Welcome

We begin our prayers with praise because Jesus instructed that prayer begins with who God is, where He is, and with an active longing that our kingdoms become more like His.

God Summons Us

Call to Worship

Leader: The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

ALL: for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Leader: Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

ALL: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

Leader: He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

ALL: Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Leader: Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

ALL: Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

Leader: Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

ALL: Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!

Adapted from Psalm 24

Praises of the People

Hymns and Choruses of Praise

#790 “We Gather Together”

God Sanctifies Us

Silent Personal Confession
The proof of God’s amazing love is this:
While we were sinners, Christ died for us.
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Trusting in God’s faithfulness and compassion, let us confess our sin before God and one another.
—based on Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:16

Unison Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have often failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love. We have not loved our neighbors, and have refused to hear the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray, and free us into joyful obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Declaration of Forgiveness
The grace, mercy, forgiveness and peace of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, has preceded us in this moment. We are a forgiven and strengthened people because of the Father Heart of God, the work of Jesus Christ, and the indwelling, unfailing love of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Passing of the Peace
The peace of the LORD be with you.
And also with you.

God Strengthens Us

The Prayers of the People
We ask for help boldly because Jesus taught us to do so.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Hymn of Reflection
#686 “O God Our Help In Ages Past”

The Doxology: #814
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

God Speaks to Us

The Prayer of Illumination

The Reading - Psalm 54

Leader: This is the word of the Lord.

ALL: Praise be to the Christ.

The Sermon –
The Lord Is The Upholder Of My Life - Psalm 54
Matthew Blazer

Notes:
1. We plead

2. Before ruthless foes

3. In defiant trust

4. And a worshipful posture

Closing Hymn

#797 “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

Welcome
This is a new, though also very old, kind of service of worship.

It is contemplative, that is, it invites its participants to reflect upon their Lord, His power, righteousness and mercies, the church universal, and their own lives as members of His body. We use periods of silence for reflection and inner prayer—and also for extemporaneous, short, spoken praises, prayers or songs.

It is traditional. It includes forms of worship, praise and prayer from the whole history of the Christian church, some from the earliest days, others that date from the Reformation, and still others that are more modern.

Such a service depends a great deal on the active participation of those attending. No liturgy guarantees a spirit-filled experience of worship (nor does the absence of liturgy do so). This service asks for worshipers who are intentional and concentrated in their opening of themselves to the presence of Christ, in their sensitivity to what the Holy Spirit is saying, and in fervent sharing of responses, prayers and song. It also calls us to remember that above all, we come together to please God. God has the first and last word this morning because He has the first and last word in all of the universe.

Such a service reminds us, too, of a mystery: that we inhabit not only a physical universe but a spiritual one, that all around us are angels and archangels and all the company of heaven with whom we join in our praises, and who are witnesses that what we do physically has eternal and supernatural consequences. We enter a sacred space and live a holy time as we draw near to God, and especially so when we share His feast, the Eucharist.

Church and Ministry Information

Are you a guest with us this morning?
Welcome and thank you for joining us today. Please introduce yourself and/or complete the “Welcome to The Barn!” form at the back of your bulletin and place it in the offering box.

Hearing Assist Receivers Available
Hearing assist receivers can be picked up from the sound crew before the service.

Prayer Opportunity
At the conclusion of the service, our prayer team is available to pray for you.

Offering
The Apostle Paul assumes that local gatherings of Christ followers support the work of the Gospel. He describes giving monetarily in almost every letter he writes in the New Testament. Christ followers give what they can for the work of the local church and for mission churches. Similarly here, we hope you are planning and then giving joyfully because you believe in the mission and vision of this local gathering. There is a box by the door to receive your offering.