For November 6, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

November 6, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 8:25

Sermon title: “Preaching the Gospel to Many Villages”

Music:

Opening – 117 The Spacious Firmament on High

Preparation – Psalm 126

Response – 520 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

Closing – White 3 Heaven's Gift

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

OT Reading: Isaiah 54:1-3

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 8:25

Tuesday: 1 Kings 4:1-19

Wednesday: 1 Kings 4:20-34

Thursday: Isaiah 54:1-3

Friday: Exodus 20:8-11

Saturday: Acts 8

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 4

Lord God, You have provided a system of order for Your Kingdom. We are thankful for the kind provision of leaders who pursue the orderly and blessed functioning of Your church. Please make the men who serve in this way wise and courageous. May they be honest men who understand the times. Help them to shine as lights in a dark world. Provide everything that they need for the job that You have given to Your church. We are to make disciples of all nations, and to train up Your church in holiness and love. Please provide all the resources necessary in order that these good goals will be accomplished. Thank you for all the excellent knowledge, skill, beauty, and wisdom that comes to Your servants through Your Son.

Isaiah 54

Lord of the Harvest, You are bringing forth children for the desolate woman. We are the descendants that You have made for the glory of Your Holy Servant, Jesus. He is the Lord of Hosts and our Husband. Your people were cast off in their sin, but now they are being brought back home in Your divine compassion. Your steadfast promise is fulfilled in the One who is both just and justifier. Therefore we rejoice in You and in the covenant of peace with which You have made us glad. We are precious stones now in Your holy temple. The day without fear will soon come in all perfection, and we will be changed from glory to glory. Even today, no weapon fashioned against us will prosper.

Acts 8

Sovereign Lord, You have promised that Your truth would not be stopped in Jerusalem, but that it would be heard in all Judea, Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth. As that Word moved forward through Your apostles, many believed, even among those who had formerly been committed to pagan practices. So many in every age are dedicated to the worship of money, or think that they can buy Your gifts. You will bring Your Word even to men such as this. You will open the minds of distant tribes and people groups through Your great power. The faith that comes to one man can eventually touch many more who were once securely bound in the slavery of idolatry. Grant to all Your people the joy of new life, as Your servants are baptized into a community of living hope.

For October 30, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

October 30, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 8:18-24

Sermon title: “Pray for me to the Lord ...”

Music:

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

Preparation – Psalm 122

Response – White 7 Come to the Waters

Closing – 706 Jesus Lives, and So Shall I

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

OT Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 8:18-24

Tuesday: 1 Kings 3:1-15

Wednesday: 1 Kings 3:16-28

Thursday: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Friday: Exodus 20:7

Saturday: Acts 8

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 3

Great God, You have granted to us so many blessings. Your Son is the husband of Your church. What more can we possibly ask of You? He is full of righteousness and wisdom, and He will be our King forever. Grant us the privilege of being like Him. We would desire to have the blessing of an understanding mind, that we might serve You well. We thank You for the measure of riches and honor that You have chosen to give to us, but Your gift of wisdom would be far better than these other kind provisions. Surely You will help us in the daily struggles that come before us. You will give us insight so that we will make wise choices. Make our hearts yearn for Your blessing upon the weak who come to us for help in a day of desperate need.

Jeremiah 31

Sovereign Lord, Your plan shall surely be accomplished. Your church shall be perfectly adorned with the righteousness of Christ. You bring forth shouts of joy from the voices of Your people. You will bring us to the place of Your presence. You will gather Your flock and give to Your people a New Covenant. Built on the Rock, which is Christ, Your church will be blessed according to Your promise. Restore us again, O God. Let us not be put to shame. We will return to You from the land of unbelief. We will follow our great Redeemer. The answer for us has come in the child of a woman. He watches over us for our good. Build and plant, O Lord, for Your ways are marvelous. We have broken Your Law, but Your Son has obeyed every commandment. We look with joyful expectation to the coming day when we shall no longer disobey Your commandments. Your love for us is both strong and sure. Your Kingdom will be built up, and Your Son shall reign forever.

