Call to Worship: From Psalm 107
Pastor: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever!
People: Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe!
Pastor: The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.
People: Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord!
Prayer of Adoration:
Song: “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” – CCLI# 106879
Wonderful, merciful Savior, precious redeemer and friend
Who would have thought that a lamb could rescue the souls of men?
Oh you rescue the souls of men
Counselor, comforter, keeper, Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have hopelessly lost their way
Oh we hopelessly lost the way
CHORUS: You are the One that we praise, you are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace our hearts always hunger for,
Oh our hearts always hunger for
Almighty infinite Father, faithfully loving your own
Here in our weakness you find us falling before your throne,
Oh we’re falling before your throne
The Old Testament Lesson: Numbers 21:4-9. Matthew Elliott, Ruling Elder.
Prayer of Confession:
Assurance of Pardon: From Psalm 6:9.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
The New Testament Lesson: John 3:14-18.
Song: “Give Reviving” – CCLI #5706868
Father for Thy promised blessing, Still we plead before Thy throne
For the times of, sweet refreshing, Which can come from Thee alone
Blessed earnests, Thou hast given, But in these we would not rest
Blessings still with Thee are hidden, Pour them forth and make us blest!
Prayer ascendeth to Thee ever, Answer! Father, answer prayer
Bless oh bless each weak endeavor, Blood-bought pardon to declare
Wake Thy slumbering children, wake them, Bid them to Thy harvest go
Blessings O our Father make, Round their steps let blessings flow
Let no people be forgotten, Let Thy showers on all descend
That in one loud blessed anthem, millions may in triumph blend
Give reviving, give refreshing, Give the looked-for Jubilee
To Thyself may crowds be pressing, Bringing glory unto Thee
Prayer for the Church: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder.
The Sermon: “The Minister and Priest Who Sits on the Throne.” Hebrews 8:1-5. Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder.
Affirmation of Faith: From Ephesians 2:1-10.
Pastor: We believe that we were once dead in our transgressions and sins, and were by nature deserving of wrath.
People: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.
Pastor: And we believe that God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
People: For by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Pastor: We also believe that we are God’s handiwork.
People: He has created us in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
*Communion:
Song: “In Christ Alone” – CCLI #3350395
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day, Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine, Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
The Benediction: From Romans 15:33.
May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.