For June 3, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

June 3, 2012

Preaching: Intern Nathan Snyder

Sermon text: Titus 2:11-3:8

Sermon title: Being Trained by Grace

Music:

Opening Hymn 100 Holy,Holy, Holy!

Preparation Hymn 520 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

Response Hymn 457 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Closing Hymn 699 Like a River Glorious

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

Old Testament Passage: Ezekiel 36:22-32

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Titus 2:11-3:8

Tuesday: 2 Kings 10:1-17

Wednesday: 2 Kings 10:18-27

Thursday: Ezekiel 36:22-32

Friday: Exodus 20:15

Saturday: Titus 2-3

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 10

Merciful Lord, You have granted to us the great gift of families. Each of us had a father and mother by birth, though we may have not known them. Many have been granted brothers and sisters. Some have enjoyed the privilege of being husbands and wives. Some have been blessed to be parents for a season. As great as these gifts are, they are far surpassed by the blessing of our family relations within the household of faith. Though we may lose our loved ones in our birth families through the treachery of men and Your own sovereign purposes, nothing can separate us from our new family relationships within the body of Christ. In that household of faith, no one will worship false gods. Nothing that offends will be in that holy place. Thank You for Your eternal plan, O God. Use whatever means You see fit to bring about all of Your holy will. One day the places of false worship that litter the earth and defile even Your church will be utterly consumed by Your wrath. Your Kingdom of light will shine forever and ever, and we shall dwell securely in Your city with joy.

Ezekiel 36

Glorious Lord, Your Word is perfect. As we wait for the great blessings you have promised, we should hear Your voice with reverence and joy. Grant especially that all of Your ministers would not only hear Your Word, but also that they would rightly preach it and obey it. Grant that Your church will be doers of the Word rather than imitators of the world. Help us to follow in Your ways, and bless Your church in the days to come. We have defiled Your church with our disobedience, and You have disciplined us in love. Will we ever change? In Your concern for Your holy Name, fill us with Your Spirit so that we will turn away from sin. Cause us to believe in Your power and Your love. Grant to us a new heart and a new Spirit. Why should we not do the things that Christ has commanded? We will follow You by the strength of Your Spirit. Bring us growth in holiness and every good and appropriate prosperity by Your grace.

Titus 2

Great God, help our elders as they work with the various groups within your congregations. We pray that You would also provide other godly men and women in the churches who are willingly submitting to Your Word. Such believers will be so helpful to us as friends and mentors. Teach us through their good example how we may live more godly lives as those who love Your Son and are truly zealous for good works.

Titus 3

Faithful Lord, we thank You for the grace that You are giving to Your church day by day. We consider our lives of sin in former days, and we thank You for the measure of sanctification that we have come to know at present. We still feel the troubles that continue to come to us through the foolishness of our remaining sin. Help us to take the spiritual battle in front of us more seriously. Our days on this earth are few, and we desire to use them in a more godly way.

For May 27, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

May 27, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Acts 13:5-12

Sermon title: Listen, My Son...

Music:

Opening Hymn Psalm 122

Preparation Hymn 727 Lead Me, Lord, ...

Response Hymn 706 Jesus Lives and So Shall I

Closing Hymn 498 Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

Old Testament Passage: Proverbs 3

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 13:5-12

Tuesday: 2 Kings 9:1-16

Wednesday: 2 Kings 9:17-37

Thursday: Proverbs 3

Friday: Exodus 20:14

Saturday: Acts 13

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 9

Lord God Almighty, You rule over all nations and all people. Surely Your Son is especially the King and Head of Your church. That assembly is comprised not only of the descendants of Jacob. People of many nations have been anointed with Your Spirit. You have granted us life, in the midst of a world that is full of death. We have a hope that is far better than anything the world can offer us. We have heard the sure Word of the life to come, and we believe. We will not run to news of false religion that is neither good nor true. There is a day of reckoning for all evil. Will not the cross of Christ be enough for us on that day? Are we dissatisfied with that full atonement, so that we continue searching for what is obviously wrong? May the Jezebel impulse of sin and false prophesy be removed far from Your church. May we learn to flee from immorality and lies. The way of evil is an ugly road in the end. It leads only to destruction. Keep us in the Day of Judgment because of what Christ has done for us. We will soon be with You in the land of the living, rescued out of this sea of evil and death.

