:: Download the 6.8.2014 Worship Study Guide & Sermon Notes
:: Download the 6.8.2014 Bulletin
:: Download the 6.8.2014 Parent Bulletin
:: Download the 6.8.2014 Sermon Audio
image :: The Amateurs, George Luks (1899, American)
Preparation for Worship :: New Song
“By virtue of His resurrection, Jesus is alive in such a way that He can be both ‘with us’ and ‘for us.’ Simultaneously He is ‘in the midst of the assembly’ and in the heavenly Jerusalem ever interceding for us. A permanent Singer has been installed. From one perspective, He sings with us in the church; from another He intercedes for us in heaven. When the church gathers in worship, earth and heaven converge. When we sing we are not singing by ourselves. There is a higher song going on above ours and a deeper song going on beneath ours.” (Reggie Kidd)
“The dove descending breaks the air
With flames of incandescent terror
Of which the tongues declare
The one discharge from sin and error.
The only hope, or else despair
Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre-
To be redeemed from fire by fire.” (T.S. Eliot)
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs for June 8
:: Beautiful One (Hughes & Camp, 2004) chart // audio
:: We Bow Down (Paris, 1984) history // chart // audio
:: Your Great Name (Grant, 2008) chart // audio
:: Jesus, Lover of My Soul (Wesley, 1740) history // chart // audio
:: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Wesley, 1739) history // chart // audio
Call to Worship :: Revelation 5:9-14
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reignon the earth.”
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Old Testament Reading :: Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make His face to shine upon us,
that Your way may be known on earth,
Your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
let all the peoples praise You!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for You judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
let all the peoples praise You!
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear Him!
Sermon :: Ephesians 5:15-21
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
We Confess Our Sin Together :: based on Psalm 5
Hear our words and consider our groanings, O Lord.
Give attention to the sound of our cry.
For You are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with You.
The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
You abhor the bloodthirsty and deceitful.
O Lord, we have done what is evil in Your sight.
We have been boastful, deceitful and bloodthirsty.
By Your mercy alone,
by the abundance of Your steadfast love
may we enter Your house.
Because of Your Son, O Lord,
let us find refuge in You.
Take away our sins and let us sing for joy.
Cover us with Your favor as with a shield.
For the sake of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Words of Encouragement :: Zephaniah 3:14-17
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
He has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a Mighty One who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by his love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.”
Benediction