.
THE LORD’S DAY
BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown
.
PRELUDE: “Be Still and Know,” arr. Hayes
Musicians today: Robin Phillips, piano; Shannon Lewis, violin
PLEASE NOTE: This music provides an opportunity for us to meditate, prepare our hearts, and reverently worship God the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit.
.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Elder Stephanie Stehl
.
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thes.1:11-12)
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Phil. 1:9-11)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Pet. 4:10-11)
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
.
SONG OF PRAISE: “For the Beauty of the Earth”
1 For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Refrain:
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.
2 For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light, [Refrain ]
3 For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild, [Refrain]
4 For yourself, best gift divine,
to the world so freely given,
agent of God’s grand design:
peace on earth and joy in heaven. [Refrain]
.
INVOCATION: In Unison
Most Gracious heavenly Father, who from all eternity has searched us out that we might know You and be to You a pleasing aroma; receive us now into the courts of Your Temple in the name of Jesus Christ. Grant to us the grace and strength to rejoice as Christ’s disciples, and to hear His Word, that we might celebrate His mighty acts of redemption and be nourished in our faith. To You, O gracious Father, enthroned above, and to the Son, sitting at Your right hand, and to the Holy Spirit, dwelling in our hearts and uniting us to You and before Your heavenly throne of grace, be all glory, wisdom, power and dominion, now, and again, and forevermore, world without end, Amen.
.
HYMN OF WORSHIP: “And Can It Be?”
1 And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Refrain:
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
2 ‘Tis mystery all! Th’Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more. [Refrain]
3 He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me. [Refrain]
4 Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee. [Refrain]
5 No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own. [Refrain]
.
CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison
Good and perfect God: You call us to righteousness yet we confess that our sin and imperfections make us unfit for your forgiveness. We ignore You and the needs of others. We fail You and our brothers and sisters. You call us to obedience yet we rebel against You. In doing so, we hurt others and ourselves. All this we confess to You, and we seek Your merciful forgiveness, made available to us only in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. Use the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.
.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the Good News of Jesus Christ: By grace through faith, you are forgiven! Jesus Christ has paid the price, and you are now free to love and serve God.
.
.
THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoffrey Brown
Daniel 3:12-30; Philippians 2:19-30
.
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION
Offertory: “The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference,” arr. MacDonald
.
DOXOLOGY:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
.
HYMN OF ADORATION: “At the Name of Jesus”
1 At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bow,
ev’ry tongue confess him King of glory now.
‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
2 At his voice creation sprang at once to sight,
all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
all the heav’nly orders in their great array.
3 Humbled for a season to receive a name
from the lips of sinners unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious, when from death he passed.
4 In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your Captain in temptation’s hour:
let his will enfold you in its light and pow’r.
5 Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father’s glory, with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.
.
.
SERMON
THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Geoffrey Brown
Philippians Summer Sermon Series, Part 8:
Philippians’ Three Musketeers
“All for One & One for All”
.
.
.
CLOSING SONG: “Here I Am, Lord”
1 I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Refrain:
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart
2 I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people”s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send? (Refrain)
3 I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame
I will set a feast for them
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide
‘Til their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send? (Refrain)
.
BENEDICTION
.
POSTLUDE
