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Our Mission is to
make disciples of Jesus who are so changed by the gospel that they
are joyfully obedient in worshipping God, loving one another,
witnessing to the lost and serving others,
ALL FOR GOD'S GLORY! |
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Morning Worship
Reflection
Do you see
the better life God is calling us to? God isn’t just
saving us from sin; He’s saving us for a life of
love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and self-control.
Yes, there’s sacrifice involved. The call
to follow Jesus is a call to put our sin to death, to crucify it
and then let the Holy Spirit control every part of our lives—including
our sexual desires. He asks us to give up chasing
the lustful desires that could please us
temporarily. Yet on the other side of that
sacrifice is freedom and true pleasure. Lust
is always based on the same lie - that satisfaction will be found apart
from God.
—Joshua Harris
The Word of
God cuts through the fog of Satan’s lies and shows me where true and
lasting happiness is to be found. And so the Word helps me stop trusting
in the potential of sin to make me happy. Instead, the Word entices me
to trust in God’s promises.
—John
Piper
Sexual
appetite, like other appetites, grows by indulgence.
—CS Lewis
Welcome
*Preparation— Karl Koops
Prelude
Praise
Call to Worship— Psalm 36:7-10
Leader: 7How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
People: 8They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
Leader: 9For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
People: 10Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Hymn of Praise— All You That Fear Jehovah’s Name
Prayer of Adoration
Confession of Faith— Heidelberg Catechism #108-109
Q. #108:
What is God’s will for us in the seventh commandment?
God
condemns all unchastity. We should therefore
thoroughly detest it and, married or single, live decent and chaste
lives.
Q. #109:
Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as
adultery?
We are temples of the Holy Spirit,
body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy.
That is why he forbids everything which incites unchastity,
whether it be actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires.
Renewal
Scripture Reading— 1 John 1:5-8
5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Prayer of Confession— God Be Merciful to Me, vs 1-3
God, be merciful to me,
On thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion thou,
Blot out my transgression now;
Wash me, make me pure within,
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against thy grace
And provoked thee to thy face;
I confess thy judgment just,
Speechless, I thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
And in gladness to my heart;
Make me pure, thy grace bestow
Wash me whiter than the snow.
Private Confession
Blessing to the Humble— God Be Merciful to Me, vs 4-5
Broken, humbled to the dust
By thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear thy voice;
From my sins, O hide thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true
Cast me not away from thee,
Let thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
Praise Song— Praise His Holy Name
Cover me with the blood of the Lamb
On my own, I can’t stand.
Cleanse my heart and make it pure.
Give me strength to persevere.
Sing to the Lord. Praise his holy name.
I will exalt you, you have heard my cry.
In your light, my sins you reveal.
By your perfect love I’m healed
In my heart, I trust in you
Lord, you are my strength and shield.
Grace alone made me your choice
In my heart I will rejoice
From the pit you rescued me
Forever Lord, I will give thanks!
Congregational Prayer
Commitment
Song of Preparation— Your Holy Majesty
You are high above all things, the heavens can’t contain
Your radiance and your beauty, you shine brighter than the sun
I’m ravished and undone. You’ve conquered me completely
Now I am longing for the time when I will see your
Holy, holy majesty your glory and your splendor
Holy, holy majesty you fill my soul with wonder
And unspeakable delight
At just the sight of your holy majesty
Why would you shed your own blood
For those who spurned your love
And so many times refused your grace
Why would you take up our curse
Why did you love us first
Oh you deserve eternal praise
Now I am longing for the time when I will see your
Sermon Text— Ephesians 5:7-8a - You Are Light!
7Therefore do not associate with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Sermon—
Sex in God’s City:
The Alternative Lifestyle, part 4
~Pastor
Offering God our Wealth/Offertory
Closing Song— Your Hand Upon Me
O Lord, you have searched me
And you know my ways
You perceive all my thoughts from afar
Your hand is upon me wherever I go
Before I form each word you already know
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, you are there
If I rest on the far side of the sea, your love hems me in
Both behind and before
You have laid your hand upon me
You have laid your hand upon me
Where can I flee from your presence O Lord
If I sleep in the depths you are there
Your day will consume all the shadows of night
The dark cannot hide from your brilliant light.
Benediction
Postlude
Prayer and Praise Update
Missions
Rev. Danny Olinger, General Secretary, Committee on Christian Education
Phil and Meredith Proctor, Mbale, Uganda
As the Proctor’s reflect on the past year, they find many things to praise God for. The family sees Uganda as their home and has been thriving in spite of a case of typhoid, two invasions of army ants, and an ongoing invasion of bedbugs.
Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the family, and the work of Knox Theological College.
House of Correction, Jessup, MD
Pray that the faith of the men will not fail and that they will find unity.
Pray for opportunities for Becca to spread the gospel message.
Pray for St-Marc Church, for it’s ministry to the community, and for the spiritual health of it’s members.
At New Hope
Keep Bill Johansen’s brother, David, in prayer as he awaits a liver transplant. Be in prayer also about his spiritual condition.
Continue to pray for God’s clear provision for property, and for generous giving to the facility fund.
Continue to pray that the adoption process will go smoothly for the McClellan’s and that the Lord will provide the necessary finances.
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