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.

For April 15, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

April 15, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Acts 11:1-18

Sermon title: “Adventure at Caesarea” (completed)

Music:

Opening Hymn 168 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art

Preparation Hymn 181 We Come, O Christ, to You

Response Hymn 535 O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus!

Closing Hymn 474 Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow!

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

Old Testament Passage: Exodus 17:1-7

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Acts 11:1-18

Tuesday: 2 Kings 3:1-12

Wednesday: 2 Kings 3:13-27

Thursday: Exodus 17:1-7

Friday: Exodus 20:1-3

Saturday: Acts 11

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

2 Kings 3

Glorious God, You work out Your holy will according to Your plan. You rule over the affairs of men and nations. You see Your church in our weak condition, and provide for us servants who will speak Your Word in truth. Help us to turn away from false spiritual paths. Grant us the blessing of Your presence. Be a stream of living water to Your people, for we thirst for You, the true God. We hate our sin. Please forgive us. We need You. The battle before us is fierce. Idolatrous men perform extreme acts of devotion to things that are not gods. Will Your people not live in accord with Your true commandments? Will we not offer up our lives to You?

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.

Exodus 17

Redeemer King, we follow You. You supply us water for our bodies and the cleansing fountain of Your Spirit for our souls that we might live. That water from above comes from our Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, for He has poured out His Spirit upon the church. The hand of our holy Savior is never weary, therefore we will not be destroyed by our enemies. You are the banner over Your church, and You will vindicate Your righteousness and goodness in the sight of all peoples.

For April 8, 2012

Worship Next Sunday

April 8, 2012

Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee

Sermon text: Luke 24:13-35

Sermon title: “Redeemer”

Music:

Opening Hymn 277 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

Preparation Hymn 274 Thine Be the Glory

Response Hymn 286 Worship Christ, the Risen King!

Closing Hymn 295 Crown Him with Many Crowns

Confession of Faith: Nicene Creed

Old Testament Passage: Genesis 22:1-14

Preparation Guide

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

Monday: Luke 24:13-35

Tuesday: Psalm 22

Wednesday: Psalm 16

Thursday: Genesis 22:1-14

Friday: Matthew 22:39

Saturday: Luke 24

Suggested Bible Study and Prayers

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

Psalm 16

O God, You are our strong hope. We thank You for Your church. We are together in Christ. We will not follow other gods. You are our portion. Our inheritance is beautiful. You are with us and our hearts are glad. You have heard the prayer of Your Holy Son. We have eternal pleasures at Your right hand forevermore.

Genesis 22

Lord God, You tested Abraham. You gave him a child. That child was Yours, just as Abraham was Yours. You asked Him to sacrifice his only son, this child of the promise, Isaac. He reasoned that You would provide a substitute for his son, and that You could raise the dead. You held him back from slaughtering the boy, yet he proved that he feared You and loved You above all. May we also fear You, and entrust our children to You. For Your Son is the great provision for our salvation. He has taken our place and faced Your wrath, and He has surely risen from the dead. In Him the earth shall be blessed. In Him we have a perfect hope.

Luke 24

Sovereign Lord, the stone, the guards, and the seal could not keep Your Son in the grave. He is risen! Thank You for the faithful testimony that we have to the truth of this wonderful event. What marvelous things took place in Jerusalem at that time. Your Son was condemned to death and crucified. On the third day He rose again. This was all according to the Word of the Prophets. Christ suffered and entered into His glory. Now we see and confess that all of the Scriptures teach us about the great things of Jesus. May Your Son be known to us by Word and sacrament. Grant that we too will partake of the promised resurrection. Cast far away from us all doubt concerning the events recorded in Your holy Word. Everything written in all of the books of the Bible must be fulfilled. Now Your Son has ascended into heaven, and we are blessed with the great gift of Your Holy Spirit poured out upon Your church. Strengthen us by faith as we seek Your help day by day.