Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Meditation Passage
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
* Apostolic Greeting
[Reserved for Ministers]
* God Calls His People to Worship
Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
* Invocation
God Commands His People:
Exodus 20:15
You shall not steal.
We Confess Our Faith
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 73. Which is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.
Q. 74. What is required in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.
Q. 75. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor’s wealth or outward estate.
Confession of Sin
(Silent confession followed by corporate confession)
Most blessed and sovereign God, we have broken your commandment not to steal, not only if we have taken the possessions of others, but also whenever we have unjustly taken from their reputation, happiness, or welfare. Moreover, we confess that our greatest theft has been against you, for we have not rendered to you the glory owed your marvelous and merciful name in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Forgive us, Lord, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of your indwelling Spirit, cause us to worship you with our whole being, and to work honestly and diligently so that we can share with those who are in need. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Titus 3:4-7
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
* We Praise God in Song
Doxology (#567)
God Speaks Through His Word - Acts 9:26-30
Sermon:
Speaker: Elder 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
Psalm 72:18-19
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!