For May 1, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

May 1, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 4:23-31

Sermon title: “Sovereign Lord, Anointed Servant, Holy Spirit”

Music:

Opening – All People That on Earth Do Dwell 1

Preparation – Psalm 2

Response – This Is My Father's World 111

Closing – Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim 165

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

OT Reading: Psalm 2

Preparation Guide

Sunday: Review morning sermon (evening service @ 5pm)

Monday: Acts 4:23-31

Tuesday: 2 Samuel 1:1-16

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 1:17-27

Thursday: Psalm 2

Friday: Exodus 20:7

Saturday: Acts 4

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

(Passages that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)

2 Samuel 1

O Father of the Redeemed, we mourn for the loss of men like Saul and his son Jonathan. Foolish men are only able to see the sin of others. They presume to ease the pain by hastening the death of a fallen leader. Some would kill a great man because of his unwise deeds. So many would be devoid of respect for the great and without mercy for the wounded. How the mighty have fallen! What was Saul? Was he a strong man or a weak man? He was lovely in life and in death, together with his good son, Jonathan. We mourn over the loss of such great leaders, though they are weak and sinful men. Demons shall no longer harass and oppress them, for even they may still be covered by the blood of the Lamb. Thus there is yet hope even for us.

Psalm 2

Glorious Creator, this world is full of powerful enemies who oppress Your people and reject the Messiah. Your power is far above all that You have created. You have secured the position of Your Son as King of kings. All the world should kiss Your Son, lest they perish.

Acts 4

Lord God Almighty, we know that there are some who do not want to hear the Word. They may be enraged by any signs of life that seem to flow from the Name of Jesus Christ. Grant to us the courage to speak boldly for that Name above all names. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Keep us near Your resurrected and ascended Son, so that it may be evident to all through our humility and holy boldness that we have been with Jesus. You have done great things for us. You are powerful in all Your works of creation and providence. Why does the world hate You? Why were even the rulers of Your people determined to kill the Son of God? Move our hearts and minds with the presence of Your Spirit, filling us with Your love and power. Make us witnesses of Your grace throughout the church and the world. Teach us to give all that we have and all that we are to You in the face of such obvious and overwhelming goodness.

For April 24, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

April 24, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Matthew 27:57-28:15

Sermon title: “The Resurrection of Jesus”

Music:

Opening – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today 277

Preparation – Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies 398

Response – None Other Lamb, None Other Name 157

Closing – Worship Christ the Risen King 286

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

OT Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Preparation Guide

Sunday: Review morning sermon (evening service @ 5pm)

Monday: Matthew 27:57-28:15

Tuesday: 1 Samuel 31:1-7

Wednesday: 1 Samuel 31:8-13

Thursday: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Friday: Exodus 20:4-6

Saturday: Acts 4

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

(Passages that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)

1 Samuel 31

Eternal Father, when great men of consequence die, it is a day of mourning. Though they may have been afflicted by evil spirits, and moved in grossly unprofitable ways, yet we honor them for what they once were, and especially because You are their Maker, and even their Redeemer. The wicked would want to expose them, showing brutal disrespect, but we honor the departed, and care for their bodies. We believe in the resurrection, and we trust in Your mercy for Your people. We belong to You, even in the greatest weakness and sin.

Ezekiel 37

Great Lord and King, You have displayed to us the reality of the resurrection to come in the vision of prophets, in the words of the Scriptures, and especially in the firstfruits of that resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord. Only You could create the world. Only You could bring spiritual life to souls that were dead in sin. Only You can bring physical resurrection to bodies that have been resting in the graves for centuries. Only You can bring immortal souls together again with resurrection bodies. This You have promised to do, and this You will do. In that day there will be one people of God. This community of redemption will be gathered together in Jesus Christ. We shall rejoice in Him in the new Jerusalem. We thank You for this best of all promises. Your Son will be King over us. We will be imitators of You in that place. We will be participants in an everlasting covenant of peace. You sanctify Your people. Your sanctuary will be in our midst forevermore.

Matthew 27 & 28

Lord God, the events of the cross are overwhelming. Who killed our Lord? Was it the Romans? Was it the chief priests and elders? Was it Judas? Was it Pilate? Was it the crowd? Was it the soldiers? Was it not me? It was our sins that brought Him to this atoning death. It was Your will to save us. There was no other way. Be glorified, O Lord. We cannot claim to be innocent of the blood of Jesus. What is left for us to do? We will carry His cross, for He is our King. Father God, remember us. Your Son died for us. We have been delivered from death and hell. He was forsaken that we might live forever. He yielded up His Spirit that we might have the gift of Your Spirit. He is most certainly Your eternal Son. Yet He was buried in a tomb for us. What wondrous love is this!

Lord of Hosts, Your Son is risen! The stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty. More than this, our Risen Savior has met with His disciples. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. We must go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Triune Name. We will teach and do what He has commanded. Our confidence is in His presence, for He is with us always, even to the end of the age. Cast far away from us all doubt. Strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might stand firm in the face of every foe, for Jesus is Lord, forever and ever.

