For January 1, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

New Years Day, January 1, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Acts 9:1-2

Sermon title: “The Era of God With Us”

Music:

Opening – 4 All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above

Preparation – 75 O Father, You Are Sovereign

Response – 128 God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Closing – 32 Great is Thy Faithfulness

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

Old Testament Passage: Psalm 146

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 9:1-2

Tuesday: 1 Kings 11:1-22

Wednesday: 1 Kings 11:23-43

Thursday: Psalm 146

Friday: Matthew 22:37

Saturday: Acts 9

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 11

Lord God, we are so quickly led into traps of sin. Please help us. O Lord, we know that sin will quickly turn our hearts away from You. Guard our lives and protect us. Grant to us holy companions who will encourage us along the way of faith and righteousness. You have given the Kingdom to Your Son Jesus Christ. We are a part of that Kingdom and we are united to this great Son of David. May we stay near Him through Your Word. There are grave dangers everywhere, adversaries who stand against You and Your Anointed Messiah. We need strength and wisdom that is well beyond our abilities. Use us, O God, for the building of Your Kingdom. We desire to do good things for the progress of our brothers and sisters in the faith. You have a perfect knowledge of Your holy will. You shall not be denied. The gods of the nations are less than nothing. To follow them is to travel along the way that leads to destruction. Make Your Son to reign over a glorious Kingdom forever. We are weary, Lord. How can we keep on going? Carry us through this life, and take us home at just the right time.

Acts 9

Glorious Lord, You can take a man who is breathing threats against You and Your people and make him into a great servant of the Word. Blessed be Your Name. You help such a man to see the truth that he once condemned. The power of Your gospel changes men, softening proud hearts, and making them willing to suffer for the Name that they hated. Remove from our eyes any remaining spiritual blindness. Help us to see even more clearly that Jesus is Your Son. He is the only Messiah, and this is clearly shown through even the Old Testament Scriptures. Grant that our ministers would preach boldly among men who may be seeking to kill us. Grant us peace and joy in the comfort that comes from Your Truth and from the Holy Spirit. Make us know Your love for us so fully that we cannot help but be overflowing with good works. Remove far from us all ungodly hatred, self-centered distractions, and laziness. Take away all false excuses that we used in earlier days to reject so many great opportunities to serve You.

Isaiah 52

Father God, we praise You throughout our days on earth and even beyond this present age. Our hope is in You, Our Creator God, the Sustainer of all things. Your heart, O God, is perfect. Your will for Your people is wonderful. We need not fear man, or give in to foolish fears. You are the God of Your children forever and ever.

For December 25, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

Christmas Day, December 25, 2011

Preaching: Intern Nathan Snyder

Sermon text: Luke 2:8-20

Sermon title: “Peace has come to earth”

Music:

Opening – 199 See, amid the Winter's Snow

Preparation – 208 O Come, All Ye Faithful

Response – 218 Angels, from the Realms of Glory

Closing – 195 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 52:7-10

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Luke 2:1-20

Tuesday: 1 Kings 10:1-13

Wednesday: 1 Kings 10:14-29

Thursday: Isaiah 52:7-10

Friday: Luke 9:23-26

Saturday: Luke 2

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 10

O Lord God, why do people not see the greatness of Your Son, our King? Why is our breath not taken away from us day by day as we hear of the wisdom and power of Jesus Christ? Surely it is because of Your great love that You have sent us Your Son. You own all things as the Creator and Provider. Grant us what we need for our daily sustenance that we might serve you well. Bless us with the beauty of true holiness. Your majesty is known in the glory of sanctification, for we are living stones in a great temple. Place into our minds a vision of the grandeur of Your kingdom, that we might ask for and receive great things. Your Son and His perfected church are far beyond the glory of the kingdom of Solomon. Will we not have eyes to see? We do believe. Help our unbelief.

Luke 2

Father God, in the fullness of time You sent forth Your Son. This best child of Bethlehem is our King. Fully God and fully man, Your Son is Christ the Lord. Born in a lowly manger, He came for Your glory and for our salvation. Thank You for Your mercy to us through Him. We treasure the truth of Jesus Christ in our hearts. Help us to obey Him with our lives. Lord, we are so easily distracted by lesser things. Keep our eyes upon this Jesus. Help us to see the meaning and importance of our days as we see Your salvation in Jesus Christ. Shine forth the light of Christ throughout the earth, that many will come to see the truth of His life, death, and resurrection. We praise You, O God, for You have sent us the One who is our redemption. He is our strong King. Throughout His life He attended to all of Your commandments. He alone has loved You with all of His being. He knew You as Father with perfect wisdom and obedience. He is our Hope.

Isaiah 52

Come in strength, O God, in the garments of Your power. We were sold for nothing, but we have been redeemed through the precious blood of the Lamb. Speak in the voice of Your gospel herald soon. Let the weary come again to Zion, that we might sing to our God. Your arm is strong. Show us Your salvation. Release us from the filthy chains of wickedness and be our God. Thank You for Your amazing Servant. He is our strength.

For December 18, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

December 18, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Psalm 46:8-11

Sermon title: “In God We Trust” Part 3 of 3

Music:

Opening – 196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Preparation – 398 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Response – 203 Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Closing – 345 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

New Testament Passage: Luke 1:68-79

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Psalm 46

Tuesday: 1 Kings 9:1-9

Wednesday: 1 Kings 9:10-28

Thursday: Luke 1:68-70

Friday: Exodus 20:17

Saturday: Psalm 46

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 8

Sovereign Lord, You hear the prayers of Your Son. We thank You. He has walked in perfect integrity and righteousness. His throne is established forever. Surely we have sinned, and turned aside from the right way. Where would we be without Your grace? Do not turn Your church into a house of ruins. For the glory of Your Name, have great mercy upon all those who call upon You in covenant assembly. Grant that we will be able to live in peace among the people with whom we dwell here below. May Your church be a blessing to others in accord with Your will. May Your kingdom shine as a city on a hill. Grant that many who are enslaved in the chains of sin will find new freedom in Christ. Help us to speak the truth in love, to expose what is evil, and to show forth the way of divine mercy.

