The Order for the Worship of God The Lord s Day February 3, 2019 10:15 a.m. Welcome to St. Petersburg Presbyterian Church If you are with us for the first time, we are glad you are here! Please complete the guest card found in the pew rack, and place it in the offering basket at the conclusion of the service. Join us for refreshments and conversation afterwards in the fellowship hall. We look forward to meeting you. More information about our church can be found on our website at www.stpetepca.org. Reflection The most basic question which God poses to each human heart is this: Has something or someone besides Jesus Christ taken title to your heart s functional trust, preoccupation, loyalty, service, fear and delight? Questions bring our idol systems to the surface. To whom or what do you look for lifesustaining stability, security and acceptance? What do you really want and expect out of life? What would really make you happy? Where do you look for comfort, approval, power, and success? These questions, or similar ones, tease out whether we look for salvation from Christ or from false saviors. This bears on the immediate motivation of my behavior, thoughts and feelings. In the Bible, the motivation question is the lordship question: who or what rules my behavior, the Lord or an idol? Dr. David Powlison, Idols of the Heart and Vanity Fair WE ENTER GOD S PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE The Welcome and Announcements Pastor David Harding The Passing of the Peace Since God has made peace with us through the finished work of his Son, Jesus Christ, we welcome one another with his peace. The Call to Worship God from Isaiah 40 and 1 Samuel 2 Leader: The sovereign Lord sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? All: He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Leader: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. All: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1
All Creatures of Our God and King Sovereign Grace Worship, 2013 All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing O praise Him! Allelujah! Thou, burning sun with golden beam Thou, silver moon with softer gleam O praise Him! O praise Him! Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah Let all things their Creator bless And worship Him in humbleness O praise Him! Allelujah! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son And praise the Spirit, Three-in-One O praise Him! O praise Him! Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah! All the redeemed washed by His blood Come and rejoice in His great love O praise Him! Allelujah! Christ has defeated every sin Cast all your burdens now on Him O praise Him! O praise Him! Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah! The Prayer of Adoration 2
How Great Is Our God Chris Tomlin, 2004 The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty, Let all the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice. He wraps Himself in light, and darkness tries to hide And trembles at His voice, trembles as His voice. Chorus How great is our God, sing with me, How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God. Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands, Beginning and the end, beginning and the end. The Godhead, Three in One: Father, Spirit, Son, The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb. Name above all names, Worthy of all praise, My heart will sing How great is our God. Jesus Paid It All Words: Elvina M. Hall, Music: John T. Grape I hear the Savior say, Thy strength indeed is small; Child of weakness, watch and pray, find in Me thine all in all. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. For nothing good have I, whereby Thy grace to claim, I ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary s Lamb. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat; Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. 3
WE REPENT OF OUR SINS AND RECEIVE GOD S MERCY The Call to Confession 1 Samuel 12:21-22 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. The Public Confession of Sin Merciful Father, we confess that we are not worthy of your presence, but we come to you through the worthiness of Jesus Christ. We confess that we have turned your gracious gifts into idols. Instead of finding our identity, joy and hope in you, we have pursued empty things that cannot profit or deliver. Father, please forgive us according to your great mercy in Jesus. Please wash our sinful hearts with his cleansing blood, and move us by your Spirit to love and treasure you as we should. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Silent Prayers of Confession The Hope and Encouragement of the Gospel 1 Peter 2:24-25 Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed. For we straying like sheep, but now we have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. 4
The Gospel Song Lyrics by Drew Jones and music by Bob Kauflin Holy God, in love, became Perfect man to bear my blame On the cross He took my sin By His death I live again. Parents with children up to age 4 are welcome to take them to the nursery for the remainder of the service. 5