Proverbs 3

Sovereign Lord, we have taught our children the way to go. Forgive us where we have failed in our duties. Will the next generation remember that way of righteousness and follow it? Father, we admit to You that we have been wise in our own eyes. This is not the way of hope. Thank You for the discipline that You have given us. We see that You have moved us in the way of the cross through Your hand of correction. May we walk securely in faith and love. Give us diligence and prosperity that we might have something to share with those in need. We want You, O Lord. Give us wisdom so that we will know how to live in humility and peace.

Acts 13

Father God, we thank You for the preachers and teachers that You have given to Your church.  We pray that You will lead them to the precise places that You have for them to go, that they might serve You in fruitful work according to Your plan.  Help these men to be forthright in their speech, for men-pleasers will not be helpful to the progress of the truth.  Help these servants to see this life in a right way, so that they will not fall into the many temptations that so easily ensnare those who are called to be servants of the Word.  Grant that these preachers and teachers would have an accurate understanding of the Old and New Testaments.  May they be in the Word day by day in ways that are helpful for their own souls, and for the understanding of those who will hear them. Help them to see Christ, His atoning work, and His glorious resurrection as the very center of Your living Word.  What a joy it is to see Your Son as the surprising fulfillment of the Word given to Your people even under the period of the Law!  We have been freed from sin by the message and power of Christ.  We pray that the true and bold ministry of Your Word would be powerful in our day.  How can this happen if the men that You call as Your servants are trapped by worldliness and idolatry?  Sanctify Your church, including her ministers, and grant all of Your assemblies a strong hope of eternal life and the fullness of joy even now through the Holy Spirit.

For May 20, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

May 20, 2012

Preaching: Intern Nathan Snyder

Sermon text: John 11:1-53

Sermon title: See to believe. Believe to see.

Music:

Opening Hymn 92 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Preparation Hymn 140 O Word of God Incarnate

Response Hymn 298 The Head That Once Was Crowned...

Closing Hymn 345 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 25:6-12

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: John 11:1-53

Tuesday: 2 Kings 8:1-15

Wednesday: 2 Kings 8:16-29

Thursday: Isaiah 25:6-12

Friday: Exodus 20:13

Saturday: John 11

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 8

Almighty God, there have been many times and places where people have faced great troubles. Nonetheless, You have the ability to bring life to those who have died. There is nothing too difficult for You. Your sovereign power is not limited to the church. You even give good gifts to many people who do not call upon Your Name. There is much brutality in this world, and forceful men oppress the weak. Above all earthly powers, You are God. Your promises are forever. You have granted that a great descendant of David will reign eternally. He is surely the Head of the church. He also rules over all nations. We do not see kings submitting to Him today, yet every knee shall bow to Him in the day of His power. We long for the gift of a new creation. We long for the day when oppressive rulers have been put far away, when we will see the Lord Jesus ruling over all.

Isaiah 25

Father God, we praise Your Name. You have done wonderful things. You hear the prayers of the needy, and You provide a place of rescue in Your Son. Beyond the Day of Judgment there is a wonderful eternity of peace. Death will be swallowed up forever. You are God. We have waited for You. You are faithful to Your Word. Though You lay us low, we will find our greatest joy as those who are blessed by Your grace.

John 11

Sovereign Lord, we struggle with our mortality in this dark world. The ones we love live and die. Grant us faith to believe in the resurrection. Your Son is the Resurrection. On the last day He will awaken those who sleep in Him. Their souls are alive and awake with You even now. Whatever Your Son asks of You, You will surely give Him. He is our life. Grant us more and more life in Him day by day. Comfort us in our grief and loss. Console us in a day of distress. Remind us of the truth, that though we weep, Your Son is the Resurrection. He loves us. We do not want to grieve Your Holy Spirit today with our unbelief. Grant us a fuller assurance. We do believe, but we seem to ignore the power of the resurrection. You sent Your Son to save us. He will come again to call our resting bodies from the grave. He will not be stopped. It was most necessary for this one Man to die, so that we might live as Your people. We are Your children who were scattered abroad, but now we are being gathered together into Your church. Grant us all a great delight in worship as we anticipate together the glory of the coming Day.

