Worship Next Sunday
August 28, 2011
Preaching: Nathan Snyder
Sermon text: Ephesians 4:7-16
Sermon title: “Called to Maturity”
Music:
Opening – White #1 Give Praise to God
Preparation – 301 Join All the Glorious Names
Response – 529 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Closing – 580 Lead On, O King Eternal
Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed
OT Reading: Psalm 68:20-35
Preparation Guide
Sunday: Review morning sermon (evening service @ 5pm)
Monday: Ephesians 4
Tuesday: 2 Samuel 18:1-18
Wednesday: 2 Samuel 18:19-33
Thursday: Psalm 68
Friday: Exodus 20:14
Saturday: Ephesians 4
Suggested Bible Study and Prayers
(Passages that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)
2 Samuel 18
Glorious Lord, Your forces of Kingdom love move forward under the banner of Jesus Christ. Your Son, our Commander, is safe in the heavens. He is beyond the reach of evil foes. He is watching and ruling over all. Attacks upon us are considered to be a strike against Your Son, and though we seem to fall, no one can stop our King. He has a heart for those He knows to be sons of God by adoption. Help us to consider the end of the way of wickedness carefully and to turn from all evil. Father, what a sad day it is when a child is dead. There is no joy, even though the son be an Absalom who aimed to destroy the king and to seize the kingdom. Your heart for the most troubled of Your children longs to see each young one live. You are powerful to save. Answer the longing hearts of mothers and fathers who cry out to You for their sons and daughters. Bring them good news of hope in the darkest night.
Psalm 68
Our Father, there are enemies who would threaten the safety of Your family. What will You do, Father? You are the Protector and Defender of Your people. No matter how desperate our condition may seem, You will bring us the exact help that we need. Speak, Lord, for Your servants listen. Send forth Your men and women to speak of Your glory. There is no one like You, for You are a towering mountain over everything that You have created. Make us to dwell with men and angels who will praise You forever. You have brought us back from the depths of disaster. You will surely judge the wicked. We have a hope of the greatest eternal celebration because of our Messiah, Your Son. We bring our gifts to You. We have been freed from the chains of men, and we sing with joy as we walk in Your Spirit. Grant us power today for the praise of Your glory.
Ephesians 4
Lord God, we thank You for the blessing of Your church. We are together in Christ, and united in our enjoyment of all that Christ has for the church. Though we have a variety of gifts, we rejoice in You, our one Lord. Help us to grow together in Christ through the ministry of pastors and teachers who bring us the Word day by day. Grant us willingness to use the gifts that You have given us, not for the service of our own foolish pride, but to serve You and one another. We put on the new man in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We hate the works of the devil and the filth of corruption that battles for ascendancy within us. Bring relief to those who are in pain and trouble today, for we care for one another and forgive each other, as members together of one body.
