Westminster Presbyterian Church Sunday, May 20, 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 May 20, 2018 10:15 a.m. Greetings and Announcements Moment of Silent Preparation WCF CH 32: Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead WCF 32.1 The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption: but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none. WCF 32.2 At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed: and all the dead shall be raised up, with the selfsame bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to their souls forever. WCF 32.3 The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor: the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor; and be made conformable to his own glorious body. Call to Worship: Responsive Reading of 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (please stand if able) Pastor: For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. People: For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, Pastor: If indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. People: For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Pastor: He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. People: So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, Pastor: For we walk by faith, not by sight. People: Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2
Pastor: So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. People: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Invocation Singing of Praise (please stand if able) Hymn #228 Rejoice the Lord is King Wesley/Darwall Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing, and triumph evermore. The Lord, our Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love; When He had purged our stains, He took His seat above His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o er earth and heav en; The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv n Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord the Judge shall come And take His servants up to their eternal home: Hymn #58 This Is My Father s World Babcock/Sheppard This is my Father s world, and to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father s world, the birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker s praise. This is my Father s world: He shines in all that s fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father s world, O let me ne er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father s world: the battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heav n be one. 3
Confession of Sin: (seated) Matthew 6:24-34 Corporate Prayer of Confession Lord, we confess that at many times, and in many ways, we have been an anxious people. You have clearly told us not to worry about food or clothing, but we have fretted over losing even the smallest of luxuries. You have told us not to worry about tomorrow, but we have often been paralyzed by fear of the future. You have called us to trust you with our lives, but instead we have trusted ourselves and the world. You have promised to protect and provide for us, but we have preferred to concoct our own schemes of security. You have promised to bless us with the peace that comes from acknowledging you as the sovereign Lord of our lives, but instead we have lived in fear, frustration, and despair because we have preferred to be our own lords. You have called us to be overwhelmed by your glory, but instead we have been overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life. You have called us to live for your kingdom and glory, but we have lived for selfish and cowardly ends. You have called us to seek first your righteousness; instead, we have sought first our own prosperity and happiness. Lord, we confess that we are sinners: we have traded your promises for our own worries and illusions; we have traded your blessings for our own foolishness. We have tried to serve two masters. Forgive us, cleanse us, heal us, and transform us so that we might trust and obey you, so that our lives would be filled with the spiritual fruit of peace, so that we might be liberated from our bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Amen. Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 1:7 Presentation of Bibles to Graduates Keyshaun Hawkins Justin Linn Johnson Sullivan Offertory and Distribution of Bible Reading Plans (Please sign and pass the Friendship Register) Song Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) Borthwick, Ingram, Sibelius, Jobe, Schlegel Be still, my soul! The Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; in every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul! Thy best, thy heavenly Friend, Thro thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul! Thy God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul! The waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below. 4
In you I rest, in you I found my hope. In You I trust, You never let me go I place my life within Your hands alone, be still my soul Be still, my soul! The hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love s purest joys restored. Be still, My soul! When change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last x2 Be still my soul, be still my soul, be still my soul! Pastoral Prayer and prayer of illumination (Children ages 3 through 5th grade may be dismissed to children s church at their parents discretion) The Preaching of God s Word Rev. Knox White Finding Joy in a Frustrating World: Sermon Series on Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 9:1-17 It s out of your hands Songs of Response (please stand if able) Hymn #271 Standing on the Promises of God Carter Standing on the promises of Christ my King, thro eternal ages let His praises ring; Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I m standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, bound to Him eternally by love s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit s sword, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I cannot fall, list ning every moment to the Spirit s call, Resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God. 5
Hymn #350 Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Stead/Kirkpatrick Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, Just to rest upon His promise, just to know Thus saith the Lord. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I ve proved Him o er and o er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more! O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood, Just in simple faith to plunge me neath the healing, cleansing flood! Yes, tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease, Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace. I m so glad I learned to trust Him, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that He is with me, will be with me to the end. Benediction and Dismissal For Your Calendar: Sunday, May 20, 4-7 p.m. NextGen Youth Group Wednesday, May 23, 9:30 a.m. Ladies Bible Study Thursday, May 24, 6 a.m. The Carpenter s Apprentices (Men s Bible Study at The Breakfast Place on Beal Pkwy) Wednesday, May 23 NO Kids Club 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. If you are a first-time visitor, please pick up a Visitor Folder on the table in the entrance foyer. 6