Evening Worship Service

Prelude: Second Prelude: Psalm 116:1 Elsa Barraine

I love the Lord, because he hears my voice and my pleas.

Call to Worship

Invocation

Hymn 119: I Sing the Almighty Power of God Forest Green

I sing th’almighty pow’r of God that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how your wonders are displayed where’er I turn mine eye,
if I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the sky!

There’s not a plant or flow’r below but makes your glories known;
and clouds arise and tempests blow, by order from your throne;
while all that borrows life from you is ever in your care,
and everywhere that man can be, you, God, are present there.

Prayer of Confession

Father God, your steadfast love endures forever and your faithfulness to all generations. We confess before you our unfaithfulness. We constantly go astray, making idols of pleasure and achievement, and paying homage to the gods of this age. We praise and thank you for the faithfulness of Jesus, who did not count equality with you a thing to be grasped, but humbled himself even unto death on a cross. May your Holy Spirit exalt the risen Christ in our hearts, that we might serve and please you in newness of life. Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 1:8–9

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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: Acts 17:16–23

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

Hymn 143: How Precious Is the Book Divine Belmont

How precious is the book divine,by inspiration given;
bright as a lamp its doctrines shine, to guide our souls to heav’n.

It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts, in this dark vale of tears;
life, light, and joy it still imparts and quells our rising fears.

This lamp, through all the tedious night of life, shall guide our way,
till we behold the clearer light of an eternal day.

Confession of Faith: Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 31

Question: What is effectual calling?
Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

Offering Prayer

(In person offerings may be made via the oak boxes. Give online at tenth.org/give or mail checks to: 1701 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)

Offertory: Lord, for Thy Tender Mercy’s Sake Richard Farrant

Chamber Choir

Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives. To decline from sin and incline to virtue, that we may walk in a perfect heart before thee, now and evermore. Amen.

Sermon: Declaring the Unchanging God In a World of Change Dr. Liam Goligher

Hymn 4: All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above Mit Freuden Zart

All praise to God, who reigns above, the God of all creation,
the God of wonders, pow’r, and love,the God of our salvation!
With healing balm my soul he fills, the God who every sorrow stills.
To God all praise and glory!

What God’s almighty pow’r hath made his gracious mercy keepeth;
by morning dawn or evening shade his watchful eye ne’er sleepeth;
within the kingdom of his might, lo, all is just and all is right.
To God all praise and glory!

I cried to him in time of need: Lord God, O hear my calling!
For death he gave me life indeed and kept my feet from falling.
For this my thanks shall endless be; O thank him, thank our God, with me.
To God all praise and glory!

The Lord forsaketh not his flock, his chosen generation;
he is their refuge and their rock, their peace and their salvation.
As with a mother’s tender hand he leads his own, his chosen band.
To God all praise and glory!

Ye who confess Christ’s holy name, to God give praise and glory!
Ye who the Father’s pow’r proclaim, to God give praise and glory!
All idols underfoot be trod, the Lord is God! The Lord is God!
To God all praise and glory!

Then come before his presence now and banish fear and sadness;
to your Redeemer pay your vow and sing with joy and gladness:
Though great distress my soul befell, the Lord, my God, did all things well,
To God all praise and glory!

Benediction

Postlude:

Serving this evening:
George McFarland, platform
Aaron Patterson, organist

Sermon Notes