Acts 8

Sovereign Lord, You have promised that Your truth would not be stopped in Jerusalem, but that it would be heard in all Judea, Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth. As that Word moved forward through Your apostles, many believed, even among those who had formerly been committed to pagan practices. So many in every age are dedicated to the worship of money, or think that they can buy Your gifts. You will bring Your Word even to men such as this. You will open the minds of distant tribes and people groups through Your great power. The faith that comes to one man can eventually touch many more who were once securely bound in the slavery of idolatry. Grant to all Your people the joy of new life, as Your servants are baptized into a community of living hope.

For October 23, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

October 23, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 8:14-17

Sermon title: “The Word, Christian Baptism, and the Holy Spirit”

Music:

Opening – 3 Give to Our God Immortal Praise

Preparation – 437 O God, to Us Show Mercy

Response – 474 Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow!

Close – 498 Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

OT Reading: Numbers 27:12-23, Deuteronomy 34:9-12

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 8:14-17

Tuesday: 1 Kings 2:1-25

Wednesday: 1 Kings 2:26-46

Thursday: Numbers 27:12-23, Deuteronomy 34:9-12

Friday: Exodus 20:4-6

Saturday: Acts 8

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 2

Lord, how is it that You work Your justice throughout the earth? One man rises and another falls. One man is given more life by Your mercy, yet the day comes when old transgressions catch up with him, and a taste of Your justice is felt at the day of his death. Bloodshed is all around us, and we cannot sort out all the misery and sin that we see across the years of our lives. There are those who will attempt to accomplish their own plans with intrigue and lies. They worm their way into the homes of the righteous and cause difficulties as they seek a weak ear and an unsuspecting ally. If you were not our help, how could we live? There is much trouble all around us. Please do not take away Your mercy from us. We hate our foolish past and we turn to You as those who know the hope that is securely ours in Your Son. We have heard the truth about the way of life that You have for Your children, and we acknowledge that it is good. Give us the strength to resist evil, lest we die in disgrace. You have fully established Your kingdom in the hands of Your Son. We thank You for the peace that we enjoy in His service.

Deuteronomy 34

Glorious God Almighty, the day of each man’s death approaches. Beyond this day is the coming of all of Your good decrees for life. Grant us a glimpse each day of the age to come. In light of that new vision, teach us to live in the sure hope of the coming age. Fill us with Your heavenly Spirit, and use us for Your good purposes even in the land where we now live. We thank You for Your holy Law that came through Moses. Even more than this, we thank You that grace and truth have come to us through Your Son Jesus Christ.

Acts 8

Sovereign Lord, You have promised that Your truth would not be stopped in Jerusalem, but that it would be heard in all Judea, Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth. As that Word moved forward through Your apostles, many believed, even among those who had formerly been committed to pagan practices. So many in every age are dedicated to the worship of money, or think that they can buy Your gifts. You will bring Your Word even to men such as this. You will open the minds of distant tribes and people groups through Your great power. The faith that comes to one man can eventually touch many more who were once securely bound in the slavery of idolatry. Grant to all Your people the joy of new life, as Your servants are baptized into a community of living hope.

For October 16, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

October 16, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Acts 8:9-13

Sermon title: “The Astounding Power of God”

Music:

Opening – 53 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Preparation – 172 Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

