For August 7, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

August 7, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 7:17-43

Sermon title: “Listening to Stephen Preach About Moses”

Music:

Opening – 30 Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

Preparation – 331 Come, O Come, Thou Quickening Spirit

Response – 162 Of the Father's Love Begotten

Closing – 461 Not What My Hands Have Done

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

OT Reading: Psalm 90

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 7

Tuesday: 2 Samuel 15:1-18

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 15:19-37

Thursday: Psalm 90

Friday: Exodus 20:8-11

Saturday: Acts 7

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Samuel 15

Omnipotent God, we seek Your help today, for conspiracy against Your church seems to be everywhere. False rulers captivate the gullible. They steal the hearts of Your people. They plot with evil schemes. We play our parts with no sense of the danger that is ahead of us. Whole churches are attacked from deceitful enemies, and the work of many years is destroyed in a matter of days. These are times of trouble in Your kingdom. Faithful leaders are made to look like weak men who cannot be safely loved. Ruthless men amass great power for themselves and foolish men and women consider the wicked to be the hope of the future. Has Your church lost all sense? Is Christ not among us? How can we listen to lies? People deny the most foundational truths of our faith, and show disrespect for men of holiness and proven sincerity. In such an evil day, grant to us clear thinking. When we hear the plans of deceivers, make us wise in both our speech and our silence. Let us love the truth with a faithful heart, and serve Your Son in the day of a great apostasy all around us.

Psalm 90

Eternal Father, in You we live and move and have our being. We are here for a season and then return to dust, but from the dust You call us back to life. Who can stand before You? You know all our secret sins. We live for our seventy or eighty years, and then we are gone. Have pity on us. Help us to rejoice in You forever, so that we will consider our current troubles a light affliction when compared with the glory that will soon be our life and portion without end.

Acts 7

Our Father, grant that we would rightly appreciate the privilege of suffering for the name of Jesus Christ. Without this true assessment of our trials, we will always shrink away from a forthright statement of Your Word in situations of danger. You have sent one Man who would truly keep Your perfect Law. Through His death and resurrection He became the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, Your church throughout the world. All of the patriarchs and heroes of the faith in earlier days longed for this day of the Messiah. Now He has actually visited us. This Jesus did all things well. He has poured out Your Holy Spirit upon Your church. We love the Law of Christ. We rejoice in the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We long for the fulfillment of Your promise in the age to come, in the land of Resurrection. We love the Word of the Prophets which has now come in person in the great beauty of our Messiah. He is the perfect Son of David, and He has built a new house for His people in His own world-wide body. We will not resist the Holy Spirit. We will love and serve the Righteous One. Teach us the truth about our sin, that we might more fully and earnestly repent of it and be forgiven. Though men might work together to kill us, Your truth can never be stopped. Grant us such a beauty of holiness and love that we would be willing to forgive those who seek our destruction.

For July 31, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

July 31, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 7:9-16

Sermon title: “Listening to Stephen Preach About Joseph”

Music:

Opening – 7 From All That Dwell below the Skies

Preparation – 145 The Spirit Breathes upon the Word

Response – 57 Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul

Closing – 460 Amazing Grace

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

OT Reading: Psalm 105:16-22

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 7

Tuesday: 2 Samuel 14:1-17

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 14:18-33

Thursday: Psalm 105:16-22

Friday: Exodus 20:7

Saturday: Acts 7

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Samuel 14

Lord Almighty, we mourn the depravity of our sons and daughters, and ask for Your help. We ask that the end result of Your grace in both our lives and theirs will be consistent with a great eternal heritage. We stand in the greatest need of Your help in our lives. Please assure us again that our children will live to serve You forever. We love our young ones, but we need more wisdom that we might raise them up with integrity. There are so many temptations and troubles ahead of them. Will they have the spiritual strength to resist the devil and the schemes of proud and vicious men? Give us the courage to do what is right according to Your Word, despite the pleas of those who would insist on foolish plans. May we have the discernment to distinguish between the good and the bad, and the courage of our convictions to follow Your Son in the pathway of true integrity. We would love peace, but we will not have any rest through evil pursuits. Will we murder and destroy the property of others and claim to be in the right? Will we follow evil, and still be followers of Your Son? Grant us wisdom.