For April 17, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

April 17, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 4:13-22

Sermon title: “The Audacity of Christian Preaching”

Music:

Opening – We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer ... 97

Preparation – The Church's One Foundation 347

Response – Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness 520

Closing – My Faith Looks Up to Thee 528

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

OT Reading: Jeremiah 38:14-23

Preparation Guide

Sunday: Review morning sermon (evening service @ 5pm)

Monday: Acts 4:13-22

Tuesday: 1 Samuel 30:1-15

Wednesday: 1 Samuel 30:16-31

Thursday: Jeremiah 38:14-23

Friday: Exodus 20:2-3

Saturday: Acts 4

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

(Passages that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)

1 Samuel 30

Lord God, what will we do in the day of the worst news? Is there hope when the city has been burned with fire, and our families have been captured in battle? What will we do in the day when our own comrades in mission blame us for great evil that has come upon us? We will strengthen our souls in Your presence. We will inquire of You, O Lord. We will surely move forward again in Your service. We will have mercy on the weak, and You will grant us victory. Your Son has redeemed what was captured by an enemy. We have complete confidence in Him. Not one soul in Your family will be lost. Therefore we are safe, for we belong to Your Son. Grant to us a great victory in Your service. When You bring blessing into our hands, help us to be generous with all our brothers and sisters who are in need. Let us also honor the leaders of Your people out of reverence for Your Son.

Jeremiah 38

Merciful God, the servants of Your Word are in great need. Some are being threatened by those around them. Others are already in prison or have had their property confiscated from them. Appoint someone to help them today, that they might have food to eat, healing for their illnesses, aid for their financial distress, friendship for their loneliness, and especially Your strong presence in their lives. Make them to be men of great courage. Though the wicked seek their lives, You are able to preserve Your servants again this day. Through all this distress, help those who are true messengers of Your Son to continue with the fullness of Your holy counsel. Though their homes and even their families be destroyed, preserve Your servants through every trial.

Acts 4

Lord God Almighty, we know that there are some who do not want to hear the Word. They may be enraged by any signs of life that seem to flow from the Name of Jesus Christ. Grant to us the courage to speak boldly for that Name above all names. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Keep us near Your resurrected and ascended Son, so that it may be evident to all through our humility and holy boldness that we have been with Jesus. You have done great things for us. You are powerful in all Your works of creation and providence. Why does the world hate You? Why were even the rulers of Your people determined to kill the Son of God? Move our hearts and minds with the presence of Your Spirit, filling us with Your love and power. Make us witnesses of Your grace throughout the church and the world. Teach us to give all that we have and all that we are to You in the face of such obvious and overwhelming goodness.

For April 10, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

April 10, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 4:5-12

Sermon title: “The Crime of Christian Preaching”

Music:

Opening – Come, Thou Almighty King 101

Preparation – O God, to Us Show Mercy 437

Response – O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing 164

Closing – My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less 521

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

OT Reading: Jeremiah 38:7-13

Preparation Guide

Sunday: Review morning sermon (evening service @ 5pm)

Monday: Acts 4:5-12

Tuesday: 1 Samuel 29:1-5

Wednesday: 1 Samuel 29:6-11

Thursday: Jeremiah 38:7-13

Friday: Matthew 22:39

Saturday: Acts 4

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

(Passages that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)

1 Samuel 29

Father God, the world knows that we are different. Though they cannot rightly find fault with You, they know that we have a different Lord than they have, and a different life than that of Your enemies. Make us blameless in the sight of the world as Your holy angels are blameless, lest the world rightly accuse us of sin and hypocrisy, and we bring disgrace upon the name of Your Son.

Jeremiah 38

Merciful God, the servants of Your Word are in great need. Some are being threatened by those around them. Others are already in prison or have had their property confiscated from them. Appoint someone to help them today, that they might have food to eat, healing for their illnesses, aid for their financial distress, friendship for their loneliness, and especially Your strong presence in their lives. Make them to be men of great courage. Though the wicked seek their lives, You are able to preserve Your servants again this day. Through all this distress, help those who are true messengers of Your Son to continue with the fullness of Your holy counsel. Though their homes and even their families be destroyed, preserve Your servants through every trial.

Acts 4

Lord God Almighty, we know that there are some who do not want to hear the Word. They may be enraged by any signs of life that seem to flow from the Name of Jesus Christ. Grant to us the courage to speak boldly for that Name above all names. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Keep us near Your resurrected and ascended Son, so that it may be evident to all through our humility and holy boldness that we have been with Jesus. You have done great things for us. You are powerful in all Your works of creation and providence. Why does the world hate You? Why were even the rulers of Your people determined to kill the Son of God? Move our hearts and minds with the presence of Your Spirit, filling us with Your love and power. Make us witnesses of Your grace throughout the church and the world. Teach us to give all that we have and all that we are to You in the face of such obvious and overwhelming goodness.