Order of Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Meditation Passage
2 Chronicles 6:14
O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart.
* Apostolic Greeting
Ephesians 1:1-2
To the saints who are. . . faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
* God Calls His People to Worship
Hebrews 1:1-4
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
* Invocation
God Commands His People:
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied...
We Confess Our Faith
The Nicene Creed
Confession of Sin
(Silent confession followed by corporate confession)
Almighty God, you rested on the seventh day of creation - the day of your royal enthronement. You sanctified that day, placing it before your people as a sign of perfect rest and communion to enter into with you. We thank you that the servant and Lord of the covenant, Jesus Christ, has entered that rest, being enthroned as Lord on the day of his resurrection. We rejoice that now, in Christ, the Lord's day is our special day of rest and communion with you. We confess that we have not sanctified this day properly. We have failed to give ourselves to worship, communion, and service on this day as we ought. We have failed to plan our week so that the Lord’s Day is our central priority and joy. Forgive us. Grant us hearts which burn to commune with you, and enable us to make great use of the Lord's Day unto your glory. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
* We Praise God in Song
Doxology (#567)
God Speaks Through His Word
Prayer of Illumination
Sermon: Entering God's Rest
Sermon Scripture Reference: Psalm 95
Sermon Speaker: Rev. Jim Cassidy
Prayer of Consecration
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.
Benediction
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.