:: Download the 1.26.2014 Worship Study Guide & Sermon Notes
:: Download the 1.26.2014 Bulletin
:: Download the 1.26.2014 Parent Bulletin
:: Listen to the 1.26.2014 Sermon Audio
image :: The One from Many, Trevor Bell (1959, British)
Preparation for Worship :: One
“The vocation of the local church could scarcely be more exalted. Called out of the world to be a light in the world, to be a united family among the disunited families of the earth, to be indwelled by Christ himself, to be the apple of God’s eye, to be graven on Christ’s hands, to be the glory of the image of the Holy Trinity, to be an embodiment of the infinite love of the Cross, to be a collective portrait more beautiful than any other in the world — that is the church, the local church, the new people of God.” (Timothy Savage)
Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Jan 26
:: Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber, 1826) audio // chart
:: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Walter C. Smith, 1867) audio // chart
:: The Church’s One Foundation (Samuel Stone, 1866) audio // chart
:: There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy (Frederick Faber, 1862) audio // chart
:: For All the Saints (William How, 1864) audio // chart
Call to Worship :: from I Chronicles 29
Praise be to You, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor. For everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O Lord, is the Kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name.
Old Testament Reading :: Isaiah 44:6-8
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”
Sermon :: Ephesians 4:1-6
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
We Confess Our Sin Together
Almighty and merciful Father, You created us for fellowship with Yourself and one another; But, we rebelled, and made enemies of our Maker and each other. We have despised Your providence, doubted Your love, and become a law unto ourselves. We believed that human wrath would work the righteousness of God, and so have taken matters into our own hands. We are thankful that Your mercy is higher than the heavens, wider than our wanderings, and deeper than all of our sins. Grant us repentance and faith in Jesus Christ that we may desire what is good, love all that You love, and gladly follow where You lead. Amen.
Words of Encouragement :: Daniel 9:9,18
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him… We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.