The Lord’s Day
August 31, 2008
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.
(Psalm 130:5)
Prelude
Apostolic Greeting
*Call to Worship Psalm 106:1–5
Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord,
Or can show forth all His praise?
How blessed are those who keep justice,
Who practice righteousness at all times!
Remember me, O Lord, in Your favor toward Your people;
Visit me with Your salvation, that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones,
That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,
That I may glory with Your inheritance.
*Gloria Patri No. 734
*Prayer of Invocation
*Hymns Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens Adore Him (facing page)
O Worship the King, All Glorious Above No. 2
Public Confession
Heavenly Father, the contemplation of Your perfections causes us to consider our transgressions with all sincerity. We ask forgiveness for those times when we contributed to unrest by our words. We ask forgiveness for thinking too much of our own comfort while leaving undone the duties of true religion. And we ask for forgiveness for those occasions when, because of our spiritual laziness, we neglected our call to be holy as You are holy.
Words of Assurance Psalm 85:7–9
Show us Your lovingkindness, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.
Response O for a Closer Walk with God (page 4)
Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings
Collection of the Tithe and Offerings
*Doxology No. 731
*Declaring Our Faith The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.[†]
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,[‡]
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
*Responsive Reading Proverbs 31:1-9
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
Do not give your strength to women,
Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
For they will drink and forget what is decreed,
And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.
Let him drink and forget his poverty
And remember his trouble no more.
Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
*Hymn Wondrous King, All-Glorious No. 166
*Public Reading of the Word 2 Timothy 1
*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word
Sermon Matthew 23
Hymn Thou Who Wast Rich beyond All Splendor No. 230
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper+
*Hymn Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing No. 394
*Benediction
*Threefold Amen No. 740
* Congregation will please stand
+ Visitors: please see the note on the back of this bulletin