Call to Worship: Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Prayer of Adoration:
Responsive Reading: From Psalm 138
Pastor: I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
People: I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
Pastor: For you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
People: On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
Pastor: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
People: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Song: Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, O my soul Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises of my God through all my days.
Put no confidence in princes, nor for help on man depend;
he shall die, to dust returning, and his purposes shall end.
Happy is the man that chooses Israel’s God to be his aid;
he is blessed whose hope of blessing on the Lord his God is stayed.
Heav’n and earth the Lord created, seas and all that they contain;
He delivers from oppression, righteousness He will maintain.
Food He daily gives the hungry, sets the mourning pris’ner free,
raises those bowed down with anguish, makes the sightless eye to see.
Well Jehovah loves the righteous, and the stranger He befriends,
helps the fatherless and widow, judgment on the wicked sends.
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, O my soul Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises of my God through all my days.
Over all God reigns forever, through all ages He is King;
unto Him your God O Zion, joyful hallelujahs sing.
The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 51:1-3
Confession of Faith: The Westminster Larger Catechism
Q 66: What is that union which the elect have with Christ?
A 66: The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling.
The New Testament Lesson: Matthew 16:24-26
Prayer for the Church: Matthew Elliott, Ruling Elder.
The Sermon: “The Cross and Our Shared Life of Victory.” Colossians 2:13-15. Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder.
Prayer of Confession:
Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption to his people; He has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name!
*Communion:
Song: O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus – Hymn 535 v.1-3
1 O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free,
rolling as a mighty ocean
in its fullness over me.
Underneath me, all around me,
is the current of thy love;
leading onward, leading homeward,
to thy glorious rest above.
2 O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Spread his praise from shore to shore;
how he loveth, ever loveth,
changeth never, nevermore;
how he watches o’er his loved ones,
died to call them all his own;
how for them he intercedeth,
watcheth o’er them from the throne.
3 O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Love of ev’ry love the best:
’tis an ocean vast of blessing,
’tis a haven sweet of rest.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
‘Tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me;
and it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to thee.
The Benediction: From Romans 16:20
May you find rest in the truth that our God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.