July 16, 2017
Before We Worship
Psalm 92 begins with the superscription “A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.” It is a very appropriate rejoinder to Psalms 90 and 91 where the prevailing theme was that of wandering and longing for a home. In Psalm 92 that wandering is over and longing desire has become reality. Ps 92:13 reminds us that this is all of God’s gracious doing. “They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.”
When grace transplants us into God’s house, there are no more sighs. Instead, we praise. There is now no more wistful remembrance of life’s brevity and frustration. Instead, strength is renewed and a new life of vigor has begun. “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon…They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”
This is Sabbath in its fullness. For Sabbath is not to be described in terms of an absence of something (i.e. busy work), but by the presence of something incomparably precious. That is, we celebrate our sure possession of the hope of glory. Each Sabbath, then, not only draws our eyes away from our busy work, but also draws our eyes to that place and the day when we will sigh no more, but be fully satisfied with the One who has given us a home.
So we gather this Sabbath day. As we step out through the doors of our earthly homes, we step in to the foretaste of our eternal home. The doors of his house are open wide. Come and enter in. And let us sing together, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.”
Call to Worship
Psalm 92 (reading responsively from TH p. 817)
“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 4:8–10 (p. 1013)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV)
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” (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
Luke 13:6–9 (p. 872)
The Fruitful Christian
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 #708 “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #705 “I Know Whom I Have Believed”
Benediction
+++
Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The July 9, 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: Qs. 14–15..
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.
July 16: Shorter Catechism (Qs. 16–17) lesson will meet after the worship service. The Children’s Bible First Catechism lessons will resume on August 20.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
July 16: Michelle Kay
July 23: Yoori Han