God Be the Glory Welcome and Announcements Members and Visitors please register your attendance on the Attendance Register. Sharing & Prayer Children ages 4 - K5 may be dismissed to Worship Center at this time. Scripture Reading 1 Kings 15:1-8 (Pew Bible, page 296) 1 Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. 2 He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. 3 And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. 4 Nevertheless, for David s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem, 5 because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. 6 Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life. 7 The rest of the acts of Abijam and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam. 8 And Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa his son reigned in his place. 5
Sermon Our Stubborn God Rev. Brad Allison The three chapters we are covering today, 1 Kings 14-16, describe 9 kings of Israel and Judah. Eight of them were evil, and only one had a heart for God, King Asa of Judah. But even in the case of Asa, he sinned at the end by not trusting God when a crisis arose during his reign. If this were a baseball team, it wouldn t be a very good one. There would be eight terrible players and only one with any skills, but even this one had some glaring weaknesses. Why would God continue to put up with this people? There is only one explanation, and it is given to us in verses 4-5 of our text. It was for David s sake. It wasn t because of David, but because of God s promise to David. God was keeping his promise to bear with evil Judah and Israel. God is the most stubborn of any being in the universe when it comes to keeping his promise. Let s consider the way God s promise transforms us by looking at one king who believed the promise and three who didn t. I. A King Who Believed the Promise II. Three Kings Who Didn t Believe 1. Zimri 2. Omri 3. Ahab 6
Giving of Tithes and Offerings All My Praise I will follow you through green pastures, and sing Hallelujah to your name. I will follow you through dark disaster, and sing Hallelujah through the pain. And even in the shadow of death I will praise you. And even in the valley I will say: Holy, my God, you are worthy of all my praise. Holy, my God, you are worthy of all my praise. You are seated on your throne in heaven, and you see all of us down here. And you have promised you will not abandon, so I shall not fear. And even in the shadow of death I will praise you. And even in the valley I will say: Holy, my God, you are worthy of all my praise. Holy, my God, you are worthy of all my praise. You made every star, and you taught it how to shine. You knew my name before there was time. And all this was just part of your glorious design. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Holy, my God, you are worthy of all my praise. Holy, my God, you are worthy of all my praise. Words and Music by Audrey Hatcher. Hymn of Response #94 How Firm a Foundation Blessing of God s People Postlude Words and Music used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI #123371. 7
Announcements OUR MISSIONARIES OF THE WEEK are Fran and Jill Sciacca, AVPC members, involved in Hands of Hur a unique, nonprofit Bible-teaching ministry committed to biblical integrity and cultural relevance. The vision and mission of Hands of Hur is to revitalize and strengthen those engaged in Christian ministry just as Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses during Israel s battle with the Amalekites in Exodus 17. Upcoming Events: SAVE THE DATE The 2017 Men s Retreat has been booked for October 20 21. Be sure to save the dates. EASTER AT AVPC Easter is Sunday, April 16. Join us at our 7:00 a.m. sunrise service, as we celebrate Christ s victory over death. Easter breakfast follows at 7:20 a.m. FAITH PROMISE LAST SUNDAY We are thankful to the Lord for the faith promises that have been made this year. Eighty-one (81) promises were made totaling $286,700 towards a goal of $350,000. If you ve not yet made a faith promise, please do so today. NEW TOPICS for your Adult Sunday School Community begin Sunday, April 2. Information is in the Parlor, Welcome Center, and on the church website. CONGRATULATIONS We are rejoicing in the births of the following: Jonathan Isaac Lumpkin to Jamie and Catie Lumpkin; Lincoln Jeffrey Vogel to Jon and Lauren Vogel; Lillian Kate French to David and Sarah French. All three babies were born on Thursday, March 9. 03/12/17 Receipts Year-To-Date Receipts Year-To-Date Requirements Over(Under) Budget General Fund $24,811 $173,727 $208,176 ($34,449) Faith Promise $8,170 $47,976 $52,678 ($4,702) 8
Calendar sunday (MARCH 19) 8:30 a.m. Worship Service Brad preaching on 1 Kings 15:1-8 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Brad preaching on 1 Kings 15:1-8 4:30 p.m. Gradeschool Choir Rehearsal 5:00 p.m. SuperKids/Preteens Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group Chancel Choir Rehearsal WTW Bible Study Parlor Bsmt. MONDAY 6:30 a.m. Men s Fraternity 3:00 p.m. WTW Bible Study @ Wendy Allison s Home WEDNESDAY 9:00 a.m. WTW Bible Study Parlor 6:15 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High Bible Study Praise Team Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Small Group Leader Training sunday (MARCH 26) * 8:30 a.m. Worship Service Michael preaching on John 17:14-23 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Michael preaching on John 17:14-23 TUESDAY 7:00 p.m. Session Mtg *Celebration of the Lord s Supper 9