The Lord’s Day ~ December 8, 2019
The Preparation for Worship
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Prelude and Silent Prayer
Welcome and Announcements
The Adoration of God
Call to Worship – 2 Peter 1:3
*Psalm of Praise – Psalm 76, ARP Psalter, vv. 1-2
Speaker: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
All: Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)
*The Invocation and 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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*The Hymn of Exaltation – Hymn 196
(Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus)
The Old Testament Reading – Hosea 6:1-6
*Response of Praise (All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!)
All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.
The Confession of Sin
The Call to Repentance - 1 John 5:11-13
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
The Prayer of Confession (a moment of silent confession)
Eternal God and merciful Father, we humbly confess that we have sinned in many ways against You and Your commandments. We deserve only wrath and condemnation for our disobedience. Lord we confess our transgressions and earnestly repent of our offenses. Have mercy on us and forgive our sins, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We give thanks for your mercy and grace. Produce in us the righteous character You desire. By the power of Your Holy Spirit keep us from falling into sin again. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Assurance of Pardon – Romans 8:33-34 “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
*The Hymn of Gratitude – Hymn 207
(Good Christian Men, Rejoice)
The Means of Grace
The Pastoral Prayer
The Worship of Giving
*The Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*The Prayer of Dedication
The Scripture – John 8:30-37
The Sermon – True Freedom
The Response and Blessing
*The Hymn of Consecration – Hymn 455, vv. 1, 4, 5
(And Can It Be That I Should Gain)
*The Benediction
*Congregation Standing
Announcements
We welcome all who are visiting with us today. The Pastor and elders are available after the service to pray with you or speak with you about your salvation. Children are encouraged to stay in the sanctuary for worship. A nursery is provided if needed.
Prayer Meeting will meet this week on Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m.
We will observe the Lord's Supper next Sunday, December 1.
On Sunday, December 15 there will be a Congregational Meeting immediately following worship for the purpose of approving the budget, electing the treasurer and other officers. In addition, there will be a brief meeting of the corporation. Karl Rudolph will be presented to be reinstalled as an elder and we will vote to allow Steven Bane to serve one additional year as a deacon. A change to the budget has been approved by the Session. Updated copies are in the foyer. If you have questions, contact Susan, deacons, or elders before the 15th.
True Freedom
These verses, show us, the nature of true liberty. Our Lord declares this to the Jews in one comprehensive sentence. He says, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." Wherein does the liberty of true Christians consist? Of what is their freedom made up? They are freed from the guilt and consequences of sin by the blood of Christ. Justified, pardoned, forgiven, they can look forward boldly to the day of judgment, and cry "Who shall lay anything to our charge? Who is he that condemns?" They are freed from the power of sin by the grace of Christ’s Spirit. Sin has no longer dominion over them. Renewed, converted, sanctified, they mortify and tread down sin, and are no longer led captive by it. Liberty, like this, is the portion of all true Christians in the day that they flee to Christ by faith, and commit their souls to Him. That day they become free men. Those whom Christ makes free are free to all eternity. Let us never rest until we have some personal experience of this freedom ourselves. Without it all other freedom is a worthless privilege. Free speech, free laws, political freedom, commercial freedom, national freedom — all these cannot smooth down a dying pillow, or disarm death of his sting, or fill our consciences with peace. Nothing can do that but the freedom which Christ alone bestows. He gives it freely to all who seek it humbly. Then let us never rest until it is our own.
~ J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
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With Gratitude for Those Serving in December
Nursery - Today: Carol Rookstool Next Sunday: Angela Day
December Church Cleaning – Rookstool family
The Preparation for Worship
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Prelude and Silent Prayer
Welcome and Announcements
The Adoration of God
Call to Worship – 2 Peter 1:3
*Psalm of Praise – Psalm 76, ARP Psalter, vv. 1-2
Speaker: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
All: Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)
*The Invocation and 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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
*The Hymn of Exaltation – Hymn 196
(Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus)
The Old Testament Reading – Hosea 6:1-6
*Response of Praise (All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!)
All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name, let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.
The Confession of Sin
The Call to Repentance - 1 John 5:11-13
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
The Prayer of Confession (a moment of silent confession)
Eternal God and merciful Father, we humbly confess that we have sinned in many ways against You and Your commandments. We deserve only wrath and condemnation for our disobedience. Lord we confess our transgressions and earnestly repent of our offenses. Have mercy on us and forgive our sins, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We give thanks for your mercy and grace. Produce in us the righteous character You desire. By the power of Your Holy Spirit keep us from falling into sin again. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Assurance of Pardon – Romans 8:33-34 “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
*The Hymn of Gratitude – Hymn 207
(Good Christian Men, Rejoice)
The Means of Grace
The Pastoral Prayer
The Worship of Giving
*The Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*The Prayer of Dedication
The Scripture – John 8:30-37
The Sermon – True Freedom
The Response and Blessing
*The Hymn of Consecration – Hymn 455, vv. 1, 4, 5
(And Can It Be That I Should Gain)
*The Benediction
*Congregation Standing
Announcements
We welcome all who are visiting with us today. The Pastor and elders are available after the service to pray with you or speak with you about your salvation. Children are encouraged to stay in the sanctuary for worship. A nursery is provided if needed.
Prayer Meeting will meet this week on Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m.
We will observe the Lord's Supper next Sunday, December 1.
On Sunday, December 15 there will be a Congregational Meeting immediately following worship for the purpose of approving the budget, electing the treasurer and other officers. In addition, there will be a brief meeting of the corporation. Karl Rudolph will be presented to be reinstalled as an elder and we will vote to allow Steven Bane to serve one additional year as a deacon. A change to the budget has been approved by the Session. Updated copies are in the foyer. If you have questions, contact Susan, deacons, or elders before the 15th.
True Freedom
These verses, show us, the nature of true liberty. Our Lord declares this to the Jews in one comprehensive sentence. He says, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." Wherein does the liberty of true Christians consist? Of what is their freedom made up? They are freed from the guilt and consequences of sin by the blood of Christ. Justified, pardoned, forgiven, they can look forward boldly to the day of judgment, and cry "Who shall lay anything to our charge? Who is he that condemns?" They are freed from the power of sin by the grace of Christ’s Spirit. Sin has no longer dominion over them. Renewed, converted, sanctified, they mortify and tread down sin, and are no longer led captive by it. Liberty, like this, is the portion of all true Christians in the day that they flee to Christ by faith, and commit their souls to Him. That day they become free men. Those whom Christ makes free are free to all eternity. Let us never rest until we have some personal experience of this freedom ourselves. Without it all other freedom is a worthless privilege. Free speech, free laws, political freedom, commercial freedom, national freedom — all these cannot smooth down a dying pillow, or disarm death of his sting, or fill our consciences with peace. Nothing can do that but the freedom which Christ alone bestows. He gives it freely to all who seek it humbly. Then let us never rest until it is our own.
~ J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
----------
With Gratitude for Those Serving in December
Nursery - Today: Carol Rookstool Next Sunday: Angela Day
December Church Cleaning – Rookstool family
The ARP Church has published a Psalter in conjunction with Crown and Covenant Publications. Read here about the Preface and History of Psalm singing in the ARPC.
