May 19, 2019
Please note that the location and the time of our worship service has changed. We now worship at Zion Lutheran Church, 1405 E. Fallbrook Street, Fallbrook CA 92028 at 11 AM.
Before We Worship
Jesus said in John 3:3 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” That means heaven is not an assured destiny for every person. We need two births—one natural and one spiritual—in order to enter heaven. Our natural birth is the culmination of the decisions and the actions of our earthly parents. Our spiritual birth, however, is not up to us. Neither is it something that we effect. Again, John says in John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” This spiritual birth, whereby we are counted as God’s children, is called “Adoption.”
The Shorter Catechism describes adoption as “an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the Sons of God.” That it is “an act of God’s free grace” means our new birth is not from us or because of us, but it has its origin in God and is effected by that same God. That is why the privileges of adoption are so great. We are “received into the number” means we are counted as one of God’s children. There is a difference between how a master treats his servants and a father treats his children. After a certain point a master or a boss doesn’t really bother getting to know his servants or employees personally. But a father always knows his children. He knows exactly how many children he has, and he knows them all personally.
From this fatherly love of God we receive innumerable blessings. We can approach him without fear. Not only when we have done well, but even when we haven’t done well. Our God is the Father of infinite love and patience. His compassion also knows no limits. He is not a father who chastises the weakness of his children, but one whose compassion overflows for his stumbling children. And because God has adopted us into his family, we enjoy all the protection and security of his fatherhood. No harm can ever come to us except what our Father lovingly ordains, not to destroy us, but to strengthen us. And there can be no fear that some day his family will lose the distinction and the safety of its position as it often happens with earthly families when their father passes away. Our Father lives forever and all in his family are forever distinguished and secure in him.
This Lord’s Day we will witness the covenant baptism of baby Evangeline. One of the reasons Christ calls children to himself is so that he may extend to them the promise of new birth and adoption into God’s family. Thus we baptize Evangeline with faith in God’s promises and power, and as those who have entered into God’s family and are counted as his sons and daughters, with an eager hope and expectation to see God’s promises fulfilled in Evangeline’s life, that she may one day experience a new birth and adopted into God’s family.
Call to Worship
‡ Psalm 92 (p. 498)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #457 “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Shorter Catechism Q. 34
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
James 2:14–26 (p. 1012)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #9 “All You That Fear Jehovah’s Name”
Covenant Baptism of Evangeline Shai Rogers
Questions to the Parents
Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit?
Do you claim God’s covenant promises in his behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation, as you do for your own?
Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before him a godly example, that you will pray with and for him, that you will teach him the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
A Question to the Congregation
Do you as a congregation undertake the responsibility of assisting the parents in the Christian nurture of this child?
Trinity Hymnal #189 “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Luke 22:47–71 (p. 882)
Jesus Betrayed
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 TH #426 “Till He Come”! stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #32 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The May 12, 2019 sermon, Luke 22:31–46. “Weakness Sanctified” is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and subscribe to sermon podcast here.
Upcoming Events and Notices
Join us for “12 for 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. For May we will read Edward Welch’s “Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships.”
May 19: Please join us for our monthly fellowship lunch.
May 26 (Lord’s Day): Please join us as we discuss Edward Welch’s “Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships.”
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
May 19: Liza Beede
May 26: Michelle Kay