– – – -Liturgy for Sunday, April 12th, 2015- – – –
“The doctrine of adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into His family and fellowship, and establishes us as His children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the father is greater.”
-J.I. Packer, Knowing God
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14
Prelude:
Gathering Song: O Worship The King (Tomlin)
Call to Worship – We believe God is who calls and enables us to worship Himself rightly, in Spirit and truth, so we go to His word in seek of that…
(Psalm 100)
Leader: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
All: Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Leader: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
All: For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Prayer of Invocation – We pray each week asking God to direct our hearts, “prone to wander” as they are, to Himself as we sing, speak, and listen in our worship gathering…
Adoration:
This Is My Father’s World (Traditional)
Come Praise And Glorify (Sovereign Grace Music)
Prayer Of Confession Confession: (adapted from Matthew 5:1-11)
Leader: In the sermon on the mount, Jesus, you offered us all your blessings when you announced: Blessed are the poor in spirit
All: but we have been rich in pride.
Leader: Blessed are those who mourn
All: but we have not known much sorrow for our sin.
Leader: Blessed are the meek
All: but we are a stiff-necked people.
Leader: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
All: but we are filled to the full with other things.
Leader: Blessed are the merciful
All: but we are harsh and impatient.
Leader: Blessed are the pure in heart
All: but we have impure hearts.
Leader: Blessed are the peacemakers
All: but we have not sought reconciliation.
Leader: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness
All: but our lives do not challenge the world.
Leader: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me
All: but we have hardly made it known that we are yours.
Leader: Your Law is holy and your words are perfect, but they are both too great for us. You alone are blessed.
All: We plead with you to forgive our sins and give us the blessing of your righteousness.
(time of silent confession)
Assurance In Christ
adapted from 1 John 3:1, 1 Peter 1:3-5
Leader: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
All: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Song of Response: Thy Mercy My God (Indelible Grace)
(Prayers for our City, Offering, and Doxology/Word of Praise)
Doxology
Praise God and raise your voice again
Praise Him beginning and the end
Praise Him the maker of all things
Praise Father all creation’s King
Amen
Hearing the Word: 1 John 3:1-3 “The Work Of The Father” (sermon audio posted separately)
Celebration of Communion
Sending: All Must Be Well (Matthew Smith)
Benediction: (Numbers 6:24-26)
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Go in that peace!