The Lord’s Day

May 22, 2011

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.

(Psalm 33:20)

Prelude

Apostolic Greeting

*Call to Worship Psalm 103:19–22

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,

And His sovereignty rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,

You who serve Him, doing His will.

Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

*Gloria Patri No. 734

*Prayer of Invocation

*Hymn Give Praise to God (facing page)

Public Confession

O Lord, our sin is ever before us and we find comfort only in Your mercy. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we ask for the forgiveness of our transgressions—our hurtful speech, our selfish acts, and our failure to help those in need. Equip us so that we may be a holy people.

Words of Assurance Psalm 32:10, 11

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

Response I Know That My Redeemer Lives (following)

Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings

Collection of the Tithe and Offerings

*Doxology No. 731

*Declaring Our Faith² Heidelberg Catechism

Is the external baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?

No, for the blood of Jesus Christ only and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sin.

Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism “the washing of regeneration,” and the “washing away of sins”?

God speaks in this manner to teach us that as the filth of the body is purged away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Are infants also to be baptized?

Yes, for since they, as well as adults, are included in the covenant of God, and since redemption is promised to them no less than to adults, they must be baptized as a sign of the covenant and be admitted into the Christian church.

Pastoral Prayer

*Responsive Reading Psalm 93

The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty;

The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,

The floods have lifted up their voice,

The floods lift up their pounding waves.

More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.

Your testimonies are fully confirmed;

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore.

*Hymn O God, We Praise Thee No. 105

*Public Reading of the Word Acts 20:7–38

*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word

Sermon Conclusion of Nehemiah (part 2) Nehemiah 13

Hymn How Blest Is He Whose Trespass No. 551

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper^

*Hymn Jesus Christ, Our Sure Foundation No. 354

*Benediction

*Threefold Amen No. 740

* Congregation will please stand

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

These questions and responses are based on the Heidelberg Catechism.