For May 13, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

May 13, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Acts 12:25-13:4

Sermon title: Antioch: A Sending Church

Music:

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

Preparation Hymn 334 Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Response Hymn 444 O Zion, Haste, Your Mission High Fulfilling

Closing Hymn 297 All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

Old Testament Passage: Psalm 145

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 12:25-13:4

Tuesday: 2 Kings 7:1-9

Wednesday: 2 Kings 7:10-20

Thursday: Psalm 145

Friday: Exodus 20:12

Saturday: Acts 13

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 7

Our Father, You have helped us with the very biggest problems that we could ever have. You use the weak and the poor to show Your great strength. You send away the threatening foe, and leave behind a feast for Your people. We have learned where the greatest riches are. Help us to go to all who will hear, and to tell them about the blessings that we have in Jesus Christ. This is a day of good news. Grant to us the charity to speak. Send forth Your messengers for this great purpose. The news that we bring is of the very best blessing. You have sent forth Your goodness to us, like an open window from heaven. We receive You with joy.

Psalm 145

O Lord Our God, we praise you now, and we will never stop praising You. We will speak of Your greatness from generation to generation. There is so much to sing about in Your presence. Your goodness and mercy should never be ignored. Your might and Your truth are displayed in Your care for Your children. You are building a wonderful Kingdom. You are near to us, and we call upon You with great delight. We love You, O God. May all the earth magnify Your Name forever.

Acts 12

Father God, we thank You for the preachers and teachers that You have given to Your church. We pray that You will lead them to the precise places that You have for them to go, that they might serve You in fruitful work according to Your plan. Help these men to be forthright in their speech, for men-pleasers will not be helpful to the progress of the truth. Help these servants to see this life in a right way, so that they will not fall into the many temptations that so easily ensnare those who are called to be servants of the Word. Grant that these preachers and teachers would have an accurate understanding of the Old and New Testaments. May they be in the Word day by day in ways that are helpful for their own souls, and for the understanding of those who will hear them. Help them to see Christ, His atoning work, and His glorious resurrection as the very center of Your living Word. What a joy it is to see Your Son as the surprising fulfillment of the Word given to Your people even under the period of the Law! We have been freed from sin by the message and power of Christ. We pray that the true and bold ministry of Your Word would be powerful in our day. How can this happen if the men that You call as Your servants are trapped by worldliness and idolatry? Sanctify Your church, including her ministers, and grant all of Your assemblies a strong hope of eternal life and the fullness of joy even now through the Holy Spirit.

For May 6, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

May 6, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Acts 12:1-24

Sermon title: “The Voice of God and Your Liberty in Christ”

Music:

Opening Hymn 38 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Preparation Hymn Psalm 13

Response Hymn 169 My Heart Does Overflow

Closing Hymn 691 It Is Well with My Soul

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

Old Testament Passage: Psalm 141

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 12:1-24

Tuesday: 2 Kings 6:1-14

Wednesday: 2 Kings 6:15-33

Thursday: Psalm 141

Friday: Exodus 20:8-11

Saturday: Acts 12

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 6

Lord God, Your servants have followed You for generations. You have provided for their needs. Requests that may seem trivial to us are not beyond Your concern. We worry that we are troubling You with petitions that are too unimportant. Correct our foolish thinking. You are not limited as we are. Your attention to a small matter does not distract You from more important concerns. You command us to cast our cares upon You. We will obey You, O Lord. Help us to see something of Your power in the daily events of our lives. Help us also to bring our largest petitions to You. It seems too big a thing for us to be delivered from overwhelming trouble. Bring our restless spirits to Your holy place, that we might rejoice in Your presence. Relieve us of sinful and fruitless plans, and bring us safely home. Will You feed the hungry when it seems that there is no hope of food? What kind of unspeakable wickedness would we be part of in the day of our distress? We will wait for You, O Lord. We believe that You hear our prayers.

Psalm 141

Father God, there is great help for us when we remember to call upon Your Name. You can tame our tongues and calm our restless hearts. You can turn away our foolish gluttony and covetousness. You can give us words of wisdom that are appropriate for every occasion. Our sin would be our downfall, but You protect Your people from the traps of the evil one, and bring us to a place of perfect safety.

Acts 12

Lord of Glory, in this age there are many who would lay violent hands upon Your church. We mourn this sin, yet we know that You are working wonderful miracles of grace even through the suffering that we face. We offer up to You earnest prayers for our brothers and sisters in prison. Send Your angels to rescue many who are in great need because of one tribulation or another. Restore all of Your people to the assembly of those who gather in Your presence for worship. Give us a clear and balanced mind so that we can continue to serve You for as many days as You see fit. This age will one day come to an end, and much that is confusing to us today will be brought to light through the radiance of Your Son’s appearing. We long for His return and for the dawning of a very new day in the fullness of Your great glory.

