:: Download the 6.12.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
:: Download the 6.12.2016 Bulletin
:: Download the 6.12.2016 Sermon Audio
image :: The Expectation, Richard Oelze (1936)
Preparation for Worship :: What Sort of People
“Jesus on the cross may look powerless. Yet it is not quite that simple. As we have seen, when He stands before Pilate, He does in fact display a quite remarkable power over the Roman governor of Palestine. It is the power to be true to His ultimate calling, the power to sacrifice Himself for the sake of others. This is the power of God: the power to go to a Cross for people who do not deserve it. It is the power to love.” (Graham Tomlin)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday June 12 include ::
:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Be Thou My Vision (8th Century Irish Hymn) CHART [bandcamp track=1801427840 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: On Jordan’s Stormy Banks (Samuel Stenett, 1787) CHART [bandcamp track=1174694383 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: The Church’s One Foundation (Samuel Stone, 1866) CHART [bandcamp track=4187815592 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: We Will Sing In the House of Zion (Sandra McCracken, 2015) CHART [bandcamp track=3987551429 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]
Call to Worship :: Psalm 97:1-6
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.
Old Testament Reading :: Isaiah 65:17-19
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people.
Confession of Sin
Merciful Father, we confess that we have not set our hope fully on Jesus Christ and longed for the Day of His return. We try to live by our own rules rather than obey Your Word. We try to find rest in sin instead of in Your presence. We have set our ultimate hope in our own abilities, goodness, jobs, romantic relationships, or children. Just as You promise, have mercy and restore those who confess their faults: Renew us in humble submission to Your will. Remind us that life and health are only found in You. Give us grace and strength to follow where Your Spirit leads. In the name of Jesus our Savior, to the glory of Your holy Name. Amen
Words of Encouragement :: Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Sermon :: II Peter 3:10-14
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.