Prelude: Jesus Christ the Apple Tree Elizabeth Poston/arr. Dorothy J. Papadakos
Suzannah Waddington, soprano
The tree of life my soul hath seen, laden with fruit and always green; the trees of nature fruitless be compared with Christ the apple tree. His beauty doth all things excel; by faith I know, but ne'er can tell: the glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ the apple tree. For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought; I missed of all; but now I see 'tis found in Christ the apple tree. I'm weary with my former toil, here I will sit and rest awhile; under the shadow I will be, of Jesus Christ the apple tree. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive; which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Announcements Kelci Rose, Director of Christian Education & Women's Ministries (11am)

Living Church: Children in Worship Jamin Ferner, ruling elder

Call to Worship

Doxology 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

Turn us, good Lord, and so shall we be turned. Be favorable, O Lord, be favorable to your people, who turn to you in weeping, repentance and prayer. For you are a merciful God, full of compassion, long-suffering, and of great pity. You spare when we deserve punishment, and in your wrath think upon mercy. Spare your people, good Lord, spare them, and let not your heritage be brought to confusion. Hear us, O Lord, for your mercy is great, and after the multitude of your mercies look upon us, through the merits and mediation of your blessed Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 130:3–4, 7

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.

Invocation

Hymn 214: Angels We Have Heard on High Gloria

Responsive Reading: Psalm 100 (pew Bible p. 500)

Gloria Patri 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.

Sacrament of Baptism

Phoebe Anna Schmucker born September 9, 2023 to Nathaniel and Abigail Schmucker. (11am)

Hymn 213: What Child Is This Greensleeves

Offering Prayer Joe Park (9am)
George McFarland, ruling elder (11am)

(Give online at tenth.org/give or mail checks to: 1701 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)

Offertory: He Shall Feed His Flock from Messiah George Frederick Handel

Suzannah Waddington, soprano

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-40 (pew Bible p. 857)

Sermon: God Returns to His Temple Dr. Stephen Coleman

Hymn 203: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn

Benediction

Postlude: Improvisation Aaron Patterson, organ

Serving today:
9am platform: Rev. John, Joe Park
11am platform: Rev. Josiah Vanderveen, George McFarland
Organist: Aaron Patterson

This morning we welcome Dr. Stephen Coleman, a Teaching Elder in the PCA and currently serving as the Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies and Associate Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Stephen and his wife Carrie have five children, Molly, Oliver, Charlotte, Whitman, and Margaret.