April 14, 2019
Before We Worship
This coming Lord’s Day is the Palm Sunday, which begins the Passion Week, leading to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is a long-standing church tradition that on Palm Sunday we turn to one of the New Testament passages that tells us about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The crowd welcomed Jesus with an enthusiasm. They threw their cloak and palm branches on the road — an action similar to rolling out the red carpet for a VIP, but with a much deeper sense of reverence and submission, combined with a note of triumphant procession.
Given this long-standing Palm Sunday tradition, this week’s worship service indeed reflects on Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey. We hear from Zechariah of the King who brings us peace. Then we turn to Hebrews and reflect upon how we might enjoy that peace, and what we ought to do for the believing neighbors who do not value that peace. We then hear the words of grace from Jude, which lifts up our guilty and weary souls to revel in God’s grace. Through it all, we remember that Christ has won his victory over sin and death that we might triumph with him.
We will then turn to Luke 21:20–38, instead of turning to one of the triumphant entry passages. You might remember we were just in such a passage a few weeks ago (February 17). Yet, even so, this week’s passage will lead us to consider, and then celebrate, Jesus’ triumph over sin and death.
Come, then, and worship your victorious King and Redeemer. Let us welcome the Holy Week with an ardent worship, and soon meet again to proclaim his death and resurrection.
Call to Worship
‡ Zechariah 9:9–13 (p. 797)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #168 “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Qs. 24–26
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Hebrews 11:19–25 (p. 1007)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24–25 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #499 “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 21:20–38 (p. 881)
The Lord Will See To It
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 #647 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” stanzas 1–3, and stanzas 4–6 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #388 “Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The April 7, 2019 sermon, Luke 21:5–19. “What Makes the Temple Beautiful?” is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and subscribe to sermon podcast here.
The Shorter Catechism lesson of the week is posted here: Qs. 70–72.
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.
Join us for “12 for 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. For April we will read Paul Tripp’s “Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.”
April 14 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for the monthly fellowship potluck lunch.
April 19 (Good Friday 7 PM): Please join us at the Ligtenberg home for a time of worship and meditations.
April 21 (Easter Sunday): There will be no Children’s catechism lesson or Shorter Catechism lesson. The lessons will resume in May.
April 28 (Lord’s Day): Join us as we discuss Paul Tripp’s “Parenting: The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family.”
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
April 14: Kelly Rogers
April 21: Liza Beede