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image :: “Help! Help!”, For Children. The Gates of Paradise, William Blake (1793, English)

Preparation for Worship  ::  Praying in the Spirit

“Prayer is the breath of God in man, returning whence it came.” (Benjamin Beddome)

“We must lay before Him what is in us; not what ought to be in us.” (C.S. Lewis)

“Teach me to pray. Pray Thyself in me.” (Francois Fenelon)

“We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)

Call to Worship  ::  Psalm 47:1-2,5-6

God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Fortress.

Old Testament Reading  ::  Exodus 17:8-13

Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.

Sermon  ::  Ephesians 6:18-20

¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

We Confess Our Sin Together

Pardon our sins, merciful Lord. We have been slow and superstitious in prayer, this sin leads to so many others. Keep us from withholding true worship from You, which Your glory is due, and which our hearts so urgently need. Wipe out our sins, known and unknown, felt and unfelt, remembered and forgotten. Grant us power to believe Your blood cleanses us from all sin, Your Spirit leads us in all prayer, Your grace overwhelms all evil, and Your Good News is our sole life and message, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Words of Encouragement  ::  Hebrews 7:25

He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

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image :: Saint George and the Princess of Trebizond (detail), Antonio Pisanello (1395-1455, Italian)

Preparation for Worship  ::  Whole Armor

“My Saviour shall subdue
The powers of earth and hell;
Behold, He maketh all things new,
He doeth all things well.”  (John Beaumont)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. Take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for August 3

::  Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Walter C. Smith, 1867)  audio  //  chart
::  O Church, Arise (Getty & Townend, 2005)  audio  //  chart
::  Be Thou My Vision (8th Century Irish Hymn)  chart  //  audio
::  All The Way My Savior Leads Me (Fanny Crosby, 1875)  chart  //  audio
::  When Trials Come (Getty, 2005)  chart //  audio
::  How Firm a Foundation (R. Keen, c.1787)   audio // chart

Call to Worship  ::  Psalm 144:1-2,5-6,9

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle. He is my steadfast Love and my Fortress, my Stronghold and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in whom I take refuge. Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke! Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out Your arrows and rout them!  I will sing a new song to You, O God

Old Testament Reading  ::  Jeremiah 20:11-13

The Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.

Sermon  ::  Ephesians 6:13-17

¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

We Confess Our Sin Together  ::  The Valley of Vision, “The Servant In Battle”

O LORD, I bless You that the issue of the battle between Yourself and Satan has never been uncertain, and will end in victory. Calvary broke the dragon’s head, and I contend with a vanquished foe, who with all his subtlety and strength has already been overcome. When I feel the serpent at my heel may I remember Him whose heel was bruised, but who, when bruised, broke the devil’s head. My soul with inward joy extols the Mighty Conqueror. Heal me of any wounds received in the great conflict; If I have gathered filth, if my faith has suffered damage, if my hope is less than bright, if my love is not fervent, if some creature-comfort occupies my heart, if my soul sinks under pressure of the fight. O LORD, whose every promise is balm, every touch life, draw near to Your weary warrior, refresh me, that I may rise again to wage the strife, and never tire until my enemy is trodden down. Give me such fellowship with You that I may defy Satan, unbelief, the flesh, the world, with delight that comes not from a creature, and which a creature cannot mar. Give me a draught of the eternal fountain that lies in Your immutable, everlasting love and decree. Then shall my hand never weaken, my feet never stumble, my sword never rest, my shield never rust, my helmet never shatter, my breastplate never fall, as my strength rests in the power of Your might.

Words of Encouragement  ::  I Corinthians 15:56-57

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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image :: Fatigue 2, John Brosio (2009, American)

Preparation for Worship  ::  Stand Against

“It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, ‘Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.’ All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that ‘Christ is all in all’.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for July 27

::  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God   audio // chart
::  Psalm 22:19   chart
::  Your Great Name   audio // chart
::  Before the Throne of God Above   audio // chart
::  By Thy Mercy   audio // chart
::  ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus   audio // chart

Call to Worship  ::  Psalm 71:1-3

In You, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a Rock of Refuge, to which I may continually come; You have given the command to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress.

