THE DIVINE SERVICE September 16, 2018 The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost In Preparation Please observe silence as you read, pray, and meditate. PRELUDE Michael Phillips Toccata per l Elevaione, F. 12.31 Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643) WORDS OF PREPARATION Isaiah 50:4-10 The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. COLLECT OF THE DAY Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow you, rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Service of Entrance CHORAL INTROIT v HYMN OF INVOCATION Holy, holy, Lord God almighty: your glory fills the earth, Lord God of hosts. (Isaiah 6:3) Bless the LORD O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name! Bless the LORD O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. PRAYER OF ADORATION world without end. Amen. v Congregation stands as able 2
CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN Hear what our Lord says, You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Almighty and most merciful Father; we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen. DECLARATION OF ABSOLUTION Hear the Word of the Gospel: Christ has died for our sins and been raised for our justification. All you who repent of your sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, rejoice and be glad and give glory to the Lord who has taken away all of your sins in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. v Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. O Lord, open our lips, and our mouth will declare your praise. v Congregation stands as able 3
v THE GLORIA AND HYMN OF GRATITUDE CHORAL HYMN Cherubic Hymn Mikhail Glinka (1804-1855) Let us join our voices with the angels: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of hosts. Blessed Trinity, we praise thee, As we sing our thrice holy hymn to thee. Now as we draw near thy throne of grace Let our hearts cast off earthly care. Amen. Glory be to God in the highest: With the angelic host above We worship thee and praise thee. Alleluia. (Orthodox Liturgy) v Congregation stands as able 4
The Service of the Word THE EPISTLE LESSON James 3:1-12 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! THE PSALTER Psalm 116:1-9 v Congregation stands as able 5
THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 9:14-29 Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to you, O Christ. v OUR RESPONSE v Congregation stands as able 6
WELCOME At this time, please sign and pass the attendance pads down the row. OFFICER INSTALLATION (11:15 only) Questions to the Candidates Ben Haguewood, J.D. Rimann, Deacons Landy Ligon, Elder Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as originally given, to be the inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will, on your own initiative, make known to your Session the change which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this ordination vow? Do you approve of the form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in America, in conformity with the general principles of biblical polity? Do you accept the office of ruling elder and deacon in this church, and promise faithfully to perform all the duties thereof, and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your life, and to set a worthy example before the church of which God has made you an officer? Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord? Do you promise to strive for the purity, peace, unity and edification of the Church? Question to the Congregation Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive these brothers as ruling elder and deacons, and do you promise to yield them all that honor, encouragement and obedience in the Lord to which his office, according to the Word of God and the Constitution of this Church, entitles him? Prayer of Ordination and Pronouncement INTERLUDE PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION AND THANKSGIVING Ruling Elder Bret Mercer Unison: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. v THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 20:1-18 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! v PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION MORNING SERMON It s Déjà Vu All Over Again! Genesis 20:1-18 Rev. Eric Landry v Congregation stands as able 7
The Service of the Table v CORPORATE CONFESSION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed Unison: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE v The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you! Let us offer one another a sign of peace. Members of the congregation greet one another with a sign of friendship such as the ancient words that the church has used over the centuries, The peace of Christ be with you, and the response, And also with you. v Congregation stands as able 8
TITHES AND OFFERINGS The earth is the Lord s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. HYMN OF GRATITUDE TO GOD v Congregation stands as able 9
v Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendor, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. v PRAYER OF DEDICATION Gracious God and Father, with grateful hearts we present to you these tithes and offerings, together with all that we are. Multiply these gifts and increase their usefulness. Set your blessing upon us all, supplying our every need according to your riches and glory in Christ Jesus, in whose mighty name we pray. Amen. v THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you! And also with you! Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord! Let us give thanks to our Lord God! It is good and right to do so! It is very good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we praise and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and singing: v Congregation stands as able 10
INVITATION TO THE LORD S TABLE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING THE WORDS OF OUR LORD The Bread The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. (1 Cor. 11:23-24) v Congregation stands as able 11
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD The Cup In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. (1 Cor. 11:25) v Congregation stands as able 12
v BENEDICTION v DEPARTING HYMN An elder will be available at the front of the sanctuary immediately after the service concludes to pray with you and help answer questions you may have about the Christian faith or Redeemer Presbyterian Church. v Congregation stands as able 13
LESSONS Psalm 116:1-9 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; I came to grief and sorrow. Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: O Lord, I pray you, save my life. Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord watches over the innocent; I was brought very low, and he helped me. Turn again to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has treated you well. For you have rescued my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. James 3:1-12 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Mark 9:14-29 14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, What are you arguing about with them? 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able. 19 And he answered them, O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me. 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, How long has this been happening to him? And he said, From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. 23 And Jesus said to him, If you can! All things are possible for one who believes. 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, I believe; help my unbelief! 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could we not cast it out? 29 And he said to them, This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer. 14
Sermon Lesson Genesis 20 1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister. And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man s wife. 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, She is my sister? And she herself said, He is my brother. In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this. 6 Then God said to him in the dream, Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours. 8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done. 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, What did you see, that you did this thing? 11 Abraham said, I did it because I thought, There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father s house, I said to her, This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother. 14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you. 16 To Sarah he said, Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated. 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham s wife. 15