The Lord’s Day
March 9, 2008
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”
(Psalm 50:23)
Prelude
Apostolic Greeting
*Call to Worship Psalm 18:46–49
The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock;
And exalted be the God of my salvation.
God executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me.
He delivers me from my enemies;
Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me;
You rescue me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O Lord,
And I will sing praises to Your name.
*Gloria Patri No. 734
*Prayer of Invocation
*Hymn Give to Our God Immortal Praise No. 3
Public Confession
Your lovingkindness, O God, has been shown to us in abundance. Though we were rebels, You have made us sons. We ask, therefore, that You would pardon our transgressions and renew our desire for righteousness in all things.
Forgive our sins of speech where we have abused the gift of communication by tearing down with our words. Forgive our sins of mistreatment against our neighbor. Forgive our many sins of failing to do as You command.
Prepare us, O Lord, with steadfast hearts so that we seek only what is good and lovely. Grant to us the strength to remain true in the face of temptation.
Words of Assurance Romans 6:20-23
When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Response My Faith Looks Up to Thee (inside front cover)
Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings
Collection of the Tithe and Offerings
*Doxology No. 731
*Declaring Our Faith The Larger Catechism (161-163)
How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted.
What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ in His church, to signify, seal, and exhibit unto those that are within the covenant of grace the benefits of His mediation; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces; to oblige them to obedience; to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another; and to distinguish them from those that are without.
What are the parts of a sacrament?
The parts of a sacrament are two; the one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ’s own appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified.
Pastoral Prayer
*Responsive Reading Proverbs 22:1-15
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, and favor is better than silver and gold.
The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all.
The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,
But the naive go on, and are punished for it.
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards himself will be far from them.
Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
He who sows iniquity will reap vanity,
And the rod of his fury will perish.
He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, even strife and dishonor will cease.
He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man.
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!”
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Hymn Soldiers of Christ, Arise No. 575
*Public Reading of the Word Ephesians 6
*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word
Sermon Matthew 16:1–12
*Hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross No. 252
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper+
*Hymn I Know That My Redeemer Lives No. 281
*Benediction
*Threefold Amen No. 740
* Congregation will please stand
+ Visitors: please see the note on the back of this bulletin