Old Testament Reading  :: Psalm 22:19; Psalm 57

[Refrain] Lord, do not be far from me; Come, quickly, to help me.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful,for I have taken refuge in You;
in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge until this time of trouble has gone by.
I will call upon the Most High God, the God who maintains my cause.
He will send from heaven and save me;
He will confound those who trample upon me;
God will send forth His love and His faithfulness. [Refrain]

I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people;
their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword.
They have laid a net for my feet, and I am bowed low;
they have dug a pit before me, but have fallen into it themselves.
Exalt Yourself above the heavens, O God, and Your glory over all the earth. [Refrain]

My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and make melody.
Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp;
I myself will waken the dawn.
I will confess You among the peoples, O LORD;
I will sing praise to You among the nations. [Refrain]

For Your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens,
and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Exalt Yourself above the heavens, O God,
and Your glory over all the earth. [Refrain]

Sermon  ::  Ephesians 6:10-13

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

We Confess Our Sin Together

O Lord, no day of our lives passes that does not prove us guilty in Your sight. Our best services are filthy rags. All things in us call for our rejection. However, all things in Christ plead our acceptance. Grant us to hear Your voice assuring us that by Your stripes we are healed, that You were bruised for our iniquities, that You became sin for us that we might become righteous in You. Grant that by resting in Your righteousness we may hereafter walk in newness of life as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Words of Encouragement  ::  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.

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image :: The Slave Ship, William Turner (1840, British)

Preparation for Worship  ::  Slaves & Masters

“In the long history of inspirational pabulum, ‘follow your passion’ has got to be the worst… Over and over, people love to talk about the passion that guided them to happiness. When I left high school–confused and unsure of everything–my guidance counselor assured me that it would all work out, if I could just muster the courage to follow my dreams. My Scoutmaster said to trust my gut. And my pastor advised me to listen to my heart. What a crock. Why do we do this? Why do we tell our kids—and ourselves—that following some form of desire is the key to job satisfaction? If I’ve learned anything from this show, it’s the folly of looking for a job that completely satisfies a ‘true purpose.’ In fact, the happiest people I’ve met over the last few years have not followed their passion at all—they have instead brought it with them.” (Mike Rowe, “Dirty Jobs,” Forbes magazine)

“To call Christ Lord is to fear to displease him: yet that godly fear sooner or later sets one free from lesser and unworthy fears.” (Dick Lucas)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for July 20

::  Come and Welcome  audio
::  All I Owe  audio
::  None Other Lamb  audio
::  Thy Mercy My God  audio
::  There Is a Fountain  audio
::  Amazing Grace  audio

Call to Worship  :: Psalm 113:1-6

Praise the Lord; Praise the Lord, you His servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

Confession of Faith :: Philippians 2:5-11

Christ Jesus, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Old Testament Reading  :: Deuteronomy 15:12-18

If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free.And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you.That is why I give you this command today. But if your servant says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant. Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because their service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.

Sermon  ::  Ephesians 6:5-9

⁵ Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. ⁹ Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

We Confess Our Sin Together

Lord of All, You have called us to submit to those You have placed in authority over us. We confess that we are slow to love and serve. Instead of sincerely honoring our leaders, we zealously guard our autonomy. Instead of humbly deferring to our counselors, we arrogantly defy their wisdom. Instead of graciously bearing with our governors, we refuse to grant them forgiveness. Instead of doing Your will from the heart, we people-please and fail to perceive the True Lord. So we sin against You. Forgive us we pray.You have also given us the glory and privilege of authority over others. We confess that we have abused this trust.Instead of leading others, we avoid responsibility. Instead of ruling as Your steward, we issue shrill decrees that cannot be questioned. Instead of patiently serving those under us, we pursue our own advantage and position. So we sin against You. Forgive us we pray.