For April 29, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

April 29, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Acts 11:27-30

Sermon title: “Blessings from the Nations – The First Payment”

Music:

Opening Hymn White 1 Give Praise to God

Preparation Hymn 141 God, in the Gospel of His Son

Response Hymn 644 May the Mind of Christ My Savior

Closing Hymn 585 Take My Life, and Let It Be

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 61:1-7

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 11:27-30

Tuesday: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Wednesday: 2 Kings 5:15-27

Thursday: Isaiah 61:1-7

Friday: Exodus 20:7

Saturday: Acts 11

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 5

Father God, Your plans of mercy have gone far beyond the borders of Israel. Your people, scattered throughout the earth, cannot help but testify to the glory of Your Name. Those who do not know Your grace and power can only fear men, but we have come to know You. There is a great prophet in the heavenly Jerusalem. By His Word the leper was healed. We have hope in Him. You have washed us in the fresh water of the Holy Spirit. You have sprinkled us with the blood of Christ. We are clean. One day we shall be whole. Until that day, help us to worship You in Spirit and in truth. You see our secret deeds of fleshly greed. You know even the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. We bring such trouble upon ourselves because of our rebellion against You. Forgive us, Father. May our hope of eternal life be strong because of the perfect righteousness of Your Son.

Isaiah 61

O Spirit of the Living God who so filled our great Messiah, we ask that You would fill us, that we might follow this great Man of Blessing. You have fed us and healed us. You use us to rebuild what sin has destroyed. We are priests to You, O God, and we rejoice in You, for You are our portion. You hate injustice, and will keep it far from us on the day of our deliverance, for we are Your blessed offspring. We have been covered with the righteous robes of Your Son. We live and grow in You, O God.

Acts 11

Father God, thank You for the great wonder of the message of Christ, which is now coming to all the nations. Thank You that the Messiah of the Jews is the Messiah for the whole world. You have made men in Your image, and we have learned that we should not treat any man as common or unclean. We thank You for the great blessing of the gift of Your Holy Spirit. You have granted even the Gentiles the gift of repentance that leads to life. The task yet ahead of us is large, for the gospel must be preached to all nations. Please bless us with energy, clarity, and diligence that we might rightly serve Jesus Christ. Use all of Your great acts of providence to bring glory to Your Name, as the Word of Your Son is brought to every land.

For April 22, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

April 22, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Acts 11:19-26

Sermon title: “Behold How Good and How Pleasant It Is!”

Music:

Opening Hymn 19 Thee We Adore, Eternal Lord!

Preparation Hymn 301 Join All the Glorious Names

Response Hymn 646 Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

Closing Hymn 263 Lift High the Cross

Confession of Faith: Apostles Creed

Old Testament Passage: Psalm 133

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 11:19-26

Tuesday: 2 Kings 4:1-17

Wednesday: 2 Kings 4:18-44

Thursday: Psalm 133

Friday: Exodus 20:4-6

Saturday: Acts 11

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 4

Merciful Lord, many of Your servants are in the most desperate condition. We are poor, sick, alone, and fearful. Grant us faith. We can do all things through Your Son who strengthens us. You will surely provide for Your church in the day of trouble. You grant wonderful gifts to us. It is by Your power that life is given, and it is by Your power that life is taken away. Will there be help for us in a day of the saddest loss? Please remind us of the fact of resurrection. In this world, all is not well. Your people are in bitter distress. Come to us in this horrible moment, that we might believe. We long for that day when each one that You have given to us will live again. Surely such good gifts as we have received for a time have been given to us for some wonderful purpose. Surely there is hope with you. You will glorify Your Name. We trust You, O God. Have mercy upon us. Give food to the hungry this day, O Lord. Grant us Your Son, the great Bread of heaven, that we might live, though we grieve.

Psalm 133

Great Lord, it is a joy to be together with our brothers as we serve You in peace. We are Your people. You have given us the oil of gladness. Our security in Christ will never be taken away.

Acts 11

Father God, thank You for the great wonder of the message of Christ, which is now coming to all the nations. Thank You that the Messiah of the Jews is the Messiah for the whole world. You have made men in Your image, and we have learned that we should not treat any man as common or unclean. We thank You for the great blessing of the gift of Your Holy Spirit. You have granted even the Gentiles the gift of repentance that leads to life. The task yet ahead of us is large, for the gospel must be preached to all nations. Please bless us with energy, clarity, and diligence that we might rightly serve Jesus Christ. Use all of Your great acts of providence to bring glory to Your Name, as the Word of Your Son is brought to every land.