Evening Worship Service

Prelude: Cantabile from Trois Pieces César Franck

Call to Worship

Invocation

Hymn 5: God, My King, Thy Might Confessing Stuttgart

Text: Richard Mant, 1824

God, my King, thy might confessing, ever will I bless thy name;
day by day thy throne addressing, still will I thy praise proclaim.

Honor great our God befitteth; who his majesty can reach?
Age to age his work transmitteth; age to age his pow’r shall teach.

They shall talk of all thy glory, on thy might and greatness dwell,
speak of thy dread acts the story, and thy deeds of wonder tell.

Nor shall fail from mem’ry’s treasure works by love and mercy wrought;
works of love surpassing measure, works of mercy passing thought.

Full of kindness and compassion, slow to anger, vast in love,
God is good to all creation; all his works his goodness prove.

All thy works, O Lord, shall bless thee; thee shall all thy saints adore.
King supreme shall they confess thee, and proclaim thy sovereign pow’r.

Prayer of Confession

Our Father in heaven, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord, our lives are often restless; help us find our rest in you. Like wayward sheep, we are led astray by our own sinful desire, which exposes us to danger, both for ourselves, and those around us. Help us see the consequences of our sin, as hard as that can be, that we might turn from our folly and follow you again. Holy Spirit, guide us into all truth, your Word is truth. Teach us to know your will, and give us grace to live in it, for the sake of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

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: Psalm 133

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Hymn 660: O God Beyond All Praising Thaxted

Text: Michael Perry (1982)

O God beyond all praising, we worship you today
and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder at every gift you send,
at blessings without number and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word,
we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.

Then hear, O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor may serve you as our King;
and whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill,
we’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.

Confession of Faith: Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 82

Question: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
Answer: No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

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: Abide with Me arr. Gilbert Martin

Chamber Choir

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, O abide with me. I need Thy presence every passing hour. What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Sermon: Mystic Sweet Communion Josiah Vanderveen

Hymn 383: Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing Sicilian Mariners

Text: attr. John Fawcett (1733)

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

Serving this evening:
Rev. John, platform
Aaron Patterson, organist