Westminster Presbyterian Church The Lord s Day, November 18, 2018 WPC exists to develop in ourselves and others a passion for the glory of God and the preeminence of Christ in all of life and in all the world, as revealed in the infallible, inerrant Word of God alone.
The Lord s Day November 18, 2018 10:15 a.m. Greetings and Announcements * The Call to Worship Psalm 104: 1-2, 14-15, 24-31 Pastor: Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. All: You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man s heart. Pastor: O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. All: There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. Pastor: When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. All: When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works. Prayer of Invocation * Hymn of Praise #38 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most bless-ed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise. Un-resting, un-hasting 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. 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! Reading of Scripture 1 Samuel 4:12-22 2
Prayer Confession *Assurance of Pardon The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He dos not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children s children. (Psalm 103:8-17) * Hymn How Deep the Father s Love for Us How deep the Father s love for us, how vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory. Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished. I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no pow r, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ: His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom. *Confession of Faith Westminster Larger Catechism 135 Pastor: What are the duties required in the sixth commandment? All: The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defense thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and recreations; by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness; peaceable, mild, and courteous speeches and behavior; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succoring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent. 3
Offertory Prayer, Music, & Offering Song Overwhelmed I see the work of Your hands, galaxies spin in a heavenly dance, oh God All that You are is so overwhelming I hear the sound of Your voice; all at once it s a gentle and thundering noise, oh God All that You are is so overwhelming I delight myself in You, captivated by Your beauty; I m overwhelmed, I m overwhelmed by You God, I run into Your arms, unashamed because of mercy; I m overwhelmed, I m overwhelmed by You I know the power of Your cross; forgiven and free, forever You ll be my God All that You ve done is so overwhelming I delight myself in You, in the glory of Your presence; I m overwhelmed, I m overwhelmed by You God, I run into Your arms unashamed because of mercy; I m overwhelmed, I m overwhelmed by You You are beautiful, you are beautiful, oh God, there is no one more beautiful You are beautiful, God, You are the most beautiful You are wonderful, you are wonderful, oh God, there is no one more wonderful You are wonderful, God, You are the most wonderful You are glorious, you are glorious, oh God, there is no one more glorious You are glorious, God, You are the most glorious I delight myself in You in the glory of Your presence; I m overwhelmed, I m overwhelmed by You God, I run into Your arms unashamed because of mercy I m overwhelmed, I m overwhelmed by You; I m overwhelmed, I m overwhelmed by You (Children ages 3 through 2nd grade are dismissed at this time for Children s Church at parents discretion) Pastoral Prayer The Proclamation of the Word of God Rejoice, Because It s All Vapor Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8 Rev. Knox White 4
I. Sober Joy: Death is too certain for you to be half-hearted II. Holy Joy: Judgment is too severe for you to be wicked III. Earthy Joy: Creation is too beautiful for you to be dour IV. Victorious Joy: Youth is too short for you to be bitter V. Urgent Joy: Your body is too precious and too fragile for you to be blasé 5
* Hymn of Response #116 For the Beauty of the Earth For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth over and around us lies; For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flow r, sun and moon and stars of light, Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind s delight, For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight, For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child: Friends on earth and friends above; for all gentle thoughts and mild, For each perfect gift of thine to our race so freely giv n, Graces human and divine, flow rs of earth and buds of heav n, * The Benediction For God, who said Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6) VISITORS: We are glad you are here with us today and trust you find us warm and friendly. We hope you will come again! During the service the Friendship Pads will be passed to you. Please fill it out completely to help us get to know you. If at some point you would like to consider joining WPC, please so indicate on the Friendship Pad or contact the Pastor or one of the Elders. 6