Soli Deo Gloria Colin Howland, organ

Sonata in f minor Felix Mendelssohn

I. Allegro moderato e serioso
II. Adagio
IV. Allegro assai

Call to Worship

Invocation

Hymn 165: Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim Lyons

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name, all victorious, of Jesus extol;
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
and still he is nigh–his presence we have.
The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.

Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore, and give him his right,
all glory and pow’r, and wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing for infinite love.

Prayer of Confession

Holy God, we confess to you that we are habitual sinners, daily transgressing your commandments. We admit our struggle with temptation; our sinful affections are easily enticed, and we often lack the resolve to resist. Rather than seeking to mortify our sin, we attempt to keep it hidden from you and from others. Merciful Father, expose our folly and help us to turn to you in our need. Strengthen us by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we might flee temptation and hearken to your voice. Sanctify us by your Truth, and help us live according to your precepts. We pray these things in the name of Jesus, our great Savior. Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 5:11

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

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. Amen.

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:21–32

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Hymn 359: Blest Be the Tie That Binds Dennis

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love:
the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.

Before the Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives our courage by the way,
while each in expectation lives, and longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain, and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity.

Confession of Faith: Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 3

Question: What do the Scriptures principally teach?
Answer: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

Offering Prayer

Offertory: Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness Johannes Brahms

Aaron Patterson, organ

Sermon: “You Have Heard It Said...But I say” Rev. Gavin Lymberopoulos

Hymn 384: Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing Sicilian Mariners

Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace:
O refresh us, O refresh us, trav’ling through this wilderness.

Thanks we give and adoration for your gospel’s joyful sound:
may the fruits of your salvation in our hearts and lives abound:
ever faithful, ever faithful, to the truth may we be found.

So that when your love shall call us, Savior, from the world away,
let no fear of death appall us, glad thy summons to obey:
may we ever, may we ever reign with you in endless day.

Benediction

Postlude: Jesus Christ, Our Savior Johann Sebastian Bach

Aaron Patterson, organ