May 28, 2017

Preparing for the Lord’s Day Worship

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints, for the courts of the LORD: my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 80 is a song of an exile longing for his true home, the house of the Lord. The psalmist is on a pilgrimage to the house of the Lord, and longs to be like the sparrow and the swallow who have found a home in God’s house.

These words do more than strike us as sentimental once we understand who the “Sons of Korah” are. Korah was one of the priests who incited a rebellion against Moses in Numbers 16. Korah refused to acknowledge Moses as the leader of God’s people, and sought to transfer the leadership from Moses to one more deserving, well, himself! The LORD, however, was on Moses’ side, and warned, “Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” Moses also warned, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men…lest you be swept away with al their sins.” Some heeded the warning while others ignored. And those who remained in “the tents of these wicked men” perished when “the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up” (Num 16:32).

But the LORD spared some of Korah’s sons, and they were entrusted with various ministries in the Temple. Ps 80, thus, marvels at God’s grace. Korah perished in his tent of wickedness (Num 16:32). But for Korah’s sons “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Korah was not content with the honor of priesthood and rebelled. But Korah’s sons know God’s mercy that spared them. So they see the glory of being “a doorkeeper in the house of my God.” There is no menial task when done in the service of the great Lord.

Derek Kidner writes, "often it is the exile who appreciates home, while the stay-at-homes find fault with it.” We might add that it is those who understand the destructive ugliness of sin that appreciate the beauty of grace. Thus the sons of Korah were resolute in their pilgrimage, driven both by the longing for home, and remembrance of God’s mercy.

So it is. Grace is often hidden in the shadow of darkness. Our lives as exiles in this world, our remembrance of sin, are indeed sources of grief for us. And yet in God’s hands they work to nurture hope in our hearts. “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

Call to Worship

Psalm 84 (reading responsively from TH p. 814)

“This Is Not My Place of Resting” (Bulletin p. 4)

Trinity Hymnal 731 “Doxology”

Prayer of Invocation

The Reading and Exposition of the Law

James 2:8–13 (p. 1012)

Prayer of Confession

The Proclamation of the Gospel

“Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10)

“There Is a Redeemer” (Bulletin p. 10)

Confession of Faith - The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who, for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offering

Pastoral Prayer

The Proclamation of God’s Word

Exodus 20:13 (p. 61)

The Sixth Commandment: Free to Live

Rev. Ken Han

The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper

We participate in the Lord’s Supper weekly. We welcome to the Lord’s Table all baptized believers who have sincere faith in Jesus Christ, and regularly worship in a Reformed or evangelical church.

The Lord’s Supper is a sign and a seal of the new covenant blessings. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper with faith, it strengthens our bond with our covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus we participate properly when we come to our Savior with faith and repentance as we renew our resolve to forsake sin and live for his glory.

The Lord’s Supper also renews our bonds with God’s covenant community, the body of believers in the local church. As we receive the Lord’s Supper, we renew our pledge to give ourselves away in loving service.

During the distribution of the bread we will sing Trinity Hymnal #371 “O Lord of Hosts, How Lovely” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.

Trinity Hymnal #441 “Jesus Shall Reign”

Benediction

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Growth Resources

Family Devotion for the Week

The May 21, 2017 sermon is posted to our church website here. You can also subscribe to sermon podcast here.

The Shorter Catechism lesson of the week is posted here: Q. 10. How Did God Create Man?.

We have some new resources for you at the information table, including several new CCEF mini books, as well as other edifying books. Be sure to check them out!

Upcoming Events and Notices

Every Lord’s Day 10:15 AM: Please join us for Hymnsing, a time of preparing our hearts for worship in praise, and for learning new hymns for worship.

May 28 (Lord’s Day): The Children’s Bible lesson (First Catechism Qs. 35–37). And adult Shorter Catechism (Q. 10) lessons will meet after the worship service. Today we discuss God’s eternal decree & predestination.

Nursery Volunteers

May 28: Yoori Han

June 4: Kelly & Rebecca Rogers