We Gather Together to Worship Our God
Prelude: I Will Sing of My Redeemer/ Rowland H. Prichard
Gathering Hymn: Hymnal #345 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
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, there will be a congregational meeting to inform the congregation of the steps that the session has taken regarding a matter of church discipline.
- Following the congregational meeting, 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.
- 5:30 pm, Wednesdays, New Members’ class for the middle and high schoolers.
- 6:15 pm, Wednesday, High School Youth Group at the Community Center.
- 6 am Thursday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
- 8 am Saturday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
General:
- 6:00 pm, April 3rd, Deacon Meeting.
- 6:30 pm, April 4th, Mercy Ministry Team meeting.
- 7:00 pm, April 7th, Good Friday Service.
- There will be no Sunday School on April 9th.
- 6:00 pm, April 10th, Session Meeting.
- 6:00 pm, April 14th, Men’s Family Shepherd Evening. Plan to join for another great time of food, fellowship, and study.
- 5:30 pm, April 23rd, Kids’ Quest Program.
- 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.
- Mercy Bags are available in the Foyer and you are encouraged to take one or two to give to someone in need. A Mercy Bag is part of our FCC outreach ministry. It consists of a quart-sized bag filled with toiletry items, water, food, and a Gospel tract.
- We are taking a collection for the Women’s Shelter through the month of March. There is a container in the foyer area by the front doors. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated! They are in need of these items:
Deodorant
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Disinfecting Wipes
Shampoo & Conditioner
Liquid Body Wash
A Moment for Ministry: Introductory Bible Study
Responsive Call to Worship: Colossians 1: 15 – 20
Leader: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
All: For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Leader: 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 and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Leader: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Prayer of Adoration
Hymn of Praise: Hymnal #521 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
We Confess Our Faith
Responsive Reading: From Heidelberg Question 83
Leader: What are the keys of the kingdom that Jesus entrusts to His Church in Matthew 16: 19?
All: The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both of them open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers.
Hymn of Response: Hymnal #347 (1,2,4,6) The Church’s One Foundation
We Confess Our Sin
Prayer of Confession:
All: Dear Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you and we confess that we have too often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there was no God, and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask your forgiveness and we also ask for your strength. Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may witness to You in our world. Remind us to be who You would have us to be regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Hold us to You and build our relationship with You and with those You have given us on earth.
Silent Confession of Sin
Assurance of Pardon: Colossians 1: 21 – 23
Leader: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
Hymn of Assurance: Hymnal #599 (verses 1, 3) Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
We Give Thanks To The Lord
Tithes and Offerings
Offertory: Brother James’ Air (The Lord’s My Shepherd) / James Leigh Macbeth Bain (1840-1925)
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.
The Secrets of the Olive Tree: The Power of the Covenant Community Romans 11: 16 – 22
A copy of the sermon notes is available: 3-26-23 sermon notes
https://youtu.be/YwUibHq4wro
Audio only:
Hymn of Response: Hymnal #580 Lead On, O King Eternal
We Are Dismissed with God’s Blessing
Benediction
Step By Step
Postlude: There is a Fountain/ Lowell Mason