SERMON
“A Better than Anything New Year”
—Exploring How Jesus Makes the New Year Better
Part 3: “The Lord, He Have a Job for Me”
THE LORD’S DAY
BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown
PRELUDE: “Like a River Glorious,” arr. Lloyd Larson
Musicians today: Barbara Jayne, 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 Susan Colts
“You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you offspring of Israel!” (Psalm 22:23)
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)
“For God, Who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
“Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your Own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.” (John 17:3-5)
Our Savior and King Jesus Christ also said, “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those Whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. (John 17:9-10)
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me,” says the Lord. (Psalm 50:23a)
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
Great and awesome God, creator and source of all, we worship and praise You. Out of chaos and darkness You spoke words which brought order, light and life. We marvel at such evidence of Your greatness and glory. Yet, You laid these aside when You took on human flesh in Jesus Christ. Assemble us, now, in His name, whom the angels adore as the Son of the Most High, forever worshiping Him. Guide us in all that we do, that we do all at Your bidding, filled with Your grace, directed by Your wisdom, informed by Your truth, empowered by Your Spirit and accomplished to Your glory. In Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
HYMN OF WORSHIP: “I Will Praise Him Still”
When the morning comes on the farthest hill
I will sing His name, I will praise Him, still.
When dark trials come and my heart is filled
With the weight of doubt, I will praise Him, still.
When the morning comes on the farthest hill
I will sing His name, I will praise Him, still.
When dark trials come and my heart is filled
With the weight of doubt, I will praise Him, still.
For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave,
For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave,
And He gave us life in His perfect will,
And by His good grace, I will praise Him, still.
CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison
Lord God, we confess that it is our practice to follow our own desires or the culture around us more than Your will for our lives. This fallen world seduces us, and our pride propels us. We are often afraid or unwilling to proclaim You and Your truth to a hostile and hurting world. We confess that we sin against You, ourselves, and our neighbor when we stray from Your way, and we ask Your forgiveness and seek Your strength to be a witness for You, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
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. (Col. 1: 13-14)
THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff
OT: Joshua 24:14-28; NT: 2 Timothy 2:1-19
PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: Susan Colts
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION
OFFERTORY: “The Lord’s My Shepherd,” arr. Larry Shackley
DOXOLOGY:
Praise God from Who all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
HYMN OF ADORATION: “Wonderful Merciful Savior”
Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh you rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way
Oh, we hopelessly lost the way
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
ere in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we’re falling before Your throne
THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Geoff
“A Better than Anything New Year”
—Exploring How Jesus Makes the New Year Better
Part 3: “The Lord, He Have a Job for Me”
CLOSING SONG: “The Solid Rock”
1 My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand.
2 In ev’ry rough and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the vale.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]
3 Not earth, nor hell, my soul can move;
I rest upon unchanging love.
I trust his righteous character,
his counsel, promise, and his pow’r. [Refrain]
4 When he shall come with trumpet sound,
oh, may I then in him be found,
dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
