February 16, 2020

Worship

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 begins. “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 (p. 498)

‡ Trinity Hymnal #635 “How Good It Is to Thank the Lord”

‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”

Prayer of Invocation

The Reading and Exposition of the Law

Matthew 5:31–32 (p. 810)

Prayer of Confession

The Proclamation of the Gospel

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8)

Bulletin Insert #9 “Thy Will Be Done”

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.

New Member Reception

We welcome as new members Ian Barclay, and Gulfield & Ashlie Jones.

Presentation of Gifts and Offering

Pastoral Prayer

The Proclamation of God’s Word

1 Peter 3:3–7 (p. 1015)

The Gospel Comes Home (Part 2)

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 #642 “Be Thou My Vision”

Benediction

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Growth Resources

Family Devotion for the Week

The February 9, 2020 sermon, 1 Peter 3:1–2. "The Gospel Comes Home (Part 1)" 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 16 (Lord’s Day): Children’s Catechism lesson and the adult Sunday School lesson on covenant theology will meet after the worship service.

February 23 (Lord’s Day): Join us as we discuss David Powlison’s book “God’s Grace in Your Suffering” after the worship service.

Nursery Volunteers

February 16: Yoori Han

February 22: Kelly Rogers