We Gather Together to Worship Our God
Prelude: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (inspired by Beethoven’s Sonata in G Major)
Gathering Hymn: Songs of Faith #3 All Creatures of Our God And King
Today:
- 9 am, Sunday School for all ages. Preschool-7th meets downstairs, High School meets in the Fireside Room, and the Adult class is in the Sanctuary
- 9 am, New Members Class
- 10:30 Worship in the sanctuary.
- Following worship, Love and Respect Group. Childcare provided.
- 5:30 pm, Tonight, Community Groups meet at the church. Fellowship meal, hymn sing, and then will break off into groups for prayer and study.
- 5:30 pm, Tonight, Young Adult Bible Study at Jay and Kayla’s. (Address in bulletin) Meal provided.
This Week:
- 4:30 pm, Wednesday, Worship Team Practice
- 5:00 pm, Wednesday, Sonlight Puppeteer practice.
- 5:30 pm, Wednesday, Kids’ Quest for pre-k—7th grade. Meal provided.
- 5:30 pm, Wednesday, J-Curve Study for the adults at the church. Meal provided. See Ron B. for more information.
- 6:15 pm, Wednesday, High School Youth Group at the Community Center.
- 6 am Thursday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
- 6:00 pm, Thursday, Deacon meeting.
- 8 am Saturday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
General:
- April 23rd, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
- April 23rd, there will be no children’s church.
- 5:30 pm, April 23rd, Kids’ Quest Program followed by a potluck meal. We will be recognizing our teachers and welcoming our new members as well. Check your email for the link to sign up.
- 6:30 pm, April 29th, Women’s Clothing Swap.
- 6:30 pm, May 12th, Women’s Fellowship.
- Tuesday evenings, beginning May 30th from 7-8:30 pm, Women’s Bible study. See Rachel A. for more information.
- 9am-12, June 5-8, Vacation Bible School. There are limited spots this year so please make sure to pre-register. Volunteers and Participants may register online by scanning the QR Code in the bulletin.
- Love INC is participating in the city-wide garage sale as a fundraiser and is asking for donations. They are accepting donations for this fundraiser from April 26th through the 29th. Please bring donations to the office between the hours of 9-3. They would really appreciate your donations of large and small items and they even have a volunteer that would be able to get the larger items if needed. For questions please call Becky.
Responsive Call to Worship: Jeremiah 32: 27; Isaiah 46: 9 – 10; Psalm 113: 2
Leader: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
All: Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.
Prayer of Adoration
Hymn of Praise: Songs of Faith #1 Ancient of Days
We Confess Our Faith
Responsive Reading: Colossians 1: 15 – 20
Leader: Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
All: For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Leader: And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
All: And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Leader: For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross
Hymn: Songs of Faith #27 Behold Our God
We Confess Our Sin
Prayer of Confession: Adapted from John Calvin’s Geneva Liturgy of 1543
All: Lord God! Eternal and almighty Father: before your holy majesty, we acknowledge and confess that we are poor sinners, conceived and born in guilt and corruption, prone to do evil, daily transgressing against your holy commandments. In ourselves, we are unable to do any good. So, we deserve nothing good from you, only condemnation and death. But with heartfelt sorrow we repent and grieve our sin against you. Most Gracious God and Father of mercies, for the sake of your son Jesus Christ our Lord, be pleased to have compassion on us. And in removing our guilt and our pollution, grant us the daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit so that, as we acknowledge our own unrighteousness, we may be touched with sorrow that causes true repentance; Through your Holy Spirit, give us strength to crucify the sinful nature, so that we may produce the fruits of holiness and of righteousness that are pleasing in your sight. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Silent Confession of Sin
Responsive Assurance of Pardon: From Romans 8: 34
Leader: Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn?
All: Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ who rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
Leader: Believe the good news of the gospel.
All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
Hymn of Assurance: Hymnal #253 There Is A Fountain
We Give Thanks To The Lord
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory: The Old Rugged Cross/G. Bennard (inspired by Brahm’s Intermezzo in A Major)
George Bennard wrote this familiar hymn after a difficult season of ministry, praying for a full understanding of the cross. He remarked, “It was like seeing John 3:16 leave the page, take form, and act out the meaning of redemption”.
Doxology
We Hear God Speak
Small Talk
(Following this time, a nursery is available, Toddlers’ Church for ages 2-4, and Children’s Church for ages 5-8.)
Prayer of God’s People
The Lord’s Prayer
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, The power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Sovereign Over Us (and Everything Else) Romans 11: 30 – 36
A copy of the sermon notes is available: 4-16-23 sermon notes
Audio Only:
Hymn of Response: Songs of Faith #38 Sovereign Over Us
We Are Dismissed with God’s Blessing
Benediction
Our God Is An Awesome God
Postlude: I Know That My Redeemer Lives/ American Folk Hymn