WE HEAR GOD SPEAK IN HIS WORD The Sermon How to Enter the Kingdom of God Mark 10:13-31 (pg. 846 in the pew Bible) Dr. David Harding 13And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 17And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother. 20 And he said to him, Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth. 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, Then who can be saved? 27 Jesus looked at them and said, With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. 28 Peter began to say to him, See, we have left everything and followed you. 29 Jesus said, Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. The Big Idea: This passage reveals how anyone enters the Kingdom of God. It does not happen according to our natural assumptions. Jesus exposes these. We must enter the Kingdom of God like little children helpless and dependent, hopeful and trusting and only through the welcoming grace of Jesus Christ. 6
To enter God s kingdom... 1. Our assumptions must be exposed by Jesus Sermon Notes 2. Our idols must be replaced with Jesus 3. God s gift of eternal Life must be received from Jesus Questions for personal reflection and family/community group discussion: 1. Can you share a point from the sermon you are seeking to apply to your life this week? 2. What do children do to demonstrate they are sinners in need of a Savior? How do they show they are helpless and dependent, hopeful and trusting? 3. How does Jesus welcoming the children relate to his interaction with the rich young ruler? 4. What was wrong with the assumptions of the young man about himself and God? How do you sometimes base your relationship to God on what you do, rather than what you ve freely received from him? 5. Why did Jesus make this particular demand of the rich young ruler (to give away all his possessions)? What demand might He make of you? In what do you find your identity? What are your functional saviors? Are you willing to let them go in order to have only Jesus? 6. How is the reward of following Jesus, including being persecuted, better than anything the world has to offer? Prayer Focus: Pray for a grace to receive Christ s gift of his kingdom, and to have him alone be your identity and security instead of money, success, control, approval, etc... 7
The Prayers of God s People WE COMMUNE WITH JESUS CHRIST AT HIS TABLE The Invitation to the Lord s Table The Session of St. Petersburg Presbyterian Church welcomes to the Lord s Table all baptized persons who trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and are members in good standing of a congregation that proclaims the gospel. If you are not prepared to receive the sacrament this morning and/or have questions about your relationship to Christ and His Church, please speak with the pastor after the service. You are encouraged to read and meditate on the Scripture passages printed below as the bread and cup are distributed. May God draw near to you as you draw near to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. The Words of Institution Communion Affirmation Leader: God of all good, you have prepared for us a feast; and though we are unworthy to sit down as guests, we wholly rest on the merits of Jesus and hide ourselves in his righteousness. All: In this supper we remember the agony of the cross and the cost of redemption. We rejoice in his gifts of eternal love, boundless grace, forgiveness, adoption, life and glory. Leader: We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again. All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. based on The Valley of Vision prayer, The Lord s Supper The Giving and Receiving of the Bread and Wine The communion trays contain wine on the inner rings and grape juice on the outer ring. Please wait until all have been served, so we may eat together. Prayer of Thanks Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you are, and all that you have done for me, and all you promise to do and be for me in Jesus. Thank you for giving me such a great salvation in him. Thank you for forgiving all my sins, crediting me with his righteousness, and adopting me as your dearly loved child. May I never lose sight of the grace you have so freely given me, and may every area of my life reflect that grace to others. In Jesus name, Amen. Prayer of Belief Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared to admit, but through your life, death and resurrection, I am more loved and accepted by God than I ever dared to hope. I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and rest in you as my Savior and Lord. Amen. 8
WE RESPOND TO GOD S GRACE WITH SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY Worshiping God through Our Financial Giving Because God has lavished us with the riches of his grace in Jesus, we give our money joyfully and sacrificially for the spread of the gospel in our city and around the world. In Christ Alone Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, 2002 In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in all, here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save. Till on the cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied. For every sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world, by darkness slain; Then, bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, sin s curse has lost its grip on me; For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me; From life s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I ll stand. WE ARE SENT INTO THE WORLD TO MAKE DISCIPLES The Benediction Numbers 6:24-26 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. The Dismissal Having been strengthened and refreshed by the gospel, let us go from here to live as faithful servants of the Great Commission. All: Thanks be to God! Please remain for refreshments and conversation in the fellowship hall. All music used by permission through Christian Copyright Licensing International, #2216391 9