Psalm 105

Glorious Lord of All, we worship You and give You thanks. It is wonderful to sing to You. We seek You and we remember what You have done. Your judgments are wise. You keep all Your promises. You made a covenant with us in Christ, and You are fulfilling that good plan in great ways. You have announced news of a future age through Your prophets. So much has already come to pass, and yet much more is still ahead of us. We marvel at Your works in gathering a people for the glory of Your Name. Even today You continue to rescue us from the sin that distracts and ensnares us. You bring us out of danger and cause us to trust again in Your Son. Be with us as we go through this life. We are looking forward to the coming age of glory. May we keep Your Son’s commandments as we wait for the day of His return.

Acts 7

Our Father, grant that we would rightly appreciate the privilege of suffering for the name of Jesus Christ. Without this true assessment of our trials, we will always shrink away from a forthright statement of Your Word in situations of danger. You have sent one Man who would truly keep Your perfect Law. Through His death and resurrection He became the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, Your church throughout the world. All of the patriarchs and heroes of the faith in earlier days longed for this day of the Messiah. Now He has actually visited us. This Jesus did all things well. He has poured out Your Holy Spirit upon Your church. We love the Law of Christ. We rejoice in the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We long for the fulfillment of Your promise in the age to come, in the land of Resurrection. We love the Word of the Prophets which has now come in person in the great beauty of our Messiah. He is the perfect Son of David, and He has built a new house for His people in His own world-wide body. We will not resist the Holy Spirit. We will love and serve the Righteous One. Teach us the truth about our sin, that we might more fully and earnestly repent of it and be forgiven. Though men might work together to kill us, Your truth can never be stopped. Grant us such a beauty of holiness and love that we would be willing to forgive those who seek our destruction.

For July 24, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

July 24, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 7:2-8

Sermon title: “Listening to Stephen Preach About Abraham”

Music:

Opening – 115 All Creatures of Our God and King

Preparation – 156 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

Response – 34 The God of Abraham Praise

Closing – 128 God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

OT Reading: Genesis 15

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 7

Tuesday: 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 13:23-39

Thursday: Genesis 15

Friday: Exodus 20:4-6

Saturday: Acts 7

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Samuel 13

Sovereign Lord, our affections have become perverse in sin. We live in a world that has long been full of strange evil. We would pursue unholy desires and would uncover great troubles for ourselves and many others. Have we lost all sense? Will we do outrageous things that are obviously foolish and shameful?Will we use our strength for violent assaults, rather than to protect the weak and vulnerable? Will we use the power at our disposal to abuse others? In this world of sin, how can we escape the ugliness of wickedness? Father, we need Your powerful help to keep us from disaster. Keep our hearts strong in Your Son, in Your Word, and in Your Spirit. Help us to believe Your promises. May our affections rise up to You in the time of temptation, so that we will not be mired in the depravity of this world and of ugliness of our own sinful flesh.

Genesis 15

O Author and Finisher of Our Faith, You were true to Abraham so long ago, for He believed You, and it was credited to Him as righteousness. His offspring is beyond our ability to number. You brought Him out of the land of pagan religion, and gave Him a place for His descendants. You have given to him and to us a great covenant sign. You assured us that Your Son would give His life, so that Your covenant with Abraham would be kept. You have promised to give us a great land, far beyond the land of Canaan. We believe You, O Lord, for Your promise is sure.

Acts 7

Our Father, grant that we would rightly appreciate the privilege of suffering for the name of Jesus Christ. Without this true assessment of our trials, we will always shrink away from a forthright statement of Your Word in situations of danger. You have sent one Man who would truly keep Your perfect Law. Through His death and resurrection He became the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, Your church throughout the world. All of the patriarchs and heroes of the faith in earlier days longed for this day of the Messiah. Now He has actually visited us. This Jesus did all things well. He has poured out Your Holy Spirit upon Your church. We love the Law of Christ. We rejoice in the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We long for the fulfillment of Your promise in the age to come, in the land of Resurrection. We love the Word of the Prophets which has now come in person in the great beauty of our Messiah. He is the perfect Son of David, and He has built a new house for His people in His own world-wide body. We will not resist the Holy Spirit. We will love and serve the Righteous One. Teach us the truth about our sin, that we might more fully and earnestly repent of it and be forgiven. Though men might work together to kill us, Your truth can never be stopped. Grant us such a beauty of holiness and love that we would be willing to forgive those who seek our destruction.

