The Lord’s Day
December 30, 2007
Your testimonies are fully confirmed. Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore.
(Psalm 93:5)
Prelude
Apostolic Greeting
*Call to Worship Psalm 125:1-3
Minister: Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
Congregation: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.
Minister: For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous,
Congregation: So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.
*Gloria Patri No. 734
*Prayer of Invocation
*Hymn God Himself Is with Us No. 382
Public Confession
You, God, have accomplished our redemption, and You have secured us forever. Hear now this confession of sin. Forgive us as those whose debt has been paid. Forgive our words that wounded and did not build up. Forgive the thoughts that were without charity.
Forgive us for withholding mercy when a need was revealed. Forgive us for selfishly holding to what was freely given to us. Let us be glad in our salvation, and let our lives be the means of Your glory in this world.
Words of Assurance 1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Response In Sweet Communion (facing page)
Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings
Collection of the Tithe and Offerings
*Doxology No. 731
*Declaring Our Faith The Larger Catechism (87, 88)
What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?
We are to believe that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, and they that are found alive shall in a moment be changed. The bodies of the dead shall be raised up by the power of Christ. The bodies of the just shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible; and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonor by Him, as an offended judge.
What shall immediately follow after the resurrection?
Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the general and final judgment of angels and men; the day and hour whereof no man knows, that all may watch and pray, and be ever ready for the coming of the Lord.
Pastoral Prayer
*Responsive Reading Proverbs 18:13-24
He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.
The cast lot puts an end to strife and decides between the mighty ones.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.
The poor man utters supplications,
But the rich man answers roughly.
A man of too many friends comes to ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
*Hymn Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners! No. 498
*Public Reading of the Word Galatians 2
*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word
Sermon
Hymn I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord No. 505
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper+
*Hymn All Praise to Christ (next page)
*Benediction
*Threefold Amen No. 740
* Congregation will please stand
+ Visitors: please see the note on the back of this bulletin
