The Lord’s Day

March 25, 2007

  Prelude

  Apostolic Greeting

*Call to Worship                                                   Psalm 113:1-3

Minister: Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord,

Congregation: Praise the name of the Lord.

Minister Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever.

Congregation: From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.

*Gloria Patri                                                                      No. 734

*Prayer of Invocation

*Hymns           Lord, Our Lord, in All the Earth       (facing page)

All Creatures of Our God and King       No. 115

  Public Confession

We thank You, O God, for all the truths that have been declared to us this day. We are convinced of Your love and compassion, so we eagerly make this confession of sin knowing that You will forgive us.

We have spoken in ways that caused harm to this body and even to those we love most dearly. Forgive us for not restraining our words; and forgive us for speaking in any manner that lacked grace.

We confess that we have also acted wrongly at times. We did not guard all our steps this past week, and we brought temptation upon ourselves. Forgive our carelessness, heavenly Father.

As we think of our relationships, we must confess that we did not always demonstrate love, mercy, patience, and kindness as we should. Forgive us for those times when we failed to be as concerned for others as we are for ourselves.

Thank You for relieving us of our burden, dear Lord. Thank You for providing a way of peace in Christ our Savior.

  Words of Assurance                            1 Corinthians 15:19-22

If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

  Response               O for a Closer Walk with God (inside back cover)

  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 Westminster Confession (Sacraments)

What happens during the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?

In this sacrament, Christ is not offered up to His Father nor any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sins of the quick or dead; but only a commemoration of that one offering up of Himself, by Himself, upon the cross, once for all: and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God, for the same.

Are the elements substantially changed when we receive this sacrament?

That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine into the substance of Christ’s body and blood (commonly called transubstantiation) by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense, and reason.

How is our relationship with Christ affected when we receive this sacrament?

Worthy receivers outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament do then also, inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive, and feed upon, Christ crucified and all benefits of His death.

  Pastoral Prayer

*Responsive Reading                                        Proverbs 4:1-10

Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding,

For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my instruction.

When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live; acquire wisdom!”

“Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.”

“Do not forsake her, and she will guard you”;

“Love her, and she will watch over you.”

“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding.”

“Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.”

“She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many.

*Hymn                           Give Praise to God           (facing page)

*Public Reading of the Word                                    Romans 11

*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word

  Sermon                                                                Matthew 7:1-5

  Hymn         We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought  No. 493

  Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper⁺

  Deacons’ Offering

*Hymn                What Shall I Render to My God         No. 637

*Benediction

*Threefold Amen                                                               No. 740

* Congregation will please stand

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