Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Meditation Passage
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness', has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
* Apostolic Greeting
Reserved for Ministers
* God Calls His People to Worship
Colossians 3:1-4
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
* Invocation
God Commands His People:
Exodus 20:2-3
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.
We Confess Our Faith
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 45. Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.Q. 46. What is required in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.Q. 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshiping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.Q. 48. What are we specially taught by these words before me in the first commandment?
A. These words before me in the first commandment teach us that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other god.
Confession of Sin
(Silent confession followed by corporate confession)
Almighty and eternal Father, we confess that our hearts and minds have wandered from you as the only source of true blessedness and joy. We have not found our full comfort, delight, and contentment in you and in you alone. Forgive us for our foolish pursuit of worthless idols. Rid us of longings for anything above you. By the Spirit of your Son who dwells within us, cause us to give our lives unto your worship and glory. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
* We Praise God in Song
Doxology (#567)
God Speaks Through His Word - Acts 1:9-11
Sermon: The Ascension of the King
Speaker: Elder James Schwacofer
Congregational Prayer (Followed by the Lord's Prayer)
Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Closing Doxology
1 Timothy 3:16
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.