:: Download the 1.5.2014 Worship Study Guide & Sermon Notes
:: Download the 1.5.2014 Bulletin
:: Download the 1.5.2014 Parent Bulletin
:: Download the 1.5.2014 Sermon Audio
image :: Perspectival Study of the Adoration of the Magi, Leonardo da Vinci (c.1481, Italian)
Preparation for Worship :: Manifold Wisdom
“True and sound wisdom consists of two parts: In knowing God, each of us also knows himself… our very being is nothing but subsistence in the one God… Indeed, our very poverty better discloses the infinitude of benefits reposing in God.” (John Calvin)
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong… It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (I Corinthians 1:27,30)
“Even angels long to look into these things.” (I Peter 1:12)
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs for Jan 5
:: Dayspring (Wesley, 1740) // history // chart // audio
:: Immortal, Invisible Go Only Wise (Smith, 1867) // history // chart // audio
:: For All the Saints (How, 1864) // history // chart // audio
:: Here I Am to Worship (Hughes) // chart // audio
:: Arise, O God, and Shine (Hurn, 1813) // history // chart // audio
:: From All That Dwell Below The Skies (Watts, 1719) // history // chart // audio
Call to Worship :: John 8:12
Jesus said,
“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows Me
will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
Old Testament Reading :: Proverbs 8:1-11
Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
“To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”
Sermon :: Ephesians 3:7-13
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
We Confess Our Sin Together :: John Wesley (1703-1791)
Forgive them all, O Lord;
Our sins of omission and our sins of commission;
The sins of our youth and the sins of our riper years;
The sins of our souls and the sins of our bodies;
Our secret and our more open sins;
Our sins of ignorance and surprise,
And our more deliberate and presumptuous sin;
The sins we have done to please ourselves,
And the sins we have done to please others;
The sins we know and remember,
And the sins we have forgotten;
The sins we have striven to hide from others
And the sins by which we have made others offend You;
Forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all for His sake,
Who died for our sins and rose for our justification,
and now stands at Your right hand
to make intercession for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Words of Encouragement :: John 1:29
“Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!”