Liturgy for April 23, 2023
Links
Reflections
What will matter is our relationship to the Lord Jesus, individually and then corporately, at this existential moment. What counts, as men look upon us individually and corporately, is whether we are exhibiting God and his character now. The Christian position is not static but it is living.
Francis Schaeffer
from The God Who is There
Being pure in heart means letting nothing stand in our way of our vision of Christ.
Sinclair Ferguson
In the New Testament, religion is grace, and ethics is gratitude.
Thomas Erskine of Linlathan
Scottish Theologian (1788-1837)
Redemption is meaningless unless there is a cause for it in the actual life we live, I see from the standpoint of Christian orthodoxy. This means that for me the meaning of life is centered in our redemption by Christ and what I see in the world I see in its relation to that.
Flannery O’Connor
American Novelist
Each day, in the depths of our being, Israel leaves Egypt, each day it is nourished with the manna, each day it fulfills the Law, each day it must engage in combat, each day the promises that were made to this people in a carnal way are realized spiritually in us…each day the Lord comes…and approaches Jerusalem.
Henri de Lubac
Call to Worship
Adapted from Psalm 46
Leader: Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations!
I will be exalted in the earth!
People: God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
Leader: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Let us worship Him!
Hymn of Praise: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Prayer of Praise and the Lord’s Prayer
Confession of Sin
Old Testament Reading
Psalm 19:7-14
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Corporate Confession of Sin
Father, we know how we should live. You have written your law both in Your word and on our hearts. You have instilled in us an awareness when we sin against your law. We know your might, your power, your holiness, your great love for your people, and still, despite this, we sin against you. Now, at this time in worship, we come to You in confession, thinking of our sin, and the many ways we have transgressed against You. And yet, we can never confess all our sin because we are unable to even know them Help us now, Lord, to confess and we pray as did the Psalmist, to declare us innocent from hidden faults. Deliver us from impulsive and presumptuous sins. Cleanse us again, we pray, through the sacrifice of Jesus, our savior and only hope. In His name we pray,
Amen
Silent Reflection and Confession
Words of Assurance and the Peace of God
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Leader: People of God, we are at peace because Jesus has redeemed us, and we can stand before God, not because of anything we have done but only because of His work. Our sins have been totally and completely forgiven and removed as far as the east is from the west.
People: Blessed is the name of Jesus, our Savior!
Hymn of Response: Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat
Affirmation of Faith of the Church
From I Peter 2:20-25
If when we do good and suffer for it, we are to endure, for this is gracious in the sight of God. For to this we have been called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, so that we might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed. For we were straying like lost sheep, but now we have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. Thanks be to God!
Hymn: Gloria Patri
Prayer of Intercession
Hymn: Father, Again in Jesus’ Name We Meet
Preaching of the Word
Scripture: John 2:12-22
The Exclusive Christ, Rev. Drew Heurion
Closing Hymn: All Authority and Power
Benediction
Ephesians 3:20–21
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.