::: Download the 10.6.2013 Worship Study Guide & Sermon Notes
::: Download the 10.6.2013 Bulletin
::: Download the 10.6.2013 WepcKids Parent Bulletin
::: Listen to the 10.6.2013 Sermon
image :: Found Objects, Patrick Caulfield (1968, British)
Preparation for Worship & Communion ::: Inheritance
Satan is loath to part with a great sinner. He says… “Do you think that Christ will foul His fingers with you? It is enough to make angels blush to see one so vile knock at heaven’s gates for mercy. Will you be so abominably bold to do it?”
Thus Satan dealt with me, when at first I came to Jesus Christ.
And what did you reply? Why, I granted the charge to be true.
And did you despair?
No. I said, “I am Magdalene, I am Zaccheus, I am the thief, I am the harlot, I am the publican, I am the prodigal, and one of Christ’s murderers; yea, worse than any of these; and yet God was so far off from rejecting me, as I found afterwards, that there was music and dancing in His house for me, and for joy that I was come home unto Him.”
O blessed be God for grace! Such a one is a continual spectacle in the Church, in whom to behold God’s grace and wonder. (John Bunyan)
:: Father Long Before Creation (Chinese Hymn, c.1952) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2817376614 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=1]
:: My Lord I Did Not Choose You (Josiah Conder, 1836) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=4120016334 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=9]
:: In Christ Alone (Getty & Townend, 2001) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1060200358 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=12]
:: All Must Be Well (Mary Bowley Peters, 1847) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1060200358 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=11]
:: Nothing But The Blood of Jesus (Robert Lowrey, 1876) [bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=4120016334 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 t=10]
Call to Worship ::: Psalm 2:7-8,11-12
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten You.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations Your heritage,
and the ends of the earth Your possession.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest He be angry, and you perish in the way,
for His wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Declaration of Faith ::: The Apostles’ Creed, 2nd century
We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, We 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. We 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.
Old Testament Reading ::: Isaiah 62:11-12
Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, His reward is with Him,
and His recompense before Him.”
And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.
Sermon ::: Ephesians 1:11-14
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[a] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[b] to the praise of his glory.
[a] Or down payment; [b] Or until God redeems his possession
We Confess Our Sin Together
Our Father, You are our Creator, and we are the work of Your hands; You are our Shepherd, and we are Your flock; You are our Redeemer, and we are the people You have purchased; You are our God, and we are Your inheritance. Yet we have lived as a people cut off from the Lord who loved us: Hard, cynical, defensive, proud and skeptical. We confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. Purify for Yourself a people for Your own possession who are zealous for doing good. That the whole earth may see that You are our God and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Declares Our Forgiveness ::: Colossians 1:12-14
Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.