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image :: The Angelus, Jean-François Millet (1859, French)

Preparation for Worship :: God Reveals

“The broad sweep of God’s wordless revelation in the universe…and the clarity of His written Word…to which heart-searching is the worshipper’s response.”  (Derek Kidner, commentary on Psalm 19)

“We know Him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even his everlasting power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20. All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse. Second, He makes Himself more clearly and fully known to us by His holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to His glory and our salvation.” (The Belgic Confession,1561)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday July 3 include ::

:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: All Creatures of Our God and King (Francis of Assisi, 1225) CHART [bandcamp track=3110760989 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Give Me Jesus (African-American Spiritual) CHART [bandcamp track=893825801 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done (Charles Wesley, 1739) CHART [bandcamp track=135949962 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: All Things New (Horatius Bonar, 1846) CHART [bandcamp track=503053927 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (John Newton, 1779; Tomlin & Giglio, 2006) CHART [bandcamp track=3958547232 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]::  The Heavens Declare Thy Glory Lord (Psalm 19) (Isaac Watts,1807)

Call to Worship :: Hebrews 1:1-2

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.

Confession of Sin

Heavenly Father, You have not left us in the dark. You have blessed us by Your creation, Your Word, Your Spirit and Your Son. And so, You have given us powerful promises of redemption and a future hope. You have given us good commandments to walk in. Forgive our heard-hearted cynicism, pride, and frantic self-dependence. Forgive us for doubting You and fleeing from You. Forgive us for when we have rebelled against Your guidance and keep Your servants from willful sins; may they not rule over us. May these words of our mouths and this meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.

Words of Encouragement :: Titus 3:3-7

We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Sermon :: Psalm 19

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

² Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

³ There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

⁴ Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

⁶ His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

¹¹ Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

¹² Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

¹³ Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

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image :: Cherry Tree, Hiroshige (19th century, Japan)

Preparation for Worship :: Blessed

“In the Book of Psalms there is profit for all….a complete gymnasium for the soul.” (Ambrose of Milan, Commentary on Psalm 1, 4^th century)

“We might not want to pray a particular Psalm because it doesn’t feel like we are feeling right now. But somebody has prayed this way before. And somebody might be praying this way right now. And that somebody might be sitting right next to you.  Honesty doesn’t live in a vacuum.” (Brian Moss)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday June 26 include ::

:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Streams of Living Water Flow (Thomas Kelly, 1768-1855) CHART [bandcamp track=2488897534 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: How High and How Wide (Mark Altrogge, 1990) CHART [bandcamp track=1890280234 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber,1826) CHART [bandcamp track=3071271614 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]

:: Psalm 1 (Isaac Watts, 1806)

:: Rejoice The Lord Is King (Charles Wesley, 1744) CHART

Call to Worship :: Ephesians 1:3-6

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

New Testament Reading :: I John 2:1-6

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ⁶ whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Confession of Sin

O Lord, Your Law is holy and Your blessings are abundant, but we receive them with ingratitude and neglect them both.  We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Jesus, You alone are our Hope. You are rich, yet You became poor for our sakes. You are Lord, yet You were meek among us. You deserve all honor, yet You grant us all mercy. You are without sin, yet You bore God’s wrath for our rebellion.  We can only trust Your intercession for our forgiveness and Your merit for our righteousness. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Words of Encouragement :: Romans 7:22-25

I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Sermon :: Psalm 1

¹ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.⁴ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.⁶ For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

::  Download the 6.19.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
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image :: New Growth, Jamie Wyeth (1971, American)

Preparation for Worship :: The Grace & Knowledge of Jesus

“Worship is weekly practice at not being God.” (Michael Lindvall)

“We become fruitful by grace; we persevere by grace; we mature by grace; by grace we grow to love one another the more, and by grace we cherish holiness and a deepening knowledge of God…The Savior himself cannot be glorified in our lives, nor can we be finally glorified, apart from the grace that He provides.” (D.A. Carson)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday June 19 include ::

:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Come Christians Join and Sing (Christian H. Bateman, 1843) CHART [bandcamp track=3155494288 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (Edward Mote, 1834) CHART [bandcamp track=1565832897 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: We Are Not Overcome (Heiskell & Wardell, 2013) CHART [bandcamp track=3830598251 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Jesus I am Resting Resting (Jean Sophia Pigott, 1876) CHART [bandcamp track=104008922 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: How Firm a Foundation (Rippon’s Selection of Hymns, 1787) CHART [bandcamp track=1364970937 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]

Call to Worship :: Isaiah 33:5-6

The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high. He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.

Gospel Reading :: Matthew 7:24-27

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Confession of Sin

Lord, forgive our distant, doubting hearts.  At times we seek Your blessing, but have no love for You.  We are like those who witnessed Jesus’ miracles of healing and heard His proclamation, yet somehow spurned belief.  We too have seen and enjoyed wonders, yet have hardened our hearts.  We confess that our dull unbelief tempts others and offends You.  Heavenly Father, forgive us our sin.  Renew us in Your Spirit that with open hearts we may turn to Jesus for rest, and long for Your Kingdom’s coming.  Amen.

Words of Encouragement :: Micah 7:18-19

Who is a God like our God, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Sermon :: II Peter 3:14-18

¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. ¹⁵ And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, ¹⁶ as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. ¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

::  Download the 6.12.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
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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.

::  Download the 6.5.2016 Worship Study Guide and Sermon Notes
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image :: Noontime, St. Botolph Street, Boston, George Luks (1928, American)

Preparation for Worship :: Where is the Promise of His Coming?

“The judgment consists in the very fact that men prefer darkness to light…The characteristic of lost souls is their rejection of everything that is not simply themselves.”  (C.S. Lewis)

“Jesus, our true and faithful Lord, Your promise we receive,
You are not slow to keep Your Word, But we are, to believe:
Should we throughout our seventy years For Your appearing stay,
A thousand, when Your face appears, Would seem but as one day.” (Charles Wesley)

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Sunday June 5 include ::

:: Doxology (Thomas Ken, 1709) CHART [bandcamp track=2257784892 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: O God Our Help in Ages Past (Isaac Watts, 1719) CHART [bandcamp track=650804974 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: All Things New (Horatius Bonar, 1846) CHART [bandcamp track=503053927 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Come Ye Sinners (Joseph Hart, 1759) CHART [bandcamp track=1984899776 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Come, All Ye Pining (Anne Steele, b.1717) CHART [bandcamp track=2538870965 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: How Great Thou Art (Carl Boberg, 1885) CHART [bandcamp track=4153898077 bgcol=FFFFFF linkcol=4285BB size=short]:: Our Lord, Come (I Corinthians 16:22; Revelation 22:20) CHART

Call to Worship :: Psalm 90:1-4, 12-14

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Gospel Reading :: Matthew 24:34-44

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.  For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,   and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Confession of Sin

O Lord, we have not longed for Your coming nor for Your Kingdom as we ought. We have not denied ourselves, taking up Your cross, following You. Instead, clinging to the things of this world and counting them dear, we have grown callous to our neighbor. We have not cried out for justice nor cared about those who are without Christ and without hope in this world. Lord, forgive us for our offenses and grant that by the power of Your Spirit, we might live in light of Your coming again.

Words of Encouragement :: Psalm 130:3-4

If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.

Sermon :: II Peter 3:1-10

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, ² that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, ³ knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, ⁶ and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 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.