The Lord’s Day
September 16, 2007
Prelude
Apostolic Greeting
*Call to Worship Psalm 96:1-4
Minister: Sing to the Lord a new song;
Congregation: Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Minister: Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Congregation: Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Minister: Tell of His glory among the nations,
Congregation: His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
Minister: For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
Congregation: He is to be feared above all gods.
*Gloria Patri No. 734
*Prayer of Invocation
*Hymn Sing to the Lord, Sing His Praises No. 62
Public Confession
All: We confess our sins and give thanks for Your mercy. Forgive all our transgressions. Lead us in paths of righteousness always.
Forgive the sins of our minds and speech. Fill our hearts with purity and our mouths with praise. Forgive our sins of complacency. Make us people of overflowing compassion.
We rest in the work of our Savior. In Him alone do we take refuge.
Children: We love You, heavenly Father. Thank You for saving us. Please forgive the sins of this past week. Help us to behave in a way that honors You every day.
Words of Assurance Psalm 5:11, 12
Let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.
Response My Faith Looks Up to Thee (inside front)
Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings
Collection of the Tithe and Offerings
*Doxology No. 731
*Declaring Our Faith The Larger Catechism (53, 54)
How was Christ exalted in His ascension?
Christ was exalted in His ascension in that, having after His resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with His apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after His resurrection, He, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, there to raise up our affections, and to prepare a place for us where He is and shall continue till His second coming at the end of the world.
How is Christ exalted in His sitting at the right hand of God?
Christ is exalted in His sitting at the right hand of God in that as God-man He is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fullness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and does gather and defend His church, and subdue their enemies; furnishes His ministers and people with gifts and graces, and makes intercession for them.
Pastoral Prayer
*Responsive Reading Proverbs 14:1-9
The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
A trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.
A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.
Leave the presence of a fool,
Or you will not discern words of knowledge.
The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of fools is deceit.
Fools mock at sin,
But among the upright there is good will.
*Hymn How Marvelous, How Wise, How Great (facing page)
*Public Reading of the Word 2 Corinthians 1
*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word
Sermon Matthew 10:34-42
Hymn Jesus, Lover of My Soul No. 508
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper+
*Hymn O God beyond All Praising No. 660
*Benediction
*Threefold Amen No. 740
* Congregation will please stand
+ Visitors: please see the note on the back of this bulletin