Liturgy for September 03, 2023
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Reflections
With all the passion of which I am capable, I urge you to consider the situation. The life of Adam is precarious in the extreme. We are threatened at every turn by disease, crime, loss, accident, intrusion, insanity, and terror, what is even worse, we are threatened by condemnation—exposure of what we really are, rejection by those whose love we most need, ultimate abandonment by God Himself. Humanly speaking, this is our inheritance.
Paul says that this is what we have narrowly escaped! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is our judge, has come to our rescue. He has quite literally appeared on the human scene with divine power to save. It is an unparalleled drama of desperate peril and miraculous deliverance—and it is not only my story but it is your story.
Yielding to Him, trusting in Him, is the way. I pray that you will not entrust yourselves to any of the fraudulent saviors. There is only one Savior who was not born into the dominion of Adam. Only one. That one man, Jesus Christ—He only is able to redeem us for a life free from the dominion of Sin and Death. In Him alone, in that one man alone, is joy, peace, deliverance, and a safe homecoming. In Him only. In him alone. That one man. That one name. Jesus Christ.
Fleming Rutledge
From a Sermon, That One Man
He is the Way. Follow Him through the Land of Unlikeness; You will see rare beasts, and have unique adventures.
He is the Truth. Seek Him in the Kingdom of Anxiety; You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years.
He is the Life. Love Him in the World of the Flesh; And at your marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy.
W. H. Auden
from For The Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio
Christianity is not the sacrifice we make, but the sacrifice we trust; not the victory we win, but the victory we inherit.”
P.T. Forsyth
Call to Worship
Psalm 103, 1-5
Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is in me, bless His Holy Name.
People: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's
Leader: Come now, and worship the Lord.
Hymn of Praise: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Prayer of Praise and the Lord’s Prayer
Confession of Sin
Genesis 3:3-8-10
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself."
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God
Corporate Confession of Sin
All: I have sinned times without number and been guilty of pride and unbelief. I have followed my own mind and not your word. I have neglected to seek you in my daily life. My sins and transgressions present a list of accusations against me, all of which are true. Cover my rap sheet with the blood of Jesus, and clothe my soul in His righteousness.by the work of Your Spirit, change me into the image of Your dear Son, in whose name we pray, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon and the Peace of God
Genesis 3:21
Leader: And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
Hebrews 9:22
Leader: Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Leader: Christian, through the mercy of God who gives us both the needed grace and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven and you are at peace with God.
People: All thanks and glory to God!
Leader: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Confession and Reflection
Hymn of Response: Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
Affirmation of Faith
The Nicene Creed
Leader: Christian, what do you believe?
People: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, and of all
things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the Prophets.
And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
Hymn: Gloria Patri
Prayer of Intercession
Hymn of Preparation: The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Preaching of the Word
Covered by Jesus -- Rev. Todd Gothard
Scripture: Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades,
People: But the Word of our God will stand forever!
Closing Hymn: All My Ways Are Known To You
Benediction
from Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. And God’s People said:
All: Amen!