September 10, 2017

Before We Worship

It is not always easy to discern the connection between individual psalms. Poetry, after all, is different than prose, and does not require the same kind of thematic development or chronological linearity that prose demands. That said, the 150 psalms in the Psalter are inspired both as individual psalms and also as a collection, and thus the order in which they appear are not completely random.

Take Psalm 100, for example. On the surface it is a call to worship God with a particular kind of emotions. “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” That in itself is a challenge enough. For how often do we come to the place of worship with hearts not full of joy, but instead our hearts running away from God in a thousand different directions, while the heart sings the blues? Yet if the Lord commands us to come into his presence with joy, then we would do well to come to worship with joy. Scripture behooves us to prepare our hearts before we come to worship.

Do we think God will be pleased if we appear before him with less than a great enthusiasm? How would you feel if your children or friends came to visit you not with joy, but with a begrudging sense of obligation? We should not expect that God will be pleased with what would not please us.

As we consider the weighty commands of Psalm 100, we are greatly helped by seeing how Psalm 100 relates to the psalms that came before it. Psalms 97, 98, and 99 have all celebrated God’s sovereign reign over the realms of creation and salvation. His works are breathtaking both in his works of subduing the world around us, as well as in his work of subduing the chaotic powers of sin and death. It is the Lord’s sovereign reign that leads the psalmist to exult in Psalm 100, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

We marvel at the power of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. We are humbled in their wake and many will mourn their loss. But were our struggles against sin any less real or powerful? Not at all. They were brutal. Yet we rejoice and enter his courts with thanksgiving. For our God reigns sovereign over all both creation and salvation. We rest in this truth: “Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Yes, the Lord will shepherd us, for he is a good shepherd.

Call to Worship

Psalm 100 (reading responsively from TH p. 821)

4 “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” (bulletin p. 4)

Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”

Prayer of Invocation

The Reading and Exposition of the Law

James 5:13–15 (p. 1013)

Prayer of Confession

The Proclamation of the Gospel

“This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” (Ephesians 3:11–12 ESV)

Trinity Hymnal #507 “Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat”

Confession of Faith — The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offering

Pastoral Prayer

The Proclamation of God’s Word

Luke 14:15–24 (p. 873)

The Master’s Banquet

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 #480 “Come, for the Feast Is Spread,” and Trinity Hymnal #466 “I Sought the Lord, and Afterward I Knew” during the distribution of the cup.

Trinity Hymnal #544 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”

Benediction

+++

Growth Resources

Family Devotion for the Week

The September 3, 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. 20..

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.

September 10: Please join us for our monthly fellowship meal.

September 17: The Children’s Bible First Catechism lessons will resume (Qs. 53–56).

September 17 (Lord’s Day, 1:30 PM): We are beginning a new Sunday study, “A Survey of Church History: 100–600.” Each study will consist in watching a short video lesson taught by W. Robert Godfrey, with a discussion to follow. If you would like to host a meeting (need TV and DVD player), please let pastor Ken know. We will meet for a light potluck lunch before the study. Also: Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, and Nov. 19.

October 29 (Lord’s Day dinner): This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting the 95 Theses, thus beginning the Protestant Reformation. Join us as we celebrate with a lesson, food, and fellowship. Please let pastor Ken know if you can host.

Nursery Volunteers

(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)

September 10: Michelle Kay

September 17: Yoori Han