February 2, 2020
Worship
Before We Worship
It is easy spending time with people who love us. We look forward to seeing them. We hasten our steps to be with them. But it is a chore to spend time with people who don’t care for us. Perhaps we cannot avoid seeing them for a variety of reasons. But we will not put in one extra minute beyond what is absolutely required. We show up at the last possible minute that etiquette allows, and we hasten to leave.
What is it like for you when you come to worship? Indeed, how we come to and how we leave from the place of worship reveal what we truly think about God. If we are convinced that God loves us, then every step toward worship will be sweet and we will only leave with some reluctance. But if we are not convinced that God loves us, well, then worship will be a dreadful chore, and only too glad to be done and over with.
In Numbers 6:22–27 we actually find out how God is towards us. God commanded the priests to bless his people saying,
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
God then attached a promise to these words declared by the priests: “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
God’s deep desire is to bless his people. But while we often pray “Bless me, bless me,” we do not always understand what that means. For when we ask for God’s blessing, we are usually asking for something. But God loves us too much to bless us cheaply. When he gives blessing, he gives himself. The LORD’s shining face is the smiling face of a friend. He is gracious because he pours out his kindness. He lifts up his countenance as a man welcomes his life-long best friend. He gives peace by removing everything that leaves the two friends awkward and alienated. In other words, the greatest blessing he can give us is his love, and that is what he promised to give as the priests declared these words.
If so, our steps hasten to hear these words of blessing, and we are sorry to leave that place. In fact, we see this week after week as the saints linger on after the worship service. How sweet is that fellowship! Our eager gathering and reluctant parting is the sweetest testimony that we know God. God loves us and we love him. How glorious it is to be in his presence, to receive his blessing, and to share it! Let’s do it again.
Call to Worship
‡ Numbers 6:22–27 (p. 114)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #76 “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Matthew 5:21–26 (p. 810)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness…” (Romans 4:5)
Bulletin Insert #7 “There Is a Redeemer”
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
1 Peter 2:21–25 (p. 1015)
Jesus Is Everything
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 #87 “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Basics of the Christian Life
A wonderful 12-part video / audio lecture series by Sinclair Ferguson is available for free. Please take advantage of this free resource.
Family Devotion for the Week
The January 26, 2020 sermon, 1 Peter 2:18–25. "Follow In His Steps" 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 20” as we read 12 great books in the year 2020. In February we are reading “God's Grace in Your Suffering” by David Powlison.
February 2 (Lord’s Day): Children’s catechism lesson will meet after the service.
February 2 (Lord’s Day): We will continue our Sunday School series on Covenant Theology after the worship service.
February 8 (Saturday 10:30 AM): All men are invited to Men’s Brunch at the Ligtenberg home. Please come join us for a time of fellowship, food, and prayer.
February 9 (Lord's Day): Please join us for our monthly fellowship meal after the worship service.
Nursery Volunteers
February 2: Kelly Rogers
February 9: Michelle Kay