Soli Deo Gloria Norman Carter, piano
Prelude in E Major, Op 28 No 9 Frédéric Chopin
Waltz in C Sharp Minor, Op 64 No 2
Etude in E Minor, Op 25 No 5
Mazurka in A Minor, Op 17 No 4
Call to Worship
Invocation
Hymn 275: The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done Palestrina
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The strife is o’er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!
The pow’rs of death have done their worst;
but Christ their legions hath dispersed;
let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!
The three sad days have quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead;
all glory to our risen Head! Alleluia!
He closed the yawning gates of hell;
the bars from heav’n’s high portals fell;
let hymns of praise his triumphs tell. Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee
from death’s dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; we confess that we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts and have offended against your holy laws. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: 2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Doxology Tallis’ Canon
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Prayer of Illumination
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Hymn 529: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Beecher
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n, to earth come down:
fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown:
Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation, enter ev’ry trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into ev’ry troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest:
take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be:
let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory, till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Confession of Faith: Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 1
Question: What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Offering Prayer
Offertory: Sarabande Franҫois Couperin
Aaron Patterson, organ
Sermon: The Light of the World Rev. Gavin Lymberopoulos
Hymn 644: May the Mind of Christ My Savior St. Leonards
May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day,
by his love and pow’r controlling all I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
so that all may see I triumph only through his pow’r.
May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea;
him exalting, self abasing: this is victory.
May his beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel, seeing only him.
Benediction
Postlude: My Faithful Heart Rejoices Johannes Brahms/arr. Furruccio Busoni
Aaron Patterson, organ