Luke 1

Glorious God, we thank You for the good news of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You are a God of order, and You have set out for us the story of Your Son in a way that is clear and wonderful. At just the right time You sent angels and prophets, raised up nations and brought about events, that we might be prepared for the coming of our Redeemer. You sent John the Baptist to Zechariah and Elizabeth. The word of his coming was given through the angel Gabriel. John’s father saw a vision, and he was unable to speak until the coming of this forerunner. Even more than the miracle of John’s birth, this same angel informed Mary of an event more magnificent than the coming of John. She conceived a Son who would be Your own Son. This Jesus would reign forever and ever, and would be born to a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the blessing of the gift of Your Son. Nothing is impossible with You, O Lord. We are Your servants. Let it be to us according to Your holy Word. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak wonderful words of truth throughout our days on earth. We believe Your Word, which shall be fulfilled in due season. Look upon our humble estate and do great things for us according to Your strength and Your promise. You bring the high low, and the low You make high by Your grace. You have fulfilled the promise to Abraham in the gift of Jesus Christ. As John was given that the people might be prepared for a yet more glorious gift, the coming of Your Son means grace upon grace for us and a gift beyond all other gifts. We hear the Word that You have spoken and we wonder about all the marvelous things You have for us. We will be saved from our enemies through Your covenant mercies granted to Your children. May we serve Your Son in holiness and righteousness all our days. Forgive our sins moment by moment, and grant us light, that we might walk in the way of peace.

Psalm 46

Strong Deliverer, You are the Help of Your people every day and through every time of trouble. There is a great river of Your Spirit coming to us out of Your heavenly sanctuary. You have made us glad. You have defended us in times of trouble. You will glorify Your Name in us, for You are the mighty fortress of Your church, and we are Your people.

For December 11, 2011

Worship Next Sunday

December 11, 2011

Preaching: Pastor Magee

Sermon text: Psalm 46:4-7

Sermon title: “In God We Trust” Part 2 of 3

Music:

Opening – 194 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Preparation – 213 What Child Is This

Response – 647 How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

Closing – 198 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates!

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

New Testament Passage: Luke 1:39-56

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Psalm 46

Tuesday: 1 Kings 8:1-30

Wednesday: 1 Kings 8:31-66

Thursday: Luke 1:39-56

Friday: Exodus 20:16

Saturday: Psalm 46

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

1 Kings 8

Our Father in Heaven, we long to be with You, and to know that You are with us. We thank You that You have granted to us a way that we might know You and worship You. Your Son Jesus Christ is the Way. Fill us with Your presence. Fill Your temple with Your glory. We would be so easily distracted by foolish endeavors and meaningless entertainments. When we are taken away from considerations of You and Your will, how can we serve You? Your Son is building a great assembly of worshippers. He is forever upon the throne according to Your promise. We thank You for His great ascension work in the building of Your kingdom. May Your Name be held in high regard forever. Father, forgive us for our sins. Look upon us and have mercy. When we wander far away from You and discover our foolishness, forgive us and bring us home again. When we face danger from any trouble within us or outside us, hear us and help us. You know our weakness, O God. Please help us. Come swiftly to the aid of all those who would call upon Your name, and draw them to Your Son and to His church. Grant us the gift of repentance and bring us home again to You. Hear our prayer and our plea. We need You, O Lord. We have a sense of the imperfection of our entreaties. We do not know how to pray. Have mercy upon us. May Your Son perfect our prayers. In all our requests, we plead the blood of the perfect sacrifice, Jesus, the Lamb. We bless Your Name forever.

Luke 1

Glorious God, we thank You for the good news of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You are a God of order, and You have set out for us the story of Your Son in a way that is clear and wonderful. At just the right time You sent angels and prophets, raised up nations and brought about events, that we might be prepared for the coming of our Redeemer. You sent John the Baptist to Zechariah and Elizabeth. The word of his coming was given through the angel Gabriel. John’s father saw a vision, and he was unable to speak until the coming of this forerunner. Even more than the miracle of John’s birth, this same angel informed Mary of an event more magnificent than the coming of John. She conceived a Son who would be Your own Son. This Jesus would reign forever and ever, and would be born to a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the blessing of the gift of Your Son. Nothing is impossible with You, O Lord. We are Your servants. Let it be to us according to Your holy Word. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak wonderful words of truth throughout our days on earth. We believe Your Word, which shall be fulfilled in due season. Look upon our humble estate and do great things for us according to Your strength and Your promise. You bring the high low, and the low You make high by Your grace. You have fulfilled the promise to Abraham in the gift of Jesus Christ. As John was given that the people might be prepared for a yet more glorious gift, the coming of Your Son means grace upon grace for us and a gift beyond all other gifts. We hear the Word that You have spoken and we wonder about all the marvelous things You have for us. We will be saved from our enemies through Your covenant mercies granted to Your children. May we serve Your Son in holiness and righteousness all our days. Forgive our sins moment by moment, and grant us light, that we might walk in the way of peace.

Psalm 46

Strong Deliverer, You are the Help of Your people every day and through every time of trouble. There is a great river of Your Spirit coming to us out of Your heavenly sanctuary. You have made us glad. You have defended us in times of trouble. You will glorify Your Name in us, for You are the mighty fortress of Your church, and we are Your people.