The Lord's Day

May 13, 2007

  Prelude

  Apostolic Greeting

*Call to Worship                                                     Psalm 37:1-6

Minister: Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers.

Congregation: For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb.

Minister: Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Congregation: Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Minister: Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Congregation: He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday.

*Gloria Patri                                                                      No. 734

*Prayer of Invocation

*Hymns                             In the Heavens    (inside front cover)

Give Praise to God       (previous page)

  Public Confession

We thank You, O God, for Your faithfulness. We thank You for Your unfailing Word. Hear our confession and grant to us forgiveness.

Forgive our angry words, heavenly Father. Make us people who speak with self-control and wisdom. Forgive our wicked thoughts. Make us people who dwell on that which is good and pure.

Forgive our lack of compassion for those in need. Make us people with open hearts and helping hands. Forgive our neglect of duty in our homes and relationships. Make us people of dedication, and give us the grace to persevere.

For all our transgressions, we seek Your pardon. And we rest confidently in Your love for us in Christ Jesus our Savior.

  Words of Assurance                                           John 10:24-30

The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

  Response         O Thou That Hear'st When Sinners Cry         (inside back)

  Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings

  Collection of the Tithe and Offerings

*Doxology                                                                          No. 731

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

*Declaring Our Faith The Larger Catechism

What is God?

God is a Spirit, in and of Himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

Are there more Gods than one?

There is but one only, the living and true God.

How many persons are there in the Godhead?

There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.

  Pastoral Prayer

*Responsive Reading                                        Proverbs 8:1-11

Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?

On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

"To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men."

"O naive ones, understand prudence; and, O fools, understand wisdom."

"Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things."

"For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips."

"All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them."

"They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge."

"Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold."

"For wisdom is better than jewels";

"And all desirable things cannot compare with her."

*Hymn                  How Vast the Benefits Divine            No. 470

*Public Reading of the Word                             1 Corinthians 1

*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word

  Sermon                                                            Matthew 7:21-29

  Hymn              I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord       No. 505

  Sacrament of the Lord's Supper⁺

*Hymn              By Grace I Am an Heir of Heaven       No. 695

*Benediction

*Hymn               I Know That My Redeemer Lives         No. 281

* Congregation will please stand

⁺ Visitors: please see the note on the back of this bulletin