Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Meditation Passage
Psalm 29:1-2
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
* Apostolic Greeting
Reserved for Ministers
* God Calls His People to Worship
Psalm 93
The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
* Invocation
God Commands His People:
Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
We Confess Our Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
Confession of Sin
(Silent confession followed by corporate confession)
Gracious and merciful Father, far too often we have failed to bend our knees to you in prayer. Forgive us for doubting your goodness and generosity. Forgive us for our sins of self-reliance. Convince our doubting hearts that you truly hear prayer and answer it according to our true needs as we ask, seek, and knock. Teach us to ask, first and foremost, for the things which we know you desire in our lives: our greater conformity to Christ, our mortification of sin, your provision for our church and families, and the salvation of the lost. Grant us all these things in your good pleasure, and do them for your namesake and glory. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Romans 8:31-34
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
* We Praise God in Song
Doxology (#567)
God Speaks Through His Word - Ephesians 2:11-22
Sermon: The Apostolic and Prophetic Foundation of the Church
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 Chronicles 29:11-13
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.