For July 17, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

July 17, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 7:1-2

Sermon title: “Honey from the Rock”

Music:

Opening – 167 When Morning Gilds the Skies

Preparation – 303 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word

Response – 420 At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing

Closing – 247 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

OT Reading: Psalm 81

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 7

Tuesday: 2 Samuel 12:1-22

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 12:23-31

Thursday: Psalm 81

Friday: Exodus 20:3

Saturday: Acts 7

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Samuel 12

Father God, You have sent to us servants of Your Word to speak the truth boldly. Our sin has been exposed. You have given us so many gifts, and You would have given more if we had only asked. Yet we have despised You, Your Word, and Your provision, for we have taken what was not ours. The consequences of our rebellion against You are serious. We rejoice in the fact that You have put away our guilt through the provision of a perfect substitute. Nonetheless, You discipline those You love. We face the seriousness of great loss, and we mourn. In our grief, You speak sweetly to us of a better day to come, and we believe. Though our loved ones may rest in the grave and they will not return to us, yet we are assured that we will go to them one day, together with all who are in Jesus. You are able to help us with comfort and assistance, even granting life in the face of tremendous loss. You send us forth again in useful service, that our lives might be well spent for the glory of Your Name. Thank you for Your faithful love, and for the forgiveness of sins.

Psalm 81

Great God, we should praise You with fullness of joy and expectation. You have redeemed us out of the greatest distress. We should listen to You completely. Why should there be strange gods among us? Why do we not follow Your commandments? You have great blessings planned for us, even through times of trouble. Will we still continue to deny You?

Acts 7

Our Father, grant that we would rightly appreciate the privilege of suffering for the name of Jesus Christ. Without this true assessment of our trials, we will always shrink away from a forthright statement of Your Word in situations of danger. You have sent one Man who would truly keep Your perfect Law. Through His death and resurrection He became the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, Your church throughout the world. All of the patriarchs and heroes of the faith in earlier days longed for this day of the Messiah. Now He has actually visited us. This Jesus did all things well. He has poured out Your Holy Spirit upon Your church. We love the Law of Christ. We rejoice in the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We long for the fulfillment of Your promise in the age to come, in the land of Resurrection. We love the Word of the Prophets which has now come in person in the great beauty of our Messiah. He is the perfect Son of David, and He has built a new house for His people in His own world-wide body. We will not resist the Holy Spirit. We will love and serve the Righteous One. Teach us the truth about our sin, that we might more fully and earnestly repent of it and be forgiven. Though men might work together to kill us, Your truth can never be stopped. Grant us such a beauty of holiness and love that we would be willing to forgive those who seek our destruction.

For July 10, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

July 10, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 6:8-15

Sermon title: “Like the Face of an Angel”

Music:

Opening – 4 All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above

Preparation – 140 O Word of God Incarnate

Response – 252 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Closing – 299 Look, Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

OT Reading: Psalm 101

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 6

Tuesday: 2 Samuel 11:1-13

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 11:14-27

Thursday: Psalm 101

Friday: Matthew 22:39

Saturday: Acts 6

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Samuel 11

God of Mercy, how can we have hope when we have fallen into such grievous sin? Lord, we could be quickly and wrongly captivated by some person, and led by our own evil hearts into a web of deceit and destruction. Sin leads to sin in our lives. Adulterous thoughts can beget murderous actions. Help us, Lord. Our sin would lead to trouble for many. We bring forth the poisonous fruit of death for others to eat, others who may have nothing to do with our evil desires and schemes. Surely there would be no hope for us if Your valiant Son had not come to do battle for us. He did not come with lies or with a depraved heart. He fulfilled Your commandments from the depths of His being. His ways were always deeply pleasing to you. He has faced death, and has won for us eternal life. Have mercy on us for His sake.

Psalm 101

Great God and King, we sing to You with joy. You are a God full of integrity and holiness. We will follow You. We will love what You love. Surround us with the righteous forever. You will surely bring us into Your land, the place of utmost purity and love.

Acts 6

Lord God, thank You for the way that You solve problems with such wisdom and love. Help us to remember that those who have been set apart for the Word should devote themselves to the duties of leading Your church in prayer, teaching, and preaching. These men should not be distracted by other concerns, however important and legitimate. Raise up men that are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to lead all of the believers in service, so that issues of justice, mercy, and order are attended to with diligence and holiness. Fill our hearts with wisdom and with Your Spirit. Grant us godly composure and Christ-like love for You and for others.