ANNOUNCEMENTS Missionary Prayer Focus of the Month We are praying this month for our missionaries, David and Erin Pervis, serving with Mission to the World (MTW, the PCA s world missions agency) in Athens, Greece, using English instruction as a means for evangelism among Greeks and refugees from the Middle East and Asia. Pray for their two children, Clara (18) and Josiah (16). Worship in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 10 We will worship in the fellowship hall next Sunday due to the pews being removed from the sanctuary and the floors being repaired. We will resume worship in the sanctuary on February 17. Missions Weekend, March 1-3 Christ for the Nations Our annual missions conference weekend is March 1-3. The theme for this year s conference is Christ for the Nations. We are pleased to have Rev. Mike Malone and his wife, Barb, as our conference speakers. After pastoring churches for over 30 years in Virginia, Indiana and Florida, Mike now serves on the staff of Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to the Malone s, we will also be hearing from Marcelo and Claudia Carvalho, serving in the Amazon, Brazil; Esaie and Natacha Etienne, Haiti; and Susan Newkirk, South Africa. New Monthly Community Group A new Community Group will meet the First Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning February 7. We ll be reading and discussing Instruments in the Redeemers' Hands by Paul Tripp. There will be a simple meal coordinated by the host, book discussion, prayer and weekly follow-up via social media posts for sharing, learning opportunities and prayer needs. Host homes will rotate each month. Contact Steve Curtiss if interested at 727-644-3839. The first meeting will be at the Curtiss home, 10350 54 th Avenue N., St. Petersburg 33708. Women s Bible Study Join us for our Spring Women s Bible Study, each Tuesday, at 9:30 a.m. at the church. All women are welcome. We will be studying from the book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges. To obtain your book/ study guide (all in one), please speak to Carolyn Boddie or email her at pbfam41@tampabay.rr.com. The cost is $12. Men s Friday Morning Bible Study Join the men s Bible study each Friday at 7:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. We will be studying Paul s letter to the Galatians. For more information, contact Pastor Dave at d.harding@stpetepca.org. James Club Meeting The James Club is a Christ-centered outreach ministry for those struggling with alcohol and drug addictions. It meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 in the fellowship hall, with a prayer meeting from 7:00-7:15 in the high school room. For more information, contact Kyle Krueger at kkrueger@bloomberg.net. 10
THIS WEEK AT SPPC Sunday (February 3) 8:30 a.m. Congregational Prayer meets in adult classroom off fellowship hall 9:00 a.m. Sunday school classes for children, youth and adults 10:15 a.m. Corporate Worship 11:30 a.m. Refreshments in the fellowship hall 12:00 p.m. Officer Training Monday (Office closed) Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Women s Bible Study 7:00 p.m. James Club Prayer meets in the senior high classroom. 7:30 p.m. James Club a gospel-centered ministry for those struggling with alcohol and drug addictions. Meets in the fellowship hall. Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Harding Community Group (727) 482-4855 7:00 p.m. Burkham Community Group (727) 579-4220 Thursday 6:30 p.m. Curtiss Community Group (727) 644-3839 Friday 7:00 a.m. Men s Bible Study meets in fellowship hall Year-to-Date Financial Information through January 31, 2019 Income Expenses 2018 Budget Faith Promise Missions (from April 1, 2018) $15,998 $12,589 $233,900 $26,605 One Year Community Bible Reading Calendar Monday, Feb 4 Exodus 23-25 Matthew 25 Tuesday, Feb 5 Exodus 26-28 Matthew 26 Wednesday, Feb 6 Exodus 29-31 Matthew 27 Thursday, Feb 7 Exodus 32-34 Matthew 28 Friday, Feb 8 Exodus 35-37 Hebrews 1 Saturday, Feb 9 Psalm 16-18 11
Contact Information MINISTRY LEADERSHIP Elders (The Session) Rev. David Harding, Pastor 727-434-9048 Phil Boddie 727-392-2913 Steve Curtiss 727-644-3839 Deacons (The Diaconate) Bob Burkham 727-579-4220 Mike Eldridge 727-515-9560 Chad Martin 727-744-8704 Dave Shadle 610-217-8718 Administrative Assistant Michele Hurm 727-329-6346 Children and Youth Derik Jenkins 727-452-8715 Christian Education Steve Curtiss 727-644-3839 Community Groups David Massey 727-644-8679 Facilities Bob Burkham 727-579-4220 Mike Eldridge 727-515-9560 Homeless Outreach Kyle Krueger 727-364-7355 Hospitality Barbara Burkham 727-579-4220 Men s Ministry David Harding 727-434-9048 Mercy Ministry Bob Burkham 727-579-4220 Dave Shadle 610-217-8718 Missions Phil and Carolyn Boddie 727-392-2913 Sunday Operations Chad Martin 727-744-8704 Ushers/Greeters Mike Eldridge 727-515-9560 Women s Ministry Cheryl Massey 727-527-1270 SUPPORTED MISSIONARIES & AGENCIES Esaie and Natacha Etienne Mission to the World Port-au-Prince, Haiti Susan Newkirk Mission to the World Cape Town, S. Africa David and Erin Pervis Mission to the World Athens, Greece Bill and Pam Schweitzer Mission to the World Gateshead, England Marcelo and Claudia Carvalho WEC Brazil Amazon, Brazil Andrew and Meghan Newman Reformed University Fellowship USF, Tampa Lindsey Harding Reformed University Fellowship Auburn University K-Life St. Petersburg New Hearts Outreach Tampa New Life Solutions (Pregnancy Center) St. Petersburg 12