Prelude
Nearer, My God, to Thee arr. Susan Henry
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me. Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone, yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! There let the way appear, steps unto heav’n; all that thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n; angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas Dorsey
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand. I am tired. I am weak. I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home. Precious Lord, you’re the One that I build my life on. You’re my rock; you’re my hope. You are my song. You picked me up and made me strong when my way, when it was wrong. Here’s my hand, precious Lord, now lead me home. When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near when my life is almost gone. Hear my dry, hear my call, take my hand lest I fall. Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
Priscilla Wortman, mezzo soprano
Call to Worship
•Doxology (Trinity Hymnal 731) Old Hundredth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
•Prayer of Confession
Grant, Almighty God, that as you remind us in your Word of our many vices and sins, we may learn to direct our eyes and thoughts to you, anticipating your just judgment. May we also learn to examine all our thoughts and try our feelings, that no hypocrisy may deceive us, and that we may not sleep in our sins, but that being really and truly awakened, we may humble ourselves before you and so seek your pardon that when we kneel down in true repentance, you may absolve us in your mercy, through the virtue of that sacrifice by which your only begotten Son has once for all reconciled us to you. Amen.
•The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: Lamentations 3:31–32
The Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
•Invocation
•Hymn 32: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Faithfulness
Responsive Reading: Psalm 100 (page 500)
•Gloria Patri (Trinity Hymnal 734) Meineke
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
•Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer of Intercession (concluding with The Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Announcements
•Hymn 565: All for Jesus! Wycliff
•Offering Prayer
Offertory: Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer Margaret Becker/Keith Getty
Jesus, draw me ever nearer as I labor through the storm. You have called me to this passage, and I’ll follow though I’m worn. May this journey bring a blessing, may I rise on wings of faith; and at the end of my heart’s testing, with your likeness let me wake. Jesus, guide me through the tempest, keep my spirit staid and sure. When the midnight meets the morning, let me love You even more. May the treasures of the trial form within me as I go. And at the end of this long passage, let me leave them at your throne.
Priscilla Wortman, mezzo soprano
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:17-19 (page 1010)
Sermon: Gospel Guides Dr. Liam Goligher
•Hymn 427: Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands Hamburg
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Gluten-free bread is in the center cup.)
Words of Invitation
Distribution of the elements
Proclamation of the Mystery of our Faith: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!
Hymn 378: Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face Morecambe
(Please remain seated while the deacons’ offering is received. Stand for the final stanza.)
•Benediction
•Postlude: Toccata in Seven John Rutter
Serving this morning:
Dr. Deryck Barson, 9am platform
Rev. Gavin Lymberopoulos, 11am platform
Colin Howland, organist