Response – 169 My Heard Does Overflow

Closing – 699 Like a River Glorious

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

OT Reading: Psalm 29

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 8:9-13

Tuesday: 1 Kings 1:1-27

Wednesday: 1 Kings 1:28-53

Thursday: Psalm 29

Friday: Exodus 20:1-3

Saturday: Acts 8

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 1

Glorious God, we live and die at Your command. You know us when we are young, and You know us when we are old. The day comes when we step aside from our duties of responsibility, and the next generation takes our place. We come and go, but Your Son is forever King over the church. Here below, an Adonijah may attempt to make himself something, and he may even seem to succeed for a time. Despite the proud plans of men, You make a man rise or fall. You promised that Solomon would be king instead of Adonijah. Your Word cannot be broken. As we live among ambitious and treacherous men, we feel the danger of ruthless arrogance all around us. Despite these fears, You surely reign, and You will accomplish Your great will. Grant to us faith in You every day. We put aside our needless anxiety, and trust in You. Comfort our hearts as You teach us to trust in Your Word. May we serve You without doubt and fear all the days of our lives. We have been found in Your Son. Why should we live as orphans when we have such a good heritage in Your Son Jesus Christ? His throne is great and His Name is glorious. Thank You for our secure relation to You in the life and death of Your Son. Though we die, yet we only sleep in Jesus Christ. He will call our bodies forth from the grave. We live now in this most excellent hope.

Psalm 29

Lord of Hosts, all worship of men and angels is due to You, for You alone are God. Your voice is fearful and wonderful, like glorious thunder from the heavens. Blessed be Your Name, O great King. We hear Your Word of peace, and are greatly blessed.

Acts 8

Sovereign Lord, You have promised that Your truth would not be stopped in Jerusalem, but that it would be heard in all Judea, Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth. As that Word moved forward through Your apostles, many believed, even among those who had formerly been committed to pagan practices. So many in every age are dedicated to the worship of money, or think that they can buy Your gifts. You will bring Your Word even to men such as this. You will open the minds of distant tribes and people groups through Your great power. The faith that comes to one man can eventually touch many more who were once securely bound in the slavery of idolatry. Grant to all Your people the joy of new life, as Your servants are baptized into a community of living hope.

For October 9, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

October 9, 2011

Preaching: Intern Nathan Snyder

Sermon text: Psalm 100

Sermon title: “”

Music:

Opening – 1 All People That on Earth Do Dwell

Preparation – 163 At the Name of Jesus

Response – 170 Fairest Lord Jesus

Closing – 296 All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

NT Reading: Philippians 4:4-9

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Psalm 100

Tuesday: 2 Samuel 24:1-14

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 24:15-25

Thursday: Philippians 4:4-9

Friday: Matthew 22:39

Saturday: Psalm 100

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Samuel 24

Father God, we are so weak, and we would easily fail and fall at any test. Surely we need Your strength if we are to resist evil. We are so full of pride. We do what we do because of our own desires. Transform our hearts into something better and purer, that we might have holier desires. Your heart is perfect. Make us to love what You love, and to pursue these better desires with all the power and faith that comes from You. We would bring great trouble upon our lives and upon others all around us through our lust for power, fame, or pleasure. We need an atoning sacrifice for our wickedness. Your hand came against a Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the Lamb of God for us. Through His perfect desires and His astounding love, a plague of death has been taken away from us. Through His own life and death, He has accomplished what could never have come to us through the death of bulls or goats. Though we can pay nothing for our salvation, the cost to You has been measured out in the blood of Your Son. Thank You for Your mercy, for Your justice has been satisfied at a great cost, and we have been redeemed.

Psalm 100

Father, the duty of worship is not only for Israel. All Your people throughout the earth should love and serve You. We thank You for Your steadfast love, secured for us in the life and death of Your Son.

Philippians 4

Our God and King, take away from our hearts unproductive and vicious thoughts that are out of accord with godliness. Take away our foolish anxieties, and help us to rejoice in You always. Keep our minds on You and on Your great works of creation, providence, and redemption. Fill us with peace as we fill our minds with the glorious wonders of Your greatness and beauty. Thank You for those You have given to us as companions and partners in the way of faith and life. We have confidence in You, for You will not abandon us. You will supply our every need, according to the abundance of Your grace for all of Your children.