Worship Next Sunday
September
30, 2012
Preaching:
Pastor Stephen Magee
Sermon
text: Acts 16:1-5
Sermon
title: The
Growing Church of Jesus Christ
Music:
Opening
Hymn 57 Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul
Preparation
Hymn 141 God, in the Gospel of His Son
Response
Hymn 165 Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
Closing
Hymn 164 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Confession
of Faith: Apostles Creed
Old
Testament Passage: Genesis
45:4-11, Exodus 1:5-12
Preparation
Guide
Sunday:
Genesis 41, Acts 15:30-41
Monday:
1 Samuel 16, Acts 16:1-5
Tuesday:
1 Samuel 17
Wednesday:
1 Samuel 18
Thursday:
Genesis 42
Friday:
Genesis 43
Saturday: Genesis 44,
Acts 16
Suggested Bible Study and Prayers
(Passages
that we will refer to in next Sunday's worship)
Genesis
45
Great Lover of
our souls, You have sought us and have redeemed us. Your commitment
to us is full and heart-warming. We know that though evil men have
plans of wickedness against You and Your church, yet Your plans are
above all other plans, and You are for us and not against us. The
days ahead of us are difficult for us to know, but our times are in
Your hands. You will certainly care for us in the day of trouble.
We receive Your embrace today as an expression of Your full
commitment toward Your people. Not only are Your intentions
marvelous, You have all power and authority in order to work Your
holy will. You care for us, both in body and soul. You give us food
and clothing for our bodies, and the greatest provision for our
spirits, feeding us regularly with Your Word and clothing us with the
righteousness of Christ. It is enough for us to know that Your Son
is alive and that we will see Him face to face.
Exodus 1
Glorious
Redeemer, You rescued Israel out of Egypt. You gave them great
fruitfulness even in the land of their captivity. Blessed be Your
Name. You hear the cry of Your servants who pray to You in a time of
bitter need. You know our poverty and trouble, and You care for us.
The world may hate us, and exercise murderous plots against Your
church. Yet You raise up men and women that fear You, and foil the
plots of the wicked. Save us in our time of need today, O God.
There is an enemy who seeks whom he may devour, but You are mighty,
and will deliver us from all evil.
Acts 16
Our
Father, we thank You for the progress of Your church throughout the
centuries. You have been pleased to bring spiritual growth through
challenging providences. Thank You for Your wisdom and Your mercy.
Strengthen us by faith. Help us to hear the call of those who have
been granted a true thirst for the Word. Open the hearts of Your
elect to not only believe but also to willingly suffer for the Name
of Christ. Release many from distraction and oppression so that Your
people can serve You with the freedom that comes through faith in
Your Son. Thank You for the way that You work through Your suffering
church to give a true testimony to the hope that we have in Christ.
We believe in You and we believe in Your glorious Son. We have been
saved by the blood of the Lamb, and we rejoice in the blessings that
have come to us by grace. Teach us to make good use of our
sufferings, knowing that even these are a gift from Your powerful
hand.
