Preparation for Worship
As soon as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,
all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded.
And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said,
“What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?”
And when they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp,
the Philistines were afraid, for they said,
“A god has come into the camp.”
And they said,
“Woe to us!
For nothing like this has happened before.
Woe to us!
Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods?
These are the gods who struck the Egyptians
with every sort of plague in the wilderness.”
1 Samuel 4:5-8
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The LORD has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!”
Psalm 98:1-4
Call to Worship [Psalm 98:1-4]
“Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim” (#165)
Prayer of Adoration and Invocation
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, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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Gloria Patri (#735)
The Law of God – The 1st Commandment [Exodus 20:1-3]
Confession of Sin
[Adapted from CRC Book of Praise]
O eternal God and merciful Father, we humble ourselves before your great majesty, against which we have frequently and grievously sinned. We acknowledge that we deserve nothing less than eternal death, that we are unclean before you and children of wrath. We continually transgress your commandments, failing to do what you have commanded, and doing that which you have expressly forbidden. We acknowledge our waywardness, and are heartily sorry for all our sins. We are not worthy to be called your children, nor to lift up our eyes heavenward to you in prayer. Nevertheless, O Lord God and gracious Father, we know that your mercy toward those who turn to you is infinite; and so we take courage to call upon you, trusting in our Mediator Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Forgive all our sins for Christ’s sake. Cover us with his innocence and righteousness, for the glory of your name. Deliver our understanding from all blindness, and our hearts from all willfulness and rebellion, we pray through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
“Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face” (#378)
Prayer for Illumination
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 61 [p. 478]
Sermon: “The Rock that is higher than I”
(John 21:15-17 [p. 907], Preaching: Pastor Steve Magee)
Psalm 92 (Psalter)
Prayer of Intercession
Offering
Doxology (#731) and Prayer of Thanksgiving
Confession of Faith
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” (#521)
Benediction
Congregation standing as able