Words of Encouragement  :: II Corinthians 5:21

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

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image ::Daughter and Father, Lucian Freud (2002, British)

Preparation for Worship  ::  Fathers

“I am a great writer because when I was a little girl and walked into the room where my father was sitting, his eyes would light up. That is why I am a great writer. That is why. There isn’t any other reason.”  (Toni Morrison)

“Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace… that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?” (Baptismal Vow, Book of Church Order 56.5)

“If the love of a father will not make a child delight in him, what will?” (John Owen)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for July 13

::  Holy is the Lord
::  Abide With Me
::  How He Loves
::  He Ever Loves Us
::  My Jesus I Love Thee
::  Blessed Be Your Name

Call to Worship  ::  Psalm 68:4-6,19

Sing to God, sing praises to His name; lift up a song to Him who rides through the deserts; His name is the Lord; exult before Him! Father of the fatherless and Protector of widows is God in His holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.

Old Testament Reading  :: Proverbs 3:11-12; 17:6; 19:18

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers.

Discipline your son, for there is hope;
do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Sermon  ::  Ephesians 5:32-6:4

³² This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ³³ However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” ⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

We Confess Our Sin Together  ::  from The Book of Common Prayer

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone what we ought to have done, and we have done what we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us. Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us: restore those who repent, according to Your promises declared to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. And grant, merciful Father, for His sake, That we may live a godly, righteous, and obedient life, to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Words of Encouragement  ::  I John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

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image :: Untitled, Jean-Pierre Ruel (2010, French)

Preparation for Worship  ::  That It May Go Well With You

“Jesus is a fountain containing all good, and flowing with streams of richest, choicest blessings. Nothing can be needed, but Jesus has it…Here we may drink and enjoy immortal health. Here we may live and find every needful good…Why then should we live smarting under the wounds of sin, or groaning beneath its load? Behold, the living, the open Fountain — wash and be clean, drink and be refreshed. Why should we complain of spiritual need, or groan in indigence and poverty? Let us go to Jesus. His immortal fullness contains all we can need, and He bids us come and take freely. Come, then, and supply all your needs; come, drink and forget your poverty, and remember your misery no more.” (James Smith)

Call to Worship  ::  Psalm 145:1-4,13

I will extol You, my God and King, and bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Old Testament Reading  ::  Isaiah 49:8-9,25

This is what the Lord says: “In the time of My favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’…”  This is what the Lord says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.”

Sermon  ::  Ephesians 5:32-6:4

³² This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ³³ However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” ⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

We Confess Our Sin Together  ::  from Martin Bucer’s Strasbourg Liturgy (1539), based on the 10 Commandments of Exodus 20:1-17

Almighty, eternal, merciful God and Father, we confess that we have sinned against You and Your commandments: We confess that we have not believed in You, our one God and Father, but have put our faith and trust more in creature than in You, our God and Creator. We confess that we have erected idols in our hearts, and bowed down and served them. We confess that we have misused Your Name, that we have sworn falsely or lightly by it, and have not professed it or kept it holy as we ought. We confess that we have not kept the Sabbath holy, nor have we rejoiced in the work of six days but have grumbled against Your day and been negligent in our work. We confess that we have not honored our parents, and have been disobedient to them and to all those to whom we owe honor and obedience. We confess that we have not respected life, but have murdered in our hearts, venting our anger against our neighbors whom we are to love. We confess that we have been unchaste; we acknowledge all our sins of the flesh and all the excess and extravagance of our whole lives in eating, drinking, clothing and things, and our intemperance in our thinking, seeing, hearing, and speaking. We confess that we have stolen. We acknowledge our greed. We admit our love of the world and the things of the world; we have dishonestly gained and kept what we have, and greedily held what belongs to others. We confess that we have borne false witness, that we have been untrue and unfaithful toward our neighbor, and that we have shaded, twisted, and denied the truth. We confess that we have coveted the possessions and spouses of others; we acknowledge our sin and transgression of Your holy commands and inclination toward all evil. Heavenly Father, graciously forgive us these and all our sins, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, our Savior. Amen.

Words of Encouragement  ::  Psalm 103:8, 10-12

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.